Scan barcode
A review by bookmadjo
The Marquess Next Door by Virginia Heath
5.0
Although this is book two of The Talk of the Beau Monde series, I had not read the first book in the series and did not feel disadvantaged because The Marquess Next Door can definitely be read as a standalone. Having enjoyed it so much though, I have already purchased the first book The Viscount’s Unconventional Lady to read very soon.
The protagonist in The Marquess Next Door is Hope Brookes who is a real firecracker of a Regency heroine. She is an aspiring writer of gothic fiction who wants to be published in her own name, but feels burdened by the talents of not only her parents, but of her sisters Faith and Charity too. Hope stands out in society with her voluptuous figure, which is really not suited to the style of Regency dresses, and which gains her some unsavoury attentions from many suitors who judge her to have morals that match the way she looks with her red hair and her curves. Adept with words, Hope has perfected the most pithy acerbic put-downs, but sometimes words are not enough.
When she tries to avoid a persistent suitor at a ball, she asks a gentleman to come to her rescue. The resulting passionate kiss shocks her, and ends with her pushing the gentleman into a fountain. That is her first introduction to Lucius (Luke), Marquess of Thundersley. When he moves into the house next door to the Brookes family, Hope and Luke become firm friends, talking to one another from their adjoining balconies.
I loved the connection that Hope and Luke have, and what’s not to love with a tall hunk with a definite pirate vibe. Luke was a self made man who had inherited his title following the death of his brother. He was a caring man who had done everything possible to support his mother. I loved how supportive he was of Hope wanting to become a published author against all odds. I enjoyed the glimpse into the world of publishing, where it was considered to be detrimental to publish under a woman’s name, even with most readers being women! I loved the way in which Hope used shrewd negotiating in order to achieve what she wanted.
There was also a sensitive look at mental health, and in particular postpartum depression and the barbaric methods used to help women in the past. I found Luke’s mother to be so gently written that in spite of her being a minor character with such awful experiences her quiet determination made her one of my favourite characters.
The Marquess Next Door was Regency romance at its best, full of humour and a wonderful romance that had me rooting for Hope and Luke from start to finish!
The protagonist in The Marquess Next Door is Hope Brookes who is a real firecracker of a Regency heroine. She is an aspiring writer of gothic fiction who wants to be published in her own name, but feels burdened by the talents of not only her parents, but of her sisters Faith and Charity too. Hope stands out in society with her voluptuous figure, which is really not suited to the style of Regency dresses, and which gains her some unsavoury attentions from many suitors who judge her to have morals that match the way she looks with her red hair and her curves. Adept with words, Hope has perfected the most pithy acerbic put-downs, but sometimes words are not enough.
When she tries to avoid a persistent suitor at a ball, she asks a gentleman to come to her rescue. The resulting passionate kiss shocks her, and ends with her pushing the gentleman into a fountain. That is her first introduction to Lucius (Luke), Marquess of Thundersley. When he moves into the house next door to the Brookes family, Hope and Luke become firm friends, talking to one another from their adjoining balconies.
I loved the connection that Hope and Luke have, and what’s not to love with a tall hunk with a definite pirate vibe. Luke was a self made man who had inherited his title following the death of his brother. He was a caring man who had done everything possible to support his mother. I loved how supportive he was of Hope wanting to become a published author against all odds. I enjoyed the glimpse into the world of publishing, where it was considered to be detrimental to publish under a woman’s name, even with most readers being women! I loved the way in which Hope used shrewd negotiating in order to achieve what she wanted.
There was also a sensitive look at mental health, and in particular postpartum depression and the barbaric methods used to help women in the past. I found Luke’s mother to be so gently written that in spite of her being a minor character with such awful experiences her quiet determination made her one of my favourite characters.
The Marquess Next Door was Regency romance at its best, full of humour and a wonderful romance that had me rooting for Hope and Luke from start to finish!