Highland Pursuits

Bright Young Things, Book 1

By: Emmanuelle de Maupassant

Narrated by: Gareth J Davies

Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

For fans of Downton Abbey, Nancy Mitford and Rhys Bowen.

It's 1928 and Bright Young Things are taking London by storm, but debutante Ophelia's life is all mapped out: marriage to a cod-faced aristocrat and a life of dull respectability.

Refusing to play along, Ophelia is banished to her ancestral home in the Highlands of Scotland. There, she'll be so bored, she'll come to her senses, won't she?

Meeting her eccentric relatives, Ophelia isn't so sure. And she can't deny her attraction to ruggedly handsome estate manager Hamish... .

Prepare for mischief, romance and hilarity in this 1920s comedy of manners, set against the majestic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.

Plus... don't miss the other two volumes in this hilarious trilogy:

'Highland Christmas' and 'Highland Wedding'

©2017 Emmanuelle de Maupassant (P)2023 Emmanuelle de Maupassant

Intrepid Spirit

The first book in the "Bright Young Things" series was entertaining. Ophelia's family planned for Ophelia to get married and settle down. Ophelia decided not to follow her family's plan, which resulted in Ophelia getting sent to Scotland. I enjoyed the setting of the story. The year 1928 was a time when young women were starting to follow their own dreams and Ophelia was written as a young lady of the period. I liked her spirit and her resilience. I liked the descriptions of life on the highlands of Scotland. There were some steamy descriptions. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Gareth J Davies' narration was great, and I enjoyed all the various voices that he performed as this made the characters seem more real. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

3.5 ☆ Overall ~ 5 ☆ Performance ~ 3.5 ☆ Story

I've enjoyed the previous audiobooks I've listened to by Emmanuelle de Maupassant so I was excited to pick up this trilogy. Honestly, I am still on the fence regarding Hamish and Ophelia's relationship. My heart squeezed, hurting for Ophelia. I was completely invested, until the end. But there are two more books to go for them to win my heart. Hopefully we get to know Hamish better.

Gareth Davies is a great narrator. He always transports me to the time and place the author has set. Excellent performance.

Very enjoyable

I liked reading the book, but I loved it so much better as an audiobook!
The narrator does a fantastic job with all the different voices, the story telling with the sound effects, and he brings out the humorous parts much more than when I read the book!
I liked the story but I do think Ophelia - the heroine - still has some growing up to. Of course Felicité - the anti heroine - is very egotistical, only after her own pleasure. Hamish is too blind when it comes to Felicité in my opinion and his preferences are not made very clear in the story. I am curious about the next part of the trilogy and I hope many of the grumpy old men and naughty old ladies will be there too, besides the Hero and heroine of course!

Another great romance!

And Miss de Maupassant‘s storytelling makes for a great listen please forgive any mistakes I am blind and dictate my review I want to think the author for my free Ark copy. I love this sweet historical romance! Ophelia‘s mother since her away because she doesn’t want to be betrothed without love So all to the Scottish highlands she goes in it supposed to be a punishment but it will totally backfire. This was a great book I love garrets narration

Absolutely Delicious

Set in the 1920’s this story was about a young woman rebelling from the old fashioned rules of society. She goes against her parents wishes to marry and is sent away to Scotland until she decides to conform to their demands. Spirited and brave she embarks on an adventure of self awareness and self choices that could be reckless but self satisfying. The narrator was great with sounds and music he brought the story to life. A most enjoyable listen and I am looking forward to book 2 of the boxset.

Book 1 of the trilogy - Independent young woman

In 1928 London, refusing a marriage proposal and banished for embarrassing her mother, Ophelia has been sent to her grandmother’s Highland Castle in Scotland as punishment.
Wanting to experience life and her sexuality this story shows the saucy behaviour of the rich group of people that she finds herself amongst.
This part of the trilogy introduces us to all of her grandmothers eccentric friends.
Humorous at times book 1 follows Ophelia’s growing feelings for a man in Scotland.
Will she find the love that she craves with the person she is falling for or is he too blind and unable to reciprocate her feelings?
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story which then lead you into more happening in book 2 and 3.
I feel that you need to read book 2 straight away after this story as this book mainly paves the way for you getting to know the characters in the future books.
As always I enjoyed the narration too.