How to Please a Lady

Regardless of how many stars I give and how many superlatives I use, it will not even begin to do justice to this magnificent book. Anyone who has ever read Jane Goodger’s books knows what a gifted author she is, and this is by far her best work. Lady Rose Dunford was to marry the Duke of Weston, who was considerably older than her 18 years of age; she barely knew him, but when she got to know him a bit better, it wasn’t pleasant at all. She had always been very close with her family’s groom, Charlie Avery, who was secretly in love with Rose. Knowing very well that his wishes couldn’t be fulfilled because he was but a lowly groom, and wanting to make something out of himself, Charlie had decided to move to America to become wealthy and successful, and knowing Charlie was leaving, Rose asked him to take her with him. Five years later, Charlie has become a rich businessman in America, and Rose, now the widowed Mrs. Cartwright, has remained in America as well. She lived in a quiet neighbourhood, but now to her dismay, there is a new neighbour who has very noisy night time visitors of the female persuasion. Rose, always every bit the lady, but she cannot help it: those passionate noises titillate her. Then to her horror, she discovers that her randy new neighbour is … Charlie! HOW TO PLEASE A LADY is a book that must be savoured, and I will say no more about the plot, except that it is a most compelling book that will make you think long after you’ve finished reading. Ms. Goodger’s knowledge of both English societal classes and American Victorian society is extensive, and it constitutes much of the basis for this exceptional book, where class distinctions’ rules can have devastating consequences. Every character in HOW TO PLEASE A LADY is superbly fleshed out, but Charlie even more so; he is one of the most extraordinary characters I have ever read. The writing is simply sublime: evocative and elegant; every sentence is a work of art and it all flows flawlessly. This lady is extremely pleased at how this story turned out! I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent romantic story.... hated for it to end