4 STAR REVIEW: FLIRTATION AND FOLLY by Elizabeth Rasche

FLIRTATION AND FOLLY is the first book in the series, A SEASON IN LONDON. I look forward to reading more by this new to me author. Set in Regency England during the early 1800s, there is a multitude of characters, all of who needed sorting out. What you see is not what you always get!

Marianne is sent to be a companion to a maiden aunt she’s never met with a promise of a season. She has visions of all that will entail, but the reality is a lot different. Part of it could be that she has very different ideas of what’s fashionable and gets mocked and laughed at, at every turn. We also get to meet her sickly aunt, who dabbles in medical cures, as well as some of both Marianne’s aunts’ friends.

Her younger and pretty sister, Belinda, was supposed to go to London but instead had a better offer, so she took it and left Marianne to be the one to help her aunt. We learn of their large family back in the country where their father is a rector and live in the rectory. Their mother seems to be in a weakened state and prefers to leave disciplining and raising her children to others—especially Marianne. No wonder she wants to have time to herself with a season and a chance to marry. We get to meet them through letters from their mother as well as reminisces and stories told, especially of their many siblings. We meet up with Belinda during the season and get to know her as well. Marianne’s dreams change throughout the book, and no one is more surprised than her. She always tries to do the right thing and be truthful when others aren’t, but oftentimes it backfires on her. She’s also more adventurous than she should be.

There are twists and turns to the story, along with many descriptions of the balls, the homes, and the clothing. There is anger, hurt, tears, sadness, laughter, heartache, whispers, secrets, one-upmanship, money issues, advice given and taken, servants, companions, and ultimately love on several fronts. There is some closure with the epilogue and several happily ever afters in the making.

This is Ms. Rasche’s debut novel.  She paid attention to details in her writing and though there were many storylines she wove them together nicely.  Her characters were multidimensional and drew me in.  The title was spot on and the cover is nicely portrayed.