Poor Caroline and Matched Pairs

by Elizabeth Mansfield

Book Overview

Here, together for the first time in one volume, are two all-time favorite Regencies by Elizabeth Mansfield, "one of the enduring names in romance" (Paperback Forum).

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451213122
• ISBN13: 9780451213129
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Two enjoyable Regency romances for the price of one!

From the back cover: For the first time in one volume two all-time favorites from Elizabeth Mansfield: POOR CAROLINE Orphaned and penniless at twelve, Caroline Whitlow has made herself useful these many years by running her uncle Clement's household. But upon her uncle's death, she learns that his heir, Kit Meredith, is returning from war to take over the state--a home where Caroline no longer feels welcome. By the time he arrives, she had fled--and it will take more than an invitation to bring Caroline back. It will take scheming, deceit...and love. MATCHED PAIRS When dashing Lord Canfield moves to the tiny village of Derbyshire, he cannot help but notice his new neighbor Juliet Branscombe--or that her engagement is headed for trouble. Her betrothed lavishes attention on a charming London sophisticate, while shy Juliet seems almost content to let him go. Struck by Juliet's delicate charm, Canfield decides to take matters into his own hands. He will help Juliet win back her fiance's heart--if he doesn't lose his own first. And my review: This volume contains two reissue stories. The first was originally published in 1995, the second in 1996. This was my first try of this author, but it certainly won't be my last. If you love Regency romance that is written in an easy-to-read style, then you will enjoy the writing of Elizabeth Mansfield. I love Regency romance, but so many authors of this genre use such flowery language that theirs are more work to read than fun. That isn't the case here. Mansfield's writing it straightforward and flowing. You don't have to struggle to follow it. And as an added bonus, her romances are completely clean--there's never anything more suggestive than a kiss, so this a story you could let your teenaged daughter read without any worries. POOR CAROLINE was an interesting story, with lots of loveable characters and interesting plot twists. My only complaint with this story was that the heroine was very stubborn for a long time. Considering she had such a wonderful man like Kit pursuing her, I wondered why she kept clinging to stubborn pride rather than accepting him (especially considering that she cared for him, too). But this was still an enjoyable story, so I give it four stars. MATCHED PAIRS was my favorite of this collection. There were actually three relationships in this story (though the third one is very short). One thing that I really liked about this story was that the author kept me guessing almost right up until the end. The basic premise is that the two main characters, Tris and Juliet, have mothers who are best friends. To cement this friendship, they have decided every since the children were babies that they would marry. However, Tris and Juliet only love each other as brother and sister, not as husband and wife. Tris falls in love with Cleo, a London woman, while Juliet's attention is captured by Peter, the new man in the country. Tris agrees to help Julie capture Peter so that he can be free to