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Reluctant Brides #1
Lady in Waiting
She wants to escape her present...
When Clara Mayfield helps her sister elope, she’s prepared for the scandal to seal her fate as a spinster. What she doesn't expect is to find herself engaged to the vile Baron Rutherford as a means of salvaging her family's reputation. Determined not to be chained to a man she loathes, Clara slips out of Essex and sheds her identity: she becomes Helen, maid at the Earl of Ashworth’s country estate. After all, below stairs is the last place anyone would think to look for an heiress...
He wants to forget his past...
William, Lord Ashworth, is attempting to rebuild his life after the devastating accident that claimed the lives of his entire family, save his beloved sister and niece. Haunted by memories of what was and determined to live up to the title he never expected to inherit, William doesn’t have time for love. What he needs is a noble and accomplished wife, one who can further the Ashworth line and keep the family name untarnished...
Together, can they find the perfect future?
From their first encounter, the attraction between them is undeniable. But Clara knows William is falling for Helen, a woman who doesn’t even exist. The question is, if she reveals the truth about her identity, can she trust the broken William to forgive her lie and stand by her side when scandal—and the baron—inevitably follow her to his door?
When Clara Mayfield helps her sister elope, she’s prepared for the scandal to seal her fate as a spinster. What she doesn't expect is to find herself engaged to the vile Baron Rutherford as a means of salvaging her family's reputation. Determined not to be chained to a man she loathes, Clara slips out of Essex and sheds her identity: she becomes Helen, maid at the Earl of Ashworth’s country estate. After all, below stairs is the last place anyone would think to look for an heiress...
He wants to forget his past...
William, Lord Ashworth, is attempting to rebuild his life after the devastating accident that claimed the lives of his entire family, save his beloved sister and niece. Haunted by memories of what was and determined to live up to the title he never expected to inherit, William doesn’t have time for love. What he needs is a noble and accomplished wife, one who can further the Ashworth line and keep the family name untarnished...
Together, can they find the perfect future?
From their first encounter, the attraction between them is undeniable. But Clara knows William is falling for Helen, a woman who doesn’t even exist. The question is, if she reveals the truth about her identity, can she trust the broken William to forgive her lie and stand by her side when scandal—and the baron—inevitably follow her to his door?
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2018
About the author
Marie Tremayne
4 books113 followersMarie Tremayne graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in English Language and Literature. While there, a copy of Pride and Prejudice ended up changing her life, and she decided to study the great books of the Regency and Victorian eras. Now she enjoys writing her own tales set in the historical period she loves.
Marie lives with her family in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Marie lives with her family in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
March 20, 2018
An unexpected treat ! This was a nicely written novel that had well developed characters and a fascinating story line. The plot was tightly structured, without unnecessary rambling twists and turns that led to nowhere in the story line. I hate when other authors do that, especially in historical romance novels. I was gripped by the power of the tale from the very first page. It was unusual, to say the least and the MC's were both wonderful individuals, each of whom had a riveting but sad story to portray. The story is set in 1845, but there wasn't much specific historical background information that reflected the era. This was a bit of a personal turn off for me, since I LOVE History but I kept reading because the novel's main story line was very interesting.
Clara Mayfield, is the younger daughter of a wealthy nouveau riche merchant banker who wants to be accepted into the inner circle of the Ton. His only means of doing so is to marry off his daughters to men who possess titles. At the start of the story, Clara's older sister Lucy has decided to elope because she's in love with a poor tradesman called Douglas. Clara helps Lucy to elope and is left to bear the brunt of the ensuing scandal. The members of the Ton are unforgiving and scathing to the Mayfield family and nobody offers to court Clara during the entire season. At the end of the season, an old, short, impoverished, obese, pot bellied, bald, smelly, no neck monster widower called Baron Rutherford proposes to the heroine. Baron Rutherford is also mean, lewd and has been panting after Clara during the entire season. He only decides to propose when he noticed that no other titled man wants to marry into the scandal ridden Mayfield family.
Clara's parents are pathetic in their sycophantic desire to become a part of the Ton. They're obscenely wealthy yet they're still willing to turn a blind eye to their daughter's reluctance to wed a whale. On the eve of her wedding, Clara runs away to the Earl's of Ashworth's primary country estate. Her maid Abigail has arranged for her to get a job there as a servant. I really enjoyed how the heroine turned her back on her wealthy lifestyle and embraced the world of a downstairs maid. Clara was a plucky and lovable heroine who didn't have any uppity airs about herself. She treated everyone fairly and made the best of her horrible circumstances. On her very first day in the new village, Clara meets the Earl when he saves her from being run over by an out of control carriage. The Earl of Ashcroft is the H and he has his own inner demons with which to struggle. He is captivated with lust and is besotted with Clara when he sees her and saves her but he overcomes these feelings by reminding himself that she's not in his social class.
Robert is shocked when Clara turns up to seek a job at the Ashcroft mansion. I did find it weird that Robert himself ends up interviewing her for the job, because Earls would not be involved in that kind of thing. But then the author did keep pointing out that Robert was a very unconventional sort of Earl, who often talked to his servants and didn't even have a personal valet. Robert's back story is very tragic, because it's only been a year since his father, older brother and brother in law all died in a carriage accident. Robert himself had been injured but he had managed to survive without any external scars. He did have horrible bouts of PTSD and bad dreams though. The MC's shared a strong attraction for each other but had to keep fighting it because of circumstances. I loved how the story unfolded, in spite of the lack of passion filled scenes.
There was a lot of other stuff going in the novel that kept my interest as well. Clara told everyone that her name was Helen and her life as a maid was made more torturous by the jealousy and vindictiveness of another maid called Amelia. Robert's little niece Rosa was a cute addition to the story, as were his sister and his best friend Viscount Evanston. The MC's relationship kept hovering between the bounds of propriety and passion. Robert soon realized he was falling in love with her but he also knew that he couldn't do anything about it because she was just his domestic employee. I was annoyed when Robert's sister arranged a ball and invited a lot of eligible women in an effort to try and marry off the H to a "suitable" woman. That ball didn't work out so well because one of the guests was the no neck monster, Baron Rutherford. This ugly, mean toad noticed Clara and kidnapped her in his carriage. His plans were to go to Gretna Green and marry her immediately.
The H chased after the obese ghoul and intercepted them before they could get far. I loved how Robert defended and protected his beloved Clara. He got rid of the Baron by telling him that he and Clara had already slept together and were going to be married. That was a lie since they hadn't had sex yet, but Robert knew it was the only way to get the Baron to break the betrothal agreement with the heroine's parents. There was a lot of other exciting stuff that happened in this story, some of it dealing with minor characters who ended up with their own little HEA. I really liked this story and it came at a good time when I was just about getting fed the F up of a series of 3 star romance novels. This novel will probably not appeal to every historical romance reader but I was taken with it from the very beginning. I guess it's because I just adore the forbidden love element of a romance story between an Earl and a housemaid. Clara's parents ended up repenting and reconciling with their older daughter and her poverty stricken husband. I guess it's easy to do that when the other daughter marries a rich Earl. And for those of you who are curious: the no neck monster Baron ended up having to marry a rich, social climbing, ugly, rotund, loud mouth widow from his own age group. I doubt he'll be able to bully her and fleece her money...
Clara Mayfield, is the younger daughter of a wealthy nouveau riche merchant banker who wants to be accepted into the inner circle of the Ton. His only means of doing so is to marry off his daughters to men who possess titles. At the start of the story, Clara's older sister Lucy has decided to elope because she's in love with a poor tradesman called Douglas. Clara helps Lucy to elope and is left to bear the brunt of the ensuing scandal. The members of the Ton are unforgiving and scathing to the Mayfield family and nobody offers to court Clara during the entire season. At the end of the season, an old, short, impoverished, obese, pot bellied, bald, smelly, no neck monster widower called Baron Rutherford proposes to the heroine. Baron Rutherford is also mean, lewd and has been panting after Clara during the entire season. He only decides to propose when he noticed that no other titled man wants to marry into the scandal ridden Mayfield family.
Clara's parents are pathetic in their sycophantic desire to become a part of the Ton. They're obscenely wealthy yet they're still willing to turn a blind eye to their daughter's reluctance to wed a whale. On the eve of her wedding, Clara runs away to the Earl's of Ashworth's primary country estate. Her maid Abigail has arranged for her to get a job there as a servant. I really enjoyed how the heroine turned her back on her wealthy lifestyle and embraced the world of a downstairs maid. Clara was a plucky and lovable heroine who didn't have any uppity airs about herself. She treated everyone fairly and made the best of her horrible circumstances. On her very first day in the new village, Clara meets the Earl when he saves her from being run over by an out of control carriage. The Earl of Ashcroft is the H and he has his own inner demons with which to struggle. He is captivated with lust and is besotted with Clara when he sees her and saves her but he overcomes these feelings by reminding himself that she's not in his social class.
Robert is shocked when Clara turns up to seek a job at the Ashcroft mansion. I did find it weird that Robert himself ends up interviewing her for the job, because Earls would not be involved in that kind of thing. But then the author did keep pointing out that Robert was a very unconventional sort of Earl, who often talked to his servants and didn't even have a personal valet. Robert's back story is very tragic, because it's only been a year since his father, older brother and brother in law all died in a carriage accident. Robert himself had been injured but he had managed to survive without any external scars. He did have horrible bouts of PTSD and bad dreams though. The MC's shared a strong attraction for each other but had to keep fighting it because of circumstances. I loved how the story unfolded, in spite of the lack of passion filled scenes.
There was a lot of other stuff going in the novel that kept my interest as well. Clara told everyone that her name was Helen and her life as a maid was made more torturous by the jealousy and vindictiveness of another maid called Amelia. Robert's little niece Rosa was a cute addition to the story, as were his sister and his best friend Viscount Evanston. The MC's relationship kept hovering between the bounds of propriety and passion. Robert soon realized he was falling in love with her but he also knew that he couldn't do anything about it because she was just his domestic employee. I was annoyed when Robert's sister arranged a ball and invited a lot of eligible women in an effort to try and marry off the H to a "suitable" woman. That ball didn't work out so well because one of the guests was the no neck monster, Baron Rutherford. This ugly, mean toad noticed Clara and kidnapped her in his carriage. His plans were to go to Gretna Green and marry her immediately.
The H chased after the obese ghoul and intercepted them before they could get far. I loved how Robert defended and protected his beloved Clara. He got rid of the Baron by telling him that he and Clara had already slept together and were going to be married. That was a lie since they hadn't had sex yet, but Robert knew it was the only way to get the Baron to break the betrothal agreement with the heroine's parents. There was a lot of other exciting stuff that happened in this story, some of it dealing with minor characters who ended up with their own little HEA. I really liked this story and it came at a good time when I was just about getting fed the F up of a series of 3 star romance novels. This novel will probably not appeal to every historical romance reader but I was taken with it from the very beginning. I guess it's because I just adore the forbidden love element of a romance story between an Earl and a housemaid. Clara's parents ended up repenting and reconciling with their older daughter and her poverty stricken husband. I guess it's easy to do that when the other daughter marries a rich Earl. And for those of you who are curious: the no neck monster Baron ended up having to marry a rich, social climbing, ugly, rotund, loud mouth widow from his own age group. I doubt he'll be able to bully her and fleece her money...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2019
After her sister elopes with a man deemed inappropriate by society and their parents, Clara Mayfield finds herself somewhat shunned by Polite society, in order to save their social standing her father has very little choice (I say this without pity for him – because he had choices just hard ones) but to agree to her engagement to the deplorable - a worm of a man, who is horrid and cringe worthy from the very first encounter. Unable to bear being tied to the man, Clara with the aid of a maid runaway, to hide in the last place he would look – below stairs, as a domestic servant, in the country home of William, Lord Ashworth.
Having survived a carriage accident, one which killed his parents and brother, Lord Ashworth is determined to honour the title he has inherited, and ensure an easy passage through society for his widowed sister and her little girl (Rosa – who was so cute). Scandal is something he intends to steer clear of, but when he meets the new maid Helen (aka Clara), he finds himself intrigued.
This was a sweet/light read, Rosa was adorable, Clara one rocking sister and a brave woman. However, I did want far more emotional intensity and depth, tension and heat didn’t pulsate off the pages, and the ending needed to be teased out far more, it felt a tad rushed.
Potential Triggers:
Having survived a carriage accident, one which killed his parents and brother, Lord Ashworth is determined to honour the title he has inherited, and ensure an easy passage through society for his widowed sister and her little girl (Rosa – who was so cute). Scandal is something he intends to steer clear of, but when he meets the new maid Helen (aka Clara), he finds himself intrigued.
This was a sweet/light read, Rosa was adorable, Clara one rocking sister and a brave woman. However, I did want far more emotional intensity and depth, tension and heat didn’t pulsate off the pages, and the ending needed to be teased out far more, it felt a tad rushed.
Potential Triggers:
January 7, 2021
My Kindle tells me I read this book. My brain, however, does not. That’s probably telling in and of itself, but as debuts go (with the likes of Mia Vincy’s A Wicked Kind of Husband knocking it out of the park on the first go), this is pretty much to be expected...
May reread and reevaulate sometime soon.
May reread and reevaulate sometime soon.
September 2, 2019
When she helped her sister eloped, Clara Mayfield sealed her fate. Living as a spinster is not the kind of future she would have chose for herself, but it would be paradize compared to what's obviously waiting for her with the old and vile man her father insist she marry to restore the family's reputation. That's why Clara run away and flee to the Earl of Ashworth's estate, posing as a maid.
Lord Ashworth has been absent from society for the last 18 months, mourning almost all members of his family after a carriage accident that still gives him nightmares. So Clara is not worried about the master of the house inviting someone who could recognize her and quickly make friend with the other servants, even if not everyone makes her feel welcome. But Clara didn't considered the Earl's presence nor the attraction between them.
While the hot-and-cold attitude of the Earl gets old after a while and I found him rude for no reason at times, it was easy to forgive him because there was moments where he redeemed himself perfectly. Especially liked the scene where he's dancing with the cook. I like the idea of a noble woman mingling with the servants and enjoyed Clara and William's love story. I already planned to read the next book but knowing it's about William's sister and his friend (that we both met in this book and saw the sparks) makes me even more excited about it!
Lord Ashworth has been absent from society for the last 18 months, mourning almost all members of his family after a carriage accident that still gives him nightmares. So Clara is not worried about the master of the house inviting someone who could recognize her and quickly make friend with the other servants, even if not everyone makes her feel welcome. But Clara didn't considered the Earl's presence nor the attraction between them.
While the hot-and-cold attitude of the Earl gets old after a while and I found him rude for no reason at times, it was easy to forgive him because there was moments where he redeemed himself perfectly. Especially liked the scene where he's dancing with the cook. I like the idea of a noble woman mingling with the servants and enjoyed Clara and William's love story. I already planned to read the next book but knowing it's about William's sister and his friend (that we both met in this book and saw the sparks) makes me even more excited about it!
March 13, 2018
Lady in Waiting by Marie Tremayne is the First book in the "Reluctant Bride" series. The is the story of Clara Mayfield and William, Lord Ashworth.
Clara is on the run to keep from marrying terrible man. Clara is pretending to be Helen the maid in William's home.
William never thought to inherit the title but after the devastation of most of his family he is left with that Title. Now trying to move forward and secure a possible wife and start a new family is what he needs to do...but he is finding a instant attraction to 'Helen'.
Clara too is attracted to William but she is pretending to be someone else and may not be able to be honest with him.
Can these to find happiness?
Clara is on the run to keep from marrying terrible man. Clara is pretending to be Helen the maid in William's home.
William never thought to inherit the title but after the devastation of most of his family he is left with that Title. Now trying to move forward and secure a possible wife and start a new family is what he needs to do...but he is finding a instant attraction to 'Helen'.
Clara too is attracted to William but she is pretending to be someone else and may not be able to be honest with him.
Can these to find happiness?
August 28, 2018
just too improbable and silly and so decided not to read after reading 5 chapters or so, could be that i am wrong and it get better but for me this was the end
March 14, 2018
It’s hard for me to believe this was an author’s debut, it was just that good! I already can’t wait for the next title!
I’m not always a fan of the hero/heroine pretending to be someone else. Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it doesn’t. It definitely worked this time. I found Clara’s ruse to be believable and found myself on the edge of my seat every time she was nearly caught.
I really liked both Clara and William. Neither did anything that made me feel like they were TSTL and they were genuinely good people. And William’s tragic past! How very devastating!
The only issue I can really think of that I had with the book was the shortage of William’s POV. I would’ve loved to have been in his head a lot more than we were.
This was a fantastic title, and the next book is on already on my to read shelf.
*I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not always a fan of the hero/heroine pretending to be someone else. Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it doesn’t. It definitely worked this time. I found Clara’s ruse to be believable and found myself on the edge of my seat every time she was nearly caught.
I really liked both Clara and William. Neither did anything that made me feel like they were TSTL and they were genuinely good people. And William’s tragic past! How very devastating!
The only issue I can really think of that I had with the book was the shortage of William’s POV. I would’ve loved to have been in his head a lot more than we were.
This was a fantastic title, and the next book is on already on my to read shelf.
*I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2018
Debut author Marie Tremayne left me delightfully awestruck as I read and finished Lady in Waiting. Hero & heroine (William & Clara) are strong characters that interacted in multiple ways that had me breathlessly turning the pages right to the end. Secondary characters were well woven into the story too. The upstairs/downstairs "Downton Abbey" style was excellently written. This story has tragedy, suspense, humor, and oh my goodness the ROMANCE! I highly recommend this book to all. I can't wait for her 2nd book The Viscount Can Wait to be released. I'm hooked on this new author, Marie Tremayne, and know she'll be writing and getting 5-Star reviews long into the future.
March 16, 2018
There are some really great aspects to this book, but in a way I can tell it's the author's debut novel. There are just enough rough spots and abrupt shifts in mood and attitudes that I went and checked her author page to see if it was, and went "Ahh, that makes sense." It's not BAD in any sense, there are just some rough gear changes (as I think of it) that all together make this a 4 star read instead of a 5 star one. Things like the chapters that follow the earl switching between referring to him as William and Ashworth, and the viscount as Evanston and (Thomas?), where consistency would have been preferable. We see that with Clara/Helen - she's referred to by the author as Clara in the sections that follow her, and called Helen in those that follow him. Small inconsistencies like that aren't huge put-offs in a book, but they do wear away at me and cumulatively added up to make my rating 4 stars instead of 5.
I've no doubt that Marie Tremayne will be churning out books I rate 5 stars and rave about in very short order, and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in this series! I think of it kind of like taking a ride with someone learning to drive a stick shift - there are some rough spots while they shift gears, but that doesn't mean the ride isn't amazing with a wonderful destination. And this book is definitely an amazing ride.
Through this whole book, I kept picturing Ashworth as Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey. I don't normally fancast in my head, or really form a solid picture of the characters too much, but boy, reading Ashworth's lines I could even hear his voice. I appreciate that he wants to do the right thing by his remaining family. And oh my gosh, Rosa! What a little ball of total cuteness. I also really admire Clara's strength, both in supporting her sister and then in doing what she needed to in order to survive. I love stories about mistaken identities because of that added layer of intrigue and *drama!* they create, and Lady in Waiting sure delivers on that front.
This is the first book in the series, but like many romance "series" can be read as a stand alone in that Clara and Ashworth's story has its HEA in this book. There are lots of signs that a future book will be about Ashworth's sister Eliza and his friend Evanston, and I so look forward to reading that story. (Soon, please, Ms. Tremayne!!)
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I've no doubt that Marie Tremayne will be churning out books I rate 5 stars and rave about in very short order, and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in this series! I think of it kind of like taking a ride with someone learning to drive a stick shift - there are some rough spots while they shift gears, but that doesn't mean the ride isn't amazing with a wonderful destination. And this book is definitely an amazing ride.
Through this whole book, I kept picturing Ashworth as Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey. I don't normally fancast in my head, or really form a solid picture of the characters too much, but boy, reading Ashworth's lines I could even hear his voice. I appreciate that he wants to do the right thing by his remaining family. And oh my gosh, Rosa! What a little ball of total cuteness. I also really admire Clara's strength, both in supporting her sister and then in doing what she needed to in order to survive. I love stories about mistaken identities because of that added layer of intrigue and *drama!* they create, and Lady in Waiting sure delivers on that front.
This is the first book in the series, but like many romance "series" can be read as a stand alone in that Clara and Ashworth's story has its HEA in this book. There are lots of signs that a future book will be about Ashworth's sister Eliza and his friend Evanston, and I so look forward to reading that story. (Soon, please, Ms. Tremayne!!)
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
March 15, 2018
I had an interesting experience reading Lady in Waiting. First of all, I'm not typically a historical romance reader. There have been books in the past that have caught my attention, but they don't usually lure me to read it. Since I am an Avon Addict again, I'm starting to pay a bit more attention to the genre. One of the books that caught my attention right off the bat was Lady In Waiting. This is going to sound so bad, but here we go... I actually kept falling asleep shortly after I'd start reading. That has absolutely nothing to do with the book, I swear! It's just me and the genre have such a difficult time being in the same room.
With all that said, I actually quite enjoyed reading Lady in Waiting. It was a blend of two tropes I love: hidden identity and boss/employee romance. Wrap that up in a pretty little bow and you get this adorable book. While I wondered how none of the other servants picked up on how Helen seemed a bit off when it came to doing some of her chores, I did love Clara's interactions with them. She seems like the type of person that would continue to treat servants with kindness even though her status is obviously above them. William was amazing. I wish there was more from his perspective, but I loved him nonetheless. I loved the attraction and chemistry between Clara and William. I do love a good "I love you, but I know I shouldn't" type of romance. The scenes where William takes care of Clara melted my heart. I won't go into detail, but they're quite dramatic. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Lady in Waiting. It definitely started my new journey into the world of historical romance on a positive note and now I'm totally looking forward to the second book in the series.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
With all that said, I actually quite enjoyed reading Lady in Waiting. It was a blend of two tropes I love: hidden identity and boss/employee romance. Wrap that up in a pretty little bow and you get this adorable book. While I wondered how none of the other servants picked up on how Helen seemed a bit off when it came to doing some of her chores, I did love Clara's interactions with them. She seems like the type of person that would continue to treat servants with kindness even though her status is obviously above them. William was amazing. I wish there was more from his perspective, but I loved him nonetheless. I loved the attraction and chemistry between Clara and William. I do love a good "I love you, but I know I shouldn't" type of romance. The scenes where William takes care of Clara melted my heart. I won't go into detail, but they're quite dramatic. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Lady in Waiting. It definitely started my new journey into the world of historical romance on a positive note and now I'm totally looking forward to the second book in the series.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2024
DNF @45%. Story took place in the English countryside
1845.
Story featured hero William, an earl, & Clara, heiress to a
banking fortune. Clara's parents pressed her engagement
to a horrid baron, who tried to choke her. Clara didn't share
that last detail w/ her parents.
Clara's maid and friend Abby helped her run away and pose
as a housemaid in the hero's country home. Abby's sister
Amelia already worked there. Clara had no references, was
interviewed by the earl & housekeeper & hired in a pro-
visional capacity. Amelia acted rude & contrary from the
start of Clara's arrival @the earl's home. Clara didn't call
her on her negative behavior because she wanted to be
Amelia's "friend."
Clara got on my nerves, at times passive IE she refused to
request an extra blanket b/c no other staff requested a 2nd
one! At times aggressive IE she acted too intrusive with the
earl, when it was not her place to make nosy queries or tell
the earl what to do. She also acted too forward with the earl.
The girl niece of the earl arrived w/o her mother: strange.
This story had an insufficient reward for the suspension of
belief it required.
1845.
Story featured hero William, an earl, & Clara, heiress to a
banking fortune. Clara's parents pressed her engagement
to a horrid baron, who tried to choke her. Clara didn't share
that last detail w/ her parents.
Clara's maid and friend Abby helped her run away and pose
as a housemaid in the hero's country home. Abby's sister
Amelia already worked there. Clara had no references, was
interviewed by the earl & housekeeper & hired in a pro-
visional capacity. Amelia acted rude & contrary from the
start of Clara's arrival @the earl's home. Clara didn't call
her on her negative behavior because she wanted to be
Amelia's "friend."
Clara got on my nerves, at times passive IE she refused to
request an extra blanket b/c no other staff requested a 2nd
one! At times aggressive IE she acted too intrusive with the
earl, when it was not her place to make nosy queries or tell
the earl what to do. She also acted too forward with the earl.
The girl niece of the earl arrived w/o her mother: strange.
This story had an insufficient reward for the suspension of
belief it required.
October 8, 2018
Old, hackneyed story, which has been done previously by others; the author displays a complete lack of knowledge of the social mores and behavior of the 19th century; completely improbable relationship between an Earl and a supposed housemaid who is allowed to give him advice about drainage, comfort him about the loss of his family and to step right outside the bounds of her class at the time. There is absolutely no way a pampered aristocratic female could begin to fit in "below stairs" no matter how she tried. Even for a debut novel, it is unacceptable to show disregard for the basics of historical novel writing.
August 23, 2018
It is one of those books that you just have to finish once you started even if it means staying up all night to do so. It is that good. And for a debut author, this is a major coup! I shall be anticipating the next installment for this series.
April 6, 2018
This review was copied from my romance novel review blog: romanticallyinclinedreviews.blogspot.com
I often go through phases with my romance novels. For about a month I’ll read nothing but romantic suspense. Then I’ll switch to regency romance. Then I’ll switch to weird romance novels from the 90s where consent was entirely a grey area. Then I’ll take a break with some contemporary for a while.
I have been on such a wonderful regency roll for the last week or so and I’m enjoying it immensely. Lady in Waiting by Marie Treymane, featuring a high society woman posing as a maid in an Earl’s household, is just another book in a long line of fabulous writing and entertaining characters.
This is the sort of drama I positively love. Sure, I’m partial to crime and murder, but there’s something really exciting about someone pretending to be someone they’re not. I’ve read a few romance novels featuring men pretending to be someone else, but this is the first romance novel where the heroine is the one hiding her identity. Every time Clara kept up the pretense of Helen, servant girl, exhilaration licked at my veins creating a flicker of heat that, by the end of the book, had me near panting with anticipation.
Clara ran away from her wedding, but that doesn’t make her weak. In fact, she’s stronger than many women of her time… even of this time. I don’t believe there are many women who would give up their status in society to work as a servant in someone else’s household, even if their husband-to-be was an abusive asshole. Clara is kind, thoughtful, adventurous, and scrappy.
She’s the perfect match for the brooding William whose traumatic past has left him unable to be in society for any length of time. He is temperamental, intelligent, and head over heels for a servant girl he can never have. At least, not in the way he wants. I’m usually a little over gloomy men, but there was something about William that drew me. Maybe it was the fact that his brooding wasn’t unwarranted, but rather completely understandable. He was so human and leaped off the page to grab my heart. I’ll be thinking about him for a while.
I absolutely loved them together. William could hardly hold himself together around Clara and Clara had a hard time keeping up her façade in front of him—she’s far too outspoken for a house maid, one of the things I truly enjoyed about her. When they came together time after unavoidable time I nearly squealed with delight. Forbidden pleasure is the best sort, you know?
I can tell that Marie Tremayne’s series The Reluctant Brides is going to be one of my favorites yet. There is nothing better than delectable romance, especially when it’s written with such talent, such passion, such vigor. Regency fans will delight in The Lady in Waiting.
I often go through phases with my romance novels. For about a month I’ll read nothing but romantic suspense. Then I’ll switch to regency romance. Then I’ll switch to weird romance novels from the 90s where consent was entirely a grey area. Then I’ll take a break with some contemporary for a while.
I have been on such a wonderful regency roll for the last week or so and I’m enjoying it immensely. Lady in Waiting by Marie Treymane, featuring a high society woman posing as a maid in an Earl’s household, is just another book in a long line of fabulous writing and entertaining characters.
This is the sort of drama I positively love. Sure, I’m partial to crime and murder, but there’s something really exciting about someone pretending to be someone they’re not. I’ve read a few romance novels featuring men pretending to be someone else, but this is the first romance novel where the heroine is the one hiding her identity. Every time Clara kept up the pretense of Helen, servant girl, exhilaration licked at my veins creating a flicker of heat that, by the end of the book, had me near panting with anticipation.
Clara ran away from her wedding, but that doesn’t make her weak. In fact, she’s stronger than many women of her time… even of this time. I don’t believe there are many women who would give up their status in society to work as a servant in someone else’s household, even if their husband-to-be was an abusive asshole. Clara is kind, thoughtful, adventurous, and scrappy.
She’s the perfect match for the brooding William whose traumatic past has left him unable to be in society for any length of time. He is temperamental, intelligent, and head over heels for a servant girl he can never have. At least, not in the way he wants. I’m usually a little over gloomy men, but there was something about William that drew me. Maybe it was the fact that his brooding wasn’t unwarranted, but rather completely understandable. He was so human and leaped off the page to grab my heart. I’ll be thinking about him for a while.
I absolutely loved them together. William could hardly hold himself together around Clara and Clara had a hard time keeping up her façade in front of him—she’s far too outspoken for a house maid, one of the things I truly enjoyed about her. When they came together time after unavoidable time I nearly squealed with delight. Forbidden pleasure is the best sort, you know?
I can tell that Marie Tremayne’s series The Reluctant Brides is going to be one of my favorites yet. There is nothing better than delectable romance, especially when it’s written with such talent, such passion, such vigor. Regency fans will delight in The Lady in Waiting.
January 4, 2019
I don’t give a book five stars very often, and usually not for a debut, but this book gave me ALL the feels! From a woman running from a marriage to a despicable man, to her secret life as a servant, I loved everything about this book! There’s not too many romances that send us on a journey of what happens belowstairs, but Marie does it perfectly! I felt at times I was watching an episode of Downton Abbey. And the hero! A wonderful representation of a man suffering from PTSD that didn’t have to do with Waterloo. I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book, except it is already one of my favorite reads of 2019! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
March 13, 2018
I am not one for romances. I am not one for historical fiction. But, new year new me, so why not? Lady in Waiting started out with a bang and compelled me along to chapter after chapter. It was a great mix of historically accurate, entertaining, and educational ("rake" is my new favorite word). A good story, well written, and just plain fun.
August 13, 2018
3.5/5
A lovely debut with a fierce heroine and a sweet romance. I'll be looking forward to more from Marie Tremayne.
September 15, 2018
Loved this book. Great story of a runaway bride. Would make a great movie :-)
April 9, 2018
Review of Lady in Waiting (Reluctant Brides)
This is a while written book. I loved reading this book. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I won this book through a giveaway on Goodreads website.
This is a while written book. I loved reading this book. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I won this book through a giveaway on Goodreads website.
August 28, 2019
Clara was just the right balance of sass, wit, and respectability. With her natural kindness and charm, she was also really easy to like! And even though she hid her real identity, her personal integrity showed time and time again through a multitude of empathetic decisions. Frankly, I was proud of her and her choices.
He may have become an earl through tragedy, yet William was very affable and down to earth. However, it was his unusual open-mindedness with his staff that I really adored! He treated them like family and stood up for them when they needed him most. He wasn’t a typical dandy, but someone with depth and feelings that helped me understand him better.
William and Clara’s romance left me feeling happy! It may have been a mixture of sweetness, some push-and-pull, and undeniable attraction, yet I found myself swept away with each sentence. It wasn’t always a bed of roses, especially considering the supposed station difference and the teensy white lie, but darned if I didn’t enjoy the chase!
Tremayne’s story is a lovely historical debut with passionate characters and a wonderful romance! I can’t wait to see what’s in store next!
He may have become an earl through tragedy, yet William was very affable and down to earth. However, it was his unusual open-mindedness with his staff that I really adored! He treated them like family and stood up for them when they needed him most. He wasn’t a typical dandy, but someone with depth and feelings that helped me understand him better.
William and Clara’s romance left me feeling happy! It may have been a mixture of sweetness, some push-and-pull, and undeniable attraction, yet I found myself swept away with each sentence. It wasn’t always a bed of roses, especially considering the supposed station difference and the teensy white lie, but darned if I didn’t enjoy the chase!
Tremayne’s story is a lovely historical debut with passionate characters and a wonderful romance! I can’t wait to see what’s in store next!
August 2, 2019
I had one major problem with this book -- the heroine is described as a society heiress who becomes a servant to escape marriage to a cruel man. Yet no one bats an eye at her speech. She makes no effort to disguise her accent, presumably refined. Let alone her manners or demeanor, even little things (I imagine) such as smooth hands. Everyone just believes she has been a servant all along.
Even letting that pass, this book was ultimately boring, and I started to skim fairly early. Sometimes I skim and feel I missed something after all; with this book, I felt I should have skimmed more. MT is a good writer, though, and I'm looking forward to her getting a really good editor who could work out some of MT's development issues.
Even letting that pass, this book was ultimately boring, and I started to skim fairly early. Sometimes I skim and feel I missed something after all; with this book, I felt I should have skimmed more. MT is a good writer, though, and I'm looking forward to her getting a really good editor who could work out some of MT's development issues.
Read
March 12, 2018The writing is good, and I like to give new authors a shot, but this is just one tired, cliched plot point after another, including the arranged engagement to a fat, lecherous nobleman and the heroine having to be rescued by the hero from a carriage barreling down on her because she can't move her butt out of the road. I rarely pick up a Regency/Victorian these days unless it seems to have something original going on, and I'm sorry to say that this one does not. DNFed at the 20-percent mark after the heroine fainted from the exertion of cleaning a fireplace.
March 21, 2018
What a great debut.....
Thoroughly enjoyed this unique love story of a runaway bride in disguise. It is a clever, slow-burning romance that will absolutely delight you.
Thoroughly enjoyed this unique love story of a runaway bride in disguise. It is a clever, slow-burning romance that will absolutely delight you.
April 25, 2018
A nice historical romance. The characters are well developed. The plotting and writing are well polished. I like that there was a lot going on with the side characters. A very impressive debut from Tremayne.
October 11, 2018
3.5 Stars
Decent debut. I enjoyed the characters and found the plot to be interesting. I did think the ending was very rushed and wanted a little more resolution to certain plot points.
I received an eARC of this book from Avon/Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
Decent debut. I enjoyed the characters and found the plot to be interesting. I did think the ending was very rushed and wanted a little more resolution to certain plot points.
I received an eARC of this book from Avon/Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
Shelved as 'dnf'
January 2, 2020I picked it up because Avon gave away a free ebook at RWA and because it won a RITA. I was bored. DNF at 34%.
May 27, 2018
Clara and William both were in a spot. They both wanted something different. Clara/Helen to escape and William to forget the pain, the responsibility. Together they find something in the other to make things feel better. But with Clara/Helen hiding something very important that may just change everything they have been building.
I very much enjoyed getting know Clara/Helen and William. They had a good cast of secondary characters around them. The development of the story as it progress grab my attention more and more. I was reluctant to put it down.
I very much enjoyed getting know Clara/Helen and William. They had a good cast of secondary characters around them. The development of the story as it progress grab my attention more and more. I was reluctant to put it down.
July 15, 2019
What a pleasantly surprising debut. Clearly, Tremayne has put some thought into her work.
Excuse me, I need to go binge the series.
Excuse me, I need to go binge the series.
March 10, 2019
Such a sweet historical romance. I really enjoyed it and will be reading more by Marie in the future! For those reviewers saying it was unrealistic, I just don’t agree. Maybe I have more suspension of reality when I read, but everything just WORKED for me. I was rooting for this couple.
June 12, 2018
Clara wants her sister to be happy and helps her to elope. The scandal that follows has a devastating effect on her own future though. Clara never expected her parents to say yes to a marriage request of a dangerous abusive man. Baron Rutherford has made it clear that he will own her and wouldn't hesitate to use violence to make her follow his orders. Clara wants to escape this terrible fate and runs away. To make sure nobody will find her, she pretends she's a maid named Helen and ends up being part of Lord Ashworth's household staff.
William is the new Earl of Ashworth. He lost most of his family and is grieving deeply. He's living a secluded life and doesn't want to take part in any activities other members of the ton are inviting him for. When William meets Helen, he finally feels something more than just despair. His beautiful servant keeps surprising him and he can't seem to stay away from her. However, Earls don't marry their servants. What should he do? What will happen when William finds out Helen is actually Clara, do they have any chance at happiness together?
Lady in Waiting is a fantastic romantic story. I was completely mesmerized by this amazing book and couldn't put it down. Clara is a strong and capable woman. She's looking after the people she loves in any way she can. This also means she supports the kindhearted, but very sad William, even though she works for him she manages to get through to him and I loved their beautiful open connection. It's clear from the start that there are plenty of sparks between them, but their circumstances are far from ideal. William has no idea who she is and Clara can't risk being exposed, but she keeps standing out. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out how their story would end. I was captivated by every single sentence.
Marie Tremayne has written a terrific regency story. It's filled with intrigue, secrets and true love. Clara's bold behavior kept putting a smile on my face, she's a fabulous heroine. I liked her story from beginning to end and enjoyed every part of her journey towards a better future. I loved the chemistry between the main characters and greatly admired Clara's courage to approach William over and over again. The way William runs his household makes it possible for them to form a bond, he's chivalrous and he's a real gentleman, someone any woman would be lucky to be with. It was fun to see the world of the ton from two different sides and I equally loved each one. Lady in Waiting is a delightful entertaining story, I highly recommend this wonderful book.
William is the new Earl of Ashworth. He lost most of his family and is grieving deeply. He's living a secluded life and doesn't want to take part in any activities other members of the ton are inviting him for. When William meets Helen, he finally feels something more than just despair. His beautiful servant keeps surprising him and he can't seem to stay away from her. However, Earls don't marry their servants. What should he do? What will happen when William finds out Helen is actually Clara, do they have any chance at happiness together?
Lady in Waiting is a fantastic romantic story. I was completely mesmerized by this amazing book and couldn't put it down. Clara is a strong and capable woman. She's looking after the people she loves in any way she can. This also means she supports the kindhearted, but very sad William, even though she works for him she manages to get through to him and I loved their beautiful open connection. It's clear from the start that there are plenty of sparks between them, but their circumstances are far from ideal. William has no idea who she is and Clara can't risk being exposed, but she keeps standing out. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out how their story would end. I was captivated by every single sentence.
Marie Tremayne has written a terrific regency story. It's filled with intrigue, secrets and true love. Clara's bold behavior kept putting a smile on my face, she's a fabulous heroine. I liked her story from beginning to end and enjoyed every part of her journey towards a better future. I loved the chemistry between the main characters and greatly admired Clara's courage to approach William over and over again. The way William runs his household makes it possible for them to form a bond, he's chivalrous and he's a real gentleman, someone any woman would be lucky to be with. It was fun to see the world of the ton from two different sides and I equally loved each one. Lady in Waiting is a delightful entertaining story, I highly recommend this wonderful book.
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