jjares reviewed Tokens of Love: The Substitute Guest / Saint Valentine's Eve / The London Swell / Dear Delight / February Falsehoods on + 3268 more book reviews
Collections of short stories by various authors are an opportunity to try new authors. I've read some stories by Sheila Walsh and Sandra Heath while having read many short and long stories by Mary Balogh. Fortunately, authors have figured out that meeting-and-marrying a person within the confines of a short story isn't very realistic. Only one author used this tactic, but the man was going to marry someone he already knew earlier and changed his mind. It turned out well in spite of the short relationship (THE LONDON SWELL). Overall score: 4.5 stars
THE SUBSTITUTE GUEST (Mary Balogh) -- 5 stars
Widowed Lady Florence Carver is disappointed when one of her female guests has to beg off (due to illness) for an adult Valentine's house party starting the next day. Reluctantly, she chooses Claire Ward, a prude and a spinster of the neighborhood to balance the numbers. The Duke of Langford is one of the guests (and probably the person Florence wanted to partner with). However, Gerard (the duke) chooses Claire, much to Florence's irritation. A delightfully romantic story ensues; I will be rereading this one again and again.
ST. VALENTINE'S EVE (Margaret Westhaven) -- 4 stars
Rosamund left England for India (to participate in the Marriage Mart there). But the night before she left, she gave herself to her love, John Fairburn. Now, 10 years later, Rosamund is a widow with a 4-year-old son, still living in India. She meets British officer John Fairburn again and feelings are stirred up, but Rosamund suddenly considers moving back to England.
THE LONDON SWELL (Carol Proctor) -- 4 stars
Charles Fitzhugh, Viscount Hunsdon, laments he has to go to so much trouble to get married. On his way to see his lady-love (Mariabella, a stunning beauty, surrounded by heaps of suitors), Fitzhugh almost runs over (on his horse) Lady Barbara DeNeresford, a rare baroness (a baron title was usually only passed down the male line but this is an ancient family that predates that policy). She happens to be penniless.
DEAR DELIGHT (Sheila Walsh) -- 5 stars
Charlotte Wynford had a chance at marriage years ago. When Luke Valentine (a British officer) asked Charlotte's father for permission to marry her, he refused and said that Charlotte was going to marry another. Now, it is several years later and Charlotte has a small cottage and often goes to her sister's house to help out (Annis is a feather-brain). This is going to be a party for her twin nieces (17th) and Charlotte is organizing everything, as usual. However, Colonel Luke Valentine arrives with her brother-in-law's younger brother and things turn interesting.
FEBRUARY FALSEHOODS (Sandra Heath) -- 3 stars
Marianne broke off her engagement to Piers Sutherland (the love of her life), two years ago after she found out that he had a mistress. Now, she has a proposal from a family friend when Piers reappears in England. This story is rather ridiculous.
THE SUBSTITUTE GUEST (Mary Balogh) -- 5 stars
Widowed Lady Florence Carver is disappointed when one of her female guests has to beg off (due to illness) for an adult Valentine's house party starting the next day. Reluctantly, she chooses Claire Ward, a prude and a spinster of the neighborhood to balance the numbers. The Duke of Langford is one of the guests (and probably the person Florence wanted to partner with). However, Gerard (the duke) chooses Claire, much to Florence's irritation. A delightfully romantic story ensues; I will be rereading this one again and again.
ST. VALENTINE'S EVE (Margaret Westhaven) -- 4 stars
Rosamund left England for India (to participate in the Marriage Mart there). But the night before she left, she gave herself to her love, John Fairburn. Now, 10 years later, Rosamund is a widow with a 4-year-old son, still living in India. She meets British officer John Fairburn again and feelings are stirred up, but Rosamund suddenly considers moving back to England.
THE LONDON SWELL (Carol Proctor) -- 4 stars
Charles Fitzhugh, Viscount Hunsdon, laments he has to go to so much trouble to get married. On his way to see his lady-love (Mariabella, a stunning beauty, surrounded by heaps of suitors), Fitzhugh almost runs over (on his horse) Lady Barbara DeNeresford, a rare baroness (a baron title was usually only passed down the male line but this is an ancient family that predates that policy). She happens to be penniless.
DEAR DELIGHT (Sheila Walsh) -- 5 stars
Charlotte Wynford had a chance at marriage years ago. When Luke Valentine (a British officer) asked Charlotte's father for permission to marry her, he refused and said that Charlotte was going to marry another. Now, it is several years later and Charlotte has a small cottage and often goes to her sister's house to help out (Annis is a feather-brain). This is going to be a party for her twin nieces (17th) and Charlotte is organizing everything, as usual. However, Colonel Luke Valentine arrives with her brother-in-law's younger brother and things turn interesting.
FEBRUARY FALSEHOODS (Sandra Heath) -- 3 stars
Marianne broke off her engagement to Piers Sutherland (the love of her life), two years ago after she found out that he had a mistress. Now, she has a proposal from a family friend when Piers reappears in England. This story is rather ridiculous.
Linda R. reviewed Tokens of Love: The Substitute Guest / Saint Valentine's Eve / The London Swell / Dear Delight / February Falsehoods on + 38 more book reviews
Five Regency Love Stories
