The Famous Heroine / The Plumed Bonnet (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I like that Mary Balogh tries to write about different personalities and how they might get along. Many authors write a blueprint hero/ine and she does not. I'm glad because her books are all the more enjoyable for it. I adored both the heroines in both stories, but the heroes less so -- I just have thing about quizzing glasses as it puts in my mind an obnoxious, unattractive image in my head. I can overlook it enough to enjoy the stories. Which I did and you will too. Regency romances, both with sex. The Famous Heroine - 4 stars. This was an enjoyable story! It takes place a few weeks after "Lord Carew". Francis is depressed that Samantha has married Hartley. He agrees to help out a mutual friend by ensuring the heroine who saved his nephew is brought out in society. Cora is the daughter of a merchant & is sure her place isn't in the haut ton. Francis likes her though & spends some time getting to know her. After a couple of indiscretions that were brought about by accident, they are compelled to marry. I like both Francis & Cora. Her assumption about Francis' sexual orientation was typical of her & very funny. At least Francis has a sense of humor! The Plumed Bonnet - 3 stars. Not my favorite MB story. Alistair has gone 6 years since the Francis/Cora fiasco without finding someone to love. On impulse he picks up a woman on the side of the road with an outrageous bonnet & cape. She's obviously a down on her luck whore, but her story says otherwise. She's actually a governess on her way to claim an inheritance. She does a couple of less than intelligent things & ends up looking at a bleak future. Stephanie believes Alistair to be the only person to look beyond her appearance & treat her with kindness & respect. Turns out she was wrong. It was a well written story, but just not one of MB's better ones.
What do You think about The Famous Heroine / The Plumed Bonnet (2011)?
Delightful fluff. Thoroughly self-indulgent, like good dark chocolate at midnight.
—Alexxey
The Famous Heroine: 3.5/5 (C+) read on Oct. 30, 2011
—scpeanutsgs
