Customer Reviews

The Very Comely Countess (Sonnet Books)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A lord marrying an orange seller is as unlikely a Regency plot as I've ever seen, and yet...the interplay between these two characters kept me spellbound all the way through to the end. Of course, Harriet Treene isn't your average, everyday orange seller, and it isn't just her beauty that captures the heart of the broodingly handsome Lord Bonnington. Her courage and character, her intelligence, her witty repartee--yes, even her bold Cockney accent--make her the perfect counterpart for a lonely earl seeking purpose and meaning in his life.

Okay, I admit that it's a bit farfetched that Regency society would accept an orange-girl countess, especially one that was widely known to be the earl's mistress before their marriage. But you know what? This is one of those love stories that everyone dreams of in their heart of hearts--even those stuffy old matrons who look down their noses at any girl dancing the waltz without their permission--and I, for one, am willing to suspend judgment in exchange for the most engrossing read in the last six months.

In 1799 London, William Manderville an Earl concludes that the actresses he uses to cover his government work on the French coast are failures. He needs someone different and thinks he found his answer in the drawing done by a Duchess of an orange seller commoner. When William finds the orange seller Harriet Treene he shows her the picture saying his friend will pay her if she poses as a model.

At the family pie shop, Harriet notices her older sister Bett looks tired from work, raising an infant, and being pregnant. Harriet decides to accept the Duchess' offer to paint her for a fee. Harriet visits the Duchess but William arrives and offers her a deal. He will finance a tea shop for her in exchange for her posing as his mistress on his messenger trips to France. As they act out the masquerade neither expected love or the danger that awaits them in France from an individual seeking revenge.

THE VERY COMELY COUNTESS, the sequel to the DARING DUCHESS, is an exciting tale due to the espionage subplot and a glimpse at the working class, but especially because of the love story between a commoner and a noble. Though this book uses the same plot device as its predecessor and lacks the locale creativeness of the first book, fans will enjoy the tale because the lead characters are a delightful daring duo who deserve a lifetime together. Regency romantic suspense fans will gain much pleasure from award winning Miranda Jarrett's wonderful tale.

Harriet Klausner

To society, the Earl of Bonnington (William Manderville), is a dissolute rake, with nothing more on his mind than who will be his next mistress. Appearances are deceiving, as Manderville is a covert spy for the British government, making trips back and forth from England to France, ferrying secret messages and information to help the British cause. In order to do this, he poses as an aristocrat with nothing but pleasure on his mind, travelling with his mistress. When his last mistress almost blows his cover, he is on the lookout for another one, finding Harriet Treene, Orange Seller extraordinaire.

I like the book's premise, but I agree with the other reviewers that Harriet's speech was entirely too distracting. She attempts to correct her speech, but still has it to the very end of the book. Some may say that defines her as a unique character, but there are ways to represent this without taking away from the book's content. I don't know how many "Hey, ho"'s I came across, but by the end of the book, I felt I was on a pirate adventure. I was waiting for Jarrett to throw in an "Aye, matey. Ya landlubber". In addition, the thrown in introduction of Zeke at the end felt as if Jarrett didn't know how to explain the evil character's purpose for revenge. One scene that was just odd was Harriet's orange juggling antics at the Duchess' mansion. I don't see how polite society would not ostracize the Duke, Duchess, and Bonnington after that.

The main characters did have chemistry, and the plot line was interesting, if a bit unbelievable. As history shows, the Haut Ton would not have accepted Harriet into their ranks, and would have ostracized Bonnington, his family and relatives, also.

This isn't my first Jarrett book, nor will it be my last. This book is not a keeper. I recommend new readers of Jarretts to view her other works.

A thoroughly delightful book -- half Cinderella, half My Fair Lady. Very real characters and a great sense of place and period make thisstand above most regency-historicals. I also liked how hero/heroine aren't afraid to buck convention for love.

I see one of the other readers hear objects to the "dirt" in the story: helloooooo, the eighteenth century WAS dirty and Febreeze-free,a nd I respect the athor more for realizing that. That's one of the things I like best about Jarret's writing. She gives a realstory and not a prettied-up version.

Get this now before it goes out of print.

This is a fabulous read, intelligent, fast-paced, witty, with a hero and heroine who create genuine sparks. I've read several of her books now, and I'm impressed with this author's gift for combining great characters--who have spice and intelligence and keep the reader guessing--with deeply romantic stories. Terrific romance, well written, and well worth your time!

Some of my favorite novels are always the "My Fair Lady," and "Cinderella" type of stories, where a peer of the realm falls madly in love with a commoner. So, I had high hopes when I read the description for this novel, and I must say that I was not disappointed at all. William as a hero is so cool. I mean, of course, spies always make great heroes. Harriet is absolutely delightful and adventurous. And their interaction with each other is very memorable. I wish I could find much books like this one.

This book was a true "romance"! The Earl of Bonnington and Harriet were both delightful. It was really fun to watch the Earl fall for Harriet(an orange-seller)! They teamed up to "spy" for England on behalf of the Earl's best friend the Duke of Harborough("The Very Daring Duchess"). Harriet agrees to pose as the mistress of the Earl but soon finds herself falling in love. The great thing about this story is that the Earl really seems to like Harriet. This story was a twist on the "cinderella romance" I really enjoyed the dialogue and the plot. It was a very good read!!