Belinda Goes to Bath

The Traveling Matchmaker, Book 2

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Helen Lisanti

No sooner does Miss Pym board her next stagecoach than she finds herself embroiled in the plight of Miss Belinda Earle, a spirited heiress banished to Bath after swearing off the marriage market. When the coach founders near Baddell Castle, and the dashing Marquis of Frenton comes to the rescue, Miss Pym decides to give Fate a hand. Although the austere bachelor disdains romance, his furtive glances towards Belinda prove to Miss Pym that her expert matchmaking will soon turn this star-crossed couple into a heavenly match!

©1991 Marion Chesney (P)2012 AudioGO

Such fun!

I love this series! It includes, not only romance, but humor and interesting details of the era...

Entertaining and diverting!

I Enjoyed this Unusual Tale

Miss Pimm is so positive and brave. She cares for those she meets on her adventures. I will continue with the series.
M.C. Beaton’s stories are never dull no matter the time period.

A Little Different

One of the characters is a bit rough with the female lead. But the story has a nice ending.

Good sequel, not quite up to the level of the original

2nd book in the Traveling Matchmaker series.

In this installation, Hannah Pym, housekeeper turned lady of leisure and amateur matchmaker, befriends a 19 year old heiress, Belinda Earle, on her way to Bath. Belinda’s guardians have exiled her to Bath (which knowing travelers call The Bath) after an attempted elopement with the footman.

With her aunt and uncle refusing her a second London season, and a two year wait until she comes of age and into her money, Belinda is sort of stuck. That is, until their carriage falls into an icy river, and they are rescued by the dashing Marquis of Frenton.

Can Miss Pym persuade the Marquis to marry Belinda? Does she even want to get married? And are his intentions honorable? And what about the other woman who has set her cap for the Marquis, Miss Penelope Jordan?

This installment was not quite as fun as the first book, due to a subplot involving domestic violence. The wife berates the husband verbally, and he responds physically. Unfortunately, such behavior was condoned in this period of history. Think of Punch and Judy shows, in which a husband and wife (puppets) beat each other over the head with sticks. They were considered fine family entertainment throughout the 19th century.

And, btw, “Marquess” is the correct British English pronunciation of “Marquis.”

Light and Old Fashioned, and yet very funny

What did you love best about Belinda Goes to Bath?

On the very surface this is a light historical romance with a predictable plot and stereotypical characters. And yet, like everything M. C. Beaton writes each character has a twist that takes the reader by surprise and sometimes a laugh. This is part of a series of books based on an ex-housekeeper, gifted with an inheritance, which she uses to travel around England. In her wonderings she deftly, finds jobs for the jobless, homes for the homeless, and love for the loveless. There is no snappy banter, sex beyond a brush of lips, or even a dawn meeting with pistols, or at least not the standard duel. There is an
underlying thread of reality that makes the whole thing just a little unusual.

What other book might you compare Belinda Goes to Bath to and why?

Standard historical romances come close.

What does Helen Lisanti bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Helen Lisanti is an excellent narrator. She manages to change characters without overpowering the story with so much acting that she pulls the listener out of the story. I enjoyed listening to her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I laughed at a point that was one coincidence to many.

Any additional comments?

Just that I am glad M.C. Beaton chose to give up a career in journalism to write novels with some very very dry wit, hidden among the standard plots.

one of her last clean books

this book was very entertaining and well narrated, and it's the last clean story mc Beaton writes.

Delightful!

This is a well crafted novel about the adventures of Hannah, a house keeper turned independent lady of leisure due to an inheritance given to her by her late employer. Hannah is a down to earth lady with a sense of fun. All the characters are well-written. The story is exciting while staying clean. I loved the first book. This book is better. The narrator mispronounces marquis, but is otherwise perfect. This is a delightful series. Fast paced and exciting with likable characters and an overall sense of fun.

Cute!

I enjoyed this second book of the "The Traveling Matchmaker" series, but not as much as the first.

Miss Pym has quite an adventure in this second book: On the "flying machine" (stage coach) to Bath she meets a young 'single' lady, which causes her Match Making antennas to rise up. When their coach has a mishap, and they are rescued by a handsome Marquess, she immediately starts thinking about the Marquess and her traveling companion ....but there's a catch, the Marquess has invited a young lady and her parents for a visit to his home, with the intent of proposing.....

I plan on listening to the entire series eventually. The two I have listened to have been a light, refreshing read.

Belinda Goes to Bath: The Traveling Matchmaker, Book 2

Another great book. Sweet and charming. No stress. Perfect quick read.
Hannah, the matchmaker, is back at it again. This time she meets Miss Belinda Earle, who is being sent to her widowed aunt’s home in Bath. Belinda isn’t a typical young woman of the era. She speaks her mind and doesn’t play games. Because of this, the handsome Marquess of Frenton finds her fascinating.

One of my fave series!

Next to the Poor Relations series, this is my favorite. I do love Miss Pimm, and her forthright manner.