Marrying Miss Bumblebroth

by Mary Kingsley

Book Overview

Dubbed "Miss Bumblebroth" after a clumsy season, Chloe Russell never expects to land a titled husband. But marriage to Lord Michael Lyndon may prove more vexing. For while Michael is determined to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821772848
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Kensington Pub Corp
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Welcome back, Mary Kingsley!

I know, she's not really been anywhere, but for the past few years, the author has been busily writing great mysteries, historical romances and the occasional Regency novel under a different name. Her own, in fact. And while I can honestly say I admire her books no matter which name they're published under, for me, there is an undeniable attraction to her Mary Kingsley books. This one is no exception. Chloe Russell is not the ordinary Regency miss; her interests lie entirely elsewhere than the usual round of gossip and at-homes and Almack's. In addition to a wonderful brain and considerable artistic talent, she feels she has also been blessed with two left feet, leading to the embarrassing appelation of Miss Bumblebroth. And of course, she is a considerable heiress. Orphaned at a rather young age, Chloe has been brought up with an older brother, and a pair of cousins. Her brother married the girl cousin, leaving the boy to grow into a man of questionable taste and habits. One of his favorite things to do is tease Chloe, by far the youngest of the batch, thus adding to her already developed sense of clumsiness. And, now living as she must with her brother and sister-in-law in London, Chloe is devastated by the news that an arranged marriage is at her threshold, planned years ago by the two fathers. Of course, she's heard of Michael, Viscount Lyndon, heir to the Earl of Grantham. Who hasn't? Why, he's one of the premier Corinthians of the day! Superbly athletic in every venue, grace personified, and she's to marry him? Well, yes, it appears so, and almost before she knows it, Chloe has become Michael's bride. Their journey of discovery is a enticing one for the reader, and not quite the usual marriage of convenience story. Layer by layer, Ms. Kingsley expertly unveils her two slightly-wounded characters, allowing them to comfort and discover each other by turns. Throughout these first months of their marriage, they will learn the values that will keep them in good stead for many years to come; trust, loyalty, and above all-love.This is truly a scrumptious book! Enjoy it for yourself.

WONDERFULLY DIFFERENT!

This is one of the sweetest and most tender love stories I've ever read. Chloe is awkward and outspoken, Michael is confident and self-assured. He needs her money and she needs a husband. But the love that grows in their marriage is breathtaking. He is unfailingly kind to her and shows her the greatest affection and tenderness. She is completely in love with him. This book doesn't follow the usual romance book formula. It is simply a love story about two charming people who help one another through difficulties and find a trememdous love along the way. This book is definitely a keeper!

Great story with endearing and memorable characters

This is my second book by Mary Kingsley and I enjoyed it immensely. Tregatt has summed up the plot and made some excellent comments about the story and characterisations. I would like only to add the following.This book addresses a very subtle issue - bullying. I work with an internationally know charity which supports the despairing and suicidal and, sadly, increasingly we deal with victims of bullying - something not just confined to children and something which has life-long consequences.The heroine, Chloe Russell was bullied by her cousin Edwin throughout her childhood and even into young adulthood. The consequences of this shape her character and world view. It is early on apparent that only a very special man will be able to recognise what is wrong and help her deal with it - thereby allowing recovery. Michael, Vicount Lyndon, seemingly, on the suface would hardly be the man to help Chloe. A Corinthian, an athlete and man who lives very much in a man's world is about the last person one would expect to demonstrate the empathy and understanding to allow Chloe to evolve into the wholly functioning woman she can be. However, Michael is indeed the man and we learn why ultimately for he is a man with his own sadness and trauma. Together, they are able to help each other to heal thereby strengthing an already strong marriage.Their relationship is lovely; they grow together into a couple destined for much happiness.A lovely story, wonderful characters, a good deal of care taken by the author in dealing with a sad problem and well done within the historical framework of the novel. Bullying is not to be taken lightly and the author is to be congratulated for working it into a romanic novel without slipping into bathos. Excellent and worth a re-read in future.

I loved the characters

I can identify with Miss Bumblbroth as I am clumsy. It was comforting to read a heroine with the insecuritites that the rest of us suffer. Not only were the main characters real types of people, but the villians were also struggling with their own insecurities and shortfalls.Ms. Kingsley has taken a genre and given it a soupcon of reality. I recommend it heartedly.

a real treat -- beyond 5 stars!!

I know that I have given a lot of 5 star rating to quite a few Regencies of late, and that's because they have all been entertaining and well written novels with characters that engaged my interest. However, "Marrying Miss Bumblebroth" by Mary Kingsley is definitely the best Regency romance novel I've read so far all year, and it is definitely going on my reading-table bookshelf by my bed. What a fantastic book. This is, in my humble opinion, a romance novel for grown ups -- no juvenile heroines, no explicit sexual situations (nothing against them but there is a time and place for all of them, and a light Regency novel is, I feel NOT the place for them), a believable and probable storyline, and a hero I DIDN'T want to conk on the head! Rather, it's a book about two people who marry for convenience and who discover love, acceptance and happiness within their marriage.After a particularly disastrous London season in which she was dubbed 'Miss Bumblebroth' because of her clumsiness, Miss Chloe Russell was certain that she was destined to remain a spinster. However, circumstance (her sister-in-law's expensive spendthrift ways) has caused her brother to broker a marriage for Chloe. (Chloe is rich, and the marriage settlements would send some of the money her brother's way.) Chloe, of course, is aghast. The gentleman her brother has in mind is the much sought after Corinthian (but quite penniless) Lord Michael Lyndon, heir to the earldom of Grantham. The Corinthian and Miss Bumblebroth -- Chloe is sure that they will be the laughingstocks of society if anyone ever learns that such a match is being promoted. However, when Chloe and Lord Michael finally meet, they discover that this marriage proposal may actually have some merit. Chloe is relieved to find that Michael is intelligent and kindly, and that his chief aim is to repair his much neglected his country estate. While Michael is surprised to discover that there is something completely endearing about Chloe that makes him want to take on all her burdens and fears. And so the two decide to make a match of it. But just as things are beginning to come together for Chloe and Michael, Chloe's malicious cousin starts a campaign to drive the pair apart. Will he succeed? Or will Chloe and Michael successfully meet this threat to their well-being?"Marrying Miss Bumblebroth" has no mystery or spy subplot, and no distracting secondary romance subplot involving other characters either. It is just a straight romance about how two people with their own private fears and pain, learn to trust in the love and acceptance that the other is willing to offer, and in the process discover something truly precious and rewarding: love. Both Chloe and Michael are likable and grown up characters that never (thank God) revert to sulks and tantrums when things don't go exactly as they would like it to. I found this aspect (adult characters that actually behaved liked adults) wonderfully refreshing. Some romance readers may not