Quick Facts
- Release Date: March 20, 2020
- Page Count: 266
- Publisher: Independently published
- Kindle Unlimited? Yes
The writing style and witty banter between the well-developed characters immediately hooked me, but I was left continually disappointed when the story didn’t progress into a deeper and more insurmountable conflict. Zero angst.
Synopsis
Miss Wolfraston’s Seminary for Young Ladies prides itself on instilling all the accomplishments and manners that should befit a lady before her coming-out season. Despite two terms at the establishment, Miss Marianne Montagu was as spirited as ever and was afflicted with several outspoken and somewhat provocative mannerisms she just couldn’t seem to suppress.
When she leaves the seminary to spend the summer with her aunt in Cheltenham, a town settled in the countryside boasting the healing powers of it’s natural spring water, she meets Lord Cranbourne. He inevitably seems to bring out every ill-tempered mannerism the seminary had tried to extinguish in Marianne. But Cranbourne has already had his own run-in with love and is warry to repeat it.
Review
Marianne, by Jenny Hambly, is a sweet and mild-tempered Regency romance and is the first in Hambly’s Miss Wolfraston’s Ladies series. The first thing that struck me about this book was the writing style and Hambly’s use of authentic vocabulary. It was truly superb. I have read Regency romances in the past that have sounded like they were written in the 21st century, but this book was not one of them. I was struck by a very Pride and Prejudice vibe and was able to fully appreciate the crafted flow of the writing style. Paired with interesting characters and witty dialogue, within the first few chapters of this book I was excited to dig in.
Unfortunately, Marianne did not go much further than sweet. I felt a distinct lack of conflict between Marianne and Cranbourne. Although they got into a few spats, it was essentially smooth sailing from cover to cover. Their relationship continually left me with the disappointed feeling of a missed opportunity. If the story had dug deeper into their characters or created some sort of insurmountable conflict between the two, I would have been much happier.
Another aspect that left me with an odd aftertaste was the age discrepancy between Marianne and Cranbourne. With stories set during the Regency period, you come to expect this age difference. What was different here was that it was acknowledged by the characters, but never fully addressed, creating a confusing loose-end to the reader.
The ending also seemed rushed to me. I felt it was another missed opportunity to draw the conclusions out and fully engage the reader.
Summary
Overall, I feel Marianne is deserving of 3 out of 5 stars. The writing style and witty banter between the well-developed characters immediately hooked me, but I was left continually disappointed when the story didn’t progress into a deeper and more insurmountable conflict. There was zero angst in this book. In reality, Marianne and Cranbourne’s story was probably realistic for the times. However, I don’t pick up a book expecting to read about the 99% of couples out there that have tame and placid stories; I pick up a book to read about the 1% that don’t.
That being said, this story was sweet and I do not regret reading it. Others will very likely enjoy reading about Marianne and Cranbourne, as well as the other extremely likable and engaging supporting roles.
Link to Author’s website: https://jennyhambly.com/
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