Review: Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor. When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he's even more at a loss.

The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley's refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought. Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can't help but be intrigued by the area's newest eligible bachelor.

Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other. As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life. But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?

My Review

For all the Regency books I've read, I've only heard of Newmarket referenced, but never read a book set there! I thoroughly enjoyed this series with horse breeding, racing, and the society of Newmarket at the center. I loved Bianca and her obsession with horses, although she wasn't allowed to ride the thoroughbreds. It's easy to see how she is so likeable, especially among the stable hands and manager at Hawksworth. When Hudson surprises his estate by showing up unannounced, his first meeting with Bianca make me giggle and reminded me a bit of the stable scene in the movie Far and Away. It was interesting to see how his upbringing in India brought an isolation and increased his difficulty integrating with the local gentry. Bianca becomes a mentor of sorts, and he returns the favor by trying to help her find a decent husband so she can avoid a union with the odious Mr. Mead her stepmother is pushing on her. Naturally they become fast friends, but I think the other romantic interests they were considering distracted from any chemistry they developed and I missed that feeling of connection. Overall, I was drawn in by the plot and also enjoyed their friendships with other characters that are from previous books by the author or will be the leads in the rest of the books in this series.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Hearts on the Heath series . . .