Seducing Mr. Knightly (The Writing Girls) Mass Market Paperback – October 30, 2012

I have a minor obsession with Victorian Romances and I don't mind if they have lots of cliches as long as the characters are likable, the story is well written and the plot is engaging and instills some hint of freshness into the tried and true tropes. What I did not expect was a truly delightful plot with wonderful characters that was completely original - as far as I've read (and I've read a LOT). This is the first time I've seen anything like this plot and omgoodness did I love it!Annabelle is an advice columnist for a weekly paper run by Mr. Knightly, a sexy man hunk who was unfortunate enough to be born on the wrong side of the sheets and resents his noble family for their ill treatment of him after his father's death (a man who loved and cared for him). Mr. Knightly loves his newspaper and has done everything in his life to get his half-brother to have to acknowledge him; he has worked his way up to a powerful position, being in charge of the dissemination of news. Enter Annabelle, one of four women whom he has hired to help make his newspaper a little something special.Unfortunately for Annabelle, she's nothing special. She's the type to give and give and give and never ask in return. In fact, that's exactly what she's been doing for the past three years that she's worked for Mr. Knightly, she's given so much advice to all the people that have written in that just once, she wants to do something selfish. So she asks her readers for advice in return, begging them to help her get her man to notice her.This unusual request starts off a firestorm, increasing paper circulation and Annabelle becomes the city's darling as they root for her to win the affections of the "nodcock" who is so obtuse to her. People from every class are entranced by her story, her updates as she tries out their advice, and the young woman herself. For herself, Annabelle starts to gain quite a bit of self-confidence and picks up more than one apparent admirer, to the point where Mr. Knightly starts to find himself rather jealous - much to his confusion. He can't even talk to his own mother without hearing about the plight of Annabelle... and eventually he starts to wonder if HE might be the 'nodcock'!There are a few other hurdles in the way of true love of course, but I have to say, this book completely turned upside down my expectations for Victorian romances. If more were as original as this one I don't know how I'd keep money in my pocket. A truly delightful read with wonderful characters who not only grew on me, but grew together in wonderful ways.

Derek Knightly is in love with his mistress and wife; his newspaper, The London Weekly. One of his female writers, Annabelle Swift is in love with Mr. Knightly, has been for over three years. Everyone at the paper knows Annabelle loves Mr. Knightly, except Mr. Knightly. Quiet, shy, apologetic Annabelle writes an advice column for the paper, how to pour tea, etc., very bland subjects. Tired of waiting for Mr. Knightly to notice her, she asks her readers for advice on how to attract the attention of the man she loves, hereby titled, The Nodcock. The readers give her varied advice, some of it works, for instance, lowered bodices. Mr. Knightly certainly notes that. Feeling bolder, Annabelle continues forward with her seduction; all the while Mr. Knightly is wondering who the "Nodcock" is and encourages Annabelle to continue with her column as she is currently doing, after all their publications have increased as has Annabelle's popularity. What Mr. Knightly didn't foresee was his heightened interest in Annabelle as he sees her change before his eyes; also the jealousy that he feels wondering who the man is that she is trying so hard to get to notice her. Annabelle wants Knightly to love her, come to her on his own but when she discovers that he is supposedly courting and considering marriage to a titled lady, she becomes disheartened and doesn't want to become the woman to step between him and the lady, even though her friends encourage her to fight for him. The story is funny, tender, sensual and well written.

This is a delightful novel that made me smile throughout. Annabelle's love for Derek is reminiscent of infatuations that we've all experienced. Her responses to Derek when he walks into a room made me smile. That Derek never notices her adds to the interest that is generated in her quest to win him. All of the antics that she engages in to win Derek's notice, with the help of suggestions from her readers, made this a sparkling gem.Rodale is able to transport readers in this novel. I like that she makes Annabelle move past her infatuation to genuine emotions and makes her realise that there is more to true love than sighing over another person. Derek was not so self centered or power obsessed that he could not see and appreciate the answering emotions within himself. I thoroughly enjoyed that he accepted that he could be the mysterious nodcock that Annabelle loves and later engages in the male version of her antics to win her hand.The characters are fun and the secondary are also entertaining as they help Annabelle achieve her dream. The plot moves at a good pace so that there is never a lull in the reading. There are two excerpts from this novel that I read in Once Upon a Ballroom: Original Short Stories and Exclusive Excerpts. In that, Rodale writes two of the scenes differently. I wish that she had incorporated them into the actual novel.Overall, this a refreshing read of the usual unrequited love romances. It is funny and very absorbing. A good read from beginning to end.

I liked it..

I loved Annabelle. She has so much to overcome and she is brave and warm and loyal. The book is well written and it's often funny - an added bonus.

After reading about Annabelle and her secret, but not so secret, love for Derek Knightly in the earlier books of the series I couldn't wait for Seducing Mr Knightly to arrive!By far my favourite book of the series, its sweet, funny and has enough mystery to keep you entertained. Annabelle is a likeable and very sympathetic heroine, one can't help by identify with her and like everyone else in the book, route for her. Mr Derek Knightly is just this side of yummy, everything you expect in a hero with a bit of a dark background and a grudge against everyone and the world.I would recommend this to anyone and everyone who likes a happy ending!

Disappointed not what I was expecting at all.

great story