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Those Endearing Young Charms
First published 1986 · 185 pages
A frothy, fast-paced Regency romp where a disastrously misguided scheme paves the way for an unexpected, hard-won romance.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like attending a delightfully chaotic parlor game where the rules are made up and the stakes are entirely matters of the heart. It is a brisk, frothy Regency romp that thrives on farce, propelled by crisp dialogue and a wry, playful narrative voice. The atmosphere is breezy and theatrical, inviting the reader to chuckle at the sheer absurdity of high society's rigid expectations and the lengths to which an impulsive heroine will go to subvert them. Beneath the layers of comedic misunderstandings and exasperated banter lies a genuinely warm emotional core. It is the perfect afternoon escape for readers who love classic, clean historical romances where disastrously misguided meddling inevitably blossoms into true, unexpected affection.
- Mood
- breezy
- cheerful
- theatrical
- cozy
- Tone
- wry
- lighthearted
- farcical
- playful
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- misguided meddling · accidental matrimony · sisterly devotion · enemies to lovers · absurdity of societal rules
- The writing
- Crisp and unpretentious, driven by sharp, witty dialogue and a keen eye for situational irony.
- The arc
- Transitions from frantic, comedic scheming and mutual exasperation into a surprisingly tender, hard-won affection.
- Who it's for
- Readers who delight in classic, clean Regency farces featuring impulsive heroines and haughty lords brought down a peg.
Content notes
- comedic drugging (sleeping draught)
- forced marriage trope
About the book
"I HAVE MY PRIDE. I HAVE SWORN TO MARRY THE GIRL, AND MARRY HER I WILL."
After ten long years, the Earl of Devenham had returned to wed Mary Anstey, only to find that their feelings for each other had cooled off considerably. Nevertheless, they both put on bright faces for the benefit of family and friends.
But Mary's younger sister Emily saw through their masquerade. She would sacrifice anything rather than see her retiring sister married to the now haughty earl. Desperate measures were called for...a sleeping draught in Mary's wedding-morning chocolate and Emily could don the veil and force an annulment when the trick was discovered.
It was the kind of plot that could--and would--get young Emily into trouble....
Description from Open Library.
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