“Choosing a wife is not a task that should be undertaken lightly.” Bennett Montague, sixteenth Duke of Aveley, is seeking the perfect bride. He’s narrowed his search to five worthy “Potentials..”.until the arrival of his aunt’s companion unravels his carefully laid plans. Having fought for everything she has, Amelia Mansfield is incensed by Bennett’s wife-selection methods. But as she’s forced to … methods. But as she’s forced to spend time in his company, she begins to see another side to Bennett–and that man is infinitely more tantalizing and enticing…
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The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide by Virginia Heath had me hooked from the very first chapter! What a wonderful story of two people from vastly different worlds… finding common ground and true love!
Amelia Mansfield is a companion to Lady Worsted the aunt of a Duke. She has a scandalous past, although not of her doing. She finds fulfillment in helping other less fortunate people, volunteering and attending political reform campaigns to make a difference. She loathes aristocrats….
Bennett Montague, sixteenth Duke of Aveley is following in his father’s footsteps. He’s a politician and one of the Regent’s most trusted advisers. He’s even gone so far as to write down all of his father’s advice in a book that was published, The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide…..
Oh my how did I miss this gem of a book? I absolutely adored Bennett and Amelia from the moment I met them. Bennett is not your typical duke. Yes he’s handsome and rich and a little stodgy… But he’s also a little shy and cringes at his own behavior. I started rooting for Amelia the moment we met her in the carriage reading Bennett’s book! She was such a lovable character who’s been through a lot but survived. The chemistry and dialogue between these two were fabulous along with a fantastic group of secondary characters. This was one of those books I just couldn’t put down! I only wish I had read it sooner. This is definitely a keeper and another 5 star from the pen of Virginia Heath.
You have challenges that everyone has to get through each day, but back in Amelia and Bennett’s time, they always had challenges and many obstacles to even live.
Virginia Heath brings to life the Seven Dials in London; the squalor, the homes and businesses that were there in the time where even though today we still have places in every city that is where people live in the streets, eat if any once a day, are too ill to work or just don’t. The Seven Dials was more horrible and that Amelia and her mother had to live there was unthinkable.
Virginia brought a couple together that had me from the beginning cheering her on. The challenges for Bennett to figure out that he was in love with a strong women who knew what she was and what she wanted to do, Then there’s Amelia who ended up making obstacles to get Bennett to stay away.
There is sadness, anger and hatred that was involved but it all ends with a love that had Amelia and Bennett won even with all the challenges and obstacles that were there it didn’t matter.
Virginia Heath is a wonderful author and I love her book’s.
It’s a question of perspective
Miss Amelia Mansfied was happy to be back in London after a year away; she could see to the poor in the City. Amelia enjoyed her position of companion to Lady Worsted, what was not so pleasant at the moment was the idea of residing for a month in the Duke of Aveley’s Mayfair townhouse for the duration of her stay. Amelia had read the Duke’s book – The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide to Selecting the Perfect Bride, and she could guess what sort of pompous ass he would be. Bennett Montague, the aforementioned pompous ass, has been looking for a bride for a whole year. He was now down to five “Potentials”; he was just too busy in parliament for anything else. But Amelia’s first glimpse of the Duke leaves her almost overwhelmed by his golden godliness, and he is utterly mesmerised by his Aunt Augusta’s companion. But when he opens his mouth, the illusion is shattered: he is a pompous ass.
With every book, Virginia Heath has me almost swooning. THE DISCERNING GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE, at first, looks like the most delectable piece of fluff, then gradually becomes an enthralling study of class differences. Ms. Heath’s research and knowledge of the period is astonishing as vivid portraits come alive and we experience the splendour of Mayfair as thoroughly as the squalor of Seven Dials, where the poorest of the poor exist; and the author’s descriptions of the workhouses made my skin crawl. Bennett is a good man, determined to do his best to improve the nation, but by Jove, he is so rigid and proper, it’s a wonder he doesn’t break. Like all aristocrats, in truth he ignores how it really is. Bennett is an extraordinarily complex character; endearing, because he means well, and aggravating because he is just so stuffy. Or rather his father taught him he had to be stuffy. Amelia is a superb heroine whose backstory is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.
Amelia and Bennett’s romance is so much more than that of a duke and a commoner. In 1816, reform was in the air, and Britain feared a revolution like those that had rocked France and America, and Virginia Heath used these historical facts to make her story shine even more. Politics are so well integrated in the narrative, that they challenge the budding romance, provoke heartfelt and crushing conversations, but establish the foundation for the romance. I knew there was going to be a happy-ever-after, but I had no idea how it would happen. The dialogues are spectacular works of art – intricate and genuine; and the secondary characters are some of the best I have ever seen: Bennett’s butler, Lovett; Bennett’s adorable Uncle George, and his magnificent Aunt Augusta. One particular scene where Bennett reveals the man behind the rigid façade left me teary-eyed. THE DISCERNING GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE is yet another phenomenal story, heart-wrenching, enlightening, poignant, emotional, and ultimately one of the most romantic I have ever read because it all feels so real.
What a wonderful book to read and I so loved all the characters, especially the butler! lolol I really enjoy this author’s way of writing, you get everything….passion, humour, love, feistiness, etc. I also love the storyline regarding the plight of the poor and destitute and how even one person can make a difference. This book deserves all 5 stars!!
Virginia Heath’s The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide (Harlequin Historical 2016) is an engaging Regency romance about a hero who has a narrow view of the world and its inhabitants beyond his ivory tower, and a proud social justice warrior heroine who challenges those very views.
Bennett Montague, sixteenth Duke of Aveley, takes his responsibilities in Parliament quite seriously. When he decides it is time to marry, he approaches the search for his perfect bride with the same studied focus; he creates a list of “Potentials” – five eligible young ladies – one of whom will be his future wife. All is progressing according to plan until his aunt and her companion arrive on his doorstep. Not an unusual circumstance, except the companion is beautiful, opinionated and quite determined to undermine his carefully strategized campaign.
Amelia Mansfield may be part of the Duke of Aveley’s household, but while under his roof she refuses to stop working with the poor in Seven Dials, the slum where she used to live. She is annoyed by his marital machinations, but finds appalling his haughty perceptions of those less fortunate. But as Amelia spends more and more time in Bennett’s company, she begins to see another side to him that belies the politician’s façade he presents to the world. Unfortunately, there is more to separate them than opposing political viewpoints, for a daughter of the slum is a most unsuitable match for a Duke who dreams of being Prime Minister.
This is the first romance by Virginia Heath I have read, and it won’t be the last. The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide is a well-crafted Regency romance with realistically-drawn characters, a charming story, and witty dialogue. There’s also a dash of humor, a touch of adventure, and a lovemaking scene that didn’t seem formulaic.
Please note: I received The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide in eBook format from the author in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I share here are mine and mine alone, and were in no way influenced by the manner in which I received the book.
Bennett Montague, sixteenth Duke of Aveley, is seeking the perfect bride. He’s narrowed his search to five worthy ‘Potentials’…until the arrival of his aunt’s companion unravels his carefully laid plans.
Having fought for everything she has, Amelia Mansfield is incensed by Bennett’s wife selection methods. But as she’s forced to spend time in his company, she begins to see another side to Bennett – and that man is infinitely more tantalising and enticing
Amelia has suffered & ended up, with her mother in the workhouse. She worked hard to earn a living after her mother died. My heart bled for her sufferings but I admired her grit & determination. I was drawn in from the first page with the annoying passages from Bennett’s guide & my enjoyment didn’t falter. This book had everything for an enthralling read, a pompous Duke who starts to doubt everything, a feisty outspoken heroine & delightful secondary characters , I loved Uncle George & Lovett. I also loved some of the very British expressions eg Amelia was all of aquiver when she met Bennett. Bennett appearing for his evening meal at the stroke of seven had me chuckling. However the locking of horns between Bennett & Amelia was the icing on the cake – brilliant
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This book grabbed from page 1. I enjoyed the humour and the stodginess of both the advice and the author of the advice, a duke who had been brought up to know his goal in life and not stray from it. Which included finding a perfect wife. Enter Ameila, a young lady who was once a member of the ton but due to the ambitions of her father found herself out in the cold having to survive, and survive she did. When the two collide there are sparks and Ms Heath knows how to bring the whole story to life. It had me sad and smile through out. I was sad when the story ended. There were sex scenes in this book., but as usual this reviewer skipped them and it didn’t effect my enjoyment of the book.
This is only the second book I have read of hers but they are so well written you just can’t go wrong. It was my pleasure to receive this book as an ARC and do an honest review.
Believable characters and witty dialogue populate this well-paced, excellently written, character-driven story. I loved that the heroine is very self-aware and the hero discovers that he really isn’t who he has been pretending (even to himself) to be. His metamorphosis is a sight to behold! You like each of the characters from the beginning, but as you learn more about them and their respective backgrounds you come to like and respect them even more.
Bennett Montague, sixteenth Duke of Aveley, has plans to be Prime Minister within the next few years. He is stodgy, extremely correct, pompous, and austere. He’s followed his father’s plans for his life to the letter and now, the next part of that plan is to find a wife – after all – a Prime Minister must be married. A year ago, he wrote down and then published, some words of wisdom his father gave him for finding a wife. He’s put those into action and has now narrowed his choices down to five ladies who seem to meet all of the criteria. Some of the words of wisdom are:
• Marry a woman who thinks before she speaks. It will save you a great deal of time having to correct her …
• A wife’s first duty is to obey her husband. Therefore, it is the husband’s first duty to enlighten her as to what he wants her to do …
• Do not allow your passions to control your decisions. Passion soon dies, attraction fades, but a pragmatic union to an obedient wife will stand the test of time …
• When selecting a bride, choose a biddable woman who defers to your superior opinion in all matters of importance …
Amelia Mansfield pulled herself up out of the gutter through sheer will and determination. She’s a beautiful, petite woman who spent quite some time living in Seven Dials alone and on her own. She’s gone from living and working in the workhouse to being the companion to Lady Worsted whose nephew is the Duke of Aveley. Amelia loathes and detests anyone with a title – and she has good reasons – which you’ll learn as you read the book.
I’ve read a number of books with the ‘stodgy aristocrat shown the error of his ways by enlightened reformer’ trope. Those were good, but the reformers usually come across just a bit like cardboard. That isn’t the case here. You see and understand why Amelia feels as she does. Why she fights for the poor. Why she crusades for workers rights. It is because she has lived it and she understands it. This author does that very, very well in this book.
Bennett does his dead-level best to adhere to all of his father’s principles for finding the perfect bride – until he meets the outspoken, opinionated, disrespectful companion to his aunt. She certainly has no respect for him or his title. As a matter of fact, she thinks of him as His Royal Highness the Duke of Pomposity and wonders if being so adored becomes wearing on him.
Bennett really is a reformer at heart, but what he believes is fact, really isn’t. He wants to help the slums of Seven Dials, but believes what most folks think about the poor – that they are slovenly, lazy and much prefer to be on the dole. In his mind, he sees them living in homes – just poorer homes, etc. He has no idea that many of them, even though they work, are forced to sleep on the street along with their children. With their meager earnings, they have to choose between a place to sleep for the night or something to eat. Bennett is aghast and heartsick when he learns the truth. His awakening and transformation are a wonderful thing to read!
This delightful story is almost conflict-free and totally character driven. To me, the only thing that would have made it better would have been the addition of an epilogue. I would have loved to see them 5 years out (or even less) with a baby or two and their reform projects up and running, etc.
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Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
First of all, I love the title. It makes me want to know more about the book right away.
Bennett Montague, sixteenth Duke of Aveley, is an interesting man. He wishes to follow his father’s footsteps, but he is so different from his father, that it doesn’t work. He wants a wife who is pretty much “perfect”, as in the perfect politician’s wife. And, of course, he has a list. And he’s narrowed it down.
Enter Amelia Mansfield, who definitely does not fit the mould his looking for. She’s stubborn, and feisty. And she becomes rather indignant with the way Bennett chooses to find and select a wife.
There’s lots of banter, and you could feel the tension between the two characters.
I really liked Bennett, how he grew to understand he was behaving in a way that did not match his personality, and he was trying to be someone he was not. And when he realized he could do his best by just being him, that’s when everything changed for both our main characters.
The book also discusses politics and how people of different stations lived in during the time period. It’s interesting to see how Amelia, who has been trying to adapt to her situation as much as she can, also battles herself about how to make the world, and especially Bennett, see the true life of the poor and weak.
An entertaining and romantic book, with just the right amount of conflict.
Virginia Heath
To change the world.
A stodgy Duke has his eyes on being Prime Minister, until a young lady opens his eyes to the real problems of the lower class. Hired as his aunt’s companion, his facade begins to crack when he meets her. Challenging and argumentative, he realizes that the type of woman he needs as a wife is not what he thought. Can he change his life to get the young lady he loves as his wife? An excellent read that kept me totally involved in the story.