5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fast paced, if improbable, April 4, 2005
Susannah Thorpe is a much tried and overworked governess in the Russell household, coping with the unruly sons of the house and her insufferable employers. Then all is changed by the call of Mr Sinders a solicitor. She has been named heiress to the late Mr Henry Harstairs to his fortune and a house in Cornwall. Harstairs was an old love her Great Aunt Caroline, the lady who raised her. There is one condition, that she live in Harstairs House located on the sea and very isolated. Rumoured even to be haunted.
Of course she accepts and travels there with Constance Morton, who was employed as Mrs. Russell's companion.
Upon arrival she discovers Oliver Bristow, who says he is the tenant and most certainly is not about to move out.
Thus the stage is set for rollicking adventure, as these two circle each other in mutual suspicion, attraction and plotting.
This is a good read, carrying one along at a fast pace. Both Susannah and Oliver are believable and likable characters. Oliver, of course has many secrets that are slowly revealed.
The only trouble was some of the over-the-top plot points. The introduction of the pursuing Captain of Militia and his murky motives was, frankly, unbelievable and the premise had more holes than a Swiss cheese.
Enjoyable nonetheless. Just don't think too much about the holes.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet But Not her Best - 3-1/2*, February 23, 2008
This review is from: Harstairs House (Mass Market Paperback)
After losing her family, plain and ordinary, Miss Susannah Thorpe had reconciled herself to life of servitude as a companion or governess. Unexpectedly, her life changed when she learned she had inherited a house from a man she'd never met before. Their were however, some odd conditions to comply with. In order to claim the inheritance she must either marry within a month, or spend a full 30 days in Harstairs House - a home alleged to be haunted. With the unlikelihood of marriage in her future, Susannah is escorted by the solicitor and dropped at the door of her new home. Unfortunately, she was not informed that a rather surly but handsome tenant, Oliver Bristow, was on the premises and wouldn't hear of leaving until his lease ran out. If neither would, or could leave - would they be able to live together harmoniously without Susannah falling hopelessly in love?
*** The author set this romance in 1793 England on the Cornwall coast smack dab in the middle of the French Revolution and smuggling of brandy, ammunition and such on the English Channel. Building her plot around this historic time helped to make the story fast-paced and exciting, especially with this author's very well written prose and well done historical research.
One thing I was just a tad somewhat let down with was the cover description mentioning the house as being haunted - okay "purported" to be haunted - and was disappointed that this seemed a bit misleading.
Several things I enjoyed in this romance were the fact that our heroine was not a ravishing beauty, and the hero was not cast as a man who was out to ravish her. In fact if Oliver hadn't overheard Susannah commenting to her teasing companion, that she wouldn't "...marry Oliver if her life depended on it...", he very possibly wouldn't have bothered with her in the least. However, the romance was sweet and the author took pains to explain the reason's behind Oliver's broodiness.
Oliver's real reason for wanting to stay at the house was kept secret for the better part of the story and this led to the very well done intrigue aspect, even though one knows, in reading romance it's a foregone conclusion that the hero is not going to end up being the villain. That would be a twist I've never seen done, but don't worry, you will find a few surprises the author slips in.
The supporting secondary cast was adequate in shoring up both the romance and mystery, but I felt the ending to be a bit rushed. Bottom line is if you're an Austen fan, and NOT looking for steamy sex scenes in your historical romances, this is the perfect book for you.
Marilyn Rondeau, www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just ok, December 14, 2007
This review is from: Harstairs House (Mass Market Paperback)
I was dissatisfied with this book by Amanda Grange. Her 'Darcy's Diary' was very well written, though this might be because the plot was laid out before she even started writing. The characters just don't seem to be well written and are very unbelieveable. Oliver doesn't have any attraction for the girl and thinks that she is plain, but rather sees her as a challenge since he overhears that she will never marry him for the inheritance money. Plus, I fail to believe that she is so naive as to believe some of the explanations given to her. Like the previous reviewer said, there are quite a lot of plot holes and bad character development. Buy this book on sale, but don't waste your money otherwise.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
