Rules for an Unmarried Lady by Wilma Counts
Rules for an Unmarried Lady by Wilma Counts Series: Once Upon A Bride Series Book #3
on December 29, 2020
Genres: Fiction / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Women
Pages: 320
Goodreads
Witty and well-read, best friends Henrietta, Harriet, and Hero know that real love is rarely as simple as a fairy tale. But with the right partner, it can be sweeter—and even more satisfying. . .
A single woman of means generally does not choose the company of seven rambunctious children over the haut ton. Yet since the tragic loss of her sister and brother-in-law, the Honorable Harriet Mayfield has found purpose and pleasure in caring for her orphaned nieces and nephews. If her unorthodox views about how to raise the newly minted Earl of Sedwick and his siblings put her at odds with their strict grandmother, well, so be it. The children’s uncle, Colonel Lord Quinton Burnes, however, is a far more complicated—and charismatic—problem . . .
Accustomed to having his slightest word obeyed, Quint hardly knows what to make of the bewitching bluestocking who has taken on the role of guardian in his absence. Quint’s mother wants Harriet gone, the sooner the better. She has the perfect bride in mind for him—someone not at all like kindhearted, loyal Harriet. But if he and Harriet can only withstand meddling and misunderstandings, their unconventional attraction might yet come to a delightfully happy ending . . .
Rules For An Unmarried Lady is book three in the Once Upon A Bride series by Wilma Counts. When Harriett Mayfield loses her sister and brother in law in an accident, she steps into the caretaker’s role for her seven orphaned nieces and nephews. But from the beginning, there is conflict because Colonel Lord Quinton Burnes is the children’s legal guardian and is opposed to Harriett’s decisions for the children’s welfare. The story conflict ebbs and flows, but the rivalries are the bulwark of the plot.
The first half reads like a visitor’s guide to 1800 London. Descriptions of Vauxhall Gardens feel too stuffy and overdone. “The main show of the evening was, of course, the spectacular reenactment of the Battle of Vitoria, which involved much shooting of cannon and exploding bombs in the arena as well as incredible displays of horsemanship, swordsmanship, and other feats of derring-do.” The description goes on for too long, in my opinion, and I began questioning the plot importance of the trip to London in the first place. Too much research and not enough relationship development between the main characters. Harriet and Quinton don’t meet until chapter four. The second half of the book attempts to build a romantic relationship between them. I felt disappointed that there was very little romantic tension. However, I liked the villain. The Dowager is a formidable foe and brings just enough angst to the character to be a villain that you love to hate. Overall, not my cup of tea, but readers who like lots of description and history will enjoy this book.
