The Dashing Widow

The Regency Romps Series, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Bramwell

Narrated by: Julia Eve

Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Abigail Merriweather is learning the hard way that the Ton does not look kindly on newcomers to its ranks - especially when that newcomer is a dashing young widow whose wealth comes from the trades. Were it not for the gentle guidance of her best friend, Abby doubts she would have survived the Beau Monde's disapproval for even a week - and especially not the critical gaze of the Earl of Gloucester. The man is insufferable, arrogant, and everything that Abby hates about the Ton - except those rare moments when he laughs, and Abby's heart starts to beat in a most uncomfortable rhythm.

George, Earl of Gloucester, is horrified at the scrapes his sister's best friend keeps falling into. True not all of them are her fault, but that doesn't change the fact that her actions reflect poorly on his family. Since Mrs Merriweather doesn't have any intentions of leaving London before the Season's end, there's nothing for it but for George to step in and help her navigate the treacherous waters of the Ton. She's impulsive, tempestuous, headstrong, and willful; in short, everything that he claims to dislike in a woman...except after spending time with Abigail Merriweather, he's starting to wonder whether her faults are what make her so endearing.

Abby and George may be developing a strange sort of friendship, but they come from different worlds that are not entirely compatible. The real question is whether they can get past their own prejudices - and the interference of their friends and family - to find out whether an arrogant Earl and a dashing young widow can fall in love without creating a scandal.

©2016 Elizabeth Bramwell (P)2019 Elizabeth Bramwell

A Simple Pleasure

The Dashing Widow had a slow start for me, but hooked me with an interesting story line and mischievous main character. The narrator had a pleasant enough voice and made it easy to tell the difference between the characters. Overall this book was a simple pleasure. #AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Such a Fun Read -- Engaging Characters!

Abigail Merriweather, a rich widow, arrives on the London scene as a house guest at her dear friend Emma’s home. Abigail, never had a season in London before, and London will never be the same! Abigail’s husband Robert was not of genteel birth, and his fortune was made in trade – things the Ton cannot help but disparage.

The Ton needed no additional reason to snub her, but she gave them additional fuel when she ran her phaeton down St. James Street, blowing a kiss to the Bow Window, and don’t even bring up the balloon ascension!

Emma’s brother, George, Earl of Gloucester feels that Abby, is the “most appalling female that he had ever had the misfortune to meet!” Emma and her husband feel they have the solution to fixing Abigail’s reputation: have George dance attendance on Abigail for a few days, and hopefully the Ton can move on to the next scandal, forgetting about Abigail’s indiscretions. And thus, this fun romp begins!

From their first waltz together and kiss, their attraction was evident. I loved the interaction between the Abigail, the “hoyden,” and George, the “most starched up, unbending high stickler” -- they are a match made in literary heaven. Elizabeth’s writing is just delightful, and you will be glad of the misunderstandings that occur, so that the delightful story, with its engaging characters can play on.

I have both read the book and listened to the audio book, compliments of the author, narrated by the very talented Julia Eve, who has an amazing range of voices, and made listening to this book a real pleasure.

Just a huge plus for me, this was a clean Regency read, just some great kissing.

I purchased the book, but was given an audio code; these are my own opinions.

Funny and sweet

These books are my guilty pleasures. I love a sweet time period romance. This was one was just and sweet and filled we scandal at every turn.
Narration was spot one and she made the story come alive.

#AudiobookObsessionReview
#MyBookObsessionApproved

Good regency romp

A fun cozy listen with a sense of humor and a great cast of characters and a story that flowed quite nicely. The narrator did a nice job of holding your attention, So when you, get a chance, pick up a copy and enjoy.

Thrilling, exciting and totally loveable

I found this to be humorous, fun, cute, loved the cat and mouse game between Abby and George. I laughed a few times, shook my head and watched as they get into one mess after another. George doesn’t know what hit him when the out spoken Abby comes along. Abby can be daring, she is just a darling woman after my own heart. The author gives you a little of just about everything making this a big win for me.

The narrator did an outstanding job from her true emotions to her character voices. I always knew who was talking and how they were feeling, it really showed in her voice. Her different character voices were wonderful, she really bought the story to life. There were no volume changes, no background noise just a wonderfully delightful and very enjoyable audio that I got lost in. Her character voice were powerful, her tones right on the money. I had not listen to any of her work before but I look forward to listening to more of it.

I thought the author did a great job pulling the listener in, giving a delightful story that took you way not wanting it to end. Her characters show strength, power, passion and have become to feel like part of my family. The women stand up for their selves not backing down but also showing true passion. Her men are hard but kind, true gentleman. The romance is sweet, daring, filled with fun, thrilling, a little danger and so much passion. I truly enjoyed this from start to finish. I can’t wait to start the other ones in this series. I totally enjoyed this authors writing very much, it is one that I will listen to again.

Sweet Regency Romance!

I was very into all the regency books for a long time... but i took a break because I got so tired of the same story over and over. This quick listen was great! Abigail is not your typical regency widow! She has a lot of spunk and humor. It was a great romance to start out the series- I can’t wait to read or listen to more!
Also the narrator was fantastic! Really liked her performance of this book!

I received this book for free in return of an honest review. And I honestly loved it.

Entertaining Romance

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.

Here, wealthy widow Abigail Merriweather is visiting her friend, who is pregnant, in London. While in London, Abigail has made a bit of a spectacle of herself, much to the chagrin of her friend's brother, the Earl. The Earl wants her to behave with more decorum and Abigail is too free-spirited. So why does the Earl's sister believe their perfect for each other?

This quick regency romance is filled with entertaining conversations - with humorous double entendres - all the while with undercurrents of romance. As with regency stories, class structure is very important, which makes it important for a young lady [or her overbearing mother] to find a suitable match. Well-written and very entertaining.

The narrator did a very good job. She did voices for all of the characters amd her comic delivery was on point.

Great book!

Charming & beautifully written. Julia Eve does a beautiful job narrating this book. You can visualize the time period as well as the story as Julia narrates. I recommend that you listen to this book (as well as the entire series).

I loved this one

Okay guys I fell in love with this story! This is more of a realistic love story to me. They hate each other in the beginning and then fall madly in love! I couldn't get enough of George and Abby!

Delightful Regency Novella

Smart, assertive widow takes on the ton in this 214 page, 3.5 hour novella. Well preformed, but narrator could improve male character voices.