Very Truly Yours [Paperback]

Julie Beard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2001

When some mysterious letters are delivered to Jack Fairchild's law office, he sets out to find the young lady who wrote them-and rescue her from a frightful predicament.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Beard's latest (My Fair Lord) will hold few surprises for readers as it systematically trudges through the familiar formula of rake meets beautiful virgin and discovers true love. Notorious Jack Fairchild, soon to be Lord Tutley, and Liza Cranshaw initially met at a London soiree and shared a kiss that opened new horizons for Liza. Eight years later, Jack appears in her small country village of Middledale, throwing her future into disarray when he accidentally intercepts a letter written by Liza revealing her plans to marry the loathsome Lord Barrington. As Jack probes further, he learns that Barrington has blackmailed Liza in order to get his hands on her dowry, and Jack vows to do his best to keep the two from walking down the aisle. Harding, Jack's secretary, provides a few much-needed laughs, but the romance between Jack and Liza is less than compelling. The emphasis on Jack's "masculine beauty" and Liza's "evocative combination of worldliness and innocence" will tip off readers that though their looks may be extraordinary, their characters suffer from a predictability that bleaches away the kind of man-woman tension that makes for a good romance. Beard turns the occasional lyrical phrase, but readers seeking delightful originality should pass on this paint-by-numbers romance. (Apr. 3)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The class system is clearly delineated in this engaging Regency romance. Notorious rake Jack Fairchild leaves London for the quiet village of Middledale in order to escape creditors and take over a law practice, hoping to earn enough money to pay his late father's debts. Ironically, Jack devotes himself to helping the unfortunate souls in debtors prison while facing the same fate himself, although if his grandfather dies, he will have a title and thereby be immune from such a fate. On his first day in town, he runs into Liza Cranshaw, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, whom he met years ago at a ball. So smitten was she, she has refused all marriage proposals until a devious viscount blackmails her into accepting his offer. Jack learns of her plight, and in true hero fashion, decides to rescue the fair maiden, while she, in turn, rescues him from a loveless existence. These two charming characters make Beard's romance a true delight. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jove (April 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515130397
• ISBN-13: 978-0515130393
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,176,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating characters make this a great read, March 27, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Very Truly Yours (Paperback)

In London, the note from Lord Abington shakes up Jack Fairchild. Scandalizing the family name with his suicide apparently was not enough for Jack's father. He also left his son with a debt of three thousand pounds besides a failing tea company. If Jack fails to pay back Lord Abington, he will go to prison. Unable to idly await his fate, Jack decides to use his law degree to earn money in the countryside.

Jack reaches Middledale where he meets Liza Cranshaw, a young lady who once caught his fancy almost a decade ago. He accidentally obtains a letter that shows her fiance, Lord Barrington, is forcing her to marry him. Unable to once again sit idly by, Jack intercedes, but soon falls in love with Liza. She returns his deepest feelings just as she has since he kissed her in London eight years ago. However, he has no future beyond debtor's prison and she has a dreary future with Barrington.

VERY TRULY YOURS is a warm historical romance that will please die hard fans of the sub genre. The story line never veers from its path as Jack the hunk and Liza the beautiful innocent try to overcome impossible obstacles so that love can flourish. A loyal secondary character provides a powerful often-amusing spark to the plot. Julie Beard proves she is a talented author by making a by the rules novel interesting for those readers who take pleasure from an amiable tale.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant story, January 2, 2002

By 

Elaine Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Truly Yours (Paperback)

After reading the previous reviews I wasn't sure I wanted to try this book or not. Reviews seemed to be very good or very bad. I enjoyed the story. Its not necessarily a 'keeper' but I did enjoy it. I did wish that the reasons for the blackmail would have been a little clearer and maybe given in bits and pieces a little earlier in the story.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars MISERABLE- The first book I couldn't finish!!!, May 8, 2001

By 

mfr "maryfr" (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Truly Yours (Paperback)

I've read other Julie Beard books and love her work. Her name and the 5 stars is what made me buy this book ... but how this ever got 5 stars, I'll never know. The story was totally foolish -- a young lady decides not to marry because of one wonderful kiss - if she can't find a passion like that, then she'll have nobody?? COME ON!! And the "hero" doesn't remember this wonderful kiss at all until he kisses her again and then it all comes back to him? YEAH, RIGHT!!!! Then he feels guilty that she hasn't married and he feels honor bound to beg her forgiveness and save her from marrying the villain -- REALLY!! I finally threw the book in the recycle stack. Julie must have been under some deadline to put out a book, because this one was not up to her normal standards.