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Rating: 
Summary: A truly great read
Review: An otherwise charming romance that is nearly ruined by the author's misunderstanding of the British parliamentary system. As another reviewer mentioned, our hero is a Lord, and as such would be in the House of Lords by right, not in the House of Commons subject to election. If this was just an issue of some sloppy historical research on a side issue, I could ignore it, but since his political future was given as the main objection to his romance with governess Lucy, it was too irritating to ignore. Correct the error and the plot dissolves.Very disappointing. Where was the editor in this whole process? It seems this obvious a slip should have been caught early on.
Rating: 
Summary: A hole you could drive a truck through . . .
Review: An otherwise charming romance that is nearly ruined by the author's misunderstanding of the British parliamentary system. As another reviewer mentioned, our hero is a Lord, and as such would be in the House of Lords by right, not in the House of Commons subject to election. If this was just an issue of some sloppy historical research on a side issue, I could ignore it, but since his political future was given as the main objection to his romance with governess Lucy, it was too irritating to ignore. Correct the error and the plot dissolves. Very disappointing. Where was the editor in this whole process? It seems this obvious a slip should have been caught early on.
Rating:
Summary: Did anybody check this book for accuracy?
Review: Details!!
When the children are first introduced, they are 9, 7, and 5. Yet when Granville discusses them with Lucy, suddenly they are 8, 6, and 5. Huh? Impossible. Also, Ms. Kennedy gets her days mixed up. At one point early on Granville's sister asks him why he hadn't attended the event "last night," yet if one had paid attention, one would notice that it was actually TWO nights before, as he had to go find Lucy, and be rebuffed, the day in between. These terrible "slips," if not caught by the author herself, ought to definitely not slip past an editor.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST YET FROM SHIRLEY KENNEDY
Review: How interesting someone would rate a truly lovely book on two insignifcant errors. I've read all of Shirley Kennedy's books and have loved them all. The last book "Three Wishes" was my favorite. I was too inthralled with the characters and storyline to look for a few paultry flaws, which, by the way, exist in so many books out there these days. It seems editors don't have the time to really edit books anymore, and certainly an author can overlook something they're too close to. I highly recommend this book if you want to get lost in another time and place and fall in love with some beautiful characters. Let's have more from you, Shirley Kennedy.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST YET FROM SHIRLEY KENNEDY
Review: How interesting someone would rate a truly lovely book on two insignifcant errors. I've read all of Shirley Kennedy's books and have loved them all. The last book "Three Wishes" was my favorite. I was too inthralled with the characters and storyline to look for a few paultry flaws, which, by the way, exist in so many books out there these days. It seems editors don't have the time to really edit books anymore, and certainly an author can overlook something they're too close to. I highly recommend this book if you want to get lost in another time and place and fall in love with some beautiful characters. Let's have more from you, Shirley Kennedy.
Rating:
Summary: Romance and history a winning mix!
Review: I was surprised to find a reader giving this book one star because of two minor and insignificant "slips" (the age of one child and whether or not an event occurred one or two days prior). Yes, every author and editor should strive for perfection in detail but, more importantly, Ms. Kennedy has striven for and achieved near perfection in her blending of historical fact, intrigue, romance, and a wit seldom seen in romance novels. I note that the reader did not point out any historical slips -- a far greater error in a book of this type. Ms. Kennedy has obviously done her historical homework. At the same time she has given us characters and a story line which set this novel a step above. Kudos!
Rating:
Summary: Romance and history a winning mix!
Review: I was surprised to find a reader giving this book one star because of two minor and insignificant "slips" (the age of one child and whether or not an event occurred one or two days prior). Yes, every author and editor should strive for perfection in detail but, more importantly, Ms. Kennedy has striven for and achieved near perfection in her blending of historical fact, intrigue, romance, and a wit seldom seen in romance novels. I note that the reader did not point out any historical slips -- a far greater error in a book of this type. Ms. Kennedy has obviously done her historical homework. At the same time she has given us characters and a story line which set this novel a step above. Kudos!
Rating: 
Summary: A great story - slightly marred by error
Review: Lucy Winthrop is a hard working governess who dreams of opening an enlightened school for girls. Her unjust dismissal by her current employer, for the prejudiced reason that she is sister to a well-known campaigner for prison reform, has an unexpected result. His wife, to make up for the injustice, gives her a large sum of money. At the same time Lord Granville, knowing of the dismissal, offers her a new post with his own children with a generous wage. Flushed with her own independance, she rather rudely refuses his offer. All too soon she must eat her words and ask for the job, due to her profligate brother's theft of the money. She travels to his country estate and finds the children well provided for materially, but in need of their father's attention.
Thus the stage is set for a romance between Granville and Lucy.
A slightly melodramatic one, but an enjoyable one nonetheless.
The attraction is strong and the situation is made more impossible by Granville's political ambitions and his mother's matchmaking and dreadful arrogance.
There is a charming secondary romance involving Granville's invalid sister and her suitor who writes her very bad poetry.
Another review comments on Kennedy's historical accuracy, unfortunately this is not true. She has many things right, but her politics are woefully wrong and as she has made Granville a Whig with prime ministerial ambitions, it intrudes into the story. The worst is that she is writing of Granville as if he had to worry about being re-elected to a seat in the Commons, when he is in fact an Earl and so had a seat in the Lords.
That and other slips aside, the hero and heroine are well drawn and sympathetic. Granville maybe is better than Lucy, who is a bit too perfect and does not seem to change her views at all.
The melodrama is cranked up to full heat with the plot development involving the dishonest brother and poor Lucy is put through the wringer.
A good story, sympathetic characters - but marred.
Rating:
Summary: I'd wish for more books like this one!
Review: Lucy Winthrop, a spinster and a governess of 10 years, has dreamed of opening up a school for girls. Though she has been recently dismissed, she has also stumbled onto a bit of good fortune. Due to this good fortune, she is able to turn down the position as Lord Granville's governess (he is a widower with 3 young children). John Weston, Lord Granville, is shocked when Lucy rejects his offer of fifty pounds her annum. He is equally shocked when Miss Winthrop shows up at his door, wondering if his offer still stands. Poor Lucy Winthrop's luck just ran out, and Granville reluctantly gives her the position. As it turns out, Miss Winthrop is the best governess he's ever had. As Lucy comes to know more about the children, she discovers how much they crave their neglectful father's attention. After Lucy goes a great service for Lord Granville, he jokingly offers her 3 wishes. But just what will Lucy wish for...? I just LOVED this book. If I could give it 6 stars, I most definitely would. I loved everything about it. Lucy was an excellent heroine, and I could relate to her feelings. I loved Lord Granville, and the tension between the 2 characters is to-die-for. Shirley Kennedy's character developement was positivley superb!! I loved the subplot with the children. I loved the subplot with Regina, Lord Granville's invalid sister. (Her secondary romance was worthy of its own story!) Every character added to the story. Lord Granville's mother was despicable. Miss Winthrop's sister was a delight. I loved how the author wove in the "wishes." I can't remember the last time I read such a well-crafed piece of work. From the time I opened it, to the time I finished it... I could hardly put it down! The ending was one of the sweetest and most fulfilling. I nearly cried at the end! I have a weakness for governess stories, and this one was undoubtedly one of the best I've read. (It's one of the best Regencies I've read this year!) In short, this novel comes highly recommended. It's a very "feel good" story.
Rating:
Summary: A truly great read
Review: This Regency is one of the best I've read in a long time. The plot was fast-paced and the characters strong and likeable. The suspense was good, too. I couldn't stop turning those pages when the heroine's brother, Montague, got into trouble.
Aside from the charming romance, Ms Kennedy, who obviously did her homework, provides a biting commentary on the justice system during the Regency. She cleverly weaves into the plot the horrifying details of the public hangings that went on during that time, and how over two hundred offenses, such as fraud and stealing, were punishable by execution or deportation. I have enjoyed all Shirley Kennedy's books and hope she'll have another out soon.
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