A Spring Dance

The Mercer's House, Book 2

By: Mary Kingswood

Narrated by: Joanna Stephens

A family in trade moving up in the world. A family of landed gentry stepping aside for them. And the sons and daughters caught in the middle.

Will Fletcher is the eldest son and heir to the family fortune, and although his father is reluctant to relinquish his roots in trade, Will is more than happy to become a gentleman. He looks and sounds the part, but can he act the part too? He soon finds that the world of high society is not easy to break into. It's humiliating enough that the aristocracy disdain him, but how dare a lowly poor relation spurn his attentions?

Eloise Whittleton is very glad to be summoned to London to assist her distant cousin, the Marchioness of Carrbridge, in managing her social engagements. For a few weeks, she can forget she's poor and dance her way through the season, storing up a few memories for when she returns to her retired life in Bath. There are some annoyances though, and handsome, roguish Will Fletcher is everything she despises. When he tries to impress her, she's determined to teach him a lesson he won't forget.

This is a complete story with a happy ever after. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. Book two of a six audiobook series.

©2022 Mary Kingswood (P)2023 Mary Kingswood

Very enjoyable.

Loved this book. Loved the characters, and as always I find the narration by Joanna Stephens pleasant. This is just the type of well-written, bedroom door closed, romance that I find truly romantic and will choose to read and listen to over and over. Mary Kingswood's books are consistently good, and she has now earned the right to become one of my favorite authors.

A Spring Dance - #2 of the Mercer's House series

Wonderful!! 'Such a joy to FINALLY have another Mary Kingswood/ Joanna Stephens collaboration to listen to! I'm addicted and couldn't wait for the next installment and had to READ #1!!! This one is just BRIMMING with depth and emotion! I was brought to tears a number of times by the shear breadth of feelings portrayed! I was caught up and My heart swelled right along with the characters. Mary Kingswood is a Marvel! And Joanna Stephens!? Without compare! Seriously! I can barely listen to anyone else, now! "Well done " doesn't begin to describe their combined talents!

Good clean fun

Mary Kingswood books are always an automatic purchase for me. This one, so far, appears to have a similar theme as the last story in that the heroine is reluctant about the hero, but the hero persistently pursues anyway. Hopefully there will be enough variation or character growth to keep it interesting, because this trope is not as interesting as her previous series’ have been. Her past series’ have had unique and very creative storylines, characters, and twists. The narrator’s ability to capture the tone and mood are fabulous. But I’ve taken off an extra point this time because, right out the gate, the differences in volume need frequent adjustment. Her voice goes up but then equally drops to whisper level. Another reason is because she’s picked some exceedingly squeaky voices. I’m only a short way in, so hopefully it improves as she gains her rhythm. While these first two in this new series aren’t my favorite, they are still far above most of the regencies out there. Mary Kingswood is an excellent writer that I will continue to buy.

I hate this one

I hate Eloise! She is an obnoxious know it all! She makes judgements about people without getting to know them. She is so stuck up that it killed the story for me. I haven't finished it yet but even if it has a happy ending I wish that Will would turn his back on her and teach her a lesson. That is exactly what she deserves.
Update after finishing the book: I still hate the character of Eloise. She deserves to stay alone and miserable because what she did has no forgiveness.
I hate how the author made the poor hero such a schmuck. No one should be treated like that and people's feelings are not a game to be played. I felt for the character of Will.