Customer Reviews

Educating Caroline

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a terrific book! I'd never read Ms Cabot before, but this book is certainly a great incentive to investigate her other books. I simply adored it. And eventhough it's a fairly long book for a romance at 400+ pages, it sure doesn't feel like it and I didn't want it to end! But if you're expecting the typical first hot kiss by page 100; sex by page 150 you may be too impatient for this book. You just need to go along for the ride on this one - and an ejoyable ride it is!

I won't go too much into the plot since the book description above tells you what you need to know. But I will say that intially I was worried that the "heroine asks lothario to teach her about seduction" plot would be really hackneyed. But to my very pleasant surprise, it was well played, witty, sexy and just plain fun. I'm smiling now just remembering the first "lesson"! Both Caroline and Braden learned a little something that day!

Braden Granville, nouveau riche gunsmith who worked his way out of the Seven Dials slums and Lady Caroline Linford, daughter of the Earl of Bartlett, have more in common than one would think. For Caroline's father was the first Earl of Bartlett and was, like Braden, a self-made man. Though the rest of Society looks down their noses at him (including his gold-digging fiancee) Caroline doesn't - party because of her father and partly because it simply is not in her nature. She is genuine, sympathetic, warm and kind. She's also fiery and passionate when it comes to causes near and dear to her heart (fools and animals!). She's nothing like the other Society women Braden has romanced and she throws him off balance with her logic, her lack of artifice. He finds himself using the flimsiest of excuses to seek her out and though she knows she should run from him, she finds she doesn't want to!

I just loved this story, these characters. Well written, fast paced, sparkling and witty dialog all combine to a book I highly recommend!

The Irish novelist, the late Frank O'Connor, once observed that the secret of writing novels was revealed only to Jane Austen and Turgenev; that when they died, this secret died with them. Too bad O'Connor never got to read Patricia Cabot.

Not long ago I completed "Educating Caroline" and, as a result, some of my long-held stereotypes (almost exclusively negative) about "romance novels" now lie, so to speak, in a shambles at my feet. Or do they? I can't decide. We have to put a tag on every book, stick it in some pigeon-hole, assign it to a genre. And I suppose "romance" was the inevitable category for "Caroline." But this novel isn't only a "romance."

In fact, you don't have to like romance novels to thoroughly enjoy "Educating Caroline." It is outrageously witty and occasionally naughty, with a complex (not to say audacious) plot and interesting, believable, finely-drawn characters. And of course it has a heroine to die for: the eponymous Caroline (yeah, I'm male) -- sweet, lovely, regularly non-linear in her sentiments and activities, and just courageous and resourceful enough to keep a most dangerous situation for getting entirely out of hand. And the interesting hero, while no push-over, escapes the cliché of being primarily an aristocratic man-toy: tall, dark, brooding, and impossibly handsome (and titled) -- much to the author's credit. (Her villians, by the way, are deliciously corrupt and degenerate.)

Since completing "Caroline," I've acquired and read two earlier novels by Cabot. Both make for good, amusing, even compelling entertainment. But neither lit the fire of this reader the way "Caroline" did. It's my opinion that, in Ms. Cabot's most recent novel, she has cast off some of the mass-market constraints she might once have felt compelled to observe with care. In doing so, she has now given us an exquisitely crafted novel of broad, general interest. And I am not easy to please: my novelists of choice are Henry James and (of course) the inimitable Miss Austen.

It's true that "Educating Caroline" will not make us forget "The Wings of the Dove" or "Pride and Prejudice." And yet, on the basis of "Caroline," one might almost conclude that Patricia Cabot is a sort of latter-day Austen-meets-Nabokov. I'll be carefully watching Ms. Cabot's web site for future developments. Stranger things have happened ... .

Upon discovering her fiance in a compromising position with another woman, Caroline Linford decides not to dump him, not to get even, but to enthrall him with her womanly wiles and keep him from straying ever again. Sadly, she doesn't have any such wiles, and decides that the perfect person to teach her some is her fiance's lover's fiance, Braden Granville, a legendary Lothario. All Braden wants is the name of his fiance's lover, so he can break his engagement without being sued for breach of promise. Naturally, a bargain is arranged between the slighted parties.

The main problem with this book is that there aren't enough likeable people. The hero, Braden, is excellent, and Caroline's brother, Thomas, and friend, Emily, are good, but every other significant character is hard, if not impossible, to like. Caroline's mother, barely thirty pages into the book, tells her daughter that while her own marriage was a faithful, loving marriage, Caroline shouldn't really expect anything similar, and ought to keep her mouth closed about her husband's affairs! While a certain amount of villainy and even cruelty can enhance a book, in this case it really just made me want to skip those pages that dealt with all the hateful characters. The heroine isn't UNlikeable, but she's just too naive and (a bit) self-centered to be really likeable. Only in her interactions with the (few) other sympathetic characters does she shine.

There are a few other odd things about this book; Caroline and Braden have no trouble meeting each other anytime they want, and often in complete privacy, which seems strange for an unmarried Victorian earl's daughter. Also, there's a "you lied to me, how can I trust you enough to marry you" plot device at the end which really served no purpose except to make Caroline look spineless (after all, everyone else in the book has lied to her and she hasn't lost any affection for them, but when she ASSUMES Braden has done so, she walks out on him without a second's pause). But Cabot is a good writer, and her prose carries some of the weaker moments. She's written much better heroines, though, and tighter plots, like Lady of Skye. I'll keep my fingers crossed for her next book, but Educating Caroline is not a keeper.

Oh my! If the plot outline and the chapter one teaser that Amazon has provided doesn't excite you already, then I guess this book isn't for you!! ;) For me, all I did was simply read the plot synopsis and that got me on a yearning quest to get my hands on this book as soon as possible!

Lady Caroline Linford thought she had it all! Her only brother Tommy managed to live through an almost fatal incident, and she was engaged to the handsome hero, the Marquis of Winchilsea, who rescued her brother! What more could a girl have? Unfortunately for Caroline, all her dreams and hope abruptly ends when she finds her fiancé involved with another woman in an intimate act. Being a proper lady, Caroline chooses to keep this devastating secret to herself. That is until the fiancé of the lady's, Braden Granville appears demanding Caroline if she's seen his lady anywhere. Caroline, who has always been a horrible liar, decides to tell the truth, claiming that she saw his lady with a man, but of course does not mention his name. When Caroline breaks the sad news of her fiancé's treachery to her mother, her mother claims that Caroline needs to try harder to make the Marquis desire her in a way only a woman can. But sadly, Caroline doesn't know a stitch about lovemaking... so she seeks Braden for help...

For Braden Granville, he's earned his popular rank among London's society for two reasons: one - he's famous for his pistols and guns business and two - for his reputation as London's notorious Lothario. But well, nevermind that! He's on a serious mission! He needs to catch his unfaithful fiancé in an uncompromising act before he can call his engagement off. He knows that his fiancé has been disloyal but isn't able to get any proof whatsoever! So when Caroline comes seeking Braden for help in the love making department, and compromises that she'll be his witness in court, he takes full advantage of that deal. Of course, he never thought that he could fall in love with this "plain" girl that grows more and more beautiful every time they meet. Soon the two of them are spun in a web of passion, danger, and of course all-consuming love.

This novel is absolutely hilarious! Caroline's innocence and personality was a pleasure to read about! Her meaning of "lovemaking" and Braden's definition were so different that it was side-splitting! The way Braden looked at life was tons of fun! How the two fell in deep love was the sweetest treat to experience! These characters actually grow on you! It's about time we get to read more stories about Ladies who define the true meaning of being a Lady in the Victorian era, and a man who will do anything for the woman he loves. I look forward to reading more warm and fun books by Patricia Cabot! Have Fun! ;)

I'm a historical book nut and lately its been slim picken's in this book category. Seems like the same ole' stories are regurgitated all the time, that is until Educating Caroline. What a refreshing author! How did I miss Cabot? Not only is the story line original, but the writing is fabulous! There's plenty of humor (ok, maybe not hilarious, but definitely amusing) and tons of sexual tension between the H/H. I was flipping the pages so fast eager to get to the end and then I was sad to be there. One sitting for me and that says alot considering its 450 pages.

Don't miss this book! And disregard the bad reviews. I mean it's fiction for goodness sake!!!, so give the author a break if she ties the ending up into too neat a package. No hero or heroine is perfect either -that's what makes them interesting. The story wouldn't be memorable or pull you in otherwise.

I also highly recommend these authors in this genre: Lisa Kleypas, Sabrina Jeffries, Julia Quinn, Caroline Linden and Kathryn Caskie.

Caroline Linford has been sheltered from life's mysteries - or, more specifically, from love's mysteries. When she discovers her fiance in a compromising position with another woman, she is at a loss to understand what this other woman has that she doesn't. Not wanting to be the kind of wife that drives her husband to have a mistress, she hatches a scheme to hire Braden Granville to teach her "how to make love." She means these lessons to be rather theoretical, which is evidenced by her intention to take notes. However, Braden decides to teach her through a more hands-on technique.

The characters are quickly drawn and lively. The first scene will quickly give you a sense of the logical way that Caroline's mind works. Braden is a bit more gossipy with his lower class companions than I would have expected, but it's a minor flaw.

There had been a struggle inside me before I wrote this review. I thought I couldn't misss when I saw so many people raving about it. I'm actually afraid to state my own view after reading. Is there something wrong with me or what? The fact is, I find the story silly and the characters shallow and the style not to my taste. This is my humble opinion and I do not mean to offend.

FYI - Patricia Cabot is the pen name of Meg Cabot, the insanely popular writer of the Princess Diaries and the Princess in .. series, among others. She's always been talented, long before she was mainstream, and Educating Caroline proves that readily. This is just about the best "historical" romance I've ever come across. Although it's technically historical (set in the late 1800s), the main characters are extremely modern and witty. The dialogue is sharp and the characters are well-developed and exciting. The heroine (Caroline) isn't a shy wallflower, but a woman with a strong mind and opinions. The plot develops when Caroline, engaged to a marquis, seeks assistance (of a romantic nature) from a more `seasoned' man named Braden. Braden is a Don Juan with a big reputation, but he has a soft spot for Caroline and they have wonderful chemistry. I couldn't stop reading this book, literally. Despite being about 420 pages it goes fast and you really won't want it to end. Definitely read it!

I wish I could give this 4.5 stars, because it was nearly perfect to me. I loved the characters, the dialogue was delicious (especially Caroline's internal conversation) and the ending was very satisfying. The only drawback (and it is a slight one and just based on personal preference) is that the plot is supposed to be about Braden giving Caroline "lessons" in how to please a man, but they only have two such lessons and and they are all about pleasing Caroline. I love Cabot's writing and really hoped to see a scene where Caroline got to explore Braden thoroughly. Just a small disappointment in an otherwise wonderful book.

I was simply delighted with Meg Cabot's Educating Caroline. Her characters were wonderful and the plot has a great build up with a satisfying climactic scene and leaves the reader truly dreading the end of the book. The scene where Braden sends Caroline a note to her room was so funny and rewarding, I felt this book should have been nominated for Best Romance of the year. I truly hope Meg Cabot writes a sequel with these two great characters. Wow! Move over Amanda Quick.