Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase

Narrated by Kate Reading

When it comes to the work of author Loretta Chase, I’ve come more than a little late to the party. My first experience with her writing was just last year, when I had the pleasure of listening to Silk Is for Seduction. Ms. Chase’s writing, coupled with the very skilled narration of Kate Reading, hooked me from the start. Needless to say, I was delighted to have the chance to review Miss Wonderful, Book 1 in the Carsington Brothers series.

Alistair Carsington has fallen in and out of love many, many times since he was a teenager. Now, two years after he was wounded at Waterloo, Alistair’s father has grown tired of his third son’s devotion to anything in a skirt and gives him an ultimatum. Alistair has until the end of May to either do something productive with his life or marry an heiress. To make sure he complies, Lord Hargate tells Alistair that his younger brothers will be forced to support him should he not abide by his sire’s wishes. Soon after this conversation takes place, Alistair’s best friend falls ill with influenza, and asks him to visit a small village where the two have decided to build a canal. Surely, the money raised by what some term the “canal scheme” will be enough to save the lands of Alistair’s brothers. So, the wounded dandy heads out to see why local landowners are so opposed to something that seems to him to be perfectly sensible.

Mirabel Oldridge has been in charge of her family’s estate for the past eleven years. Her father is only concerned with botany, causing the estate to nearly go under. Luckily, Mirabel is no shrinking violet. She has risen to the task of running things, and is very well-liked by most of the villagers and landowners. She has been troubled ever since she heard that a canal might be built, cutting through her property. Her home has been a refuge for Mirabel, as well as a way to keep her long dead mother’s memory alive. Mirabel can’t bear the thought of an industrial waterway and all the change that will bring to her tiny piece of paradise.

When they first meet, Alistair is struck by Mirabel’s beauty and her lack of style. Alistair is definitely a dandy, and the fact that Mirabel’s gowns are hideously out of fashion and her hair is constantly falling down drive him to distraction. Soon, these two are involved in a battle of wits mixed with desire, as each fights for what they believe is right. Neither is prepared for the chemistry that sparks between them, but both are sure it will do them no good to indulge it.

Certain Loretta Chase books sparkle with lively banter and sizzling romance. Parts of Miss Wonderful were like that for me, but it was definitely inconsistent. Alistair’s obsession with clothing and Mirabel’s unwillingness to even consider change sometimes made it difficult for me to like them. Even so, their romance is believable, and I desperately wanted them to work things out and claim their HEA.

As expected, narrator Kate Reading performed with consummate skill. She really seems to get Ms. Chase’s writing. She brought the characters, especially the leads, to life. Her pacing was wonderful, and her delivery of some of Mirabel and Alistair’s exchanges made me laugh out loud. It’s rare to find a narrator who seems so fully invested in the book they’re reading, and, should you happen to come upon such a remarkable occurrence, cherish it for the gift it truly is. Ms. Reading is truly a master of her craft.

She is capable of creating both believable male and female voices, with a great deal of differentiation of characters of the same gender. Alistair speaks in low, sometimes growly tones, while Mirabel’s father is given a slightly quavery, bewildered sound, befitting his slow recovery from melancholia. Ms. Reading gives Mirabel a no-nonsense way of speaking, but it’s very plain that it’s just a sort of armor meant to protect her vulnerable side.

The steamy scenes are given just the right amount of emotion without being over the top. Ms. Reading is skilled at knowing just how far she can go before she crosses a line into something less than pleasant. Every emotion the characters feel is shown to the listener, but it is done in such a way as to make the listener feel the emotions for themselves. There’s no detachment here, just a total immersion into the world Ms. Chase and Ms. Reading have created.

Although Miss Wonderful is not my favorite of Ms. Chase’s books, it’s definitely worth the listen. Ms. Reading’s performance enhanced the book so much. I can’t imagine enjoying it quite so much in print. Be prepared for some melodrama, and some rather pointless bickering. However, these things shouldn’t deter you. Once you start listening, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.

Shannon

Narration:  A

Book Content:  B

Steam Factor:  Glad I had my earbuds in

Violence:  Minimal (some memories of war carnage)

Genre:  European Historical Romance

Publisher:  Loretta Chase

Miss Wonderful was provided to AudioGals for review by the NYLA.