The Fifth Kiss

by Elizabeth Mansfield

Book Overview

Olivia Matthews--given to cultural and intellectual pursuits instead of love--doesn't approve of the marriage of her sister Clara and Miles Strickland, Earl of Langley. But after Clara's death, Olivia... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425047393
• ISBN13: 9780425047392
• Release Date: July 1981
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Romantic, Old England, Satisfying

I loved it. It's one of those romances that, by the end, you're dying for the couple to see that they love each other! I won't spoil it for you, but there's all the romance you want in this one and a few laughs, too.

A Satisfying Read. A Keeper for me.

This is a very touching story, different from the run-of-the-mill Regency romance. The theme is original and refreshing and the characters have depth and human feelings and qualities. I was moved to tears by Miles Strickland's unutterable sorrow and grief at his wife's deathbed.Elizabeth Mansfield has skilfully written a heartwarming tale not only full of poignancy but charm.

Entertaining, and with far more depth than I expected

This is a cut above the average Regency romance. Olivia and her brother-in-law don't get on, though they try to tolerate each other for the sake of Clara, Olivia's sister and Miles' wife; mainly they avoid each other. Olivia is a 'bluestocking' with no understanding of Polite Society or relationships between men and women; she certainly does not understand the physical problems between Miles and Olivia which have led Miles to take a mistress. Thus her condemnation of Miles' behaviour makes it much harder, after Clara's death, for them to accept that they need each other's help and comfort. The way in which Olivia eventually helps Miles to come to an understanding with his children is, in the end, the key to their understanding of each other.Elizabeth Mansfield's writing is sensitive and reflective as she pictures for her readers the coming to sexual awareness of a young woman who, even more than most in her time, has been sheltered from knowledge of male-female relationships. A number of the arguments between Olivia and Miles are very funny, although others - as they are intended - are saddening as the two of them contrive to drive each other further away by their mutual misunderstanding and pride.Recommended; I certainly intend to keep and re-read my copy.