(I no longer own this book and much like I believed I never got around to finishing it either. This review covers about half the stories in the book itself.)

Okay folks, aside from the fact every single site I've checked has mentioned both Mary Balogh and Jo Beverly being part of this collection--and they're not--I went into this anthology with high hopes. Regency romance stories! By some of my favorite authors! How could this go wrong? Well, it mostly didn't? Individual reviews then overall. And yes I'm peeved about not seeing a Mary Balogh or Jo Beverly.

"Desperate Measures" by Candice Hern (also available separately [b:Desperate Measures|11544266|Desperate Measures (A Regency Short Story)|Candice Hern|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328015547s/11544266.jpg|16483972])

Lydia wants her brother's good friend Geoffrey to notice her as a woman--not as a little sister. Well, why not make him jealous? This was cute and sweet and so amusing. I'll give Lydia credit--she can think on her feet! Though I think Geoffrey is pretty smart himself...I kind of laughed at Lydia's mother though, I think the poor woman's head was spinning by the end of things!

"Upon a Midnight Clear" by Anna Campbell

Kinvarra and his wife have been estranged for ten years--ten lonely, frustrating years. What happens when he meets with her traveling with her swain? I was kind of confused by this story. Why they were estranged was rather muddled sounding and spoke more of horrible communication issues than anything else. And the resolution to their misunderstanding was equally abrupt.

"The Dashing Miss Langley" by Amanda Grange (available separately [b:The Dashing Miss Langley|23992259|The Dashing Miss Langley|Amanda Grange|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426007807s/23992259.jpg|43593350])

Miss Langley is 27, independently wealthy and in charge of her headstrong niece Caroline for the summer. A chance reunion with an old suitor however may be the undoing of her. This one was another sweet one. I liked how Annabelle understood just how to handle her niece Caroline's infatuation and Caroline's prognosis about being old...well let's just say I hear that from my 17year old sister quite often so I appreciated Annabelle's ability to remain amused rather than angry.

"Cynders and Ashe" by Elizabeth Boyle (also avail separately: [b:Cynders & Ashe|13564439|Cynders & Ashe|Elizabeth Boyle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332966234s/13564439.jpg|19141481])

Ella Cynders (see what she did there?) loved Viscount Ashe (come on you see the trend right?) years ago. A twist of fate may bring them together to have a happy ending to their very own fairy tale. I spent all of this story with a goofy smile on my face. It was just so sweet I couldn't help myself. I didn't even question the fact that Ella was ready to go recklessly into the night with Ashe. Plus Ashe's mom was some kind of genius ridiculous. Let me paraphrase why: Ashe "You knew?! You let my heart bleed all over the carpet for hours and didn't tell me? Why?!" Ashe's Mom: "Oh piffle dear I was hungry and wanted to eat."

"His Wicked Revenge" by Vanessa Kelly (available separately [b:His Wicked Revenge|11439492|His Wicked Revenge (Short Story)|Vanessa Kelly|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328339286s/11439492.jpg|16373172])

Thirteen years ago Maurissa aided in breaking Anthony's heart--and wrecking his life. Now he's back, he's got a wickedly good revenge plot and she has no choice. I have never enjoyed revenge motivated plot lines. Being a vengeful child myself I can't imagine forgiving. And Anthony got a really raw end of the stick (well at first at least). That being said I found Antonia to be the most charming piece of baggage ever. Not really enough to make up for the rest of the story, but I loved her. I'd be happy to read a story about her again. One day. Soon. (hint hint hint)

"Lady Invisible" by Patricia Rice

Back from the War, Lucas wants to find himself a wife to help handle his daughter Verity. So of course he chooses the biggest hoyden in the neighborhood. This was a kind of charming romance with a lot of 'duh!' moments for both characters. I liked that Harriet tried to make Lucas understand what it was like to be a child and a girl child at that. I kept thinking 'Invisible Girl' was a superhero however!

"The Piano Tutor" by Anthea Lawson (available separately [b:The Piano Tutor|13280625|The Piano Tutor|Anthea Lawson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390702464s/13280625.jpg|16318255])

Diana, a recent widow caring for her twelve year old stepdaughter, becomes infatuated with the new piano tutor her best friend recommends. But is there more to this man than his very talented fingers? I think I would have liked this better if it had been longer. As it was everything felt so rushed and condensed--they meet, they make innuendo, they get scandalous, misunderstanding, revelation...end of story. It would have been better served, and maybe more believable, if there was more than a day's worth of interaction between the two leads.

"Stolen" by Emma Wildes

Sabrina wants her father's notes back. Stephen wants Sabrina naked and in bed. Perfect Opportunity Door = Take Advantage now. I make light of the storyline, but its a sweet friends since childhood that grows into more sort. Though Stephen described himself as not rakish or dashing--yet he seemed the exact opposite whenever he seduced Sabrina. I was happy that misunderstanding didn't wage into this couple at all, after a mild obstacle things worked out perfectly. Happy times all around.

"Her Gentleman Thief" by Robyn DeHart (available separately [b:Her Gentleman Thief|12004412|Her Gentleman Thief (Regency Short Story)|Robyn DeHart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328300908s/12004412.jpg|16969015])

Annalise is on her way to marry her betrothed when her and her sister are waylaid by a highwayman. Desperate to protect her sister--and not get married--she foolishly agrees to be the highwayman's captive. Little did she know that the very man she was running from is the man she ran off with! There's a lesson to be learned here about accepting wagers and running off with men blindly, but its kind of lost as I waited to see how Annalise guessed the masked man's identity. She didn't disappoint, though I was shocked at Griffin's response. I was a little let down by Griffin's reason for making Annalise feel like he didn't care, but well it was a mild annoyance.

"The Weatherlys' Ball" by Christie Kelley

5 years ago Tessa fled the Weatherlys' ball, feeling secure in her lover's love. Returning to the ball a widow and still hurting from betrayal, will this time be any different? This was a lot of misunderstandings and well meaning people and not so well meaning people interfering. And more lying to compound problems. Honestly I wasn't keen on this because I felt as if everything just happened too fast; forgiveness, reunions, truths--they all came right after each other, making me feel like chapters were missing.

"The Panchamaabhuta" by Leah Ball

The only thing left to her by her late husband was the 'Panchamaabhuta' ring and Francis was determined to see it sold to its buyer. A legend from India may explain why a certain fellow seems intent on following her around however...I really wanted to like this story. And I think I would have really enjoyed it, because it had cute moments and the ending was so 'awwww', but I had severe problems with the first 'love' scene. It was...well it was a misleading scene and I judged both characters harshly for it.

"Angelique" by Margo Maguire

Her inheritance in the hands of the man she jilted, Angelique returns to London to confront him, and the lies that came between them two years ago. This was pretty standard--lies told, lies believed, truth uncovered--but Angelique was a brash young lady who wasn't above herself in telling others what's what. She also didn't let her pride stand in the way of apologizing when she found she was in the wrong. And Heyworth...well I give the man credit for being sly!

"Like None Other" by Caroline Linden (available separately [b:Like None Other|11260515|Like None Other |Caroline Linden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368580266s/11260515.jpg|16187304])

Emma and Phineas had been neighbors for months, speaking mostly from their gardens as Phineas regaled Emma with his days in the Navy. Little by little something blooms and if meddling mothers can stay out of it, it may be just what they both were looking for. This was such a cute, sweet and adorable story! Emma was a widow, her husband being much older than her, but she apparently had a comfortable life with him. Which seems like nothing, but is rare enough in historicals. Even more rare is that Linden emphasized that Phineas and Emma grew to love each other through their friendship and how much that meant to them before allowing their attraction to grow.

"The Catch of the Season" by Shirley Kennedy

Julia Winslow expects Lord Melton to propose, to which she will accept and all will be right with the world. After all Lord Melton is the ideal 'catch'--handsome, titled and rich to boot! Maybe Julia wants something more however and just maybe Melton's roguish brother may be the one to provide it. I've read, and loved, several of Kennedy's regency romances before. She makes her heroines likable, her love interests dashing and brings them together in a usually elegant manner. I kind of doubted the brother's intentions, he spoke of 'love at first sight', but I didn't feel that emotion from him. Also Julia's mother was the worst sort; using emotional blackmail to get her daughter to do what she wanted. The nerve!

"French Intuition" by Deliliah Marvelle

After a few too many miscarriages Gwendolyn and Camden decided to take time off from their marriage so that Gwendolyn could heal. Months later Camden is hearing the worst sort of rumors..but maybe Gwendolyn has the perfect solution. Truth be told if I was Camden I would have assumed the worst as well, the evidence was pretty well damning. I did not understand where Camden's Uncle's objective was, Gwendolyn insisted he was entirely different than his actions warranted. And her brother really needed to go jump off a bridge, he was beyond useless. ( )

A lot of these stories played into my favorite tropes, particularly the plain/spinster one. Lots of great angst, even with so short of stories. I'll definitely be checking out a lot of these authors!

Desperate Measures by Candace Hern - Heroine, in love with her brother's friend, tries to make him jealous but there's a hitch in her plan (3.5 stars)

Upon a Midnight Clear by Anna Campbell - Estranged husband and wife come together and patch things up. Some decent angst. (2.5 stars)

The Dashing Miss Langley by Amanda Grange - Spinster reconnects with the man who left her behind. There was almost some angsty insecurity. I know it's a short story, but damn, the whole thing oughtn't be resolved in a mere paragraph. Probably would have been better in a novella format. (3 stars)

Cynders and Ashe by Elizabeth Boyle - Sweet Cinderella tale, if a bit abrupt. (3 stars)

His Wicked Revenge by Vanessa Kelly - Hero bent on revenge against the woman he believes abandoned him and married another. Some good angst. (3.5 stars)

Lady Invisible by Patricia Rice - The plain spinster/hoyden heroine is just what the hero, a widower father, needs. (3 stars)

The Piano Tutor by Anthea Lawson - Widow embarks on an affair with a handsome piano tutor. There was some good angst but it was too quickly resolved. Oh well, to be expected with so short a story (3 stars)

Stolen by Emma Wildes - Hero takes advantage of the opportunity presented to seduce the heroine, his best friend since childhood, whom he has loved for years (3 stars)

Her Gentleman Thief by Robyn DeHart - Curvy, on-the-shelf heroine flees with a highwayman, convinced her intended does not care for her. She doesn't realize that he is the masked man. Some good angst. (4 stars)

The Weatherly's Ball by Christine Kelley - Heroine believes her lover is dead and marries in haste, but he returns, believing she betrayed him. Some decent angst. (3 stars)

Panchamaabhuta by Leah Ball - A widow and a thief steal a ring back and forth. A good amount of sex but it didn't seem very likely to me - jumping into bed with a stranger who is trying to steal your only possession? I wouldn't do that in this day and age, much less 200 years ago. (2 stars)

Angelique by Margo Maguire - Nice and angsty. Heroine was broken-hearted by the hero's supposed infidelity, two years later he wins her back. Resolved a bit quickly but that goes with the territory I suppose. (3.5 stars)

Like No Other by Caroline Linden - Retired naval captain and widowed neighbor slowly come together in cute, sweet romance. Interfering mother and overheard insult, which is always fun. (3 stars)

Catch of the Season by Shirley Kennedy - Artist heroine caught in love triangle between Lord Melton, who her mother demands she marry, and his brother with a less than perfect reputation, whom she falls in love with. I despise love triangles and everything seemed to move a bit too quickly or felt contrived. (2 stars)

French Intuition by Delilah Marvelle - Estranged husband suspects wife of cheating. Potential good angst but it sort of gets glossed over. (2.5 stars)

A Suitable Gentleman by Sara Bennett - Spinster cares for "ailing" aunt and hopes to find a good husband for her beautiful younger sister. I enjoyed her assumption that the hero would fall for her sister (instead of her) and the self-sacrifice and angst. (3.5 stars)

Gretna Green by Sharon Page - Tough, traumatized heroine seamstress confronted by the lover she ran out on. She helps young women elope after investigating their beaus, due to her desire to keep women safe after what happened to her mother and herself. The hero thinks she betrayed and abandoned him. Good angst and some of my favorite themes. (4 stars)

Little Miss Independent by Julia Templeton - Little girl with a crush on her older brother's best friend. Years later and he is a scarred war veteran and she is all grown up. She still loves him and he eventually realizes he loves her. I liked the beauty and the beast theme, and the headstrong little sister secretly in love with a friend. (3 stars)

The Devil's Bargain by Deborah Raleigh - Aaaaangst! Awkward wallflower seduced by dashing earl learns he was in desperate need of her dowry, so she abandons him, creating a new life for herself. On their one year anniversary he returns to set things right. She can't believe he cares for her. Love this stuff. (4 stars)

Kindred Souls by Barbara Metzger - Ruined woman and her aunt are exiled to the country by their awful family, but return upon the death of her father. This coincides with her young lover returning "from the dead" (aka Canada), clearing his name and claiming his title. Cute enough but missing something (2.5 stars)

Remember by Michelle Ann Young - Yes! Young lovers driven apart, each believing the other betrayed them. Revenge and insecurity and sweet, sweet angst. I love this author. (4 stars)

Moonlight by Carolyn Jewel - Sweet story about a young man and a widow six years his senior, who have been friends his whole life. They both discover their lust for each other and get it on. It was cute but I probably would have liked it better if it was longer and there was more buildup. (2.5 stars)

Invitation to a Scandal by Lorraine Heath - The daughter of a famous courtesan makes a deal with a broke earl to marry in order to make her dying mother happy. He is cynical and jaded, she is sweet and innocent and has pined for him for years. A bit of angst. Liked it but it was too rushed. (3 stars) ( )

A good collection of regency heterosexual romances. ( )

Anna Campbell - Upon a Midnight Clear
Ten years of separation after a bad start in their marriage, a chance meeting in the middle of the night leads to their reunion

Desperate Measures by Candice Hern - 5
Sweet, poignant romance
( )

A lot of these stories played into my favorite tropes, particularly the plain/spinster one. Lots of great angst, even with so short of stories. I'll definitely be checking out a lot of these authors!

Desperate Measures by Candace Hern - Heroine, in love with her brother's friend, tries to make him jealous but there's a hitch in her plan (3.5 stars)

Upon a Midnight Clear by Anna Campbell - Estranged husband and wife come together and patch things up. Some decent angst. (2.5 stars)

The Dashing Miss Langley by Amanda Grange - Spinster reconnects with the man who left her behind. There was almost some angsty insecurity. I know it's a short story, but damn, the whole thing oughtn't be resolved in a mere paragraph. Probably would have been better in a novella format. (3 stars)

Cynders and Ashe by Elizabeth Boyle - Sweet Cinderella tale, if a bit abrupt. (3 stars)

His Wicked Revenge by Vanessa Kelly - Hero bent on revenge against the woman he believes abandoned him and married another. Some good angst. (3.5 stars)

Lady Invisible by Patricia Rice - The plain spinster/hoyden heroine is just what the hero, a widowed father, needs. (3 stars)

The Piano Tutor by Anthea Lawson - Widow embarks on an affair with a handsome piano tutor. There was some good angst but it was too quickly resolved. Oh well, to be expected with so short a story (3 stars)

Stolen by Emma Wildes - Hero takes advantage of the opportunity presented to seduce the heroine, his best friend since childhood, whom he has loved for years (3 stars)

Her Gentleman Thief by Robyn DeHart - Curvy, on-the-shelf heroine flees with a highwayman, convinced her intended does not care for her. She doesn't realize that he is the masked man. Some good angst. (4 stars)

The Weatherly's Ball by Christine Kelley - Heroine believes her lover is dead and marries in haste, but he returns, believing she betrayed him. Some decent angst. (3 stars)

Panchamaabhuta by Leah Ball - A widow and a thief steal a ring back and forth. A good amount of sex but it didn't seem very likely to me - jumping into bed with a stranger who is trying to steal your only possession? I wouldn't do that in this day and age, much less 200 years ago. (2 stars)

Angelique by Margo Maguire - Nice and angsty. Heroine was broken-hearted by the hero's supposed infidelity, two years later he wins her back. Resolved a bit quickly but that goes with the territory I suppose. (3.5 stars)

Like No Other by Caroline Linden - Retired naval captain and widowed neighbor slowly come together in cute, sweet romance. Interfering mother and overheard insult, which is always fun. (3 stars)

Catch of the Season by Shirley Kennedy - Artist heroine caught in love triangle between Lord Melton, who her mother demands she marry, and his brother with a less than perfect reputation, whom she falls in love with. I despise love triangles and everything seemed to move a bit too quickly or felt contrived. (2 stars)

French Intuition by Delilah Marvelle - Estranged husband suspects wife of cheating. Potential good angst but it sort of gets glossed over. (2.5 stars)

A Suitable Gentleman by Sara Bennett - Spinster cares for "ailing" aunt and hopes to find a good husband for her beautiful younger sister. I enjoyed her assumption that the hero would fall for her sister (instead of her) and the self-sacrifice and angst. (3.5 stars)

Gretna Green by Sharon Page - Tough, traumatized heroine seamstress confronted by the lover she ran out on. She helps young women elope after investigating their beaus, due to her desire to keep women safe after what happened to her mother and herself. The hero thinks she betrayed and abandoned him. Good angst and some of my favorite themes. (4 stars)

Little Miss Independent by Julia Templeton - Little girl with a crush on her older brother's best friend. Years later and he is a scarred war veteran and she is all grown up. She still loves him and he eventually realizes he loves her. I liked the beauty and the beast theme, and the headstrong little sister secretly in love with a friend. (3 stars)

The Devil's Bargain by Deborah Raleigh - Aaaaangst! Awkward wallflower seduced by dashing earl learns he was in desperate need of her dowry, so she abandons him, creating a new life for herself. On their one year anniversary he returns to set things right. She can't believe he cares for her. Love this stuff. (4 stars)

Kindred Souls by Barbara Metzger - Ruined woman and her aunt are exiled to the country by their awful family, but return upon the death of her father. This coincides with her young lover returning "from the dead" (aka Canada), clearing his name and claiming his title. Cute enough but missing something (2.5 stars)

Remember by Michelle Ann Young - Yes! Young lovers driven apart, each believing the other betrayed them. Revenge and insecurity and sweet, sweet angst. I love this author. (4 stars)

Moonlight by Carolyn Jewel - Sweet story about a young man a widow six years his senior, who have been friends his whole life. They both discover their lust for each other and get it on. It was cute but I probably would have liked it better if it was longer and there was more buildup. (2.5 stars)

Invitation to a Scandal by Lorraine Heath - The daughter of a famous courtesan makes a deal with a broke earl to marry in order to make her dying mother happy. He is cynical and jaded, she is sweet and innocent and has pined for him for years. A bit of angst. Liked it but it was too rushed. (3 stars) ( )