Rating: 
Summary: Tepid at best
Review: A disappointment here - a somewhat one dimensional story along some rather incredulous lines. The whole plot seemed too artificial, too contrived and ultimately could not achieve my involvement as the reader. The H/H are not especially attractive and nothing in the narrative makes them sparkle and I found it hard to empathise with either of them. The Duchess frankly annoyed me to the point where I wanted to scream. I barely finished this one; I had nothing else to read whilst waiting for someone at a prolonged medical appointment. I can't recommend it and hovered between 2 and 3 stars for this novel.
Rating:
Summary: Tepid at best
Review: A disappointment here - a somewhat one dimensional story along some rather incredulous lines. The whole plot seemed too artificial, too contrived and ultimately could not achieve my involvement as the reader. The H/H are not especially attractive and nothing in the narrative makes them sparkle and I found it hard to empathise with either of them. The Duchess frankly annoyed me to the point where I wanted to scream. I barely finished this one; I had nothing else to read whilst waiting for someone at a prolonged medical appointment. I can't recommend it and hovered between 2 and 3 stars for this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet, romantic and humorous Christmas story
Review: Diane Farr continues, in this book, to demonstrate her talent for witty, charming and romantic storytelling. She creates a series of likeable characters - even her 'villains', to the extent that any have malicious or unkind motives, are well drawn and aren't without redeeming features.Celia is the impoverished great-grand-daughter of a duke; her grandfather was disowned by his family many years before, and she has never met any of her titled relatives. All of her immediate family has recently died tragically, and she faces life as a governess. Until the Duchess, her cousin-once-removed by marriage, arrvies to sweep her off to Delacourt Palace. Unknown to Celia, the Duchess has ulterior motives... Jack Delacourt, the Marquess of Lynden, is well aware of his mother's matchmaking activities, and has no intention of being caught in this particular trap. This leads him to behave coarsely and lewdly, hoping to give Celia a disgust of him. But he finds himself falling in love with her instead... while she's convinced that he's insane! The Duchess's plotting is frequently hilarious, but equally frequently poignant, as we are let in on the secret she shares only with her abigail: she is terminally ill, and desperate to see her only son married to someone who will continue to run Delacourt just as she has always done. It's very clear that Celia won't; it's equally clear that Jack would simply not be happy with someone who would! There is a delightful, and low-key, secondary romance to look forward to, as well. Definitely a heart-warming book to read at Christmas-time!
Rating: 
Summary: The best-laid plans, etc. . .
Review: Diane Farr goes from strength to strength, and does it with such seeming effortlessness that it's truly mind-boggling. But, how wonderful for her many fans! Of course, I am one of that number, and have been for many years. If you read her first book THE NOBODY you'll quickly recall the steely Duchess of Arnsford and her equally steely daughter, Elizabeth. You'll find them again in this new book, having moved to center stage in the process. The Delacourts are a wide-spread family, and when notified that one far-flung waif is the only remaining member of one discarded branch, the Duchess appropriates Celia Delacourt for reasons of her own. Unknown to anyone but Hubbard, who has served Her Grace quietly and loyally for many years, the Duchess is terminally ill, and is desperate to settle her family's future before such actions are no longer possible. The future of the ducal palace, Delacourt, is nearly as important as the marriage of Elizabeth, and the heir, Jack. The Duchess is determined that it will be her iron will that will prevail. Celia, of course, doesn't know this until well into the story, and proceeds to unknowingly upset the well-laid plans of the Duchess, thus providing a wonderful reading experience for us. Initially, it appears the future as envisioned by the Duchess will not materialize, and so, of course, she sets off in another direction, only to be baulked once again, when, once it's too late, everything works as she'd originally dreamed they would. This charming story has everything--love, laughter, tears, warmth, poignancy, and an abundance of Christmas cheer. Oh--and one mustn't forget the most amazing character of all! Manegold should certainly appear again--somewhere. He just simply can't be a one-book cat!
Rating:
Summary: sweet, heartbreaking, lovely
Review: I love Diane Farr's stuff. I have been a fan since the beginning, and she has quickly risen to the top-five list of my favorite Regency authors. This book is no exception. The main characters, Jack and Celia, are likable and real, and you get to know them and want them to realize how well-suited they are. That is a sign of a good romance, in my opinion. In addition, the supporting characters are all well-drawn. There is a nice secondary romance story involving one of Jack's sisters, a character from a previous Farr book (The Nobody), and another story line about Jack's mother, the Duchess. Those are both especially nice because they humanize characters who were rather unlikable in the original story. Celia does have a great tragedy in her past, which may make some eyes roll, but it's simply and emotionally described, and is not talked about ad nauseum for effect--quite the opposite. There is a bit of a silly misunderstanding between the lovers at first, but Farr uses it nicely to comic effect and it doesn't get annoying. Despite the misunderstanding, Jack and Celia quickly establish a rapport, and it's delightful to see them quickly falling for each other without quite realizing it. As the cherry on top, there is a cat in this book who is quite simply one of the best-written cats I've ever read. Now, you may not like cats, or you may think I am nuts to even mention this. But in my opinion, authors often seem to have difficulty writing children or animals, as if they have never been around any and don't quite know what actual children or animals say and do. The cat in this book, though, is quite magnificently done. He is simply a cat--he does not carry messages between lovers, he doesn't rescue anyone from drowning, he doesn't take part in any conversations. He is just there, part of the texture of the story, telling you a bit about some characters in their reactions to him, and just being a cat. If you don't like cats, you won't get annoyed at his presence in the story. If you do like cats, you might notice, as I did, how perfectly Farr has written this particular cat. This book was a keeper for me, and each time I read it it lifts my mood. Isn't that what a good romance is supposed to do?
Rating:
Summary: What a fun book!
Review: I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. The main characters were developed well and I had to laugh out loud at some of their ways the son contrived to annoy his 'oh-so-proper' family. I have ordered Diane's other books now since this is the first one I've read and don't want to miss out on any of the rest!
Rating:
Summary: What a fun book!
Review: I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. The main characters were developed well and I had to laugh out loud at some of their ways the son contrived to annoy his 'oh-so-proper' family. I have ordered Diane's other books now since this is the first one I've read and don't want to miss out on any of the rest!
Rating:
Summary: Brava!
Review: The Duchess of Delacourt was ill. No one but her trusted life-long servant knew. Before Her Grace died, she was determined to see her only son, Jack, wed. She chose Celia Delacourt, a very distant and poor relation who had recently lost her entire family to sickness. The duchess planned to train and mold Celia into he idea of what her son needed. With nowhere else to go, and not knowing Her Grace's plans of her, Celia agreed to Christmas at Delacourt. Jack, the Marquess of Lynden, went home to Delacourt for Christmas every year. Knowing his scheming mother planned to push another fortune hunter at him, he made his appearance as mismatched, rude, and LOUD as possible! Just as he convinced Celia he was mad, he also fell under her spell. The problem was Her Grace, as always. **** Sweet irony! That does describe it well. No adventure or danger here. But I found it to be one of the sweetest and romantic stories I have read. Perfect reading on a cold day during the holiday season while sipping hot chocolate in front of the fireplace!
Rating:
Summary: Not on par with the best, but a nice little story
Review: This book by Farr has few glaring historical errors and focuses on a simple, sweet love story (or two). There's a fair amount of humor as hero Jack sets out to foil his mother's schemes in an outrageous manner. Instead he evokes the heroine's sympathy -- and her sad story evokes his. Naturally, it all leads to love and marriage. The mother is an extremely manipulative woman; just when you think she might have a redeeming quality ot two, you find out she doesn't. The rest of Jack's family are mostly sketches, not fully realized characters. The cat is, indeed, wonderfully written; I could picture my own cats doing those very things. Celia, the heroine, is almost too sweet at times, but then displays a robust bit of stubbornness against the Duchess' manipulations. Jack too is nearly flawless, but certainly a pleasant fellow who enjoys life. I have to wonder, however, how he will manage all his future ducal duties. Nevertheless, Farr's book is sweet and humorous, with enough holiday atmosphere. Celia seems to get over her family's loss too quickly; later timing would have made the transition smoother. But the books ends with a wonderfully romantic gesture that should leave a smile on the reader's face.
Rating:
Summary: poignant, touching, also funny
Review: This is one of my favorites by Farr. Made me cry, made me laugh, touched my heart. The characters are VERY well drawn, plus feature a couple of characters from her first book, The Nobody. They are nasty people in The Nobody and in this book she shows you a glimpse of what their lives are really like and you understand more where they are coming from. Brilliant. Even the nastiest character in this book, the duchess, you can't help sympathizing with to an extent. This reminded me of Jane Austen where every character is flawed even the heroines, and every character has redeeeming features even the villains. By the way, Farr excels in writing beta heroes who aren't wimps. Anyone in her right mind would fall in love with Jack. And Manegold the cat acts exactly like my own cat, he's great. I promise you will LOVE THIS BOOK.
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