Customer Reviews

Lord Rathbone's Flirt

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

 

 

Gayle Buck expertly shows modern readers how easily a Regency lady's reputation (and life!) could be ruined by malicious gossip. Lord Rathbone encounters Verity Worth at one of those Regency house parties at a country estate and proceeds to unintentionally ruin her reputation with a bit of flirtation. Her rage -- and his remorse -- are expertly written. It is completely believable that he would fall in love with her and yet come so close to losing her. You really want to see these two come to realize their mutual love. There are many obstacles for these lovers to overcome, but I don't want to give away the surprise ending. This is Gayle Buck's best effort, and I have read at least ten of her books so far. Many Regency authors portray situations that could never have happened with the rigid rules imposed on proper ladies and gentlemen engaged in courtship. Here the entire plot is believable. This book is well worth seeking out. Enjoy!

Gayle Buck's novels frequently improve on re-reading. True to the genre, it takes little to destroy Verity's reputation and the destruction was Lord Rathbone's intent as revenge for how she described his character to a friend. What saves the plot at this point is that Rathbone is falling in love with Verity but does not realize it and that is one reason he continues to show her particular attention. Her reputation ruined, Verity is attacked by the very spoiled Miss Pettiforth and literally cast out into the night. Forced to go home to an empty house, Verity's brother finds her there when he returns from the American wars. Rathbone's host Mr. Pettiforth invites him to leave because of his treatment of Verity. In the subplot Mr. Pettiforth reclaims control of his family as a reult of this incident and arranges to send his daughter to a select seminary specializing in spoilt beauties. But wait! The plot is much more complex and Buck fully realizes its promise. Rathbone's mother has nourished a desire for vengeance against her husband's brothers and uses her son as her instrument. Verity's betrothal to Rathbone (she does love him) to prevent her brother from calling him out and killing him puts her in line for foul play by Rathbone's uncles. Buck write so true to the Regency period and she is a joy to read. Her characters are not overdone or underdone but always true to themselves. Her plots and characters have a redemptive quality similar to Mary Balogh's best. Lord Rathbon's Flirt is one of several of Buck's books that I have read 4-5 times and read yet again. Each re-read reveals subtle nuances previously overlooked that add spice and enjoyment. Maybe I'll just re-read it now.

When I considered buying this book, there were two 5-star reviews and one very strongly written 1-star review that gave me second thoughts about buying the book. I'm glad I took a chance and read it. I really enjoyed it.

It was a good book! It was well-written, compelling and true to Regency customs. I really liked the heroine, Verity. She was in very difficult situations throughout the book and consistently made the best choices for herself and her family. She was very strong, very intelligent and admirable. The heroine may have seemed like a martyr at the very end, but in truth her choices during the time were limited. She was trying to avoid scandal for them all and make the best of a bad situation. We might not agree with that choice, but it was absolutely clear why it was made.

Yes, the hero was such a jerk, and when he realized his mistake, it was too little, too late. This leads to my one criticism of the book. When he is paying those particular attentions to Verity, we don't get to see those attentions really. We are told and not shown. But it was during those overtures that the hero showed his desirable, polite side. That was when he wooed Verity. That was when she fell in love with him and he with her, and we didn't get to see it! I really missed that. It would have helped us to understand her feelings for him and the development of their romance. It would also have added a depth to his remorse and desire to make things right.

I thought the author spent too much time on Lady Cecily and her mother, time that could have been better spent showing the romance. Other than this, I loved the book and highly recommend it.

Hmmm. A stylish, popular man about town hears a less than complimentary comment about him. Instead of shrugging it off, he decides to ruin the person who made it - a defenceless woman living as a poor relation.

Hero? Not bloody likely. Just another selfish brat who seems to be so common in books these days.

As for his "remorse"? Yeah, it is easy for him to be remorseful AFTER he has destroyed another person's life. AFTER he has had a mirror held up to his face and seen what a disgrace he is. But that is a little too late for the innocent victim. He was warned several times that he was going too far, but he didn't care. Not until he was called to account. THEN, he was sorry. And how does he attempt to make it up to her? He tells her she has no choice but to marry him. After he has done his best to destroy her, she is supposed to throw herself at his feet.

Then, when her brother challenges the jerk to a duel, she has to marry him to save his worthless hide. She should have let her brother kill the toad.

Well, since she does fall in love with him, I guess it turns out ok. But just once, can't we have a romance where the hero is not a spoiled whiny baby, and the heroine is not a masochist?