The Flirt

The Regency Intrigue Series, Book 1

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Charlotte Anne Dore

Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

"If I could have foreseen the future, I would have married the first man who asked me!"

Tongues were set wagging when Elizabeth Markham's glamorous young parents were killed, sinking their only child to the unspeakable class of poor relation. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle Julius, Elizabeth is forbidden to partake in the season's festivities. Marriage is her only escape, and she enacts a daring plan to trick her way into the Duke of Dunster's exclusive house party, to snare one of the eligible dandies sure to dance attendance on her.

Her plan proceeds swimmingly, as Elizabeth flirts with all but the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, considered to be quite a catch. She ignores him thoroughly until her uncle discovers her deception and Charles saves her - by announcing their engagement!

But Elizabeth's troubles are far from over, for in her absence she had come into an inheritance. And her uncle, along with one other sinister party would rather see her perish than receive it.

©1985 Marion Chesney (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Enough Already

What disappointed you about The Flirt?

I may just be tired of this genre in general. The protagonist and her love interest keep making the same stupid mistake over and over. Instead of talking openly, they act passive-aggressively towards each other and behave like eight year olds. Then, when they do communicate, it's with flowery language, which even in 19th century England would not be realistic.

What could M. C. Beaton have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I think I'm just done with this genre for a while. It was great while I was sick for six months, but now that I'm better, I need something with a little more meat. Instead of continually making something happen that could easily be remedied with a quick talk, Beaton should have chosen another device to heighten tension. The on again - off again engagement was fit only for middle schoolers.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator seems to have lung problems. She has to take breaths several times per sentence, even when it's a short one. Her voice is quite raspy, which is usually interesting. Here, it just makes the possibility of an ill narrator more plausible. I can't keep my mind on the story.

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

I enjoyed, as usual, the little intricasies of Regency social mores and habits. I also enjoy the description of fashion.

Any additional comments?

The story held my attention until the third time he flew off the handle and left without asking questions and the engagement was off again.

A good diversion

I love MC beaten, but this is not my favorite of hers. It was fine, but not great. Also, I am not a fan of the narrator.

Very much like her other books on this genre.

The usual tropes appear in this light romance. Maiden in distress, aloof hero, wicked uncle, greedy suitor, and of course imminent danger which leads to a happy ending. Grand escapism.

Much misery, little joy

I would not read this again. There is so much misery and drama and so little joy that it was unpleasant. I know that there needs to be conflict before a resolution, but the resolution happened in the last 5 minutes. There was no relationship building and no romance except at the very end and even that was pitiful. It was a contrived plot full of malicious intent and mean words. Skip this one if you are looking for a feel good story.

narration is horrible

the narration is so awful that I didn't get past 10 minutes into the story.

Worst Narration Ever

I am a huge fan of MC Beaton. This narrator ruined the book. I can’t imagine why Audible would use her. Extremely disappointed. The worst I’ve ever heard.

Loved this one

I liked the twist and turns this novel took me on and of course a great ending.

Like the book alot

I like the book alot overall but the narrator voice got to me the more the book played. Also, it believe there were to many characters in the book to keep up with, atleast for me. I listen to books to help me stay focus at work while I am typing on the computer for long period of time. I would get confused a couple of time with which characters was speaking at the time and what roll they played in the book. It made the story a little choppy. It would have been better with stream line of characters to me. Also, I better narrator might have helped as well.
The overall story we was good.

Narrator

I did not like the narrator bc her voice sounded hoarse the whole time! I would like suggest to not do narration of a story if your voice is hoarse!

men were too harsh for love story

The book was rather depressing for a love story. The men came across as too harsh, the uncle who beat and starved his neice as well as the lover, who badmouthed the neice and spoke mean to her often