Rosemary or Too Clever to Love

De: GL Robinson

Narrado por: GL Robinson

The Ugly Duckling meets the Gothic novel.

A plain governess, a romantic Miss, a stern but handsome guardian involved in a midnight chase, a woman dressed in britches, and a gloomy castle. Throw in a bit of Vivaldi and some French philosophy, and you have it all!

When Marianne's father dies, she and her governess Rosemary are forced to go and live with her guardian, the Earl of Tyndell.

The Earl has strict ideas about how young ladies should behave. He isn't impressed by the romantic notions Marianne has absorbed straight from the pages of a Gothic novel. And her governess is not only dowdy, but perfectly ready to put him in his place, especially regarding his ideas about the education of women. But when the Earl's interest in Rosemary blossoms just as Marianne falls in love with the last person he would ever agree to her marrying, where will it all end?

Listen to Rosemary or Too Clever to Love to see how this tangle is sorted out. In spite of its light hearted and often humorous tone, this charming novel raises serious questions about women's education and philosophy.

©2020 GL Robinson (P)2023 GL Robinson

A wonderful and unique story

I am new to this author, and this is the third of her books I've read. When signing up for her newsletter (I researched her after the first book since it was so entertaining), she offers a free audiobook or short story! The audiobook is read by the author; while not a professional narration, she does a very good job at it!

I really enjoyed this story, particularly the relationship of the governess and her charge. What I've gleaned from the three books I've read is that the author has a wonderfully descriptive way of writing unique stories. The dialog is witty and fun and the heroines are generally straightforward and somewhat older. The writing reminds me of Georgette Heyer and, to some degree, Mary Kingswood (both on my favorite authors list) in that the characters are well-defined and interesting!

While the stories I've read from this author do not fully conform to the period in various ways (this is something that makes me crazy sometimes; particularly when historical characters are written with modern thinking which is why I generally keep to clean HR), I have found the story and characters too fun and interesting to let it hinder my enjoyment.

I did have one quibble with this book in the development of the attraction between the main characters. I wasn't able to follow or understand the basis for the development of feelings between them, particularly on Rosie's side. There was a particular scene on a stairway at night that didn't quite sit well with me. I have some issue with historical romance where there is sexual attraction or sexual feelings for a virgin that are understood; it doesn't ring true to the period when women were kept so sheltered. I couldn't understand why Rosie was attracted to Giles enough to love him; I would have expected him to have had to done more in kindnesses or service to the two women or for there to have been more private conversations where respect and feelings were engaged for her to develop such emotion. That said, I still very much enjoyed this book!

So, I will continue to read this author because I am very entertained by her writing (although it has cost me a few hours of sleep LOL)!

Very good writer

The humor and subtleties were very well done. I wish this author had more works on Audible. She reads her own stories but is quite good at tone and mood. The relationship between the heroine and her governess/companion was a delight, as was their evolving relationship with the male lead. The interesting story and relationship development in the first two-thirds kept me listening nonstop, and I wish it had stayed in that unique and creative vain. I sped through the last part because it had a typical and “out there” trope ending with some darker overtones. This made me feel like I was listening to a different book. The HEA was not for me because of the insensitivity of where it occurred. I plan to keep following this author, because of her writing skills and (usually) solid stories.

Beguiling Regency Romance

I enjoyed this captivating Regency romance story. Once the audiobook started, I listened until the end. Rosemary was Marianne's governess. After Marianne's father died, both Marianne and Rosemary moved in with Marianne's guardian the Earl of Tyndell. From the beginning, Rosemary's opinions differed from the Earl's, and she wasn't afraid to voice her opinions or to disagree with him. I liked the characters, although some of Rosemary's actions were not realistic for her station or the times. GL Robinson's narration was agreeable, and I enjoyed her performance. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

Be careful what you ask

Rosemary or Too Clever to Love is a Regency novel by
G L Robinson. I enjoyed this romance because I think often 16 year old girls often want a romance like the novels...and Marianne wants the perfect romance. The characters are so well written and I think that the author progresses the story and characters perfectly. Rosemary is the perfect governess for Marianne and I believe this book is a wonderful escape into Regency romance. G L Robinson gives a wonderful performance and brings her story to life.

Loved it

I am very fond of audiobooks by this author. Well-written, clean, and interesting. In the past I read it as an e-book, and enjoyed it even more here as an audiobook. Books by this author are worth listening to more than once.