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The Rules of Gentility [Paperback]

Janet Mullany (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Book Description

July 31, 2007

Regency heiress Philomena Wellesley-Clegg has rather strong opinions about men and clothing. As to the former, so far two lords, a viscount, and a mad poet have fallen far short of her expectations. But she is about to meet Inigo Linsley, an unshaven, wickedly handsome man with a scandalous secret. He's nothing she ever dreamed she'd want—why then can she not stop thinking about how he looks in his breeches?

A delightful marriage of Pride and Prejudice with Bridget Jones's Diary, Janet Mullany's The Rules of Gentility transports us to the days before designer shoes, apple martinis, and speed dating—when great bonnets, punch at Almack's, and the marriage mart were in fashion—and captivates us with a winsome heroine who learns that some rules in society are made to be broken.


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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The saga of an Austen-era bachelorette puts the lie to Regency delicacy in this fun romantic spoof by Mullany (Dedication). Miss Philomena Wellesley-Clegg distracts herself from her dwindling list of suitors (those still in the running include a wimpy poet and a dandy with a wandering eye) by shopping for bonnets and gossiping with her married best friend. But when her path crosses with Inigo Linsley, her best friend's rascally brother-in-law, Philly warms to him, even if his kisses make her feel very peculiar indeed. When Inigo proposes a sham engagement to ward off her doofy suitors, she agrees—but only until the end of the social season. In turn, Inigo trusts Philly with the secret of his out-of-wedlock son and the friendship of his former lover, an actress. But some ungentlemanly conduct in a carriage sends Philly on the hunt for a more proper man. Mullany's saucy narrator and bubbly tone won't convert many classic Regency fans, but the combination should entice romance readers who'd otherwise sidestep the flurry of petticoats. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

The author of Jane and the Damned, Janet Mullany was reared in England on a diet of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and now lives near Washington, D.C. She has worked as an archaeologist, waitress, draftsperson, radio announcer, performing arts administrator, proof-reader, and bookseller.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 268 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (July 31, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061229830
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061229831
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,226,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A long time ago I was born in England but for the past few decades I've lived in the US. I'm not one of those people who dreamed of writing; instead I found a few years ago that I had the happy combination of time on my hands, a use for my troublesome imagination, and a computer. What I did do, in preparation for becoming a writer, was to read. I still love to read although I find I do so now with a niggling editorial eye, and I read very widely.

I fell into writing romance because I liked romance writers and was fascinated by the genre although I seem to have spent much of my time breaking or subverting the rules everyone claims doesn't exist. I chose initially to write historicals for reasons of laziness, having devoured all of Heyer's books as a teenager and with an innate knowledge of Georgian England from having lived there and been something of a history freak (I still am). I've now become one of those writers who does terrible things to Jane Austen.

My dayjobs? Many, weird, varied, including archaeologist, editor/proofreader, classical music radio announcer, box office manager.

What I do the rest of the time? Drink tea, volunteer at a local historic house museum, read, frivol away time on the internet.

Thanks for visiting! My website is www.janetmullany.com and you're invited to drop by and join my mail list. My e-newsletters are infrequent yet dazzling.

 

Customer Reviews

23 Reviews
5 star:
 (11)
4 star:
 (8)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars 3 stars, August 5, 2007
This review is from: The Rules of Gentility (Paperback)
Philomena Wellesley-Clegg is on the verge of being betrothed to a man she most assuredly does not want to marry when the sinfully handsome Inigo Linsley corners her and proposes an engagement of convenience. They will be secretly betrothed, but not really, thus getting both of their families off their backs, but leaving her free to find another suitor, one she does actually care for and him to find a wealthy, titled heiress. Though she fails to see the logic of his outrageous proposal, she agrees. Neither one counted on arriving at the point where they would want the fake betrothal to be real or that they would feel the need to break it off for the sake of love, but that is only one of the many unexpected things the hapless pair will find taking place in the days to come.

*** Told in a present tense he said/she said fashion, The Rules of Gentility can be somewhat awkward to read at times for stylistic reasons. However, there is a great deal of comedy and even the mildly scandalous aspects are handled with utmost tact and good taste, rendering it a worthwhile read. If you do enjoy Regencies and/or Chick Lit, this is a must read. ***

Amanda Killgore
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Light and fun, April 10, 2008
This review is from: The Rules of Gentility (Paperback)
I picked this book up on a whim and found it an enjoyable spoof of a regency romance. The author stated that she was shooting for a sort of Bridget Jones's Diary meets Jane Austen and though I didn't enjoy the book as much as Bridget Jones, I did think it was pretty witty and rather entertaining. The author has a nice ear for funny dialog and the characters were likable. Some of them were stock characters but purposely so and the author put them to good comedic and satirical effect.

My only real gripe with the book is perhaps rather more a personal one: I wasn't really buying Inigo as the ideal mate for Philomena. I would have preferred to see her with Tom. I'm not one for the "irresistible bad boy" and though Inigo does ostensibly mend his ways, I still found him a bit too much on the rake side for him to really win me over.

What surprised me most about this book was that there was more emotional depth and maturity to it than I expected. While it isn't exactly a novel of great psychological depth (and that's not necessarily a gripe either as I'm not exactly a huge fan of novels that make you want to go on Prozac once you've finished them), the author has a nice, light touch. The book is a spoof but there are some real instances of human insight and kindness. For that reason, I'd give it three and a half stars.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Rules of Gentility, December 15, 2009
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This review is from: The Rules of Gentility (Paperback)
As a fifty-year Georgette Heyer fan, I'm always looking for quality regency romances. This one opened as an annoying disappointment (first person, present tense format) and developed as one of the most delightful. Charming characters had funny flaws and the narrative made me laugh aloud again and again. Perhaps best of all, Mullany managed to tell a really "sexy" story without the boring graphic scene which seems to have become obligatory lately. Her "off color" allusions were beautifully done; although they required that the reader be alert. She has a true gift. (Although I wish she'd use it without the present tense format.....and trying to present the point of view of two characters in first person was more awkward than it needs to be.)
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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dreadful mama
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Miss Wellesley-Clegg, Miss Philomena, Inigo Linsley, Dowager Countess, Janet Mullany, Mad Poet, Lady Caroline, Miss Lydia, Miss Blundell, Tom Darrowby, Weaselcopse Manor, Admiral Riley, Miss Celia Blundell, Ingo Linsley, Miss Charlotte, Lady Terrant, Bond Street, Lord Aylesworth, The Kiss
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