by Virginia Heath
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Genre: Romance, Historical, Regency, Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon Bookshop
Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount of Wennington, was publicly
humiliated when a reckless romantic gesture went very wrong. Despite that, his
mother held tight to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house
full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and
swiftly approaching that milestone birthday, there’s not a grandchild in sight.
His heart now lies with his land and work is his life. In desperation, his
mother decides that if he refuses to venture back into society to find her
future daughter-in-law, the only solution is to bring society to him via a
weeklong houseparty so that she can find one for him. The first Guy knows about
her plan is when her hand-picked gaggle of debutantes arrive at his estate, all
competing to be his wife.
After failing miserably as a governess, Lottie Travers isn’t proving to be any
better at being a lady’s companion. As the only girl in an all-male household
growing up, she’s developed several bad habits she can’t shake and keep getting
her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings, Lottie still
climbs a tree better than she embroiders, and still cannot seem to curb the
desire to gallop astride a horse in breeches whenever an opportunity arises.
But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her
wages to keep it afloat, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for
all and concentrate on her career.
Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one that catches Guy’s eye, as much as he tries to deny it. And succeeding in her new role is easier said than done for Lottie when the Wennington Estate is filled with horses and she can’t help but feel a spark around the grumpy Lord. By the end of the week, will the two of them remain stuck in their ways, or will they learn that they may just be the perfect match?
This was just okay. I didn't love it but I didn't exactly hate it either. It's one of those books that you just pick up to read when there isn't anything else at the moment.
Lottie is an alright character. She is rebellious in her need for riding horses. It's her way to feel free in a way. Which isn't a bad thing. When she is caught coming back in after sneaking out and dragging mud inside with her, she quickly throws in a few lies and promises to be better. Miss P seems to sympathize for her and pretty much lets it slide.
When she gets back to her room though, the girls are not happy. Frankly, I didn't like them. They act like they have a say over her and her life and wont be her friends anymore if she doesn't promise to stop going out for rides.
Then it jumps into Lottie's life a little bit after the fact. Her family is in need, she is failing at her roles and things aren't exactly going well. While she wants to go out for a ride, she shouldn't as she is currently about to get ready for her friend's wedding and doesn't want to take the day from her or ruin it by grieving out her troubles.
The book is pretty much the same pace throughout. A bit slow for me. Didn't really get pulled into the book but its probably just fine for someone who is more into this style of regency romance. I'm used to a regency romance giving me way more and this was just too light a read for me.
Didn't hate the book, but I don't see myself jumping for the next book in the series. A good read in between book but nothing super exciting for me.
My Rating:
✪✪✪
