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Christina Dudley
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Tempted by Folly: A Traditional Regency Romance (The Ellsworth Assortment Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Christina Dudley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 969 ratings

She craves respectability. He’s honorable to a fault. When their hearts harmonize, can they avoid a scandal to form a perfect pairing?

Florence Ellsworth reluctantly lives in the shadow of her family’s notoriety. Mortified that her widower father is on the hunt for his fourth wife, she accepts an engagement to a staid clergyman in the desperate hope for propriety. But she’s unprepared when her sire’s newly hired attorney proves to be young, sincere, and handsome.

Robert Fairchild feels a bit awkward in society. Aware of how his modest background is perceived, the humble lawyer is surprised by his longings when he gains the confidence of his client’s lovely daughter. But with her already betrothed to another, he dares not be dishonorable by confessing his interest and losing her respect.

Disturbed by her growing feelings for the charming solicitor, Florence works all the harder to find the appeal in her sober intended husband. Meanwhile Fairchild is inadvertently pulled into a lady’s schemes and fears any chance with the object of his affection has been forever lost.

Will they find a way out of their tender traps to capture happily ever after?

Tempted by Folly is the delightful first book in The Ellsworth Assortment clean Regency romance series. If you like sparkling personalities, witty dialogue, and endearing couples, then you’ll adore Christina Dudley’s swoonworthy novel.

Buy Tempted by Folly for a bid at love today!

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  1. Book 1 of 6
    The Ellsworth Assortment
  2. Print length
    426 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    September 25, 2022
  6. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  7. File size
    1.9 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wonderful book, beautifully written on every level. It's literate...witty and very moving. Christina Dudley has a unique talent and I recommend this and all her books to fans of traditional Regency romance. This is a great start to the new series. ★★★★★." - Mary Kingswood, bestselling author of Stranger at the Dower House and A Winter Chase

"Rich in historical detail, finely crafted characters, and subtle humor on every page, Christina Dudley is a must-read author for me." - Jennie Goutet, author of the Clavering Chronicles series

About the Author

Clean Regency romance author Christina Dudley's books have been called "enchanting," "sparkling" and "swoon-worthy" by reviewers like Austenprose and Austenesque Reviews. Her award-winning series The Hapgoods of Bramleigh contains six books: The Naturalist, A Very Plain Young Man, School for Love, Matchless Margaret, The Purloined Portrait, and A Fickle Fortune. Watch for her next series The Ellsworth Assortment in later 2022!

Dudley also wrote The Beresfords, a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, which the Seattle Times praised as "ingenious and entertaining," and of which Austenprose's Lisa Galek declared, "I would rank The Beresfords with some of the best Austen updates I've ever read or seen."

To join her mailing list and receive a FREE copy of a Hapgoods of Bramleigh novella, visit her at christinadudley(dot)com.

She and her family live in Bellevue, Washington.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B4F73YDJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ BellaVitaPress
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 25, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 426 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ The Ellsworth Assortment
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 969 ratings

About the author

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Christina Dudley

Christina Dudley

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When a Charles Dickens Final Jeopardy question saved her from total humiliation on the game show, Christina Dudley decided her degrees in English Literature and lifelong reading obsession might actually come in useful, and she sat down to write her first novel.

Now, twenty books later, she is the author of three series of sparkling Regency romances and the contemporary Jane Austen adaptation PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, March 2024), which was named to the 2024 Best Romance lists for Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and Library Journal.

Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area on a diet of classics and Regency romance, her tastes have grown to include sci-fi with robots, survival epics, and doorstop-sized histories, but love stories will always be her favorite.

She and her family live in Bellevue, Washington.

To join her mailing list and receive a FREE copy of a Hapgoods of Bramleigh novella, visit her namesake website.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
969 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers thoroughly enjoy this Regency romance novel, praising its delightful story and well-drawn characters, with one review highlighting its fast-paced funny predicaments. The writing style receives positive feedback for its engaging dialogue, and one customer notes it contains just enough slow-burn romance. While customers find the book fun to read, opinions about its readability are mixed.

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28 customers mention "Story quality"28 positive0 negative

Customers thoroughly enjoy the story, finding it entertaining from start to finish and worth reading the whole series, with one customer describing it as a good clean Regency novel.

"...In fact it was interesting and held my attention throughout, despite its length. I was never bored, nor wished for it to hurry to the end...." Read more

"...Entertaining from start to finish." Read more

"I enjoyed the book enough to read the whole series that has been released to this point...." Read more

"...A delight from start to finish!" Read more

20 customers mention "Character development"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, finding them great and funny.

"...It is a good story, with good characters, in a well drawn setting, with a most satisfactory conclusion...." Read more

"With characters worthy of Austen and action reminiscent of Georgette Heyer, this is pure fun...." Read more

"...She was such a great character. This book had me laughing and waiting for the next outrageous thing, and I enjoyed it greatly!" Read more

"This is a light read with a lot of quirky characters...." Read more

17 customers mention "Humor"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, describing it as a fun and clever read with fast-paced predicaments, and one customer particularly appreciates the fun tidbits about boys' schooling.

"...sweet love stories that have just a pinch of angst and a dash of comedic relief. This one is no exception. In fact, it is (to date!)..." Read more

"...worthy of Austen and action reminiscent of Georgette Heyer, this is pure fun...." Read more

"...She was such a great character. This book had me laughing and waiting for the next outrageous thing, and I enjoyed it greatly!" Read more

"Great characters, lovely romance, nail-biting close calls and funny, funny prose. Though I came close to throttling a character or two by the end...." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"12 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, particularly its delightful dialogue, with one customer noting its well-drawn setting.

"...This book is well written, well edited, and is not in need of a proofreader. Like I said: Perfection!" Read more

"...It soothed me. This element and the fact it was written in English that gave it that period appropriate air kept me coming back." Read more

"I loved it and all the characters. Loved her style of writing and how funny she is! Love dir!" Read more

"I absolutely love this author's voice. I enjoyed the creative plot line and the scrapes, antics or predicaments the characters experienced...." Read more

10 customers mention "Romance"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this book, with one mentioning it contains just enough slow burn clean romance, while another notes it includes elements of comedy.

"Author Christina Dudley is a master of the Regency RomCom, crafting sweet love stories that have just a pinch of angst and a dash of comedic relief...." Read more

"Great characters, lovely romance, nail-biting close calls and funny, funny prose. Though I came close to throttling a character or two by the end...." Read more

"This a sweet clean romance with quite a bit of humor and a dog that terrorized the footman. I look forward to reading more about this family." Read more

"I just love Christina Dudley‘s writing. It’s sweet and has a Heyer-level ability to tangle and untangle ina delightful manner that is a joy to watch!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the readability of the book, with some finding it a light Android fun read, while others note that the middle part seems interminable and too much minutiae fills the pages.

"This is a light read with a lot of quirky characters...." Read more

"...the characters and perhaps that is what made the middle part of this book seem interminable - introducing a cast of characters without a lot..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book, and can recommend it as a light, amusing read. The characters are well-drawn and the plot moves along well...." Read more

"The story is quite good but far too much minutiae filled the pages from beginning to end...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • aly
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is perfection! Stunningly so!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A Regency as it ought to be!

    This has the manners and restraints of the times without being exaggerated, and frustrating to read. In fact it was interesting and held my attention throughout, despite its length. I was never bored, nor wished for it to hurry to the end. It is a good story, with good characters, in a well drawn setting, with a most satisfactory conclusion.

    This book is well written, well edited, and is not in need of a proofreader. Like I said: Perfection!
    Helpful
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  • lisamax
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dudley Does It Again!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Author Christina Dudley is a master of the Regency RomCom, crafting sweet love stories that have just a pinch of angst and a dash of comedic relief. This one is no exception. In fact, it is (to date!) my favorite of her works. Florence is the prototypical, staid, reliable eldest daughter, who is prepared to sacrifice herself on the marriage altar by betrothing herself to the starchy, local clergyman. Love may come later -- or not at all -- but Florence contents herself by supposing she is doing the right and responsible thing to improve her family's ridicule-worthy reputation. Then she meets her father's new lawyer, Robert Fairchild, and Florence's predetermined course doesn't seem quite so appealing anymore. Whisk a naughty, young widow into the mix, and trouble really begins to brew. Will Florence extricate herself from a loveless engagement and avoid further besmirching her family's already tarnished reputation? You'll have to read "Tempted by Folly" to find out!
    Helpful
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  • CathyAnn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Romp
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    With characters worthy of Austen and action reminiscent of Georgette Heyer, this is pure fun. This is a long book, but it never felt long until about the 90% point, but then it swiftly doubles the pace and more than makes up for that short lapse. Entertaining from start to finish.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a tale!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am not a fan of love triangles, but this was well worth all the guilt poor Florence suffered over hers. I loved her and Fairchild, all her family, and my, that villain Mrs. Whisp! She was such a great character. This book had me laughing and waiting for the next outrageous thing, and I enjoyed it greatly!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cat WMM
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a light read with a lot of quirky characters. I will say if you are looking to read about deep connection between characters, this is definitely not the book for it.

    I didn't love it so much because I am the "look for a deep well written connection between characters in my books" type, but I did enjoy reading about the comings and goings of the family. It soothed me. This element and the fact it was written in English that gave it that period appropriate air kept me coming back.
    Helpful
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  • JCott
    3.0 out of 5 stars Clean entertaining regency romance...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book enough to read the whole series that has been released to this point. I enjoyed the characters and getting to know them better and find their own happy endings with some unexpected and clever twists along the way.
    The biggest hangup for me is that the narrative is constantly changing between characters... It's not written in first person, but you constantly know what everyone is thinking and feeling. For me, it makes the writing feel much more amateur than it probably actually is. No, I've never written (or even attempted to write) a book, but I see this writing style often enough (generally with more amateur writers) to assume it's a much easier way to write. Developing and seeing the plot through from only one persons perspective certainly has to be more challenging. To me, it makes all the difference between a 2-3 star book and a 4-5 star book.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • J. H. Everett
    5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful romance
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great characters, lovely romance, nail-biting close calls and funny, funny prose. Though I came close to throttling a character or two by the end. A delight from start to finish!
    Helpful
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  • ms girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars. Romance in a small town.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    First book by this writer. These small towns are nothing but gossip and more gossip. I liked the plot but the twist and turns were many. Thank goodness the engagement was broken because living the rest of your life with a mistake would be brutal.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dory
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
    Reviewed in Italy on March 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A delightful book. I loved all the caracters. The author was so skilled to give them all a special role and purpose in the plot, without depriving them of their spontaneity. And the plot itself was very funny and original.
    Report
  • Articulate Craft
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece of Manners
    Reviewed in Australia on January 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Trad historical romance told with style, wit, humour and flair. All those lovely curly knots tied with a bow in a delightfully satisfying and hilarious ending. Loved it. Brava!
    Report
  • Kindle Junkie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing
    Reviewed in Germany on December 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    That was a very good read. Very much a traditional Regency with interesting characters and a not everyday plot. Well written. Always nice to find another author who knows what they're doing.
    Report
  • Anne Mammy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very traditional historical romance
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I discovered this book through reading Mary Kingswood blog. I know that I can trust her opinion on books as she has led me to discover several writers in the past. So I am pleased to report that yet again, I agree with her. This book is a cut above many regency historical romances. The writing is very literate without being cluttered with arcane vocabulary. The main trope of a father who cannot remain celibate and remarries 4 times is not one usually trodden. Of course, it all ends well as one would expect. The characters are engaging and well developed, and even if I guessed the denouement a few pages before it came , that is not a really bad point. Perhaps less felicitous is the inclusion of the mores of the pupils in Winchester school and their particular "in house" vocabulary. It does not really add a lot to the book.
    If you like traditional historical romances without any steamy episodes, then I think you will like this. I am interested to see Lily's story in "the Belle of Winchester" which I have already pre-ordered.
    Report
  • Sarah G
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely
    Reviewed in India on November 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This writer spins such colorful tales with never a dull moment in the story or slack in pace. This one has matched the expectations after her Hapgood series. There's a Dickensian whiff to the circumstances and humorous situations in the novel. Waiting eagerly for the next in the series
    Report

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