meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
The Captivating Lady Charlotte is another delightful Regency romance from Aussie author Carolyn Miller. The tone is different than in the first book of the Regency Brides series – The Elusive Miss Ellison – but I love them both! In Miss Ellison, Lavinia and Nicholas and their delicious banter reminded me of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy while Lady Charlotte’s hero and heroine made me think of Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon.
Perhaps my favorite thing about Miller’s new book is its approach to love and romance. It’s a story of true love – the kind that endures, trusts, and hopes. The kind of love formed not from fairy tales but from trials and obstacles. The kind of love that requires dying to self and putting someone else and their needs first. Along those lines, it’s also a story which sees refreshing character growth. At the beginning of the story, Charlotte is rather shallow and self-centered, her young age in stark contrast to William’s maturity (yet he’s still younger than me, so let’s not ship him off to Shady Acres quite yet.) She has an ‘others-focused’ side just waiting to be set free and as the story progresses, so does Charlotte – and William too for that matter.
I also loved revisiting Lavinia and Nicholas who, while not the stars of this particular show, still play a prominent role. Seeing them married and doing life together made my romantical heart smile. Of course, Nicholas’ momma as well as Charlotte’s both still need a good reticule whomping, but every good Regency romance needs a character or two like that to liven things up a bit!
Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of Julie Klassen, Julianne Donaldson, Kristi Ann Hunter and/or Sarah Ladd, you need to make sure this series is on your TBR list! The Captivating Lady Charlotte is poignant and gentle while at the same time boldly showing faith lived out and love lived in. I’m so looking forward to the next book, where we finally get to see more of Clara’s story!!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Perhaps my favorite thing about Miller’s new book is its approach to love and romance. It’s a story of true love – the kind that endures, trusts, and hopes. The kind of love formed not from fairy tales but from trials and obstacles. The kind of love that requires dying to self and putting someone else and their needs first. Along those lines, it’s also a story which sees refreshing character growth. At the beginning of the story, Charlotte is rather shallow and self-centered, her young age in stark contrast to William’s maturity (yet he’s still younger than me, so let’s not ship him off to Shady Acres quite yet.) She has an ‘others-focused’ side just waiting to be set free and as the story progresses, so does Charlotte – and William too for that matter.
I also loved revisiting Lavinia and Nicholas who, while not the stars of this particular show, still play a prominent role. Seeing them married and doing life together made my romantical heart smile. Of course, Nicholas’ momma as well as Charlotte’s both still need a good reticule whomping, but every good Regency romance needs a character or two like that to liven things up a bit!
Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of Julie Klassen, Julianne Donaldson, Kristi Ann Hunter and/or Sarah Ladd, you need to make sure this series is on your TBR list! The Captivating Lady Charlotte is poignant and gentle while at the same time boldly showing faith lived out and love lived in. I’m so looking forward to the next book, where we finally get to see more of Clara’s story!!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
betherin02's review against another edition
5.0
Full series review on Faithfully Bookish
Family duty and social expectations play a large role in finding one’s marriage partner during the Regency era. When young ladies want to be swept off their feet and widowers need someone they can trust, parents tend to have their own agenda altogether and may the most persistent party win!
Charlotte Featherington is an eager debutante whose beauty and family situation gives her access to any of the season’s eligible bachelors her heart desires. William Hartwell is a man of faith who has been sorely tested in the marriage department.
This story is full to the brim with conflict and trials but also the peace of faith in those storms. While this second installment in the series flowed seamlessly from the first, the author provides adequate backstory for those who wish to enjoy this story on its own.
Family duty and social expectations play a large role in finding one’s marriage partner during the Regency era. When young ladies want to be swept off their feet and widowers need someone they can trust, parents tend to have their own agenda altogether and may the most persistent party win!
Charlotte Featherington is an eager debutante whose beauty and family situation gives her access to any of the season’s eligible bachelors her heart desires. William Hartwell is a man of faith who has been sorely tested in the marriage department.
This story is full to the brim with conflict and trials but also the peace of faith in those storms. While this second installment in the series flowed seamlessly from the first, the author provides adequate backstory for those who wish to enjoy this story on its own.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this second book in the Regency Brides series by Carolyn Miller! Though it could be read as a standalone, it is much better if you read the first book in the series as the characters in the first book continually show up in this book. The characters, romance, gothic setting, and mystery all drew me in and I found it hard to stop listening to the compelling audiobook. This is a great read for those who appreciate a good, clean, gothic romance with a religious message that is woven naturally through the story.
anke_books's review against another edition
4.0
Mooier dan deel 1. De ontwikkeling van Charlotte van adolescente debutante tot volwassen vrouw vond ik mooi.
De verschillende aanslagen en het verlangen dreiging geheim te houden voor de heldin, waren wat minder origineel. Ook had ik moeite met sommige verwijzingen. Ik wist dan niet meer waar de schrijfster naar refereerde, hier had ze de lezer wat meer bij de hand kunnen nemen.
Al met al een plezier om te lezen. Nu op naar deel 3!
De verschillende aanslagen en het verlangen dreiging geheim te houden voor de heldin, waren wat minder origineel. Ook had ik moeite met sommige verwijzingen. Ik wist dan niet meer waar de schrijfster naar refereerde, hier had ze de lezer wat meer bij de hand kunnen nemen.
Al met al een plezier om te lezen. Nu op naar deel 3!
rcooper's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
beckys_bookshelves's review against another edition
5.0
The Captivating Lady Charlotte is a romance set in regency England. Lady Charlotte Featherington wants to marry for love and The Duke of Hartington wants to marry someone who loves him back. He is captivated by Lady Charlotte, but is not sure if a woman can be trusted to truly love him in return after his last marriage. This wonderful book follows the twists and turns as the two navigate a relationship together and draw closer to the Lord in the process.
I have been waiting to read The Captivating Lady Charlotte since I turned the last page of The Elusive Miss Ellison, Ms. Miller's last book. I have been literally counting down the days until The Captivating Lady Charlotte was released! I was not disappointed. From the moment I first opened the book to the last page I was in heaven. I enjoyed the dialogue, the romantic tension, imagining the wonderful ball scenes, the mystery and adventure.
I also found myself reflecting on God's love for me and his purpose for my life as I read the novel. Carolyn Miller has a magical way of weaving in a character's faith that makes it a natural part of the story. It is not forced or an afterthought.
I truly enjoyed this novel and now I must wait until fall when the third novel in the series is published. I will have to learn to bare this trial in true regency fashion. I highly recommend The Captivating Lady Charlotte.
I was given this book by Book Fun(Book Club Network) and this is my honest review.
cctblog's review against another edition
4.0
Earlier this year, I read Carolyn Miller's The Elusive Miss Ellison. In the novel, readers met Lavinia Ellison's cousin Charlotte, a young woman about to make her debut into society. Charlotte intrigued me, so of course I wanted to read The Captivating Lady Charlotte (which happens to have quite the captivating cover, I must say!).
When I read The Elusive Miss Ellison, I at first struggled to get into the rhythm of the writing. While it was rough going at first, I ultimately really enjoyed the book. I'm happy to say that I encountered no such problems with The Captivating Lady Charlotte! Author Carolyn Miller's writing is richer and more accessible in this book, and I enjoyed my reading experience from beginning to end.
I'll admit, at times while reading this novel, I wondered why on earth William was attracted to Charlotte. Yes, she was beautiful, but sometimes she seemed so young. (And, at 18, she really was young.) Easily swayed by flattery and a handsome face, Charlotte was difficult for me to like at first. But then there would be glimpses of who she could become—as she showed compassion for William's situation prior to meeting him, as she became her cousin Lavinia's companion during a time of trial, and as she loved William's baby daughter—and I could see a bit of what William saw in her. Throughout the novel, Charlotte grew up a lot, and by the end, I loved her character.
Though I wasn't always a Charlotte fan, I loved William from the first time he appeared on the page. Though he was far from perfect—he had clear trust issues, didn't always treat his daughter well, and jumped to conclusions—he also knew how to love well. He was also a well drawn and interesting character, and I so wanted him to find his "happily ever after."
(Side note: I kept thinking of Charlotte as Marianne Dashwood and William as Colonel Brandon. It's a pretty decent parallel, I think. There's even a "Willoughby.")
While The Captivating Lady Charlotte is not a young adult novel, I think it's perfect for teen girls. Why? Because it focuses on true love, love that goes beyond butterflies and physical attraction (though there's some of that, too), love that lives up to 1 Corinthians 13. That's something romance-obsessed teens don't see a lot of in the media, and I'm sure I would've benefited from reading a story like this when I was younger.
Disclosure of material connection: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
When I read The Elusive Miss Ellison, I at first struggled to get into the rhythm of the writing. While it was rough going at first, I ultimately really enjoyed the book. I'm happy to say that I encountered no such problems with The Captivating Lady Charlotte! Author Carolyn Miller's writing is richer and more accessible in this book, and I enjoyed my reading experience from beginning to end.
I'll admit, at times while reading this novel, I wondered why on earth William was attracted to Charlotte. Yes, she was beautiful, but sometimes she seemed so young. (And, at 18, she really was young.) Easily swayed by flattery and a handsome face, Charlotte was difficult for me to like at first. But then there would be glimpses of who she could become—as she showed compassion for William's situation prior to meeting him, as she became her cousin Lavinia's companion during a time of trial, and as she loved William's baby daughter—and I could see a bit of what William saw in her. Throughout the novel, Charlotte grew up a lot, and by the end, I loved her character.
Though I wasn't always a Charlotte fan, I loved William from the first time he appeared on the page. Though he was far from perfect—he had clear trust issues, didn't always treat his daughter well, and jumped to conclusions—he also knew how to love well. He was also a well drawn and interesting character, and I so wanted him to find his "happily ever after."
(Side note: I kept thinking of Charlotte as Marianne Dashwood and William as Colonel Brandon. It's a pretty decent parallel, I think. There's even a "Willoughby.")
While The Captivating Lady Charlotte is not a young adult novel, I think it's perfect for teen girls. Why? Because it focuses on true love, love that goes beyond butterflies and physical attraction (though there's some of that, too), love that lives up to 1 Corinthians 13. That's something romance-obsessed teens don't see a lot of in the media, and I'm sure I would've benefited from reading a story like this when I was younger.
Disclosure of material connection: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
kristi518's review against another edition
5.0
After reading the first book in this series I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. After meeting Charlotte I wanted to read her story and hoped that it would be just as entertaining as Lavinia's. After reading this book I can happily report I thoroughly enjoyed Charlotte's story.
As Charlotte is navigating her coming out season she catches the eye of recently widowed Lord Hartington. I found myself liking both of these characters right away. Charlotte isn't a weak, timid girl but finds herself under the scrutiny of her mother who is trying to find her the perfect marriage match. Lord Hartington is the subject of much gossip concerning his marriage and his wife's death. These two characters were so well developed that it was easy to imagine them as real people and not just fictional characters. Their emotions and feelings just came right off the page and it was easy to form a connection with them. It was also nice to read more about Lavinia and Nicholas and their marriage.
I really enjoyed the storyline of this book. Not only did it entertain me but it had me thinking of the way marriages were arraigned among the wealthy during this time. To marry for social and financial reasons instead of love must have made for some unhappy couples. I could understand Charlotte's not wanting to be in a marriage decided on by her parents.
The pace of this book is perfect. I was never bored and always wondering what was going to happen to these characters. This is one of those books that you will want to read quickly to find out what happens but at the same time read slowly to savor every moment. I really like all of the historical details provided. It really makes the story come alive.
Although this book can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the first book in the series before starting this one. This is a great story and one that I would enjoy reading again. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Carolyn Miller has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
As Charlotte is navigating her coming out season she catches the eye of recently widowed Lord Hartington. I found myself liking both of these characters right away. Charlotte isn't a weak, timid girl but finds herself under the scrutiny of her mother who is trying to find her the perfect marriage match. Lord Hartington is the subject of much gossip concerning his marriage and his wife's death. These two characters were so well developed that it was easy to imagine them as real people and not just fictional characters. Their emotions and feelings just came right off the page and it was easy to form a connection with them. It was also nice to read more about Lavinia and Nicholas and their marriage.
I really enjoyed the storyline of this book. Not only did it entertain me but it had me thinking of the way marriages were arraigned among the wealthy during this time. To marry for social and financial reasons instead of love must have made for some unhappy couples. I could understand Charlotte's not wanting to be in a marriage decided on by her parents.
The pace of this book is perfect. I was never bored and always wondering what was going to happen to these characters. This is one of those books that you will want to read quickly to find out what happens but at the same time read slowly to savor every moment. I really like all of the historical details provided. It really makes the story come alive.
Although this book can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the first book in the series before starting this one. This is a great story and one that I would enjoy reading again. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Carolyn Miller has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
pageturnersandsweettea's review against another edition
5.0
I am new to Ms. Miller's work but I will tell you now, I will not be missing any more of her work! She is fabulous! I came into this series on this second book, but I wasn't confused in anyway and I loved Charlotte and the Duke so very much. I am a big fan of the regency era when I read historical books so this book is going on my keeper shelf for sure.
Charlotte's character really gripped me. I loved how Ms. Miller portrayed her and her unsuredness in having to choose who to marry if there aren't feelings there. I really felt for her so much through this story. And the Duke!! Oh my heavens, yes please! I loved his character possibly more than I loved Charlotte's! He's a Godly character and I loved that in him, as it's often times you see the women in stories as the more Godly ones. These characters truly came together in a wonderful way and I was so excited to feel a part of the regency era, watching them come to light in the faith and feelings!
I definitely recommend this book to all historical romance lovers. It's the perfect blend of hope, longing, faith and God's timing, and love. The characters will quickly become a part of you and you will get lost in a society of regency. This is 5 star worthy in my opinion and I can't wait to go back and read book one, as well as anxious for the next faith-filled novel from this talented author. This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads
Charlotte's character really gripped me. I loved how Ms. Miller portrayed her and her unsuredness in having to choose who to marry if there aren't feelings there. I really felt for her so much through this story. And the Duke!! Oh my heavens, yes please! I loved his character possibly more than I loved Charlotte's! He's a Godly character and I loved that in him, as it's often times you see the women in stories as the more Godly ones. These characters truly came together in a wonderful way and I was so excited to feel a part of the regency era, watching them come to light in the faith and feelings!
I definitely recommend this book to all historical romance lovers. It's the perfect blend of hope, longing, faith and God's timing, and love. The characters will quickly become a part of you and you will get lost in a society of regency. This is 5 star worthy in my opinion and I can't wait to go back and read book one, as well as anxious for the next faith-filled novel from this talented author. This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads