Regency Quartet: Four Women, Four Dreams

(Amazon UK link)

The book 'Regency Quartet' is a collection of four novellas rather than a complete novel. They are written by four writers whom I had never previously heard of.

The novels are: 'Frozen Hearts' by Janet Grace, 'A Singular Elopement' by Elizabeth Lowther, 'Pride House' by Gwyneth Moore, and 'The Eccentric Miss Delaney' by Gail Mallin.

I found this book years ago in a charity shop, and quite enjoyed it at the time. Re-reading over the past week or so, I also thought it a good light read. The subtitle is 'Four Women, Four Dreams'. The four dreams are: love, independence, wealth and position.

Each of the four novellas is about an eighteen-year-old girl, who is newly emerged from Seminary. Seminary, in Regency England, of course, is simply a boarding school for upper class or wealthy girls. It's nothing to do with American style seminaries, which are theological colleges. 

All the girls in these stories have very different backgrounds, and completely different characters.

These novellas are all well-written, and - in places - amusing and/or emotive. Predictable but satisfying endings.

A pleasant light read for a weekend or holiday. No longer in print, however, and really not worth the huge prices sometimes asked for second-hand editions.