The Trouble with Harry

The Trouble With Harry by Katie MacAlister
Nobles #3

Harry Haversham, Marquis of Rosse, is looking for a wife after his beloved Bea died in childbirth five years prior, so he places an ad in the newspaper, neglecting to share the fact that his new wife will be taking on his five incorrigible children, along with her other "wifely" duties.

Frederica Pelham, "Plum" to her friends, is in need of a husband after discovering her former husband of only six weeks was a bigamist. Of course, she--rather than her ex, Charles de Spencer--is the one who suffers from the results of the scandal. That, however, is not the only secret she brings into the marriage...she is also the author of the privately popular (although publicly shunned) Guide to show more Connubial Calisthenics, a sex guide for married couples.

After a five-minute initial meeting, they both agree to marry the next day. Although Plum tries several times to speak to him privately, their marriage commences before she is able to share the truth of her past. On Harry's part, he fails to tell her about his children because he's afraid she will bail on him, and she only learns of her new status as mother to his brood as each child interrupts Harry and Plum's attempt(s) at a wedding night by barging into the wedding chamber one by one.

They are perfect for each other, both very good-natured, patient, and slow to anger. Plum longs to be a mother and to be a good wife to Harry. She does her best to contain the naughty children as their pranks range from simply breaking things and running pell-mell through the house and grounds, to submerging Plum in the stinky pond, to bringing animals--dead and alive--into the house. As she is dealing with their continuous disasters, Harry does his best to steer clear of the children by hiding in his study.

After several delays, they are finally given a wedding night and find they are both on the same page in that regard as well, both enjoying trying new "exercises" in "connubial calisthenics"; Harry still not aware that his wife is the author of the tome.

They are going along in marital bliss when someone appears from Plum's past attempting to blackmail her. She has to make a decision about whether to deal with the blackmailer on her own or to come clean to her husband.

This whole book is laugh-out-loud funny, but the most ridiculous parts are when they are practicing their evening "exercises". My version of the book was an audio book, narrated by a British narrator, and her ability to portray their manner of speaking, most especially when they were talking dirty to each other, made it even more humorous. The proper British accent combined with the heavy breathing, the continual running commentary and prudish-sounding descriptions of the lascivious acts they are performing on each other, along with the silly names for the sex positions was truly hilarious. Imagine their bedroom conversations, "Oh! Oh! I wasn't expecting the 'Heron Landing on a Still Pond'" or, "Shall we try the 'Virgin and the Unicorn' this evening?"

This is filled with a lot of humor, but it still has a warm and touching story, including Plum's patience and attempts to win over the children and the genuine attachment and attraction between a couple in their 40s getting a second chance at love. It's a winner. show less

Normally I don't like regency romances. The period is just too stuffy. But I will gladly make the exception for Katie MacAlister. I love her writing style. Very playful and light. Her characters all have a wonderful sense of humour. I loved this story and it had me smiling and laughing aloud throughout.

I will continue to read her book regardless of the era it was set in. Well done!

...a madcap romp!

Entertains, occasionally saucy, with a delightful, if somewhat wild cast.
Mind you I did think I'd fallen into the set of St Trinians with the antics of Harry's children. An out-of-control group of 'wild things', hell bent on wreaking havoc and careening all over the pages throughout chapters and definitely into Plum's heart, if not ours.
Harry, the Marquis of Rosse, and formerly a spy for the English Government and Plum (Lady Frederica Pelham) are an arranged marriage. Arranged by themselves that is, to meet their specific and rather particular needs. Even that has it's humorous side. Harry needs a mother for his raggedy bunch of children. Tormentors and monsters to a fine degree. Plum needs a roof over her head and a show more home for herself and her rather delightful niece Thom. She desperately wants a husband and a family and finds herself with all in no short order.
Years ago Plum has been unknowingly married to a bigamist, and then scorned by polite society. To earn a living she took the nom de plume of Vyvyan La Blue and wrote a very shocking book, The Guide to Connubial Calisthenics. This was considered so obscene it was banned. I imagine it as equivalent to, if not more daring than, The Joy of Sex I it's day. Plum gave wonderful sounding titles to the various positions, like Gallant Knight at a Blind Maiden's Mercy.
What a hoot this story is. I particularly like Juan the hot headed Spanish butler.
Thom her niece is a gem and Nick the burglar is great. But Harry is a whirlwind of activity. Knowledgable yet winning, he and Plum both get so much more than they bargained for.
With blackmailing, death attempts, the antics of the children and Plum's endeavouring to hide some of her past, all descends into mayhem that might or might not be sorted.

A NetGalley ARC show less

I liked this book very much - it was funny and entertaining, especially the dialogues between Harry and Plum, the two MCs.
It was a good mix of few clichés you probably cannot avoid when writing this kind of romance and some new twists and refreshing turns.

I especially liked that the author spared us the whole "you withheld information about your past and now this leads to drama in our relationship" storyline. It is more realistic that grown up people accept that the loved one does have a past.
What I loved: That Plum decided to kill the guy who blackmailed her and her family. Ok, that sounds bloodthirsty first (and it was kind of politically correct that she changed the plan to blackmailing back :-)), but it was really refreshing.

I show more will definitely read more of that author. show less

A bit silly, like many of this author's stories. The main character is on the rebound from what turned out to be a fake marriage. In desperation to take care of her niece, she answers an ad to become a wife. The prospective husband omits the fact that he has (extremely troublesome) children, but she quickly gets over it. On the side, she is a infamous author of a very interesting instruction manual under a pen name so she has a secret of her own.

Cute in parts, I found the characters a little exasperating at times. I liked the rubber ducky on the cover.

romance plot only in first half.. then more story about the family and the two "secrets", entertaining... but not really a romance in the traditional sense.

This delightful frolic is a comedy of errors. The heroine ends up with exactly what she needs, but is sure, at first, that she doesn't want. You will get caught up in the steps of their courtship dance and root for both of them. Another one on my keeper shelf!