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A House for the Season #4
Rake's Progress
The newest master of 67 Clarges Street--that good address in London's fashionable Mayfair--is a single gentleman, the handsome, rich, and notorious rake Lord Guy Carlton. After years of fighting in the wars against Napoleon, the dashing lord is determined to kick up his heels with wine, women, and song, undeterred by appalled reaction.
Never before have the Clarges Street servants earned so much money or eaten so well, but their pleasure-loving master seems liable to die of dissipation. In desperation, the staff, led by the witty and resourceful butler, Rainbird, sets out to find a 'good woman' who can calm the lord's boisterous spirit and save his black soul. Their search ends with the discovery of Miss Esther Jones of Berkeley Square, a prim and righteous woman who seems the perfect reformer.
But complications lie ahead as the servants' ingenious scheme creates warmhearted chaos both above and below the stairs at 67 Clarges Street, and no one, not even Miss Jones herself, is prepared for the transformation that ultimately takes place.
Never before have the Clarges Street servants earned so much money or eaten so well, but their pleasure-loving master seems liable to die of dissipation. In desperation, the staff, led by the witty and resourceful butler, Rainbird, sets out to find a 'good woman' who can calm the lord's boisterous spirit and save his black soul. Their search ends with the discovery of Miss Esther Jones of Berkeley Square, a prim and righteous woman who seems the perfect reformer.
But complications lie ahead as the servants' ingenious scheme creates warmhearted chaos both above and below the stairs at 67 Clarges Street, and no one, not even Miss Jones herself, is prepared for the transformation that ultimately takes place.
169 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
140 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
145 books740 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 17, 2017
This is a review of "A House for the Season":
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 25, 2023
The best of the four first parts of the series.
Interesting couple.
Many (more than usual, I think) fascinating "small facts" about those times, like Francis Burdett's scheme of parliamentary reform. Of course, Marion Chesney only mentioned them, one has to check somewhere else to know more. But I learn many things about the Regency era thanks to her. If I had planned to read a novel taking place in that era I would note down all those precious facts from Chesney's books, and use them.
Back to the "Rake's Progress". I didn't like the forcing by the hero. In today's meaning, he behaved like a rapist.
Besides it, there was humor, a few really funny scenes, a kind of small mystery.
And again, I can easily imagine a longer novel, when Carlton and Esther need/have more time for reforming/changing (and recovering from PTSD, in Carlton's case).
[4-4.5 stars]
Interesting couple.
Many (more than usual, I think) fascinating "small facts" about those times, like Francis Burdett's scheme of parliamentary reform. Of course, Marion Chesney only mentioned them, one has to check somewhere else to know more. But I learn many things about the Regency era thanks to her. If I had planned to read a novel taking place in that era I would note down all those precious facts from Chesney's books, and use them.
Back to the "Rake's Progress". I didn't like the forcing by the hero. In today's meaning, he behaved like a rapist.
Besides it, there was humor, a few really funny scenes, a kind of small mystery.
And again, I can easily imagine a longer novel, when Carlton and Esther need/have more time for reforming/changing (and recovering from PTSD, in Carlton's case).
[4-4.5 stars]
July 15, 2019
Rating: 4 stars
Very likable hero whose no nonsense approach was refreshing and the perfect contrast to the stuffy, self-righteous. puritan heroine. Rainbird and crew keep it all together and interesting. Sorry that this one ended so quickly but my hopes for a HEA for all of the servants seems to be on the horizon.
Very likable hero whose no nonsense approach was refreshing and the perfect contrast to the stuffy, self-righteous. puritan heroine. Rainbird and crew keep it all together and interesting. Sorry that this one ended so quickly but my hopes for a HEA for all of the servants seems to be on the horizon.
August 21, 2016
2016: Fun, feather-light Regency reread I return to when I want something fast and fluffy! I was glad a couple years ago to pick these up as kindles on sale so I have them on hand.
2013 reread: I've read a lot of Marion Chesney/M.C Beaton over the years, mysteries and romances, and have returned for rereads of this Regency series several times. I think it is her best series for the farcical, fun plots, the fairly strong characters (we actually get inside their heads a bit), and the interesting cast of servants that return in hopeful anticipation of a successful and profitable Season in every book. Chesney also weaves a lot of interesting history of the period seamlessly into this series, which I enjoy. Short enough to finish in an afternoon or evening, I'd recommend this series to fans of light Regency romps.
2013 reread: I've read a lot of Marion Chesney/M.C Beaton over the years, mysteries and romances, and have returned for rereads of this Regency series several times. I think it is her best series for the farcical, fun plots, the fairly strong characters (we actually get inside their heads a bit), and the interesting cast of servants that return in hopeful anticipation of a successful and profitable Season in every book. Chesney also weaves a lot of interesting history of the period seamlessly into this series, which I enjoy. Short enough to finish in an afternoon or evening, I'd recommend this series to fans of light Regency romps.
June 13, 2010
Marion Chesney is one of my all-time favorite writers in the regency genre. The good thing about this genre of romance is that it is suitable for young adult readers as well as adult readers. There's no passionate sex going on in these books.
Chesney's writing is always light and entertaining, like a movie you want to watch over and over. In this series, there are many secondary characters that are just as important as Esther and Lord Guy and Chesney makes sure you feel like you know each one of them, from Lizzie the scullery maid to Rainbird the butler and everyone in between.
This book was pure fun. I loved how the servants helped to make the match between Lord Guy and Esther possible, as well as opening their eyes to the fact that the people belowstairs were people too and not just objects that the aristocracy could use to make their lives easier.
Lord Guy was a lovable Rake, though one party filled with debauchery certainly doesn't qualify him for the title. Miss Esther though, was definitely a prim, proper, reformer, who read to her young siblings from the Bible and kept them from living a normal life. You wanted to dislike her for that, but she was too sweet and fearful to dislike. She was definitely the perfect foil for Lord Guy.
This was book 4 in a series. I haven't read the others yet, so I can safely say you can read these books out of order without any problem.
Chesney's writing is always light and entertaining, like a movie you want to watch over and over. In this series, there are many secondary characters that are just as important as Esther and Lord Guy and Chesney makes sure you feel like you know each one of them, from Lizzie the scullery maid to Rainbird the butler and everyone in between.
This book was pure fun. I loved how the servants helped to make the match between Lord Guy and Esther possible, as well as opening their eyes to the fact that the people belowstairs were people too and not just objects that the aristocracy could use to make their lives easier.
Lord Guy was a lovable Rake, though one party filled with debauchery certainly doesn't qualify him for the title. Miss Esther though, was definitely a prim, proper, reformer, who read to her young siblings from the Bible and kept them from living a normal life. You wanted to dislike her for that, but she was too sweet and fearful to dislike. She was definitely the perfect foil for Lord Guy.
This was book 4 in a series. I haven't read the others yet, so I can safely say you can read these books out of order without any problem.
August 30, 2023
Delightfully oddball, Regency romantic comedy
This is the fourth of six books in the Regency-romance series, "A House for the Season." The complete series is:
The Miser of Mayfair, the First Volume
Plain Jane, the Second Volume
The Wicked Godmother, the Third Volume
Rake's Progress, the Fourth Volume
The Adventuress, the Fifth Volume
Rainbird's Revenge, the Sixth Volume
The central core of this series is a group of servants who, for various personal reasons, are miserably bound to their employment at Number 67 Clarges Street in London's Mayfair, a house notorious for being unlucky and haunted because a past owner, the Duke of Pelham, hung himself there, and a woman who lived there was murdered. The current extremely wealthy Duke of Pelham pays no attention to this property, leaving its disposition--including the salaries of the servants that go with it--completely at the discretion of Jonas Palmer, the duke's agent. Unfortunately, Palmer is a bully and an embezzler. He tells the duke he is paying good wages to the staff, but actually gives them barely enough money to survive on and pockets the difference. Across this series, Palmer has also several times stolen money from the staff that they received as "vails" (tips) from people who rented the property, making it impossible for them to fulfill their heart's desire. They want to buy an inn and run it as a group.
This plan feels quite workable to the staff because over the years they have banded together and formed a family of affiliation, headed by the 30-something butler, Rainbird, a former acrobat, magician and juggler. Rainbird is clever, kind and helpful to every decent person who comes into his orbit, not merely the staff, but tenants of the house and, in this case, the romantic heroine, who is a neighbor.
The rest of the staff include a housekeeper named Mrs. Middleton, whose "Mrs." is an honorary title since she is a middle-aged spinster born to an impoverished curate; a brilliant chef who is a barbaric Scotsman named Angus MacGregor; a handsome, vain, and cowardly footman named Joseph; a chambermaid and skilled seamstress named Jenny; a beautiful, languorus, blond housemaid named Alice whom Rainbird frequently has to protect from lecherous guests; a sweet, innocent, teenage scullery maid named Lizzie, and the preteen pot boy, Dave, a former climbing boy whom Rainbird rescued from a cruel chimney sweep.
The newest resident of 67 Clarges Street in this installement is a rich, handsome rake named Lord Guy Carlton, who is the 35-year-old younger son of an Earl. On leave after many years in the Napoleonic wars, Guy is determined to pursue every form of dissipation. But after only one wild party filled with drunken gentlemen and naked, high-class prostitutes, Guy's pursuit of hedonism hits an unexpected wall in the form of a straight-laced neighbor. Miss Esther Jones is the most beautiful, enticing woman Guy has ever encountered. A tall man himself, her Amazonian height of 5'11" doesn't faze him, nor does her strong-willed disposition intimidate him, and unlike most people of his class, he's not impressed with the fact that she has one of the biggest fortunes in England since he has plenty of money of his own. What he is attracted to is her beautiful face, flaming red hair, and gorgeous figure, as well as her intelligence and strength of character. Any woman he marries will have to "follow the drum" and come with him as he returns to war. Few women of his class would be capable of handling such a demanding marriage, but he is confident Esther could.
Though most women of the aristocracy consider rich, handsome rakes intensely desirable, Esther does not share this outlook. She is from the gentry, and her father disgraced her family with his rakish ways. In reaction, 26-year-old Esther has no plans to ever marry and is as prim as a Pilgrim. Her whole life is dedicated to raising her 9-year-old twin brother and sister, as well as teaching her servants to read and write, and conducting daily Bible studies for the entire household. She considers Guy a disgrace, and it takes all of Guy's ingenuity--with a big dollop of help from the intrepid Rainbird--to convince Esther that marriage with him would be an excellent idea.
As always, this book, like all of Marion Chesney's Regencies, has a strong touch of the bizarre in its comedy, which can be quite startling to the uninitiated, and quite funny when you get used to it. Also, in spite of the many oddball events in her romances, Chesney does a great job of authentically portraying the Regency era, and her main characters are always sympathetic. In this series, the family of servants led by Rainbird are a terrific throughline linking it together. Every one of them, even vain Joseph, grows across the series, and each is lovable in his/her way. And the two lovers in this particular book are a dynamic pairing. Every time they are on stage together the sparks fly, and both are equally strong and fearless.
No Regency author, anytime, anyplace, writes romantic comedy like Chesney. She is one of a kind, and an experience not to be missed if you love to laugh.
I own this novel in both Kindle and audiobook format. The narrator of the audiobook does an excellent job.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Rainbird and Crew: 4 stars
Historical World-Building: 5 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Romance Plot: 4 stars
Comedy: 4 star
Audiobook narrator: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars
This is the fourth of six books in the Regency-romance series, "A House for the Season." The complete series is:
The Miser of Mayfair, the First Volume
Plain Jane, the Second Volume
The Wicked Godmother, the Third Volume
Rake's Progress, the Fourth Volume
The Adventuress, the Fifth Volume
Rainbird's Revenge, the Sixth Volume
The central core of this series is a group of servants who, for various personal reasons, are miserably bound to their employment at Number 67 Clarges Street in London's Mayfair, a house notorious for being unlucky and haunted because a past owner, the Duke of Pelham, hung himself there, and a woman who lived there was murdered. The current extremely wealthy Duke of Pelham pays no attention to this property, leaving its disposition--including the salaries of the servants that go with it--completely at the discretion of Jonas Palmer, the duke's agent. Unfortunately, Palmer is a bully and an embezzler. He tells the duke he is paying good wages to the staff, but actually gives them barely enough money to survive on and pockets the difference. Across this series, Palmer has also several times stolen money from the staff that they received as "vails" (tips) from people who rented the property, making it impossible for them to fulfill their heart's desire. They want to buy an inn and run it as a group.
This plan feels quite workable to the staff because over the years they have banded together and formed a family of affiliation, headed by the 30-something butler, Rainbird, a former acrobat, magician and juggler. Rainbird is clever, kind and helpful to every decent person who comes into his orbit, not merely the staff, but tenants of the house and, in this case, the romantic heroine, who is a neighbor.
The rest of the staff include a housekeeper named Mrs. Middleton, whose "Mrs." is an honorary title since she is a middle-aged spinster born to an impoverished curate; a brilliant chef who is a barbaric Scotsman named Angus MacGregor; a handsome, vain, and cowardly footman named Joseph; a chambermaid and skilled seamstress named Jenny; a beautiful, languorus, blond housemaid named Alice whom Rainbird frequently has to protect from lecherous guests; a sweet, innocent, teenage scullery maid named Lizzie, and the preteen pot boy, Dave, a former climbing boy whom Rainbird rescued from a cruel chimney sweep.
The newest resident of 67 Clarges Street in this installement is a rich, handsome rake named Lord Guy Carlton, who is the 35-year-old younger son of an Earl. On leave after many years in the Napoleonic wars, Guy is determined to pursue every form of dissipation. But after only one wild party filled with drunken gentlemen and naked, high-class prostitutes, Guy's pursuit of hedonism hits an unexpected wall in the form of a straight-laced neighbor. Miss Esther Jones is the most beautiful, enticing woman Guy has ever encountered. A tall man himself, her Amazonian height of 5'11" doesn't faze him, nor does her strong-willed disposition intimidate him, and unlike most people of his class, he's not impressed with the fact that she has one of the biggest fortunes in England since he has plenty of money of his own. What he is attracted to is her beautiful face, flaming red hair, and gorgeous figure, as well as her intelligence and strength of character. Any woman he marries will have to "follow the drum" and come with him as he returns to war. Few women of his class would be capable of handling such a demanding marriage, but he is confident Esther could.
Though most women of the aristocracy consider rich, handsome rakes intensely desirable, Esther does not share this outlook. She is from the gentry, and her father disgraced her family with his rakish ways. In reaction, 26-year-old Esther has no plans to ever marry and is as prim as a Pilgrim. Her whole life is dedicated to raising her 9-year-old twin brother and sister, as well as teaching her servants to read and write, and conducting daily Bible studies for the entire household. She considers Guy a disgrace, and it takes all of Guy's ingenuity--with a big dollop of help from the intrepid Rainbird--to convince Esther that marriage with him would be an excellent idea.
As always, this book, like all of Marion Chesney's Regencies, has a strong touch of the bizarre in its comedy, which can be quite startling to the uninitiated, and quite funny when you get used to it. Also, in spite of the many oddball events in her romances, Chesney does a great job of authentically portraying the Regency era, and her main characters are always sympathetic. In this series, the family of servants led by Rainbird are a terrific throughline linking it together. Every one of them, even vain Joseph, grows across the series, and each is lovable in his/her way. And the two lovers in this particular book are a dynamic pairing. Every time they are on stage together the sparks fly, and both are equally strong and fearless.
No Regency author, anytime, anyplace, writes romantic comedy like Chesney. She is one of a kind, and an experience not to be missed if you love to laugh.
I own this novel in both Kindle and audiobook format. The narrator of the audiobook does an excellent job.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Rainbird and Crew: 4 stars
Historical World-Building: 5 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Romance Plot: 4 stars
Comedy: 4 star
Audiobook narrator: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars
February 7, 2014
67 Clarges Street is let for the season by Lord Guy Carlton, who, upon returning from the wars, decides to sample all London has to offer in the way of debauchery. After a wild night of partying, the servants are shocked at their new master's level of dissipation and feel what he needs is a good woman to help him settle down. Help comes in the form of Miss Esther Jones, a strict spinster in charge of two younger siblings. Miss Jones meets Lizzie, the scullery maid, by chance, and learns of Rainbird's school for servants which piques her interest and cultivates her friendship with Rainbird. Miss Jones learns to see servants as more than just appendages to the household and she soon comes to value Rainbird's advice. Rainbird and the servants of 67 Clarges take it upon themselves to thrust their master and Miss Jones together at every opportunity. They also have to deal with their mistrust of Lord Guy's Spanish manservant, Manuel, with unexpected results. Miss Jones is repulsed by Lord Guy at first, but learns to trust his judgment on matters of Society. Soon Miss Jones is launched upon Society and Lord Guy must help her out of trouble with predictable results. This story started off shockingly with Lord Guy and his wild, disgusting party, but he redeemed himself after I learned he was suffering from what we would call PTSD. The story turned me off again at the end when the author chose to include a make out scene and a bedroom scene in which Lord Guy did not act like a gentleman in love and Esther Jones turned missish again. In between the beginning and the end was a good story.
May 7, 2017
Booktubeathon book #4 - book older than me
This is the first book I have read via audible, and I was disappointed in an annoying narrator who gave the characters weird voices that didn't really fit and sounded very similar, making it hard to understand who was talking.
I was also more than disappointed in the fact that there was a woman who at gun point was forced to marry a man in order to save her reputation and that there was attempted rape. This is a let down in a good series.
This is the first book I have read via audible, and I was disappointed in an annoying narrator who gave the characters weird voices that didn't really fit and sounded very similar, making it hard to understand who was talking.
I was also more than disappointed in the fact that there was a woman who at gun point was forced to marry a man in order to save her reputation and that there was attempted rape. This is a let down in a good series.
April 23, 2020
Oh my heavens but these books are so silly. I only read them because I want to know more about the servants and if they will ever get their inn. The rest though... good grief. Marriage at gunpoint and still being “in love?” I mean... I just can’t help but wonder if these were written deliberately as a spoof? I’m at the point where I scan through the hero/heroine parts so I can get back to the “real” story. It also had more heavy petting stuff going on.
July 29, 2022
This one was charming, a little too insta love on the Hero’s part, but still an amusing read.
Cant wait to gwt to the end to for an epilogue on the lovely servants of #67.
Cant wait to gwt to the end to for an epilogue on the lovely servants of #67.
September 4, 2018
Another great addiction to A House For the Season, between a military rake with PTSD (which is successfully treated with his true love's bosom....). The servants were more front and center this book, and once again Rainbird and Lizzie steal the show.
November 3, 2016
I had the audio version of this book, and the narrator did an excellent job.
The series is about a series of residents who rent the home at 67 Clarges Street in Mayfair. The house is known as a bad luck house because the previous owner (a duke) killed himself in the house. Since then, all of the residents have had very bad luck befall them - the daughter of one family died, one family lost ALL of their money, etc. The house is available to rent for a give-away rate and is fully staffed by an odd grouping of servants. The servants are very poorly paid, but can't leave because they are all being blackmailed by the property manager to make them stay. They have become like family to each other and I think you'll enjoy getting to know them -- and seeing them manage and help each of the tenants.
This is the 4th of 6 books in the series and we find that Lord Guy Carlton has rented the house for the season. He was invalided back to England from the wars and he intends to spend the season partying and cavorting around before going back to the war zone. His first act was to throw a wild party (with naked courtisans, etc.) that scandalizes the neighborhood -- and the woman who will become the heroine of the tale.
Once Lord Guy gets a glimpse of Miss Esther Jones all his plans fly out the window. He becomes intent on one thing -- winning over the very reserved, very upstanding, very proper Miss Esther. He certainly has his work cut out for him, but with the help of the staff at 67 Clarges street he wins her in the end.
This is a nice, lighthearted read and I think you'll enjoy it!
The series is about a series of residents who rent the home at 67 Clarges Street in Mayfair. The house is known as a bad luck house because the previous owner (a duke) killed himself in the house. Since then, all of the residents have had very bad luck befall them - the daughter of one family died, one family lost ALL of their money, etc. The house is available to rent for a give-away rate and is fully staffed by an odd grouping of servants. The servants are very poorly paid, but can't leave because they are all being blackmailed by the property manager to make them stay. They have become like family to each other and I think you'll enjoy getting to know them -- and seeing them manage and help each of the tenants.
This is the 4th of 6 books in the series and we find that Lord Guy Carlton has rented the house for the season. He was invalided back to England from the wars and he intends to spend the season partying and cavorting around before going back to the war zone. His first act was to throw a wild party (with naked courtisans, etc.) that scandalizes the neighborhood -- and the woman who will become the heroine of the tale.
Once Lord Guy gets a glimpse of Miss Esther Jones all his plans fly out the window. He becomes intent on one thing -- winning over the very reserved, very upstanding, very proper Miss Esther. He certainly has his work cut out for him, but with the help of the staff at 67 Clarges street he wins her in the end.
This is a nice, lighthearted read and I think you'll enjoy it!
February 17, 2022
2.5 stars
To be honest, after reading the previous book, I wasn't sure whether I would continue the series. Eventually, I decided to give this series another try.
I like romances with kids. I have a soft spot for single parents and surrogate parents. So, I could mostly enjoy this book.
I liked the heroine. She is compassionate and caring, and tried to do best for her kid brother and sister.
The hero was okay. At first, I didn't like him due to his vulgar behavior. But he got better once he started courting Esther, the heroine.
However, I have a problem with a scene in which I took out half a star because of this problem.
I also don't like that I have absolutely no idea why the author made him do it. It was completely unnecessary.
To be honest, after reading the previous book, I wasn't sure whether I would continue the series. Eventually, I decided to give this series another try.
I like romances with kids. I have a soft spot for single parents and surrogate parents. So, I could mostly enjoy this book.
I liked the heroine. She is compassionate and caring, and tried to do best for her kid brother and sister.
The hero was okay. At first, I didn't like him due to his vulgar behavior. But he got better once he started courting Esther, the heroine.
However, I have a problem with a scene in which I took out half a star because of this problem.
I also don't like that I have absolutely no idea why the author made him do it. It was completely unnecessary.
October 11, 2021
The book is a very light read, super light. I understand that yet still could barely finish it because of Lord Guy Carlton. The man is a narcissistic liar and manipulator. He pays his cousin to be Esther's companion and, basically, to spy on Esther. When it is found out, he gaslighted her, saying it was for her own good, because his cousin was a good chaperone. He lied all the time and threatened her, for example, after kissing her in the fog, he said he could spread gossip about her "being wanton" but then laughed it off and said he was just kidding. She said she wanted to go home, he refused to take her and said he was going to "keep her there all night." When they got home, his cousin left them together, unforgivable in a chaperone, Esther did not like it, Lord Guy Carlton said it was OK, and they were engaged and so on. He talked rudely about her house decor and called everything "ugly."
He lied about her paying for a girl meant to be a prostitute would never be forgotten by society, so she should marry him.
He undressed in her home, then started undressing her though she kept saying "stop, please, stop."
Very unpleasant man.
He lied about her paying for a girl meant to be a prostitute would never be forgotten by society, so she should marry him.
He undressed in her home, then started undressing her though she kept saying "stop, please, stop."
Very unpleasant man.
July 25, 2012
I love this series as a kid, and when I saw it was free on Prime, I decided to give it another go. I remembered that this was a weaker entry, and I found that was still the case. What's interesting about this series is that it's really the servants that carry it, and the couples vary greatly in how appealing they really are. This book was a little lower based on that scale, so I have to say I probably wouldn't read it a third time.
May 15, 2024
I can't remember ever rating a Chesney/Beaton book so low--except the Agatha series. I've enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this one did not appeal to me. The narrator's language was stiff and stilted. The idea of a servant smart-mouthing a Lord (although only the younger son of a Duke) was just too much for me to buy. Still, as a Regency romance, it was still fun.
December 22, 2022
Lord spies beauty. Entranced. Likewise vice versa.
But Chesney /Beaton has a knack of spicing up her romances with an older couple getting together, a murder or few, mystery. Not excess x-rated blood, gore and explicit bed-play, but plenty of mayhem, cuddles, kisses, elevated passions, and double entendres for witty conversations.
But Chesney /Beaton has a knack of spicing up her romances with an older couple getting together, a murder or few, mystery. Not excess x-rated blood, gore and explicit bed-play, but plenty of mayhem, cuddles, kisses, elevated passions, and double entendres for witty conversations.
September 18, 2015
i libri della serie dedicata al 67 di clarges street e ai suoi abitanti, nella loro deliziosa leggerezza, sono sempre un intermezzo piacevole e le descrizioni della vita londinese danno quel tocco in più. spassoso.
April 1, 2019
for light and charming wit, Chesney and her various series are always in the running. am getting fairly disgusted with this list of supposed fun wit etc and 4-5 starts only. most reviews never mention the most important element which is the comedy of manners.
July 13, 2019
The fourth installment of the A House for the Season series was a bit of a disappointment for me, even though it still followed the same tradition as its predecessors. I think the cause of my angst was the limited interaction with the staff, who are the really stars of the series, and the quick neat conclusion. As a reader I had grown to expect a bit of a grand finale but this book had a quick neat ending which really failed to satisfy. Whether this could be attributed to the fact that we were following the gentleman rather than the woman’s adventures or whether it was due to the fact that the step into high society was over in a flash, I don’t know but either way I felt it was all a bit humdrum.
On the positive side we did get to learn a lot more about John Rainbird, which was appealing and the children’s party was probably the highlight of an otherwise lackluster novel.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the predecessors in the series for in all honesty there is only one way to get to the end of the series, isn’t there?
On the positive side we did get to learn a lot more about John Rainbird, which was appealing and the children’s party was probably the highlight of an otherwise lackluster novel.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the predecessors in the series for in all honesty there is only one way to get to the end of the series, isn’t there?
November 23, 2024
recensione completa qui: https://www.lunaticamente.com/recensi...
E' difficile esprimere a parole cosa mi ha regalato questa Saga che ho letto d'un fiato. Difficile anche dire quale di questi sei è il mio preferito. Un consiglio solo: se comprate il primo, assicuratevi di avere anche gli altri a portata di mano.
Ho riso molto, mi sono affezionata ai personaggi, mi sono commossa e ho trovato degli amici che porterò per sempre nel mio cuore. Tra queste pagine c'è ironia, amore e speranza. E' impossibile staccarsi dalla lettura e allo stesso tempo si desidera che la fine arrivi il più tardi possibile. Ho amato la sua scrittura e la capacità di rendere familiari ambientazioni e personaggi.
Il finale è glorioso e anche se ti lascia un pizzico di malinconia, nel cuore sai che è giusto così.
Se amate Downton Abbey, questa saga non può mancarvi. E se invece non avete mai letto nulla di simile, allora vi spalancherà le porte a un mondo meraviglioso.
E' difficile esprimere a parole cosa mi ha regalato questa Saga che ho letto d'un fiato. Difficile anche dire quale di questi sei è il mio preferito. Un consiglio solo: se comprate il primo, assicuratevi di avere anche gli altri a portata di mano.
Ho riso molto, mi sono affezionata ai personaggi, mi sono commossa e ho trovato degli amici che porterò per sempre nel mio cuore. Tra queste pagine c'è ironia, amore e speranza. E' impossibile staccarsi dalla lettura e allo stesso tempo si desidera che la fine arrivi il più tardi possibile. Ho amato la sua scrittura e la capacità di rendere familiari ambientazioni e personaggi.
Il finale è glorioso e anche se ti lascia un pizzico di malinconia, nel cuore sai che è giusto così.
Se amate Downton Abbey, questa saga non può mancarvi. E se invece non avete mai letto nulla di simile, allora vi spalancherà le porte a un mondo meraviglioso.
January 12, 2020
Admittedly not one of my favorite books by this author but it was short and cute. I do like the house for the season series quite a bit. It’s very interesting and I keep hoping that the service will be able to realize their dreams. The intrigues to continue throughout the book focusing on the servants are even more fun and interesting than the coming and going tenants of the house. Although one must say they are certainly very colorful. I believe this Book has quite a few more descriptions of sex and nudity than previous ones in the series have but it’s nowhere near as graphic and descriptive as other books I have read in the past. I like that it is secondary to the plot and not the primary focus. Except for the beginning of the book when the captain threw A rather wild party. I liked watching Rainbird at the children’s party it was very fascinating to watch him in a different character than the butler.
April 20, 2025
Nope. No. Hell no, not a good book.
Holy hell. What did I just read? I had read and enjoyed two previous books in this series. But this one was just terrible. Neither the male or female leads were very likable. Although I think the male lead is definitely so much worse as a character. I'm actually hoping he does go back to the battlefield and dies there. He kept ignoring her every time she said no because who cares about consent? Certainly not him. Then he treats her so coldly when he finds her in Brighton and escorts her to the altar at gunpoint. I mean what the fuck? These are the actions of the romantic male lead? What the hell is wrong with him? And naturally, he's still angry when the wedding night happens and, of course, ignores her no again. Honestly, the way he spoke to her had me wishing I could reach through the screen and shoot him myself.
0/10 Do not recommend.
Holy hell. What did I just read? I had read and enjoyed two previous books in this series. But this one was just terrible. Neither the male or female leads were very likable. Although I think the male lead is definitely so much worse as a character. I'm actually hoping he does go back to the battlefield and dies there. He kept ignoring her every time she said no because who cares about consent? Certainly not him. Then he treats her so coldly when he finds her in Brighton and escorts her to the altar at gunpoint. I mean what the fuck? These are the actions of the romantic male lead? What the hell is wrong with him? And naturally, he's still angry when the wedding night happens and, of course, ignores her no again. Honestly, the way he spoke to her had me wishing I could reach through the screen and shoot him myself.
0/10 Do not recommend.
March 14, 2022
Super Funny, but sometimes weirdly inappropriate about Indigenous Peoples
I don't know what our Marion was on about with the weird epithets against Native American/Indigenous Peoples. You could well cut those 4-5 strange mentionings out and this would be a really really good light, humorous romance. Soooo funny at times. Loved the female protagonist thus time around. Different from the typical formula. But honestly, no excuse for the NA comments in a book from 1987. Ought to know better by then.
I don't know what our Marion was on about with the weird epithets against Native American/Indigenous Peoples. You could well cut those 4-5 strange mentionings out and this would be a really really good light, humorous romance. Soooo funny at times. Loved the female protagonist thus time around. Different from the typical formula. But honestly, no excuse for the NA comments in a book from 1987. Ought to know better by then.
December 26, 2023
The poor house servants have to deal with two lords on a break from fighting Boney - they vomit in the fireplaces, invite loose ladies for parties, and walk around the house naked… One gets kicked down the stairs when he tries to walk into the wrong house.
I adore Rainbird - best butler ever! Heard of Machiavelli, Rainbird? Italian is he, sir?
(I was cackling in Aldi.)
3 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3459.01
I adore Rainbird - best butler ever! Heard of Machiavelli, Rainbird? Italian is he, sir?
(I was cackling in Aldi.)
3 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3459.01
August 5, 2019
I thought I had read all of the House for the Season books, but apparently not. I had missed this one. But I wasn’t really missing out. This was just okay. The rake had some pretty awful behavior towards women, which I realize is pretty accurate for the time. This is why I’ve given up on a lot of historical novels. So many of them are either historically accurate and the sexism is nauseating or the characters are Mary Sue anachronisms.
March 10, 2024
La serie del 67 di Clarges Street continua a darmi soddisfazioni. La penna dell’autrice, frizzante e irriverente, tratteggia la figura di un uomo che tenta di sfuggire ai demoni della guerra e di una donna fin troppo rigida.
Chiaramente sono destinati a incontrarsi. Se, a ciò, uniamo una sospetta spia francese (siamo nel periodo delle guerre napoleoniche) l’esilarante quadretto è completo.
Sono combattuta tra il desiderio di andare avanti con la saga e la tristezza nel finirla. La amo troppo.
Chiaramente sono destinati a incontrarsi. Se, a ciò, uniamo una sospetta spia francese (siamo nel periodo delle guerre napoleoniche) l’esilarante quadretto è completo.
Sono combattuta tra il desiderio di andare avanti con la saga e la tristezza nel finirla. La amo troppo.
April 27, 2018
The Rake decides to rent a house for the season after coming home from the War, and plans to drink up and be merry with all and sundry. Then he falls in love with a lady who he sees through a window, and the servants get involved to make for a happy outcome. This book is ok, but not as good as the others in the series.
December 7, 2021
Almost there
This one was not quite as great as the previous installments in this series but still had it's funny and endearing moments. I felt it ended without wrapping up the couple's backstory enough, but maybe the next book will do that job. The Number 67 crew had a slightly lesser role as well but did make progress.
This one was not quite as great as the previous installments in this series but still had it's funny and endearing moments. I felt it ended without wrapping up the couple's backstory enough, but maybe the next book will do that job. The Number 67 crew had a slightly lesser role as well but did make progress.
August 13, 2022
Different from the other books in a good way. Very adventurous with a little humor thrown in. Two very different H/h, so not certain what they saw in each other. I would have liked more backstory, there was very little about Lord Guy. Still they had their HEA. The staff at 67 Clarges Street were involved. My heart goes out to little Lizzie, she needs her own HEA.
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