Review: A Proper Façade by Esther Hatch

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

Mercy Rothschild has always been granted an unusually long tether by her parents, who have never pushed her to marry until she’s ready. She assumes that when the right man comes along, she will marry for love. However, even her long-suffering parents have their limits. As she embarks on her third Season, they begin to pressure her to find a match. And the Duke of Harrington is the perfect candidate.

Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, follows the rules of the ton meticulously. When he determines that Mercy is the ideal candidate for a wife, he marches dutifully toward her along the courtship path. Desperate to extricate herself from Harrington’s advances, Mercy concludes that there is only one course of action: she must push her intended into the arms of another woman. But when Mercy becomes acquainted with the man behind the proper facade, her plans come crashing down as she realizes that stiff and proper Harrington might be the very man she’s been waiting for. If only she hadn’t been so successful in her plot to thwart her chances with him.

My Review

It was fun to see the strategies of Nicholas and Mercy as they approach the game of making a match. Nicholas thinks he just wants someone to fill the social role of a duchess, but his inadvertent meeting of an eavesdropping Mercy in a hallway awakened his senses and desire for more. Mercy has always wanted a passionate marriage like her sister's, but unexplained pressure from her parents present the conflict of compromising her dreams to please her family and society. The author's use of the game of chess reflects the back and forth between Nicholas and Mercy- presenting their polite side for society but hiding more romantic wishes. I found the struggle of Nicholas to be more genuine as he learned to embrace rather than suppress his emotions. Mercy was definitely more calculated as she and her friend enact plans to trick and mislead Nicholas. With time and experience she realizes that passion can have its downfalls when unsupported by a strong foundation, and is almost too late when she finally sees behind the facade of Nicholas. A sweet romance with complicated dynamics that take our main characters on an emotional journey.

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 previous books in the Proper Scandals series . . .

 

 

 

Review: There Goes the Groom by Esther Hatch

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

Catching a husband has never been so complicated.

Matthew Harrison has only one task in life, to marry money. After failing miserably in London, his family takes matters into their own hands by arranging his marriage to the wealthy Lucy Bateman. But when he meets Lucy for the first time, his resolve to save his family from ruin crumbles. Lucy looks to be nothing more than a child, and he cannot fathom going through with the union. Without a thought for the consequences of his actions, he runs away.

Lucy Bateman didn’t like the idea of an arranged marriage, but she agreed to save her sister from suffering the same fate. However, when she played a trick on her groom-to-be by sending her younger sister to meet him in her place, he fled without a word. Now, three years later, Lucy stumbles upon her long-lost fiance working as a cart driver. Fate has given her a second chance and this time there will be no tricks… other than pretending to be someone else entirely in order to convince him to come home and marry her.

My Review

Oh, the tangled webs! A minor switcharoo prank drastically altered the lives of Matthew and Lucy. I love that she waits for him, and that when she discovers him and goes "undercover" they are able to get to know each other without the pressures of their families and society, where a true friendship blossoms. There is so much humor woven in with the complications of two hidden identities, sweet romance and amazing chemistry, and depth of feeling as Matthew and Lucy attempt to discover more about themselves, each other, and what the future holds. The very different lifestyle, the menial tasks of Matthew's job, the local villagers, and the goose bring a vibrant setting and cast of characters that were an absolute pleasure to read and the perfect place to fall in love! The author strikes such a wonderful balance in each book in this series with light-hearted humor, toe-curling romance, and deeper emotions. Highly recommend them all!

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.

The Romance of Rank series

 

 

Review: The Earl’s Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed by Esther Hatch

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

If there is one woman Samson Rutherford, Earl of Riverton, can’t abide, it is his meddling sister. He has spent his whole life being a pawn in her plans and tricks, but when one of her schemes leaves him dressed in women’s clothing, he has finally had enough. He cannot beat her at her games, or even say no to her, his only option to save his sanity and pride is to run away--and fortunately, his solicitor knows just the place…

Catherine Wallace wasn’t born to be a governess, but with her family’s fall from grace, she has become one. A good one. However, when the chance arises to stay at her uncle’s home so she can care for his horticulture project while he is absent, she jumps at the chance. Leaving her position, she plans to gather her sisters together so they can be a family again--even if it is only for a little while.

But the last thing Catherine expected to find upon her arrival was her childhood friend. Samson has sequestered himself at the cottage and claims to have been invited to watch over her uncle’s business while he is away. But Catherine insists that’s what she’s been asked to do. The quiet retreat is what they both need, but who will get to stay?

Not Samson, because he has never gotten the better of a woman, not since… well, not since Catherine let him kiss her years ago…

Come to think of it, perhaps it is time for Samson to win after all.

My Review

I love rom-coms with depth, but I usually find them in the contemporary genre. Esther Hatch has skillfully applied it to the Regency era with delightful results! I adored the first book and novella, and this second full length novel ranked right up with them. Samson's sisters are driving him crazy, and their latest prank sends him desperately retreating into seclusion. The forced proximity at Catherine's uncle's home gives Samson and her plenty of opportunities to get reacquainted, and learn how their past has affected their present circumstances, influencing the potential for the future. Plenty of banter and amazing chemistry made this a highly entertaining story, but the undercurrent of angst tempered the comedy perfectly, and I enjoyed every minute of reading! It's going on my list of favorite books to re-read, and I hope there will be more added to 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 series A Romance of Rank . . .

Review & Giveaway: The Holly and the Ivy by Sarah M. Eden, Esther Hatch, Dana LeCheminant, Anneka R. Walker

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Spend the holidays with four of your favorite historical romance authors, whose stories of Yuletide romance will brighten the season with humor, hope, and the promise of true love.

“The Holly and the Ivy” by Sarah M. Eden
As nursemaid to the eight-year-old Duke of Kielder, Robbie will spend her holidays with her young charge as a guest of Lord and Lady Jonquil. While the couple makes the child’s holiday magical, the handsome gardener works his own magic on Nurse Robbie’s heart.

“Hiding Christmas” by Esther Hatch
Celebrating Christmas in Scotland will only invite persecution. But that never stopped Kirstine’s English grandmother. When they are almost caught, Kirstine is forced to beg for the help of the one man she cannot abide.

“A Twist of Christmas” by Dana LeCheminant
A Christmas house party offers two members of the ton an irresistible opportunity: a weekend of anonymity. But their charade comes with unexpected romantic consequences.

“A Season to Love” by Anneka R. Walker
Alice Hunt is searching for a Christmas miracle: a husband of her choosing. With the threat of an arranged marriage looming, she looks to an unlikely matchmaker for help.

My Review

A lovely collection of stories filled with Christmas spirit in a Regency setting! The first story, The Holly and the Ivy will be enjoyed the most by readers of the author's Lancaster Family series, as it shows Adam from the first book, Seeking Persephone, as a young boy enduring the challenges that shape him as an adult. The parents from The Jonquil Brothers series (who we get to know in depth in the first book of The Gents series, Forget Me Not) play an important role in Adam's life and attempt to stabilize his cracked foundation with unconditional love even though they are not related. I love the message that we choose our family and adopt one another as we forge connections.

 

My favorite of this collection, Hiding Christmas taught me some fascinating historical details, like Christmas celebrations being taboo in Scotland! Kirstine's quick thinking gets her grandmother and her on the road to England for their celebration, but also gets her into a humorous quandary with a loaf of bread and the neighbor who is living the life she feels her brother should have had. I loved the journey both physical and mental that reconciles Kirstine to Isaac, and the sweet romance that develops when she lets go of the past and embraces a new relationship.

 

A Twist of Christmas provides a fun if implausible scenario with the main characters both choosing to swap places with another of a lower station in order to avoid their usual experiences at the house party. Of course, they fall in love with each other, but think the other is of the lower station and it won't work out. Some repetitive angst and a predictable outcome.   

 

A Season to Love brought more humor as Alice prays aloud in an empty church for a husband, and is answered by the local clergyman who sweetly helps her in her quest to find a match. They have lovely chemistry and naturally grow closer together during her time in the village. His sense of humor reminded me of a Henry Tilney, while Alice is awkwardly endearing yet confident in herself. A perfect conclusion to the book that left me with a smile on my face.

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.

Giveaway

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Review: Manor for Sale, Baron Included by Esther Hatch

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

She has everything Lord Farnsworth wants, including his manor.

Lord Farnsworth would rather rot in debtor’s prison than sell the one place that feels like home to him—his mother’s manor. That is, until he meets the woman who wants to buy it. Sally Duncan is beautiful, intelligent, and as rich as a baron—a rich baron, not a cash-strapped one like Lord Farnsworth. She’s the solution to every one of his financial problems and is bewitching to boot. All he needs to do is sell her his beloved manor and then charm her to the altar, and the manor will be his again. Simple, right?

But nothing is simple when Sally starts tearing apart his ancestral home and renovating it in a way no one would consider tasteful. She is wreaking havoc on everything, but he cannot give up on owning his mother’s estate again, nor can he imagine anyone but Sally as his wife.

And so he sticks with his plan.

What a horrible mistake.

My Review

This was such a fun story to read! The mannerisms, the banter, the humor- they were all subtle enough to avoid silliness, and beautifully balanced with character development. I loved the unique aspects that brought even more interest and humor- the squirrel, Sally's sister, Lord Farnsworth's hobby, and the significance of the winter garden. Sally is independent and so clever, and she can see right through John... except when he really falls for her. I loved how she kept him on his toes, and her vibrant personality made him quickly realize how much he needed her as a partner, something he didn't even know he wanted. Even with his flaws, I admired John's sincerity and smiled at his bafflement when tradition flew out the window as Sally and her sister help his perspective shift. So much to love about this book! The romance between these two stubborn characters is not as easy one but highly entertaining!

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.

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: A Proper Scoundrel by Esther Hatch

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions—and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.

My Review

I love how unconventional Diana and Lord Bryant are! She proves herself a capable businesswoman, appreciating the opportunity to help her brother and her friend when they are overwhelmed with other aspects of life. She has such a great personality, and hits the perfect balance of being attracted to Lord Bryant while also not letting it go to her head. Lord Bryant is a complex character, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about him as his layers unfolded during the story. He and Diana have such a fun rapport with each other, she always catching him off guard with the unexpected, and him keeping her on her toes with his flirtatious banter. He is surprisingly vulnerable and torn up about his past, and as Diana comes to know his true personality, she can see for herself the gentleman he really is behind the facade. The pace of the book is a bit quicker than steady as various plot elements interweave and disrupt each other. I was in for a few happy twists and the ending just made me sigh with happiness. Highly recommend!!!

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.

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Don't miss the previous books in the Proper Scandals series . . .

About the Author

Esther Hatch grew up on a cherry orchard in rural Utah. After high school, she alternated living in Russia to teach children English and attending Brigham Young University in order to get a degree in archaeology. She began writing when one of her favorite authors invited her to join a critique group. The only catch was she had to be a writer. Not one to be left out of an opportunity to socialize and try something new; she started on her first novel that week. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Review & Giveaway: A Proper Charade by Esther Hatch

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience's elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister's antics - but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.

Taken on as household staff by her brother's former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth - and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn't helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated that she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong - even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.

My Review

A Proper Charade is full of delightful characters with endearing mannerisms. Patience is a character I can't help but like. She's impulsive and adventurous, but with a good heart that wants to please her brother and I think prove it to herself that she can be more than what society expects of her.  I most enjoyed that Anthony and Patience were genuine, especially with each other. They are sincerely seeking to find their place in the world without compromising their true selves or being forced to change for someone else or society. Their personalities complement each other- she appreciated how he grounded her, and found her  liveliness engaging. I thought it was admirable that she was not fooled by the other charming and frivolous men in higher society, but saw clearly Anthony's superior character. And the first kiss scene is so fun- definitely not the generic kisses that are often found in the genre. I found it inventive and felt that it also demonstrated their personalities in a creative way.

One thing I really appreciated in the story was that Miss Morgan, who plays the role of villainess, wasn’t overdone. She was portrayed with just the right balance of unlikeable while still being believable that Anthony would be pursuing her for so long without suspecting her true motives. The personalities of the family members and their dynamics were complex without being complicated, and added depth to the story and aided in showing more layers of Anthony and Patience. Overall this story was highly entertaining and had such a satisfying resolution and happy ending. One of my favorites of the year and I'll definitely be re-reading it in the future. Highly recommend!!!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the first book in the series . . .

Connect with Author Esther Hatch

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