13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Marvelous Story Filled with Laughter and Love, September 26, 2007
In SECRETS OF A PROPER LADY, the third book in Victoria Alexander's fabulous and fun "Last Man Standing" series, the author takes us back to 1854 Victorian England and gives us a thoroughly delightful tale that's set partly in London, but also offers us a refreshingly different setting, that of the picturesque seaside resort town of Brighton. Ms. Alexander gives us some interesting descriptions of the once little fishing town that was made into a lively, exciting and fashionable gathering place by the Prince Regent, later known as King George IV, who had the magnificent and exotically beautiful Royal Pavilion built.
Lady Cordelia Bannister, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Marsham, is pretty, intelligent and has a very independent nature. She is very well traveled for a young woman of her time and is also a talented writer who has written several articles for ladies magazines; and eventually plans to write a book on travel for women. At almost 26 Cordelia has yet to marry--though she had had several offers, she never felt her affections were engaged. She wants to marry a man who'll accept her for herself, respect her and her opinions and also--to marry for love.
In the past her parents had always supported her endeavors, as well as, her desire to wed for love, but now her father's having some financial problems with his shipping enterprise and he wants Cordelia to accept an arranged marriage to the only son of Mr. Harold Sinclair; a wealthy and well respected American businessman. Mr. Sinclair owns a very successful steamship line and both families would benefit--socially and financially--from the union.
The only thing Daniel Sinclair, a handsome, intelligent, hardworking and ambitious American railroad entrepreneur--and all around nice guy--knows about Lady Cordelia is her name, and that his father has (again) taken it upon himself to arrange a marriage for him to a British heiress. Daniel is quite angry about his father's highhandedness because at 31 he would prefer to choose his own wife--and he definitely doesn't want one as part of a business arrangement. Yet, Daniel's a man of integrity, and he feels honor bound to uphold the family name and keep the commitment his father made with Lord Marsham. He knows his only way out is if Cordelia refuses to marry him.
Cordelia is a responsible young woman as well, and understands the importance of her marrying to save her family from possible financial ruin...But can she actually marry someone for mainly monetary reasons and her sense of filial duty--thereby giving up her chance at finding her "one true love"??? Or is Daniel's coming into her life really "fate" at work???
To get to know him a little better, her mother suggests writing letters as an informal way of communicating with Daniel and establishing a friendly relationship before actually meeting him in person--and then feeling forced to make a commitment. Cordelia agrees, but then decides to take fate into her own hands and determine for herself what kind of man Mr. Sinclair is--and if he's someone she can spend the rest of her life with.
She pretends to be her cousin Sarah (her companion) so she can ask Daniel's secretary, Mr. Warren Lewis, questions about her "intended". Unbeknownst to Cordelia, when she calls out his name and approaches the man she thinks is Mr. Lewis as he walks in the park--it's actually Daniel who answers her. And after learning this charming woman is Lady Cordelia's companion, he decides to continue pretending to be Warren to learn more about Cordelia...and because he can't resist the urge to talk to the pretty woman with the lovely green eyes again.
***
There were so many things I loved about SOAPL. The supporting cast of characters (both family and friends) was funny, lovable and absolutely charming--I adored them--all were realistically written and added depth and richness to the story. I loved Daniel and Cordelia and thought they were perfect for each other; and their interactions and conversations were such fun--with many laugh out loud moments. It was a delight to watch them both try to fight their growing attraction--try to keep up their mutual deceptions--and still try to do the right and honorable thing as their conscience demanded. I was completely enthralled to the very end of the story because I had no idea how Cordelia and Daniel were going to get out of the "grand" mess they had both created, but I knew I wanted them to have their HEA ending
This was such a fun story with so many amusing plot twists and turns. Ms. Alexander's storytelling "voice" is wonderfully smooth and has a truly natural comedic quality that easily lends itself to humorous prose and clever dialogue...and I think her sense of timing and delivery is perfect! It's very easy to understand why she's become such a popular and bestselling author. I enjoyed this story tremendously; and if you enjoy smart and funny lighthearted Historical romantic comedies--I think you will too.
You might also enjoy reading the first 2 books in this series...
A Little Bit Wicked and
What A Lady Wants
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
My introduction to romance novels, December 12, 2007
This is the first romance novel, beside the incomparable Jane Austen, whose books, all of them, I have read, that I could not put down. I've tried to read other romance a few other times, but the quality has just not been there. This one was excellent, and I just had to finish and find out what happens. The characters are quite believable, and you really start to care what happens to them. It may not be up to the level of Jane Austen, but that's to be expected.
I will be reading more Victoria Alexander in the near future.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A mixed bag, October 21, 2007
As many others here, I really liked the first two books in this trilogy and was prepared to like this one as well. And in some respects I did just that.
This is something out of a Shakespeare farce, where false identities and misunderstandings abound, all the while making you laugh out loud. Miss Cordelia Bannister, having been told she has to marry an American, Daniel Sinclair, passes herself as her own companion, Sarah, to who she thinks is her intended's Secretary, Warren. It's all very confusing, and entertaining. The dialogue is witty in many spots and I thought the hero and heroine were mostly delightful.
So what could be wrong with the book you might ask? And I think the answer is...editing. First there are several, as in 'one too many', instances where there are mispellings and bad dialogue flow. You lose track occasionally of who is speaking when. But the real problem here, and this is the first book where I've ever encountered this, is that she uses the same phrase or variation of a phrase, over and over again. In the interest of the characters being snarky and witty she has them muttering under their breath. All the time! I thought at one point it would make a great drinking game. You know, take a drink every time you read the word 'muttered'. I quickly realized though, that if you did that you might very well die of achohol poisoning. No lie. They mutter and mumble to themselves every few pages. Sometimes twice on the same page and occasionally in the same paragraph. The first time I realized what was going on I laughed to myself, then as it continued I became annoyed only to end up back at laughter towards the end as it just became absurd.
If you don't think something like that would drive you up the wall, then by all means get this book and read it. It has some good points and you might really enjoy it. Like I said, there were times I laughed out loud at how funny it was, and those were the intentional laughs. Just be warned.
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