Narrator Mary Jane Wells transports listeners to mid-nineteenth-century England. When Caroline Hardcastle's friend is kidnapped, she reconnects with her former fiancé, Lord Valentine Thorn. Thorn is further drawn in when his cousin also disappears. Wells's portrayal of Caroline perfectly conveys her spunky personality as she sets out to solve the mystery of her friend's kidnapping. Wells captures the haughtiness of Valentine's father, a duke who is not pleased with his son's involvement with Caroline. Using a wide variety of accents, Wells flawlessly portrays all levels of English society, from tough thugs to aristocrats. Wells's performance sparkles as Caroline and Valentine grow closer while working to solve the mysteries of the missing.
Pub Date: Nov. 16, 2021
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549110634
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Both narrators capture the humor and heat, providing a diverting (smashing, splendid, enjoyable) listen.
This Regency romance features a wallflower nearing spinsterhood and a notorious rake. Harriet's love of words, especially synonyms and slang, and Alexander’s penchant for liaisons result in a chance encounter, an unlikely kidnapping, and an agreement for a marriage of convenience that both soon regret. Grace Blyth narrates much of the story, while Stewart Clarke performs the roles of male characters. The duo transports listeners to the couple’s world, and their skill at voicing a variety of characters will have listeners forgetting there are only two narrators. However, some sections told from Alexander’s point of view and narrated by Blyth would have been better served if Clarke had delivered them.
Both narrators capture the humor and heat, providing a diverting (smashing, splendid, enjoyable) listen.Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 26 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217344673
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 8, 2026
Listeners will fall in love with this witty and clever romance.
Mhairi Morrison gives a dazzling performance of this first entry in a new Regency romance series. With admirable ease and conviction, Morrison portrays the intelligent, forthright manner of Lady Ruby Ballimore, who prefers to spend her time studying rather than securing a suitable husband. After another social mistake, Lady Ruby hatches a plan to spend the summer with her two best friends posing as ladies-in-waiting at the unoccupied holiday home of Princess Serafina. To her astonishment, a band of smugglers posing as household staff, headed by the charming, strong-willed Captain Malcolm Archer, is already there. Morrison evokes the pair’s growing attraction, expressing their deep emotion amidst a series of schemes, plot twists, and stolen moments.
Listeners will fall in love with this witty and clever romance.Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 13 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349163944
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: yesterday
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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