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english_lady03's review
4.0
Three years ago, I didn’t read regencies- at all. Since then I’ve read a few- and learned that not all Christian Regencies are equal. The Unexpected Earl ranks among the better- with faint shades of the literary great. The Lady (and spinster bordering on the old at the other side of 20- by 19th century standards) who unexpectedly comes face to face with the former beau who jilted her is almost reminiscent of Persuasion, and hostility tension between the protagonists of Pride and Prejudice. A Regency that harks back to these is stepping in the right direction.
A cast of memorable and well written characters also helps- and this book has them. Julia is strong but not in the militant way that some historical heroines are who seek to rebel against society in the name of ‘freedom’. Perhaps her most endearing trait was her (sometimes biting) wit, and propensity for impulsiveness. The former extends to the writing style, with some great lines such as “Two other gentlemen, with a similar predilection for foppishness, sidled up to join with Windlesham in synchronized sneering” Wolversley, the male protagonist is a suitably brooding dark horse, though not lacking in his fair share of charm.
With such novels as this there does seem to be a danger of the storyline becoming repetitive or clichéd, and romance too fluffy and mushy to be palatable. This was generally not the case here. Aside from a couple of scenes towards the end in which the characters were rather pre-occupied with kissing or emotional attraction, the plot was mostly tight and credible. Indeed, like with her previous book, Julia could not stand Wolversley at first, In fact, she spent most of the first half of the story trying to ward him off whilst protecting her sister. Nor did she just wake up one day realising she still loved him. The process was gradual and difficult, the characters having to deal with their resentment, pride and other issues.
Mrs Keyworth is the only British author of Regencies in this genre that I know of – which has some major advantages in my opinion. One is that her work is free of the Americanisms in the character’s speech that blight so many regencies. Indeed, the American Publisher also deserves some commendation for preserving the British terms and idioms, rather than changing them.
My only major complaint (and the main reason for the lower rating) was that I felt there was little in the book that was explicitly Christian- aside from a few reference to Julia praying. She seemed to lie more often than prayed (indeed lies and deception are often central to moving the story along) and her faith did not always seem to be something that was very important or that she took seriously.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect characters in Christian fiction to be perfect, and there may have been some deeper messages that passed me by- but I just expected more. Some sort of redemption, repentance, or some sort of change in the characters. The morally dubious and licentious characters seemed to stay that way- with the slightly dubious implication that the ‘goodies’ consorted with prostitutes and women of ill-repute as much as the villain- though Wolverseley did not. Also, the swearing may be an issue for some.
Overall, I would recommend The Unexpected Earl for Regency fans, but I’m not sure it really fits comfortably into the ‘Christian’ Genre. Perhaps it should be simply ranked as ‘clean’.
I received and Advance electronic version of this book direct from the publisher in return for a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
A cast of memorable and well written characters also helps- and this book has them. Julia is strong but not in the militant way that some historical heroines are who seek to rebel against society in the name of ‘freedom’. Perhaps her most endearing trait was her (sometimes biting) wit, and propensity for impulsiveness. The former extends to the writing style, with some great lines such as “Two other gentlemen, with a similar predilection for foppishness, sidled up to join with Windlesham in synchronized sneering” Wolversley, the male protagonist is a suitably brooding dark horse, though not lacking in his fair share of charm.
With such novels as this there does seem to be a danger of the storyline becoming repetitive or clichéd, and romance too fluffy and mushy to be palatable. This was generally not the case here. Aside from a couple of scenes towards the end in which the characters were rather pre-occupied with kissing or emotional attraction, the plot was mostly tight and credible. Indeed, like with her previous book, Julia could not stand Wolversley at first, In fact, she spent most of the first half of the story trying to ward him off whilst protecting her sister. Nor did she just wake up one day realising she still loved him. The process was gradual and difficult, the characters having to deal with their resentment, pride and other issues.
Mrs Keyworth is the only British author of Regencies in this genre that I know of – which has some major advantages in my opinion. One is that her work is free of the Americanisms in the character’s speech that blight so many regencies. Indeed, the American Publisher also deserves some commendation for preserving the British terms and idioms, rather than changing them.
My only major complaint (and the main reason for the lower rating) was that I felt there was little in the book that was explicitly Christian- aside from a few reference to Julia praying. She seemed to lie more often than prayed (indeed lies and deception are often central to moving the story along) and her faith did not always seem to be something that was very important or that she took seriously.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect characters in Christian fiction to be perfect, and there may have been some deeper messages that passed me by- but I just expected more. Some sort of redemption, repentance, or some sort of change in the characters. The morally dubious and licentious characters seemed to stay that way- with the slightly dubious implication that the ‘goodies’ consorted with prostitutes and women of ill-repute as much as the villain- though Wolverseley did not. Also, the swearing may be an issue for some.
Overall, I would recommend The Unexpected Earl for Regency fans, but I’m not sure it really fits comfortably into the ‘Christian’ Genre. Perhaps it should be simply ranked as ‘clean’.
I received and Advance electronic version of this book direct from the publisher in return for a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
bookswritingandmore's review
4.0
Julia Rotherham thought she would never see Lucius Wolversley again after he jilted her years before. However their paths cross again at her sister's coming out ball. As much as she hates Lucius for the hurt he caused her, she also still loves him despite of everything in the past. In spite of her affection, she knows that she can't trust him. Besides she still doesn't know what made him run for the hills all those years ago.
Lucius Wolversley is an earl but he is quite reserved and not anything like a true earl in that time period should be. He doesn't enjoy parties, he can't stand socializing and he makes it clear that he isn't a playboy at all. Quite by accident he runs into Julia at her sister ball, he doesn't even realize it is the Rotherham's house until he steps out of the coach to enter. This is the last thing he wants to be attending. However, he decides to make the best of it and enters hoping to gage Julia's anger of years in the past.
This was a great historical fiction read. The language was perfect for the time period and the characters were well developed and likable. I just loved the wit and banter that is portrayed between Jules and the Earl. They are not your typical love birds at all. In fact, there isn't a real love story in this story. I thought this was so refreshing. A historical novel that isn't about love but instead is about family, relationships, honesty and up-ringing.
The Unexpected Earl takes awhile to get going. You really need to hang in there though, because the beginning explains a lot about each character and what brings them to where they are today. Then the story can really begin.
Jules is strong but not in a frustrating way. She is ahead of her time in a lot of ways. She doesn't believe that woman should be seen but not heard. This brings some laughter within the book because she tends to tell others how it is even if it sometimes is not her place. I loved that fact that the author took this chance for the female protagonist and felt it worked really well.
Lucius is mysterious, confusing and aloof. He is a man who doesn't believe in fixing his carnal urges with harlots. He drinks at the local club but won't participate in the nightly games like his friends do. He has a certain air about him that makes him a favorite from the beginning. Even though I knew he left Jules, I still found myself drawn to the dark, and handsome gentleman.
Other all this historical fiction novel was a perfect read. I was compelled to finish and the novel was not long by any means. I suggest you give this author your time and patience because her characters and writing style will quickly win you over.
Lucius Wolversley is an earl but he is quite reserved and not anything like a true earl in that time period should be. He doesn't enjoy parties, he can't stand socializing and he makes it clear that he isn't a playboy at all. Quite by accident he runs into Julia at her sister ball, he doesn't even realize it is the Rotherham's house until he steps out of the coach to enter. This is the last thing he wants to be attending. However, he decides to make the best of it and enters hoping to gage Julia's anger of years in the past.
This was a great historical fiction read. The language was perfect for the time period and the characters were well developed and likable. I just loved the wit and banter that is portrayed between Jules and the Earl. They are not your typical love birds at all. In fact, there isn't a real love story in this story. I thought this was so refreshing. A historical novel that isn't about love but instead is about family, relationships, honesty and up-ringing.
The Unexpected Earl takes awhile to get going. You really need to hang in there though, because the beginning explains a lot about each character and what brings them to where they are today. Then the story can really begin.
Jules is strong but not in a frustrating way. She is ahead of her time in a lot of ways. She doesn't believe that woman should be seen but not heard. This brings some laughter within the book because she tends to tell others how it is even if it sometimes is not her place. I loved that fact that the author took this chance for the female protagonist and felt it worked really well.
Lucius is mysterious, confusing and aloof. He is a man who doesn't believe in fixing his carnal urges with harlots. He drinks at the local club but won't participate in the nightly games like his friends do. He has a certain air about him that makes him a favorite from the beginning. Even though I knew he left Jules, I still found myself drawn to the dark, and handsome gentleman.
Other all this historical fiction novel was a perfect read. I was compelled to finish and the novel was not long by any means. I suggest you give this author your time and patience because her characters and writing style will quickly win you over.
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