The Fifth Kiss [Mass Market Paperback]

Elizabeth Mansfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1987

A fiery and independent young bluestocking learns a startling lesson in love from her passionate brother-in-law, who resents her opinions about his character and seeks to prove that she has feelings for him. Reissue."

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Jove (March 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515089109
• ISBN-13: 978-0515089103
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,608,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, and with far more depth than I expected, July 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fifth Kiss (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a cut above the average Regency romance. Olivia and her brother-in-law don't get on, though they try to tolerate each other for the sake of Clara, Olivia's sister and Miles' wife; mainly they avoid each other. Olivia is a 'bluestocking' with no understanding of Polite Society or relationships between men and women; she certainly does not understand the physical problems between Miles and Olivia which have led Miles to take a mistress. Thus her condemnation of Miles' behaviour makes it much harder, after Clara's death, for them to accept that they need each other's help and comfort. The way in which Olivia eventually helps Miles to come to an understanding with his children is, in the end, the key to their understanding of each other.

Elizabeth Mansfield's writing is sensitive and reflective as she pictures for her readers the coming to sexual awareness of a young woman who, even more than most in her time, has been sheltered from knowledge of male-female relationships. A number of the arguments between Olivia and Miles are very funny, although others - as they are intended - are saddening as the two of them contrive to drive each other further away by their mutual misunderstanding and pride.

Recommended; I certainly intend to keep and re-read my copy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic, Old England, Satisfying, June 26, 2002

By 

cheepbooks (Rockledge, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fifth Kiss (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved it. It's one of those romances that, by the end, you're dying for the couple to see that they love each other! I won't spoil it for you, but there's all the romance you want in this one and a few laughs, too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Satisfying Read. A Keeper for me., March 19, 1999

By 

Avid Reader "dswhung" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Fifth Kiss (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a very touching story, different from the run-of-the-mill Regency romance. The theme is original and refreshing and the characters have depth and human feelings and qualities. I was moved to tears by Miles Strickland's unutterable sorrow and grief at his wife's deathbed.Elizabeth Mansfield has skilfully written a heartwarming tale not only full of poignancy but charm.