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Ridiculous Lovers #1
Ridiculous!
Identity theft regency style.
Funny. Sexy. Cross Dressing. Not your mother's Regency Romance.
After the death of her miserly cousin, Anthony North, Millicent Boarder is determined her family should never be poor or vulnerable again. To protect them she conceals her cousin's death and assumes his identity. Now she must face the Ton and the world as Mr. North and accept the price she must pay for her family's safety -- she will never be loved.
Which means, of course, at this point she will meet the perfect man.
Funny. Sexy. Cross Dressing. Not your mother's Regency Romance.
After the death of her miserly cousin, Anthony North, Millicent Boarder is determined her family should never be poor or vulnerable again. To protect them she conceals her cousin's death and assumes his identity. Now she must face the Ton and the world as Mr. North and accept the price she must pay for her family's safety -- she will never be loved.
Which means, of course, at this point she will meet the perfect man.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 591 reviews
December 30, 2015
I found Ridiculous by D L Carter a frivolous but very fun regency romance. It has more sexy-times than normal in such books, and a whole lot of pining girl disguised as a boy (a favorite trope of mine). Also it is really quite funny. I laughed out loud at least a dozen times.
The boy, well man, that our main character Millicent disguises herself as is Mr. North. She wants to enter society and not be taken seriously. So she creates a kind of foolish Wilde character, only with far less fashion sense. In order to disguise her body shape she must affect very ill-fitting suits.
"There are many types of men in society. If I set out to be deliberately silly, inconsequential, and foolish, then if I should do something odd, people will say, ‘Oh, that is just that odd Mr. North. Think nothing of it.’"
Mr. North as a fribble is released from many societal requirements because of his absurdity. Like the class clown getting away with misbehavior because he makes the teacher laugh.
“Your horses are all well. Merely shaken a bit with one or two scratches. However, I fear it will be necessary to shoot your carriage to put it out of its misery.”
Mr. North can be either kind or cutting, depending on the circumstances. And Millicent, who is sympathetic to the plight of young lady wallflowers, often uses the foolishness of her alter ego to be kind.
“You have had a London season?” asked Millicent in her softest voice. The answer was the barest nod. “And it did not go well?” An even smaller shake was her answer.
“Whatever is wrong with London?” demanded Millicent.
All in all a highly enjoyable read.
The boy, well man, that our main character Millicent disguises herself as is Mr. North. She wants to enter society and not be taken seriously. So she creates a kind of foolish Wilde character, only with far less fashion sense. In order to disguise her body shape she must affect very ill-fitting suits.
"There are many types of men in society. If I set out to be deliberately silly, inconsequential, and foolish, then if I should do something odd, people will say, ‘Oh, that is just that odd Mr. North. Think nothing of it.’"
Mr. North as a fribble is released from many societal requirements because of his absurdity. Like the class clown getting away with misbehavior because he makes the teacher laugh.
“Your horses are all well. Merely shaken a bit with one or two scratches. However, I fear it will be necessary to shoot your carriage to put it out of its misery.”
Mr. North can be either kind or cutting, depending on the circumstances. And Millicent, who is sympathetic to the plight of young lady wallflowers, often uses the foolishness of her alter ego to be kind.
“You have had a London season?” asked Millicent in her softest voice. The answer was the barest nod. “And it did not go well?” An even smaller shake was her answer.
“Whatever is wrong with London?” demanded Millicent.
All in all a highly enjoyable read.
August 16, 2014
I paid $4 for this but I just didn't buy the romance between a woman manly enough to pass as a man and 'his' best friend who never suspects he's a she until he sees her breasts for God's sake. No chemistry, no surprise at the big reveal, just nothing. So this failed on the fundamentals for me. More like <1 stars, due to the pile up of implausibilities by the end. But it started very, very well.
October 24, 2012
All puns aside, I had a ridiculously good time reading this book.
Millicent is feisty, intelligent, witty, and strong. I loved her. The entire book is just one long farcical romp through...well, the ridiculous. The idea that Millicent's charade as a man could go on for as long as it did is ridiculous, that things came to an end as perfectly as they did is ridiculous, that anyone bought into the scheme at all is ridiculous...and yet, hilarious.
This book is by no means perfect, but it is fun. There are very few grammatical errors, the prose is engaging, and the dialogue is pretty fantastic.
For anyone who likes Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer, you'll probably enjoy this book.
Millicent is feisty, intelligent, witty, and strong. I loved her. The entire book is just one long farcical romp through...well, the ridiculous. The idea that Millicent's charade as a man could go on for as long as it did is ridiculous, that things came to an end as perfectly as they did is ridiculous, that anyone bought into the scheme at all is ridiculous...and yet, hilarious.
This book is by no means perfect, but it is fun. There are very few grammatical errors, the prose is engaging, and the dialogue is pretty fantastic.
For anyone who likes Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer, you'll probably enjoy this book.
February 3, 2013
This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. It was exactly what I was in the mood for- a smart, funny regency era book that was differnt from the droves out there that just copy the plotlines of Pride and Prejudice. I love Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen, but I find myself looking for fresh writers because she wrote what she did so well that few who follow in her footsteps can hold a candle to her writing. I am happy to say that D.L. Carter did just that. Ridiculous is hilarious to say the least. The dialogue is witty and kept me laughing, the plot is unique, and her characters were believeable. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good regency era book, a good romantic comedy, or a unique plot that keep you laughing and loving the story at the same time. Thank you D.L. Carter for such an entertaining read.
January 13, 2013
I can't say I didn't like this story, but if I'd missed the opportunity of reading it, I wouldn't have died in a ditch either.
As a romance, this was pretty light on. There was no romance until the very last little portion of the book, and even that lacked all that is romantic and gave us, instead, a couple of boudoir romps sans yearning on the part of the real Hero. If sex has to be included in a romance, then it should be served as a side dish accompanying a susbtantial main course of other forms of interraction to show us how the characters' personalities, intellects, values etc mesh; and their willingness or unwillingness to further that meshing.
There was none of that in this story. Sure, we get snippets of the heroine/faux hero's attraction to the Hero, but the Hero feels nothing but friendship for Mr North (aka our heroine).
There was no growth in the main characters at all. There was nothing - just this vapid romp where nothing really happened.
There was no explanation of the grandmother's appalling attitudes, or her treatment of her granddaughter.
I have a healthy sense of humour, and while I smiled at the opening set up, and smiled at the meeting between the real hero and the faux hero, and smiled again when our faux hero gets her up close and personal birds eye view of the real Hero's unmentionables, I have to say I was nowhere near as entertained as the author's self-promotion promised.
Still, I was at that point confident that the story would deliver on its premise.
It didn't.
The antics of the fauz hero/heroine grew utterly tiresome. And at the back of my mind, there was that niggling little issue of the criminal aspect of what she had done (and what she does again at the end of the story). Notwithstanding her reasons for acting as she did, it still did not sit well with me, and the question of whether she had integrity gnawed at me for the rest of the story.
As for the duke - he was likeable enough, but certainly nothing to swoon over. At some point in the story, he tells the faux hero that when he was 20, the dowager duchess took his little sister, then just a small child away so he could concentrate on becoming the duke and discharging his responsibilities. Given that when our story takes place, said little sister is now at least 17 or 18 (she has had at least one season and is embarked on another), that would make the duke 30 at the very least and probably older, but so very often in this story he acted like the younger pair, rather than a worldly, powerful and superior duke.
For me, this story lacked depth. At no point in the story when the faux hero was in her male role did the real Hero ever feel even a twinge of that attraction that heralds the imminent arrival of passion and love. Our duke touches the faux hero; he slaps her; he claps her on the back; he hugs her to his side - and never once is he disconcerted by any subliminal awareness.
By the time our faux heroine is unmasked by the Hero - he's publicly taking a mistress and just happens to hit on the female who's actually Mr North out of disguise) - it was so late in the book that I just wanted them to get it over and done with. The duke's discovery that Mr North is really a female (who is naked in bed with him at that point) was so unremarkable, so devoid of shock or horror that it beggared disbelief. He just seizes the opportunity to have Mr North as his public friend, and Helene (yet another pretence on our heroine's part) as his mistress.
Charming.
Despite the duke's 'ducal stare', the way he read, he lacked real power or presence; and the faux hero, our Mr North aka Miss Broader, seemed quite sexless actually. Neither convincingly male, but not convincingly female either.
Pacing seemed slow in many parts, but then again, it might have seemed that way to me because I wasn't totally engaged in the story.
If you like sexy romance - this isn't it.
If you like Georgette Heyer's romances, and who doesn't? - this isn't one.
If you want a light read just to kill time and romance isn't important, read it.
For me, as a reader of regency romance, this was - all in all - disappointing. I suspect the author is capable of far more.
As a romance, this was pretty light on. There was no romance until the very last little portion of the book, and even that lacked all that is romantic and gave us, instead, a couple of boudoir romps sans yearning on the part of the real Hero. If sex has to be included in a romance, then it should be served as a side dish accompanying a susbtantial main course of other forms of interraction to show us how the characters' personalities, intellects, values etc mesh; and their willingness or unwillingness to further that meshing.
There was none of that in this story. Sure, we get snippets of the heroine/faux hero's attraction to the Hero, but the Hero feels nothing but friendship for Mr North (aka our heroine).
There was no growth in the main characters at all. There was nothing - just this vapid romp where nothing really happened.
There was no explanation of the grandmother's appalling attitudes, or her treatment of her granddaughter.
I have a healthy sense of humour, and while I smiled at the opening set up, and smiled at the meeting between the real hero and the faux hero, and smiled again when our faux hero gets her up close and personal birds eye view of the real Hero's unmentionables, I have to say I was nowhere near as entertained as the author's self-promotion promised.
Still, I was at that point confident that the story would deliver on its premise.
It didn't.
The antics of the fauz hero/heroine grew utterly tiresome. And at the back of my mind, there was that niggling little issue of the criminal aspect of what she had done (and what she does again at the end of the story). Notwithstanding her reasons for acting as she did, it still did not sit well with me, and the question of whether she had integrity gnawed at me for the rest of the story.
As for the duke - he was likeable enough, but certainly nothing to swoon over. At some point in the story, he tells the faux hero that when he was 20, the dowager duchess took his little sister, then just a small child away so he could concentrate on becoming the duke and discharging his responsibilities. Given that when our story takes place, said little sister is now at least 17 or 18 (she has had at least one season and is embarked on another), that would make the duke 30 at the very least and probably older, but so very often in this story he acted like the younger pair, rather than a worldly, powerful and superior duke.
For me, this story lacked depth. At no point in the story when the faux hero was in her male role did the real Hero ever feel even a twinge of that attraction that heralds the imminent arrival of passion and love. Our duke touches the faux hero; he slaps her; he claps her on the back; he hugs her to his side - and never once is he disconcerted by any subliminal awareness.
By the time our faux heroine is unmasked by the Hero - he's publicly taking a mistress and just happens to hit on the female who's actually Mr North out of disguise) - it was so late in the book that I just wanted them to get it over and done with. The duke's discovery that Mr North is really a female (who is naked in bed with him at that point) was so unremarkable, so devoid of shock or horror that it beggared disbelief. He just seizes the opportunity to have Mr North as his public friend, and Helene (yet another pretence on our heroine's part) as his mistress.
Charming.
Despite the duke's 'ducal stare', the way he read, he lacked real power or presence; and the faux hero, our Mr North aka Miss Broader, seemed quite sexless actually. Neither convincingly male, but not convincingly female either.
Pacing seemed slow in many parts, but then again, it might have seemed that way to me because I wasn't totally engaged in the story.
If you like sexy romance - this isn't it.
If you like Georgette Heyer's romances, and who doesn't? - this isn't one.
If you want a light read just to kill time and romance isn't important, read it.
For me, as a reader of regency romance, this was - all in all - disappointing. I suspect the author is capable of far more.
July 17, 2017
The last time I'd read this was more than 3 years ago and, even though I had forgotten the details, it had lodged in my brain as one of the most entertaining Recency romances I'd ever come across. Having just finished another of D.L. Carter's books and realized it was by the same author, I decided to go back and revisit this one.
What a marvelously unusual story. The heroine, Millicent Boarder, takes charge of her own fate (and that of her family) when her miserable cousin, Mr. Anthony North, dies in an influenza outbreak. She, her mother (Felicity) and two sisters (Mildred and Maude) have essentially been indentured servants of the brute since her father passed away three years ago and left them impoverished. Mr. North's death frees them in one respect but leaves them fearful of becoming homeless since Perceval North, his brother next in line to inherit, is even worse.
Being a plucky, intelligent 24-year-old who has been acting as her cousin's secretary for some time now, Millicent decides to assume his identity. She's described as uncommonly tall for a woman with a low contralto speaking voice and relatively flat chest. Thus, the body of the much-hated Mr. North is passed off and buried as Millicent, and Millicent becomes Mr. North. As far-fetched as it sounds so far, the storytelling explains, step by step, how all this is accomplished and makes it seem plausible. Millicent cuts her hair short, binds up her breasts, and wears loose-fitting man's clothing. As a further ruse to distract others from questioning her appearance, she pretends to be a dribble.. a rattle... a jokester. And this lady has the quick wit to pull it off.
The family relocates to Bath, and Millicent dutifully takes on the role of man of the family. She is far more conscientious in her responsibilities than the real Mr. North, and decides she must travel to another of his estates to tend to some tenant concerns there. On the way, she assists the passengers of a carriage accident on a muddy road. This leads to an otherwise unlikely friendship between "Mr. North" and Timothy Shoffer, Duke of Trolenfield.
Millicent is a fabulous protagonist. She's clever and funny and loves the freedom being a "man" gives her. Naturally, she suffers major pangs of lust around her good friend and hates that she must deceive him about her true identity.
Shoffer is a decent man who's trying to do his best for his sister Beth, but their grandmother has terrorized the poor girl. Lady Beth is only 17 years old and had one season in London, which did not go well. Shoffer doesn't know how to bring her out of her shell. Mr. North proves to have a magical effect by making her laugh at "his" silliness.
The story moves on at a fast pace from there. Both families end up in London, where Mr. North becomes the toast of the ton. Lady Beth has become good friends with Mr. North's "cousins," Mildred and Maude, and the three ladies enjoy sharing a London season together, with Shoffer and Mr. North as escorts.
Naturally, problems arise for everyone involved, not the least of which is when Millicent decides to take on yet another persona and Shoffer falls in love. I really couldn't see how the author was going to write the characters out of these tangled situations. The climactic scene and what follows immediately after is really inspired madness. Loved it!
The writing is engaging, creative and delightful. Be sure to read the dedication, which brought tears to my eyes. (God bless insightful teachers!) The rest of the book will have you laughing out loud, despite how "ridiculous" the story gets.
Note: For Mature readers. Sexual encounters without benefit of marriage.
What a marvelously unusual story. The heroine, Millicent Boarder, takes charge of her own fate (and that of her family) when her miserable cousin, Mr. Anthony North, dies in an influenza outbreak. She, her mother (Felicity) and two sisters (Mildred and Maude) have essentially been indentured servants of the brute since her father passed away three years ago and left them impoverished. Mr. North's death frees them in one respect but leaves them fearful of becoming homeless since Perceval North, his brother next in line to inherit, is even worse.
Being a plucky, intelligent 24-year-old who has been acting as her cousin's secretary for some time now, Millicent decides to assume his identity. She's described as uncommonly tall for a woman with a low contralto speaking voice and relatively flat chest. Thus, the body of the much-hated Mr. North is passed off and buried as Millicent, and Millicent becomes Mr. North. As far-fetched as it sounds so far, the storytelling explains, step by step, how all this is accomplished and makes it seem plausible. Millicent cuts her hair short, binds up her breasts, and wears loose-fitting man's clothing. As a further ruse to distract others from questioning her appearance, she pretends to be a dribble.. a rattle... a jokester. And this lady has the quick wit to pull it off.
The family relocates to Bath, and Millicent dutifully takes on the role of man of the family. She is far more conscientious in her responsibilities than the real Mr. North, and decides she must travel to another of his estates to tend to some tenant concerns there. On the way, she assists the passengers of a carriage accident on a muddy road. This leads to an otherwise unlikely friendship between "Mr. North" and Timothy Shoffer, Duke of Trolenfield.
Millicent is a fabulous protagonist. She's clever and funny and loves the freedom being a "man" gives her. Naturally, she suffers major pangs of lust around her good friend and hates that she must deceive him about her true identity.
Shoffer is a decent man who's trying to do his best for his sister Beth, but their grandmother has terrorized the poor girl. Lady Beth is only 17 years old and had one season in London, which did not go well. Shoffer doesn't know how to bring her out of her shell. Mr. North proves to have a magical effect by making her laugh at "his" silliness.
The story moves on at a fast pace from there. Both families end up in London, where Mr. North becomes the toast of the ton. Lady Beth has become good friends with Mr. North's "cousins," Mildred and Maude, and the three ladies enjoy sharing a London season together, with Shoffer and Mr. North as escorts.
Naturally, problems arise for everyone involved, not the least of which is when Millicent decides to take on yet another persona and Shoffer falls in love. I really couldn't see how the author was going to write the characters out of these tangled situations. The climactic scene and what follows immediately after is really inspired madness. Loved it!
The writing is engaging, creative and delightful. Be sure to read the dedication, which brought tears to my eyes. (God bless insightful teachers!) The rest of the book will have you laughing out loud, despite how "ridiculous" the story gets.
Note: For Mature readers. Sexual encounters without benefit of marriage.
October 13, 2020
This lives up to its name, but I would also describe it as an intelligent indulgence in tropes, and it has weirdly historically accurate feel to it, despite said ridiculousness.
I downloaded this for free on Kindle ages ago, I think maybe after I read a review of it on CBR somewhere? I no longer remember. Anyway, I was reading old Kindle downloads over the summer, and I finally got around to this one, and it was so enjoyable! (It's currently on Kindle Unlimited.)
Millicent Boarder, her two sisters, and their mother are taken in by a wealthy cousin who turns out to be an unkind miser. When he dies unexpectedly, Millicent decides that rather than be turned out into poverty, she will take on her cousin's identity, and Millicent Boarder instead shall die of the fever. She becomes Mr. Anthony North, wealthy landowner and gentleman, with $20k pounds a year, and completely takes on the guise of man of the house. In her year or so of genderbending, she meets the Duke of Trolenfield, Timothy Shoffer, and they become fast friends.
Millicent has decided to play the fool as a distraction from her disguise, and she is so witty that she wins over most of the people she meets. She also falls secretly in love with Shoffer, all the while she becomes involved in his and his family's life. His sister Beth is a terrible wallflower, and Shoffer engages "North's" help bringing her out of her shell. There are some villains and conflicts here (an evil abusive duchess, a real actual rake who isn't charming or good-hearted) but mostly the main conflict comes from the main premise: Millicent turns out to be excellent at "being a man," but she can never be with Shoffer as long as she maintains the ruse, which is designed to keep her family out of the workhouses. It's also a very funny read, witty just like Millicent.
Really the only two things keeping me from giving this five stars is that it was a little bit too long (I think quite a few bits in the middle needed trimming), and the characters exhibited some homophobia. This is really not surprising, considering it's set in Regency England, where homosexuality could get you hanged, but I'm so used to reading historical romance where the characters are rebelling against societal norms that it threw me. Especially for a genderbent romance! That has baked into it characters who push the boundaries of gender. This is what I meant about its weird historical verisimilitude. It's such a fine, strange line the author walks, leaning so far into ridiculousness, and yet still somehow making it plausible, and within contemporary social possibilities.
If you're curious .
If you're a historical romance fan, I think this will be a good time. It pokes fun at the genre all while being a good example of it at the same time.
I downloaded this for free on Kindle ages ago, I think maybe after I read a review of it on CBR somewhere? I no longer remember. Anyway, I was reading old Kindle downloads over the summer, and I finally got around to this one, and it was so enjoyable! (It's currently on Kindle Unlimited.)
Millicent Boarder, her two sisters, and their mother are taken in by a wealthy cousin who turns out to be an unkind miser. When he dies unexpectedly, Millicent decides that rather than be turned out into poverty, she will take on her cousin's identity, and Millicent Boarder instead shall die of the fever. She becomes Mr. Anthony North, wealthy landowner and gentleman, with $20k pounds a year, and completely takes on the guise of man of the house. In her year or so of genderbending, she meets the Duke of Trolenfield, Timothy Shoffer, and they become fast friends.
Millicent has decided to play the fool as a distraction from her disguise, and she is so witty that she wins over most of the people she meets. She also falls secretly in love with Shoffer, all the while she becomes involved in his and his family's life. His sister Beth is a terrible wallflower, and Shoffer engages "North's" help bringing her out of her shell. There are some villains and conflicts here (an evil abusive duchess, a real actual rake who isn't charming or good-hearted) but mostly the main conflict comes from the main premise: Millicent turns out to be excellent at "being a man," but she can never be with Shoffer as long as she maintains the ruse, which is designed to keep her family out of the workhouses. It's also a very funny read, witty just like Millicent.
Really the only two things keeping me from giving this five stars is that it was a little bit too long (I think quite a few bits in the middle needed trimming), and the characters exhibited some homophobia. This is really not surprising, considering it's set in Regency England, where homosexuality could get you hanged, but I'm so used to reading historical romance where the characters are rebelling against societal norms that it threw me. Especially for a genderbent romance! That has baked into it characters who push the boundaries of gender. This is what I meant about its weird historical verisimilitude. It's such a fine, strange line the author walks, leaning so far into ridiculousness, and yet still somehow making it plausible, and within contemporary social possibilities.
If you're curious .
If you're a historical romance fan, I think this will be a good time. It pokes fun at the genre all while being a good example of it at the same time.
February 6, 2020
The premise is, well, ridiculous and I liked it. If you expect something serious, don't bother reading, although it does raise a bunch of very interesting questions.
Faced with the possibility of being thrown out of the house she has been living with her mother and two sisters with their miserly cousin Anthony North who has just died, Milicent Boarder decides that she would become Anthony. Nobody would know anyway because the man never socialized.
As Anthony, she runs into a duke and his sister and saves them.
*The author should have used humour instead of humor though.
Faced with the possibility of being thrown out of the house she has been living with her mother and two sisters with their miserly cousin Anthony North who has just died, Milicent Boarder decides that she would become Anthony. Nobody would know anyway because the man never socialized.
As Anthony, she runs into a duke and his sister and saves them.
"I am amazed at your calm. There is no bowing or scraping in your manner at all. Were I the King indeed, I believe you would be little changed, oh, Master Cat. You have managed a disaster on the road, my servants, your tenants, and my sister with such alacrity and humor* I cannot be less than impressed.” And if he had known I was a woman, thought Millicent, he would have dismissed my orders, ignored my aid, and banished me to the corner to get on with fainting and weeping as is appropriate to my gender.The three become great friends. Milicent as Anthony is great, interesting and people like him very much. There is one problem though. When she decided to 'bury' Milicent and sacrifice her own happiness and future for her family, she never thought she would meet someone that soon.
In so many tales, the legends of the gods and demi gods of ancient times, the hero ventured off in company with a loyal companion to see what could be discovered. Once or twice while reading Millicent wondered why those companions had not gone and had adventures of their own. Now she knew. They could not bring themselves to be parted from their beloved heroes. Sitting so close to him and yet not able to touch was agony, but not one she was willing to surrender.
*The author should have used humour instead of humor though.
April 5, 2015
This is a delightful novel. Set in the Regency it is the story of 'girl power'. When the Boarders are left homeless and penniless at their father's intestate death, they move in with a cousin Anthony North. Mr. North isn't a kind man rather a miser who uses Felicity, Millicent, Mildred and Maude as his indentured house staff. When he dies Millicent decides to avoid a workhouse or worse by adopting Mr. North's identity. Her experience as Mr. North's secretary gives her an understanding of his business interests and properties and after some debate she; as Mr. North, and her family head for Bath.
After a few months of passing as a man, a trip to visit property in Wales brings Mr. North into the sphere of a Duke and his sister. 'Mr. North's' personality endears him to Lady Beth and her brother. But the 'late' Millicent Boarder is enamored with the handsome Duke. They begin a correspondence and subsequent visit does more to unite the friends.
When the Boarders and Mr. North head to London for the season they rent one of the Duke's properties and the Misses Boarder quickly become friends of Lady Beth. Other forces want to drive Mr. North from the Duke's circle and unite Lady Beth with an old aristocratic codger. The story has enough moments of tension to make it an enjoyable read. 75% of the book is clean and at worst PG. Toward the end there are a few adult scenes.
After a few months of passing as a man, a trip to visit property in Wales brings Mr. North into the sphere of a Duke and his sister. 'Mr. North's' personality endears him to Lady Beth and her brother. But the 'late' Millicent Boarder is enamored with the handsome Duke. They begin a correspondence and subsequent visit does more to unite the friends.
When the Boarders and Mr. North head to London for the season they rent one of the Duke's properties and the Misses Boarder quickly become friends of Lady Beth. Other forces want to drive Mr. North from the Duke's circle and unite Lady Beth with an old aristocratic codger. The story has enough moments of tension to make it an enjoyable read. 75% of the book is clean and at worst PG. Toward the end there are a few adult scenes.
September 25, 2019
As clearly telegraphed by the title, this Regency romance was unrealistic, historically inaccurate, and absurd. It was also very entertaining. Cinderella meets Victor/Victoria meets Identity Thief. I probably gave it one more star than it really deserves, but I just finished reading it on my vacation while sitting on my balcony at the beach, and I’m feeling generous :).
November 11, 2022
At the beginning it was witty and enjoyable.
A language and an atmosphere was almost perfect. I liked Millicent/Mr. North.
Moreover, between the lines there were also a few messages about roles of women and men in that society, about costs of breaking the rules, about how easy to forget how it is to be on the other side.
But, at some point I felt like an author didn't have an idea what to do with the plot. It was funny and I can't say I was bored but...
I don't know what to add. One part of me reminds me that I had a good time. The second part reminds me that a romance was a small disappointment and there were a few odd things (e.g. )
I think that Kalinya Parker-Pryce has right:
If you like sexy romance - this isn't it.
If you like Georgette Heyer's romances, and who doesn't? - this isn't one.
If you want a light read just to kill time and romance isn't important, read it.
Such a lady as this would never do anything as plebeian as to stand or walk; she progressed!
A language and an atmosphere was almost perfect. I liked Millicent/Mr. North.
Moreover, between the lines there were also a few messages about roles of women and men in that society, about costs of breaking the rules, about how easy to forget how it is to be on the other side.
It was enough, she told herself, to have Shoffer as a dear friend. It was enough. Her hands shook as she returned to her own cooling breakfast. It would never be enough.
Millicent flushed as she realized the truth of that accusation. Like many men of the Ton she had considered the women of her family unable to comprehend the complexities of finances. And she was a woman!
But, at some point I felt like an author didn't have an idea what to do with the plot. It was funny and I can't say I was bored but...
I don't know what to add. One part of me reminds me that I had a good time. The second part reminds me that a romance was a small disappointment and there were a few odd things (e.g. )
I think that Kalinya Parker-Pryce has right:
If you like sexy romance - this isn't it.
If you like Georgette Heyer's romances, and who doesn't? - this isn't one.
If you want a light read just to kill time and romance isn't important, read it.
April 25, 2015
Aptly titled.
June 20, 2012
"Ridiculous" was charming and adorable. It's a Regency romance turned on its ear when an impoverished, clever country miss decides to assume the identity of her recently deceased (and boorish) cousin. It's impossible not to cheer Millicent on in her crusade to provide for her family as well as enjoy the freedoms her assumed gender now allows. Fate being what it is, however - namely, a bitch - she finally meets the fellow of her dreams once she's fully committed to manhood.
Carter does an excellent job with characterization, generally keeps the plot bouncing along, and the period dialogue is witty and smashing. Main and secondary characters are very likable (or not, in the case of the several interesting villains). Millicent's dialogue in particular was a joy to read. The gradual development of Shoffer's friendship, the heartbreaking accusation that threatens to rend that relationship, and Shoffer's ultimate epiphany were predictable yet still enjoyable.
Regrettably, the author does tend to head-hop a bit in regards to point of view, and there were several instances where I wasn't sure which character was doing the thinking/observing. Carter struggled a little trying to mesh the humorous drama of Millicent's social predicament with her growing romantic feelings for the hero - some of Millicent's lovesick laments felt pasted on or shoved in. Shoffer comes to accept Millicent's deceit a little too quickly, I think. But none of these missteps detracted too greatly from what is otherwise a very entertaining read.
Carter does an excellent job with characterization, generally keeps the plot bouncing along, and the period dialogue is witty and smashing. Main and secondary characters are very likable (or not, in the case of the several interesting villains). Millicent's dialogue in particular was a joy to read. The gradual development of Shoffer's friendship, the heartbreaking accusation that threatens to rend that relationship, and Shoffer's ultimate epiphany were predictable yet still enjoyable.
Regrettably, the author does tend to head-hop a bit in regards to point of view, and there were several instances where I wasn't sure which character was doing the thinking/observing. Carter struggled a little trying to mesh the humorous drama of Millicent's social predicament with her growing romantic feelings for the hero - some of Millicent's lovesick laments felt pasted on or shoved in. Shoffer comes to accept Millicent's deceit a little too quickly, I think. But none of these missteps detracted too greatly from what is otherwise a very entertaining read.
February 3, 2020
Millicent Boarder, her mother and two sisters are living as unpaid servants to their cousin Antony North when he unexpectedly dies. With no other options except being sent to the workhouse, Millicent takes over Mr North's identity. Her familiarity with her cousins business dealings helps, and she successfully passes as Mr North. In her disguised identity she encounters Timothy Shoffer, Duke of Trolenfield. The young Mr North impresses the Duke, and when he helps Shoffer's sister Beth with what appears to be crippling shyness issues, the friendship between the two firms up. Millicent is very attracted to the Duke, but the Duke has no idea about her secret identity. That identity is tested when North and the rest of the Boarder family join Shoffer and his sister in London for the season.
I thought this was an excellent read, although a overlong and light on romance for most of it. Millicent has feelings for Shoffer from the beginning, but Shoffer is ignorant of her identity for most of the book.
I thought this was an excellent read, although a overlong and light on romance for most of it. Millicent has feelings for Shoffer from the beginning, but Shoffer is ignorant of her identity for most of the book.
December 16, 2015
This book was a big disappointment for me, all the more so because I thought it started out well, and then just sort of imploded later in the book. I actually started reading with no expectations--this was another Gail Carriger monthly reading recommendation, and was .99 on Kindle, so why not? I'm picky about Regency novels, though, so I went in skeptical. The thing is that the story engaged me almost right away. I admired Millicent's practicality, and I could almost see how she would pull off her masquerade. Some of her social behavior seemed a bit unrealistically outrageous but I could deal with it. I also enjoyed his/her comraderie with Shoffer. I don't know why Shoffer had to be a duke, of all things, except that regency readers are obsessed with Dukes, perhaps. His high rank made some of his behavior, the behavior he encouraged and permitted in his sister "Beth", and his eventual life decisions really difficult to accept as being rational at all within the world that they're supposedly set in. I suppose when I pick up a novel and the TITLE is Ridiculous, I should be prepared to suspend disbelief, but I was just so disappointed that the engaging and more believable beginning could descend so quickly into nonsense and anachronistic attitudes and behavior and morals. I can't say much more specifically about them without spoilers, so I will just say that if you read this, and you think, "well, I'll keep reading, because this part is foolish, but it's got to get better again", then stop reading. Because it doesn't. I skimmed the last 15% of this story, desperate for a satisfying resolution to reward my efforts, to no avail. If you don't mind anachronistic silliness and mayhem, one dimensional villains, and oddly icky and jarring sexual thoughts and scenes out of character with the time and the characters, then go right ahead. You just may be the audience this book is meant for. But I'll pass.
June 14, 2012
Regency romances are a guilty pleasure for me. I don't know why this quite short historical period resonates with me so much, but it does. That said, this story was one of the most enjoyable of the sort that I have read in a long while. It addressed the terrible difficulty of impoverished female gentry and of women in that period in general. It was quite wickedly humerous as well and I appreciated the heroine's dealing with the ton and icons of that time period. Oh, and if I had been the Duke, I should have banished the dowager duchess to a bleak and damp home in the Outer Hebrides for the remainder of her deplorable life.
July 19, 2017
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
Blame it all on Debbie B. Laughing. Her review is so excellent that I was forced to read this comedy, this farce of Regency ladies finding a way to survive when women had few if any rights.
Left indigent by their father/husband, the Boarder ladies live in a poorhouse until a cousin, Anthony North, agrees to take them in...as unpaid servants. He dismisses all the previous servants so their lives are total drudges. Then he dies! Quick thinking Millicent changes clothes with him, chops off her hair and takes his place in the sick bed. Refusing to allow anyone near her so as to ward off bad contagions, she fools the undertaker and the parson into burying the cousin in the poorest of plots. Thus she takes up her new life...as a man.
She has been helping her near blind cousin with the correspondence and books so she knows what is going on with the estate. While traveling to take care of tenant problems on a distant estate she/he comes across a carriage which has upset due to torrential rains and mudslides. Thus she meets Timothy Shoffer, the Duke of Trolenfield.
With her new adopted persona Millicent/Anthony presents as a fool, the court jester, a dribble and becomes highly valuable not only to Shoffer as his sister is in need of some lighthearted conversation lessons but also to the ton in London when their journeys bring them there. They have found many ways in which to help each other and are often seen in company together.
BUT Shoffer's grandmother has been maneuvering behind his back in her treatment of Elizabeth, his sister, and in plotting to whom she will be wed. Thus, North has earned an enemy as she/he helps to stave off attempts by "The Duc" to compromise or force Beth into marriage. Rumors begin about just why Shoffer and North are seen so much in company. Shoffer, being a Duke, will outlive those rumors but North has no standing and the whispers among society and bets in the gentlemen's clubs are abounding.
Millicent has a secret which she has shared with no one and when she has the chance to have just one night of pleasure which will have to then last a lifetime, she doesn't hesitate.
This book kept you on the edge of your seat and ended very quickly. I would have liked more at the end but, it did all come together well wrapped up in a nutshell.
Blame it all on Debbie B. Laughing. Her review is so excellent that I was forced to read this comedy, this farce of Regency ladies finding a way to survive when women had few if any rights.
Left indigent by their father/husband, the Boarder ladies live in a poorhouse until a cousin, Anthony North, agrees to take them in...as unpaid servants. He dismisses all the previous servants so their lives are total drudges. Then he dies! Quick thinking Millicent changes clothes with him, chops off her hair and takes his place in the sick bed. Refusing to allow anyone near her so as to ward off bad contagions, she fools the undertaker and the parson into burying the cousin in the poorest of plots. Thus she takes up her new life...as a man.
She has been helping her near blind cousin with the correspondence and books so she knows what is going on with the estate. While traveling to take care of tenant problems on a distant estate she/he comes across a carriage which has upset due to torrential rains and mudslides. Thus she meets Timothy Shoffer, the Duke of Trolenfield.
With her new adopted persona Millicent/Anthony presents as a fool, the court jester, a dribble and becomes highly valuable not only to Shoffer as his sister is in need of some lighthearted conversation lessons but also to the ton in London when their journeys bring them there. They have found many ways in which to help each other and are often seen in company together.
BUT Shoffer's grandmother has been maneuvering behind his back in her treatment of Elizabeth, his sister, and in plotting to whom she will be wed. Thus, North has earned an enemy as she/he helps to stave off attempts by "The Duc" to compromise or force Beth into marriage. Rumors begin about just why Shoffer and North are seen so much in company. Shoffer, being a Duke, will outlive those rumors but North has no standing and the whispers among society and bets in the gentlemen's clubs are abounding.
Millicent has a secret which she has shared with no one and when she has the chance to have just one night of pleasure which will have to then last a lifetime, she doesn't hesitate.
This book kept you on the edge of your seat and ended very quickly. I would have liked more at the end but, it did all come together well wrapped up in a nutshell.
August 11, 2012
I just love Jane Austen, and sometimes one yearns for another Regency-style book to read, so I gave this one a chance. I loved how funny and different it sounded, and I was not let down. It is so funny! There wasn't a single dull moment, and that is probably why I didn't get much sleep in the two days that I read this. I love how strong a woman Millicent is. She is so great at being a witty, eccentric man, and yet her womanly feelings are ever present. Jane Austen is great, but sometimes her books can be a little slow because, hey, that's how women's lives were back then. Since this book is focused on the manly side of things, it has a delightful freshness to it. I don't want to give anything else away, so all I'll say is READ THIS if you want to be entertained! Oh...maybe I should mention that there are a few love scenes in here. They are realistic, but not erotic or anything; I actually appreciated how real they were, as opposed to some of those crazy, over-the-top books out there.
January 8, 2013
This is a Regency Romance that I could not put down. Our hero, Mr. North, is actually a woman! Although no one but his family is aware of that. It seems the real Mr North had passed away, and rather than be out on the streets, Millicent assumes his identity. She as he then befriends a duke of all things, who assists in setting up her sisters (believing them to be Mr North's cousins) with a London Season. But the duke is repaid by Mr North drawing his painfully shy sister out of her shell so she can have a nice season also.
Now as I read it, I knew that Mr North would need to be outed, so to speak. But I could not figure out when or how, or by whom. This is what kept me reading. I could not wait to see where the author was taking us on this journey. It was a very refreshing take on the usual formula and highly enjoyable.
Now as I read it, I knew that Mr North would need to be outed, so to speak. But I could not figure out when or how, or by whom. This is what kept me reading. I could not wait to see where the author was taking us on this journey. It was a very refreshing take on the usual formula and highly enjoyable.
April 16, 2013
Desperate times call for desperate measures! And in Millicent Boarder’s mind this was a desperate time, determined as she was that her family would never be poor or vulnerable again. So, after the death of her miserly cousin Anthony North, Millicent decides to conceal his demise and assume his identity. After all, she and her family had been taken in by Anthony as unpaid help in return for their miserly existence of shelter and bare necessities. She would face the Ton and the world as Mr. North and accept that Millicent was dead to her and she would never be loved - which meant naturally she would now meet her perfect match!
*** This was a totally new author for me. I was intrigued by the description and was looking for a lighter change after reading some suspense and thrillers so thought this would be a nice easy going book. From the very first I was snagged - Carter’s writing was very well done, fast paced, and very clever. Maybe not totally original - but the way Millicent dealt with her pretense of being a male and how she jumped right in to help those in jeopardy was really impressive.
What really captured me was the way the author was able to arrange how well Millicent (aka Mr North) was able to draw out Lady Beth into a vivacious and charming young lady from the frightened and passive mouse her domineering grandmother had turned her into. The Duke (usually referred to as Shoffer in this book) and Mr. North become bosom buddies - only Shoffer didn’t realize for the longest time that his ‘bosom’ buddie actually possessed bosoms!
The dialogs as Mr. North/Millicent would use to bring levity into most conversations was truly inspired and was used in precisely the right amounts and at the right moments. The reader could truly envision how ‘freeing’ the masquerade was for Millicent being able to actually be her/him self in these situations! To say this was an enormously ‘fun’ read is to put it mildly. This was one wonderful and totally entertaining read you didn’t want to end.
Bottom Line: I really hope this was not the end for fans of RIDICULOUS. Carter’s secondary characters in RIDICULOUS, Lady Beth, Maude, and Millicent’s mother Felicia definitely deserve a chance for happiness and I really want to see them again.
Marilyn Rondeau
*** This was a totally new author for me. I was intrigued by the description and was looking for a lighter change after reading some suspense and thrillers so thought this would be a nice easy going book. From the very first I was snagged - Carter’s writing was very well done, fast paced, and very clever. Maybe not totally original - but the way Millicent dealt with her pretense of being a male and how she jumped right in to help those in jeopardy was really impressive.
What really captured me was the way the author was able to arrange how well Millicent (aka Mr North) was able to draw out Lady Beth into a vivacious and charming young lady from the frightened and passive mouse her domineering grandmother had turned her into. The Duke (usually referred to as Shoffer in this book) and Mr. North become bosom buddies - only Shoffer didn’t realize for the longest time that his ‘bosom’ buddie actually possessed bosoms!
The dialogs as Mr. North/Millicent would use to bring levity into most conversations was truly inspired and was used in precisely the right amounts and at the right moments. The reader could truly envision how ‘freeing’ the masquerade was for Millicent being able to actually be her/him self in these situations! To say this was an enormously ‘fun’ read is to put it mildly. This was one wonderful and totally entertaining read you didn’t want to end.
Bottom Line: I really hope this was not the end for fans of RIDICULOUS. Carter’s secondary characters in RIDICULOUS, Lady Beth, Maude, and Millicent’s mother Felicia definitely deserve a chance for happiness and I really want to see them again.
Marilyn Rondeau
March 27, 2017
I am madly in love with this book. I loved it from start to finish. It was funny, sexy and silly. Practically a farce but in the best way. By chapter 4 I was rooting for the 'heroine' and falling madly in love with the love interest. Seriously, I'm madly in love with him...like halfway-down-the-aisle in love. I loved the silliness and the humour and I'm sad to see it end. I wish this was a series so that I could just continue the story and never have to leave this world. I can't wait to read it again...and soon. Off to find more from Carter so that I keep the good times going.
EDIT: My prayers were answered and Obstreperous exists. It's the sequel and Amazon got more of my money as soon as I finished Ridiculous.
EDIT: My prayers were answered and Obstreperous exists. It's the sequel and Amazon got more of my money as soon as I finished Ridiculous.
August 18, 2017
I do so very much love this trope. Though looking back I have often come to wonder how I could have been so in the dark about being transgender when a large majority of my favorite novels growing up involved a woman becoming a man to have adventure. Oh well, better late than never I guess.
As to the story, I find I greatly enjoyed it. It did slow down for a few chapters when the secret came out of the bag, but after that it picked right back up again. Ending a bit implausible, but I don't think one should expect wholesale reality out of a book call Ridiculous.
If this is the kind of book you enjoy, I highly recommend it.
4.5 stars
As to the story, I find I greatly enjoyed it. It did slow down for a few chapters when the secret came out of the bag, but after that it picked right back up again. Ending a bit implausible, but I don't think one should expect wholesale reality out of a book call Ridiculous.
If this is the kind of book you enjoy, I highly recommend it.
4.5 stars
June 20, 2017
Very entertaining. I enjoyed this a lot and it's very amusing and, even, dare I say it, a little ridiculous. It's about a young woman who assumes the identity of a reclusive, rich, newly-dead male cousin in order to protect her family from the workhouse and ends up becoming the latest and greatest wit of the ton while also falling in love. This is a light, fun, slightly implausible romp that does not take itself too seriously and it was fun to read. Millicent, as the silly Mr. North, is very funny and the dialogue is wonderful. The story speeds right along and the characters are very engaging. Though it's a light-hearted story, the depressingly precarious status of women at that time is well illustrated here and Millicent is very aware of her position and her power as an independent man of means, and, indeed, revels in it and is loath to give it up even though she does not want to live her life as a man. There's a bit of a scandal-related panic about suspected homosexuality later in the book which isn't fun to read but is probably quite historically accurate (it's on the mild side, but if you're interested:). There is a sequel concerning the sisters and I am interested. It's all in the title with this one--it's a bit ridiculous and quite fun.
July 26, 2024
Very fun and lighthearted with a good amount of unrequited longing. Great side characters. Low on the spice that doesn’t happen until about 70% but didn’t bother me.
If you like heroine disguised as man + friends-to-lovers, this is perfect!
Enjoyed the audiobook too. I’m a fan of narrator Rachael Beresford.
If you like heroine disguised as man + friends-to-lovers, this is perfect!
Enjoyed the audiobook too. I’m a fan of narrator Rachael Beresford.
March 29, 2020
Lots of fun!
Cross dressing, aristocracy, deception, lies, true love, and good humour. What more could you want? A fun frolic of a novel. Shall it be friendship, lust, or love?
Cross dressing, aristocracy, deception, lies, true love, and good humour. What more could you want? A fun frolic of a novel. Shall it be friendship, lust, or love?
April 28, 2016
I had no idea what to expect going into Ridiculous, a book that was free on Kindle eons ago and subsequently left to rot in the digital ether. My attitude upon finally starting it was basically "I guess I should get around to reading this old thing," which is now hilarious because if I had any clue how much I would have enjoyed this book I would have read it immediately.
What you have in Ridiculous is a cross-dressing regency romantic comedy. I put it that way because it's cut from the same cloth of romcom film that populated the 90s and early aughts, that is based on a huge contrivance and mines that absurd situation for humor. Also, there is not much drama to be found anywhere, and the romance itself is ridiculously farcical and kind of secondary, not really playing out until the final third of the book. Sure, there are moments of pining for the man she can't have because she's dressed as a man (and also, he's a Duke) but there is zero heavy angst, and even the expected reveal/Big Misunderstanding plays out completely differently, and much lighter, than I have been trained to expect. It's almost all wit and lightness, all the time, and the clever humor really gets to shine through the character constructed by our heroine to hide her lack of masculinity under the mask of an entertaining, foolish man. It is outrageously implausible, and completely, undeniably entertaining.
The story begins when Millicent Boarder, her mother, and her two sisters, find themselves facing certain impoverished homelessness after the relative who had been begrudgingly hosting them dies. Rather than allow her family to be cast out, Millicent decides she looks enough like her mother's cousin to just fake the death of Millicent Boarder and, instead, take on the life of Mr. Anthony North. They'll have to get out of Yorkshire, where people who know Mr. North well enough will spot the deception, so they go to Bath and, eventually, as Mr. North, Millicent travels around England visiting Mr. North's many tenants and looking after his properties. On one such journey, she encounters the Duke (referred to in the book primarily, and hereafter, as Schoffer) and his younger sister Beth, in an overturned carriage. After helping them along and offering them temporary residence at her destination, the three wind up becoming fast friends. This closeness earns Millicent and her family invitations to the upcoming London season, thereby giving Millicent's sisters the best chance at a secure future by meeting marriageable men. As for Millicent herself, she thought she had been content to live a quiet life of hidden spinsterhood, but along comes Schoffer and she has regrets.
If I haven't made it clear already, this book lacks any seriousness whatsoever, so if you enjoy or prefer that in your romances, this is not for you. It's a hilarious romp from start to finish, including handwavy conveniences that make everything just a little too easy for Millicent to perform her charade and, eventually, win her Duke. But that all hardly mattered for me when I was having as much fun reading as I did. If you need anything at all to lift your spirit, I highly recommend this book.
What you have in Ridiculous is a cross-dressing regency romantic comedy. I put it that way because it's cut from the same cloth of romcom film that populated the 90s and early aughts, that is based on a huge contrivance and mines that absurd situation for humor. Also, there is not much drama to be found anywhere, and the romance itself is ridiculously farcical and kind of secondary, not really playing out until the final third of the book. Sure, there are moments of pining for the man she can't have because she's dressed as a man (and also, he's a Duke) but there is zero heavy angst, and even the expected reveal/Big Misunderstanding plays out completely differently, and much lighter, than I have been trained to expect. It's almost all wit and lightness, all the time, and the clever humor really gets to shine through the character constructed by our heroine to hide her lack of masculinity under the mask of an entertaining, foolish man. It is outrageously implausible, and completely, undeniably entertaining.
The story begins when Millicent Boarder, her mother, and her two sisters, find themselves facing certain impoverished homelessness after the relative who had been begrudgingly hosting them dies. Rather than allow her family to be cast out, Millicent decides she looks enough like her mother's cousin to just fake the death of Millicent Boarder and, instead, take on the life of Mr. Anthony North. They'll have to get out of Yorkshire, where people who know Mr. North well enough will spot the deception, so they go to Bath and, eventually, as Mr. North, Millicent travels around England visiting Mr. North's many tenants and looking after his properties. On one such journey, she encounters the Duke (referred to in the book primarily, and hereafter, as Schoffer) and his younger sister Beth, in an overturned carriage. After helping them along and offering them temporary residence at her destination, the three wind up becoming fast friends. This closeness earns Millicent and her family invitations to the upcoming London season, thereby giving Millicent's sisters the best chance at a secure future by meeting marriageable men. As for Millicent herself, she thought she had been content to live a quiet life of hidden spinsterhood, but along comes Schoffer and she has regrets.
If I haven't made it clear already, this book lacks any seriousness whatsoever, so if you enjoy or prefer that in your romances, this is not for you. It's a hilarious romp from start to finish, including handwavy conveniences that make everything just a little too easy for Millicent to perform her charade and, eventually, win her Duke. But that all hardly mattered for me when I was having as much fun reading as I did. If you need anything at all to lift your spirit, I highly recommend this book.
July 16, 2021
First in the Ridiculous Lovers historical romance series and revolving around the Boarder family. The couple focus is on Millicent as Mr North and the Duke of Trolenfield.
My Take
Ridiculous! was silly, fun, and aggravating. I suspect Carter intends this series as a spoof on the Regency period, as her writing focuses on poking fun. Naturally, all this fun must be leavened by terror, which Carter also delivers well.
Carter's characters are an interesting mix of good, evil, annoying, and bigoted. Okay, the bigotry isn't overt . . . except in Grand'Mere's case, lol. Oy. Wherever Grandmother got her ideas, I do not know! I do love how Timothy and North take her down, verbally, in their own ways.
Oh yeah, Anthony sure did take them in. As servants with no wages and no security. What a jerk! As for Felicity . . . Geez, what. An. Idiot. I wanted to gag her and kick her down the stairs.
How is it worse for Millicent to wear breeches than for the four of them to be tossed out to beg on the streets?? Oh lordy, I had to laugh when Shoffer compliments Millicent on how she handled his accident . . . ahem, as compared to how he would have acted if he'd known Millicent was a woman, lolololol.
Millicent discovers the joys of being a man in this . . . and reminds we women of today just how lucky we are that women's lib has made such progress.
Poor Elizabeth has been so terribly abused and confused by her grandmother (and Mrs Fleming!!) that she's terrible in society, and it will take "Mr North's" tomfoolery to bring her out of her shyness. That's not the only abuse, well, besides Anthony's of his family! Wait'll you read Anthony's father's letter! Realistic perhaps in his observations of his son, but how rude.
Carter makes full use of the difference in their social levels to note how differently Timothy and "Mr North" are treated. There's also Mrs Fleming and Grandmother's perspectives on the "lower levels" . . . oy.
Carter uses third person dual protagonist point-of-view from "Mr North's" and the duke's perspectives. And it's quite interesting to learn of Timothy's jealousy of Mr North's influence on Lady Beth even as we learn of "Mr North" storing up the blessings of being a man. And they're not all that you might expect!
It cracks me up how Mr North influences the rest of society with his silly stories and observations. With Timothy enjoying the posturing and pretensions of his society through North's eyes. Until Timothy learns of the bets being placed against North. A dig at North's reputation that cannot be proved or disproved but will impact Lady Beth's acceptance by society as well as North's sisters.
This trip is a lovely opportunity for Timothy to get to know his sister. Thank god. For Timothy also learns what a nasty woman their grandmother is.
Okay, so yes, this story is good for both a laugh and a reminder that one should always leave a will!
The Story
Poor Lady Beth turns shy and mute at parties, and His Grace requests that Mr North help her turn conversation.
It doesn't turn out that well. At least not for Mr North, as Lady Beth fixates on him, much to Millicent's dismay.
The Characters
Millicent Boarder, a.k.a. Helene Winthrop, is the oldest and least lovely of the three sisters. She's also the most practical. Mildred and the eighteen-year-old Maude are the younger, more lovely sisters. Felicity is their widowed mother whom I'd like to gag!
Timothy Shoffer is the Duke of Trolenfield with his principal estates in Somerset. Ikelsby is his valet. Lady Elizabeth Shoffer is Timothy's sister with the fraudulent Mrs Fleming as her chaperone. Sally is Beth's maid. Lily is another maid Beth likes. Lady Philomena Shoffer, the Dowager Duchess of Trolenfield, a.k.a. Grand'Mere or Grandmother, is a nightmare. Edgar Simpson is the duke's man of business with the Earl of Edgeware his second cousin. Forsythe is the butler at Somerset. James is a footman. Forsythe senior is the London butler. John is another London servant. Wesley Square is the location of the house where Timothy sets up this season's mistress. Mrs Fosters is the housekeeper at Wesley Square.
London
Merit is the Boarders' temporary butler. Lady Englethorpes, the widow of Sir Edmund, is having a ball. Lady Edith is her spinster daughter with a fascination for sparkly things, who will act as Lady Beth's chaperone. The Harringtons had a party. The Forthingtons put on a musical evening. Nigel Wentworth, the second son of the Earl of Brigham, the Hon. Mr Michael Offen, and the Hon. Mr Joseph Martindale were all at Cambridge together. The Misses Mary and Joy are danced with. Lady Holudin is one of his grandmother's friends. Beau Brummel is still about. Lady Sally, the Countess of Jersey, is a patroness of Almack's and quite influential. Countess Fenton, Lady Johnson-Fife, Lady Peling, and the Hon Mrs Edward Pike are all eager for Mr North's attendance. The Earl of Decrent has a second son, Wentworth, who informed Maude of his needs. Lady Algrieve puts on a Venetian Masque where one can find mistresses. Countess Greylin has her importance.
The Duc of Attelweir is a poor roué with the most horrible reputation to whom Grand'Mere wants to marry Lady Beth. His cronies include Mickleton and Benson who are the Earl of Wallingford and the Earl of Trentonlie (and I'm not sure in what order) and De Clerk is the Comte of Le Forhend.
Mr Nestor is the duke's tailor. Mr Johansen is a lawyer for Perceval North. Mademoiselle Therese is a soprano. Mrs Harvey runs a brothel in London and has useful connections.
Bath
Mrs Hall is the Boarders' housekeeper. For her, er, his carriage, Millicent employs Rogers for the lead outrider as well as Jacob, Ben, and Mark. Lady Whenthistle is the widow of Sir Richard.
Yorkshire
Anthony North is the miserly second cousin who "took in" his cousins when their father died. The even worse Perceval North is Anthony's brother. Christopher North had been their nasty father. Mr Abram is the vicar.
Mr North's business interests
Mr Prichart rents a large farm in Wales, near Merthyr Tydfil. His wife is a drama queen. I do love how Millicent deals with the woman. I wanted to jump up and clap! They have two daughters of marriageable age: Eilowen and Gwyneth. Jacob Fields is the proprietor for the Hind and Fox.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a pale background of cream buildings fronted by a pale gray cobblestone street. At the forefront are a threesome: a blond gentleman in navy frock coat, cream waistcoat, and yellow pantaloons with a pale brown hat in his right hand, as his left arm is crooked for the lady walking proudly by his side. She's wearing a poke bonnet over her dark hair and a lilac empire dress with a navy shawl. Standing to her right and slightly behind is another gentleman with a black top hat atop his dark brown hair, wearing a red frock coat with buff pantaloons and a pink cravat. He's in a three-quarter profile to us, holding a cane up to his lips while the lady's left hand rests atop his right arm. I think it's the duke, Millicent, and Mr North . . .
The title is at the top in a ridiculous script font in black. The author's name uses the same script in black and crosses the threesome's knees. Below this where their legs and gown disappear is a testimonial in black.
The title is too accurate for the situations and the story is too Ridiculous!.
My Take
Ridiculous! was silly, fun, and aggravating. I suspect Carter intends this series as a spoof on the Regency period, as her writing focuses on poking fun. Naturally, all this fun must be leavened by terror, which Carter also delivers well.
Carter's characters are an interesting mix of good, evil, annoying, and bigoted. Okay, the bigotry isn't overt . . . except in Grand'Mere's case, lol. Oy. Wherever Grandmother got her ideas, I do not know! I do love how Timothy and North take her down, verbally, in their own ways.
Oh yeah, Anthony sure did take them in. As servants with no wages and no security. What a jerk! As for Felicity . . . Geez, what. An. Idiot. I wanted to gag her and kick her down the stairs.
How is it worse for Millicent to wear breeches than for the four of them to be tossed out to beg on the streets?? Oh lordy, I had to laugh when Shoffer compliments Millicent on how she handled his accident . . . ahem, as compared to how he would have acted if he'd known Millicent was a woman, lolololol.
Millicent discovers the joys of being a man in this . . . and reminds we women of today just how lucky we are that women's lib has made such progress.
Poor Elizabeth has been so terribly abused and confused by her grandmother (and Mrs Fleming!!) that she's terrible in society, and it will take "Mr North's" tomfoolery to bring her out of her shyness. That's not the only abuse, well, besides Anthony's of his family! Wait'll you read Anthony's father's letter! Realistic perhaps in his observations of his son, but how rude.
Carter makes full use of the difference in their social levels to note how differently Timothy and "Mr North" are treated. There's also Mrs Fleming and Grandmother's perspectives on the "lower levels" . . . oy.
Carter uses third person dual protagonist point-of-view from "Mr North's" and the duke's perspectives. And it's quite interesting to learn of Timothy's jealousy of Mr North's influence on Lady Beth even as we learn of "Mr North" storing up the blessings of being a man. And they're not all that you might expect!
It cracks me up how Mr North influences the rest of society with his silly stories and observations. With Timothy enjoying the posturing and pretensions of his society through North's eyes. Until Timothy learns of the bets being placed against North. A dig at North's reputation that cannot be proved or disproved but will impact Lady Beth's acceptance by society as well as North's sisters.
This trip is a lovely opportunity for Timothy to get to know his sister. Thank god. For Timothy also learns what a nasty woman their grandmother is.
Okay, so yes, this story is good for both a laugh and a reminder that one should always leave a will!
The Story
Poor Lady Beth turns shy and mute at parties, and His Grace requests that Mr North help her turn conversation.
It doesn't turn out that well. At least not for Mr North, as Lady Beth fixates on him, much to Millicent's dismay.
The Characters
Millicent Boarder, a.k.a. Helene Winthrop, is the oldest and least lovely of the three sisters. She's also the most practical. Mildred and the eighteen-year-old Maude are the younger, more lovely sisters. Felicity is their widowed mother whom I'd like to gag!
Timothy Shoffer is the Duke of Trolenfield with his principal estates in Somerset. Ikelsby is his valet. Lady Elizabeth Shoffer is Timothy's sister with the fraudulent Mrs Fleming as her chaperone. Sally is Beth's maid. Lily is another maid Beth likes. Lady Philomena Shoffer, the Dowager Duchess of Trolenfield, a.k.a. Grand'Mere or Grandmother, is a nightmare. Edgar Simpson is the duke's man of business with the Earl of Edgeware his second cousin. Forsythe is the butler at Somerset. James is a footman. Forsythe senior is the London butler. John is another London servant. Wesley Square is the location of the house where Timothy sets up this season's mistress. Mrs Fosters is the housekeeper at Wesley Square.
London
Merit is the Boarders' temporary butler. Lady Englethorpes, the widow of Sir Edmund, is having a ball. Lady Edith is her spinster daughter with a fascination for sparkly things, who will act as Lady Beth's chaperone. The Harringtons had a party. The Forthingtons put on a musical evening. Nigel Wentworth, the second son of the Earl of Brigham, the Hon. Mr Michael Offen, and the Hon. Mr Joseph Martindale were all at Cambridge together. The Misses Mary and Joy are danced with. Lady Holudin is one of his grandmother's friends. Beau Brummel is still about. Lady Sally, the Countess of Jersey, is a patroness of Almack's and quite influential. Countess Fenton, Lady Johnson-Fife, Lady Peling, and the Hon Mrs Edward Pike are all eager for Mr North's attendance. The Earl of Decrent has a second son, Wentworth, who informed Maude of his needs. Lady Algrieve puts on a Venetian Masque where one can find mistresses. Countess Greylin has her importance.
The Duc of Attelweir is a poor roué with the most horrible reputation to whom Grand'Mere wants to marry Lady Beth. His cronies include Mickleton and Benson who are the Earl of Wallingford and the Earl of Trentonlie (and I'm not sure in what order) and De Clerk is the Comte of Le Forhend.
Mr Nestor is the duke's tailor. Mr Johansen is a lawyer for Perceval North. Mademoiselle Therese is a soprano. Mrs Harvey runs a brothel in London and has useful connections.
Bath
Mrs Hall is the Boarders' housekeeper. For her, er, his carriage, Millicent employs Rogers for the lead outrider as well as Jacob, Ben, and Mark. Lady Whenthistle is the widow of Sir Richard.
Yorkshire
Anthony North is the miserly second cousin who "took in" his cousins when their father died. The even worse Perceval North is Anthony's brother. Christopher North had been their nasty father. Mr Abram is the vicar.
Mr North's business interests
Mr Prichart rents a large farm in Wales, near Merthyr Tydfil. His wife is a drama queen. I do love how Millicent deals with the woman. I wanted to jump up and clap! They have two daughters of marriageable age: Eilowen and Gwyneth. Jacob Fields is the proprietor for the Hind and Fox.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a pale background of cream buildings fronted by a pale gray cobblestone street. At the forefront are a threesome: a blond gentleman in navy frock coat, cream waistcoat, and yellow pantaloons with a pale brown hat in his right hand, as his left arm is crooked for the lady walking proudly by his side. She's wearing a poke bonnet over her dark hair and a lilac empire dress with a navy shawl. Standing to her right and slightly behind is another gentleman with a black top hat atop his dark brown hair, wearing a red frock coat with buff pantaloons and a pink cravat. He's in a three-quarter profile to us, holding a cane up to his lips while the lady's left hand rests atop his right arm. I think it's the duke, Millicent, and Mr North . . .
The title is at the top in a ridiculous script font in black. The author's name uses the same script in black and crosses the threesome's knees. Below this where their legs and gown disappear is a testimonial in black.
The title is too accurate for the situations and the story is too Ridiculous!.
January 24, 2016
Man, I really enjoyed so much of this book, but it was not entirely satisfying.
Usually the plot/setup aspects of romance novels are the flimsiest, but, here, it was the most entertaining and interesting part. After the death of their gross and miserly protector Mr. North, the main character, Millicent, decides to impersonate him to access his funds and save her mother and sisters from poverty. Reading about how she takes control of these new money and properties, and crafts an image of an idiosyncratic and comedic society man was so much fun! Millicent uses her new access to societal privilege to help her family as well as other women while befriending a duke, Schoffer. She quickly develops a friendship with Shoffer and his sister but ends up super attracted to him, with the book having a lot of pining moments. Shoffer, on his part, cares a lot about his new friend and his sense of humor but is super oblivious of the way Mr. North stares at his naked body when they have to share quarters lmao.
The actual romance parts were sometimes fun (this is a couple that has conversations together and appreciates humor even in the bedroom and that's kind of refreshing and sweet) but also sometimes boring and generally very awkward because of some bad sex-related euphemisms in there lol. It was kind of a let down because the plot was really great and I was hoping the reveals and romance would be on par but I ended the book feeling less impressed about the romance.
Usually the plot/setup aspects of romance novels are the flimsiest, but, here, it was the most entertaining and interesting part. After the death of their gross and miserly protector Mr. North, the main character, Millicent, decides to impersonate him to access his funds and save her mother and sisters from poverty. Reading about how she takes control of these new money and properties, and crafts an image of an idiosyncratic and comedic society man was so much fun! Millicent uses her new access to societal privilege to help her family as well as other women while befriending a duke, Schoffer. She quickly develops a friendship with Shoffer and his sister but ends up super attracted to him, with the book having a lot of pining moments. Shoffer, on his part, cares a lot about his new friend and his sense of humor but is super oblivious of the way Mr. North stares at his naked body when they have to share quarters lmao.
The actual romance parts were sometimes fun (this is a couple that has conversations together and appreciates humor even in the bedroom and that's kind of refreshing and sweet) but also sometimes boring and generally very awkward because of some bad sex-related euphemisms in there lol. It was kind of a let down because the plot was really great and I was hoping the reveals and romance would be on par but I ended the book feeling less impressed about the romance.
July 24, 2018
This was a freebie on Amazon. I am really surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Ridiculous is a really slow burn romance. The romance is in the end and most of this book is a woman parading around as a man in regency society for survival. We go through day in day out adventures of living as a man and discovering a freedom that was unheard of back in that time for women. It also touches on what lgbt would have to encounter in this age. How much of this is accurate? I'm not certain, but I would love to find some non-fiction on the subject.
The heroine is wonderful. So many so called "strong" heroines come off as disingenuous to me in these types of books. Strong willed, usually just translates to just argumentative in most cases. However, the heroine here is a unique, strong, complex character. In the end, this does have a lot of the normal romance themes, but the journey to get there was very unique. Loved this!
The heroine is wonderful. So many so called "strong" heroines come off as disingenuous to me in these types of books. Strong willed, usually just translates to just argumentative in most cases. However, the heroine here is a unique, strong, complex character. In the end, this does have a lot of the normal romance themes, but the journey to get there was very unique. Loved this!
October 23, 2012
This book was HILARIOUS. Within the first chapter I was chuckling, by the second I had pain in my sides I was laughing so hard. The scene where our heroine first sees our hero's nether regions KILLED me. I may even read it again to make sure I didn't miss any good jokes.
Millicent is magnificent. She may be my favorite romance heroine ever. I could picture her dressed as a man, leaning back in a leather chair with her feet up holding onto an unlit cigar making vulgar comments to society folks.
Shoffer was just as good. I was so glad that he had a sense of humor.
All of the characters in this book (even the minor ones!) had distinct personalities. The whole Boarder family was fantastic, even the fainting, melodramatic Felicity!
I honestly can not wait to read more from D.L. Carter. I truly hope she injects the same humor into all of her work.
Millicent is magnificent. She may be my favorite romance heroine ever. I could picture her dressed as a man, leaning back in a leather chair with her feet up holding onto an unlit cigar making vulgar comments to society folks.
Shoffer was just as good. I was so glad that he had a sense of humor.
All of the characters in this book (even the minor ones!) had distinct personalities. The whole Boarder family was fantastic, even the fainting, melodramatic Felicity!
I honestly can not wait to read more from D.L. Carter. I truly hope she injects the same humor into all of her work.
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