Customer Reviews

Snowdrops and Scandalbroth (Regency Romance)

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4 star:		(4)
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2 star:		(1)
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This is absolutely my favorite book by Barbara Metzger. I am a fan of Regency Romances, but I get bored by the sterotypical rakish hero, whom I would consider a jerk in real life. This hero was so sweet! But he was not a wimp, either. Just virtuous, which is far better than promiscuous. I would highly recommend this book, which I have re-read half a dozen times at least.

Barbara Metzger is such a master of all the little tricks that take a book from merely enjoyable to the unforgettable. If you want to know how, just read this book. Who else could carefully manage the plot so as to have four different groups of people converge on the same place at the same time, but yet all with their own independent agendas? Who else could think of a hero, invalided out of Boney's war in his mid-twenties, who has determined that if his chosen bride should be pure on their wedding night, why, then, so also should HE!

Needless to say, this situation causes Courtney Choate, Viscount Chase, no little bit of difficulty. The poor man is driven to hiring a female person to pretend she is his mistress, for goodness' sake. Of course, the woman he selects, Kathlyn Partland, immediately decides its because the poor man's injury has rendered him, um, as somewhat less than a wife would desire. How was he to know that she's the granddaughter of an earl. Disowned, to be sure, but who's to know that?

And, further, who's to know where the jewels were hidden before the highwayman died, practically in Kathlyn's arms? And, why is the Bow Street Runner camped out among the trees across the street from Courtney's hide-a-way in Kensington? And just who lives in that hide-a-way, anyway? Sorry, I've run out of words. You'll just have to read it for yourself, and laugh and chuckle, and chortle. Especially at the last line--it's nearly the best in the book!

Another funny, sweet Regency romance from one of the top authors in this popular genre. Our hero -- a virgin!-- has to prove to the haut monde that he's as much a rake as the best of them. To this end, he secures the help of a gently-bred maiden down on her luck (her impoverished father has died, and her closest relatives have disowned her). Love, of course, blossoms, in the midst of a number of extremely funny sub-plots and the usual hilarious cast of Metzger characters, including fumbling felons, over-eager Bow Street Runners, and heartless aristocrats.

Snowdrops and Scandalbroth is the story of Miss Kathlyn Partland, a destitute noblewoman who must sell her services as a governess to make ends meet (yeah I know, this has been done to death). The hero, Courtney Chase is a retired soldier, in a unique position.

Considered 'unmasculine' by the ton, because, heh, he is a virgin, Courtney is desperate to prove himself, a womanizing 'rake' without compromising his unconventional ideals.. He is saving himself for marriage! So, he hires Kitty to masquerade as his 'mistress,' not realizing that their easy frienship would soon become love!

Courtney and Kitty make an interesting and unique couple. Kitty is a smart, pragmatic heroine, and Courtney a reasonable hero. Both seem to make a natural couple.

There were a scattering of irritating secondary characters which seemed to pop up now and then... But they did not distract to omuch from the overall read. This was a decent read, especially for a Regency (not my normal reading material). Would recommend this book for those who want a fun read with a unique hero.

The premise of the book is certainly unique. Who would have thought it--a virgin hero who is looked down upon as being less-than-masculine until he gains a reputation for being a rake? The irony of the plot is one of the keys to why the story is so entertaining. Two virgins are posing as lovers, and are thus applauded and approved of, but if they admitted to the "ton" their innocence, they would be scorned. Viscount Chase has to be one of the sweetest fictional heros, and it is so humorous how he damps down his sexual attraction and his affection for the heroine while fighting himself inside his head. The heroine plays the part of his mistress out of a need for money, but also due to misguided pity for him, thinking that he needs her to demonstrate his virility because he is suffering from an "old war wound!" The story does get a bit confusing because there are so many secondary characters, with a jewel-theft mystery thrown in, and it probably could have been fine without as many extra plot threads, but it still comes off very well. I am not that big a fan of Barbara Metzger since I don't care for her usual rakish hero, but this one is a keeper for me.

It's hard to find romance novels that aren't borderline porn, even the Regencies. I really appreciate this author, not just for avoiding pages of garbage, but for writing a good story that was fun to read. More than just adventure and romance, the author actually knows how to lay out and plot a manuscript. I really enjoyed reading this; and am now a fan that plans to read more of her books.

Barbara Metzger's SNOWDROPS AND SCANDALBROTH is a rare thing indeed: a farce that actually worked for me. Generally, I am not a big fan of these fast-paced comedies that entertain through unlikely and extravagant situations, situations that often resort to physical humor and absurd chase scenes. Yet here, I found Ms. Metzger worked her little farce into a most delightful Regency tale.

Real men have certain appetites - desires so to speak. Desires that must be satisfied! War hero, Courtney Choate, the Viscount Chase, was such a man. Yet, Courtney Choate maintained high moral standards and nurtured strong self-discipline. Instead of "catting" around town to feed his appetite, he chose to remain virtuous. Long ago, Courtney decided he would save himself for his future wife. Of course, his actions were somewhat uncommon and he soon found himself the latest "on-dit." His broken engagement was the kindling, but his apparent disinterest in a woman's bedroom was the sizzling fuel for the gossips' sharp tongues! As a result, he found himself smack-dab in a dilemma. Quickly, Courtney needed a reputation . . . a rake's reputation! Enter Miss Kathlyn Partland. This gently-bred, country woman needed a position and Courtney needed a make-believe mistress. The plan was ingenious; he would kill two birds with one stone!

Miss Kathlyn Partland could never return to her Cheshire home. Pride and determination made certain of that or "pigheadedness" as the Viscount Chase announced! The same viscount with his highfaluting ways, the same viscount with his outrageous offer, the very same viscount who needed a counterfeit mistress . . . Indeed! Why would such an honorable gentleman resort to such an outrageous tactic? It must be a male thing - or in this case - veteran - war wound - lack of. Oh good heavens, the poor man - of course, she would help him. Ergo Miss Kathlyn Partland became Kitty Parke - extraordinaire gentleman's mistress - and Metzger launched the fun!

Reviewer's Comments:
There is a lot to like about SNOWDROPS AND SCANDALBROTH. Barbara Metzger's writing is smooth and her dialogue hilariously lively. Frequently, the author expressed humor through subtle touches, looks, and gestures, which delightfully added to her story's fun. SNOWDROPS AND SCANDALBROTH is a thoroughly enjoyable read, yet it did suffer from one huge flaw - it went on too long. What was enjoyable at first soon began to fade in the later stages of the book. Although the comedy started out strong, it soon grew muddled. In other words, the story simply lost steam. Still, SNOWDROPS AND SCANDALBROTH remains a most entertaining book; in fact, it is one of the most amusing reads I have ever picked up. For Historical/Regency readers, this is a happy find indeed.
Grade: B+

MaryGrace Meloche.

The coverage of the Cyprian's Ball (A yearly ball for prostitutes) is unique and interesting. This seems to be one of the more popular Balls for historical recreationists <ahem> but is little seen in Regency novels.

Characters are likable. Writing falters and becomes rushed in the last ten pages compared to the wonderful warm tone sustained throughout the rest of the book. An enjoyable read.

SNOWDROPS AND SCANDALBROTH got me hooked on Barbara Metzger. I never laughed so hard as when I read this book. Then I ran out and bought all her others. This one is especially funny because she takes the traditional story of the virginal heroine and turns it on its head.

She is one of the few authors who can incorporate wacked out humor into a regency. And she has multiple laughs on each page. How does she do it?

Her use of language is extraordinary, both regency cant and all that glorious alliteration. And she has true regency people and situations for you purists out there.

If you haven't already read Barbara Metzger, you're in for a treat. Read her books and laugh!

I found this book uninspired, plodding, and unbelieveable. Not the hero's purity; that was refreshing. But the way the characters never thought ahead, seemed to have little concern for anyone but themeselves (except the heroine and Nanny), talked about avoiding scandal but rushed into it, and far too often acted as though they didn't have a brain in their heads. Plus, the jewel heist was never completely resolved (that I remember).

Silly. Took me forever to get through. Emotionally superficial for the most part.