His Not So Sensible Miss

A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time, Book 3

By: Jane Charles

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

Emily Frasier has lived as the ward of Duke Ellings since her father died when she was 15. She also knows that soon it will be time to leave his household and make her way on her own. When she discovers a cottage while visiting her aunt and uncle, she knows this is where she wants to live and become a teacher, as her father once was.

Dillon Chambers must find a wife this season in order to please his mother. If she didn't have control over something more precious than his freedom and life, he would not have made the promise to marry a lady with high connections at the end of the season. When he comes across Emily at his cottage and learns she is the ward of a duke, he feels his luck has finally changed. He could please his mother and settle with a lady he would actually want to have as his wife.

When the truth becomes known in London that Emily is only a professor's daughter, Dillon knows his parents will never approve. Will he risk everything to have her? Will Emily do the sensible thing or risk her reputation and heart so that Dillon doesn't destroy all he holds dear?

©2012 Jane Charles (P)2015 Jane Charles

Pauper is Prince & Princess is Pauper...maybe

Any additional comments?

Would we be better off neglecting the social stations society has placed on us for whom we should associate with? Should we just look for love? Is it enough? Emily would probably agree love is most important. But will she be sorry? Emily was a very astute young lady, daughter of a scholar and respected professor. She, herself, was very intelligent and most learned for even a male of those days. Emily knew her station was a difficult one thereby the male gender would find her an unsuitable match. After all, her intelligence did not attract a laborer or servant for possible marriage (nor was she attracted to such), and she didn’t attract any of the aristocracy without the necessary pedigree.Emily comes upon Dillon when he’s planning on working on the roof of his cottage. She assumes he’s a laborer since he’s dressed as one. Both hide who they really are, although Dillon more so. Each have their reasons. They are just Emily and Dillon, although Dillon knows or perhaps I should say, assumes he knows her station in society.The author had me chuckling when Emily tells Dillon she studies countries in alphabetical order. She, presently, is studying Greece. Her studies have her reading anything and everything about a country, from philosophy to dance, from ancient times to present. When her discussion gets rather racy, discussing lesbianism, Dillon isn’t sure the kind of education she’s had, changed her gender preference or not. This scene was humorously written and very entertaining.Unbeknownst to her aunt and uncle, Emily secretly meets with Dillon for a month at his cottage—a month of friendship, discussions and pleasurably getting to know each other. Dillon dare not ruin the young lady, however, he is drawn to her wit, beauty and intelligence.Emily is summoned to London by her guardian, the duke. Both Emily and Dillon are disappointed for their friendship and promises to each other would have to wait upon her return. Will society let them choose outside their stations?This story was full of complicated situations, misunderstandings, half-truths, and parents who shatter their child’s happiness for family connections. It also had an ending I didn’t guess. I commiserated with Emily and Dillon and cheered for them when there looked to be a bright ending for them both. At the beginning of the story, I wish there was more excitement in the plot itself, but it picked up at a better clip later.I’ve listened to many of narrator Paul Woodson’s productions. I like the way he tells a story; his cadence of phrase, and inflections of feelings with an animated voice. I particularly enjoy his work with female speech and thought.This is a good read for readers who enjoy Regency genre complicated by social issues, interfering families and with adorable, honorable heroes who’ll do anything to have what is theirs.

Good story

I enjoyed this story told by one of my fave narrators. Mr. Woodson's voice is a delight to listen to and his various characters and their emotions are brought to life thru his talent.
I liked Emily, a strong, intelligent young woman who tries to make plans for her future as she thinks it should be, given her low station. Then Dillon enters her life and all turns on its head. Their relationship has its highs and lows, quite a few twists thrown in to keep it interesting, but the biggest one is at the end when Emily finds out who she really is. I couldn't be happier for her and Dillon and I imagine they lived HEA. I would have liked to hear how Mrs. Chambers received that news though, the old nasty hag LOL

decent story, abrupt ending

This is a decent enough story, maybe medium heat. Narration is fine. Ending is so stupidly abrupt, it's like the author was called away in a rush. No epilogue, and SERIOUSLY needs one to make up for the ending.