Chasing Lady Amelia: Keeping Up with the Cavendishes Mass Market Paperback – June 28, 2016

I am new to Maya Rodale, having started with Lady Bridget's Diary earlier this year. I liked the premise of this series, with the first book being a light-hearted historical take on modern books/cinema a la Bridget Jones' Diary and Mean Girls. I didn't get the same modern cinema vibe with this story, but it was still good fun. This story is told concurrently with Bridget's, so you could probably read them out of order if you were so inclined.If you haven't read Bridget's Diary, then you will want to know that series follows the Cavendish family, American horse farmers were thrust upon London when the James Cavendish inherited one of England's most-respected dukedoms. Only the bon ton looks upon Americans with disdain, seeing them as little better than the savages they share land with across the pond. Our heroine, Lady Amelia, may be the most hoydenish of them all.As the youngest of the Cavendish siblings, Lady Amelia is the least mature and used to getting away with most of her scandalous behavior with indulgence and pats to the head. Now that she has arrived in London and is under the thumb of the Duchess of Durham, Amelia is feeling hemmed in by all the rules she must follow in polite society. One mustn't use crass language, one mustn't remove their uncomfortable shoes at a ball, and one definitely mustn't disappear to explore all of London with a scoundrel. Amelia is just so tired of seeing ballroom after ballroom every night with the same uppity women and leering men. I liked Lady Amelia, even though she was a tad immature, it was more fun than annoying. She displayed an honest joy and enthusiasm for life that was endearing, and I can see how that would have been infectious to those around her.Alistair Finlay-Jones sees himself as a half-breed, orphaned, fortune hunter, who is nearly alone in the world. The only family remaining to Alistair is a stodgy old uncle who treats him with disdain and drove him away from home after a tragic accident. Since that time, Alistair has been traveling in search of... something. He yearns for his uncle's approval to such an extent that he scurries home as fast as possible when his uncle summons him after six years with no word. When Alistair discovers that his uncle wants him to marry one of the scandalous Americans, Alistair agrees readily hoping that this will finally win his uncle's approval. I liked Alistair when he was with Amelia... she brought out the fun and flirty side of him. Their time together let me forget about how much of an omega male Alistair really was - he had no back bone whatsoever when dealing with his crass uncle. That drove me a little bit crazy.This was a bit of a whirlwind romance where our H/h meet and fall in love within a period of about 24 hours. Although it was instalove, I didn't feel like it unfolded too fast. Rodale did a good job to make you feel like you were racing the clock with them... they had to fit everything into one day before going back to the real world and facing the consequences of their actions.I continue to like the Cavendish siblings and how close-knit and down-to-earth they are. I really hope they all end up thumbing their nose at the bon ton and quit giving a fig about what the society matrons think. I felt like the Duchess of Durham softened a bit in this installment, particularly toward the end of the story. I am now interested to see if the remaining books of the series take place concurrently or if all the siblings will be married off this season. Stay tuned for the review of Lady Claire Is All That later this month.

This was a super delightful and charming second novel in the Keeping up with the Cavendishes series. The writing is quippy and fast paced as the majority of the novel takes place over a 24 hour period (in which we learn where Lady Amelia was during her missing hours from the first novel).Lady Amelia is a strong willed individual who wants something different or more out of life than the balls and husband hunting that she is expected to do. Lady Amelia is a free spirit and during her adventure with our hero Alistair she is able to explore London in the way she truly wants to. Alistair is a charming hero who is taken with Lady Amelia from the beginning and he falls in love with her throughout their adventure and knows he wants to make her his wife (because she is perfect for him) but he does not want to trap her because of a scandal (even though his Uncle is forcing him into a fortune hunter role).I really enjoyed the situations and events of this novel. It felt like a retelling of Roman Holiday (with much happier circumstances), where two people are untruthful about their identities and intentions but trust each other enough to explore the city and fall for each other. I love that our hero and heroine are able to embrace freedom together as well as learn from their past to inform them of what they both want for the future.This was a really lovely love story of two people who can truly be themselves with the other. Highly recommend this quick and charming romantic comedy style historical romance.

Amelia was incredibly unlikable!!!! It's hard to believe that she is in her 20's because she acted like a very young privileged spoiled brat. The whole plot was very contrived and forced. It was so hard to finish the book because of how unlikable the main characters were portrayed and the slow moving plot. I honestly don't even get the point of this book because the point of conflict is so flimsy it’s nonexistent. It seemed like the author was trying to reach for any kind of drama to move the plot along because of how boring and pointless the book was turning out to be the further you read. I bought this for $1.99 and I wish I had been able to borrow it from my library.

Amelia meets her singing "siren", Alister, in a midnight laudanum induced haze. From here they spend an improbable 24 hours together seeing all the "it" sites and succumbing to to a sexual attraction. This takes up the first half of the book the second half is their few days apart angst and eventual coming together at the final chapter.I did not like this book as well as I have like others written by this author. I was disappointed and underwhelmed by the story for Amelia and her love interest Alister. Both characters were likable but seemed so very immature for their ages (she 22 he 30). It was really hard to finish this book I struggled to get through it there were no surprises or building of attraction.This book felt like the author was struggling with the story as well and trying to find a way to make enough pages to get to the end of the book. I wish I could have liked this book more.😕I hope the final two family members have a snappier more plausible (and likable) story.

This was an engaging and fun romance with a spunky heroine and a swoon worthy hero. Their romance happened quickly after a wonderful perfect day together. Amelia was such an interesting and fun heroine. I liked that she was independent and determined to be her own woman and not fit into the mold Society would put her in. Alistair was an outcast also, being the son of an English father and a Mother who was from from India. Alistair carried the burden of guilt from the death of his beloved cousin and wanted acceptance from his Uncle who was his only family and who treated him coldly. My heart just went out to Alistair who only wanted a place to call home and someone to love and come home to. Two people who felt like outcasts and found acceptance in each other.... what a wonderful story.

Rather drawn out, liked the story if it had been put together differently, a lot of thinking going on which rather spoilt it for me.

A young woman, the baby in the family, spoiled since birth in America, moved to England with the stuffy and judgmental aristocracy wants to have one day of fun and freedom from the bored life she is expected to live now. Amelia is a heartwarming character that has had it up to here with these silly rules and with Alistair for one day has the best time she can have. I loved how Rodale portrays Amelia and the humorous style she has written this novel. Lines like poking herself in the eye with a fork might be more exciting than this endless round of boring people - but do use the good silver - abound in the story. And there are many laugh out loud scenes like when Amy and Alistair are in a brawl with bow street runners. I loved it.

Great reading material.Love this series and the price was great.Thank you

Way too short!!! Overwhelming story! Five stars again for Maya Rodale! !!