A Family Saga Is Introduced with a Serial Bridegroom

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

SERIES: The Ellsworth Assortment #1

TYPE OF NOVEL: Traditional Regency Romance

THE PREMISE: Meet the Ellsworths – a family of five children from three different mothers but all the same father. Even though it wasn’t too long ago that he buried his third wife, it seems like Papa Ellsworth is eager to enter the married state again. But eldest daughter, Florence, is determined to do everything she can to help the family maintain some semblance of respectability. Will trying to prevent her father from marrying again help or harm her own reputation…?

MY THOUGHTS: A new series by Christina Dudley! As a devoted fan of her first Regency family saga series – The Hapgoods of Bramleigh – I was elated to hear that Christina Dudley is embarking on another series with a different family and a whole new set of interesting family dynamics and personalities!

Having read seven books by Christina Dudley already, I knew going into this story that I was sure to encounter a diverting array of characters who are likable, humorous, and endearing. And I was not wrong. Christina Dudley has a special talent for creating characters who are authentic, engaging, and developed. In this first installment of the series we are introduced to the whole Ellsworth assortment – including some of their staff and even their feisty terrier, Snap. I loved learning about everyones’ quirks and foibles and seeing their personalities introduced. I’m looking forward to seeing each character develop and have their turn being featured.

Speaking of…I really enjoyed the characters featured in Tempted by Folly. Florence reminds me of a mix between Elinor Dashwood and Charlotte Lucas – she is responsible, tries to take charge and help manage her family, and strives to make a respectable and prudent choice with her marriage. Her fiancé, Mr. Gregory, is all starch and obtuseness, while her father’s toxic trait is that he habitually marries whoever he hires as a governess. And then we have Mr. Robert Fairchild, who is a new solicitor appointed to manage Mr. Ellsworth affairs. I loved Robert! He was everything honorable and thoughtful, yet full of yearning and deeply felt affection.

With father and daughter at crossed purposes, potential love triangles, and covert missions and schemes forming there is plenty of excitement and drama afoot in this tale! I enjoyed the couple of surprise twists employed – some I definitely didn’t see coming! In addition, I loved seeing the internal tension and conflict escalate for both Florence and Mr. Fairchild. Their attraction and admiration for each other develops swiftly, but sadly has no hope of fruition. It is interesting to see how both characters react to this realization and what they do with their feelings.

Rich with endearing characters, family drama, and unexpected twists – Tempted By Folly is a wonderfully entertaining introduction to Christina Dudley’s new series! I cannot wait to see what dilemmas and delights befall this family next! Book Two – The Belle of Winchester and  Book Three – Minta in Spite of Herself are already available! Huzzah!

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