helenephoebe's review
4.0
Review - I loved both Delilah and Charles, and the way that they constantly argued, but it was obvious that they were attracted to each other. The Tribble sisters did begin to annoy me, with their constant arguments over love and, in particular, Benjamin Haddon. I preferred this one to Perfecting Fiona but not as much as Refining Felicity. I also loved the general storyline, with the background of Delilah's flirting.
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Amy Tribble / Effy Tribble / Benjamin Haddon / Delilah Wraxall / Charles Digby
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - School for Manners #3
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 17/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Amy Tribble / Effy Tribble / Benjamin Haddon / Delilah Wraxall / Charles Digby
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - School for Manners #3
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 17/20
jameymh's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tlsouthard's review against another edition
4.0
School for Manners #3. Still loving the Tribble sisters. Things turn up a notch in this one, with a disaffected suitor turning ugly to the flirt Delilah. But everything turns out all right in the end, thanks to the down to earth wisdom - and a little bit of trickery - of Amy Tribble.
I guess this is the summer of light reading for me. With hubby's health problems, etc. I can't seem to keep my mind on anything deep or challenging. So thank heavens for Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton) and her fluffy romances!
I guess this is the summer of light reading for me. With hubby's health problems, etc. I can't seem to keep my mind on anything deep or challenging. So thank heavens for Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton) and her fluffy romances!
holtfan's review against another edition
2.0
*sigh*
*drags out soapbox*
*climbs up*
Ahem.
How do I say this...
I don't care how much the otherwise chivalrous lord wants the young lady in his bed. I don't care if this is pseudo-Regency and special licences are apparently available at the drop of a hat. Just don't do it.
And I know in this book the heroine supposedly knew the hero five years earlier or some such thing. But for all intents and purposes, they are strangers.
22 or 23 or however old Delilah is supposed to be, she is far too young to get rushed into such a ridiculous marriage like this.
And it some how feels worse here because the book almost seems to agree. Everything is not settled with a kiss and promise to wed. We've got a young lady who maybe thinks better of it and wonders about who she will become if a husband always bosses her around and demands she do as he pleases. And let's be real, the "hero" of this book definitely feels...more rough draft. His will comes before hers, no question asked.
But no. It is that...*tries to think of non-swear word* ahem masculinity of his that brings her back in the end. Because sex appeal solves everything.
Far from winning me over, the "romance" (I use the word loosely) in this book hard-core alienated me. I would have bumped this story up to 4 stars if the heroine had walked away.
So 1 star for the romance and the plot in general.
Adding a star, however, for the Tribble sisters, and here is why: Yes, they are annoying. Yes, I think they put their charges in questionable romantic situations. But this is only book 3 and I feel like I've been friends with them forever. They're quite old acquaintances by this point. And I think that says something. I could take or leave the young ladies in their charge, but I like these two eccentric, middle aged women. And I want to give proper credit when characters take my fancy. Because honestly, at this point, I am reading for them.
*drags out soapbox*
*climbs up*
Ahem.
How do I say this...
I don't care how much the otherwise chivalrous lord wants the young lady in his bed. I don't care if this is pseudo-Regency and special licences are apparently available at the drop of a hat. Just don't do it.
And I know in this book the heroine supposedly knew the hero five years earlier or some such thing. But for all intents and purposes, they are strangers.
22 or 23 or however old Delilah is supposed to be, she is far too young to get rushed into such a ridiculous marriage like this.
And it some how feels worse here because the book almost seems to agree. Everything is not settled with a kiss and promise to wed. We've got a young lady who maybe thinks better of it and wonders about who she will become if a husband always bosses her around and demands she do as he pleases. And let's be real, the "hero" of this book definitely feels...more rough draft. His will comes before hers, no question asked.
But no. It is that...*tries to think of non-swear word* ahem masculinity of his that brings her back in the end. Because sex appeal solves everything.
Far from winning me over, the "romance" (I use the word loosely) in this book hard-core alienated me. I would have bumped this story up to 4 stars if the heroine had walked away.
So 1 star for the romance and the plot in general.
Adding a star, however, for the Tribble sisters, and here is why: Yes, they are annoying. Yes, I think they put their charges in questionable romantic situations. But this is only book 3 and I feel like I've been friends with them forever. They're quite old acquaintances by this point. And I think that says something. I could take or leave the young ladies in their charge, but I like these two eccentric, middle aged women. And I want to give proper credit when characters take my fancy. Because honestly, at this point, I am reading for them.
quinnster's review against another edition
3.0
This one took and unexpectedly dark turn at one point. Not as much humor and kind of sad. I felt sorry for Delilah in a way I didn't with the first two girls. I never came around to Sir Charles and thought Delilah could do better ;)
memydogandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A lovely little, easy read with some very funny and endearing characters. Not sure however if I'd pick up more in the series. Think I'll stick with her Agatha Raisin books. Nice wee read to start my holidays though.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
2.0
I'd like to give this 2.5 stars, but sadly that isn't an option. It just isn't as good as many of her others. Good being a very relative term of course.
sarah_'s review against another edition
4.0
So good! This series took a couple books to really warm up, but by this one I was totally hooked and it was laugh out loud funny, with just the kind of absurd situations I expect from Marion Chesney. The scene where Amy attempted to fake her own death was absolutely brilliant! The narrator also changed with this book, and she's better than the one who did the first two. The glimpse we got of the slapstick humor of the forthcoming clumsy heroine is me excited for that one too.
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