Review: Seeking Philbert Woodbead/Anya Wylde

Title: Seeking Philbert Woodbead

Author: Anya Wylde

Subject: Historical romance

Star: 4.5/5 

My Review

I hate the name Philbert Woodbead! (right now) His name doesn't deserve to be engraved on this book cover.
~

 

This is a story of Penelope's stepsister, Celine. Looking for her dear lover, Philbert Woodbead or so his name, a poetic dreamer to the fact he's truly a loser and idiot guy. SHAME. The fact that Celine love this idiotic guy and not our charming an-Earl-to-be is so frustrating me. Anyone but Celine can know how stupido that Philbert is from his so-called poem. Well, a story is about a journey not about the beginning or the ending (but I truly amaze with the ending, funny though).

Celine was invited to help  the pregnant Penelope to take care Blackthorne Mansion because the dowager on a trip to her daughter who is also in pregnancy. Celine is a sensible lady unlike Penelope (from first 'Penelope'). Until the arrival of our witty, funny and tricky but loveable hero . He first came to Blackthorne Mansion and Celine has already called him, 'a handsome dead-man'. (How in the world all heroes not suppose to be handsome, eh?).

He came to hide himself from his father because he didn't want to be an earl. After his dimissal as a heir, as second son, also because after he was kicked out of Oxford. Adding to his problematic life, he's a charmer and dangerous pirates are on his tail.

To past his time in Blackthorne mansion , he offer himself to find Woodbead for amusement (I suspect that he's already in love with Celine the moment he awake from drunk). Celine was reluctant at his offer but no one can escape from the earl tricky scheme. He sort of blackmailed her, using our lovable Penelope (who also defines craziness in here).

They both experience various danger just to find this Philbert Woodbead. Along the way, they both find the meaning of love themselves. (eh, not really! They both dumb-dumber about this. Luckily we have Penelope and others)

And then there are Duke and Duchess of Blackthorne. I love those two characters. They spice up this book even more. Can you imagine, how Penelope quarrel with Charles just because he had an affair in her dream? Absurdly cute argument. Penelope just hilariously crazy.

Absolutely must read on your boring time. You'll get quite abundance of comical events from our characters here.

Read More

Review: Penelope (Fairweather's Sisters, #1)

Penelope (Fairweather's Sisters, #1) / Anya Wylde

Kindle Edition, 302 pages

Date: Jan 2013
Star(s): 4.5/5

My Review
I totally excited that I read this book. Originally it was recommended by Ririn. Thanks abundance for her recommendation. I would definitely say this is the first historical book that I would totally love and read again.

Penelope [Penelope Winifred Rose Spebbington Fairweather] comes to London to wed to some good man, thus her search begin with support from Blackthorne family, namely the dowager and her daughter, Lady Anne . Unknowing that her journey contains full of mishaps and troubles follow her everywhere became the source of my laugh for this book, its hilarious man!. Finding a husband was not as easy as she thought. Her father (Thomas Fairweather) married for second time and she had 5 younger stepsister which she love dearly except the fact her stepmother (Gertrude) despises her and tried to marry her to some hateful-country-rich man. 

Duke of Blackthorne (Charles Cornelius Radclyff, Anne's brother) however hates her and attempt many action to send her back to Finnishire. The Duke thinks that she is fake and insincere with her intentions. Penelope didn't really wants to go back with the fact all 'Finnishire men ran the other way whenever she approached', her stepmother bad treatment and all . To his annoyance, every attempts failed as people around Penelope develop feelings for her good nature.

Brought up in Finnishire, a countryside requires her to make total makeover to become high-class maiden. Thus came Madame Bellafraunde (a man dressed as a woman with many ladylike skills). She was groomed and trained as a lady.  

'I am a man, yes. No need to look so horrified, girl. I am a man with the soul of a female and a brain that can potentially change your life' -Madam Bellafraunde

Every mishaps that Penelope encounter develops stronger attachment between the Duke. Moreover Penelope offer herself to help Lady Anne in getting her love-crush, Lord Poyning. Later, his true color will appear quite shockingly. Penelope has a goat as a pet. She has a name too! Unbelievable right? She named her Lady Bathsheba.

There are many interesting character such as Sir Henry, Duke's grandfather, former duke.
-Congratulations my boy. I think she is simply delightful. I remember how charming she looked at the dinner table that day. She wore appropriate amounts of underskirst and after only one glass of wine she was foxed.
and others which needs more typing. I didn't want to spoil all your pleasure.

This book was charmingly cute and adorable. Did I mention hilarious?

Read More