Belinda Goes to Bath

The Traveling Matchmaker, Book 2

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Helen Lisanti

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

No sooner does Miss Pym board her next stagecoach than she finds herself embroiled in the plight of Miss Belinda Earle, a spirited heiress banished to Bath after swearing off the marriage market. When the coach founders near Baddell Castle, and the dashing Marquis of Frenton comes to the rescue, Miss Pym decides to give Fate a hand. Although the austere bachelor disdains romance, his furtive glances towards Belinda prove to Miss Pym that her expert matchmaking will soon turn this star-crossed couple into a heavenly match!

©1991 Marion Chesney (P)2012 AudioGO

Cute!

I enjoyed this second book of the "The Traveling Matchmaker" series, but not as much as the first.

Miss Pym has quite an adventure in this second book: On the "flying machine" (stage coach) to Bath she meets a young 'single' lady, which causes her Match Making antennas to rise up. When their coach has a mishap, and they are rescued by a handsome Marquess, she immediately starts thinking about the Marquess and her traveling companion ....but there's a catch, the Marquess has invited a young lady and her parents for a visit to his home, with the intent of proposing.....

I plan on listening to the entire series eventually. The two I have listened to have been a light, refreshing read.

Beating your wife is NEVER okay!!!

Would you try another book from M. C. Beaton and/or Helen Lisanti?

So, everything about the main story was fine, but the side plot with the Judds was TERRIBLE. The author basically says it was partially Mrs. Judd's fault that her husband beats her because she acts like a victim. Gee, could that be because she IS a victim? Just. Not. Okay. I believe in an author's right to write anything. But I also believe in my right to say it's stupid. And in this case it's not only stupid but potentially harmful if this book were to fall into the hands of an actual battered woman. She could be led to believe that what happened to her is her fault. I just cannot condone that message, so I am returning this book.

Would you ever listen to anything by M. C. Beaton again?

Yes, I plan on listening to the next one and just hope it doesn't contain anything similarly terrible because I genuinely like the character of Miss Pym and Beaton's Regencies are very light and enjoyable on the whole.

Have you listened to any of Helen Lisanti’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, the pervious book was read by her and I think she has an excellent range for portraying different characters.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes! Miss Pym, Belinda, and Frenton were all great characters. I don't even object to the fact that there was someone who beat his wife in the story because that is sadly realistic. I just hated how it was addressed.

Any additional comments?

I would not have needed fake eyebrows in Regency England.

Delightful!

This is a well crafted novel about the adventures of Hannah, a house keeper turned independent lady of leisure due to an inheritance given to her by her late employer. Hannah is a down to earth lady with a sense of fun. All the characters are well-written. The story is exciting while staying clean. I loved the first book. This book is better. The narrator mispronounces marquis, but is otherwise perfect. This is a delightful series. Fast paced and exciting with likable characters and an overall sense of fun.

Light and Old Fashioned, and yet very funny

What did you love best about Belinda Goes to Bath?

On the very surface this is a light historical romance with a predictable plot and stereotypical characters. And yet, like everything M. C. Beaton writes each character has a twist that takes the reader by surprise and sometimes a laugh. This is part of a series of books based on an ex-housekeeper, gifted with an inheritance, which she uses to travel around England. In her wonderings she deftly, finds jobs for the jobless, homes for the homeless, and love for the loveless. There is no snappy banter, sex beyond a brush of lips, or even a dawn meeting with pistols, or at least not the standard duel. There is an
underlying thread of reality that makes the whole thing just a little unusual.

What other book might you compare Belinda Goes to Bath to and why?

Standard historical romances come close.

What does Helen Lisanti bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Helen Lisanti is an excellent narrator. She manages to change characters without overpowering the story with so much acting that she pulls the listener out of the story. I enjoyed listening to her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I laughed at a point that was one coincidence to many.

Any additional comments?

Just that I am glad M.C. Beaton chose to give up a career in journalism to write novels with some very very dry wit, hidden among the standard plots.

Light hearted, but realistic

Not as good as the 1st in the series. Many books are a fantasy of the Regency time period, but this book and so far the entire series is very realistic. All the good and bad, the hypocrisy of the time period is present and dealt with realistic results.

Another Afternoon Delight

These books are quick bites of sweets to enjoy on long boring afternoons. Not challenging or stressful. Just easy entertainment.

One of my fave series!

Next to the Poor Relations series, this is my favorite. I do love Miss Pimm, and her forthright manner.

I Enjoyed this Unusual Tale

Miss Pimm is so positive and brave. She cares for those she meets on her adventures. I will continue with the series.
M.C. Beaton’s stories are never dull no matter the time period.

A Little Different

One of the characters is a bit rough with the female lead. But the story has a nice ending.

Interesting traditional Regency

I liked this Regency, read it straight from the first one in this series. Enjoyed the narrator, too.