This anthology is an offering of 4 short stories in their first publication. Lisa Kleypas is a favorite author; the others are unknown to me. At the end, I will list the stories from fave-to-least.
I WILL (Lisa Kleypas) --
Having already read this in another collection just recently (in A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER), I'll repeat my evaluation. Caroline Hargreaves loathes Lord Drake. He is an intimate friend of her younger brother, Cade, and has led Cade astray (so that he owes huge amounts of money for gaming excessively). Lord Drake needs a faux betrothed because his father has disowned him (because of Lord Drake's hedonistic ways). Drake manipulates Caroline into acting as his love interest for a few months (until dear Papa reinstates Drake in his will). However, after his status is returned in the will, Drake decides to marry Caroline's cousin. Now what?
PUDDINGS, PASTRIES, AND THOU (Lisa Cach) --
Vivian Ambrose is a poor relation. Her previous relation (Vivian cared for her for years), has now died and Vivian has been passed on to the next relation. Unfortunately. Captain and Mrs.Twitchen have a daughter who is about to come out in her Season. Penelope is underwhelmed with the idea of sharing any of her dresses or beaus with Vivian.
Penelope suggests that Vivian find a marriageable partner in the next 10 days (so Vivian did not intrude on Penelope's Season). Vivian says she would marry anyone just to cease being a poor relation. Penelope suggests Vivian set her cap for the only unmarried man at the dinner that night. When Vivian asks Penelope why she didn't set her cap for the guest, Penelope demures. I did not like this story; the whole concept of capturing a man in 10 days was tasteless. Yuck.
UNION (Claudia Dain) --
I didn't the last one could be beaten for stupidity, I was wrong. Clarissa Walignford has 10 older brothers and she knows the game; she must marry soon and she is hunting for a husband. She's attracted to Lord Montwyn, especially when she finds out he has an Irish home. There was too much inner conversation and at the last minute, the author tells us why Clarissa insists on an Irish home. Frankly, it was not very interesting or realistic.
ALL I WANT (Lynsay Sands) --
Prudence Prescott's family is in danger of seeing the inside of a goal. Her father, Lord Prescott has been unable to accept his only son's death a year ago and he has been gambling and drinking himself to the poor house. He sneaks off early every morning and Pru cannot get to him to explain how bad things are getting. She goes to the club where her father gambles and drinks, but Lord Stockton, the owner won't let her into his establishment. But that doesn't stop Pru. Comedy laced with substance; a winner.
** Overall score (fave-to-least): Sands, Kleypas, Cach, Dain. Overall score = 3.5 stars
I WILL (Lisa Kleypas) --
Having already read this in another collection just recently (in A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER), I'll repeat my evaluation. Caroline Hargreaves loathes Lord Drake. He is an intimate friend of her younger brother, Cade, and has led Cade astray (so that he owes huge amounts of money for gaming excessively). Lord Drake needs a faux betrothed because his father has disowned him (because of Lord Drake's hedonistic ways). Drake manipulates Caroline into acting as his love interest for a few months (until dear Papa reinstates Drake in his will). However, after his status is returned in the will, Drake decides to marry Caroline's cousin. Now what?
PUDDINGS, PASTRIES, AND THOU (Lisa Cach) --
Vivian Ambrose is a poor relation. Her previous relation (Vivian cared for her for years), has now died and Vivian has been passed on to the next relation. Unfortunately. Captain and Mrs.Twitchen have a daughter who is about to come out in her Season. Penelope is underwhelmed with the idea of sharing any of her dresses or beaus with Vivian.
Penelope suggests that Vivian find a marriageable partner in the next 10 days (so Vivian did not intrude on Penelope's Season). Vivian says she would marry anyone just to cease being a poor relation. Penelope suggests Vivian set her cap for the only unmarried man at the dinner that night. When Vivian asks Penelope why she didn't set her cap for the guest, Penelope demures. I did not like this story; the whole concept of capturing a man in 10 days was tasteless. Yuck.
UNION (Claudia Dain) --
I didn't the last one could be beaten for stupidity, I was wrong. Clarissa Walignford has 10 older brothers and she knows the game; she must marry soon and she is hunting for a husband. She's attracted to Lord Montwyn, especially when she finds out he has an Irish home. There was too much inner conversation and at the last minute, the author tells us why Clarissa insists on an Irish home. Frankly, it was not very interesting or realistic.
ALL I WANT (Lynsay Sands) --
Prudence Prescott's family is in danger of seeing the inside of a goal. Her father, Lord Prescott has been unable to accept his only son's death a year ago and he has been gambling and drinking himself to the poor house. He sneaks off early every morning and Pru cannot get to him to explain how bad things are getting. She goes to the club where her father gambles and drinks, but Lord Stockton, the owner won't let her into his establishment. But that doesn't stop Pru. Comedy laced with substance; a winner.
** Overall score (fave-to-least): Sands, Kleypas, Cach, Dain. Overall score = 3.5 stars
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
