Miss Drayton's Downfall (Signet Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This - to my knowledge - is the first in Oliver's series of linked books about a group of friends known as the Seven Corinthians. It introduces not only Raven, the Earl of Mansfield, whose story this is, but also the Marquess of Gresham, who appears in a later and even better book.

Cassandra had been in love with, and intended to marry, Mansfield's younger brother, but her fiance died before he could give her the protection of his name. Since they had anticipated the wedding ceremony, her fiance had begged his brother, on his death-bed, to look after Cassandra. So they find themselves tied to each other in a marriage neither of them wanted.

However, some of Mansfield's friends find Cassandra rather more attractive than he had expected, and both of them find themselves experiencing very unexpected feelings of jealousy. The book's finish is entirely unexpected and a near-tearjerker.

I've re-read this book at least three times and will do so again.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent - and the first of a series
Review: This book was my introduction to Patricia Oliver, and on its strength I've since read many more. The plot has a lot of strengths: heroine (Cassandra) was secretly betrothed, but her fiance died before they could marry. On his death-bed, he begged his brother to look after Cassandra, because they'd anticipated the wedding ceremony. Thus the book starts with the brother, the Earl of Mansfield (known to his friends as Raven) arriving to break the sad news to Cassandra and - reluctantly - to offer to marry her if she is pregnant.

Thus begins a very inauspicious marriage; what Raven was not expecting is that Cassandra becomes very popular with his sister, his mother and his friends! His closest friend, the Earl of Gresham (look for Lord Gresham's Lady) even sets up a flirtation with her. And, to his amazement, Raven finds that he cares.

The problem is, he's completely hopeless at doing anything about it! And Cassandra doesn't really have much idea how to deal with him either.

But being Patricia Oliver, the plot is resolved with some fun, quite a bit of angst, and a smile at the end. And there are more books to look for, about many of the supporting characters here, so what are you waiting for?