Never Less Than a Lady

By: Mary Jo Putney

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

RITA Award-winning, New York Times best-selling author Mary Jo Putney is justly celebrated as a master of the Regency romance. Here Alexander Randall is the last heir to the Earl of Daventry and he must find himself a bride. His prayers are answered in the form of distressed midwife Julia Bancroft. But though their union would benefit both parties, Julia is reluctant to surrender her heart.

©2010 Mary Jo Putney, Inc. (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“… rich in complex, realistically complicated characters, expertly spiced with intrigue, and infused with a wickedly subtle wit.” ( Booklist)

Wonderful!!

Beautiful story. Enjoyed it so much and it kept my attention to the very end. What a treat it was to listen to the great voice of simon Prebble again. Well done to all!

Lovin' the Lost Lords!

I love the Lost Lord series! The only thing I'm a little bit disappointed in, is that there isn't a stronger ending or maybe an epilogue.

Sweet, Lovely and totally predictable

This story was brain candy for me. I found it a bit slow at the beginning, with a bit too much detailed conversation as if they were discussing the grocery lists. But I figured it was part of the development of a love relationship that starts out as non-existent - despite their marriage - and builds throughout. Alexander Randall who is suddenly to become the Earl of Daventry needs a bride, and he picks the only woman he's ever found attractive, the widowed midwife Julia Bancroft. Since the marriage proposal comes at a time when they are basically strangers and is offered only as a solution to Julia's life being threatened, they negotiate a marriage that leaves all kinds of doors open for later divorce. Julia's previous marriage has left her afraid of marrying again. Needless to say the plan to allow easy exit grows problematic as they become more involved with each other. Since we know there will be a happy ending, the story's biggest flaw is an inability to create much suspense. The characters are thoroughly lovable, though there are plenty of villains to keep things interesting, and the problem resolutions thoroughly satisfying. Pleasant and not too challenging read.

A Winner!!

What made the experience of listening to Never Less Than a Lady the most enjoyable?

Simon Prebble himself, who reminds me vocally of the actor Jonathan Pryce- one of my favorites partly due to his beautiful voice. I'm currently listening to this book for the third time!!

What other book might you compare Never Less Than a Lady to and why?

This is my favorite among MJP's "Lost Lords" series. I'm hoping that some of her "Fallen Angel" series are added to Audible's catalog, which are among my favorites. This book is equal to them.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in the inn while on their way to London. That is certainly an interesting way of consumating a marriage!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What's a tag line?

Any additional comments?

I'm thoroughly enjoying this book. Prebble does it very well. I'm on my third go round listening to it and I'm getting rather strange looks from my co workers who don't realize I'm not listening to music on my mp3 player. They can't figure out why I'm grinning depending on what scene I'm listening to.

Entertaining even if cookie cutter plot

Simon Prebble did a really good job narrating this story. True to form, MJP was marvelous at developing her characterswho are real and easily related to. I've listened to all the books in this series.....and all the heroines have hangups about intimacy. Now come on........

loved it

while I love this book I still remember how spoke in my head with a woman's voice the first time I read it

satisfying and riveting all the way through

Putney not only creates a lovely tale with intensity, she interweaves former characters into their world. The storytelling flows on with the ups and downs becoming part of the final, satisfying relationship the hero and heroine forge. Prebble narrates with such definition between all his voices for each character it was a pleasure to hear the differences. more, please!

Avoids the Cliches of the Genre

I purchased the Audible book after a great sale recently. I had read and liked Mary Jo Putney's works in the past (though not in the last decade) and decided to find a good Summer read.

What I really liked about this book is that it managed to avoid nearly every cliche that are so rampant in the romance field right now. Despite there being many chances, there were no "great misunderstanding" and the characters reacted logically, calmly, and intelligently to situations. There was no evil 'big baddie' forcing deus et machina situations. The female character isn't an annoying 'spitfire' who gets into situations just so she can be rescued by the alpha male. The male isn't even alpha - he's respectful of the heroine but not so much that it is anachronistic. The Heroine doesn't suddenly develop the ability to shoot a gun, ride a horse, or any other implausible ability just to get out of a situation. Nor is modern knowledge of medicine used to make fun of the doctoring of that era.

What we have is a very gentle, well written, emotionally resonating story of two people getting to know each other and learning to trust. It is skillfully plotted novel that doesn't rely on action so much as communication to build the relationship over time. It's what I would characterize as a mature novel - for those who are tired of the cliches and overwrought plots and just want a novel of two decent people, with hard pasts, who learn to overcome their own fears of intimacy to create a love match.

The audible narrator, though male, did an excellent job of both the female and male voices as well as the plot.

If Simon Prebble Narrates, I'm In!

this man is a fantastic narrator. He makes these stories come to life, the combination of Mary Jo Putney's writing and Simon's narration are priceless for historical regency romance! I look forward to more!

Just an old fashion love story

A decent man works to heal he woman he loves, ah...so refreshing, no stupid misunderstandings, just two people trying to make each other whole. Nothing more to say other than I enjoyed it immensely.