Boyle and I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to her romances. I've liked a couple, but by in large I don't find her as captivating as say Julia Quinn or Sarah MacLean or Eloisa James. However the premise of this series (a town who's women are cursed to be spinsters pretty much) caught my attention and thus I found myself caught up in this book.

Happily Boyle doesn't drag out the letter writing alter egos plotline too long--both Daphne and Henry are clever and quick-witted, kind of seeing what was going on. The two play a cat and mouse game, trying to ferret out information, while trying to seem uninterested, and not coming to blows (since their families hate each other). Though I'd argue it was some of the best passages when the two would convince themselves who the other was (mentally) and then try to trip the other up. Admittedly it was frustrating at times because as soon as they convinced themselves, they un-convinced themselves for this or that reason, but it was amusing most of the time.


I hadn't read the first book in this series, Along Came a Duke, though that story is eluded to in the "forward" by the author explaining the Curse that has beset Kempton. Henry is related to Preston (his Uncle, though that's a farce) and Daphne is friends with Tabitha, but other than giving an excuse as to why Daphne is constantly around the Seldons, the previous novel doesn't affect the story here at all. The other characters throughout--especially Daphne's obnoxious cousin Crispin--were all right, but not very interesting. Boyle spends little enough time with many of them to make me feel interested. Harriet and Roxley, who are the main couple of the next book If Wishes Were Earls, feature during the house party at Owle Park, but they're the only ones that stand out (in a pleasing way).

As the attraction between Daphne and Henry is based off their banter it comes around well. Daphne gives as good as she gets from Henry (including a lovely turn around near the end). I do think the book went a bit overlong in that the charade was hard to allow stand once it became obvious the two were falling in love with their non-letter selves. Plus Daphne did some thoroughly reckless things, which if she had been wrong in any way would have spelled the end for her. I understood why she did those things, but each time I wanted to shake her and ask her why she exhibited so much intelligence one moment and no common sense the next.

Overall this was a fairly entertaining novel that moved quickly. As I said the bantering is the best part, but try to ignore the illogical moments as best you can. ( )

I loved the characters of Daphne and Henry but I found the plot to be too repetitive and predictable. These tropes where a single sentence communicated could resolve the entire story are never my favourite. ( )

Charming and full of diversions. The characters Lord Henry Seldon and Daphne Dale are first-rate, well-rounded characters with enough spunk to capture your heart. Their literary alter egos, Mr. Dishworth and Miss Daphne Dale, are equally fun. The ending is a wonderful madcap adventure, leading to an over-the-top climax.

The relatives on both the Dale and Seldon sides provide lots of added entertainment. Mr. Muggins also adds some comic relief.

Excellent light-fare Regency romance. ( )

Oh my goodness, the first half or so of this book was decent. A heavy helping of far-fetched, but excusable. The male protagonist then gains the upper hand and uses it to extraordinary advantage! It showed him to be a coward and idiot with no sense of fair play in my opinion. Then he continues on with some *ridiculous delusion*, needed, I suppose, to wring out several more hours of story. The entire ending was a madcap escapade that didn't need to exist. Story jumped the shark.
Spoiler alternate ending: Oh, my mystery penpal lover indeed happens to be the same individual I've fallen in love with in person? Brilliant! As opposed to, 'Oh the horror, I guess I must compete against the relationship I'd achieved through letters like it's a separate and competing rival! And then bluff my way through a wild goose chase of my own creation, and which is bound to lead to disaster and a lifetime of trust issues. And then have the gall to claim the high ground when I'm found out. Yes, brilliant!' So sad. ( )

Thought it was a fun, light, delightful read. ( )