jjares reviewed on 9/15/2020 + 3429 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Anthologies aren't every reader's favorite thing; however, if I'm familiar with at least one of the authors, I like to try new authors too. In this anthology, I've read dozens of books by Mary Balogh and several books by Patricia Rice. I'm not familiar with the other authors, but am willing to try them. This book was initially released in February 1991.

GOLDEN ROSE (Mary Balogh) -- 3.5 stars
Life in London has become too hot, due to an unfortunate incident with a married lady (and her husband), so the Honorable Roger Bradshaw is slumming in Bath. He encounters his aunt's virginal companion, Emily Richmond. He's interested but decides to head for a not-so-virtuous widow instead. A nephew with a sense of humor turns the tables on Roger and things go topsy-turvy. This entry by Balogh lacks something; it seemed bland and uninspired.

THE SECRET BENEFACTOR (Katherine Kingsley) -- 3.5 stars
Because of George Asquith's leg deformity, his father found him to be an embarrassment. So George spent most of his time with the de Salis family next door. But time and the deaths of the two de Salis men separated George and Aubrey. Ten years later, they meet again. George runs hot and cold toward Aubrey and she is confused. In the meantime, Aubrey has decided to dedicate her life to teaching. The tone of the story was lacking; this could have been a wonderful story. Aubrey, not understanding who the benefactor was (after reading Mr. Dicken's letter), seemed doubtful.

LADY VALENTINE'S SCHEME (Emma Lange) -- 5 stars
After her father and brother die, Alexandra Talbot must marry money. She had two male childhood friends and one of them (Harry, a viscount) has offered for her, however, his mother loathes Alexandra and she is trying to push her son to marry another. Joss Staunton, the other friend (and Harry's cousin) has been trying to earn his fortune outside of England. He comes back to England in time for his aunt's birthday, St. Valentine's Day, only to find that Alexandra and Harry have an understanding.

This is a delightful story. Stories in which the main characters already know each other, and now say they love each other, are much more reasonable than those 'love at first sight' stories.

FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS (Patricia Rice) -- 5 stars
This is another charmer of a very different variety. The story opens when Jack Chatham, penniless, and with countless gaming vouchers floating about, tries to convince wealthy Mr. Thorogood to let him marry Thorogood's eldest daughter. He has a plan to live frugally and pay off his debts in time. The father refuses (and shows that he now owns all of Jack's old gaming debts) but agrees to loan Jack some money to try to recoup his losses if Jack will break it off with Carolyn. He reluctantly does and Carolyn is devastated.

After five years, Jack returns. Carolyn is nearing an engagement (but is not betrothed yet). Jack pays off his vouchers, loan, and interest to Mr. Thorogood. But Carolyn has changed into a cool, brittle, closed person who refuses to meet with Jack again. This is a real page-turner.

THE ANTAGONISTS (Joan Wolf) -- 4.5 stars
The unusual thing about this story is that it is told in the first person. Dinah and her mother go to live at Thornton Manor because two young people have become orphans (Hugh Lydin and his sister, Carolyn) due to their father's death. The story is told through Dinah's eyes and she is a red-haired hoyden who must eventually face her coming-out season (along with Carolyn). I personally liked the first-person narrative; it's unique and I want to find something else by this author.

To recap: The stories I liked from best to least are Emma Lange, Patricia Rice, Joan Wolf, Mary Balogh (a real surprise), and Katherine Kingsley. Overall rating = 4.3 stars

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