Honoria and the Family Obligation

By: Alicia Cameron

Narrated by: Helen Taylor

Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

When the eligible Mr. Allison is to come to Fenton Manor to woo Honoria, there is a problem. She doesn't remember what he looked like. Crippled by her timidity, she hardly looked at him when they'd met during her first London season. But he had spoken to her father, determined to ask her for her hand. Her siblings, Serena and Benedict, find this highly amusing, but after Honoria overhears a conversation between her parents about their finances, she realises she must marry Mr. Allison, and this constraint leaves her martyred and unhappy and unable to share her feelings.

When Mr. Allison arrives, there is another problem. One to do with her sister, Serena.

Mr. Allison, (annoyingly handsome and kind) fails to propose as expected and leaves abruptly - but invites the confused family to stay at Bassington Hall, his own country home. His kindness to all her family leaves Honoria with no legitimate excuse to escape marriage. Mr. Scribster, his ugly, unpleasant, unfeeling friend, guesses more than she would like and offers Honoria a place to concentrate her dislike and frustration.

Meanwhile, Benedict embarks on an adventure with his rogue of an uncle, Wilbert, to save his childhood friend and neighbour, Genevieve Horton, who has become the unhappy Lady Sumner. By learning some scandalous skills, Benedict hopes to give some options to the most trapped figure in all of polite society - an unhappy wife.

When Benedict's life hangs in the balance, all the major players are changed forever and the tangle of romance is finally resolved.

©2017 Alicia Cameron (P)2017 Alicia Cameron

Regency Romance - with plenty of twists & humour

Slow and clever plot development, a few sub plots, and humour that in in one part (chapter 25) was extraordinarily funny.

The plot starts with a couple of misunderstandings, but an elegent enough reason for no one to communicate their concerns, to get the novel going. I really enjoyed the listen and even towards the end I could not see how the main characters were going to acheive their HEA with only three chapters left.

If you liked Clarrissa and the Poor Relations, or if you like Regencies romances with humor and wit, you will not be disappointed at all with this novel. Narrator was very good.

Full of Charm

This is lovely story with engaging secondary characters. Sweet escapism without loads of angst and sex or angst-ridden sex.

Good writing

Loved the way the author did more showing than telling—a rarity these days. All the couples were interesting, and I wanted to know the outcome of each. The only downside to that was difficulty in keeping up with who was who. The story switched from subplot to subplot rather fast. But with an occasional rewind plus the occasional faster speed, I found it an entertaining read altogether. Great job by the narrator too.

Bad language ruined the book

If you do not mind cursing, profanity and bad language in your books then you would be able to enjoy the book. It was clean as far as not being subjected to smut or details of sorted activities, but the language was not clean. It is so easy to create a gruff character without subjecting the reader to the actual language. You can say something like he muttered a curse under his breath, without actually using the words. When you were hard to create a clean book sexually then why not clean it up with your language as well. Will have to cross this author off my list.

So pleasant

This story is everything pleasant that one could wish for. An excellent story line, marvellous characters, and a lot of light hearted amusement.
It was exceptionally nice to have sisters and a brother ands parents who loved each other so well without the petty jealousies that is so common especially in literature.
The narrator was perfect. One of the most accomplished that I have heard so far.

Romance, Mystery & Lots of Laughs

4 1/2 ⭐️ This was such a fun book to read that I had trouble putting it down. I’ve read 2 novels and a novella by Alicia Cameron in the past week and now have two of my daughters reading them too. So many smiles between us and even outright laughter. Great characters, a bit of mystery, at least one nasty villain, and several heroes and heroines. Lots of warm fuzzy family relationships and even some truly awkward moments working through relationships and mixups. My only complaint is that one of the primary characters is called “ugly” numerous times by a young lady and ultimately I thought it was a bit much...especially after some changes in appearance and in relationships. To be “honest” is one thing but as a friendship develops it seems that honestly might have been stated with a bit more warmth or at least less harshness. However, I LOVE the book, the characters, the storyline, and of course the HEAs. Very good narration.

A Historical Book

This is the first time I have read this author but will read her again. I felt the storyline was well written with believable and interesting characters. This is a typical Regency book with romance. It is a light read. I noticed there were some noticeable historical errors in the writing of this book. The books storyline is written so well and flowed so you can overlook the errors and enjoy it as a book nothing more. There are many twists and turns to keep your interest. Overall this is a good book.

Too much drama

The story ended well but there was just too much drama. It was hard to not quit the story.

Honoria and family

I was able to finish it but I wasn’t in any hurry to do so. It just wasn’t that interesting. The narration is excellent and it isn’t awful, I just wasn’t emotionally invested in the characters. It filled the time driving to work and back but I was able to forget about it once I turned it off.

Silly ending

I liked the story but the three different stories was a bit much to keep track of and the ending very sappy. Hugging and kissing when no formal proposal was accepted by the family yet? Not acceptable behavior for the time period.

A real feel-good listen

Any additional comments?

I loved the first book by this writer (Clarissa and the Poor Relations), and this one is just as good. Two very different narrators, but both pinned it. At the beginning I was surprised by the idea of a rude and ugly hero and an overly-timid heroine (I'm used to craggy heroes and redoubtable heroines), but instead, this provided for some fabulous dialogue and great plot twists. The characters are engaging, the story is fun and absorbing and the concluding scene had me laughing out loud. For people like me who have read and listened to every Georgette Heyer novel at least five times, Alicia Cameron's books provide the perfect way to revisit a much-loved world. Can't wait for the next one!

good, but ....

there were too many characters. it all unravelled in the end, but I'd have preferred not to have to spread my attention so thin.