Customer Reviews

Forgetful Lady

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I read this book initially when it was first released and decided to purchase it years later because I found the story a bit unusual and compelling. Heroine has unrequited love for her neighbor and is determined to make herself stand out amongst the season's debutantes with her outlandish behavior (which is not her true nature). She develops amnesia as result of a fall and ends up spending a lot of time with her love interest--though she can't remember much about her past. Well, he begins to return her feelings but their path to romance is hindered by his scheming ex-mistress and a scandalous secret. I've read it again many times now. For those who want explicit scenes, this is not the book for you. A good read nonetheless.

The characters matured as the storyline developed. Lady Elizabeth Fairchild was a hoyden and apparently heartless. She has gone through one season and made a rather bad name for herself as a flirt. But Elizabeth has fallen in love with Lord Meridan (Brett). He shows her nothing but contempt and in a last ditch effort to attract his interest, Elizabeth attempts to best others at his house party during a fox hunt. While chasing the fox, Elizabeth has a startling revelation. She had gone against her own nature for society's acceptance and feels as hunted and desperate as the little animal running for its life. Like the fox, she too would be ravaged by the nobles. An attempt to save the animal results in a nasty spill. Elizabeth must remain at the Brett's estate and during her recovery he seems to care deeply but as soon as her awareness of it occurs, he ignores her again. She has a slight loss of memory and as it returns, Elizabeth finds she wants to become true to herself and begins to express real feelings and truthfulness to those around her. This has mixed results among society and her family.

I will not spoil the story by telling all that happens but there are several romances and twisted plots and you begin to wonder if anyone will end up "happily ever after!" You will wonder why Lord Meridan denies his feelings for Elizabeth for so long and will applaud as Elizabeth takes responsibility for her previous actions. Her dysfunctional family is interesting. The fickle minds of society are fascinating as Elizabeth becomes the toast of the town and then hopes are dashed when her biggest supporter (Beau Brummell) loses his coveted status. And there is a nasty jealous ex-mistress to deal with also!

A gem of a book that I thoroughly recommend.

This book was very well written, and I adored Lady Elizabeth's courage, and felt incredidable sympathy for her as she tried to gain a little attention for herself in the shadow of her beautiful sister. Unfortunately her attempts only caused her family embarrassment, therefore she was treated to more rejection, disdain, and condensation than any one young person can handle. Unfortunately she was attracted to someone just like her family who listened to gossip instead of giving a person a chance to explain herself. Lord Meridian was completely detestable in every way: judgemental, arrogant, prideful, and condesending. It is completely unreasonable that such a sweet, attention-starved girl could find him attractive after experiencing so much rejection from him. This story is true to the idealogy of the era, but difficult to enjoy and impossible to recommend.