A Bachelor Establishment

By: Jodi Taylor

Narrated by: Anna Bentinck

High adventure and dark mystery combine in a sparkling historical romance, by Jodi Taylor writing as Isabella Barclay from The Chronicles of St. Mary's.

Bascombe, widowed and tied to an impoverished estate, has learned to ask little of life. With no hope of leaving, the years have passed her by. Lord Ryde, exiled abroad after a scandal, has returned to strip his estate and make a new start in America. A chance encounter changes their plans, plunging Elinor and Lord Ryde into adventure and not a little peril until, finally, they are forced to confront the mystery of what happened on that night, all those years ago.

Are they both so entangled in the riddles of the past that they are about to miss this one last opportunity for future happiness?

©2015 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

I have to start by saying I don't listen to Historical Romance but I selected this book for a book challenge. Considering I don't enjoy this genre I have to say this book was a pleasant surprise. I was interested from beginning to end and found myself very intrigued by the story. I enjoyed the mystery & excitement as well as the witty banter between the characters and the romance was a lot more than I expected too.

The narration was ok. She was great for the story but her male voices weren't great.

Enjoyable read

This was a solid story with an endearing romance. The narration was excellent. I'm so happy I picked this audio up.

Cute story

Not one of Jodi Taylor's best, but an enjoyable, quick read. Interesting plot twist an only light romance.

This is a charming Regency Romance.

Elinor Bascombe is a widow trying to maintain the impoverished estate of her missing brother-in-law. The brother-in-law, a younger son, had championed Elinor against her abusive husband but he disappeared under suspicious circumstances and has not been heard of for 14 years.

Elinor has an unexpected encounter with her neighbor Lord Ryde. He has been abroad for years after being punished by his father over young man scandal. Lord Ryde has returned to strip the home estate he detests and move to America for a fresh start. Elinor and Lord Ryde hit if off on a strident tone. Their unplanned second meeting thrusts them into danger when shots are fired in their midst.

Lord Ryde steps in to protect Elinor and their close encounter places them into a close situation where a grating friendship blooms even as they have to face their different, passioned views on what happened the night years ago when Lord Ryde’s father died.

I do enjoy historical romance with a mystery and this story is wonderful. I loved the characters and the humorous tone of this story from beginning to end. The tension existed between the characters throughout and it was fun to see their romance grow beyond their differences. The jousting repartee does eventually turn into some very nice prose. The danger of an unknown assailant, and confusion as to the actual target, adds to the conflict and adventure of the plot.

I have enjoyed several of the St. Mary Chronicles series by Jodi Taylor and yet missed the pen name Isabella Barclay. It is perfectly fitting with the wonderful humor of this author. I liked that the romance was not graphically overdone. I want to read/listen to more in this nature. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good Regency with mystery.

Audio Notes: Anna Bentinck does a spot-on job with the narration. I enjoyed the voices for female and male characters. I will take a look at other books narrated by Bentinck. I am glad to have listened to this.

Enjoyable enough

The story was enjoyable enough. It was a fluff book for me. I had just finished listening to a number of historical fiction books that dealt with World War II, and I was looking for something light and easy listening. This book fit the bill.

I did find the voices the narrator picked for the different characters a little annoying after about an hour and a half of listening.

If you want a nice fluff piece to listen to, a little regency romance, this is for you.

Diappointing

After the complex characters and witty plots of the St, Mary's and Frogmorton Farms series. this predictable and slow moving plot coupled with a very one-dimensiiable performance was a big disappointment. dont get this book looking for wit and charm:: you aren't going to get it.

A wonderful romance for those who hate romance

I have had 'A Bachelor Establishment' in my library for a long time and put off listening to it as I was reluctant to muck through what I was afraid might be a Victorian romance novel. I finally decided to give it a go, and am very happy I did. Ms. Taylor once again provides the warmth, wit, and complexity of character and plot that make her writing a joy, and paired it with a narrator who perfectly conveys both the characters and the story. A historically accurate Olde England is woven into the story rather than simply used as a backdrop, with all of the social and technological details provided as part of the whole. All of the characters are fleshed out with enough detail, personality, and flaws to make them 'real' - not just individuals you could believe, but would also like to have as friends yourself. Yes, it is a romance, but one that delivers intrigue, mystery, humor, drama, and fun along the way. Another terrific listen from Jodi Taylor that I recommend highly.

Fantastic light-hearted British wit.

Loved it. Great characters. Fun storytelling. Read all her books, you won't be disappointed.

One of my all time favourites

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is a great comfort read with engaging characters and a terrific performance.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Bachelor Establishment?

There were several points of surprise but I do love the first meeting of the heroine and future hero.

What about Anna Bentinck’s performance did you like?

Each of her characters are distinctly different and all are entertaining.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I have relistened to this book more than almost any other audiobook (and I am a relistener with an extensive library). It makes me happy even though it deals with some tough concepts along the way.

Any additional comments?

I love all of Jodi Taylor's books and look forward to another in this genre. Worth a listen.

a comedy of manners, with a mystery

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