Reviews for
"Mr. Harding Proposes"
| From Jayne at Dear Author ~ What a delightful traditional Regency romance you’ve written. You have a good feel for the period and seem to have done your research. I enjoy friends turned lovers stories and hope that we hear from you for a long time. I like how you’ve made Mr. Richard Harding adhere to the standards of regency conduct without turning him into either a rake or a stuffed shirt. And he’s not a Duke! Yippee! He’s not even an aristocrat. He’s just a landed gentleman. He’s also not the most handsome, the tallest, the one with the widest shoulders, etc. Ah, bliss. Georgiana is a breath of fresh air as well. Not a hoyden, not the most beautiful nor a wall flower either. She’s smart and outgoing but she’s also smart enough to respect and obey the conventions of her day. She also doesn’t go against her mother’s wishes in regards to furthering a friendship with the now widowed Lady Shipton just to kick over the maternal traces. Georgie thinks about what she’s doing and realizes that only a few high sticklers, such as her mother, don’t receive the former actress, while the rest of society is pleased to entertain her. I enjoyed your secondary characters and the way they added to the main love story without diverting too much attention by trying to set up any future books in a series. Even the secondary romance adds to the progression of Richard and Georgie’s. I want to note the servants you have in your story. They’re not pals or buddies of the gentry but working people with dignity who take pride in their jobs yet have a strong feeling of loyalty for their employers. I appreciate the humor you spread throughout the book. I found the scenes when he’s working himself up to propose marriage to his childhood friend to be wonderfully humorous. But what really impressed me was how you show us things with just a few words rather than trying to tell us with many. "Ribble’s expression was a rebuke," "His butler opened the door with haughty dignity." I can see these scenes and actions. Yet, despite all that I enjoy about "Mr. Harding Proposes" there is one niggling problem that demands to be mentioned and that did, reluctantly, lower my grade. How could Georgie, only 20 years old herself and unmarried, have been considered an acceptable chaperon for her younger sister’s come out? Or even partial chaperon? This is one instance when their flighty, overly dramatic and supposed to be a high stickler, mother would have to have gotten off her daybed before noon and done her duty instead of leaving it to her eldest daughter. Lots of chat groups have bemoaned how publishers seem to be abandoning the traditional Regency book genre. They don’t sell, only old ladies read them, they have boring covers and any number of other reasons are proposed by publishing houses to justify this. Maybe ebooks will offer a way for authors to still sell these stories and for fans to get their ton and Corinthian fixes. I’m happy to give you a B for this book and look forward to what you’ll offer us next. This review takes comments, so if you want to comment, go to: |
From Readers Favorite ~ Richard Harding and Georgianna Rowland had been friends since childhood. He was there for her when her father died. He taught her how to ride, drive, and dance. Richard was ready for more than friendship. He wants Georgianna for his wife. When he finally got up the nerve to propose, Georgianna thought he was teasing. They had been friends forever. He was joking right? She wondered what he would do if she accepted... run? It was time for her younger sister’s first season and Georgianna was not married yet, their mother was being a royal pain. Georgie took the responsibility for preparing her sister and watching over her. Georgianna’s mother was rude to Lady Shipton. This gave Georgianna a reason to befriend Ms Shipton. Richard has not given up on Georgianna. Every chance he gets he proposes once again. WIll Georgianna finally realize he is not joking and find that maybe their friendship can be more. This is a delightful book the characters were endearing. The secondary characters add depth to the story. The romance was very sweet romance. I became involved in the plot. Well done! This review takes comments, so if you want to comment, go to: |
From ciage ~ I know/follow Catherine Dove’s blog, and she sent me the book when I inquired as to what regency novels were. When I think of regency, pictures of Jane Austen come flying to my brain – and most of you know, I’m not a big fan of Austen. Or romance novels, for that matter. In fact if someone mentions regency, this is the stereotype that runs continuously through my brain: I know: Pride and Prejudice was about overcoming first impressions and getting over oneself and was technically feminist social commentary, but all I think of is men with dashing sideburns with names like Bartleby. I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. It’s totally not my thing, but it strikes me as the sort of story handled in a way I don’t much care for, but I still liked. I’ll be honest. The place and style, I have no idea if it’s accurate or not, but I have the idea that it’s mostly accurate, and it sounds fitting for the stereotype I’m working with in my brain. Our plot is that Mr. Richard Harding has helped raise Georgiana and wants to be more than just her older brother figure - only when he proposes, she takes him to be joking. Shinanigans ensue as we follow Georgiana and her younger sister Cecily as they go to London so that they might find themselves husbands. Mr. Harding is not to be put down - at least not lightly - and continues to pursue his intended although she can’t take his proposals seriously. This isn’t high literature, and I think that those of us who’ve studied novels from the era will gain glimpses of other stories - not just Austen, but I almost thought I caught some Wuthering Heights (it’s been like five years since I’ve picked up Wuthering Heights, go fig) and I think while we’re looking at characters we might have recognized, they strike me as true to the era - Georgiana comes across as the more independent sort of heroine that one such as her class would allow, and marries for love rather than necessity (although it could be argued the same for Austen - I am trying my hardest not to launch a Austen discussion, I swear) without making her a mouthpiece - the author does a good job at showing that with her head in the books (and this is uncomely for a woman of her era), she sometimes doesn’t see what’s right in front of her. Anyway, with the above youtube video stereotype in my brain, I was convinced. The style’s wordy but fitting, and the characters seem historically accurate for what little I know of the era while at the same time, not clinging too hard to stereotypes. I do know, however what I like, and I liked the play between the characters and the ending. It’s a sweet romance, so there’s more emphasis on relationships and feelings than onscreen explicit (of course, given the era, onscreen explicit couldn’t even be mentioned). It's an Ebook, so if this seems like your thing, I say check it out. I'll give it 4/5 stars. |
From Gale ~ (Note: This was not a formal review, but comments from a best friend, as will be evident from the first sentence - but it sure came out sounding like a review, and she makes some good points, so I am including it here) By now you know how enthusiastic I am about this book. :} I thought it was very well-written (of course), the plot kept me interested, and I grew quite attached to the characters. The plot moved along at just the right pace. It never dragged, but it gave me time to take in the details and get to know the characters. Something interesting was always going on. The dialogue was fitting to the characters and the situations and never left me rolling my eyes or wishing that I could move on to the next chapter. The characters: I do think, when all is said and done, that Richard is my favorite character in this book, although Georgie is a close second. He's just so good, and wise, and really tender-hearted. His only fault, if you can call it that (and how boring a character would be without flaws!) is that he never lets Georgie know, until the last time he proposes, that he's serious. I find that to be a rather endearing flaw, however, as it's clearly the fear of her rejection that keeps him that way; and then! he finds that his fear actually does come true - and then you subtly show his vulnerability, which definitely would have made me lose my heart to him if I hadn't already. Georgie is an altogether appealing character. She's sensible and intellectual, to be sure, but she's never stodgy - in fact she's quite headstrong and fun. At times she lacks wisdom, but it's evident that this is due to her young age and her lack of experience and not due to silliness or stupidity. She has just about the right sense of propriety - she doesn't indulge in reckless behavior, and yet she's not held back if something she wants to do might be deemed slightly improper by her mother. She doesn't actually respect her mother, but she gives her outward respect at least, and I think that's admirable as well as prudent. I do think she loves her mother, and accepts her faults for what they are. She is remarkably short-sighted as far as Richard goes, but I don't think that's entirely her fault - her idea of "romance" gets in the way of "love" - and also, since she has always thought of him as a brother-figure, it just takes some time for her to adjust her ideas and realize her own feelings. I did like the fact that she, also has a very tender heart and is conscious of the feelings of others - as evidenced when she rejected Richard and then felt horrible about it. I liked Cecilia from the beginning. She is certainly not as intellectual as Georgie, but she isn't stupid, either, and she also has a kind heart and cares for others. I see her follies coming more from inexperience and youth than anything else. I can see her growing into an appealing and somewhat sensible woman. Lady Shipton is another one of my favorites. She's not only tough and experienced, she's sensible and kind and intelligent. What's not to like? She's a very appealing portrait of what a "mature" Regency woman could be like. I like Uncle Henry too. You took this man, who, at first appeared to be simply middle-aged and bookish, involved only in his own world, caring not one whit for society, and rather mild-mannered, and gave him another side - he stood up to his sister and fell in love. I love it! And I have to mention Lady Rowland, who was the very picture of a Regency Mama. Exasperating, yes - eye-rollingly so; but an absolute joy to read. I think the last chapter was my favorite. I have always loved the idea of sitting under a tree on a summer afternoon, reading a book and looking over the green hills of England. And what a perfect, melancholy book you chose to fit Richard's mood! I had to laugh when he pictured Georgie as Ophelia, mad and drowned. Oh, yes! The picture of Georgie trudging up the hill to find him, pink ribbons flying, was most delightful and charming, as was, of course, her proposal, and his dawning realization that this was real. Finally, the picture of her sitting in his lap (which, as you may have noticed, is a favorite with me) as they planned their future was just. wonderful. Not cloying, but sweet and wonderful. :} Now just a few personal criticisms/observations: In a few scenes your characters sound like you. I realize you most likely can't help this, and I don't even know if it needs fixing, since most of your audience is not going to know you as well as I do. However, there are times when I hear you speaking and not the characters and I find it most disconcerting. I thought the scene at the theatre where Georgie, Richard, Uncle Henry and Lady Shipton only were interested in the writing, acting, and themes of the play made them sound a little stuffy and pretentious, especially since they were compared with Cecy and her friends who liked only the comedy and the battle scenes. It was the only time I thought, "Gee, they don't sound like they'd be much fun to be with!" Also, I thought Lady Shipton was just a bit too perfect as a hostess. It's lovely that she had everything run so smoothly and perfectly (and perhaps this was just the way Georgie viewed it) but it seemed a bit unrealistic to me. |
From Keira at Love Romance Passion ~ This lighthearted Regency is a fun little comedy of manners. It's well researched and the style reminds me a little of Georgette Heyer, but updated so non-Heyer fans can easily follow without getting mired in the narration. The cast of characters is delightful and the dialogue is snappy. I particularly liked Elroyd, Mr. Harding's butler. Mr. Richard Harding is several years older than Miss Georgiana Rowland. He was the one to set her on her first horse and the one to stand up with her at balls. His feelings over the years have developed from friendship to love. He wants to marry Georgie, but is uncertain if she feels the same and for years wasn't fully prepared to risk their friendship. He can pine for her if she doesn't know his feelings, but if she did and didn't return them it would be mortifying. But now he is no longer content with pining, he wants her as his wife. He just has to propose first. When he does his character gets in the way and Georgie thinks he's trying to be funny and is not truly sincere. What follows is Mr. Harding's series of proposals - will he ever get it right so Georgie truly understands? In the meantime, Georgie is launching her younger sister out on society while their mother languishes indulgently in the background. (It doesn't make much sense but if you go with it and let it go, it doesn't get in the way... well at least not until a complete rake comes on the scene... Georgie likes Lady Shipton, but is willing to listen to her mother until the woman performs a kind service by protecting her sister. This kind act proves to Georgie that Lady Shipton is a true lady and she is prepared to go to battle over the issue and seeks her uncle's aid. This leads to wacky results and the entrance of Lady Shipton's stepson who takes an immediate liking to Georgie, much to Mr. Harding's dismay. What's he going to do when another buck is on the scene, an earl at that, who is also willing to propose to Georgiana? Why propose again! Rating: 4 Stars This review takes comments, so if you want to comment, go to: |
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) Their stickler of a mother only makes an effort when the scandalous Lady Shipton comes onto the scene by flatly declaring the girls are not to have contact with the woman.