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Miranda Neville has a knack for creating memorable characters. When I read The Dangerous Viscount, the previous book in the Burgundy Club series, I simply adored Diana and her true love, Sebastian. But I remember clearly how much I really disliked Sebastian’s friend, the dandy Tarquin Compton. A male fashionista in the Beau Brummel mold, he sloped around ballrooms and made pithy comments that could immediately make or break a young lady’s reputation. Usually break, as we all know that being snarky is so much more fun than being kind.
So when I picked up The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton and realized that the hero was that snotty little guy, Tarquin, I almost threw it aside and went back to the TBR pile. But kids, I have to tell you, I’m glad I didn’t. Ms. Neville did the impossible – she explained Tarquin’s character and revealed sides of him that forced me to change my mind about him. I can’t say that he is my favorite of the Burgundy Club members, but his wooing and winning of wallflower Celia Seaton is sweet, funny, and satisfying.
Seems that Ms. Seaton was one of the victims of Tarquin’s alleged humor last season, when a promising suitor heard Tarquin compare her to a cauliflower and promptly lost interest. So when Celia, trying to escape a kidnapper, runs into Tarquin alone and amnesia-stricken on the moors, she gets her revenge by informing him that he is, in fact, her fiancé.
Ok, I know, that’s kind of an involved storyline – and I didn’t even bring up the missing ruby, Tarquin’s meddling uncle and loathsome aunt, the Hungarian countess, the naughty book Celia finds in Tarquin’s pocket, or any number of other plot devices. It ought to be a godawful mess. But Ms. Neville makes them work.
It’s a delightful romp across the moors as Tarquin and Celia try to find out why there are bad guys after them and make their way to clean clothes and a good meal. Of course, once they find their way home, there’s that pesky business of the betrothal Celia lied about, and Tarquin’s reluctant wish that it was really true. But can a die-hard dandy find happiness with a quiet young lady who is not the toast of the Ton? With a bit of instruction from that naughty book of Tarquin’s, you bet he can!
This is a fun book. There’s no deep philosophy, not a lot of angst or sturm-und-drang. But I read romance to lose myself in a pretty world filled with interesting people, and The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton meets those requirements to a tee.
~ Donna
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I completely fell in love with Terence Fish and was sad to see Tarquin regain his memory. I admit, that it took me awhile to warm up to Tarquin. I found him very pompous and quite stuck up. I did enjoy watching him transform from this type of person into someone Celia could love and trust. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him fall in love with Celia and seeing her true beauty.
Celia was a great heroine and I loved how she doesn't just roll over when things don't go her way. She is constantly thrown opstacles and it was great to see how she would overcome them all. She didn't just cower in the corner and wait for others to help her. She figured out solutions for herself. It's great to read about strong heroines, especially in historicals.
I loved watching both Celia and Tarquin fall in love. They both had such strong negative opinions of one another and it was great to see them overcome them and become more accepting and friendly towards eachother. Their love for eachother didn't feel rushed or nonexistant. I truly felt them falling in love with one another and it was great to see.
Another thing that I loved in this book was that we got to see more of Sebastian and Diana. I admit that I haven't forgotten these two at all. It was great to catch up with both of them and the rest of Diana's family. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Celia and Tarquin show up and Diana has gone into labor and both Sebastian and Diana's father are reacting to her being in labor. It was truly hilarious and I could not stop laughing. It is definitely one of my favorite parts in the book.
After reading this book, I am extremely anxious for the next one in the series. I am really enjoying this series and I can't wait to see what happens with the other characters. Hopefully we get to see more of Diana's siblings.