Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I never read the short Regency romances because they are usually too prim for me, but my aunt told me that this book was different. This author really knows how to make me laugh. Her characters are so fun and vivid I am surprised she is not writing the long Regency romances (the kind I LOVE!) I just ordered her next book and if it is anything like this delight, I will be smiling all night long.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I never read the short Regency romances because they are usually too prim for me, but my aunt told me that this book was different. This author really knows how to make me laugh. Her characters are so fun and vivid I am surprised she is not writing the long Regency romances (the kind I LOVE!) I just ordered her next book and if it is anything like this delight, I will be smiling all night long.
Rating:
Summary: A great new talent has arrived!
Review: I used to read every Regency that came out; however, the rapidly decreasing quality of new books in this genre has made me more selective in recent years. My favorites have always been the lighthearted romps such as those penned by Barbara Metzger. Nonnie St. George exhibits the same type of comedic talent here. Frankly, I was so engrossed in laughing my way through the book that I didn't even notice the little errors in historical accuracy that normally disrupt my reading pleasure. Normally I wouldn't think much of a hero who is so obviously aware of his good-looking appearance that he expects women to fall all over him and takes offense if they don't. Nor do his frequent references to the heroine's flat chest and her other inadequacies make him a likable character. In the beginning, his friend the Duke seems a much a better potential hero. But even at his first meeting with "Saint Nola," the earl's daughter who has dedicted herself to helping the war widows, Gabriel undergoes a curious sort of transformation that everyone sees except him (and perhaps Nola herself). Even as he emphatically denies that she could ever be a candidate for the "ideal bride" he seeks, he finds himself thinking about her constantly. . . and enjoying her company far too well. Is it because she is the first woman who shown no interest in attracting him? Or because she proves herself to be a highly capable woman and one who is sincerely committed to helping the needy? Or is it because his mother, his best friend, her brother and two aunts, the servants, his tenants and business partners--and the entire ton, it turns out--are conspiring to throw them together for a walk down the aisle. Even after he finally admits to himself that he loves Nola and wants to marry her, he tries to find a way to "save face." The whole world knows about his requirements for his "ideal bride." If he marries Nola, who is practically the antithesis, he would be a laughingstock among the ton. So he devises a way to "compromise" Nola into marriage. No one would ridicule him for doing the honorable thing, after all. When that fails, and his mother begins rounding up potential husbands for Nola, Gabriel's next move is to propose to Nola and ask her to keep it quiet for a month or so until the ton becomes obsessed by some other scandal. But Nola refuses his offer, even after he confesses his love for her (which should have come BEFORE the proposal of marriage). Even after he finally agrees to lease her the warehouse she wants for her war widows bazaar. Nola, you see, already loves him--she did notice his handsome appearance after all--but she is well aware that she has been practically pushed into his arms by all the well-meaning matchmakers, and she knows that she lacks the qualifications for the "ideal bride" he was seeking. Marrying her would just make them both unhappy. It becomes a matter of Gabriel having to choose between his pride and a life with the woman he loves, and realizes that there is really only one choice to be made. At that point, the transformation from arrogant jerk to romantic hero is complete, and the reader is left with the feeling that all is right in the world and that every minute spent reading this book was time well spent.
Rating: 
Summary: A thoroughly delightful read!
Review: I would give this book 4 1/2 stars if I could, it was so much fun to read. I was pleasantly surprised at every turn and just thoroughly enjoyed this book! Nonnie St.George has a great sense of humor and for a first book, plot, characters and dialogue were all excellent. I look forward to reading more of her books and with a bit of polish, I'm sure her next ones will all be 5 star rated.
Rating: 
Summary: Promising but needs work
Review: Nonnie St George's debut novel has received enthusiastic comments elsewhere and I bought a copy on the strength of these. However, I was disappointed. Althought the author has great energy and obviously tried hard, I felt there were too many annoying rough edges to make this a truly sparkling debut. The best thing about the novel is the plot - stuffy businessman unwillingly attracted to aristocratic but poor woman dedicated to charitable work with war widows. Add in a silly, party-mad mother, various other incredulous relations and OTT friends and you have the beginnings of a farce along the lines of Barbara Metzger. What let this novel down was that the ingredients were strained and two dimensional. Every decent hero has a flaw; in this case Mr Gabriel Carr is incredibly beautiful (and although reluctantly, he knows it and uses it). OK. But his beauty is used in the feminine sense: eg "I'm so lovely that no one can see beneath the surface". It just didn't work for me. Our heroine, Lady Nola, is the daughter of an earl but the family seems to be on its financial knees. OK. But where did she acquire the urge to look after Peninsular war widows with such business acumen? The characters behave in exaggerated ways; they throw things, they bump into each other, they shout, they lunge, they slam, they loom. They act without any of the refinement of behaviour you would expect in the genre. The hero's middle aged mother parties all night yet is purported to know everyone of importance in society: sorry but this strained credulity a bit. She is described as "lurching to the table in a billowing purple dress like a round grape rolling down a matron's heaving bosom". I realise this is meant to be funny but, really, it's just silly. And, our hero falls down a flight of stairs, "shatters" his knee yet is up and walking within days. And this before the benefit of x-rays, orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapists, etc. Sorry, just did not work for me. The author has tried to amuse us. She has made a good effort and no one reading this can doubt her enthusiasm but I think she needs to polish her work a bit more and strive for a little more irony in her humour rather than making it so slap-stick. I will try again with her but she will have to improve on this to keep my interest. Three stars because this is a debut; two might have been nearer the mark.
Rating:
Summary: Promising but needs work
Review: Nonnie St George's debut novel has received enthusiastic comments elsewhere and I bought a copy on the strength of these. However, I was disappointed. Althought the author has great energy and obviously tried hard, I felt there were too many annoying rough edges to make this a truly sparkling debut. The best thing about the novel is the plot - stuffy businessman unwillingly attracted to aristocratic but poor woman dedicated to charitable work with war widows. Add in a silly, party-mad mother, various other incredulous relations and OTT friends and you have the beginnings of a farce along the lines of Barbara Metzger. What let this novel down was that the ingredients were strained and two dimensional. Every decent hero has a flaw; in this case Mr Gabriel Carr is incredibly beautiful (and although reluctantly, he knows it and uses it). OK. But his beauty is used in the feminine sense: eg "I'm so lovely that no one can see beneath the surface". It just didn't work for me. Our heroine, Lady Nola, is the daughter of an earl but the family seems to be on its financial knees. OK. But where did she acquire the urge to look after Peninsular war widows with such business acumen? The characters behave in exaggerated ways; they throw things, they bump into each other, they shout, they lunge, they slam, they loom. They act without any of the refinement of behaviour you would expect in the genre. The hero's middle aged mother parties all night yet is purported to know everyone of importance in society: sorry but this strained credulity a bit. She is described as "lurching to the table in a billowing purple dress like a round grape rolling down a matron's heaving bosom". I realise this is meant to be funny but, really, it's just silly. And, our hero falls down a flight of stairs, "shatters" his knee yet is up and walking within days. And this before the benefit of x-rays, orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapists, etc. Sorry, just did not work for me. The author has tried to amuse us. She has made a good effort and no one reading this can doubt her enthusiasm but I think she needs to polish her work a bit more and strive for a little more irony in her humour rather than making it so slap-stick. I will try again with her but she will have to improve on this to keep my interest. Three stars because this is a debut; two might have been nearer the mark.
Rating:
Summary: Cute, quick-read
Review: This novel is a very simple, easy read, yet also contains important valuable life lessons. This book accurately portrays the ups and downs of romance and the essentiality of compromise in a successful relationship. Although the theme of the book was enjoyable I found many parts supericial and lacking in depth. Concerning Nola and Gabriel Carr, the transition from annoyance and irratation to "falling in love" is very abrupt and rushed. One minute they couldnt tolerate each other and the next they cant stop thinking of each other. It did not seem realistic because they hadnt really gotten to know each other well. Yet overall an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait to read another book by Nonnie St. George
Review: This was a wonderfully fun read! Like Georgette Heyer, Ms. St. George brings her characters to life with a deft touch of humor to enliven the proceedings. The hero, Gabriel, is a man who doesn't know what's best for him so of course, everyone else has to help him find his Ideal Bride. Lady Nola is just the woman for him - if she doesn't drive him insane first! The cast of supporting characters, especially Gabriel's mom, will remind you of everyone who tried to run your life for you. A great first book and I can't wait to read more.
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