Beatrice: Regency Belle Series Book Four Paperback – 15 Aug. 2017

Life had not been kind to Beatrice, she had married for love, against the wishes of her family and after the premature death of her husband finds herself in straitened circumstances. She has to find employment with an unpleasant dowager in order to make ends meet. The Duke of Ellonby's family also face problems.The Duke is increasingly frail and his heir George has returned from the Peninsula War severely lamed after an accident with a cannon. The family need to ensure that George marries as soon as possible to provide the duchy with an heir. The Duchess, worried by the health of her husband and her son, selects Beatrice as the perfect wife because she is poised and elegant, behaves impeccably and is suitably blue -blooded.. The couple bow to pressure but the marriage does not go smoothly. Both resent having to wed, and there are plenty of other jealous people ready to make mischief. Several old friends reappear in this story. Freddie, the Duke's younger son helps to sort out the couple's difficulties whilst awaiting the birth of his and Araminta's daughter and the Duchess rules the family very gently through the love of her husband and sons. It is a satisfying book and I think that the author has improved through each book she writes.

I enjoyed the book.

I have now read all the books in this series and have enjoyed each one. Caroline Ashton has carefully researched each story, and every one of these young ladies, within the overall umbrella (or should I say parasol) of the Regency period of courtly manners, has a distinct and unique story to tell. Beatrice, already struggling on a small income, is left penniless by her husband's death and is forced to seek employment. She has a difficult time. Her story is engaging and unique, contrasting sharply with that of the other young widow in a previous volume. As in all good romances, it all ends happily.

I quite liked this book, despite the fact that I had given up, early on, with another of this authors works titled 'Araminta.' Cautiously wary, I gave this book a go since I had downloaded it at the same time as Araminta; it was far better, altho the diction, spelling mistakes, grammar and typo's were ubiquitous. These issues with the editing did indeed distract and detract from the story; however I persevered with it, and it was a good story.If Ms Ashton can get the editing sorted out, I might read more of her books. I'd advise readers of the book to try to get past the many editing issues, because the story is quite a good one. The three stars are entirely due to the editing issues...

This is not a romance. It's a tragedy! The h&H don't meet until 31 percent into the book. Then don't really meet again until 40 percent in.Spoiler alert when they finally contract a marriage of convenience the husband is recovering from an injury and so he cheats on her (very openly) within weeks and all because of resentment and a desire to see if he can still have (to be blunt) a physical relationship with a woman. He excuses his cheating as being a way to prepare himself for sex with his wife but firstly it's a daft excuse neither are virgins and frankly sex with a money grubbing courtesan you have no respect for hardly prepares a man for marital congress and if he was really concerned about making such a union work why publicly humiliate her? He could have very easily pursued a more discreet experiment without resorting to either publicly embarrassing her or committing adultery. Then when he gives his wife's jewels before they have sex it feels like he's buying her company just as he bought his mistress's company only a couple of weeks before. No wonder STDs were so prevalent back then!I actually returned this a few days ago when only 40 percent in but then thought, no give it a chance. It might improve. It doesn't.Cannot believe in any romance between them and If he cheats on her so cruelly with such poor reasons you just know he will do it again.

One of my all time favorite reads in Regency romance. Beatrice, despite the trials she endures throughout her life remains my ideal perfect Lady and nothing can dim her goodness. George, despite having his dreams crushed by an injury in war finally defeats his insecurities to right his ship so he and Beatrice can come together as One. I would highly recommend this book to All.

As a fan of stories about soldiers and the Peninsular War, I looked forward to reading Beatrice. I was very disappointed that it took so long for the hero and heroine to get together. I never felt them fall in love. The story was okay but I've read better by this author.