Joan Smith (2)

PERDITA is written in an unusual way than most Regency romances. Written almost like a diary being read out loud, PERDITA is told by the title character's governess/companion/cousin Moira, as she details her younger cousin's reckless scheme to get out of her arranged marriage.

Moira describes her cousin as having the typical fairy tale life—a wicked stepmother, pushover father, loads of money and incredible beauty. Her wicked stepmother had plans to wed Perdita off to an older gentleman, to get her out of the house, but Perdita will have none of it. Dissatisfied with her countrified life she is desperate to find adventure by being an actress.

Impulsive is an understatement of Perdita's personality—she runs off with an acting troop in the middle of the night without any thought as to her reputation. Moira, determined to look after her cousin and keep her respectable, follows after her. Her first thought is to drag her back, but seeing that they are now indebted to the actors, she agrees to let Perdita be the troop's newest leading lady until other circumstances can be made.

In a genre where romance is a key to the story, PERDITA seems to dwell less on the romances of either Perdita or Moira, and more on their adventures and predicaments. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Moira isn't prone to daydreams of romance and Perdita is too easily swayed by a handsome and cheerful compliment, so it came as a surprise that Moira fell in love at all! Especially considering her love interest's first meeting with herself and Perdita.

The only real complaint I have is with the cover artwork—I'm not certain if that is supposed to depict Perdita, who is eighteen, or Moira, who is well over eighteen but not a fair-haired female. Whomever it does depict makes her very old looking and entirely too hard.… (plus d'informations)

Cute story! Took me a while to get in to it, but I enjoyed this. It has more wit and originality than a lot of Regency chick-lit. It takes a while to figure out who should end up with who, but by the end you're rooting for the appropriate couple wholeheartedly.

The plot: Aunt Sophie dies, leaving an unusual will. In the will, she informs her hopeful heirs that her diamonds have been buried with her, and the intervening events of the next year will determine who gets her money. Everyone starts to plot: should some of them get married in accordance with what she probably wanted? Should they contest the will on the basis she was insane? Or should they just grab a shovel and go dig her up (and her diamonds)...… (plus d'informations)

Finished this with a sigh and a smile. Such a great duo Prudence and Lord Dammler turned out to be. I had my doubts about him at the beginning, but I was besotted by the end.
A library patron recommended this book to me when we were talking about our shared love of Regency romances, and it’s a winner. I loved the way Prudence and Dammler’s relationship developed from that of colleagues to friendship to love. One of my favorite lines from Dammler came in the last few pages.

What a damned fool I’ve been all these months, Prue. Why didn’t you tell me I loved you?

The dialogue was quite funny, and Prudence’s Uncle Clarence was comedy gold. Smith’s bio said she’s an Austen fan, and I saw that influence the most in how she characterized Clarence.

I sort of wish I hadn’t torn through this book so quickly, but I think I always feel that way about books I really enjoy. Stopping and savoring is the last thing I want to do. I guess that’s what re-reads are for.… (plus d'informations)