Rating: 
Summary: There is nothing "charming" about this book
Review: Adultery, not charming. Men who think all their kids are not really theirs, and therefore can't really love them, not charming. Women who can't stand up for themselves, not charming. Bad writing, not charming. This book was a travesty. I bought it because of all the raves, but now I know I was duped. I'll never waste my money or my time on this author again, and I HIGHLY recommend you don't either.
Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Review: Clearly, I am in the minority writing a negative review of this regency. Yes, this story does contain Ms. Metzger's hallmark use of humor, her distinctive wit, and entertaining style. So why only 1 star? The "wit" gets in the way too often in telling the story. I noticed the same thing about Judith Lansdowne's recent regencies - they try to get too cutsey with dialogue and the situations the hero and heroine find themselves in to be really entertaining. For examply, Robert and Alissa's lack of marital consumation was not entertaining but boring. Just as he is about to finally get the job done right - and I mean right at that moment - yes, a sick child comes to the bedroom door. The secondary romance with Robert's sister Eleanor and the Duke are a tad more interesting except the Duke's reasons for deserting Eleanor all those many years ago right at the entrance to the Church are really poor!!! Would most women be so forgiving??!!! I think not. Alissa's little sister, Amy, was a washed out character who was really wasted in this story. Really, who cared about a gal who was always blushing? While Robert had a heir and a spare, why would he not share his bride's bed in the beginning? That made no sense. All in all, a waste of time. Thank goodness I only checked this book out of the library and did not buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: A fun Regency
Review: During the Napoleonic troubles, widower Viscount Rockford earned the reputation as a great diplomat, but he will need all his honed skills with his two sons that he rarely sees as he is too busy saving the country and besides he doubts he even sired either of them. He becomes quite upset to learn that Alissa Henning, a widow with two children of her own, has kidnapped his five year old son William. He races to his home from London to rescue his younger child only to find the lad is quite happy living with Alissa and her family after being neglected in Rockford's home.Rockford sees Alissa as the solution to his personal problem as a mother to his two boys as he plans to bring his oldest the ailing twelve year old Hugo home. Alissa has a secret counter plan as she agrees to marry the Viscount since she needs protection and money to raise her children and to support her seventeen year old sister. Her strategy is to win his heart so that their extended families are raised in a sea of love. This is a fun Regency romance due to the lead female protagonist who teaches the hero that international diplomacy is important, but so is taking care of family. Readers will feel for Rockford's two sons raised away from him until he brings Alissa into his life. Though somewhat by the genre rules, readers will find Barbara Metzger's latest historical simply bliss. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: An earl desperately needs a mother for his sons.
Review: He doesn't need another wife--he's already had two of those--but he needs someone trustworthy to care for his two neglected sons, and the widowed Mrs. Henning is ideal. But the situation is that she has made a powerful enemy, and the only way he can protect her is by making her his wife. In a marriage of convenience. And then he takes off for London to resume his diplomatic career and his demanding German princess of a mistress. Alissa, however, is no meek miss to be taken for granted. Having been a true wife and mother before, she is determined to force her new husband to face up to his responsibilities. It isn't long before the neglectful earl comes home to find his beautiful London home invaded by four mischievous boys, their mongrel puppies, and an indignant wife who demands to know why their marriage has not been consummated. He got a mother for his children; on her side, she wants a daughter out of the deal. While not one of the most entertaining stories I've read by Barbara Metzger, the story is full of humorous situations as Alissa and the earl are gradually drawn together in a true marriage that becomes the foundation of a strong family unit. No young miss could have exhibited the kind of determination and backbone that was necessary to accomplish the task. As a penniless widow with two children to provide for, Alissa was ideal for the job. Nevertheless, it doesn't get five stars from me, because I felt the hero was a little too reluctant, at least in the beginning. And I agree with earlier reviewers that the adultery that is hinted at after their marriage tarnishes his character somewhat, even taking into consideration the status of the marriage at the time. Leaving her to go to London (and his mistress) on their wedding night is not something that can be quickly forgiven, especially when it left the heroine open to malicious gossip about the true nature of the marriage. Perhaps it's because I'm used to the shorter Regency format, but it seems to me that this book would have been more effective with about 50 fewer pages. As it is, there seem to be too many scenes that don't necessarily advance the plot. All in all, however, I find the time spent reading this book to be well spent. You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: Superb Regency-era Romance
Review: Humorous and romantic, Ms. Metzger's latest Regency-era romance features strong-willed heroine, Alissa Henning, widowed wife of a duke's disinherited younger son. Alissa cares for her two young sons, her teenaged sister, Amy, and William, the young son of her absent neighbor, Robert Rothmore, Earl of Rockford after Rockford's estate manager ran off with the earl's spinster sister. In a bold move, Rockford, after visiting his abandoned estate, proposes marriage to Alissa if she will continue to look after his son William and his heir Hugo, in exchange for his providing for herself, Amy, and her two fatherless boys.
What begins as a marriage of convenience turns into much more when Alissa and her brood travel to London shortly after Robert abandons her for London on their wedding night. With the tumult caused by four young boys and their puppies, Rockford is forced to change his solitary lifestyle, as he admits Alissa and their combined brood into his life and his heart. A subplot involving a lecherous old nobleman questing after Alissa's sister Amy strengthens Robert's feelings for his newfound family in this enthralling stand-out historical romance.
Rating:
Summary: I must have read a different book....
Review: I didn't like this book. I can't believe I read the same book as others who reviewed it. I didn't find any humor in it. Adultery is not humorous. I throughly disliked Robert Rothmore, the Earl of Rockfort. What a selfish jerk. Alissa started out with some backbone and promptly lost it after she married the aforementioned jerk. Her sister Aminta was drab to the point of colorlesness. Rockfort's sister Eleanor and her Duke proved to be the most interesting couple in the book. Rockfort and Alissa had absolutely no chemistry. I couldn't make myself like them. He spends his nights with his fat Austrian princess who he doesn't even like rather than be home with his wife and children. Yuck. Who can like someone like that?
I like to read romance novels with characters who are likeable. I don't like to read about adultery, rape or other unpleasant things that are so prevalent in life today. I read these books to escape that kind of thing. Unfortunately I have noticed that these nasty kinds of things are being written into more and more so-called romance novels. They aren't romantic. I don't think I will be buying anymore Barbara Metzger books.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: I found this a terrifically entertaining read and am franky mystified by some of the negative reviews here; however, reasonable minds may differ.
The characterizations were wonderful, and while some people may object to the disinterest in the beginning of the father toward his young children, that is something that was not uncommon in the real Regency England. What makes the characters interesting is how they grow and evolve and realize mistakes they have made in the past. The secondary characters were even more fun than the primary ones; I especially liked the relationship between Eleanor and the duke.
The ending is very satisfying, with all the characters assembled train wreck style for the dramatic conclusion. Above all, this book has wit and style, and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: Very funny book!! :)
Review: I totally enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud so often my friends couldn't wait to read it also.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful...
Review: I wasn't sure how to take this earl, Rockford, at first, and if the book weren't so funny I probably would have been offended by his attitude. The story line was really good and this author is so talented, she made Rockford an extremely likeable man even with all his faults, of which there were many. A great book!
Rating:
Summary: pure enjoyment!
Review: I've yet to read a book by Barbara Metzger that I didn't enjoy. "Wedded Bliss" is another winner.
Romance isn't what brought Robert and Alissa together. He needed a mother for his two sons and she needed protection and security. That might sound like serious subjects for a romance novel. But in Barbara Metzger's hands it's a laugh-out-loud, cheer-out-loud, sigh-out-loud adventure. It may not be a sensual story but it is a lusty romp. Enjoy!
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