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The Carsington Brothers #3
Lord Perfect
IDEAL
The heir to the Earl of Hargate, Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, is the perfect aristocrat. Tall, dark, and handsome, he is known for his impeccable manners and good breeding. Benedict knows all the rules and has no trouble following them—until she enters his life.
INFAMOUS
Bathsheba Wingate belongs to the rotten branch of the DeLucey family: a notorious lot of liars, frauds, and swindlers. Small wonder her husband’s high-born family disowned him. Now widowed, she’s determined to give her daughter a stable life and a proper upbringing. Nothing and no one will disrupt Bathsheba’s plans—until he enters her life…
SCANDALOUS
Then Bathsheba’s hoyden daughter lures Benedict’s precocious nephew into a quest for a legendary treasure. To recover the would-be knights errant, Benedict and Bathsheba must embark on a rescue mission that puts them in dangerous, intimate proximity. It’s a situation virtually guaranteed to end in mayhem—even scandal!—if anyone else were involved. But Benedict is in perfect control of events. Perfect control, despite his mad desire to break all the rules. Perfect control. Really.
The heir to the Earl of Hargate, Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, is the perfect aristocrat. Tall, dark, and handsome, he is known for his impeccable manners and good breeding. Benedict knows all the rules and has no trouble following them—until she enters his life.
INFAMOUS
Bathsheba Wingate belongs to the rotten branch of the DeLucey family: a notorious lot of liars, frauds, and swindlers. Small wonder her husband’s high-born family disowned him. Now widowed, she’s determined to give her daughter a stable life and a proper upbringing. Nothing and no one will disrupt Bathsheba’s plans—until he enters her life…
SCANDALOUS
Then Bathsheba’s hoyden daughter lures Benedict’s precocious nephew into a quest for a legendary treasure. To recover the would-be knights errant, Benedict and Bathsheba must embark on a rescue mission that puts them in dangerous, intimate proximity. It’s a situation virtually guaranteed to end in mayhem—even scandal!—if anyone else were involved. But Benedict is in perfect control of events. Perfect control, despite his mad desire to break all the rules. Perfect control. Really.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 7, 2006
194 people are currently reading
3342 people want to read
About the author
Loretta Chase
51 books3,635 followersLoretta Lynda Chekani was born in 1949, of Albanian ancestry. For her, the trouble started when she learned to write in first grade. Before then, she had been making up her own stories but now she knew how to write them down to share. In her teenage years, she continue to write letters, keep a journal, write poetry and even attempt the Great American Novel (still unfinished). She attended New England public schools, before she went off to college and earned an English degree from Clark University.
After graduation, she worked a variety of jobs at Clark including a part-time teaching post. She was also moonlighting as a video scriptwriter. It was there that she met a video producer who inspired her to write novels and marry him. Under her married name, Loretta Chase, has been publishing historical romance novels since 1987. Her books have won many awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA.
After graduation, she worked a variety of jobs at Clark including a part-time teaching post. She was also moonlighting as a video scriptwriter. It was there that she met a video producer who inspired her to write novels and marry him. Under her married name, Loretta Chase, has been publishing historical romance novels since 1987. Her books have won many awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 480 reviews
September 20, 2015
It was exceedingly Difficult for me to write This Review. Nonetheless, I must bow to a greater Necessity: To Express how much I loved this Book. I know I risk failing to convey my Opinion as well as I wish, but be assured that I have tried to do My Best.
Benedict Carsington, VISCOUNT RATHBOURNE, is the Heir to the EARL OF HARGATE and an acknowledged Paragon. He is always perfectly attired, his manners are impecable and his behavior is above reproach. He lives by a set of Rules that has been instilled into his mind since the Day he was Born, and he is completely devoted to fulfill his Family's and Country's Expectations. He even takes upon himself the Responsability of raising his thirteen-year-old Nephew and Godson Peregrine Dalmay, EARL OF LISLE and sole issue of Benedict's deceased wife's brother, the MARQUESS OF ATHERTON. It is an indisputable Fact that Peregrine is better off with his Esteemed Uncle. Not that the MARQUESS and the MARCHIONESS OF ATHERTON do not love their offspring. They do, but they are too ghastly Emotional to deal with him. Peregrine needs Logic, Calm and Rules to thrive. All the things that only his Esteemed Uncle can provide. Benedict Carsington, VISCOUNT RATHBOURNE, never does anything wrong. He is LORD PERFECT... until Fate places Mrs. Bathsheba Wingate in his life.
Tragic Circumstances have made Bathsheba and, by consequence, her twelve-year-old daughter Olivia Lepers and Outcasts from the Great World to which Benedict belongs. Much to her dismay, Bathsheba was Born in the ramshackle branch of the respectable DeLucey family. The Dreadful DeLuceys, as those who are born in that branch of the family are known, are thoroughly Disreputable - and Proud of it. Bathsheba has never followed in her swindling parents' footsteps, but Society always visits the sins of the Elders upon the Children. Her status as a Leper and an Outcast did not change when she married Jack Wingate, the younger son of the EARL OF FOSBURY. His parents cut him off when they failed to call the wedding off, but that did not prevent Bathsheba and Jack from living HappillyEver After for twelve years, until a Tragic Accident took his life. Since then, Bathsheba has been struggling to support herself and her Cunning Daughter as best as she can, working as an artist and a drawing teacher.
When Fate makes Bathsheba cross paths with Benedict, their Meeting leaves a most Forceful Impression upon both of them - and their respective Children.Until the Family Curse is lifted Bathsheba is Aware that Nothing can come out of that Forceful Impression, since Benedict is a Respectful member of the Great World and she is one of the Infamous Dreadful DeLuceys, but Sweet Olivia is full of Ideas and has the Audacity of involving Peregrine in her Schemes. When an Unexpected Event takes place and Matters Reach a Crisis, Olivia decides that there is Not a Moment to Lose: she must Depart on her Quest AT ONCE and find the Hidden Family Treasure that will bring her Mama the Happiness she deserves. Stoic and Responsible Peregrine tries to stop Stubborn Determined Olivia but ends up joining her on her Mad Quest.
Needless to say, Benedict and Bathsheba run after their Reckless Children as soon as they find out what has happened. As Circumstances force Benedict and Bathsheba to spend time together, he takes the Liberty of telling her how greatly he admires her. In response, she reveals that she admires him too. Since a gentleman never contradicts a lady, Benedict has no option but to conclude that the admiration is mutual... and act on it.One day the Family Curse'shall be lifted, and then Unfortunately, there can be no future for their Affair. He is bound to the Expectations of his Family and his Country, and she does not want to be the cause of Dissent between him and his Family. Only a Miracle could give them the HEA they deserve. Or, perhaps, one of Olivia's Ideas...
Oh, this was such a Delightful Read! Everything was PERFECT: the (main and secondary) characters, the plot, the dialogues, the ROMANCE, the (HOT) love scenes... I must say that I usually dislike the presence of Children in Romance novels, as they are either annoyingly cute or unbelievably mature, but Peregrine and Olivia were Charming, Intelligent and, most Important, Essencial to the story.
As I mentioned on the Introduction of This Review, I fear I have not the necessary skills to convey the Greatness of This Book. Merely saying "I loved it" is too simple - and yet, it is the true Expression of my Feelings. I am much obliged to Ms. Chase for writing such a vastly interesting and entertaining book, and I am truly happy to add this Treat to my Keepers shelf.
I am most curious to learn about Benedict's youngest brother Darius and WHAT IS TO BE DONE ABOUT HIM. I don't know what needs doing, as I have seen very little of him so far. Olivia thinks of him as the Elusive Uncle, for he's never about. But then, he is a Bachelor, and they lead unsettled lives.
I also look forward to the day when Olivia becomes a Bachelor, as she should like to live an unsettled life. I know she has thought about the future a great deal and has several Ideas. I wonder if the Great World is ready forthem her.
Benedict Carsington, VISCOUNT RATHBOURNE, is the Heir to the EARL OF HARGATE and an acknowledged Paragon. He is always perfectly attired, his manners are impecable and his behavior is above reproach. He lives by a set of Rules that has been instilled into his mind since the Day he was Born, and he is completely devoted to fulfill his Family's and Country's Expectations. He even takes upon himself the Responsability of raising his thirteen-year-old Nephew and Godson Peregrine Dalmay, EARL OF LISLE and sole issue of Benedict's deceased wife's brother, the MARQUESS OF ATHERTON. It is an indisputable Fact that Peregrine is better off with his Esteemed Uncle. Not that the MARQUESS and the MARCHIONESS OF ATHERTON do not love their offspring. They do, but they are too ghastly Emotional to deal with him. Peregrine needs Logic, Calm and Rules to thrive. All the things that only his Esteemed Uncle can provide. Benedict Carsington, VISCOUNT RATHBOURNE, never does anything wrong. He is LORD PERFECT... until Fate places Mrs. Bathsheba Wingate in his life.
Tragic Circumstances have made Bathsheba and, by consequence, her twelve-year-old daughter Olivia Lepers and Outcasts from the Great World to which Benedict belongs. Much to her dismay, Bathsheba was Born in the ramshackle branch of the respectable DeLucey family. The Dreadful DeLuceys, as those who are born in that branch of the family are known, are thoroughly Disreputable - and Proud of it. Bathsheba has never followed in her swindling parents' footsteps, but Society always visits the sins of the Elders upon the Children. Her status as a Leper and an Outcast did not change when she married Jack Wingate, the younger son of the EARL OF FOSBURY. His parents cut him off when they failed to call the wedding off, but that did not prevent Bathsheba and Jack from living Happilly
When Fate makes Bathsheba cross paths with Benedict, their Meeting leaves a most Forceful Impression upon both of them - and their respective Children.
Needless to say, Benedict and Bathsheba run after their Reckless Children as soon as they find out what has happened. As Circumstances force Benedict and Bathsheba to spend time together, he takes the Liberty of telling her how greatly he admires her. In response, she reveals that she admires him too. Since a gentleman never contradicts a lady, Benedict has no option but to conclude that the admiration is mutual... and act on it.
Oh, this was such a Delightful Read! Everything was PERFECT: the (main and secondary) characters, the plot, the dialogues, the ROMANCE, the (HOT) love scenes... I must say that I usually dislike the presence of Children in Romance novels, as they are either annoyingly cute or unbelievably mature, but Peregrine and Olivia were Charming, Intelligent and, most Important, Essencial to the story.
As I mentioned on the Introduction of This Review, I fear I have not the necessary skills to convey the Greatness of This Book. Merely saying "I loved it" is too simple - and yet, it is the true Expression of my Feelings. I am much obliged to Ms. Chase for writing such a vastly interesting and entertaining book, and I am truly happy to add this Treat to my Keepers shelf.
I am most curious to learn about Benedict's youngest brother Darius and WHAT IS TO BE DONE ABOUT HIM. I don't know what needs doing, as I have seen very little of him so far. Olivia thinks of him as the Elusive Uncle, for he's never about. But then, he is a Bachelor, and they lead unsettled lives.
I also look forward to the day when Olivia becomes a Bachelor, as she should like to live an unsettled life. I know she has thought about the future a great deal and has several Ideas. I wonder if the Great World is ready for
April 13, 2018
There comes a time in every reader's life when they feel the need to give in to their more masochistic side. They know 2 pages in that the book is going to be a flop. Their BFF has been advising them against it for ages... and yet they still give in.
Or is that just me?
So... Lord Perfect. A novel that has been annoying me from the get go, and yet I still stuck with it. With so many positive reviews, it must've had at least some saving grace. To its credit, I've rarely read a book that was so hilarious... -ly bad.
With historical romances of the bodice ripper persuasion, I am ready to throw each and every one of my normal pet peeves out the window... and exchange them for other, more fickle ones. What fun would a perfect reading experience provide? *sharpens red pencil*
She is a dirt-poor, widowed single mother, who just wants to give her child the best possible life. Part of the cursed branch of the DeLucey family, she knows she will never amount to much. So does the world, what with shunning her preemptively, and mainly on principle. So much beauty is downright suspicious!
She is: Batsheba Wingate (nee DeLucey)! Don'tknow about you, but to me the name brings to mind a crochety old matron!
He is rich and just plain perfect. Perfectly odious, that is. Arrogant, know-it-all, and never misses a chance to mansplain things to her because let's face it: a pampered rich noble just HAS to know more about the poor, than an actual.... poor person. Especially if said person is a woman.
He is Benedict Carsington (Viscount Rathbourne), heir to one of the most prestigious title in the country.
As soon as they meet, both protagonists are hit by a serious case of insta-lust, and if it weren't for their kids, they would've definitely boned one another right then and there. As it is, one obnoxiously literate 12-year-old and another obnoxiously argumentative 13-year-old save the day; or ruin it, depending on your point of view. Because now we have to wait some 100+ pages until the much anticipated boning scene.
... long story short, we get to join our two heroes on an unwilling journey of self discovery, where they try to out-tsundere one other, like no tomorrow. The end. Cue several eye-rolling sessions.
Score: 2/5 stars
For some reason, my dislike here has not managed to work itself into outright hatred; it was content enough to settle for mere bewilderment and amusement. So one extra star for not being a COMPLETE waste of time.
==================================
Review of book 1: Miss Wonderful
Review of book 2: Mr. Impossible
Or is that just me?
So... Lord Perfect. A novel that has been annoying me from the get go, and yet I still stuck with it. With so many positive reviews, it must've had at least some saving grace. To its credit, I've rarely read a book that was so hilarious... -ly bad.
With historical romances of the bodice ripper persuasion, I am ready to throw each and every one of my normal pet peeves out the window... and exchange them for other, more fickle ones. What fun would a perfect reading experience provide? *sharpens red pencil*
She is a dirt-poor, widowed single mother, who just wants to give her child the best possible life. Part of the cursed branch of the DeLucey family, she knows she will never amount to much. So does the world, what with shunning her preemptively, and mainly on principle. So much beauty is downright suspicious!
She is: Batsheba Wingate (nee DeLucey)! Don'tknow about you, but to me the name brings to mind a crochety old matron!
He is rich and just plain perfect. Perfectly odious, that is. Arrogant, know-it-all, and never misses a chance to mansplain things to her because let's face it: a pampered rich noble just HAS to know more about the poor, than an actual.... poor person. Especially if said person is a woman.
He is Benedict Carsington (Viscount Rathbourne), heir to one of the most prestigious title in the country.
As soon as they meet, both protagonists are hit by a serious case of insta-lust, and if it weren't for their kids, they would've definitely boned one another right then and there. As it is, one obnoxiously literate 12-year-old and another obnoxiously argumentative 13-year-old save the day; or ruin it, depending on your point of view. Because now we have to wait some 100+ pages until the much anticipated boning scene.
... long story short, we get to join our two heroes on an unwilling journey of self discovery, where they try to out-tsundere one other, like no tomorrow. The end. Cue several eye-rolling sessions.
Score: 2/5 stars
For some reason, my dislike here has not managed to work itself into outright hatred; it was content enough to settle for mere bewilderment and amusement. So one extra star for not being a COMPLETE waste of time.
==================================
Review of book 1: Miss Wonderful
Review of book 2: Mr. Impossible
August 20, 2016
Written September 12, 2015
4.3 Stars - Hilarious fun and the very best characters to imagine
I "read" Lord Perfect with help of the 10 hrs audiobook. Splendid narrated as always by a fantastic Kate Reading.
Wonderful amusing 10 hours of listening.
Mature historicals, by for example Loretta Chase, are the very best. This kind of witty humorous, amusing, playfully and slightly ironic told romances always do it for me. Narrated by a favorite voice, as here, and it is nearly full point again. — Glad to know there is a high pile full with great Ms. Chase historicals to download and enjoy in the future.
*********************************************
Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne (heir to the Earl of Hargate) is maybe the absolute perfect aristocrat. —Also called Mr Perfect .— Rathbourne is for a time the guardian to his thirteen-year-old nephew and godson Peregrine Dalmay, Earl of Lisle (the son of Benedict's deceased wife's brother, the Marquess of Atherton). One day visiting an Egyptian exhibition comes the boy in an argument and a fuss fight with a young girl (..whether women can become knights or not).
The short-tempered Olivia's mother is a stunning beautiful struggling widow who learn kids to paint. Bathsheba Wingate is a woman people still talk about because her scandalous marriage years ago. She is also fortunate to have a bunch of infamous non liked ancestors from the DeLucey family. Nowadays is she living alone with her daughter in quite poor circumstances and is by society seen as a dangerous seductress.
Still a "lady" though and the usually stone-hearted Rathbourne is unusually enthusiastic about the dashing beauty Mrs Wingate. Then his struggling nephew needs art lessons. At once. The temperature rises and our proper tedious perfect, and to be honest quite stiff, Viscount begins to feel emotions and cravings he maybe shouldn't. Or?
A hilarious catching running children adventure.
This PERFECT nobleman was so much fun to learn to know. A hero who had to fight to show his bravery, courage and strength trave with a widow who refused to behave like a lady in distress is refreshing. Add these two Wingate ladies which were the kind of "girls" I like to meet in my books - thirty-two or twelve years old.
Of course it ended grand, with some hot steamy moments here and there beyond the journey. ~ Looking forward to read about the other brothers in this big famous Carsington Family.
*********************************************
This wasn't my last historical this month. Addictive good audiobook as so often when I choose from this romance novel genre.
I LIKE - ridiculous much
4.3 Stars - Hilarious fun and the very best characters to imagine
I "read" Lord Perfect with help of the 10 hrs audiobook. Splendid narrated as always by a fantastic Kate Reading.
Wonderful amusing 10 hours of listening.
Mature historicals, by for example Loretta Chase, are the very best. This kind of witty humorous, amusing, playfully and slightly ironic told romances always do it for me. Narrated by a favorite voice, as here, and it is nearly full point again. — Glad to know there is a high pile full with great Ms. Chase historicals to download and enjoy in the future.
*********************************************
Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne (heir to the Earl of Hargate) is maybe the absolute perfect aristocrat. —Also called Mr Perfect .— Rathbourne is for a time the guardian to his thirteen-year-old nephew and godson Peregrine Dalmay, Earl of Lisle (the son of Benedict's deceased wife's brother, the Marquess of Atherton). One day visiting an Egyptian exhibition comes the boy in an argument and a fuss fight with a young girl (..whether women can become knights or not).
“Life is not an opera. Scenes belong on the stage.”
The short-tempered Olivia's mother is a stunning beautiful struggling widow who learn kids to paint. Bathsheba Wingate is a woman people still talk about because her scandalous marriage years ago. She is also fortunate to have a bunch of infamous non liked ancestors from the DeLucey family. Nowadays is she living alone with her daughter in quite poor circumstances and is by society seen as a dangerous seductress.
Still a "lady" though and the usually stone-hearted Rathbourne is unusually enthusiastic about the dashing beauty Mrs Wingate. Then his struggling nephew needs art lessons. At once. The temperature rises and our proper tedious perfect, and to be honest quite stiff, Viscount begins to feel emotions and cravings he maybe shouldn't. Or?
‘She gazed at him for a moment, up and down, then up again. Then, "Did your wife ever throw things at you?" she said.’
A hilarious catching running children adventure.
This PERFECT nobleman was so much fun to learn to know. A hero who had to fight to show his bravery, courage and strength trave with a widow who refused to behave like a lady in distress is refreshing. Add these two Wingate ladies which were the kind of "girls" I like to meet in my books - thirty-two or twelve years old.
Of course it ended grand, with some hot steamy moments here and there beyond the journey. ~ Looking forward to read about the other brothers in this big famous Carsington Family.
*********************************************
This wasn't my last historical this month. Addictive good audiobook as so often when I choose from this romance novel genre.
I LIKE - ridiculous much
May 3, 2015
5+ adorable stars!
I loved it! I absolutely adored it! This book reminded me of how I fell in love with reading. It is impossible without Loretta Chase’s gift with words to convey how wonderful this book is! It goes straight to my favs!
Some books make you wish you hadn't already used 5 stars because it is way to good to be lumped together with the rest. This book is one of them. It had absolutely everything. It is fresh, unique, charming, romantic, heart tugging, sexy, heartwarming, lol-funny and had the best characters.
Bathsheba Wingate is the most notorious lady in England. She comes from the dreadful DeLuceys and even though she is wonderful – no one can see past her name. She has a resourceful, charming and cunning daughter Olivia. She is twelve years old and she wants to be a knight to make matters right for her mama. When she sees Peregrine at the museum she gets an Idea. She creates an indigenous plan that erupts with Olivia running away with Peregrine – who is Lord Perfect's nephew. Naturally, this forces her mama and his uncle together. Lord Perfect is the paragon of proper behavior and not at all ready to face his growing attraction to Bathsheba.
The kids were adorable! I loved every single character. The romance was divine. I could really feel and believe in it. It progressed so naturally and the whole story went so smoothly. I wish every book was like this one! If you like HR – then go straight to this book. There is no better one.
Thanks Karen for reading it with me and for Santa in the RLftCI group for recommending it to me <3 <3
I loved it! I absolutely adored it! This book reminded me of how I fell in love with reading. It is impossible without Loretta Chase’s gift with words to convey how wonderful this book is! It goes straight to my favs!
Some books make you wish you hadn't already used 5 stars because it is way to good to be lumped together with the rest. This book is one of them. It had absolutely everything. It is fresh, unique, charming, romantic, heart tugging, sexy, heartwarming, lol-funny and had the best characters.
Bathsheba Wingate is the most notorious lady in England. She comes from the dreadful DeLuceys and even though she is wonderful – no one can see past her name. She has a resourceful, charming and cunning daughter Olivia. She is twelve years old and she wants to be a knight to make matters right for her mama. When she sees Peregrine at the museum she gets an Idea. She creates an indigenous plan that erupts with Olivia running away with Peregrine – who is Lord Perfect's nephew. Naturally, this forces her mama and his uncle together. Lord Perfect is the paragon of proper behavior and not at all ready to face his growing attraction to Bathsheba.
Furthermore, Duty and Reason both forbade his trying to make himself attractive to Bathsheba Wingate.
He devoted the first tautly, silent moments of travel to trying to revive his famous self-control, gather the remaining shreds of his moral fiber, and evict the alien spirit that had taken possession of him.
The Mrs. Wingate spoke, and everything went to pieces.
The kids were adorable! I loved every single character. The romance was divine. I could really feel and believe in it. It progressed so naturally and the whole story went so smoothly. I wish every book was like this one! If you like HR – then go straight to this book. There is no better one.
Thanks Karen for reading it with me and for Santa in the RLftCI group for recommending it to me <3 <3
April 12, 2022
An enjoyable book in this well-written series. Benedict is the traditional tall, dark and handsome. As the eldest of the Carsington brothers, he's also the heir. He is always perfectly in control, and never gets emotional or does the wrong thing. Until he falls head-over-heels for the notorious Bathsheba Wingate.
Bathsheba however, does not deserve her poor reputation. She is actually a hard-working single mother with plenty of integrity. The two of them are lovely together, and she brings Benedict back to life after his depression and sadness of the last few years.
Quite a bit of this book is an adventurous road trip, which was fun. The ending of the book was a bit of a surprise, but it worked, and they got their HEA. I enjoyed the glimpses of Benedict's father and his wider family, who pop up now and then throughout the series. Overall a very good read.
Bathsheba however, does not deserve her poor reputation. She is actually a hard-working single mother with plenty of integrity. The two of them are lovely together, and she brings Benedict back to life after his depression and sadness of the last few years.
Quite a bit of this book is an adventurous road trip, which was fun. The ending of the book was a bit of a surprise, but it worked, and they got their HEA. I enjoyed the glimpses of Benedict's father and his wider family, who pop up now and then throughout the series. Overall a very good read.
August 8, 2022
Ever since reading "Lord of Scoundrels", Loretta Chase has become one of my favourite authors. With a combination of larger than life heroes, strong but feminine heroines and bags of humour, her books are a joy to read and "Lord Perfect" is no exception.
When Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, and Bathsheba Wingate catch sight of each other across the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, there is a mutual spark of attraction. Benedict is ‘the embodiment of the noble ideal, everything aristocrats ought to be but seldom are.' In fact, he is Lord Perfect in every way. Bathsheba, on the other hand, is considered to be one of the ‘Dreadful Deluceys', a family of rogues and swindlers. Any association between them would be scandalous, but they are just passing strangers and so there is no danger........that is until fate takes a hand, in the form Peregrine, Benedict's nephew and Olivia, Bathsheba's daughter.
Whilst the adults are busy gazing at each other, the two children are engaged in conversation but, unfortunately, Olivia has taken exception to something Peregrine has said and is busy whacking him about the head with his own sketchpad! So now Benedict and Bathsheba are thrown together to sort out this mêlée. Although Benedict is bedazzled by Bathsheba, common sense rules and they part company. Benedict is very relieved to have had the temptation she represents removed from his life. However, plans are afoot which will test his resolve!
Olivia has tricked Peregrine into going to Bristol with her in search of the Delucey treasure, said to be hidden at Throgmorton, the ancestral home of the respectable arm of the Delucey family. Benedict and Bathseba are, therefore, required to join forces in pursuit of the missing children.
Will they find the children unharmed? Will they be able to keep their hands off each other? Is there really any buried treasure? To answer these questions, you will have to read the book!
There are so many things I love about this book. Firstly, there's Benedict with his impeccable manners and good breeding: ‘The scandal sheets never mentioned him. When his name appeared in print – as it did regularly – it was on account of some noble or clever or brave thing he'd done or said.' In fact, totally boring and hardly a hero to set one's pulse racing!
However, all that changes when he meets Bathsheba and, suddenly, he starts thinking and acting totally out of character. Whenever this happens, I found Benedict's habit of searching for rules to help him regain his self control really funny. For instance, when he finds himself staring at Bathsheba at the exhibition: ‘Rule: The ill-bred, the vulgar, and the ignorant stare.'
I admire him for taking his nephew, Peregrine, under his wing. He clearly cares about the boy and is even willing to visit the Egyptian exhibition three times, although he would much rather be somewhere else. He also shows a caring side through his philanthropic work for the war widows and veterans and his assistance to Bathsheba to find more suitable lodgings.
Since her husband died, leaving her with very little money, Bathsheba and her daughter have not had an easy life. With her looks and reputation, it would have been simple for her to take the easy way out by becoming a nobleman's mistress and I admire her for not doing so. Instead, she manages to keep a roof over their heads by selling her paintings and taking drawing classes.
She is feisty and isn't afraid to stand up to Benedict even at his most intimidating. Such as when Benedict tells her that she can't go with him to search for the children:
"This is Olivia's doing," she said, "and Olivia is my problem. I understand how her mind works. I know where she is going. I am the one who will search for her." The colour came and went in her cheeks. "However, you can save me time if you would lend me the money to hire a vehicle".
I love the way in which Ms Chase gradually builds up the sexual tension between Benedict and Bathsheba. I could literally feel it oozing from the pages. With such a build up to the big love scene, I was afraid that it might prove a disappointment. Well, I should have had more faith in Ms Chase because this scene is HOT, HOT, HOT!
I wondered how Ms Chase would ensure a ‘Happy Ever After' for Benedict and Bathsheba as marriage seems out of the question. She does, in fact, provide a very ingenious ending with the solution to the couple's predicament coming from a very unexpected source.
Both Peregrine and Olivia are engaging in their own way. I had to admire Olivia for her cunning and resourcefulness and was touched by the fact that she wants to find the treasure so that she can help her mother. At first, Peregrine only wants to stop Olivia but gradually, as he gets dragged further into her madcap scheme, he really begins to enjoy himself.
This book has everything you could wish for – a yummy hero, a beautiful, feisty heroine, a madcap chase and plenty of laughs. I am now looking forward to reading ‘Last Night's Scandal', Peregrine and Olivia's story.
http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews
When Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, and Bathsheba Wingate catch sight of each other across the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, there is a mutual spark of attraction. Benedict is ‘the embodiment of the noble ideal, everything aristocrats ought to be but seldom are.' In fact, he is Lord Perfect in every way. Bathsheba, on the other hand, is considered to be one of the ‘Dreadful Deluceys', a family of rogues and swindlers. Any association between them would be scandalous, but they are just passing strangers and so there is no danger........that is until fate takes a hand, in the form Peregrine, Benedict's nephew and Olivia, Bathsheba's daughter.
Whilst the adults are busy gazing at each other, the two children are engaged in conversation but, unfortunately, Olivia has taken exception to something Peregrine has said and is busy whacking him about the head with his own sketchpad! So now Benedict and Bathsheba are thrown together to sort out this mêlée. Although Benedict is bedazzled by Bathsheba, common sense rules and they part company. Benedict is very relieved to have had the temptation she represents removed from his life. However, plans are afoot which will test his resolve!
Olivia has tricked Peregrine into going to Bristol with her in search of the Delucey treasure, said to be hidden at Throgmorton, the ancestral home of the respectable arm of the Delucey family. Benedict and Bathseba are, therefore, required to join forces in pursuit of the missing children.
Will they find the children unharmed? Will they be able to keep their hands off each other? Is there really any buried treasure? To answer these questions, you will have to read the book!
There are so many things I love about this book. Firstly, there's Benedict with his impeccable manners and good breeding: ‘The scandal sheets never mentioned him. When his name appeared in print – as it did regularly – it was on account of some noble or clever or brave thing he'd done or said.' In fact, totally boring and hardly a hero to set one's pulse racing!
However, all that changes when he meets Bathsheba and, suddenly, he starts thinking and acting totally out of character. Whenever this happens, I found Benedict's habit of searching for rules to help him regain his self control really funny. For instance, when he finds himself staring at Bathsheba at the exhibition: ‘Rule: The ill-bred, the vulgar, and the ignorant stare.'
I admire him for taking his nephew, Peregrine, under his wing. He clearly cares about the boy and is even willing to visit the Egyptian exhibition three times, although he would much rather be somewhere else. He also shows a caring side through his philanthropic work for the war widows and veterans and his assistance to Bathsheba to find more suitable lodgings.
Since her husband died, leaving her with very little money, Bathsheba and her daughter have not had an easy life. With her looks and reputation, it would have been simple for her to take the easy way out by becoming a nobleman's mistress and I admire her for not doing so. Instead, she manages to keep a roof over their heads by selling her paintings and taking drawing classes.
She is feisty and isn't afraid to stand up to Benedict even at his most intimidating. Such as when Benedict tells her that she can't go with him to search for the children:
"This is Olivia's doing," she said, "and Olivia is my problem. I understand how her mind works. I know where she is going. I am the one who will search for her." The colour came and went in her cheeks. "However, you can save me time if you would lend me the money to hire a vehicle".
I love the way in which Ms Chase gradually builds up the sexual tension between Benedict and Bathsheba. I could literally feel it oozing from the pages. With such a build up to the big love scene, I was afraid that it might prove a disappointment. Well, I should have had more faith in Ms Chase because this scene is HOT, HOT, HOT!
I wondered how Ms Chase would ensure a ‘Happy Ever After' for Benedict and Bathsheba as marriage seems out of the question. She does, in fact, provide a very ingenious ending with the solution to the couple's predicament coming from a very unexpected source.
Both Peregrine and Olivia are engaging in their own way. I had to admire Olivia for her cunning and resourcefulness and was touched by the fact that she wants to find the treasure so that she can help her mother. At first, Peregrine only wants to stop Olivia but gradually, as he gets dragged further into her madcap scheme, he really begins to enjoy himself.
This book has everything you could wish for – a yummy hero, a beautiful, feisty heroine, a madcap chase and plenty of laughs. I am now looking forward to reading ‘Last Night's Scandal', Peregrine and Olivia's story.
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This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews
June 5, 2016
To use one of my favourite historical romance words: I'm overset. Shed a little tear at the end of this. I think it might be perfect, and I'm not trying to make some clever play on the title, I simply do not think there is even one single damned flaw with this book.
Loretta Chase can write. She writes period appropriate books which stretch the historical constraints of the time in which they're set, but don't break them.
Benedict, Lord Perfect. A man made unhappy by his desire to be entirely the proper aristocratic heir his father and others hope he'll be. Bathsheba, and the crazy journey he takes with her, frees him somewhat from that. He's fundamentally the same decent man but he's made better and happier by the love story and isn't that what it's all about?
And Bathsheba, labelled a notorious woman, and certainly from a notorious family but far from notorious, quite the opposite. Actually, rather earnestly trying to do the right thing. She's strong and funny and self-sacrificing, willing to give up Benedict and even Olivia because it might be better for them in the long run. I loved her.
As ever with Chase, the H/h have outstanding banter, awesome sexual tension and, eventually, great sex too.
The story is expertly paced and plotted. Going after the kids was fun and the dramatic rescue was genuinely that, without too much melodrama. Pitch perfect.
A word must be said about Olivia and Peregrine. Oh my God. Kids in romance are tough. These two: adorable, hilarious, wonderful. Particularly Olivia. Her letters were a delight. The epilogue letter tipped me over into happy tears. Here is a young girl who is precocious, confident, clever, witty, opinionated and rather fearless. And Peregrine, a little aristocrat not quite sure where he fits in the world where so many of his contemporaries have fit so easily. Do these two get a book? I want them to get a book. I want them to fall hopelessly in love sometime in the future, it's so obvious already that they each give the other what they're missing. They fit.
When people tell you romance is unfeminist, or sexist, or simply make some utterly bollocks generalisation about the gender dynamics of the whole genre, take them to this book and direct them to Olivia and Bathesheba (and, for that matter the raft of the other women in Chase's Carsington's universe who direct and lead events both subtly and not-so-subtly). In a world where pretty much every mainstream movie fails the Bechdel test, thank God for Loretta Chase and other romance authors and their women-positive, sex-positive, consent positive, positively positive contributions to literature and, hopefully, the way women think and feel about themselves.
Go read this. Read this and be happy.
Loretta Chase can write. She writes period appropriate books which stretch the historical constraints of the time in which they're set, but don't break them.
Benedict, Lord Perfect. A man made unhappy by his desire to be entirely the proper aristocratic heir his father and others hope he'll be. Bathsheba, and the crazy journey he takes with her, frees him somewhat from that. He's fundamentally the same decent man but he's made better and happier by the love story and isn't that what it's all about?
And Bathsheba, labelled a notorious woman, and certainly from a notorious family but far from notorious, quite the opposite. Actually, rather earnestly trying to do the right thing. She's strong and funny and self-sacrificing, willing to give up Benedict and even Olivia because it might be better for them in the long run. I loved her.
As ever with Chase, the H/h have outstanding banter, awesome sexual tension and, eventually, great sex too.
The story is expertly paced and plotted. Going after the kids was fun and the dramatic rescue was genuinely that, without too much melodrama. Pitch perfect.
A word must be said about Olivia and Peregrine. Oh my God. Kids in romance are tough. These two: adorable, hilarious, wonderful. Particularly Olivia. Her letters were a delight. The epilogue letter tipped me over into happy tears. Here is a young girl who is precocious, confident, clever, witty, opinionated and rather fearless. And Peregrine, a little aristocrat not quite sure where he fits in the world where so many of his contemporaries have fit so easily. Do these two get a book? I want them to get a book. I want them to fall hopelessly in love sometime in the future, it's so obvious already that they each give the other what they're missing. They fit.
When people tell you romance is unfeminist, or sexist, or simply make some utterly bollocks generalisation about the gender dynamics of the whole genre, take them to this book and direct them to Olivia and Bathesheba (and, for that matter the raft of the other women in Chase's Carsington's universe who direct and lead events both subtly and not-so-subtly). In a world where pretty much every mainstream movie fails the Bechdel test, thank God for Loretta Chase and other romance authors and their women-positive, sex-positive, consent positive, positively positive contributions to literature and, hopefully, the way women think and feel about themselves.
Go read this. Read this and be happy.
May 12, 2024
First of all, the guy on this cover is NOT perfect (the older cover). Ew, he is even worse than Fabio. But I can't judge a book by the cover, so I plunged on ahead and started reading. (my second attempt)
I saw several reviewers complain about not liking the hero, but for me the heroine ruined it for me. At times she was vulnerable, but for the most part she was extremely stubborn and flat out rude. The whole fact that she is from the wrong side of her family (the gypsy-like part of family) got to be extremely corny. I stopped reading maybe half-way thru when they got into fisticuffs outside of an inn. She fake faints, it was again corny and I lost interest all together.
Once I realized I didn't care if they ever kissed, or found the missing kids, I decided to move on to the next book.
(I’m sorry to any of my friends that loved this! 🫣🫣🫣)
I saw several reviewers complain about not liking the hero, but for me the heroine ruined it for me. At times she was vulnerable, but for the most part she was extremely stubborn and flat out rude. The whole fact that she is from the wrong side of her family (the gypsy-like part of family) got to be extremely corny. I stopped reading maybe half-way thru when they got into fisticuffs outside of an inn. She fake faints, it was again corny and I lost interest all together.
Once I realized I didn't care if they ever kissed, or found the missing kids, I decided to move on to the next book.
(I’m sorry to any of my friends that loved this! 🫣🫣🫣)
March 13, 2024
I think I may have found my new favorite Romance novelist. I also never thought that I would ever say or write that sentence in my entire life.
Loretta Chase, according to her website (http://www.lorettachase.com/books/), has written about 30-plus books in the “historical romance” category. All of them appear to be set in the Victorian Era, a ridiculously popular era in romance novels. It is beyond me why this is so, considering how sexually repressed everyone seemed to be in public but were probably freaky-deaky in the bedrooms, and--- oh, wait, now I get it...
My first book by Chase (and definitely not the last) is “Lord Perfect”, a wonderfully funny, intelligent, and sexy-as-hell novel about a wealthy widower who falls in love with a widow who has been shunned by society due to her scandalous family history.
Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne (too many fucking names if you ask me; I’ll call him “Benny” even though nobody in the book calls him that at all) is the titular Lord Perfect. He’s ridiculously rich, handsome, loved by the ladies, and he’s bored as hell. Until he meets Bathseba (I’ll call her “Babs”, even though she would be shocked and appalled by that moniker), a single mom raising a lovable but mischievous wildcat tween named Olivia. She’s also a bit of a social pariah, as she comes from a long line of lazy, good-for-nothing, and thieving folk. You know: politicians.
Anyway, Benny and Babs “meet cute” when Olivia gets into near-fisticuffs with Benny’s visiting nephew, Peregrine (again with these fucking names: I’ll call him Pete), at an Egyptian exhibit. Pete is what one would call, in contemporary parlance, a nerd. He wants to be an Egyptologist one day. He may also be autistic, although autism wasn’t invented until much later, in the 20th century, by Bill Gates.
So, anyway, there’s a huge physical attraction between Benny and Babs right off the bat, but for both of them it would be social suicide to do anything about it. Babs would be accused of trying to seduce and con an upper class gentleman, and Benny would lose any social standing due to his connection with her.
Nevertheless, they do the nasty. A lot. And I was impressed by Chase’s sex scenes. She wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty with the sexy vocabulary: Benny whipped out his “cock”, “rod”, and “swollen member” several times. And Babs was no prude, mind you.
The two are thrust together when Olivia and Pete run away together (nothing sexual there---please: these are kids) to go treasure-hunting. Babs knows exactly where Olivia is leading them, too: her late husband’s family estate. Olivia’s father told her stories when she was younger of a treasure buried on the property by her great-great- grandfather, a pirate of ill repute. Never mind that the treasure doesn’t really exist.
Now, Benny and Babs are running all over the English countryside looking for these brats, stopping every once in a while so that Benny can rip her bodice off and shove his rod up under her petticoat. Seriously, there’s a lot of shagging in this book.
Anyway, “Lord Perfect” is, like the best of Jane Austen, a witty little social comedy that pokes fun at the absurdity of the aristocracy. And there’s lots of boning in it, too, which is a plus.
Loretta Chase, according to her website (http://www.lorettachase.com/books/), has written about 30-plus books in the “historical romance” category. All of them appear to be set in the Victorian Era, a ridiculously popular era in romance novels. It is beyond me why this is so, considering how sexually repressed everyone seemed to be in public but were probably freaky-deaky in the bedrooms, and--- oh, wait, now I get it...
My first book by Chase (and definitely not the last) is “Lord Perfect”, a wonderfully funny, intelligent, and sexy-as-hell novel about a wealthy widower who falls in love with a widow who has been shunned by society due to her scandalous family history.
Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne (too many fucking names if you ask me; I’ll call him “Benny” even though nobody in the book calls him that at all) is the titular Lord Perfect. He’s ridiculously rich, handsome, loved by the ladies, and he’s bored as hell. Until he meets Bathseba (I’ll call her “Babs”, even though she would be shocked and appalled by that moniker), a single mom raising a lovable but mischievous wildcat tween named Olivia. She’s also a bit of a social pariah, as she comes from a long line of lazy, good-for-nothing, and thieving folk. You know: politicians.
Anyway, Benny and Babs “meet cute” when Olivia gets into near-fisticuffs with Benny’s visiting nephew, Peregrine (again with these fucking names: I’ll call him Pete), at an Egyptian exhibit. Pete is what one would call, in contemporary parlance, a nerd. He wants to be an Egyptologist one day. He may also be autistic, although autism wasn’t invented until much later, in the 20th century, by Bill Gates.
So, anyway, there’s a huge physical attraction between Benny and Babs right off the bat, but for both of them it would be social suicide to do anything about it. Babs would be accused of trying to seduce and con an upper class gentleman, and Benny would lose any social standing due to his connection with her.
Nevertheless, they do the nasty. A lot. And I was impressed by Chase’s sex scenes. She wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty with the sexy vocabulary: Benny whipped out his “cock”, “rod”, and “swollen member” several times. And Babs was no prude, mind you.
The two are thrust together when Olivia and Pete run away together (nothing sexual there---please: these are kids) to go treasure-hunting. Babs knows exactly where Olivia is leading them, too: her late husband’s family estate. Olivia’s father told her stories when she was younger of a treasure buried on the property by her great-great- grandfather, a pirate of ill repute. Never mind that the treasure doesn’t really exist.
Now, Benny and Babs are running all over the English countryside looking for these brats, stopping every once in a while so that Benny can rip her bodice off and shove his rod up under her petticoat. Seriously, there’s a lot of shagging in this book.
Anyway, “Lord Perfect” is, like the best of Jane Austen, a witty little social comedy that pokes fun at the absurdity of the aristocracy. And there’s lots of boning in it, too, which is a plus.
January 22, 2018
Another wonderful audio book narrated by Kate Reading. And another beautiful story by one of my favourite authors.
Benedict Carsington is the perfect first-born son of the very powerful and supremely Machiavellian Earl of Hargate. He has always done what is right, what is expected of him, striving to make his parents proud and bring honour to the family name. He is a philanthropist, a clever politician with an interest in the criminal law, and a devoted uncle. Oh, and he is also hot. Perfect, in other words. A widower, he meets the beautiful widow Bathsheba Wingate and finds himself irresistibly drawn to this most unsuitable woman.
There follows a great tale, partly road-trip, partly treasure hunt, as the two need to join forces after her daughter, Olivia, and his nephew run away to find a legendary treasure belonging to Bathsheba's pirate ancestor.
It is a rather tortured love story, too, as Bathsheba refuses to accept that she has a chance of wedding Benedict (she feels she would ruin him and tarnish the family name because of her scandalous family history) and Benedict instinctively battles his passionate love for her because he, too, believes she would never"suit". His fear of disappointing his family and doing something less than perfect is very strong, and they both need to learn more about themselves in order to achieve their HEA. She needs to separate herself from her parents misdeeds and he needs to lighten up and put love ahead of duty.
Poor Bathsheba- Benedict just will not let her give him up. And she tries very hard to convince him how bad she would be for his family and for his political career. Near the end, as she (again) goes to Benedict's father to exhort him to convince Benedict that she is no good for him, they see a disheveled Benedict approaching. Bathsheba is shocked that he knew where to find her. Benedict's father, the Earl, responds:
You did not imagine he would not guess your next move, I hope...Benedict is an experienced politician. Furthermore, he has always taken an unhealthy interest in criminal behaviour.
(Of course, Bathsheba comes from a long line of crooks and swindlers. Boom.)
The earl really has some great lines!
The relationship Bathsheba has with her daughter is quite an unusual one, too, and Olivia and Peregrine's adventures on the road hilarious. In her own way, Olivia is as Macchiavellian as the Earl.
Ms Chase's dialogues are brilliant, the conversations witty and often moving.
Just perfect:)
Benedict Carsington is the perfect first-born son of the very powerful and supremely Machiavellian Earl of Hargate. He has always done what is right, what is expected of him, striving to make his parents proud and bring honour to the family name. He is a philanthropist, a clever politician with an interest in the criminal law, and a devoted uncle. Oh, and he is also hot. Perfect, in other words. A widower, he meets the beautiful widow Bathsheba Wingate and finds himself irresistibly drawn to this most unsuitable woman.
There follows a great tale, partly road-trip, partly treasure hunt, as the two need to join forces after her daughter, Olivia, and his nephew run away to find a legendary treasure belonging to Bathsheba's pirate ancestor.
It is a rather tortured love story, too, as Bathsheba refuses to accept that she has a chance of wedding Benedict (she feels she would ruin him and tarnish the family name because of her scandalous family history) and Benedict instinctively battles his passionate love for her because he, too, believes she would never"suit". His fear of disappointing his family and doing something less than perfect is very strong, and they both need to learn more about themselves in order to achieve their HEA. She needs to separate herself from her parents misdeeds and he needs to lighten up and put love ahead of duty.
Poor Bathsheba- Benedict just will not let her give him up. And she tries very hard to convince him how bad she would be for his family and for his political career. Near the end, as she (again) goes to Benedict's father to exhort him to convince Benedict that she is no good for him, they see a disheveled Benedict approaching. Bathsheba is shocked that he knew where to find her. Benedict's father, the Earl, responds:
You did not imagine he would not guess your next move, I hope...Benedict is an experienced politician. Furthermore, he has always taken an unhealthy interest in criminal behaviour.
(Of course, Bathsheba comes from a long line of crooks and swindlers. Boom.)
The earl really has some great lines!
The relationship Bathsheba has with her daughter is quite an unusual one, too, and Olivia and Peregrine's adventures on the road hilarious. In her own way, Olivia is as Macchiavellian as the Earl.
Ms Chase's dialogues are brilliant, the conversations witty and often moving.
Just perfect:)
Read
September 11, 20214 STARS
I really enjoyed this. Even though I feel like it may be a tad dated in its style. The writing was excellent, but, the love scenes were far too flowery. The dated terms that were used bordered much too close to the cheesy type of romance books from the past. I did enjoy the storyline though, and the characters themselves. I do expect I'll read the rest of the series at some point. Even though I skipped ahead starting with this one.
"You truly are perfect," she said wonderingly.
I really enjoyed this. Even though I feel like it may be a tad dated in its style. The writing was excellent, but, the love scenes were far too flowery. The dated terms that were used bordered much too close to the cheesy type of romance books from the past. I did enjoy the storyline though, and the characters themselves. I do expect I'll read the rest of the series at some point. Even though I skipped ahead starting with this one.
April 18, 2016
I loved this so very much. I particularly liked the relationship dynamic between the two. Their banter was exquisite and you could see how attached they were even very early on.
I think my favorite part was Rathbourne as Lord Perfect. I loved how caring and kind he was. And his way with the children. I particularly liked how he took Bathsheba seriously from the start and treated her with respect, taking her seriously when all his society would have pushed him to do otherwise. I particularly liked how he didn't flinch or pull back when he began realizing the depths of his attachment, despite how very much he had to lose.
I'm not a big fan of the eventual solution to the social constraint caused by Bathsheba's ancestors, and I dislike that she couldn't commit until the solution was presented by others. I'd have preferred them to resolve to be happy together whatever the constraints and then to find a solution. But that's because I'm a moral purist and romantic at the same time. This small discontent near the end didn't mess with my delight with the story, though, so my rating stays the solid five stars it was throughout. Any book that had me laughing out loud as often as this one did is a sure sign it's headed for high ratings.
A note about Steamy: A not-uncommon pattern for Chase is to have one explicit sex scene that has a minor interruption between two extended parts. And then one or two other, much smaller, explicit scenes later on. This book falls into that pattern. It works very well as a way to sign-post growing emotional intimacy and it worked as such in this novel.
I think my favorite part was Rathbourne as Lord Perfect. I loved how caring and kind he was. And his way with the children. I particularly liked how he took Bathsheba seriously from the start and treated her with respect, taking her seriously when all his society would have pushed him to do otherwise. I particularly liked how he didn't flinch or pull back when he began realizing the depths of his attachment, despite how very much he had to lose.
I'm not a big fan of the eventual solution to the social constraint caused by Bathsheba's ancestors, and I dislike that she couldn't commit until the solution was presented by others. I'd have preferred them to resolve to be happy together whatever the constraints and then to find a solution. But that's because I'm a moral purist and romantic at the same time. This small discontent near the end didn't mess with my delight with the story, though, so my rating stays the solid five stars it was throughout. Any book that had me laughing out loud as often as this one did is a sure sign it's headed for high ratings.
A note about Steamy: A not-uncommon pattern for Chase is to have one explicit sex scene that has a minor interruption between two extended parts. And then one or two other, much smaller, explicit scenes later on. This book falls into that pattern. It works very well as a way to sign-post growing emotional intimacy and it worked as such in this novel.
April 3, 2025
Benedict Carsington is Lord Perfect. (Actually, he's Viscount Rathbourne, heir to Earl of Hargate.) He's a widower, and an extremely well-connected and well-respected member of the ton. Unlike his younger brothers, he doesn't attract scandal. This is why his nephew, thirteen-year-old Peregrine Dalmay, Earl of Lisle, is staying with him after he's been kicked out of yet another school. They meet the widow Bathsheba Wingate and her feisty eleven-year-old daughter Olivia. Olivia is a girl with a Plan. Her Plan is to become a knight and rescue her mother from their current circumstances by finding buried treasure. Peregrine is wary of this plan but follows her anyway. Benedict and Bathsheba embark on a road trip to find the children, which isn't great because their mutual attraction is entirely ill-advised.
I adore this book. There's nothing better than watching a heroine bring a starchy hero to his knees, and Bathsheba and Benedict are so well-paired. It's a road trip romance with a little desperation, both in the urgency in finding Peregrine and Olivia, and also in the knowledge that once the road trip ends, their liaison is going to have to end. The banter is excellent, the adventure is fast paced, and I will *always* cheer for the starchy hero and the smart heroine.
I adore this book. There's nothing better than watching a heroine bring a starchy hero to his knees, and Bathsheba and Benedict are so well-paired. It's a road trip romance with a little desperation, both in the urgency in finding Peregrine and Olivia, and also in the knowledge that once the road trip ends, their liaison is going to have to end. The banter is excellent, the adventure is fast paced, and I will *always* cheer for the starchy hero and the smart heroine.
August 1, 2024
Review from 2015
A+ for narration / B+ for content.
Lord Perfect is the third book in Ms Chase’s Carsington Family series, and whereas the first two (Miss Wonderful and Mr. Impossible) featured two of the scapegrace sons of the Earl of Hargate, this book concentrates on Benedict, Viscount Rathbourne, the earl’s very respectable eldest son. Unlike his younger brothers, Benedict is a sterling example of a man of propriety and responsibility and one about whom there has never been the slightest whiff of scandal.
A childless widower, Rathbourne has all but adopted his nephew Peregrine, Lord Lisle, the son of his late wife’s sister. On an outing to museum, Peregrine becomes involved in an altercation with a girl of around his own age, Olivia Wingate, and Rathbourne and the girl’s mother step in just in time to prevent the childrens’ disagreement escalating into all-out war.
Bathsheba Wingate is one of the Dreadful DeLuceys (a family that keeps cropping up throughout Ms Chase’s books!) – known throughout society for being completely and utterly disreputable and proud of it. Her parents were selfish and irresponsible, moving around from place to place to avoid creditors or arrest, forgetting all about their daughter until she could be useful to them.
They’d count on a crackbrained scheme to solve all their problems at once, rather than tackle them directly, one at a time. They’d chance their money on a throw of the dice, rather than pay the rent with it.
Somehow, even when faced with such awful role models, Bathsheba managed to grow up as a decent human being, although her family’s unfortunate reputation has dogged her all her life. At sixteen, she fell in love with Jack Wingate, second son of Lord Fosbury, who absolutely forbade their marriage. They ran off together and were happy until Jack’s death, but because his father cut them off, they had little money and now Bathsheba eeks out a living as an art teacher, living with Olivia in one of the less salubrious areas of London.
When Bathsheba and Rathbourne set eyes on each other for the first time, it’s lust at first sight for both of them. This is especially unnerving for Benedict, who is not one to be stirred by strong emotion, while Bathsheba takes it in her stride, knowing that wantonness is one of the crosses she has to bear as a Dreadful DeLucey.
Knowing of Bathsheba’s antecedents, Rathbourne is only too aware that she is the one woman in the world he shouldn’t want. Her reputation is terrible (even though she has done nothing to deserve it) and any association with her would tarnish his impeccable reputation and could even decrease his effectiveness as a parliamentarian and philanthropist. Yet he can’t forget her, can’t stop thinking about her and can’t help wanting her. Bathsheba is just as far gone for Benedict; she knows he is not for her, yet everything about him – his kindness, his dry wit and obvious love for his nephew – only serves to draw her to him even more.
While Bathsheba and Rathbourne are busy trying to deny their mutual attraction, their respective charges have got past their inauspicious first meeting and have begun to correspond in secret. When Olivia – who is incredibly precocious and clearly possesses those qualities of the Dreadful DeLuceys that bypassed her mother – comes up with a hare-brained scheme to go to hunt for Edmund DeLucey’s pirate treasure, Peregrine fails to talk her out of it and because he is too much the gentleman to allow Olivia to go alone, ends up accompanying her.
Naturally, Bathsheba and Rathbourne set off in pursuit, and it’s during their trip that the intensity of the attraction between them becomes completely impossible for either of them to resist. I loved listening to the very proper Benedict gradually shedding some of his starch and finding that, in spite of Bathsheba’s sometimes unconventional approach to problem-solving, he’s enjoying himself for the first time in years. His attempts to resist her are always amusing:
He devoted the first tautly, silent moments of travel to trying to revive his famous self-control, gather the remaining shreds of his moral fiber, and evict the alien spirit that had taken possession of him.
Then Mrs. Wingate spoke, and everything went to pieces.
Until eventually, he stops trying and accepts that he’s fallen for her hook, line and sinker. It’s always a lovely moment in a romance when one of the protagonists shows that they’re prepared to risk all for love, and I will admit to sighing with satisfaction as Benedict does just that, in full awareness of what he’ll be giving up in order to be with the woman he loves.
I really enjoyed the story which is, as one would expect from Loretta Chase, very well written, witty and sexy but with moments of poignancy and something to say about what it means to love someone. Bathsheba and Benedict are excellently-realised, thoroughly engaging characters, and the same is true of Lisle and Olivia, who are an intelligent, well-matched pair. My main criticism of the story is that the ending is rather weak, but the rest of it – the dialogue, the characterisation and the storytelling – is so strong that I can forgive that one flaw.
What is there to say about Kate Reading’s performance here that hasn’t already been said over and over? She has a real affinity for Loretta Chase’s words and is as adept at bringing out the wonderful, dead-pan humour as she is in the more introspective moments. Her portrayals of all the main characters are spot on; Bathsheba’s no-nonsense tone masks an inner vulnerability that she rarely allows anyone to see, and Rathbourne’s deep, lazy drawl fits him to a T (and is incredibly sexy – seriously, I almost forgot I was listening to a woman at times!). I was equally impressed with her characterisations of Olivia and Lisle, because she has found a way to make it clear that they’re not adults without them sounding too young. In both cases, Ms Reading’s choice of tone is perfect, especially when it comes to Lisle who, at thirteen, has a higher pitched voice than the other male characters, but doesn’t sound at all girlish – he’s clearly a young man. There is a fairly large supporting case of servants, innkeepers and other villagers and locals, all of whom are distinctly and appropriately realised; which is also true of Lords Hargate, Northwick and Mandeville, who all appear together numerous times towards the end of the book and who are easy to tell apart.
One of the things Kate Reading does so well is to perform the dialogue in a very realistic manner, especially when the characters are interrupting and interacting at a quick-fire pace. I’d agree completely with that assessment – she’s utterly brilliant at switching very quickly between different characters without putting a foot wrong. Another thing I’ve noticed is that when narrating an inner monologue, she gives those passages a hint of the tone she has assigned to that character, so while the words don’t sound as though they’re actually spoken, they are nonetheless distinct from the rest of the narrative. It might seem an obvious thing to do, but in my experience, not many performers do this, and it’s another skill in the narrator’s arsenal that adds variety, clarity and interest for the listener.
Those of us who were already fans of Loretta Chase’s work knew that if ever her books made it into audio format, they deserved a performer of the highest calibre, someone who would be able to do the words justice and bring the author’s superbly realised characters to vibrant, brilliant life. I, for one, will be forever grateful to whomever had the splendid idea of bringing Kate Reading on board, because she hits it out of the park Every. Single. Time. – and is uniquely suited to performing this material.
Lord Perfect is another superb addition to the growing canon of Loretta Chase’s audiobooks, and one I’m recommending without hesitation.
A+ for narration / B+ for content.
Lord Perfect is the third book in Ms Chase’s Carsington Family series, and whereas the first two (Miss Wonderful and Mr. Impossible) featured two of the scapegrace sons of the Earl of Hargate, this book concentrates on Benedict, Viscount Rathbourne, the earl’s very respectable eldest son. Unlike his younger brothers, Benedict is a sterling example of a man of propriety and responsibility and one about whom there has never been the slightest whiff of scandal.
A childless widower, Rathbourne has all but adopted his nephew Peregrine, Lord Lisle, the son of his late wife’s sister. On an outing to museum, Peregrine becomes involved in an altercation with a girl of around his own age, Olivia Wingate, and Rathbourne and the girl’s mother step in just in time to prevent the childrens’ disagreement escalating into all-out war.
Bathsheba Wingate is one of the Dreadful DeLuceys (a family that keeps cropping up throughout Ms Chase’s books!) – known throughout society for being completely and utterly disreputable and proud of it. Her parents were selfish and irresponsible, moving around from place to place to avoid creditors or arrest, forgetting all about their daughter until she could be useful to them.
They’d count on a crackbrained scheme to solve all their problems at once, rather than tackle them directly, one at a time. They’d chance their money on a throw of the dice, rather than pay the rent with it.
Somehow, even when faced with such awful role models, Bathsheba managed to grow up as a decent human being, although her family’s unfortunate reputation has dogged her all her life. At sixteen, she fell in love with Jack Wingate, second son of Lord Fosbury, who absolutely forbade their marriage. They ran off together and were happy until Jack’s death, but because his father cut them off, they had little money and now Bathsheba eeks out a living as an art teacher, living with Olivia in one of the less salubrious areas of London.
When Bathsheba and Rathbourne set eyes on each other for the first time, it’s lust at first sight for both of them. This is especially unnerving for Benedict, who is not one to be stirred by strong emotion, while Bathsheba takes it in her stride, knowing that wantonness is one of the crosses she has to bear as a Dreadful DeLucey.
Knowing of Bathsheba’s antecedents, Rathbourne is only too aware that she is the one woman in the world he shouldn’t want. Her reputation is terrible (even though she has done nothing to deserve it) and any association with her would tarnish his impeccable reputation and could even decrease his effectiveness as a parliamentarian and philanthropist. Yet he can’t forget her, can’t stop thinking about her and can’t help wanting her. Bathsheba is just as far gone for Benedict; she knows he is not for her, yet everything about him – his kindness, his dry wit and obvious love for his nephew – only serves to draw her to him even more.
While Bathsheba and Rathbourne are busy trying to deny their mutual attraction, their respective charges have got past their inauspicious first meeting and have begun to correspond in secret. When Olivia – who is incredibly precocious and clearly possesses those qualities of the Dreadful DeLuceys that bypassed her mother – comes up with a hare-brained scheme to go to hunt for Edmund DeLucey’s pirate treasure, Peregrine fails to talk her out of it and because he is too much the gentleman to allow Olivia to go alone, ends up accompanying her.
Naturally, Bathsheba and Rathbourne set off in pursuit, and it’s during their trip that the intensity of the attraction between them becomes completely impossible for either of them to resist. I loved listening to the very proper Benedict gradually shedding some of his starch and finding that, in spite of Bathsheba’s sometimes unconventional approach to problem-solving, he’s enjoying himself for the first time in years. His attempts to resist her are always amusing:
He devoted the first tautly, silent moments of travel to trying to revive his famous self-control, gather the remaining shreds of his moral fiber, and evict the alien spirit that had taken possession of him.
Then Mrs. Wingate spoke, and everything went to pieces.
Until eventually, he stops trying and accepts that he’s fallen for her hook, line and sinker. It’s always a lovely moment in a romance when one of the protagonists shows that they’re prepared to risk all for love, and I will admit to sighing with satisfaction as Benedict does just that, in full awareness of what he’ll be giving up in order to be with the woman he loves.
I really enjoyed the story which is, as one would expect from Loretta Chase, very well written, witty and sexy but with moments of poignancy and something to say about what it means to love someone. Bathsheba and Benedict are excellently-realised, thoroughly engaging characters, and the same is true of Lisle and Olivia, who are an intelligent, well-matched pair. My main criticism of the story is that the ending is rather weak, but the rest of it – the dialogue, the characterisation and the storytelling – is so strong that I can forgive that one flaw.
What is there to say about Kate Reading’s performance here that hasn’t already been said over and over? She has a real affinity for Loretta Chase’s words and is as adept at bringing out the wonderful, dead-pan humour as she is in the more introspective moments. Her portrayals of all the main characters are spot on; Bathsheba’s no-nonsense tone masks an inner vulnerability that she rarely allows anyone to see, and Rathbourne’s deep, lazy drawl fits him to a T (and is incredibly sexy – seriously, I almost forgot I was listening to a woman at times!). I was equally impressed with her characterisations of Olivia and Lisle, because she has found a way to make it clear that they’re not adults without them sounding too young. In both cases, Ms Reading’s choice of tone is perfect, especially when it comes to Lisle who, at thirteen, has a higher pitched voice than the other male characters, but doesn’t sound at all girlish – he’s clearly a young man. There is a fairly large supporting case of servants, innkeepers and other villagers and locals, all of whom are distinctly and appropriately realised; which is also true of Lords Hargate, Northwick and Mandeville, who all appear together numerous times towards the end of the book and who are easy to tell apart.
One of the things Kate Reading does so well is to perform the dialogue in a very realistic manner, especially when the characters are interrupting and interacting at a quick-fire pace. I’d agree completely with that assessment – she’s utterly brilliant at switching very quickly between different characters without putting a foot wrong. Another thing I’ve noticed is that when narrating an inner monologue, she gives those passages a hint of the tone she has assigned to that character, so while the words don’t sound as though they’re actually spoken, they are nonetheless distinct from the rest of the narrative. It might seem an obvious thing to do, but in my experience, not many performers do this, and it’s another skill in the narrator’s arsenal that adds variety, clarity and interest for the listener.
Those of us who were already fans of Loretta Chase’s work knew that if ever her books made it into audio format, they deserved a performer of the highest calibre, someone who would be able to do the words justice and bring the author’s superbly realised characters to vibrant, brilliant life. I, for one, will be forever grateful to whomever had the splendid idea of bringing Kate Reading on board, because she hits it out of the park Every. Single. Time. – and is uniquely suited to performing this material.
Lord Perfect is another superb addition to the growing canon of Loretta Chase’s audiobooks, and one I’m recommending without hesitation.
October 1, 2013
Rarely do I ever have the problem of coming up with something to say about a book. I can usually find some wonderful or horrible things to comment on. There was simply nothing for me to comment on in this book; I just could not get into the story! Benedict and Bathsheba go from Inn to Inn chasing after Peregrine and Olivia while trying to keep from being drawn to each other and anyone finding out who Benedict is.
There were some witty lines thrown in during conversations between Benedict and Bathsheba but that is the only aspect of this story I can think of to recommend. I never felt this couple connecting, even though I read over and over how they were drawn to each other; no chemistry there in my opinion.
The middle bulk of the book was so "eh" for me it was dangerously close to being boring. This story was not only missing something for me it was missing a whole lot of somethings. Benedict and Bathsheba never did it for me. I would have much rather read about Peregrine and Olivia, two kids! I demand that Loretta Chase write their story, I Need to read it! Olivia and Peregrine have the chemistry I thought Benedict and Bathsheba lacked. The ending of the story with the treasure was an unexpected twist and captured my attention again.
Meeting the characters of Peregrine and Olivia and the ending of this book saved it from being a total failure and falling into the echelon of books where a week later I couldn't tell a thing about what happened in the story.
I really wish there was more I could say about this book but there just isn't. Sadly wanting Peregrine and Olivia to get their own story is the only thing I took away from this book.
C-
There were some witty lines thrown in during conversations between Benedict and Bathsheba but that is the only aspect of this story I can think of to recommend. I never felt this couple connecting, even though I read over and over how they were drawn to each other; no chemistry there in my opinion.
The middle bulk of the book was so "eh" for me it was dangerously close to being boring. This story was not only missing something for me it was missing a whole lot of somethings. Benedict and Bathsheba never did it for me. I would have much rather read about Peregrine and Olivia, two kids! I demand that Loretta Chase write their story, I Need to read it! Olivia and Peregrine have the chemistry I thought Benedict and Bathsheba lacked. The ending of the story with the treasure was an unexpected twist and captured my attention again.
Meeting the characters of Peregrine and Olivia and the ending of this book saved it from being a total failure and falling into the echelon of books where a week later I couldn't tell a thing about what happened in the story.
I really wish there was more I could say about this book but there just isn't. Sadly wanting Peregrine and Olivia to get their own story is the only thing I took away from this book.
C-
August 14, 2022
This was a great "road trip" romance. The H's nephew runs off on a crazy adventure with the h's daughter and they chase after them. Then after spending lots and lots of time together in the carriage, they get to know each other. And then naturally, they have to sleep sometime so they stay at an inn and get to know each other.
The kids are smart and sneaky and keep the H/h on their toes as they try to track them down before destroying reputations. The H/h have a cute relationship and the H loves the fact that the h has a brain and is so easy to talk to (she's also the most beautiful woman he's ever seen).
This had a cute ending with a nice HEA.
Safety
The kids are smart and sneaky and keep the H/h on their toes as they try to track them down before destroying reputations. The H/h have a cute relationship and the H loves the fact that the h has a brain and is so easy to talk to (she's also the most beautiful woman he's ever seen).
This had a cute ending with a nice HEA.
Safety
December 7, 2015
Once again, Kate Reading turns a so-so book (for me) into a five-star listen! The coolest thing is how she adjusts her Benedict voice from the perfect gentleman into a what-the-hell-I'm-in-love-with-this-woman. She's also excellent with the two children's voices and they rather steal the show.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
August 30, 2024
Oh so proper H falls for unacceptable h. The H hid his passionate nature beneath his very proper exterior. The H's young nephew is also deeply honourable, and a sweet character. Loved this book.
September 1, 2020
We love books with banter, and Loretta Chase delivers in Lord Perfect! In romance novels, there should be something keeping our couple apart. If you have read historical romance, you know that the respective social class of our main characters can provide the barrier to their union. That is the case here - Benedict has a perfect reputation (hence the title): he uses it to garner support for his political causes and to protect his family. Bathsheba, on the other hand, comes from a long line of con artists, and it's widely believed that she conned her now-deceased husband into marrying her.
Benedict and Bathsheba both suffer from an immediate attraction to each other, but they manage to stay out of each other's way until Benedict's nephew runs off with Bathsheba's daughter (don't worry, they're actual pre-teens, so there's no budding romance or elopement to worry about). What follows is one of the funniest, sexiest road trips you'll ever read, culminating in a literal treasure hunt and a supremely satisfying resolution.
11-Word Summaries:
Meg: What happens when England’s paragon meets Society’s Scandal? Too much compatibility.
Laine: Familial burdens or true love? Scandalous road trip forces the issue.
www.linktr.ee/plottrysts
Benedict and Bathsheba both suffer from an immediate attraction to each other, but they manage to stay out of each other's way until Benedict's nephew runs off with Bathsheba's daughter (don't worry, they're actual pre-teens, so there's no budding romance or elopement to worry about). What follows is one of the funniest, sexiest road trips you'll ever read, culminating in a literal treasure hunt and a supremely satisfying resolution.
11-Word Summaries:
Meg: What happens when England’s paragon meets Society’s Scandal? Too much compatibility.
Laine: Familial burdens or true love? Scandalous road trip forces the issue.
www.linktr.ee/plottrysts
September 1, 2017
This is a lovely romance and enjoyable read. It's the third in a series that features an Earl scheming to marry off his expensive sons. His heir is the featured hero here, and he is paired with an infamous Dreadful DeLucey as a heroine. The dreadful DeLuceys are featured again in the Dressmaker series, which I also really enjoyed. Loretta Chase has a writing style that flows well and keeps me interested in the story.
This book features two tweens who lead the h&h on a merry chase, forcing them into close proximity and threatening their resolve to not act on their attraction to each other. It reminded of the movie "A Little Romance" where the tweens go on a grand adventure. I thought the characters great and the chemistry between the MCs believable. I am looking forward to Peregrine and Olivia's story at the end of the series. A solid, good read in a fun series!
This book features two tweens who lead the h&h on a merry chase, forcing them into close proximity and threatening their resolve to not act on their attraction to each other. It reminded of the movie "A Little Romance" where the tweens go on a grand adventure. I thought the characters great and the chemistry between the MCs believable. I am looking forward to Peregrine and Olivia's story at the end of the series. A solid, good read in a fun series!
March 23, 2023
My dislike of a fictional twelve year old girl surprises no more more than myself. I mean I really hated this girl. I wanted to weigh her down with rocks and yeet her into the Thames. She could have been kidnapped on the road and tossed into a granite mine in Northumberland by villains and I wouldn’t have cared. Her mother’s unwillingness or inability to parent her child was baffling. This little shit drove me insane. I recognize and accept that I’m in the wrong here but goddamn.
January 11, 2020
I'm still trying to figure out how I missed a good an author as Loretta Chase for this long. I only discovered her a little over 6 months ago with the much talked about Lord of Scoundrals which blew me away. Lord Perfect is the third book of hers I've now read and though I wish I had started with the first book in this series, I just loved the story of Benedict, the paragon of everything an aristrocrat should be and Bathsheba, the notorious woman from an even more notorious family who once lured another aristrocrat to become an outcast from society when he married her. Except Benedict is unbearably bored with being perfect and Bathsheba is a widow who enjoyed a loving marriage and now wants only to find a secure life and future for her young daughter.
One of the things I most enjoy about Chase is how she takes characters that you can't imagine being likeable or even interesting (a cold hearted wretch, a drunken fool or in this book a stuffy, repressed prig) and not only makes you understand how they became who they are but shows you their depths and indeed sterling qualities. I loved watching Benedict being able to first carefully, then determinedly toss away his pefect facade and find humor, passion, joy and love with Bathsheba. The two are a wonderful couple, able to laugh at themselves, with each other and at the circumstances they find themselves in. At the same time, they fall deeply in love, despite knowing it can only end with their hearts broken.
The plot largely involves the two on a chase after Benedict's 13 year old nephew, Peregrine and Bathsheba's 12 year old daughter, Olivia who run off on an adventure together. The children are as much fun to read about as their elders, as is the humorous, nonsentimental way their devoted relatives describe and interact with them. I was happy to see that Chase's next book Last Night's Scandal will be feature Peregrine and Olivia now grown up.
Chase does such a good job depicting why Benedict and Bathsheba can never be together, that you start to wonder how she is going to turn that around. Probably the solution was the weakest aspect of the book for me but it was so fun to see everyone's happy ending that I didn't mind. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to read Miss Wonderful despite having two much anticipated new books waiting for me on my Kindle.
That's the best praise I can give a book - that it leaves me instantly wanting to read more. Loretta Chase is now officially a favorite author of mine!
One of the things I most enjoy about Chase is how she takes characters that you can't imagine being likeable or even interesting (a cold hearted wretch, a drunken fool or in this book a stuffy, repressed prig) and not only makes you understand how they became who they are but shows you their depths and indeed sterling qualities. I loved watching Benedict being able to first carefully, then determinedly toss away his pefect facade and find humor, passion, joy and love with Bathsheba. The two are a wonderful couple, able to laugh at themselves, with each other and at the circumstances they find themselves in. At the same time, they fall deeply in love, despite knowing it can only end with their hearts broken.
The plot largely involves the two on a chase after Benedict's 13 year old nephew, Peregrine and Bathsheba's 12 year old daughter, Olivia who run off on an adventure together. The children are as much fun to read about as their elders, as is the humorous, nonsentimental way their devoted relatives describe and interact with them. I was happy to see that Chase's next book Last Night's Scandal will be feature Peregrine and Olivia now grown up.
Chase does such a good job depicting why Benedict and Bathsheba can never be together, that you start to wonder how she is going to turn that around. Probably the solution was the weakest aspect of the book for me but it was so fun to see everyone's happy ending that I didn't mind. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to read Miss Wonderful despite having two much anticipated new books waiting for me on my Kindle.
That's the best praise I can give a book - that it leaves me instantly wanting to read more. Loretta Chase is now officially a favorite author of mine!
December 14, 2015
I kept leaving this one, even though I should know better! The synopsis just didn't appeal to me. Benedict (Lord Perfect), Bathsheba (the most notorious woman in England) and two runaway children on the hunt for lost treasure - nope just didn't appeal. HOW WRONG WAS I? Absolutely wonderful, I giggled my way through this perfect audio book; the fantastic Loretta Chase and highly talented Kate Reading have just done it again.
This is possibly the best audio book I've ever listened to which involves children as two of the central characters. Ms. Chase knows children, there is no doubt about that and Ms. Reading captures every tiny, hilarious nuance in their conversation - interpreting Loretta Chase's talented dialogue so perfectly that the slightly ridiculous storyline comes across as not only possible but plausible.
Even though I knew I was listening to a woman playing numerous and varied parts, men, women, children, upper class, lower class you name it and it's in this book; Kate Reading just nails them all. It was as good as, or even better than listening to a play on the radio; her timing is spot on, she's funny, loveable, serious, snooty, sweetly romantic.... I could go on for ever! Benedict goes from stiff, starchy 'Lord Perfect', to soft, adorable pussycat! I don't know how she does it but Kate Reading has him sounding the same, only different! I'd better stop, I sound like a fan girl! I just can't recommend this audio book highly enough and now I have to wait for the rest of the Carsington brothers' stories :(
This is possibly the best audio book I've ever listened to which involves children as two of the central characters. Ms. Chase knows children, there is no doubt about that and Ms. Reading captures every tiny, hilarious nuance in their conversation - interpreting Loretta Chase's talented dialogue so perfectly that the slightly ridiculous storyline comes across as not only possible but plausible.
Even though I knew I was listening to a woman playing numerous and varied parts, men, women, children, upper class, lower class you name it and it's in this book; Kate Reading just nails them all. It was as good as, or even better than listening to a play on the radio; her timing is spot on, she's funny, loveable, serious, snooty, sweetly romantic.... I could go on for ever! Benedict goes from stiff, starchy 'Lord Perfect', to soft, adorable pussycat! I don't know how she does it but Kate Reading has him sounding the same, only different! I'd better stop, I sound like a fan girl! I just can't recommend this audio book highly enough and now I have to wait for the rest of the Carsington brothers' stories :(
April 18, 2022
This epilogue had put a smile on my face!! 😊
Another story about the Carsington brothers and another nice one!! I like the Mr. Darcy's kind of hero. Highly respectable, highly circumspect, usually they fall head over heels in love with the not so proper heroine. And Bathesheba is all that and more. Obviously, she isn't so dreadful only society thinks she is. Benedictin sees right through her and falls in love.
I like that the heroine has not the usual type, a strong woman but completely inexperienced, she was a widower and she loved very much her first husband and that it's not very common in HR.
Once more Lord Hargate reveals himself, I think his one of my favourite characters despite he rarely appears.
Another story about the Carsington brothers and another nice one!! I like the Mr. Darcy's kind of hero. Highly respectable, highly circumspect, usually they fall head over heels in love with the not so proper heroine. And Bathesheba is all that and more. Obviously, she isn't so dreadful only society thinks she is. Benedictin sees right through her and falls in love.
I like that the heroine has not the usual type, a strong woman but completely inexperienced, she was a widower and she loved very much her first husband and that it's not very common in HR.
Once more Lord Hargate reveals himself, I think his one of my favourite characters despite he rarely appears.
February 25, 2018
Fun and light this book was a sweet read.
I immensely enjoyed Peregrine and Olivia, two kids in an adventure that will drive their adults insane (and straight into love).
It could have been a five star but for the way things were wrapped up. Too neatly, too easy, too instantly. Apart from that it was nicely done, with the characters unveiling the real people under their “public personas”.
Benedict is a sexy, smart and lovable hero and Bathsheba is adorable and fun.
Can’t wait to read more books from the series...
I immensely enjoyed Peregrine and Olivia, two kids in an adventure that will drive their adults insane (and straight into love).
It could have been a five star but for the way things were wrapped up. Too neatly, too easy, too instantly. Apart from that it was nicely done, with the characters unveiling the real people under their “public personas”.
Benedict is a sexy, smart and lovable hero and Bathsheba is adorable and fun.
Can’t wait to read more books from the series...
February 7, 2011
It feels like I've been plowing my way through Loretta Chase's Carsington Brothers series for a while now, so it somehow surprises me to realise that Lord Perfect is only the third book.
While I liked its predecessors, Miss Wonderful and Mr. Impossible, well enough, there was something about them that just made them feel a little too close to work, if you know what I mean. I never quite lost myself while reading and was overly conscious of how many pages were left.
Well, I am very pleased to say, the promise in Loretta Chase’s writing that kept me going with this series has finally been realised. I loved Lord Perfect! While the author is still a little heavy on the unbroken narration for my liking (hence the 4 stars and not 5), I really, really enjoyed reading this story.
As I have found standard with all Loretta Chase books I have read thus far, the characterisations were wonderfully rendered and the dialogue witty, sparkling and fun. I found myself smiling quite a bit while reading this one. I’m even smiling now as I type, remembering that fight scene! I really liked the characters of Benedict and Bathsheba – so much so that their names didn’t bother me a bit!
Benedict, eldest of the Carsington brothers, has always held himself to the exacting standards and responsibilities expected of the heir to the Earl of Hargate. Unlike his brothers, Benedict’s behaviour is beyond reproach and there are no conceivable circumstances where his name would ever reach the scandal pages.
Bathsheba Wingate, born on the ‘wrong’ side of the DeLucey family – a notorious branch of liars, frauds and swindlers – is widowed from a scandalous marriage and determined to do everything necessary to raise her daughter properly.
When Bathsheba’s hoyden daughter lures Benedict’s precocious nephew away on a merry adventure, Bathsheba and Benedict reluctantly find themselves together on a race to find the runaway children. Mere proximity to Bathsheba’s person would be enough to tarnish Benedict’s reputation, so they must proceed on their mission and travels in secrecy, which of course finds them in some very intimate circumstances.
Although their attraction is undeniable, both accept the practicalities of their circumstances and understand that nothing can come of their association. It was a joy to see both of them, particularly the straight-laced Benedict, succumb to the magnetism between them, and I absolutely loved how their relationship was resolved – particularly when Benedict’s father, the Earl of Hargate, made another of his memorable appearances.
While the first two books were enjoyable, this one absolutely took it to the next level for me. For those who are not interested in following the whole series, this one would work fine as a standalone.
While I liked its predecessors, Miss Wonderful and Mr. Impossible, well enough, there was something about them that just made them feel a little too close to work, if you know what I mean. I never quite lost myself while reading and was overly conscious of how many pages were left.
Well, I am very pleased to say, the promise in Loretta Chase’s writing that kept me going with this series has finally been realised. I loved Lord Perfect! While the author is still a little heavy on the unbroken narration for my liking (hence the 4 stars and not 5), I really, really enjoyed reading this story.
As I have found standard with all Loretta Chase books I have read thus far, the characterisations were wonderfully rendered and the dialogue witty, sparkling and fun. I found myself smiling quite a bit while reading this one. I’m even smiling now as I type, remembering that fight scene! I really liked the characters of Benedict and Bathsheba – so much so that their names didn’t bother me a bit!
Benedict, eldest of the Carsington brothers, has always held himself to the exacting standards and responsibilities expected of the heir to the Earl of Hargate. Unlike his brothers, Benedict’s behaviour is beyond reproach and there are no conceivable circumstances where his name would ever reach the scandal pages.
Bathsheba Wingate, born on the ‘wrong’ side of the DeLucey family – a notorious branch of liars, frauds and swindlers – is widowed from a scandalous marriage and determined to do everything necessary to raise her daughter properly.
When Bathsheba’s hoyden daughter lures Benedict’s precocious nephew away on a merry adventure, Bathsheba and Benedict reluctantly find themselves together on a race to find the runaway children. Mere proximity to Bathsheba’s person would be enough to tarnish Benedict’s reputation, so they must proceed on their mission and travels in secrecy, which of course finds them in some very intimate circumstances.
Although their attraction is undeniable, both accept the practicalities of their circumstances and understand that nothing can come of their association. It was a joy to see both of them, particularly the straight-laced Benedict, succumb to the magnetism between them, and I absolutely loved how their relationship was resolved – particularly when Benedict’s father, the Earl of Hargate, made another of his memorable appearances.
While the first two books were enjoyable, this one absolutely took it to the next level for me. For those who are not interested in following the whole series, this one would work fine as a standalone.
December 23, 2012
4.5 stars
This was very cute! Still not my favorite by Ms. Chase (
and
win that) but I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend this to all of her fans. The hero, Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, is quite a starchy (and HOT) man, whose wife died some years previous to the story. He has a 13-year-old nephew, Peregrine, who he is watching. Bathsheba Wingate (I love that name Bathsheba! Too bad she took down Kind David. And you know this name only belongs to the uber beautiful) is a widow with a 12-year old daughter, Olivia.
Caution: If you do not like kids in your romances, do not read this. But if you do like kids (in your romances), you will absolutely love these two - Olivia and Peregrine - and the escapades they get into.
While Bathsheba is originally from good blood, her family - the Dreadful Deluceys - have a very bad reputation. She is basically the most notorious woman in all of England. And possibly the most beautiful. There is love in the air as soon as they meet but all seems impossible due to her rep.
There a millions of reviews for this so I won't sum up the story but will say: Someone gifted me this book - and I'd like to give you a big THANK YOU!! Loved it.
This was very cute! Still not my favorite by Ms. Chase (
and
win that) but I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend this to all of her fans. The hero, Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, is quite a starchy (and HOT) man, whose wife died some years previous to the story. He has a 13-year-old nephew, Peregrine, who he is watching. Bathsheba Wingate (I love that name Bathsheba! Too bad she took down Kind David. And you know this name only belongs to the uber beautiful) is a widow with a 12-year old daughter, Olivia. Caution: If you do not like kids in your romances, do not read this. But if you do like kids (in your romances), you will absolutely love these two - Olivia and Peregrine - and the escapades they get into.
While Bathsheba is originally from good blood, her family - the Dreadful Deluceys - have a very bad reputation. She is basically the most notorious woman in all of England. And possibly the most beautiful. There is love in the air as soon as they meet but all seems impossible due to her rep.
There a millions of reviews for this so I won't sum up the story but will say: Someone gifted me this book - and I'd like to give you a big THANK YOU!! Loved it.
December 14, 2016
December 2016 review:
My review below still stands. This book, and all the characters in it, are delightful. I think this is my favorite Chase book, it's right up there with Dukes Prefer Blondes.
March 2012 review:
This was my favorite of the bunch. This was my favorite. I loved this novel so much I can't even describe it. I love all the supporting characters and shenanigans and dear lord, Bathsheba telling Lord Hargate he only needed to give her twenty pounds to make her go away cracked me up. And how she and Benedict were so in love with each other and made each other so happy that even his father noticed:
Bathsheba looked at Benedict. "You never told me they were matchmaking."
"He didn't notice!" said his father before Benedict could answer. "He didn't notice handsome young misses of unexceptionable family. He didn't notice beautiful heiresses. We tried bluestockings. We tried country girls. We tried everything. He didn't notice! But Bathsheba Winngate, the most notorious woman in all of England, he noticed."
"We notorious women tend to stand out," she said.
Freaking hell. I love this family. And this couple.
My review below still stands. This book, and all the characters in it, are delightful. I think this is my favorite Chase book, it's right up there with Dukes Prefer Blondes.
March 2012 review:
This was my favorite of the bunch. This was my favorite. I loved this novel so much I can't even describe it. I love all the supporting characters and shenanigans and dear lord, Bathsheba telling Lord Hargate he only needed to give her twenty pounds to make her go away cracked me up. And how she and Benedict were so in love with each other and made each other so happy that even his father noticed:
Bathsheba looked at Benedict. "You never told me they were matchmaking."
"He didn't notice!" said his father before Benedict could answer. "He didn't notice handsome young misses of unexceptionable family. He didn't notice beautiful heiresses. We tried bluestockings. We tried country girls. We tried everything. He didn't notice! But Bathsheba Winngate, the most notorious woman in all of England, he noticed."
"We notorious women tend to stand out," she said.
Freaking hell. I love this family. And this couple.
February 22, 2014
This was good, but not completely great.
I liked Benedict! I liked Bathsheba! I loved how they bantered and how dry they'd get with one another ("I find you merely tolerable"). I loved Lord Hargate swooping in and subverting expectations.
I ADORED Rupert and his big dumb face ("He does such a fine impression of an imbecile that he might as well be one."), and his nosing into Benedict's life. I MISSED RUPERT SO MUCH.
What didn't necessarily come together for me was the thought process behind "You are considered unsuitable by society. Therefore, WE MUST AWAY." My thought process was more like "Bathsheba, you are considered unsuitable by society. Benedict, you're the heir to the goddamned Earl of Hargate. Also, you're kind of desperately in love. FUCK SOCIETY. GET MARRIED AND RUB THEIR FACES IN IT." I understand that this wasn't supposed to be an option because Olivia needed respectability, and Benedict was political, but...does running away really fix either of those problems???
REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT SHENANIGANS OLIVIA AND LISLE GET UP TO IN THEIR BOOK!!
ALSO: Really enjoyed how every single one of their aliases was an Austen heroine! CHASE WHY ARE YOU SO GREAT TO ME!!!
I liked Benedict! I liked Bathsheba! I loved how they bantered and how dry they'd get with one another ("I find you merely tolerable"). I loved Lord Hargate swooping in and subverting expectations.
I ADORED Rupert and his big dumb face ("He does such a fine impression of an imbecile that he might as well be one."), and his nosing into Benedict's life. I MISSED RUPERT SO MUCH.
What didn't necessarily come together for me was the thought process behind "You are considered unsuitable by society. Therefore, WE MUST AWAY." My thought process was more like "Bathsheba, you are considered unsuitable by society. Benedict, you're the heir to the goddamned Earl of Hargate. Also, you're kind of desperately in love. FUCK SOCIETY. GET MARRIED AND RUB THEIR FACES IN IT." I understand that this wasn't supposed to be an option because Olivia needed respectability, and Benedict was political, but...does running away really fix either of those problems???
REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT SHENANIGANS OLIVIA AND LISLE GET UP TO IN THEIR BOOK!!
ALSO: Really enjoyed how every single one of their aliases was an Austen heroine! CHASE WHY ARE YOU SO GREAT TO ME!!!
April 19, 2017
Awww me encantó esta historia..... Loretta no defrauda con sus pintorescos personajes.
Me gustó mucho sobre todo el humor que es muy carateristico en esta serie, Benedict y Betsabé me encantaron como protagonistas, la quimica entre ellos estuvo buenisima (de verdad que no me molestó o no lo sentí que se enamoraran tan rápido).... y todos lo demas personajes secundarios estuvieron muy pero muy bien.
Me reí con las situaciones jajaja y muchas de los momentos que más me causaron risa fueron con Lord Hargate (el papá de Benedict).... este señor se las trae en todos los libros jajaja. Y entre Benedict, Betsabé, Peregine y Olivia me hicieron disfrutar y sonreir con sus diálogos en varias partes y hasta una lagrimita me sacaron en cierta parte...
Hasta ahora no me ha decepcionado esta serie... ya quiero llegar al libro de Olivia (la hija de Betsabé) y Peregrine, Lord lisle (sobrino de Benedict) pero me falta leer antes el del otro hermano Carsington: Darius, que es el menor de los 5.
Me gustó mucho sobre todo el humor que es muy carateristico en esta serie, Benedict y Betsabé me encantaron como protagonistas, la quimica entre ellos estuvo buenisima (de verdad que no me molestó o no lo sentí que se enamoraran tan rápido).... y todos lo demas personajes secundarios estuvieron muy pero muy bien.
Me reí con las situaciones jajaja y muchas de los momentos que más me causaron risa fueron con Lord Hargate (el papá de Benedict).... este señor se las trae en todos los libros jajaja. Y entre Benedict, Betsabé, Peregine y Olivia me hicieron disfrutar y sonreir con sus diálogos en varias partes y hasta una lagrimita me sacaron en cierta parte...
Hasta ahora no me ha decepcionado esta serie... ya quiero llegar al libro de Olivia (la hija de Betsabé) y Peregrine, Lord lisle (sobrino de Benedict) pero me falta leer antes el del otro hermano Carsington: Darius, que es el menor de los 5.
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