The Trouble with Harriet

by Wilma Counts

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821770411
• ISBN13: 9780821770412
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Length: 251 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

A widow and earl share more than custody of a teenager.

A wealthy young widow and a new earl are surprised to learn that they have inherited joint custody of a high-spirited fifteen-year-old girl. Harriet and Marcus, both strong-willed, reach a tentative agreement over what is best for their ward. However, in matters of politics, they seem irreconcilable. In a story with frequent references to Jane Austen's works, Harriet is a more mature version of Emma. She believes she knows what is best for the people around her. Carried away with her mission, Harriet is sometimes blinded to her ward's wishes, and may endanger Marcus, the man Harriet has loved from childhood. Political reform in Regency England is not a new theme, but this novel does an excellent job of addressing it. The story enlightens without being didactic. The absorbing characters turn a history lesson into a delight. Although the plot relies heavily on coincidence, it is overall a clever and sweet story.

a very worthy sequel to "The Wagered Wife"

Harriet Glasser was fourteen years old when she fell in love with Marcus Jeffries. However, their age difference (he was seventeen) and the Glasser family's straitened circumstances, saw to it that not much came of Harriet's love. Years later, the shared wardship of Annabelle Richardson reunites Marcus and Harriet. Marcus, with the death of both his father and his elder brother, is now the new Earl of Wyndham; while Harriet is the widow of an immensely wealthy shipping magnate, Mr. Knightly. One would think that because they are old friends, sharing the wardship of a young girl would be an easy enterprise. However Harriet is no longer the sweet young innocent Marcus remembers. She had married a much older and very generous man, who encouraged her intellectual curiosity, and spurred her to realise her hidden potential. Now Harriet wants to do the same for Annabelle. Marcus is leery: he doesn't think that girls should have the kinds of education that boys have, but he agrees to allow Harriet full control over Annabelle curriculum. And the more time Harriet and Marcus spend with each other, the more Marcus begins to fall under Harriet's spell. She is proving to be one of the most beguiling and stimulating women he's ever met -- in spite of the fact that they disagree about everything from the education of girls to the property rights of married women. On top of it all Harriet supports the seditious writings of that liberal journalist, Gadfly! Will Harriet and Marcus be able to work out their differences of ideas and goals in order to realise their romantic feelings for each other?"The Trouble With Harriet" is an enjoyable sequel to "The Wagered Wife." The sequence of events within this novel takes place over a year, but things unfold so swiftly and smoothly, that you don't really feel bogged down by the time line at all. Marcus, Harriet and Annabelle are very deftly and vividly portrayed. Wilma Counts really makes these three characters come alive. I was completely won over by Harriet and her impassioned pleas for reform; and while I didn't really agree with Marcus on most points, I did feel a sneaking sympathy for him, being beleagued and besieged by Harriet on practically everything! But the star of this novel was (for me anyway) Annabelle: Wilma Counts has created a really vivacious, intelligent and generous young girl in Annabelle, and Counts has also given her a very strong social conscience to boot! This bodes well for her next book which features Annabelle as the heroine, and I can hardly wait!I thoroughly enjoyed "The Trouble For Harriet." This romance novel dealt with both serious issues (like a woman's place in society) and with romance, in an intelligent and enjoyable manner. "The Trouble With Harriet" is a really fun read, and I thoroughly recommend it, esp if you looking for a little more substance in your romance reading diet!