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 · 217 ratings  · 28 reviews

Kickoff your review of The Fifth Kiss

Sep 08, 2015 Leona rated it really liked it

This was definitely an uncomfortable, but interesting read. I enjoyed information technology because the author really pushed the envelope and made no apologies for information technology. It also was well written and kept me engaged even though at that place were times that I shuddered.

The hero and heroine are brother/sister in-laws that do Not become along. They are the epitome of oil and water. The heroine's sister is terminally ill and dies in the middle of the story. Heroine and hero are forced together as she tries to assistance the children ove

This was definitely an uncomfortable, but interesting read. I enjoyed it because the author actually pushed the envelope and made no apologies for it. Information technology besides was well written and kept me engaged even though there were times that I shuddered.

The hero and heroine are blood brother/sister in-laws that do Not get along. They are the epitome of oil and water. The heroine's sis is terminally ill and dies in the center of the story. Heroine and hero are forced together every bit she tries to aid the children overcome their grief at the loss of their female parent.

In spite of the fact that I really enjoyed this book, there are some major issues, so proceed with caution: (view spoiler)[

* Hero blatantly commits adultery, keeping "a mistress, on the side. Nosotros later detect out that this is because his wife shut him off all marital relations due to a terminal illness. Instead of telling him the truth, she decides it'due south meliorate to merely let him call back she is no longer interested in the sexual side of marriage. (I didn't go the logic on that i) The story opens with the heroine catching the hero kissing his mistress in broad daylight in London, while she is riding in a coach with her sister.

* The hero does not know his wife is dying until her expiry bed. He never spends much time at his country estate, where wife and children really live. He prefers the passion of the London political scene, and his mistress.

* Hero is devastated when his wife dies and BLAMES the heroine for not telling him his wife was so ill. Even though her sister made her promise never to tell the Hero. (Didn't get that 1 either. If he would have spent time with his family, he would accept seen how desperately sick his wife was)

* Heroine was too one-dimensional. She matured profoundly in the story, but there were times that her "approach" to life'southward bug just irritated me.

* Marrying your sis-in law in 1810 was a major taboo. In 1837 a law was invoked that preclude information technology. So these two were headed for a life of misery and social discord. (hide spoiler)]

I never was convinced of their HEA. He actually was an arrogant, self-centered individual who never quite redeemed himself. Though he did get meliorate, unfortunately not plenty to wipe the slate clean and not enough to forgive him and wish for a HEA. I never saw the man of "character" that anybody else saw.

If you're looking for a very dissimilar regency romance, and so I would highly recommend this i. If 1 of my spoilers, is a showstopper for you, then avoid this one at all cost.

...more

Apr xi, 2014 Ilze rated it it was ok

Elizabeth Mansfield's "The Fifth Buss"
Didn't actually enjoy this one because of several bug.

 1.The pb male person character - I tin't phone call him the "hero" - is adulterous, arrogant, rude, insensitive and basically needs to be bashed on the caput multiple times before he sees that he is an donkey.

 ii. The male lead is almost twice the age of the heroine (35 to 20), and at least 4 times her age in worldly experience. It's hard to see a happy ending in this situation.

 iii. The male person pb is a dyed-in-the-wo

Elizabeth Mansfield'south "The Fifth Kiss"
Didn't really enjoy this i considering of several problems.

 1.The lead male character - I can't telephone call him the "hero" - is adulterous, big-headed, rude, insensitive and basically needs to be bashed on the caput multiple times before he sees that he is an ass.

 two. The male person lead is almost twice the age of the heroine (35 to 20), and at least iv times her historic period in worldly experience. It's hard to come across a happy catastrophe in this state of affairs.

 three. The male lead is a dyed-in-the-wool Tory and influential member of the government - politics is his life's work - while the heroine is a reformer and Whig. I come across virtually no hope of a happy catastrophe in this aspect. (Tory = Republican, Whig = Democrat in today's politics in America.)

 4. The heroine is the much younger sister of the male atomic number 82's first wife. At the time this story happens (1811), marrying the sister of your deceased wife was not illegal, only I detect it hard to believe that information technology would be an adequate thing to exercise at that time given that only 24 years subsequently it was fabricated ILLEGAL past an Act of Parliament!  (This was rescinded in the early 20'thursday century.)  And so in that location must take been an unwritten rule against it, even if information technology was not yet illegal, in 1811 - you lot can't change society'southward rules around by 180 degrees, from complete acceptance to illegality, in so short a time. For this reason I see admittedly no possibility of a happy ending for this couple - they would accept lost a lot of social credence by their marriage, if non existence completely ostracized.

 On the other paw, the story is interesting and I couldn't put information technology downward until I had read the whole thing.

 Funny how rules of consanguinity in union have changed over the years - in 1811 marriage between first cousins was accepted and quite mutual amid the rich (to go on the money in the family) but today we retrieve it's rather disgusting, while today we don't take any objections to a widow or widower marrying their dead spouse's brother or sis.

...more

I was at once excited and weary to read this book at first. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to tolerate the heroine falling for her brother in law after the death of her sis. Or tolerate the hero and heroine's veiled attraction for each other through all their banter and insults while the sister was still alive! At that place were a few twist and turns that might make the match a little more than tolerable for some readers but I was surprisingly enjoying the story without the buffers, so the twist and turns I was at once excited and weary to read this book at commencement. I wasn't certain if I'd be able to tolerate the heroine falling for her brother in constabulary afterward the death of her sister. Or tolerate the hero and heroine's veiled attraction for each other through all their banter and insults while the sister was still live! There were a few twist and turns that might make the match a niggling more tolerable for some readers but I was surprisingly enjoying the story without the buffers, so the twist and turns kind of took me out of the story a few times. I'g pretty cutting and dry with my books, If I make up my mind to read a story with all the gory details, that's what I want to run across, then I was kind of thrown for a loop quite a few times. Overall the story was an interesting one, I was merely a tad bit disappointed of things not being what they seemed at first, but things wasn't so far off the mark that I lost interest, I actually did relish the story. It made me laugh and cry and want to try some other by this author. A totally un pc story that's not every bit bad as some of the other reviews make it out to be. 3.5 stars ...more

Aug 21, 2013 Lyuda rated it information technology was ok

I gave the story a high rating on the first read just information technology didn't hold on the re-read. I don't know what I was thinking dorsum then merely this time I couldn't laissez passer the arrogance, the "everything is the fault of someone else" attitude of the hero. The author tried very hard to justify a reason for the hero's cheating (this is not a spoiler as it happens correct at the beginning) but information technology didn't convince me and but fabricated me dislike him more. On the other hand, the writer did admirable task of showing growth a I gave the story a loftier rating on the beginning read but it didn't hold on the re-read. I don't know what I was thinking back then but this time I couldn't pass the arrogance, the "everything is the fault of someone else" mental attitude of the hero. The author tried very hard to justify a reason for the hero's cheating (this is not a spoiler as it happens correct at the beginning) but it didn't convince me and only made me dislike him more. On the other hand, the author did admirable chore of showing growth and maturity of the heroine from a naive, opinionated, feisty girl to a compassionate, lovely lady. ...more

Sep x, 2015 Julz rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

Large giant plot revealing spoiler!

Whoredog hero and sister-in-police force heroine. Lots of foot-stomping fun...well...a fiddling. I'm 1 of the few who understood the hero's whorey means and forgave him. (view spoiler)[You cut a dude off, he'll find'im some elsewhere. Though, I hold that not telling the H you have a ferocious fatal vaginal illness in the first place is a stupid plot point. (hide spoiler)] I was hoping for more than wtfery but was sufficiently satisfied.

3.5 stars

Big behemothic plot revealing spoiler!

Whoredog hero and sis-in-law heroine. Lots of foot-stomping fun...well...a little. I'thousand ane of the few who understood the hero's whorey ways and forgave him. (view spoiler)[You cutting a dude off, he'll discover'im some elsewhere. Though, I agree that not telling the H you take a ferocious fatal vaginal disease in the offset identify is a stupid plot point. (hide spoiler)] I was hoping for more than wtfery merely was sufficiently satisfied.

...more than

Sep 15, 2015 Megzy rated information technology liked it

Well written. I am never a fan of romance betwixt family members and in the example of this book, I found their romance far fetched and their HEA improbable. (view spoiler)[He was an a**hole, his action when confronted nearly his adultery was disgusting. He really didn't give a shit about his wife or his kids until she died. The unabridged calendar week when she was visiting her family in London, he didn't even attempt to run across her but he had time to hug and osculation his light skirt mistress in broad daylight. He was Well written. I am never a fan of romance between family members and in the case of this book, I found their romance far fetched and their HEA improbable. (view spoiler)[He was an a**pigsty, his action when confronted nearly his adultery was icky. He really didn't requite a shit nigh his wife or his kids until she died. The entire calendar week when she was visiting her family in London, he didn't even attempt to see her simply he had fourth dimension to hug and kiss his lite brim mistress in broad daylight. He was suppose to be an intelligent man and we were told, he loved his wife before she told him she no longer wanted to have sex, but he didn't intendance to question why the medico was seeing his wife near everyday for four years, why his wife was loosing weight, etc... I hateful he was paying the doctor'southward bills... his wife had a terrible childbirth, virtually dying during labor and was told immediately past the md after her commitment that her days were numbered but I guess her loving hubby was too busy trying to detect new bed-mates to care to ask a question or two. I felt he was happy to be given an excuse to find every bit many new bed partner as he perchance could, to want to question the reason for his loving wife's change of mental attitude toward sexual activity. I am basing my opinion on his conversation with Sir. Arthur when we first met him. His grief felt false. His love for Olivia felt similar animalism. At the finish, I wondered if he was planning on resuming his old habits by having Olivia taking care of his kids in his country domicile while he was dorsum in London spending his days in the firm of lords and his nights between sheets with a new mistress. (hide spoiler)] ...more

This is a pretty uncomfortable book to read in parts. The hero and heroine are brother and sis-in-constabulary and when the story starts the hero is cheating on the ill wife. The wife who is the sister of the heroine dies of course adequately early and the hero and the heroine have a very acrimonious relationship only are kept in each other'due south orbit by the children of the hero and the dead sister. However, information technology is very well written and pretty realistic as to the mores of the times. Afterwards a lot of painful south This is a pretty uncomfortable book to read in parts. The hero and heroine are blood brother and sis-in-law and when the story starts the hero is cheating on the ill married woman. The wife who is the sister of the heroine dies of course adequately early on and the hero and the heroine have a very acrimonious relationship simply are kept in each other's orbit past the children of the hero and the expressionless sister. Withal, it is very well written and pretty realistic every bit to the mores of the times. After a lot of painful stuff they go together. I do recommend it if you can deal with the cheating. ...more

Information technology'due south clean, there's more than bickering than romance and nearly of it is people talking about having tea.

The only gripping part is at the very beginning and once that'southward washed, it's all tea, governesses, and old ladies in turbans. No i gets laid, there's no scheming mistress and no interesting villain.

Information technology's clean, in that location'due south more than bickering than romance and about of it is people talking about having tea.

The only gripping part is at the very beginning and one time that'due south done, information technology's all tea, governesses, and one-time ladies in turbans. No one gets laid, in that location's no scheming mistress and no interesting villain.

...more

Jun 25, 2015 Nenya rated it it was ok

Miles' wife Clara, afterward the birth of her second child, tells him that her "love" for him has cooled. Why? Because she had a tough time delivering and doesn't want the concrete intimacy. He's so hot blooded that he has to take some outlet. Just instead of taking a mistress from his own class of women, he has one from the lower classes, because he then captious. What a great guy.

And there's Clara, slowly dying, four years into the life of the 2nd child.
[I classed this nether cheating hero because he

Miles' wife Clara, after the nascency of her second child, tells him that her "love" for him has cooled. Why? Because she had a tough time delivering and doesn't want the physical intimacy. He's so hot blooded that he has to have some outlet. But instead of taking a mistress from his ain class of women, he has 1 from the lower classes, because he so fastidious. What a nifty guy.

And in that location'southward Clara, slowly dying, 4 years into the life of the 2d child.
[I classed this under adulterous hero considering he was adulterous on his first wife; doesn't matter that she was complaisant about information technology, however painfully]

I similar the author and her story telling. Merely the situation between the H/h is then contrived. If the author has to impale off a perfectly prissy character for H,h to be together, it'south not something that'll make me happy reading. And what's with telling the kids that mama is in heaven and tin run into her. That just makes them more confused and agitated.

The H calls his married woman's sister (the h) a meddling busybody and berates her for not meddling more. Obviously she should have told him her sis was dying. What almost him? Should he have had to rely on someone telling him that? Could he non have cared plenty about his wife to see that? To talk to her doctor? What doctor would not have told the husband if his wife was and so seriously damaged?

H is a cocky-centered brick. Just hey, he'south a political mover and shaker, has tons of coin, has a title, so allow's just forgive him for treating his first married woman and his son shamefully, because he simply didn't know.

Autonomously from the male person MC, I liked the other characters. But and then, stories virtually unrakish, decent, caring men are so uninspired. Have the h's blood brother Charles, who ends up with the children's governess Elspeth. Theirs is the (tiny) secondary romance, wrapped upwardly and done in a few paragraphs. I even liked Leonora, whom the H brought, along with her family unit to Langley, to get acquainted with his children before officially getting betrothed. I didn't like the H or his martyrdom in marrying then that the h could exist gratis to pursue her life. Didn't he condemn his married woman's wish to do the aforementioned?

Nosotros're told that Miles is a man of honor (quite a few times), but he comes beyond as an insensitive, unfeeling, uncaring fauna and isn't redeemed enough for me to like him. Too little, too late.

What's the apply of a well written tale if information technology doesn't life my spirits. I should probably stop reading Elizabeth Mansfield :(.

The championship comes from the h trying to figure out things such as kissing and 'feelings', and finds it bewildering that she liked her blood brother-in-police force's drunken buss ameliorate than the other 3 kisses that she'southward had, when she doesn't even like him (early), and that isn't consistent with her theory that kisses are thrilling if you love that person. I guess I didn't keep rails correctly, the 5th buss is was not the H.

...more

April 29, 2015 Sandra rated it liked it

Kind of your standard regency and the writing is ameliorate than most. I wasn't bothered past Mile'southward sleeping with a light-skirt; I was more than bothered past Clara's (Mile's first wife and Olivia's sis) keeping (view spoiler)[ her illness (hide spoiler)]a secret from him and pushing him away without giving him a reason. Apparently Clara and Miles were very much in honey and had a great relationship in the showtime, and then keeping secrets similar that didn't really fit.

Regencies/romances in general always seem

Kind of your standard regency and the writing is better than most. I wasn't bothered by Mile'south sleeping with a low-cal-skirt; I was more bothered by Clara'south (Mile's first wife and Olivia's sister) keeping (view spoiler)[ her illness (hide spoiler)]a cloak-and-dagger from him and pushing him away without giving him a reason. Evidently Clara and Miles were very much in beloved and had a not bad relationship in the kickoff, then keeping secrets like that didn't really fit.

Regencies/romances in general ever seem to go: he says A, she hears B, so she does C, and he does D in reaction, until E happens, then he explains A and they live happily always later. Simply hither we accept a secondary character deed equally the get-between and sort things out earlier they got explosive, which was So refreshing.

I'yard usually into the whole detest-turns-to-love trope, and at that place was some nice tension here, and you lot could run across some human relationship development...just all I could think about was "his d*ck has been inside of your dead sister...and now information technology's going to be within yous CHILLS BARF"

It'due south a quick, piece of cake, read.

...more

I take gotten a few of Elizabeth Mansfield's books on Audible, and, in rereading them, they take non lived upward to my retentiveness of how great they are. Even so, they are superior to nearly every other regency I accept picked upward lately. Elizabeth Mansfield excels at portraying heroes that are good, fifty-fifty sweet men. This is non one of those. The hero in this one is a nasty piece of piece of work. A bad begetter and a bad hubby to the sister of our heroine. Even though he was neglectful and unfaithful to her she wors I have gotten a few of Elizabeth Mansfield's books on Audible, and, in rereading them, they have not lived upwards to my retention of how dandy they are. Nevertheless, they are superior to nearly every other regency I have picked upwards lately. Elizabeth Mansfield excels at portraying heroes that are adept, even sweet men. This is not ane of those. The hero in this one is a nasty piece of work. A bad male parent and a bad husband to the sister of our heroine. Even though he was neglectful and unfaithful to her she worshiped the footing he walked on. We learn later that she was terminally ill and instead of telling her married man the truth so every bit not to impede his vivid political career, she told him she was not interested in intimacy anymore, and encouraged him to notice it elsewhere. Miles and Olivia, the dead married woman's sister, and our leading lady, have always been combative to each other and this devolves into almost hatred, before the corner is turned and Miles starts to redeem himself with Olivia's assistance. Notwithstanding, throughout about of the book he is unreasonable, hateful, and angry. The narrator, I suspect, made him even more than unpleasant than how he probably was on the folio because she voiced him with a particularly villainous, snarly tone. She went likewise far, and information technology lessened my enjoyment of the volume. ...more

January 28, 2021 Jenny rated it did not like it

NO. No, no no no no no.
It is not romantic to kiss your brother-in-law who is likewise married to your sister. (This isn't a spoiler, it's literally the summary for this volume.)
And they fight CONSTANTLY. I don't intendance if they're good for each other. Who wants to spend all day every day fighting?!
Ugh.
*I skimmed the last one-half. NO. No, no no no no no.
It is not romantic to kiss your brother-in-police who is as well married to your sister. (This isn't a spoiler, it's literally the summary for this volume.)
And they fight CONSTANTLY. I don't intendance if they're good for each other. Who wants to spend all day every twenty-four hours fighting?!
Ugh.
*I skimmed the terminal half. ...more

This was a weird one. Not that that'due south bad - it's expert to have an unusual plot.

I know nada about English law at the turn of the 19th c. However; the book seems to have a like plot to Heath's The Earl Takes All. In that (which I oasis't read) I idea the problem was that the hero couldn't legally ally his brother's widow because it was considered incest (or something similar that). Hither we accept a widower who wants to marry his SIL. It merely doesn't seem right and leaves an uncomfortable tast

This was a weird ane. Non that that'southward bad - information technology'south good to have an unusual plot.

I know nothing virtually English law at the plow of the 19th c. However; the volume seems to have a like plot to Heath's The Earl Takes All. In that (which I haven't read) I idea the trouble was that the hero couldn't legally ally his brother's widow because it was considered incest (or something like that). Hither we have a widower who wants to marry his SIL. It but doesn't seem right and leaves an uncomfortable taste in my mouth.

Somehow, I thought the dead wife/sis was going to bring them both together before she died and the rest of the book would be well-nigh them coming to terms with their feelings for each other and the expressionless wife/sis'south wishes and getting over the "ick, nosotros're sort of related" factor. And while that was sort of the case regarding their feelings, neither widower or sister had whatever qualms about marrying once they confessed their feelings for each other.

I'1000 about to read up on English police force. Sky assistance me.

I've read. Information technology seems that while information technology was considered incest, at the time there wasn't a law prohibiting it. However; if information technology happened and someone objected, the marriage was considered void. It wasn't outright prohibited until 1835 in the Uk & colonies simply the marriages were recognized if conducted abroad.

Equally to the H & h they were a mixed bag. I both liked and disliked them at different times in the volume. Sort of like real people who I tin can both like and find annoying simultaneously. I do think that while Olivia was younger, she eventually acted more than grown-upwards than Miles.

Miles' infidelity becomes a nonissue once Clara becomes more than ill. I constitute Clara to be worse than either H or h. If Olivia hadn't deliberately defied her, Miles wouldn't accept made it dorsum before she died. I had no problem with the age gap and at least Olivia tried to educate herself to the extent she could in male person-female relationships. She certain every bit heck knew Miles' kiss affected her more than the other 3 "suitors".

...more than

Mar 22, 2015 Roub rated it really liked it

this was a fantastic read ! Olivia had the knack of putting herself in the most embarrassing situations. it was obvious they were fiercely attracted to each other, hence the intense common dislike. Miles quickly realised what hid beneath the surface while Olivia took her fourth dimension, she had to come face to face wid Miles's not-quite-matrimonial to face reality! the hero then asked her to become so dat he cud smooth things out for our honey Miss Oglesby. this was horribly selfish and and then out-of-character of thursday this was a fantastic read ! Olivia had the knack of putting herself in the most embarrassing situations. information technology was obvious they were fiercely attracted to each other, hence the intense mutual dislike. Miles quickly realised what hid below the surface while Olivia took her fourth dimension, she had to come face to confront wid Miles's not-quite-betrothed to face reality! the hero then asked her to get so dat he cud smooth things out for our dear Miss Oglesby. this was horribly selfish and then out-of-character of the Miles we had come up to know from the previous capacity. well, the man had his moments and no fault of his, for Olivia was quite impossible, she took over his home, ruled savage over everyone, insulted the man in question, always begged to differ and even slapped him on one occasion! ...more

Feb 19, 2011 Li rated it liked it

Recommended to Li by: Like her Regencies

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view information technology, click here. This one had a massively intriguing back comprehend blurb - the heroine kissing her brother-in-constabulary. How does the author redeem both the heroine and hero after that?

A sweetness regency (published in 1981), and I actually enjoyed the romance. Not sure I was entirely comfortable with some of the underlying messages - she marries him to wait later on his children, vi months later on the wife/her sis died, just at the same fourth dimension I did believe in the romance.

I've a soft spot for Elizabeth Mansfield and ended upwardly buyi

This ane had a massively intriguing dorsum cover blurb - the heroine kissing her blood brother-in-police. How does the author redeem both the heroine and hero after that?

A sweet regency (published in 1981), and I really enjoyed the romance. Non sure I was entirely comfortable with some of the underlying messages - she marries him to look afterwards his children, six months afterward the wife/her sis died, but at the same time I did believe in the romance.

I've a soft spot for Elizabeth Mansfield and concluded upwards ownership quite a few off Better Globe Books over Christmas - I'm glad I've a few more to read!

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November 01, 2011 Gayle rated it it was amazing

Olivia is a bookish person. Her sis is married with a large family unit and resides in the country. Her brother in law is in the House of Lords. She sees him embracing aother woman and is furious. She visits her sister in the country to tell her of Miles unfaithfulness. After her sisters death it is Olivia who discovers another side of Miles. I take all of Elizabeths Mansfields books.

Una storia molto più ricca di tensione di quelle in genere scritte da Dorothy Mack; ma, in generale, una buona storia, anche se il capovolgimento di fronte dei due ex nemici sembra nel complesso un po' troppo repentino...
Mi chiedo, però, se il mio giudizio un po' troppo positivo not sia stato influenzato dalla gran quantità di 'rubbish' in cui mi sono imbattuta negli ultimi tempi. Una storia molto più ricca di tensione di quelle in genere scritte da Dorothy Mack; ma, in generale, una buona storia, anche se il capovolgimento di fronte dei due ex nemici sembra nel complesso un po' troppo repentino...
Mi chiedo, però, se il mio giudizio un po' troppo positivo non sia stato influenzato dalla gran quantità di 'rubbish' in cui mi sono imbattuta negli ultimi tempi. ...more

May 07, 2020 Heidi rated it it was ok

Nostalgic fluff. I used to read a lot of regency dorsum in the twenty-four hour period, but what I enjoyed was the setting, article of clothing, manners, etc. This struck my as a regency in name simply. Just a romance.

She pulled it off

A difficult plot that started from hate and moved to love. The children'southward characters are beautifully drawn as is the naivete of the heroine.

She pulled information technology off

A difficult plot that started from detest and moved to dear. The children's characters are beautifully drawn equally is the naivete of the heroine.

...more

Jan 18, 2015 Judith rated it it was astonishing

Several reviewers accept commented on the age differences (and differences in points of view) and on the author'southward inaccuracy of having a widower marrying his married woman's sister:
Wedlock between a widower and his deceased wife's sis did happen prior to the the 1835 Act of Parliament. A well-known example: Rear Admiral Charles John Austen, married his deceased wife's sister in 1820; lst wife died 1814. The 1835 Deed was passed in order to protect the rights of inheritance of a son of a Duke; the Act st Several reviewers take commented on the age differences (and differences in points of view) and on the author's inaccuracy of having a widower marrying his wife's sister:
Union betwixt a widower and his deceased wife'south sister did happen prior to the the 1835 Act of Parliament. A well-known example: Rear Admiral Charles John Austen, married his deceased wife's sister in 1820; lst wife died 1814. The 1835 Act was passed in social club to protect the rights of inheritance of a son of a Duke; the Act stated that such marriages (between a widower and his deceased wife'south sis) already in being would continue to be legal, but subsequent marriages would not. There was much discussion near the Act, both pro and con, based on religious, biological, etc. reasons. How much it affected those of the lower classes information technology is hard to say; they may have continued to contract such "marriages" without benefit of clergy. I practical reason for such a marriage is that the widower might expect that his sis-in-law would care for her nieces and nephews more than kindly than a not-related stride-mother would. Clearly people would react to such marriages as they pleased. I think one friend of my female parent's seeking mom's counsel when the friend's widowed brother-in-law and she were thinking of marrying, and this was in the 1950's. As far as political views go: nosotros accept today in politics some prominent examples of dyed-in-the-wool Republicans and Democrats happily married. As far every bit the difference in age goes, married people close in age are not always happy in the marriages, as our electric current divorce charge per unit shows, and I have known a number of happy /content marriages with age differences of twenty years or more. It all depends on the individuals involved. ...more

Feb 15, 2014 Elen rated it actually liked it

I'm feeling very conflicted regarding this book. There's no doubt this is quite well written, and realistic, too. Olivia is a bluestocking, but not the impossibly feisty (and sometimes downright rude) type. Miles is a homo of graphic symbol, but simply within the bounds of the morals of the time. They have flaws and they learn to temper it without authour pointedly announcing EPIPHANY! every fourth dimension. Plot is not too contrived. And so, aye, this was a cut above the usual traditional regencies you see.
However I'm feeling very conflicted regarding this volume. There'south no doubt this is quite well written, and realistic, too. Olivia is a bluestocking, merely non the impossibly feisty (and sometimes downright rude) type. Miles is a man of character, but just within the bounds of the morals of the time. They take flaws and they acquire to temper it without authour pointedly announcing EPIPHANY! every time. Plot is not as well contrived. So, yeah, this was a cut higher up the usual traditional regencies yous meet.
Nevertheless, it wasn't an piece of cake read. Non just was I disturbed by their human relationship (I don't retrieve information technology was even legal back then), merely the overall temper was simply too painful. Olivia'due south finding out the adultery, her sister's expiry, frustrated at Miles for both beingness and so right but so wrong, just everything seemed so gloomy and stifling that I felt like crying at times. Mayhap this is an evidence of the author's good skill. Had the characters been more than perfect, more than to the taste of modern readers, it would accept been a very comfy read(and to be quickly forgotten). But it wouldn't accept felt then real, I suppose. ...more than

There were many things I adored in the novel: May-Dec relationship, enemy lover, the humor, and a very stiff sense of deja vu. It remind me of one of my favourite motion-picture show - The Sound of Music, Oliver was strongly opposed to mix with Miles and vice versa. Such is the sparring at almost every page has go a must-watch scene in these paragraph. Nevertheless, I retrieve the kiss accidents were contrived and wee mary sue, this was why I gave 4 stars instead v.

Oct thirty, 2016 Jane Brant rated it really liked it

With a background of English literature in the tradition of Henry Fielding, Spencer, Dickens, and Thackery with a sprinkling of Jane Austen, this modern novel takes on a rich element of sense of humor and almost sardonic humor. While the story ends equally expected, the historical throwback journey was delightful.

If I could give one-half stars I would for this one. 3.5

Elizabeth Mansfield is the author of numerous regency romances. She is an intelligent and thoughtful author, a hidden jewel whose novels deserve to exist more widely read and enjoyed.

Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz besides wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.

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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3051324-the-fifth-kiss

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