Oct 29 2009
REVIEW: From Waif to Gentleman’s Wife by Julia Justiss
Dear Ms. Justiss,
You’ve been writing Regency set stories for years now so by now, I’m sure you’re more than familiar with all the conventions, the standard plots, the trope characters, all the things we’re used to seeing in this historical category. Well, I am too so when I come across something different, I’m liable to sit up, smile and say, “Yes!”
I’m sure that Sir Edward Greaves was, even if only briefly, a minor character in your book, “An Unconventional Match.” Alas, I don’t recall him. Shame on me as he’s a nice guy. As he, himself, thinks, he doesn’t have the lofty title of his friend Nicky Stanhope, the Marquess of Englemere, or the money his financial wizard friend Hal Waterman does but he’s not a bad catch on the marriage mart. So far, his attempts to find a wife he can admire as well as love, and who he thinks would enjoy living with him in the country, have not panned out but hope springs eternal.
In the meantime, he’s intrigued by a little property owned by Nicky. It’s far from Nicky’s other holdings and has currently been run almost into the ground by land agent mismanagement. In these postwar years when crop prices have plummeted and out of work Peninsular War veterans roam the countryside searching for work, it’s hard for even well maintained properties to cover their expenses. When an estate has been as badly administered as Blenhem, it’s almost a lost cause. But for Ned, this “perfect storm” is like a red flag and he offers to buy the property.
Widowed Joanna Merrill is truly destitute when she arrives at Blenhem, late on a stormy night, on foot and half starved. Unjustly thrown out of her last post by his wife after the Viscount got frisky and cornered her in her room, Joanna’s only hope is to find her brother who was managing a small property for their very distant relation the Marquess of Englemere. Only when she arrives, Greville is gone and another man has taken his place.
For various reasons, Ned has decided to take the role of an untitled land agent to allow him to discover just what went on under Greville’s management. He’s immediately attracted to the lovely Joanna but as a relation to his friend, she’s “hands off.” Trying to help her find employment, Ned hits on starting a school for the estate children with Joanna as the teacher. As their interest in each other grows, they attempt to discover what went on at the estate. But will Ned wait too long to tell Joanna who he really is?
For the most part, this is a quiet, country Regency. There is little about ton life in London, no Seasons, no Almacks, no dowagers quizzing young misses. I like that Joanna is a gentleman’s daughter while Ned is a Baronet instead of the usual Duke. And though he is sort of undercover in a way, he’s not a spy for Wellington. The use of the Luddites as a background conflict as well as Joanna and Greville’s experiences at the hands of the aristos is inspired. It’s been years since I saw this aspect of the times used in a Regency.
Ned doesn’t wallow away his romantically broken heart with wine, women and song. No, this boy throws himself into dethatching grass, soil additives, farming techniques and other agricultural improvements. Be still my beating heart. He’s also actually got a good reason for going undercover, as it were, at his new property. He thinks things out and truly wants to do the best for his tenants. What a guy!
I like that Ned listens to Joanna and doesn’t dismiss her concerns and statements about the aristocracy and their abuse of their privileges. He offers considered responses and tries to show Joanna the other side of the coin.
Joanna does get to see the real Ned even though she thinks he’s lower in social station than he is. Ned doesn’t hid who he really is, a man interested in farming and improving the lot of his tenants. While he, in turn, finds out more about her closely held feelings than he would have been able to in more polite, conventional realms. When they do start their physical relationship, I felt that they knew each other and didn’t just jump into lust. I will admit, however, to being slightly tired of the prevalent mental lusting up til then.
When the truth is revealed, at least Joanna doesn’t completely dismiss Ned’s entreaties to listen to his side of things, then to go to London to seek out her many-times-removed cousin the Marquess to see if he can assist her in finding her brother. Then she does listen to Nicky’s wife Sarah – who, thankfully, doesn’t meddle too much – and considers what Sarah, who knows Ned, has to say.
I did notice that Joanna mentions how diligently Nicky appears to work for his tenants at his various properties but then that brings up the question of why Blenhem was allowed to sink so far into disrepair while Nicky still owned it.
Another thing I noticed is when Joanna first arrives in London, she thinks something about how Nicky never offered to assist her. But then, I thought she had dismissed all thoughts of even going to him to seek aid. So is this really his fault he didn’t offer to help a relation who never called on him?
I was glad to see Jesse and Mary have a happy, and believable, ending. Yes, they will be sailing to America but honestly, I doubt that they could have lived in this small village given what Mary was forced into.
I hope readers looking for a slightly different Regency will check this one out. The innovative use of the actual concerns and conflicts of the age – progression of technology and factories, destruction of traditional handicrafts of rural England and fate of wounded soldiers after the Napoleonic wars were finally over, make it stand out. The mental lusting dragged and I had some slight questions about various parts of the plot but overall, I enjoyed it. B-
~Jayne
This book can be purchased at eHarlequin.com or in ebook format from Sony or other etailers.
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Oct 29, 2009 @ 11:56:54
Great review. I haven’t read many Regencies, but enough so that I was getting sick of the cliches. The whole Luddite backdrop was a breath of fresh air.
Oct 29, 2009 @ 13:25:24
That aspect of the book was used in one other Regency I’ve read but it’s been years since I read it and I honestly can’t remember the title or author. But Ned’s a sweetheart of a beta hero.
Oct 29, 2009 @ 16:59:00
I liked this book (I’m a big Julia Justiss / Harlequin Historical fan)… but the one thing that got to me was how both of the characters (particularly Ned) kept doubting themselves. It seemed like Ned was always admiring Joanna but at the same time thinking “She won’t ever like me” and Joanna is always thinking Ned isn’t attracted to her. While this tactic can be endearing as a plot, in this instance it felt overdone. However, as I said, big Justiss fan as a whole (esp A Most Unconventional Match).
Oct 29, 2009 @ 17:39:47
Thank you Jayne! I love book such as this – set in the country with estate management at the forefront. Is it only available as an eBook? Hmmm….I wonder if there are geographical restrictions on this book? I’ll found out, as I’d love to read it.
Oh, and have you ever read a book called The Two Farms by Mary Pearce?
Oct 29, 2009 @ 19:00:43
Something I just noticed. Dear Author has a tag for Harlequin, but no other publishers I’ve noticed– I usually end up clicking through to Amazon to see who the publisher is on certain books.
I know too many tags are the very devil, but would it be possible to add publisher tags? The obsessive among us (I) would be grateful.
Oct 29, 2009 @ 19:28:25
OK, look, full disclosure, didn’t read this review. Know the review will be great because it’s on DA.
But I have to get off on a honk about Harlequin and the connect-the-dot titles. Is there any book line they don’t do this in? I know this is not new bitching. But seriously and sometimes, especially when you get one of these Put Tab A to Slot B titles, I just wonder, do they even think I know how a plot works? Of course she’s a waif and will become a gentleman’s wife. Even if I wasn’t edumacated, I still pay for my cable every month, people. Or, in other words, if I’m old enough to read about sex, I’m probably also old enough to have seen enough plotlines in which absolutely every underdog (waif) triumphs (totally lands the rich dude).
Some mystery would be nice, is all I’m saying. Would it kill them to call this something more subtle?
Oct 29, 2009 @ 20:37:44
@orannia: It’s out in print or ebook format. All new Harlequin releases are so no worries abou that.
I’ve never heard of “The Two Farms” but will check out your link. Thanks!
Oct 29, 2009 @ 20:38:38
@DS: Sorry. I try to add them for my reviews but admit that I’m better at remembering it for epublishers. Will try and do better in the future.
Oct 29, 2009 @ 20:45:20
@Lizzy: LOLOL. I admit to a love/hate relationship with Harlequin titles. I just finished reading a book called “Bedding the Secret Heiress.” So, one guess as to what happens during the book and the first one doesn’t count.
Oct 30, 2009 @ 16:29:59
@Jayne: Thanks. It’s much appreciated.
Oct 31, 2009 @ 10:37:26
One of the saleswomen at my local used bookstore likes to take the Harlequin titles in their “just arrived” shelves and organize them so they tell a story. It’s really, really funny.
Oct 31, 2009 @ 13:14:37
@Jayne:
Mary Balogh has a couple of books that are set against the backdrop of social conflict in Wales. Truly is mid-19th century, set in the context of the Rebecca riots, and Longing is earlier and features the Chartists.
Oct 31, 2009 @ 18:13:32
@Patricia Briggs: Now that would be funny to see. Any good “stories” you remember?
Oct 31, 2009 @ 18:14:40
@Sunita: I’d forgotten about the Balogh books you mentioned (haven’t read either one of them) but those aren’t the ones I’m thinking of. Will have to dig back through my old notes to see if I can remember the title/author.
Nov 13, 2009 @ 01:07:28
I think that’s a great book to read. When can I buy something like that? I’m very interested about books for relationship. Can you tell me where can I buy those?