💍 💗 "Miss Tavistock's Mistake (The Brides of Mayfair #1)" 💗 💍 - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: The Brides of Mayfair (Book #1)
Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: Lilliput Press (April 24, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1733311120
⬅️ Click Picture for Purchase Information
“Young Miss Margaret Tavistock is promised in marriage to Captain Gabriel Rempeare, but the captain's been at sea for a decade. When she finally meets him, tempestuous sparks fly, and she impulsively adopts a daring false identity. Going by "Lady X," she vows never to marry such an infuriating man.
Captain Gabriel Rempeare is prepared to fulfill his duty and marry Miss Tavistock--if only he can clap eyes on her! Circumstances keep them apart, though he cannot seem to avoid the maddeningly lovely Lady X. When the two are thrown together in Mayfair, Miss Tavistock discovers the real nature of the captain, and regrets her subterfuge. But can such a noble man forgive deceit? Or has her mistake already cost her everything?”
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| [Original Cover] |
Thank you in advance to Book Crash for providing a gifted review copy through Amazon. A positive review was not required in any way, nor was it requested. All words are my own.
Not only was a newbie to historical fiction last year (2019), but I had NO idea there were subdivisions of it.
This falls more under the “Regency” group than overall historical. According to Wikipedia, “a subgenre of romance novels set during the period of the British Regency (1811–1820) or early 19th century. Rather than simply being versions of contemporary romance stories transported to a historical setting, Regency romances are a distinct genre with their own plot and stylistic conventions.
These derive not so much from the 19th-century contemporary works of Jane Austen, but rather from Georgette Heyer, who wrote over two dozen novels set in the Regency starting in 1935 until her death in 1974, and from the fiction genre known as the novel of manners. In particular, the more traditional Regencies feature a great deal of intelligent, fast-paced dialogue between the protagonists and very little explicit sex or discussion of sex.”
Here are some common elements:
♥ References to the ton (le bon ton)
♥ Depictions of social activities common during the social season such as carriage rides, morning calls, dinner parties, routs, plays, operas, assemblies, balls, etc.
♥ References to, or descriptions of, athletic activities engaged in by fashionable young men of the period, including riding, driving, boxing, fencing, hunting, shooting, etc.
♥ Differences of social class
♥ Marriages of convenience: a marriage based on love was rarely an option for most women in the British Regency, as securing a steady and sufficient income was the first consideration for both the woman and her family
♥ False engagements
♥ Cyprians (sex workers), demireps (women of ill repute), mistresses and other women employed by rakehells and men from the upper classes
♥ Mistaken identity, deliberate or otherwise
♥ Mystery or farce elements in the plot
Needless to say, I had ZERO idea of what I was reading. The author was as new to me as this genre, but the premise of this story was something I honestly HAD to read. And, reading such great reviews among my review groups – this was definitely something I had to check out.
The cover of the book I got (September 2020) was definitely eye-catching and I definitely wanted to read this. The current cover seems to go more with the time period the novel is set in.
Burkard includes nearly all of the above elements in Miss Tavistock’s Mistake. While this is the first book in the series, it is easily a standalone read.
The blurb does differ from what I read – in the blurb it is as if they have never met, yet clearly they did. It is interesting that he wouldn’t recognize some features of her in the adult version.
Anyway …
Margaret is an absolute delight right off; I wasn’t too sure about Captain Gabriel Rempeare, especially after a most embarrassing incident with Margaret. Still, this soon becomes a charming and adorable read after page 47. The characters for the time are somewhat realistic with some liberties taken for Margaret’s character.
The prologue starts in 1801 when poor 9 year old Feodora “Feenie” Margaret Tavistock is orphaned and taken in by her uncle in the UK. Her much older cousin, Gabriel (15/16 at the time) saves her from being whipped and comforts her. His mother tells him he must marry her when she becomes “of age”, and it is also a point with her father prior to his death. Gabriel has no issues with it as he seemingly adores the child as he comforts her.
This part of the story some people might have issues with the age difference as well as the entire “forced” marriage deal.
Ten years later, Gabriel is home from the Navy and its adventures, and is excited to “meet” his cousin. Feodora, or rather Margaret has grown accustomed to referring to herself as Mrs. Gabriel Rempeare as she knows they are “betrothed”.
But, when Miss Tavistock hears from Gabriel’s younger brother, Roderick, the young man has nothing nice to say about his brother. And, Margaret isn’t so sure she wants to have anything to do with the Captain – even if he rescued her, the fascination soon wanes. More so because of the lack of communication.
Another issue facing Margaret is the lack of a “season” as well as being introduced into society as her uncle doesn’t have a need for it.
Margaret does “meet” the Captain and it doesn’t go as she planned, nor as he planned. And, it ends up with a slight “whipping”. He is no gentleman and she is not being ladylike.
What ensues is almost comedic. Margaret is determined to get out of the engagement, so much so that she will use an alias to rid herself of him.
“Lady X” is indeed a real person – but not who she is made out to be, and certainly isn’t Margaret Tavistock. Gabriel doesn’t know that though, despite how YOUNG Margaret is.
She decides to have her season in London and wants her inheritance – while she can spend some of it, it is contingent upon her marriage to Gabriel. But, she doesn’t want to “come out” as herself, but Margaret Chrissendon. The only problem is that she cannot be introduced as she has no “standing” in society (what is sometimes referred to as the “ton”) so she will have to be introduced by a “gentleman”. None other than Captain Gabriel Rempeare comes calling.
She then decides to use her real identity as an alias to an alias, something Gabriel isn’t too keen on – after all, they are betrothed. Still, he assists her in being introduced to the “ton” (cream of cream). But, it isn’t without its follies and some “danger”.
Despite being “betrothed”, Gabriel ends up watching her as there is something about her. He definitely protects her, especially against his older brother, the Earl who almost forces Margaret to marry him.
As Margaret gets to know Gabriel, she knows she cannot come out with the truth – she decides the Captain is too good of a man to put up with her dishonesty, so she tries to end the engagement, but … not yet.
Eventually the truth comes out, almost at the very end which leads to a SWEET, SWEET happily ever after. It ended far too soon for me. And, I just I loved how Gabriel started putting things together but let Margaret continue the ruse up until the VERY END. And, his reasoning was amusing.
The plot was ABSOLUTELY darling and written with some British stylings and terms with fairly short chapters. I LOVE the witty banter, Margaret’s imagination and schemes. Though, at times I thought the deception should/could have ended far sooner than it did.
Readers are treated to a side story involving Margaret’s uncle with his own “secret” romance which we don’t nearly see the conclusion of at the end of this book.
This is a clean read – there is no foul language, and definitely no sex scenes in this. At times I laughed at this, shook my head, and there may have been a few tears. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I would definitely be interested in future books in the series only to see how the two characters end up.
Fans of the author, genre, and clean reads will be sure to enjoy this delightful and whimsical romp through the regency era.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linore Rose Burkard is a serious watcher of period films, a Janeite, and hopeless romantic. An award winning author best known for Inspirational Regency Romance, her first book opened the genre for the CBA. Besides historical romance, Linore writes contemporary suspense (The Pulse Effex Series as L.R. Burkard), contemporary romance (Fallin In), and romantic short stories. Linore has a magna cum laude English Lit. degree from CUNY which she earned while taking herself far too seriously. She now resides in Ohio with her husband and family, where she turns her youthful angst into character or humor-driven plots.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LinoreBurkardReadersGroup
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LinoreRBurkard
Website: https://www.linoreburkard.com/
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MORE INFORMATION
"The ton" is a term commonly used to refer to Britain's high society during the late Regency and the reign of George IV, and later. It is a French word meaning (in this sense) "manners" or "style". The full phrase is le bon ton meaning étiquette, "good manners" or "good form" – characteristics held as ideal by the British beau monde.
The term le beau monde, literally meaning "the beautiful crowd" (but here meaning "fashionable people," or "fashionable society"), was similar to le bon ton during the nineteenth century.
"The ton" has also been used to refer to the Upper Ten Thousand of later 19th-century society, including most of the peerage, aristocracy and wealthy merchants or bankers of the City (of London).
Ton society was intensely class-conscious and the social hierarchy was rigid. Class standing was determined by birth, wealth, titles, and other factors, such as:
- Monarch
- Royalty
- Peers and their families
- Gentry
- Middle Classes
- Artisans & Trades people
- Servants
- Laboring Poor
- Paupers
Members of the ton came from the aristocracy, the gentry, and of course, royalty and monarch(s). Though some wealthier members of the middle classes might possibly have married into the lower ranks of the gentry, such unions would not have been completely accepted by the elite ton. Social positions could be altered or determined by income, houses, speech, clothing, or even manners. Climbing the social ladder could take generations, particularly into the aristocracy, who did not readily accept those perceived to be of inferior birth into their ranks.
The privileged members of the ton could pursue an opulent, extravagant life of indulgence, but there were often double standards for its members. The flexibility of social rules was unofficially determined by an individual's status, wealth, or family connections. Royalty were forgiven for almost any transgression. For example, scandalous activities such as having illegitimate children or conducting extra-marital affairs might incite gossip, but were often overlooked for members of the aristocracy. However, such conduct among the gentry could destroy an entire family's social aspirations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ton_(le_bon_ton)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regency_romance
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