No Man's Mistress

Rating:
Summary: Not one of her best
Review: The story and the content were not up to par for Ms. Balogh. I am such a fan because she rarely disappoints. I guess that makes it harder to enjoy a mediocore offerings like this. The plot is described in the reviews above, so I won't go into details. I will say that Ferdinand and Viola acted out of character throughout the entire story. Viola has spent two years protecting and builing a respectable reputation in a small town, yet allows a strange man to move in with her? Ferdinand spends the last half of the story acting noble and sensitive, yet had no qualms about threatening to throw Viola out of her home at the beginning of the story. Oh well, I enjoyed catching up with Jane and Jocelyn from More Than a Mistress and would have liked to see more of them. Still, even a less than perfect Balogh offering is better than most of the other titles out there. I would recommend waiting to read this in paperback.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: This book would be an excellent read in itself if it had not been preceded by Balogh's masterpiece More Than A Mistress. That book sent my expectations soaring and of course I expected this book to be better. I found this to be an enjoyable read but it just didn't engage my emotions like MTAM did.

Ferdinand Dudley, the happy go-lucky,reckless younger brother first introduced in MTAM, has won an estate in a game of cards. Upon arriving there, he discovers the house is already occupied by a beautiful young lady who claims the estate belongs to her. Ferdinand agrees to let her stay until he can get a copy of the will which she claims names her as the estate's rightful owner. Viola Thornhill has been residing at Pinewood Manor for over two years, before that she had been known as Lilian Talbot, London's most notorious courtesan. Ferdinand discovers this when the Duke of Tresham comes to bring information about the will and recognizes her. The will doesn't contain a mention of Miss Thornhill and Ferdinand asks her to leave. He has fallen for the charming, seemingly innocent Viola and is quite disillusioned to find she isn't what she seems. Viola is determined to stay at the estate which she still insists was given to her by the previous owner, the late Earl of Bamber. She proposes a wager to Ferdinand that if she's able to seduce him in a week's time the estate belongs to her. Being a Dudley, Ferdinand accepts the wager. However, Viola can't bring herself to coldly seduce Ferdinand because she has already lost her heart to him.

This book is not a keeper for me and I really can't point out exactly what it was that kept it from being one. I certainly enjoyed the story and certainly the dialogue and writing was beyong compare. Very few authors can write with such sparkling, vivrant, humorous skill. I truly believe Balogh's as close to a contemporary Jane Austen as one can get.
I think the main issue I had with the story was the heroine. I've read books in which the heroine was a courtesan before but somehow at the end everything worked out and the reader fully understood the reasons for her career choice and sympathized with her. Also, in those books the heroine has no one else to turn to and she's usually rescued form the lifestyle before any real "damage" can be done. However, in this book Viola works for four years before she meets the Earl of Bamber ( her father) who gives her an apportunity to start a new life. Although the reader is told why Viola became a courtesan, the reasons why were not disclosed until very late in the story and I was not fully convinced that Viola didn't have a choice in the matter. After all, she had a family who truly cared about her and a father who was an earl, no less. I just never really sympathized with her and her plight. Also,I really loved innocent, reckless Ferdinand in MTAM and I couldn't help but feel he got a bum deal by marrying a woman whose clients had included some of his own friends!
Another reviewer pointed out that society wouldn't have so easily accepted such a notorious woman and I agree. It is hard to believe that in Regency England a woman such as Viola would have been welcomed into the ton with open arms as it happens in the book. In reality ladies would have crossed the street if they saw her approaching and both she and Ferdinand would have been shunned by the ton.
In short, I rate it four stars because my reasons for disliking it were purely personal and they do not take away from Balogh and her skill as a writer. I really only recommend this book only to fans of Balogh. If you're new to her I think it would be best to start with her earlier works instead or read the brilliant prequel to this book. :)

Rating:
Summary: Not very convincing follow-up to More Than A Mistress
Review: This is the sequel to Balogh's wonderful More Than A Mistress, and is the story of Tresham's younger brother, Lord Ferdinand Dudley. In MTAM, Ferdinand was portrayed as a loyal, somewhat timid and frequently hapless young man whose lack of ducal title wasn't the only thing he was missing in contrast to his brother.

Having won a country estate in a card game, Ferdinand sets out to view Pinewood. However, to his shock he finds it already occupied, and by a young-ish (ie mid-20s) single lady, Miss Viola Thornhill, who claims that it is her own, that she was left it as a bequest by the father of the current Earl of Bamber, from whom Ferdinand won it. Since neither is prepared to yield, we have stalemate. In order to try to force her to leave, though, Ferdinand insists on moving in.

Viola responds by massing the staff and the local inhabitants to make Ferdinand's life miserable: cold meals, smoking chimneys, inhospitable local pubs and so on. But Ferdinand is a charming man with not much in the way of aristocratic hauteur, and he quickly begins to win people over... everyone except Viola, although she can't forget the memory of their kiss.

And then Tresham arrives and recognises Viola from her infamous life in London, a life she's been trying to escape for the past two years. The revelations here change Viola and Ferdinand's relationship completely.

I've been looking forward to this book for a year, since I read More Than A Mistress, which is quite possibly the best long Regency Mary Balogh has ever written. Unfortunately, for me, No Man's Mistress doesn't live up to the promise. I suppose it was starting from a disadvantage in the first place, as Ferdinand is no Tresham, although I did like Ferdinand a lot.

Part of the problem is that I simply cannot believe in the rehabilitation of 'Lilian Talbot'. It's not that I can't believe that Viola could reform - since she'd never wanted that life in the first place, this isn't a problem at all. I just cannot suspend disbelief so far as to accept that the ton, as prudish as they were during Regency times, would accept into their midst a woman who had been a notorious courtesan. Even though Viola was accepted by the powerful and influential Duke of Tresham, I cannot see that as being enough.

What I liked most about this book, though, was renewing my acquaintance with Jocelyn and Jane from More Than A Mistress; and also getting to know Angeline, the female Dudley sibling. At some time in the not too distant future, Balogh intends to write the story of Angeline and Hayward, her husband, as a prequel to the Mistress books; I'll look forward to that one and hope that it's better than No Man's Mistress.

Rating:
Summary: Good but not as good as Balogh can be
Review: This must be the most romantic novel I've read in a long time. I normally prefer romance novels where there's a lot of passion and sizzle between main characters who burn up the sheets. This novel was nothing like that. In fact, I was at first disappointed that there didn't seem to be any chemistry between Viola and Ferdinand. But the author made up for that with refreshingly novel (no pun intended) story elements (Ferdinand was a virgin, and Viola really was a prostitute)and by showing in a credible way how these characters' love for each other grew. And Ferdinand was such a warm, giving hero (which is unusual in period romances) and my heart just melted when Ferdinand declared himself Viola's "champion," and avenged her against Kirby. So, though I prefer my romances fast and spicy, I really liked this slow and mellow one a lot. I think I'll try this authors other works!!

Rating:
Summary: Slow and mellow.
Review: This must be the most romantic novel I've read in a long time. I normally prefer romance novels where there's a lot of passion and sizzle between main characters who burn up the sheets. This novel was nothing like that. In fact, I was at first disappointed that there didn't seem to be any chemistry between Viola and Ferdinand. But the author made up for that with refreshingly novel (no pun intended) story elements (Ferdinand was a virgin, and Viola really was a prostitute)and by showing in a credible way how these characters' love for each other grew. And Ferdinand was such a warm, giving hero (which is unusual in period romances) and my heart just melted when Ferdinand declared himself Viola's "champion," and avenged her against Kirby. So, though I prefer my romances fast and spicy, I really liked this slow and mellow one a lot. I think I'll try this authors other works!!

Rating:
Summary: The sensual mistress of regency romance rules!
Review: Though No Man's Mistress might have mellowed in sharp wits and comic relief when juxtaposed to her charming hardcover More than a mistress, Mary Balogh judiciously levels up the emotions and drama to a perfect pitch on her take with Lord Ferdinand Dudley and Viola Thornhill. On his watershed journey to Pinewood Manor that is won in a reckless wager, Ferdinand finds himself bewitched by a local beauty - who later turns out to be the asserted owner of the estate. Viola is outraged when Ferdinand upsets her coveted security by insisting upon his legal claim to the estate when it was promised to her. She plans to drive him away with the enlisted assistance of her crew including Mr. Paxton, her steward et al but her efforts only gained Lord Dudley popularity.

Through an unexpected turn of events with Duke Of Tresham (Ferd's brother) exposing Viola's identity as a disreputable courtesan as the pivotal moment, Ferdinand is induced by ambiguity over his infatuations over her innocent portrayal. Fear of losing the manor and her livelihood, she is forced to seduce Ferdinand with her carnal expertise but finds herself unable to comply with the love she feels for him - which leaves only one option - her imminent departure...

No Man's mistress is kept buoyant by the dramatic twist of the story that unfolds stylishly under Ms. Balogh's smooth narration. Her characters show surprising dimensions in their display of love and tenderness; they are flawed beings special in their courage and vulnerability. The ensemble of sub-characters with the likes of Tresham and the duchess manoeuvres the luscious romp along brilliantly through their match-making plots that had Ferdinand soaring as Viola's protector. The eclectic fusion of characters along with intricate plotting is enough to make Ms. Balogh - the sensual mistress of Regency romance - in every word.

Rating:
Summary: The story plot was different and I really disliked it!
Review: Twenty five years of Viola Thornhill is presented to the reader as a very sweet, caring woman. But one third into the book the reader discovers that she has a secret past. She had been one of London's most celebrated, most sought-after, most expensive courtesan. Now I figured when I read this, there must be a catch. The heroine in a romance novel is never a whore. I imagined that she must be the identical twin of this courtesan. Boy, was I surprised! Viola had a tragic past which forced her into this profession but regardless her past, it turned me off. The hero, Lord Ferdinand Dudley, falls in love with her. He turns out to be a twenty seven year old virgin. Half way through the book, I had enough.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant regency fare
Review: Viola Thornhill is living a fine, quiet life in the village of Trellick. She is the owner of the lovely and prosperous Pinewood manor and a well respected member of local society. But her world comes crashing down around her when Ferdinand Dudley appears on her doorstep flashing the deed to her house. He states that she is not the owner because he won it in a card game from son of the previous owner. But Viola is adamant. The old Earl who owned the house promised to change his will in her favor and she has faith in his word. So the two are at a stalemate. Both are claiming ownership and neither will leave. But fate arrives in the person of Ferdinand's brother, the Duke of Tresham. Viola's past catches up with her and, despite the fact that she and Ferdinand were beginning to fall in love, she flees to London to save Ferdinand from himself and to confront the one person determined to ruin her life.

This book takes place largely in two parts. The first half of the book is the bucolic country setting where Viola and Ferdinand meet and get to know each other. They have the inevitable conflict so that their relationship isn't easy or smooth. In this first half of the book, the conflict is over the ownership of the house and Viola's resentment of Ferdinand for upsetting her life. However as the two get to know each other and fall in love, that conflict could easily be overset by simply marrying.

But then comes the second part of the book, which is set in London. Marriage is out of the question. Because this is a Mary Balogh book we know that Viola isn't what she appears, Viola has A Past and it has caught up with her. The conflict of the second part of the book is how to reconcile Viola's past so that the path toward a happy ending with Ferdinand is cleared. While, you can see the plot from a mile away, it doesn't stop the book from successfully accomplishing its goals. And the revelations and conversations in the wake of the revelations are nicely done.

I don't give this book five stars because the first half of the book was a bit tedious. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, as I knew it must. The second half of the book more than makes up for the slowness of the first half. And some of the secondary characters get fleshed out a bit more. I couldn't help but be reminded of one of Ms. Balogh's other books, "Indiscreet " as I was reading this one, as it is the same in structure and plot. But "Indiscreet" was a much better book both in character development and in the sheer storytelling (worth 5 stars in my opinion). While this one isn't as good as "Indiscreet", it is still entertaining, nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: Boring and unrealistic
Review: WARNING: if you like traditional romance novels, you might want to avoid this one. The heroine turns out to be a prostitute (a very experienced and expensive one) and the hero turns out to be a wimpy 27-year-old virgin.

The book starts out with the hero Lord Ferdinand Dudley winning in a card game the property that Miss Viola Thornhill has been living on for the last two years. The sparks start to fly when Ferdinand descends on the house and demands that Viola leave. Viola insists that the property is hers and refuses to go. Stalemate. They end up sleeping across the hall from each other, and the battle lines are drawn. The two are thrown together constantly over the next few days, and Ferdinand begins to have feelings for Viola. He almost proposes a few times, but he can't decide if what he feels for her is love, lust or simply pity.

So far so good, a little bit of tension, a little bit of mystery, but then the bombshell hits. It is reviled; about a third of the way through the book, that Viola was one of the most notorious prostitute in London (and very good at her job or so everyone says). I was a little shocked and perturbed to say the least. I kept expecting something to happen that would explain away the fact. Well something did happen, Viola makes a bargain with Ferdinand that if she can seduce him within a week, he will sign over the property to her. Well she does seduce him and in the process finds that 27 year-old Ferdinand (who is the son of a duke and is handsome, wealthy, and charming to boot) is still a virgin. Yea right. He kept himself chaste for 27 years and then decides to succumb to a woman that he "might" love... I guess this was supposed to be a reversal of roles, but I just did not care for where the story was headed. I put the book down at this point and never felt any inclination to pick it up again.

This was my first Mary Balogh book, and it will probably be my last.

Rating:
Summary: Disgusted
Review: What a disappointment! Unlike other reviewers who found the plot variations unique, I found them disgusting. Why would I find such a character sympathetic? That is not what I want to read when I pick up a romance.Ms. Balogh tried to make her sympathetic, but I found her horrifying, easily picking up her come-hither routine at the drop of a bucket. When I found out that the hero was a virgin, I was through. I gave it my best shot, but ultimately felt thoroughly frustrated that I wasted good money on this book.