A Former Spy Who Unexpectedly Inherits an Earldom Must Settle Down and Find a Wife
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Sequel, Minor Character
TIME FRAME: About 3 years after the close of Pride and Prejudice
SERIES: Brides of Pemberley
Volume One – His Good Opinion (Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy’s point-of-view).
Volume Two – Loving Miss Darcy (Sequel to P&P, focuses on Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam).
Volume Three – Against His Will (Sequel to Loving Miss Darcy, focuses on Kitty Bennet).
RECOMMENDATION: Read Loving Miss Darcy before reading Against His Will (although both are stand alone)
MAIN CHARACTERS: Kitty Bennet, Sebastian Montgomery (original character), Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Colin Maitland
SYNOPSIS: With Georgiana just married and Lizzy expecting her first child, Kitty goes to live with the Gardiners in Cheapside. The man who captured her heart recently, Sebastian Montgomery, is well aware of her affection but has no desire to pursue matrimony with anyone. That is until he unexpectedly inherits an estate and becomes an earl…Now that he is Lord Lisle he must find a wife and continue the family line. But rather than settle for the numerous accomplished and wealthy ladies of London society, he courts Kitty Bennet for the simple fact that she doesn’t bore him.
WHAT I LOVED:
- The Growth and Improvement of Kitty Bennet: I thought it was brilliant how Nancy Kelley gave Kitty a little bit of an inferiority complex, it made perfect sense! Poor Kitty still remembers and feels the reproof her father’s oft-repeated exclamation about her being one of the “silliest girls in the country,” and is, at times, quite ashamed of her excitable and emotional nature. In addition, Nancy Kelley zeroed in on Kitty’s feelings of inadequacy and lack of identity. All of her sisters seem to have a talent or something to recommend them, whether it be charm, wit, beauty, goodness… and by comparisons Kitty feels she is insufficient. I loved seeing Kitty blossom and discover her self-worth, as well as mature into an admirable heroine who remains true to herself.
- Our Unconventional Hero: I fell in love with Sebastian in the very first chapter! 🙂 He is a man of action, intelligence, and perception. I loved how decisive he was and I loved witnessing his astute observations and keen mind. With his social oddities, talent for deduction, and disregard for convention, he definitely reminded me of a less eccentric version of Sherlock Holmes (I wonder if this was intentional Ms. Kelley?) 😉 I enjoyed witnessing his clumsy attempts to court Kitty and treat their relationship in an unromantic and business-like manner. (Just wait until your heart becomes engaged, Seb!) Sebastian Montgomery is definitely right up there with Robert Darcy, Patrick McGillvarly, and Lord Dyfed Brougham as one of my all-time favorite Austenesque original characters. 🙂
- The Mystery: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark!” When he is attacked by footpad on the same day he inherits his title, Sebastian becomes suspicious of his grandfather’s death. Maybe the carriage accident wasn’t a real accident…maybe someone is after his title…maybe someone wants revenge… “The game is on!” Loved the brilliant mystery in this story! Very exhilarating and very well-crafted!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- I Wanted More!: This story is a fast-paced adventure with one event or obstacle popping up right after another and I guess I felt at times that it went a little too fast. I would have loved more – more between Kitty and Sebastian, more time in Sebastian’s head, more about the Montgomery family and their estrangement, more background about the villain, just… more! Extending the story 50-100 pages more would have been perfect! 😉
CONCLUSION:
With an intriguing mystery, an unlikely romance, and an enthralling sequences of events, Against His Will is definitely a great choice for readers who want to see more of Kitty Bennet and love adventure! I think this is Nancy Kelley’s best story yet! (I heard a rumor that this series will continue with a Christmas novella due out in December 2014! Squee! I can’t wait! More Sebastian please!)
Loved your review, Meredith! I haven’t read this series yet, but I think this one might be the most intriguing of all the books by Nancy Kelley! I have a feeling Sebastian is quite charming 🙂 Also, I always appreciate a little mystery 😉
Thank you, Maria! 🙂 For me, this was the most exciting and entertaining book in the series so far. Sebastian is great character, although he may need to work a little on his charming and courting.
It looks like I need to get on the stick and catch up in this series. I read the first book and loved it too so I have no excuses. Sebastian and Kitty’s story sounds great. I love the mystery angle you mention.
LOL! What are you waiting for?!? 😉 I think you will definitely enjoy this one Sophia Rose!
You can get the boxed set of all three books for $6.99 on Amazon!
That’s a great deal!!! Thanks for sharing, Betsy! Have you read this series yet?
This sounds well worth reading Meredith! I have books two and three on my kindle already. I read book one a couple of years ago, before I started writing reviews to help me remember and therefore I don’t remember what happened in book one! Is it Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s POV or is the story different? Just wondering whether I should reread it before embarking on book two. ‘Against His Will’ is the story I like the sound of the most, looking forward to seeing a bit more of Kitty.
Yep, it is P&P from Darcy’s POV. It brings his relationships with Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam more to the forefront, but the course of events is the same. 🙂 I’d say it is more important to read book 2 before book 3 than it is to reread book 1. Hope that helps, Ceri! 🙂
That does help, thank you!
I own all three of Nancy’s novels…book and kindle format…huge fan of her work.
That’s wonderful! 🙂 Which one is your favorite, Stephanie?
Fitzwilliam and Georgiana’s romance….Loving Miss Darcy…all three are great…
I loved this series!!!
Just fabulous!
🙂 So glad to hear that! I love when authors give the spotlight to the minor characters!
Tried posting earlier but was having issues with my computer…needless to say, I loved all 3 books of this series but would have to say Sebastian and Kitty were my favourite! I agree Meredith, I too wished it was much longer!!!! Maybe there will be more…someday????
Awesome! Mine too (as if you couldn’t already tell!) I hope there is more!
Go kitty! I do so look forward to reading this. It’s good to want more meredith right? I have read the 1st novel but not the second.
Yes, Suzan. That is always a good sign for the author, isn’t it?? 😉
Great review which makes you want to put away everything and go read the book yourself! I had my eyes on Nancy Kelly’s trilogy for some time, but have not read any of the books yet. Definitely need to correct this failure and soon!:)
Thank you, Oloore! LOL! Yes, you must rectify that situation immediately! 😉
“With his social oddities, talent for deduction, and disregard for convention, he definitely reminded me of a less eccentric version of Sherlock Holmes (I wonder if this was intentional Ms. Kelley?)”
Perhaps. 😉 I recongised the need for Colonel Fitzwilliam to have friends and comrades-in-arms right after I finished watching series 1&2 of Sherlock. Sherlock and John are such a well-matched pair, and I wanted two of Richard’s friends to be a similar partnership. So I pulled the basics of the characters and then made some unique changes, and they became Sebastian Montgomery and Colin Maitland.
Thank you for the excellent review, Meredith. Someone mentioned the box set above–if you have a Kindle and Amazon Prime, it’s also available to borrow for free from the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library.
Awesome, Nancy! I completely agree with you, loved the partnership you created with Colin and Sebastian…(can they have future adventures and exploits together?) 😉 Would love to see them tackle another mystery Holmes/Watson style! Fab job, Nancy! So happy to read and review your work!
I loved the first two books in this series, so look forward to this new one, especially after reading your excellent review (as always) and other readers’ comments. I haven’t been able to post for awhile, so this feels like visiting again with a good friend! Thanks, Meredith!
You are so sweet, Catherine! I love your visits! I hope you enjoyed a nice holiday weekend! I’m sure you will love this one, hope you get to read it soon!