Historical or otherwise, there are two character types each for men and women in romance novels and seven plots. The reader knows the heroine always wins the right to determine her own fate and seek her own happiness. What varies is the quality and inventiveness of the writing. Ridiculous by D.L. Carter is a keeper. By turns funny and charming, it delivers a wonderful piece of escapist entertainment. Use this Amazon link to buy the novel.

Now some words to describe this book and Carter’s writing:

Witty, clever, fun, light, pleasantly salacious.

Now some sentences to describe the plot:

Her skinflint cousin dead and facing greater penury than even her current circumstances of abuse and menial informal servitude provide, Millicent exploits her physical resemblance to her recently deceased relation to take his place. Mr. North’s body goes into a coffin, Millicent is mourned, and her mother and sisters have a chance at an easier life after narrowly avoiding the workhouse.

Tall and lithe enough to pass as a man in ill-fitting clothes, Millicent moves her family to Bath. When Millicent decides to visit her/Mr. North’s property in Wales, she runs across an overturned carriage holding our hero, Timothy Shoffer, Duke and latent Greek God, plus his sister and chaperone. A companionable relationship is formed, Millicent falls in love as does the Duke, secrets are revealed, happilies are ever aftered.

Now a summary paragraph in closing:

There was nothing new to see in Ridiculous just a very well turned and highly enjoyable Regency romance. Fresh writing goes a long way in these books and is always a delight to discover. I especially enjoyed Millicent’s acknowledgement that she had painted herself into a corner with her hastily cobbled together plan and the way she revels in her freedom when masquerading as a man. D.L. Carter has just one other book in the genre, Crimes of the Brothers, which I have purchased and will read next.

Lastly, my review boilerplate:

Links to my other reviews can be found on my complete reading list of books sorted by author or Author Commentary & The Tallies Shameful.

Tagged: book reviews, D.L. Carter, historical romance, Regency romance, romance review