This is not really a review, just my scattered thoughts on finishing the book.

So, I'm not a huge fan of Jo Beverley's heroines. Almost all of them tend to be very...shrill. They think they know best, which is cool, but they often form their opinions on nothing but misguided spite, malice and stupidity, which makes it hard for me to root for them. So it goes with the heroines of this book, a double book comprised of two of Jo Bev's traditional regency stories, I'm left wondering: why would *anyone* want anything to do with these heroines? I'm normally super into the heroines and adore female characters, but...these heroines are so downright cruel to the heroes. For pretty much the dumbest of reasons. There were so many Big Misunderstandings and TSTL moments on the heroines's end (all centered around the steadfast refusal of both heroines to clearly communicate with the hero) that I just eye-rolled my way through most of the book. I was hoping both heroes would catch a clue and just find smarter, more awesome women to love. Alas, it didn't happen. This will be my last Jo Beverley, as she just doesn't write characters or stories that I enjoy. ( )

The collected edition of two of Jo Beverley's early Regency romances was a nice reminder of how much fun Regency romances can be.

THE FORTUNE HUNTER (1991) tells about the romance between Amy de Lacy and Harry Crisp. Amy's family has fallen on hard times and she feels that it is up to her to better her family's situation. Amy is blessed, or cursed, with exceptional beauty. She finds it embarrassing to be stared at but decides to use her looks to marry a fortune. She gets caught in a storm on her way to the local nabob's house and finds herself taking shelter at the hunting lodge rented by Harry Crisp and two of his friends.

Harry is a wealthy young man who has recently begun to look for a wife because his father has been ill. He isn't, however, the flashy kind of wealthy which leads Amy to reject any kind of relationship with him. Her heart isn't so sure of her decision but she has decided to disregard it in favor of her head. We end up with a stubborn young woman who is determined to follow her plan despite the fact that her family wants her happiness and not her sacrifice. Harry and Amy have a lot of trials to go through before they reach their happy ending.

DEIRDRE AND DON JUAN (1993) plays with a different trope. Mark Renfew, Earl of Everdon, has a well-earned reputation as a Don Juan. The fact the he was abandoned by his wife who fled to Europe with a lover has kept him safe from marriage-minded mamas. But now he receives word that his wife has passed away and he wants to find a second wife on his own before he becomes the target of debutantes hunting for a husband and a fortune.

He decides to focus his attention on Lady Deirdre Stowe, daughter of the Earl of Harby, and an acquaintance of his mother who shares her interest in needlework. Deirdre is thin and plain and dealing with her mother's outrageous choices for her wardrobe which don't suit her at all.

Everything should be fine. Except Deirdre has already met a man that she would prefer to marry. She has a deal with her mother that she will be given permission to marry him if she doesn't receive an offer during her London Season. Don's proposal wrecks her plans but she can't turn him down according to the deal she made with her mother.

It doesn't take long for Don to fall in love with Deirdre but it isn't easy for him to convince her that he is the right man for her. I liked that the two of them share a sense of humor. I also liked that he saw all of Deirdre's strengths and loved her for them. ( )

Amazon received