The Admiral's Penniless Bride. Carla Kelly (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I have only just finished this book, and already want to read it again. If that isn't an indication of a five-star book, I don't know what is.Oh, it has it's issues. The cover, for one - Sally is a brunette, Charles is grey-haired, and has a HOOK for a hand (one edition shows a black-haired, two-handed gentleman!).The second issue being the title - it indicates that this book is about a woman, when it most certainly is not. This is about the Admiral, who has retired from a lifetime career at sea, and has no idea how to be a civilian in Regency England. He is titled, but has never used it, doesn't register it. He needs a home but has never owned a house, has no idea how to run an estate. And his sisters wish to see him married, and he has no use for silly women and their lack of substance.Until he meets Sally. Sally turns his world upside down, and all because he did a very rash thing and asked a threadbare woman without a farthing to her name to be his wife.But the book is just CHARMING. It's astoundingly charming. It's not about the balls and society of the Regency era, it's about country people living by the sea, trying to make something of their lives. It's about making friends with the Jewish neighbors, who haven't had a single person come to call in thirty years. It's about finding jobs for people in horrible circumstances. And it's about forgiveness and love and making a little corner of the world beautiful.Oh, it's not a drab, dull book. There's too much debauchery stained on the walls, with naughty cupids engaging in orgies on the ceilings, and dirty books in the library. There are old men popping up in people's beds, and bootleggers who are summoned by bonfire. There is joy and laughter and wicked deceptions to scare away unwanted relatives.I did have trouble with the fact that Sally/Sophie is supposedly Scottish, and the author couldn't pull an accent out of her arse for Sally if you paid her to. I had trouble with the fact that Sarah Sophie Sally Paul Daviess Bright had so many names, and for no apparent reason... not to mention Sir Admiral Mister Charles Charlie Bright. Pick a NAME, and go with it, for pity's blessed sake.But for all that...? I loved this book. This is the first book that I have purchased by Carla Kelly. The story is about a man who is a retired one hand with hook. The Heroin of the story is a poor widow of a man who committed suicide after being accused of fraud. This was a very good story which I will re-read again and again. Having said that if you are like me and want a strong story with hot sizzling chemistry well you will not find the hot and steamy in this book. Very good story not so in the hot and steamy.
What do You think about The Admiral's Penniless Bride. Carla Kelly (2012)?
I always enjoy Carla Kelly's work. I finished it in 24 hours and very much enjoyed it.
—Tania
LOVED this book. Made me cry. Carla Kelly at her best. Two people rescuing each other.
—Sawa
A book with surprising amount of humor. It was light and sweet and a good fast read.
—emo
