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Texanne

A WONDERFUL QUICK READ

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019

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Elizabeth is the youngest of 4 daughters. Her father has proclaimed that she will not be presented to society until all her sisters are married. His belief is that Eliza's adventurous spirit will ruin her and he does not want the other sisters to be brought down with her.

During a ball, she is hiding in a room making comments about her eldest sister's fiancee.

She finds that she is not alone. Harry, a scandalous member of the ton has been quietly listening to everything she said.

Eliza is not a bad girl. She simply wants to be able to be free and laugh at the ridiculous and she wants to enjoy life.

Harry has recognized a kindred soul. He is a secretly good man. He has a reputation which he has encouraged. But in reality, he is a good and loyal friend and a kind man.

This story is a picture of family loyalty, friendship, humor and a love that overcomes time.

Ms Dare has outdone herself in this book.

And Eliza is lucky as heck to have Harry in her life.

Elizabeth Bennet

Loved the Title and it got better when I read inside.

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2014

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I liked this book as soon as the H/h met. The sparks fly immediately and Harry's humor reminds me of Lisa Kleypas's St. Vincent. He has that wicked humor that just makes you crave more. I loved the private moments Harry and Eliza stole. The book was lighthearted and humorous.

Eliza is a walking trouble magnet who has just gotten her breasts. If there is anyway she can get into trouble she will find it. That is why her father will not let her come out until all her other sisters have had their time. He doesn't want to risk the possibility that she will do something that would taint their reputation. Even when in hiding though she manages to meet up with a well known scoundrel. He makes no argument which begins their battle of wits.

The bantering between the two along with hidden desires stirs in the mix until they finally reach for their happily ever after. That is until Harry announces he enlisted in the army. When Eliza has her debut Harry lets her go and tells her not to wait for him. Which leaves you with the question of whether or not she will listen to him for once. I enjoyed the flow of the developing relationship but wish there would have been more of them as a couple in the book. That is why I gave only four stars.

I love to experience the H/h together as man and wife. The story just sort of abruptly stopped. There is also the matter that may bug some people and that is the fact that Eliza gives herself to Harry with no intention of anything coming of it. I believed, being a true romantic, that Eliza had no intention of ever marrying if she couldn't have Harry so there was no real dilemma.

Great short read!

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2019

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Eliza is a good and loyal friend and it cost her dearly. She dreams of her debut, but even though she is already 18, she will have to wait for her three older sisters to get married before she can be out.
Harry is a scandalous, dissolute, no-good scoundrel. He is heir to a dukedom, but his current financial situation is dire. He has no plans (or means) to marry, but he is enchanted by the young and fierce Eliza.
The story is short (a novella) so there is no room for much character development, but Harry is adorable (in a roguish way) and Eliza is refreshing and fun.
Great short read!

RR

When less turns out to be more...

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2013

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Objectively, this probably isn't the very 'best' thing Tessa Dare's written, but it's my personal favorite. Prospective readers should be aware that this is a novella, not a full-length novel. That's a deterrent for some of my fellow bookworms, and I do fully understand the arguments as to why shorter fiction isn't as satisfying for many. When it comes to most romances, though---and this very much includes Ms. Dare's---I actually *prefer* shorter fiction. I realize that's an odd opinion :)

For me, these 110 pages were more than enough to give us sharply defined characters, romance, wit, cleverness, relatable little insights and the sparkly, mood-boosting fun that characterize Dare's best work. The shorter length forces romance authors to trim the proverbial fat. So instead of seven or eight unnecessarily lengthy, repetitive, they-all-start-to-blend-together romantic scenes, we get just a couple of more memorable and effective ones. Instead of the hero and heroine having the same tiresome conversations and misunderstandings over and over and over, we get faster pacing and a more streamlined plot. We see enough of the H and h to get a strong sense of their personalities and their connection to each other (or least this reader did!), but yet we get to use our imaginations and fill in some interesting blanks rather than getting the overlong, overwritten, 'okay, yes, we GET it already!' scenes found in many of Dare and others' 400ish page books.

Harry and Eliza were both among my favorite of Dare's characters, and this book had a few fantastically sharp, funny lines and observations. Mostly, though, Tessa Dare's work just has a certain joyful energy and vibrancy that delights and engages me. Unlike many historicals, her work is neither too stilted nor overwrought. She doesn't fall into that trap of taking herself too seriously and forgetting that romances can be joyful and fun. This is not one of the more substantive and layered novellas out there, but it's such an engrossing, smile-eliciting read that I couldn't give it less than five stars. Enjoy!

Top reviews from other countries

M. K. Burton

Absolutely delightful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2013

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Everyone has heard the rumors about Mr. Wright. He's a notorious rake, and not at all appropriate company for Miss Eliza Cade. While she's old enough to be out in society, her family is convinced that she'll bring them all down into scandal; so convinced that her three sisters must marry before she can have her first Season. And so, spending time with the very scandalous Mr. Wright is dangerous, leading her right down the path her family worries about, but somehow Eliza just can't resist.

This novella was simply delightful. I'll admit to being shallow and mainly buying it because the title was so appealing, but I have read and previously enjoyed a few of Tessa Dare's full-length novels so it was worth the very small price tag.

Immediately, I was struck by how very clever the writing in this book was. I read it in Kindle format, and the number of "highlighters" - other people marking a passage in a novel as significant - was higher than any I'd ever seen in another romance novel. The author has a habit of sneaking truths in dialogue that catch you off-guard and immediately build character. Take this example that comes from Harry when Eliza suffers grief:

"You've seen that all the joy and beauty of the world is fragile. Just bright daubs of paint on the surface of an eggshell. Now you'll reach for it more cautiously. No more wild grasps at glory. It's that innocence you're mourning."

And from Eliza, at a flirtatious moment:

"It's a funny thing about suspicions, Mr. Wright. All too often, they're just vain hopes in disguise."

Little statements, caught in dialogue, but snatching at truths about life and growing up and understanding these characters.

I loved the way Tessa Dare challenged external assumptions in such a short form. Harry - Mr. Wright - might be deemed scandalous, but why? What does it take to gain that reputation? Similarly, Eliza's parents are convinced she'll get into trouble because of something that happened when she was young, but once the reader discovers the reason behind it, we're compelled to question our assumptions about both characters and revise what we previously thought. They have to do the same with each other throughout the book, and watching them learn one another's true characters was a real pleasure.

Moreover, the novella format means that we're focused on just one thing; there aren't any sideplots and the only other romances are Eliza's sisters' in the background. No, here we have a love story between two people who are attracted to one another from the start, but who have to learn a great deal about each other before they can properly fall in love. The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright is wonderful and sigh-worthy, and completely recommended for an evening in. Excuse me while I go gorge on the rest of Tessa Dare's wonderful books!

Eleanor

Pride and Prejudice retold

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2016

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This book reminds me of Pride and Prejudice so much in that the main characters refuse to admit they like each other and insult each other for a while then realise they love each other and that he is seriously misunderstood and is an honourable fellow. I found it slightly annoying in the beginning when Harry Wright kept saying Eliza wanted one thing when she actually didn't but I suppose that added to the charm of the shot tale. I wish it could have been full length but it's a good tale and I'm glad I've read it.

Reader, I Read It

Dare has a great way with banter and character development

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2015

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Another entertaining romance — and this one was tricky as novellas are notoriously unsatisfying. Dare has a great way with banter and character development, and creates such believable relationships while also writing steamy sexy bits. This could have used an epilogue though! That would have made this a perfect little gem.

sadia

Eliza and Harry

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2017

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A girl falls in love with a mature man and learns about him on the way. The dialogues were good, the plot fluid and ending was happy. Good novella.

Adina Clarke Mrs.

Worth a look.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2018

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Really enjoyed.

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