Miss Darby's Duenna

by Sheri Cobb South

Book Overview

A lady in distress . . .A gentleman in a dress?Amiable but clueless young baronet Sir Harry Hawthorne thought he was making a marriage of convenience to a childhood friend-until his fianc e catches... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966800516
• ISBN13: 9780966800517
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Prinnyworld Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

delightful.........

this is my first book by this author and definitely not my last. Miss Darby's Duenna was a traditional Regency romance with a "comedy of errors" storyline. As a fan of traditional Regencies I normally read novels several decades old because for the most part, these stories are no longer written, or better said, sold. The storyline-a young Regency buck,Harry, who decides while he needs to settle down and start his nursery, ask for the hand of neighbor and childhood friend, Olivia. Olivia accepts but knows that while she is in love with Harry, Harry only loves her in a sisterly way and doesn't plan on curtailing his bachelor entertainments after marriage. All this changes when Olivia, and Harry's sister Georgina, goes to London for a "come out" before their marriage. I won't go into more so as not to spoil the book for you, but rest assured if you are a fan of Regencies ala' Heyer, Joan Smith, Marion Chesney and such you'll really enjoy this book. The book is frothy and fun-don't expect a serious storyline, but do expect to laugh quite a lot. 5 stars.

Sweet and rollicking traditional Regency romance

A charming story, exceedingly well-told, with memorable and funny characters, set in Regency London. Harry Hawthorne, the feckless hero, has much to learn about women, and learn he does, albeit most reluctantly, with the rakish Lord Mannerly as teacher. Mannerly, bearing a huge (and ultimately trivial, even silly)grudge against Harry, decides he will despoil Harry's fiancee, Olivia Darby. Miss Darby, feeling neglected by Harry (and not realizing at first that Harry is masquerading as his own grandmother in order to keep an eye on and to chaperone Olivia!), is about to fall prey to the rake's intentions, but the day is saved just in the nick of time, before reputations and lives are foolishly destroyed. A lovely story, with a true Regency feel and flavor, harkening back to the popular Georgette Heyer novels that were once the standard for the genre. Suitable for young adult as well as adult readers.

I Loved This Book!

This is a really good book. I have lots of trouble finding good books, and I found this both funny and entertaining. Sir Harry dressing up as his grandmother was hilarious and the end was even more entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone who liked a good book and a sense of humor.

Traditional with a well done twist

Miss Olivia Darby has been friends with Sir Harry Hawthorne her whole life, and it's no surprise when he proposes marriage. However, Miss Darby's mama has decided that Miss Darby should have her London Season, whether she is betrothed or not. When Harry's sister, Georgina, also receives a marriage proposal, it is decided that the two young ladies will both be brought out in London by Mrs. Darby.Harry has always enjoyed the pleasures of London, but he is taken aback when Miss Darby quickly gathers many admirers. When an idea comes to him for the perfect way to keep a watchful eye on his would-be fiancee, he impulsively implements it... not realizing, of course, how complicated it could get and all the things that could go wrong.MISS DARBY'S DUENNA is a comedy of errors and manners with a leisurely pace (especially at first) and a traditional feel and tone--except of course for Harry's plan, which Ms. South pulls off very well. It took me quite some time to get to know the characters and really warm up to them, and the novel as a whole f alls short of the magnificence of Ms. South's first regency, THE WEAVER TAKES A WIFE. Nevertheless this second offering is an enjoyable read from a fresh new voice in the subgenre, and I look forward to more from Sheri Cobb South and Prinny World Press.Kimberly Borrowdale Under the Covers Book Reviews

I'm just wild about Harry!

With first Ethan Brundy and now Sir Harry Hawthorne, Sherri Cobb South establishes herself as a master at creating un-heroic heroes that the heroine--and the reader--fall in love with in spite of herself. Although it lacks the poignancy of her first Regency novel, The Weaver Takes a Wife, the broad slapstick humor guarantees an entertaining read.