Matchmaking Schemes and Misadventures in Bath
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance
SERIES: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh #4 (Note each book is standalone and can be read out of order)
THE PREMISE: Margaret Hapgood travels to Bath with her mother and uncle – not for her own amusement and romantic adventures – but because she is charged with managing her uncle and ensuring that he makes a wealthy match. Margaret has her hands full with curbing her uncle’s expensive habits, creating opportunities for him to win over his lady love’s disapproving family, managing her own unexpected suitors, and navigating a friendship with a beautiful but often conniving new friend…
WHAT I LOVED:
- With the Hapgoods Again: I am so happy to be reunited with the dear Hapgood family! For those of you who are not yet acquainted, the Hapgoods are an almost impoverished gentry family of four independently-minded daughters, a blustery and unsophisticated squire who must be careful to not become agitated, and an often indisposed and indolent mother living in Somerset. And with the new setting of Bath, new friends and acquaintances, and a frank and blunt heroine who is often occupied with being the only adult in the room, the stage is set for adventure and misadventure in this latest installment of the Hapgoods of Bramleigh.
- Margaret: What a splendid heroine; I love that she isn’t looking for romance and has such practical and forthright nature. I found her earnestness in all things, her naivete, and her determination to do what is right to be completely endearing. I loved her interactions with each character in this story and how she handles herself through all the drama, little dangers, and conundrums she encounters.
- A New Frenemy: With her eagerness to be admired and her manipulative tendencies, Charmaine Blakely put me in mind of Isabella Thorpe from Northanger Abbey. Not the sort of person you want for a friend, for sure, and yet Margaret is a true and loyal friend to her. However, unlike Catherine Morland, Margaret would often stand up to Charmaine and put her in her place when need be. #GoMargaret!
- An Unavailable Hero: Daishell Waite is an injured soldier who has long been betrothed to his cousin, Charmaine Blakely. And after returning from the Peninsula War, he is starting to question his future with Charmaine. While he finds Miss Hapgood’s frankness and unaffected conversations enjoyable, he isn’t free to do anything about it. I loved Daishell and all the quiet moments he spent enjoying Margaret’s company.
- Heyeresque!: This whirlwind adventure that is filled with imaginative and impossible marriage schemes, entertaining calamities, skillful repartee, and well-defined characters often felt reminiscent of a Georgette Heyer novel. The pacing, balance, and clever twists and turns Ms. Dudley employes captured the comedic brilliance Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances so perfectly! Brava, Ms. Dudley!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- My only wish would be for a family tree or personae dramatis to be included at beginning of the novel.
CONCLUSION:
Matchless Margaret is a captivating Regency Romance by Christina Dudley that matches romantic ambitions with unexpected attachments, meddlesome family members with wayward relations, and comedic mishaps with exhilarating twists. I most highly recommend!
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Meet The Hapgoods!
Book 1 : The Naturalist
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
Book 2: A Very Plain Young Man
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
Book 3: School for Love
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
WOW, Meredith, this new installment in Hapgood family sounds so well! I have to read some of Christina Dudley novels!
I like the portrait of Margaret you do and the fact that the story takes place in Bath. Definetely, this is a “must read”
Thanks for the review 😉
I think you would love this series, Teresa! The family is so likable and fun – just like the Bennets!
Thank you so much for this recommendation, I have bought the kindle and I am having a lovely moment reading the adventures of Margaret, so deliciously akward. Is she really going to ask that poor Baronet to lend her money? Good gracious ! 🙂
Oh yay! I’m so thrilled to hear that you are reading this story! I KNOW! Poor Margaret, what a pickle to be in!!
What a lovely review! It must be very trying on Margaret having to deal with uncle… Sounds like a fun story that I added to my wishlist 🙂
Thank you, Charlotte! Yes, can you imagine needing to act like the adult when you are traveling with two other “older” adults?!