Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Everyone in Highley eagerly anticipates the arrival of Reginald Abernathy, the new master of Albon Manor. Everyone, that is, except Lord William Bascomb. William knows he’ll be expected to woo Reginald’s sister, and he can't summon the interest for it. But when the Abernathys arrive at last, William discovers he’s interested after all - in Reginald. Reginald is the most handsome, most dashing, most intriguing man he’s ever known. Better yet, he seems to share William's preference for men. 

 

The addition of the Abernathys to Highley suits everyone. William’s sister adores Reginald’s, Aunt Harriet foresees many happy matches between the two families, William’s sister-in-law is pleased at the prospect of unloading her penniless relatives at last, and all the eligible ladies in Highley want the man who only has eyes for William. 

 

Against a backdrop of elegant balls and frolicking picnics, William and Reginald enjoy furtive moments of ecstasy until a scandal erupts, forcing William to choose between Reginald and the only life he’s ever known.

 

 

Narrated by Joel Leslie

 

Book Review

I just experienced a highly enjoyable trip back through time. I was whisked away to the days of my early teens when I’d sneak a dime store romance novel—usually a Regency period historical—to read in my room when everyone went to sleep. I read of forbidden things that men and women do behind closed doors. Those stories were titillating and enlightening to my innocent self and that’s exactly the way William, one of the main characters, reacts in this lovely tale narrated by the highly talented Joel Leslie.

 

William’s sexual discovery is mild by most standards, but it was very erotic to me, in that his innocence remained intact as he learned all the things men can do together behind closed doors. I found the scenes refreshing and realistic for the period and I quite enjoyed his lessons at the hands of the more experienced Reginald Abernathy.

 

Joel does the voice of William’s elderly maiden Aunt Harriet so well that I forgot I was listening to a man. I loved the quiver in her voice and I could easily picture her in her drawing room finery. In fact, there is a whole host of both male and female characters in this story and each is given a unique voice. My personal favorite among the men is William: dear, timid, innocent William is perfectly vocalized and his love interest, Reginald, has the deeper voice of experience. Honestly, my favorite form of entertainment is to listen to an audiobook with Joel Leslie performing the work of a talented author, and the teamwork here between Joel and author Tanya Chris rates an A plus. 

 

There’s an underlying criminal subplot to the story with an unscrupulous estate manager, but most of the story is a romance, both between William and Reggie, and between their sisters, Catherine and Susan. William, of course, is totally clueless about the women until the last possible moment. The dear man had no idea women might be attracted to each other as men were. Maybe it was the era in which I grew up where teens held their innocence longer than nowadays, but I truly enjoyed this tale and my walk down memory lane, and I will most definitely listen to it again.  I highly recommend this book to those looking for a sweet historical romance.

 

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This audio book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	audio book
Length	Listening Length: 7 hours and 2 minutes
Heat Level
Publication Date	28-July-2020
Price	$17.46 audiobook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Manners-and-Mannerisms/dp/B08DQ5VJCL