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The Gardner Girls #1
Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake
In the sleepy country village of Bedford, the promise of love can transform the most world-weary rake, and the power of passion can move a proud young woman to repent of even her most stubborn prejudices.
A cynical rake...
The arrival of Thomas Campbell and his elder brother has the village of Bedford abuzz with excitement. Not only is Thomas tall, dark, and handsome, he is also rumored to be a most notorious rake.
Claire Gardner is young, innocent, and completely infuriating. Yet given an opportunity, Thomas can't help teaching the headstrong beauty a lesson in desire.
A quiet life for a lady...
Content with a simple rural life, Claire Gardner has no wish for a season in London, nor is she eager to wed. But after a catastrophic mistake compromises her honor, Claire finds herself ensnared in scandal.
Claire is quite certain reformed rakes do not make the best husbands. She would rather face shame than lose her freedom to a man she is convinced does not love her. But as rumors swirl regarding her ruined reputation, the condemnation of her neighbors becomes more than she can bear.
Tormented by a bitter betrayal, Thomas has steeled himself against ever loving again—but he harbors a secret which leaves him in need of a wife. Will the truth about the other woman in Thomas’s life destroy their marriage before it has even begun?
Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake is a standalone story. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after.
Series: The Gardner Girls, Book 1 (However, each book is a complete story which may be read in any order.)
Heat Level: Sweet-with-Heat, Slow Burn
A cynical rake...
The arrival of Thomas Campbell and his elder brother has the village of Bedford abuzz with excitement. Not only is Thomas tall, dark, and handsome, he is also rumored to be a most notorious rake.
Claire Gardner is young, innocent, and completely infuriating. Yet given an opportunity, Thomas can't help teaching the headstrong beauty a lesson in desire.
A quiet life for a lady...
Content with a simple rural life, Claire Gardner has no wish for a season in London, nor is she eager to wed. But after a catastrophic mistake compromises her honor, Claire finds herself ensnared in scandal.
Claire is quite certain reformed rakes do not make the best husbands. She would rather face shame than lose her freedom to a man she is convinced does not love her. But as rumors swirl regarding her ruined reputation, the condemnation of her neighbors becomes more than she can bear.
Tormented by a bitter betrayal, Thomas has steeled himself against ever loving again—but he harbors a secret which leaves him in need of a wife. Will the truth about the other woman in Thomas’s life destroy their marriage before it has even begun?
Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake is a standalone story. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after.
Series: The Gardner Girls, Book 1 (However, each book is a complete story which may be read in any order.)
Heat Level: Sweet-with-Heat, Slow Burn
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2021
535 people are currently reading
874 people want to read
About the author
Fenna Edgewood
22 books176 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Fenna Edgewood writes steamy, swoon-worthy stories of love, family, and adventure. Fenna lives on the Canadian Prairies with her husband and two tiny tots (who are adorable but generally terrible research assistants). She is an award-winning retired academic who has studied English literature for most of her life. Before becoming a full-time author, her last "real" job was teaching high school students above the Arctic Circle. After a long hiatus from writing make-believe as a twelve-year-old, she has returned to the genre with a bang!
For a FREE book from Fenna, join her NL: https://fennaedgewood.com/newsletter/
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For a FREE book from Fenna, join her NL: https://fennaedgewood.com/newsletter/
And be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest deals! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/fenna...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 5, 2023
Meh
It took me a while to get thru this one. I really didn’t care for it at all. It wasn’t anything glaring, just a lot of little things that irritated me until I just didn’t enjoy the story.
Such as:
1. Hero is a manwhore (unfortunately I anticipated this going into the story as the word “rake” aka manwhore, is in the title.) But it got annoying how much his slimy past is continually brought up. Even to the point when the hero and heroine are on their wedding night and the hero is musing that he hopes his wife doesn’t wonder at his ease in getting her out of her clothes, because of all his experience in sticking his overused dick into overused vaginas. Yuck.
2. Along with the hero being a manwhore, he was an irresponsible one as well and didn’t pull out but instead fathered a child with a skanky female—who also gets some face time on the pages—she had broken his heart because he was shocked that a trashy whore who would sleep with HIM for money would spread her legs and slime around with other losers for money. Shocking. But he was so wrapped up in this skank, he ignored his child for years. He finally steps up and takes responsibility for the child, as she had been living in poverty and neglect. What a man!!! But what didn’t make sense is that the hero relocates with his brother to this sleepy village so she can grow up in a stable and respected community and gain respectability herself. But she doesn’t live with him. No, instead the hero has her installed in ANOTHER home, not far from the mansion he’s living in. And he visits her. Even tho she’s sick. Possibly dying. He leaves her ALONE (I’m sorry servants and governesses don’t count) and doesn’t bring her to live with him and his brother until he marries. This not only didn’t make any sense, but it was about as disgusting as his slimy manwhore ways.
3. Too much modern moralizing and preachiness. This author should’ve spent more time plugging up plot holes like the daughter living separately and less time on preaching.
4. The one and only sex scene sucked. It wasn’t passionate or emotional.
5. No babies of their own. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to read a romance where the hero has procreated with another woman, given his seed to another woman, had a baby with another woman and then nothing with thr heroine. It’s giving the heroine so much less.
I definitely won’t be reading anymore from this author.
Hero is a scumbag and his past is mentioned ad nauseam to the point I was nauseous. Heroine is innocent. Lots and lots of mentions and one scene with his former mistress. No om. No cheating. No abuse. HEA but no epilogue with the couple. Epilogue is setting up the next book with heroines sister and I can tell it’ll be as boring and dreary and preachy as this one.
It took me a while to get thru this one. I really didn’t care for it at all. It wasn’t anything glaring, just a lot of little things that irritated me until I just didn’t enjoy the story.
Such as:
1. Hero is a manwhore (unfortunately I anticipated this going into the story as the word “rake” aka manwhore, is in the title.) But it got annoying how much his slimy past is continually brought up. Even to the point when the hero and heroine are on their wedding night and the hero is musing that he hopes his wife doesn’t wonder at his ease in getting her out of her clothes, because of all his experience in sticking his overused dick into overused vaginas. Yuck.
2. Along with the hero being a manwhore, he was an irresponsible one as well and didn’t pull out but instead fathered a child with a skanky female—who also gets some face time on the pages—she had broken his heart because he was shocked that a trashy whore who would sleep with HIM for money would spread her legs and slime around with other losers for money. Shocking. But he was so wrapped up in this skank, he ignored his child for years. He finally steps up and takes responsibility for the child, as she had been living in poverty and neglect. What a man!!! But what didn’t make sense is that the hero relocates with his brother to this sleepy village so she can grow up in a stable and respected community and gain respectability herself. But she doesn’t live with him. No, instead the hero has her installed in ANOTHER home, not far from the mansion he’s living in. And he visits her. Even tho she’s sick. Possibly dying. He leaves her ALONE (I’m sorry servants and governesses don’t count) and doesn’t bring her to live with him and his brother until he marries. This not only didn’t make any sense, but it was about as disgusting as his slimy manwhore ways.
3. Too much modern moralizing and preachiness. This author should’ve spent more time plugging up plot holes like the daughter living separately and less time on preaching.
4. The one and only sex scene sucked. It wasn’t passionate or emotional.
5. No babies of their own. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to read a romance where the hero has procreated with another woman, given his seed to another woman, had a baby with another woman and then nothing with thr heroine. It’s giving the heroine so much less.
I definitely won’t be reading anymore from this author.
Hero is a scumbag and his past is mentioned ad nauseam to the point I was nauseous. Heroine is innocent. Lots and lots of mentions and one scene with his former mistress. No om. No cheating. No abuse. HEA but no epilogue with the couple. Epilogue is setting up the next book with heroines sister and I can tell it’ll be as boring and dreary and preachy as this one.
September 28, 2021
This HR just didn't grab me.
The hero, Thomas, was a bit of an idiot, really, and I found it hard to forgive the way he ignored his illegitimate child for so long, to the point of actually causing her to become malnourished and ill. All because he was so infatuated with his actress mistress that he didn't want their liaisons interrupted by a child.
Yes, he was young and impetuous, and his mistress was manipulative, but the lack of a sense of responsibility disturbed me.
I think this was supposed to be a little Pride and Prejudice-y, but compared to Thomas, Mr Darcy was moral to the point of self-righteousness, and the heroine Claire, while kind and caring, did not have Elizabeth Bennet's wit.
The hero, Thomas, was a bit of an idiot, really, and I found it hard to forgive the way he ignored his illegitimate child for so long, to the point of actually causing her to become malnourished and ill. All because he was so infatuated with his actress mistress that he didn't want their liaisons interrupted by a child.
Yes, he was young and impetuous, and his mistress was manipulative, but the lack of a sense of responsibility disturbed me.
I think this was supposed to be a little Pride and Prejudice-y, but compared to Thomas, Mr Darcy was moral to the point of self-righteousness, and the heroine Claire, while kind and caring, did not have Elizabeth Bennet's wit.
April 30, 2021
Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake
A Historical Enemies-to-Lovers Regency Romance Book
The Gardner Girls Series #1
Fenna Edgewood
https://www.facebook.com/fennaedgewoo...
Release Date 04/22/2021
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0927W7QF9/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
In the sleepy country village of Bedford, the promise of love can transform the most world-weary rake, and the power of passion can move a proud young woman to repent of even her most stubborn prejudices.
A cynical rake…
The arrival of Thomas Campbell and his elder brother has the village of Bedford abuzz with excitement. Not only is Thomas tall, dark, and handsome, he is also rumored to be a most notorious rake.
Claire Gardner is young, innocent, and completely infuriating. Yet given an opportunity, Thomas can't help teaching the headstrong beauty a lesson in desire.
A quiet life for a lady...
Content with a simple rural life, Claire Gardner has no wish for a season in London nor is she eager to wed. But after a catastrophic mistake compromises her honor, Claire finds herself ensnared in scandal.
Claire is quite certain reformed rakes do not make the best husbands. She would rather face shame than lose her freedom to a man she is convinced does not love her. But as rumors swirl regarding her ruined reputation, the condemnation of her neighbors becomes more than she can bear.
Tormented by a bitter betrayal, Thomas has steeled himself against ever loving again—but he harbors a secret which leaves him in need of a wife. Will the truth about the other woman in Thomas’s life destroy their marriage before it has even begun?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will they let their clouded judgment keep them apart...
What a debut novel the author offers us with this mix of Pride and Prejudice with the cads and scoundrels of the period.
I just adored my ride with Thomas and Claire, they are such flawed characters, it was awesome to see them reach their full arc. Because it is a lengthy journey for them, one they began with so much prejudices.
They took an instant dislike of the other, which leads them to a merry chase as while drawn to one another, they deny their feelings, unable to comprehend and accept their sentiments.
Claire, dues to her older sister’s bad experience on the marriage mart, is much determined to avoid the husband hunting fair and is quite satisfied with her actual unwed state.
So she is tempted to run away when a man she believes to be the worst of the rakes catch her eyes. She can rebuff him and play hot and cold with him, she also can’t shake him out of her thoughts.
Thomas is a man of many layers, he made mistakes and learned the burden they will weight on his soul, yet he uses his own unfortunate experience to make of it a rule. The women are all sly creatures to be wary of.
Why he continually misinterprets Claire and other women deeds. Still he is also a man of honor and thus struggles to discern what he can or can not do.
Their tale is one of everything one must not do, they let their own misconceptions and past experience cloak their judgment, leaving their mind open to doubts and lies.
They will have to accept they were wrong, to go forward to apologize, to free their mind to other’s ideas.
This romance is a wonderful enemies to lovers story, with two prideful and stubborn being determined to reject what could be because of false impressions about the other. Its conclusion is just perfect, like the cherry on top after such a moving and delightful read.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
A Historical Enemies-to-Lovers Regency Romance Book
The Gardner Girls Series #1
Fenna Edgewood
https://www.facebook.com/fennaedgewoo...
Release Date 04/22/2021
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0927W7QF9/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
In the sleepy country village of Bedford, the promise of love can transform the most world-weary rake, and the power of passion can move a proud young woman to repent of even her most stubborn prejudices.
A cynical rake…
The arrival of Thomas Campbell and his elder brother has the village of Bedford abuzz with excitement. Not only is Thomas tall, dark, and handsome, he is also rumored to be a most notorious rake.
Claire Gardner is young, innocent, and completely infuriating. Yet given an opportunity, Thomas can't help teaching the headstrong beauty a lesson in desire.
A quiet life for a lady...
Content with a simple rural life, Claire Gardner has no wish for a season in London nor is she eager to wed. But after a catastrophic mistake compromises her honor, Claire finds herself ensnared in scandal.
Claire is quite certain reformed rakes do not make the best husbands. She would rather face shame than lose her freedom to a man she is convinced does not love her. But as rumors swirl regarding her ruined reputation, the condemnation of her neighbors becomes more than she can bear.
Tormented by a bitter betrayal, Thomas has steeled himself against ever loving again—but he harbors a secret which leaves him in need of a wife. Will the truth about the other woman in Thomas’s life destroy their marriage before it has even begun?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will they let their clouded judgment keep them apart...
What a debut novel the author offers us with this mix of Pride and Prejudice with the cads and scoundrels of the period.
I just adored my ride with Thomas and Claire, they are such flawed characters, it was awesome to see them reach their full arc. Because it is a lengthy journey for them, one they began with so much prejudices.
They took an instant dislike of the other, which leads them to a merry chase as while drawn to one another, they deny their feelings, unable to comprehend and accept their sentiments.
Claire, dues to her older sister’s bad experience on the marriage mart, is much determined to avoid the husband hunting fair and is quite satisfied with her actual unwed state.
So she is tempted to run away when a man she believes to be the worst of the rakes catch her eyes. She can rebuff him and play hot and cold with him, she also can’t shake him out of her thoughts.
Thomas is a man of many layers, he made mistakes and learned the burden they will weight on his soul, yet he uses his own unfortunate experience to make of it a rule. The women are all sly creatures to be wary of.
Why he continually misinterprets Claire and other women deeds. Still he is also a man of honor and thus struggles to discern what he can or can not do.
Their tale is one of everything one must not do, they let their own misconceptions and past experience cloak their judgment, leaving their mind open to doubts and lies.
They will have to accept they were wrong, to go forward to apologize, to free their mind to other’s ideas.
This romance is a wonderful enemies to lovers story, with two prideful and stubborn being determined to reject what could be because of false impressions about the other. Its conclusion is just perfect, like the cherry on top after such a moving and delightful read.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
April 19, 2021
This is a debut novel by author Fenna Edgewood and what a stunning novel it is! It's the first of the Gardener Sister series; and a fun, engaging read that is difficult to put down!
Claire is determined not to marry. Ever. Especially not rakes. Claire is content with her quiet life in the countryside reading books and taking care of her younger sister Gracie. Until she meets Thomas Campbell, who is absolutely everything she dislikes: handsome, moody, infuriating, and … a rake.
Thomas is intrigued by the willful, courageous beauty who doesn’t mince words. Whenever the two meet they match wits and sparks fly – until it sets off a passionate fire that leaves them in a compromising situation. It is a dilemma for both Claire and Thomas: Claire, who’s vowed to never marry, and Thomas, whose personality might just be deeper than what appearance implies. He harbors a secret. Still waters run deep and not everything is as it appears. Can love overcome prejudice on both sides?
This is a witty, well-written story with fast-paced dialogue, sharp characters, and an engaging plot with little twists and turns that keep you on your toes. The side characters and their stories are lovable as we learn to care for Edward, Fanny, and little Gracie. What is truly enjoyable (and gave me some laugh-out moments) are the excerpts of the Bedford Chronicles, giving contrary (and rather infuriating) advice on how to avoid rakes – of course, our dear Claire will find herself in exactly those situations. Grab your copy and don’t miss this wonderful novel by Fenna Edgewood!
This is a slow burn regency romance with low-moderate (open door) steam.
Claire is determined not to marry. Ever. Especially not rakes. Claire is content with her quiet life in the countryside reading books and taking care of her younger sister Gracie. Until she meets Thomas Campbell, who is absolutely everything she dislikes: handsome, moody, infuriating, and … a rake.
Thomas is intrigued by the willful, courageous beauty who doesn’t mince words. Whenever the two meet they match wits and sparks fly – until it sets off a passionate fire that leaves them in a compromising situation. It is a dilemma for both Claire and Thomas: Claire, who’s vowed to never marry, and Thomas, whose personality might just be deeper than what appearance implies. He harbors a secret. Still waters run deep and not everything is as it appears. Can love overcome prejudice on both sides?
This is a witty, well-written story with fast-paced dialogue, sharp characters, and an engaging plot with little twists and turns that keep you on your toes. The side characters and their stories are lovable as we learn to care for Edward, Fanny, and little Gracie. What is truly enjoyable (and gave me some laugh-out moments) are the excerpts of the Bedford Chronicles, giving contrary (and rather infuriating) advice on how to avoid rakes – of course, our dear Claire will find herself in exactly those situations. Grab your copy and don’t miss this wonderful novel by Fenna Edgewood!
This is a slow burn regency romance with low-moderate (open door) steam.
April 22, 2021
This story was full of romance, a picturesque setting, delightful characters, and endless banter and arguments, all of which were beautifully put together to share the story of Claire and Thomas.
Claire was such a delightful character, so strong and stubborn but I loved that she wasn’t just another girl looking for a husband as society dictates. She was content as she was... until an infuriating, complex and obstinate rakish man tumbles into her life. Thomas’s past was very intriguing, and I was constantly aching to find out more, and I loved that the story showed you that until you know and understand someone’s history you will never understand why people react the way that they do.
I adored both of the main characters and loved that they were both so stubborn. They took so long to understand what the other person was feeling or actually trying to say but this led to endlessly entertaining banter and awkward or intimate situations! They were the perfect match and whilst it took them a very long time to come to that conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their journey.
We also had a whole host of interesting side characters that I couldn’t help but love. The author wove in all these characters wonderfully and I felt as though we got to know a good deal of them.
The setting was wonderful, and as it was fully set in the countryside it was a nice change of pace from time in London with the ton. The writing was excellent and set the historic setting perfectly.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was gripped the whole way through. There were swoon-worth moments, heart-warming moments, and moments I just wanted to through my kindle! The characters were infuriating but compelling and I couldn’t put the book down - I had to force myself to so I could sleep but I picked it up again as soon as I could the next day!
My only comment would be that I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and I would have liked to see a little more of their married life together however it did end well, and the epilogue was a great snippet – and definitely piqued my interest for the next story – and I am sure we’ll get to see more of them as side characters in the other Gardner women’s stories.
Overall, the writing was delightful, easy to read, and set the historic atmosphere well. There was a great mix of romance with other subplots that all came together wonderfully. I loved watching this story unfold and I will definitely be reading more from this author! I can’t wait to read the next story.
Claire was such a delightful character, so strong and stubborn but I loved that she wasn’t just another girl looking for a husband as society dictates. She was content as she was... until an infuriating, complex and obstinate rakish man tumbles into her life. Thomas’s past was very intriguing, and I was constantly aching to find out more, and I loved that the story showed you that until you know and understand someone’s history you will never understand why people react the way that they do.
I adored both of the main characters and loved that they were both so stubborn. They took so long to understand what the other person was feeling or actually trying to say but this led to endlessly entertaining banter and awkward or intimate situations! They were the perfect match and whilst it took them a very long time to come to that conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their journey.
We also had a whole host of interesting side characters that I couldn’t help but love. The author wove in all these characters wonderfully and I felt as though we got to know a good deal of them.
The setting was wonderful, and as it was fully set in the countryside it was a nice change of pace from time in London with the ton. The writing was excellent and set the historic setting perfectly.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was gripped the whole way through. There were swoon-worth moments, heart-warming moments, and moments I just wanted to through my kindle! The characters were infuriating but compelling and I couldn’t put the book down - I had to force myself to so I could sleep but I picked it up again as soon as I could the next day!
My only comment would be that I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and I would have liked to see a little more of their married life together however it did end well, and the epilogue was a great snippet – and definitely piqued my interest for the next story – and I am sure we’ll get to see more of them as side characters in the other Gardner women’s stories.
Overall, the writing was delightful, easy to read, and set the historic atmosphere well. There was a great mix of romance with other subplots that all came together wonderfully. I loved watching this story unfold and I will definitely be reading more from this author! I can’t wait to read the next story.
April 17, 2021
I have to say this genre is my favorite and I was looking forward to reading this book for its romance. While reading about Claire and Thomas I imagined what it would be like to go back in time where a woman would get betrothed and marry in just a few weeks. It is crazy to think about now, but it would be nice if someone could find the love of their life that way, it would be much easier than it is now. I fell in love with Claire and Thomas's story and hope to get a little extra of them in Rosalind's book.
(I received a free digital copy of this book for an honest review.)
(I received a free digital copy of this book for an honest review.)
September 21, 2021
How Not to Avoid Entanglement
While I have not read the other Gardner Girls tales, I find I need to now. The tone and humor in this book had me smirking.
As a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice, I find Ms. Edgewood did it justice. This pairing is definitely...advantageous.
Swoon, if you will. I certainly believe even reformed rakes deserve a happily ever after. I am pleased to see Claire agrees too.
While I have not read the other Gardner Girls tales, I find I need to now. The tone and humor in this book had me smirking.
As a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice, I find Ms. Edgewood did it justice. This pairing is definitely...advantageous.
Swoon, if you will. I certainly believe even reformed rakes deserve a happily ever after. I am pleased to see Claire agrees too.
June 13, 2021
4.5 stars
April 19, 2021
I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this debut Regency romance. The enemies-to-lovers trope is Elizabeth-Darcy on steroids. Two brothers have moved into Northwood Abbey, and Claire Gardner finds them a study in contrast. The eldest is affable and polite, while the younger is everything she imagines a rake to be - and gossip follows him around to prove it. She is determined to spurn him, and he finds her obstinate enough to return the favor, except that village life keeps thrusting them together. And sometimes, they participate in the thrusting (pun intended). Meanwhile, they are both desperate to protect their loved ones, leading to more than one misunderstanding and a commentary on the double standards borne by Regency women.
If you love small cottages, villages, and dangerous English rain, you will love this novel's vibe!
If you love small cottages, villages, and dangerous English rain, you will love this novel's vibe!
November 21, 2021
Mistakes not to make when avoiding a rake.
Great read was hard to put down.Loved the story and did some crying loved,loved,loved it. Great book, great writer, Fenna Edgewood
Great read was hard to put down.Loved the story and did some crying loved,loved,loved it. Great book, great writer, Fenna Edgewood
November 18, 2021
A wonderful book!
Oh, this book is too good to be true! 😍😍😍 Fenna is gonna be added to my favorite authors now. This is her first book i've read and it's amazing!
I will definitely recommend this to everyone.
Oh, this book is too good to be true! 😍😍😍 Fenna is gonna be added to my favorite authors now. This is her first book i've read and it's amazing!
I will definitely recommend this to everyone.
November 12, 2021
Perfectly Imperfect together
She's written off marriage. Her parents were a love match and she'll settle for no less. He's new in their little town, a bit of a rogue, but far less than the local young gossip has spread. Through repeated misunderstandings, they have grown farther and farther apart. You begin to wonder if its ever going to be possible for them to find common ground!
A wonderful novel of true love and one's past catching up to them in the worst sort of way. You definitely don't want to miss it!
She's written off marriage. Her parents were a love match and she'll settle for no less. He's new in their little town, a bit of a rogue, but far less than the local young gossip has spread. Through repeated misunderstandings, they have grown farther and farther apart. You begin to wonder if its ever going to be possible for them to find common ground!
A wonderful novel of true love and one's past catching up to them in the worst sort of way. You definitely don't want to miss it!
March 16, 2022
The small village of Bedford is rocked by the arrival of two wealthy, single brothers. The younger of the two, Thomas, is a notorious rake, and when he encounters Claire, a local girl who enjoys her independence, sparks fly. As the pair continue to run into one another, their feelings develop, but Thomas is hiding a secret that might ruin his family’s reputation - and his fledgeling relationship with Claire.
I have slightly mixed feelings on this one. The writing is good - a little bit clipped, maybe, but easy to read and enjoyable. I thought the characterization of both Thomas and Claire was quite strong, I got a good sense of their personalities early on and the dynamic between them was good fun. It was quite nice that they were genuinely antagonistic towards each other in the start; the animosity was very entertaining. They had good chemistry, too. This isn’t a steamy book, although there is a sex scene, but there is a lot of sexual tension between Claire and Thomas.
However, I found the pacing to be off. The slow burn in the romance was good, but it led to a rushed ending and for me, personally, I didn’t think their feelings felt very natural. It felt a little bit forced, in my opinion, and a bit like something was missing completely from the end of the book.
I also really struggled with the two major side plots. The book as a whole felt like it was dominated by these side plots, and I didn’t particularly enjoy either of them. The one involving Claire’s best friend, Fanny, felt a bit sudden, too dark, and out of place. I didn’t like how Thomas’ reaction to this was handled - it made me dislike his character. I also found it odd
The other issue I had was the plotline involving Isabel, . I actually liked this plot - I’m not opposed to this kind of drama in a historical romance book - but I didn’t think the author did it much justice.
I enjoyed the first part of this book and I don’t think that this was a bad book in any way. There were some gripes I had, mainly with regards to pacing and some plot choices that I think needed a bit of work, but it had quite good writing in a lot of parts and the romance mostly worked well for me. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an enemies-to-lovers historical romance with a reformed rake hero and an independent heroine.
Content Notes:
I have slightly mixed feelings on this one. The writing is good - a little bit clipped, maybe, but easy to read and enjoyable. I thought the characterization of both Thomas and Claire was quite strong, I got a good sense of their personalities early on and the dynamic between them was good fun. It was quite nice that they were genuinely antagonistic towards each other in the start; the animosity was very entertaining. They had good chemistry, too. This isn’t a steamy book, although there is a sex scene, but there is a lot of sexual tension between Claire and Thomas.
However, I found the pacing to be off. The slow burn in the romance was good, but it led to a rushed ending and for me, personally, I didn’t think their feelings felt very natural. It felt a little bit forced, in my opinion, and a bit like something was missing completely from the end of the book.
I also really struggled with the two major side plots. The book as a whole felt like it was dominated by these side plots, and I didn’t particularly enjoy either of them. The one involving Claire’s best friend, Fanny, felt a bit sudden, too dark, and out of place. I didn’t like how Thomas’ reaction to this was handled - it made me dislike his character. I also found it odd
The other issue I had was the plotline involving Isabel, . I actually liked this plot - I’m not opposed to this kind of drama in a historical romance book - but I didn’t think the author did it much justice.
I enjoyed the first part of this book and I don’t think that this was a bad book in any way. There were some gripes I had, mainly with regards to pacing and some plot choices that I think needed a bit of work, but it had quite good writing in a lot of parts and the romance mostly worked well for me. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an enemies-to-lovers historical romance with a reformed rake hero and an independent heroine.
Content Notes:
May 21, 2022
I liked this book. I liked the rhyming in the title which made me think the book might be a bit of fun. And it was. Best advice I can give: Do Not take this book too seriously. It is a light read. The writer makes some valid points, and that’s fine, but they do not overwhelm nor impinge on the plot.
Thomas Campbell is the rake. And he is everything a rake is supposed to be: arrogant, full of himself, handsome (and oh, so aware), brooding, misogynistic, and a lover of women, lots and lots of women. This rake had the unfortunate circumstance of falling in love with his mistress, a London actress who is a female-rake (so to speak). She is his equal. She also broke his heart. He is too old to be so foolish, but still, he fell. He came to the country with his older brother, William, to recuperate.
Isobel is Thomas Campbell’s blowby, his natural child (as they then called a child born out of wedlock) by his mistress. He paid his daughter no real attention in London and for some reason, brought her to the country and installed her with a nanny in a home of her own in Beauford, but not on his estate. I thought, perhaps, it was to keep the child at arm’s length and to allow him to keep up his rakish ways. The child is malnourished and ill. The English countryside is expected to help recover her health.
Claire Gardner is Thomas Campbell’s love interest in Beauford. The two have one misunderstanding after another. Although it is tempting to compare this book with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I do not find the two books so very similar even though pride and local prejudices do weave through the story. But you know, pride is very often a theme in Regency romance. And prejudices, particularly against the women of that time, are abundant in every Regency novel. I liked the misunderstandings; there were a lot of them, one right after another. No sooner did Thomas and Claire come to an understanding, then they were off into another argument. I am more fond of the multiple disagreements and misinterpretations than of the one or two enormous, page-eating misunderstandings prevalent in many books.
There are numerous characters that come into play, wandering in and out of the storyline. They are well developed and easy to comprehend. I like the snippets from the Beauford Chronical at the beginning of chapters 1 through 22; they are pretty funny, meant to be used as guidance for the innocent young miss who needs to understand the differences between a rake and a man of conscience. They cover the time period of the story, May through September of 1818.
I did not like the final segment of the book. Regardless of it being called one, this last section was not an epilogue at all. Where an epilogue is a literary device used to tie up loose ends and will frequently take place in the future of a Happily Ever After ending (in this genre, at least), here it is an advertising gimmick for the following book in the series about the next Gardner girl. What it features is an unrealistic view of a woman in 1818. A woman’s role was vastly different in Regency England, certainly from what it is in today’s industrial world. The Claire Gardner character violates that role, but it does not necessarily detract from the plot (I suspended disbelief because I enjoyed the heroine’s pluckiness). This next book appears to move away from the traditional role of the 1818 woman and I think I’ll skip it. It looks like a rollicking adventure, but it’s the wrong time period for a very young woman to march onto a ship by herself – without purchasing a ticket - and sale off to Tortuga. I prefer a writer to work within the Regency period’s societal boundaries to show how a woman can still have an adventure or two, contained by the strictures of such a society. It’s a natural conflict.
I rated this book 5 stars, despite the problems already mentioned because I enjoyed the read. I liked the structure of the story and appreciated the good job done with editing and proofreading. While unsure about the next book in this series, I am going to look for more books by Ms. Edgewood. I was pleasantly entertained during an afternoon, reading this engaging story. Nicely done.
Thomas Campbell is the rake. And he is everything a rake is supposed to be: arrogant, full of himself, handsome (and oh, so aware), brooding, misogynistic, and a lover of women, lots and lots of women. This rake had the unfortunate circumstance of falling in love with his mistress, a London actress who is a female-rake (so to speak). She is his equal. She also broke his heart. He is too old to be so foolish, but still, he fell. He came to the country with his older brother, William, to recuperate.
Isobel is Thomas Campbell’s blowby, his natural child (as they then called a child born out of wedlock) by his mistress. He paid his daughter no real attention in London and for some reason, brought her to the country and installed her with a nanny in a home of her own in Beauford, but not on his estate. I thought, perhaps, it was to keep the child at arm’s length and to allow him to keep up his rakish ways. The child is malnourished and ill. The English countryside is expected to help recover her health.
Claire Gardner is Thomas Campbell’s love interest in Beauford. The two have one misunderstanding after another. Although it is tempting to compare this book with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I do not find the two books so very similar even though pride and local prejudices do weave through the story. But you know, pride is very often a theme in Regency romance. And prejudices, particularly against the women of that time, are abundant in every Regency novel. I liked the misunderstandings; there were a lot of them, one right after another. No sooner did Thomas and Claire come to an understanding, then they were off into another argument. I am more fond of the multiple disagreements and misinterpretations than of the one or two enormous, page-eating misunderstandings prevalent in many books.
There are numerous characters that come into play, wandering in and out of the storyline. They are well developed and easy to comprehend. I like the snippets from the Beauford Chronical at the beginning of chapters 1 through 22; they are pretty funny, meant to be used as guidance for the innocent young miss who needs to understand the differences between a rake and a man of conscience. They cover the time period of the story, May through September of 1818.
I did not like the final segment of the book. Regardless of it being called one, this last section was not an epilogue at all. Where an epilogue is a literary device used to tie up loose ends and will frequently take place in the future of a Happily Ever After ending (in this genre, at least), here it is an advertising gimmick for the following book in the series about the next Gardner girl. What it features is an unrealistic view of a woman in 1818. A woman’s role was vastly different in Regency England, certainly from what it is in today’s industrial world. The Claire Gardner character violates that role, but it does not necessarily detract from the plot (I suspended disbelief because I enjoyed the heroine’s pluckiness). This next book appears to move away from the traditional role of the 1818 woman and I think I’ll skip it. It looks like a rollicking adventure, but it’s the wrong time period for a very young woman to march onto a ship by herself – without purchasing a ticket - and sale off to Tortuga. I prefer a writer to work within the Regency period’s societal boundaries to show how a woman can still have an adventure or two, contained by the strictures of such a society. It’s a natural conflict.
I rated this book 5 stars, despite the problems already mentioned because I enjoyed the read. I liked the structure of the story and appreciated the good job done with editing and proofreading. While unsure about the next book in this series, I am going to look for more books by Ms. Edgewood. I was pleasantly entertained during an afternoon, reading this engaging story. Nicely done.
March 8, 2023
I was given a free ecopy of this book by the author. It’s another of the Gardner sister’s stories, this time, Claire. William and Thomas Campbell move into an estate near the Gardners and meet when out riding and a horse throws a shoe. They go to the Gardner’s home for assistance and Claire is home alone. First impressions are, William is a gentleman and Thomas is not.
This book has strong Pride & Prejudice vibes. Claire immediately judges Thomas and decides she doesn’t like him. Every bit of gossip she hears about him only serves to confirm her bad first impression. Meanwhile, William decides he likes Claire and wants to court her. She’s very straightforward in her dismissal of his suit, explaining she has no intention of marrying. Meanwhile, Thomas is a cynic, convinced that women are only interested in William because of his money. He refuses to have anything to do with any of the women, but he can’t help himself when it comes to Claire.
Claire and Thomas spend a good portion of their time arguing. That’s why the banter isn’t quite as clever as that between Gwen, Claire’s older sister, and Angel, Gwen’s husband. Claire and Thomas are both so averse to the idea of marriage that when Thomas finally decides he truly does want to marry Claire, she doesn’t believe him, thinking he’s only offering to protect her reputation (yes, they messed around and were caught). She refuses and he is forced to prove his love for her.
I laughed about one part where Thomas was fantasizing about Claire. "He imagined her standing at the foot of his bed and could suddenly see her clear as day… Good God, he was going soft in his old age. Hard would also be an accurate adjective, he conceded."
As in Pride & Prejudice, both Claire and Thomas are forced to acknowledge that their assumptions about the other were unfair. Claire allowed herself to be influenced by gossip, while Thomas allowed his previous experience with a gold-digger to affect his view of all women. Both need to be honest with one another before they can truly trust one another. I really did enjoy the story. Each one of the Gardner Girls’ stories is engaging and presents characters who are often very different from one another.
This book has strong Pride & Prejudice vibes. Claire immediately judges Thomas and decides she doesn’t like him. Every bit of gossip she hears about him only serves to confirm her bad first impression. Meanwhile, William decides he likes Claire and wants to court her. She’s very straightforward in her dismissal of his suit, explaining she has no intention of marrying. Meanwhile, Thomas is a cynic, convinced that women are only interested in William because of his money. He refuses to have anything to do with any of the women, but he can’t help himself when it comes to Claire.
Claire and Thomas spend a good portion of their time arguing. That’s why the banter isn’t quite as clever as that between Gwen, Claire’s older sister, and Angel, Gwen’s husband. Claire and Thomas are both so averse to the idea of marriage that when Thomas finally decides he truly does want to marry Claire, she doesn’t believe him, thinking he’s only offering to protect her reputation (yes, they messed around and were caught). She refuses and he is forced to prove his love for her.
I laughed about one part where Thomas was fantasizing about Claire. "He imagined her standing at the foot of his bed and could suddenly see her clear as day… Good God, he was going soft in his old age. Hard would also be an accurate adjective, he conceded."
As in Pride & Prejudice, both Claire and Thomas are forced to acknowledge that their assumptions about the other were unfair. Claire allowed herself to be influenced by gossip, while Thomas allowed his previous experience with a gold-digger to affect his view of all women. Both need to be honest with one another before they can truly trust one another. I really did enjoy the story. Each one of the Gardner Girls’ stories is engaging and presents characters who are often very different from one another.
May 5, 2021
♦️♦️ONE TANTALIZING ADVENTURE♦️♦️
Bungling britches boo! Fenna brought it with this thrillingly sensational rock-our-world tantalizing delight, unleashing such sweet torment, dubious facts and scintillating lessons, hitting all the frills, chills and all encompassing feels, launching this gem to staggering heights. Shenanigans and mayhem descend in a tempest of tangled maneuvers and close calls, broken boundaries and busted barriers converge as perimeters are sourced and tested, secrets are shared, revelations are unveiled and vows are pledged, reaching deep for every ounce of strength in a fierce surge of determination, propelling this bad boy to life spectacularly. Attributes and temperament in each thread you unravel with every page, your lured into this intricate web so securely and precise, observing the tormenting struggles and intimidating triumphs, while attentive to the dramatic twists and stunning turns unfolding, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance fluidly with amazing depth and diversity, adding enough spice for an extra punch. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Amazing job Fenna, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Bungling britches boo! Fenna brought it with this thrillingly sensational rock-our-world tantalizing delight, unleashing such sweet torment, dubious facts and scintillating lessons, hitting all the frills, chills and all encompassing feels, launching this gem to staggering heights. Shenanigans and mayhem descend in a tempest of tangled maneuvers and close calls, broken boundaries and busted barriers converge as perimeters are sourced and tested, secrets are shared, revelations are unveiled and vows are pledged, reaching deep for every ounce of strength in a fierce surge of determination, propelling this bad boy to life spectacularly. Attributes and temperament in each thread you unravel with every page, your lured into this intricate web so securely and precise, observing the tormenting struggles and intimidating triumphs, while attentive to the dramatic twists and stunning turns unfolding, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance fluidly with amazing depth and diversity, adding enough spice for an extra punch. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Amazing job Fenna, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
February 19, 2023
I didn't really find much to like about these characters. They all seemed extremely fickle and seemed to bounce back and forth between two emotions most of the book: care and dislike.
Claire was a fairly disagreeable character to me. She was very quick to judge, despite any information that she may have had to the contrary, and her character seemed to solely be based around her need to speak her mind to everyone she met. Thomas seemed to vacillate between anger and a devil-may-care attitude that did absolutely nothing for his character.
Most of their relationship seemed to develop off-screen. I don't feel like I got to know them much, and if I didn't, then how did they get to know each other? I wished that more of their interactions would've been shown so that their relationship seemed a little more believable. I wasn't much invested in the relationship because I didn't have a whole lot to work with.
I loved Claire's relationship with Isabel though. She seemed like a very sweet young girl who didn't deserve the lot she was saddled with. I was glad to see Claire accepting her like she was her own and giving her a place to call her own. It was something I'd not read in a regency before so I liked that it was a different perspective.
This one was a bit eh for me, but hopefully the next book in the series will work better for me!
Claire was a fairly disagreeable character to me. She was very quick to judge, despite any information that she may have had to the contrary, and her character seemed to solely be based around her need to speak her mind to everyone she met. Thomas seemed to vacillate between anger and a devil-may-care attitude that did absolutely nothing for his character.
Most of their relationship seemed to develop off-screen. I don't feel like I got to know them much, and if I didn't, then how did they get to know each other? I wished that more of their interactions would've been shown so that their relationship seemed a little more believable. I wasn't much invested in the relationship because I didn't have a whole lot to work with.
I loved Claire's relationship with Isabel though. She seemed like a very sweet young girl who didn't deserve the lot she was saddled with. I was glad to see Claire accepting her like she was her own and giving her a place to call her own. It was something I'd not read in a regency before so I liked that it was a different perspective.
This one was a bit eh for me, but hopefully the next book in the series will work better for me!
December 26, 2021
Claire is a no-nonsense country girl who enjoys reading, country walks and spending time with her mother and sisters.
When she meets her new neighbours Thomas and his elder brother William she finds Thomas a very disagreeable man, mostly because she overhears him telling his brother that she is mulish. William however is kind, gentlemanly and obviously trying to make a good impression in their new neighbourhood.
It doesn't take much for Claire to believe the rumours that Thomas is a rake and a scoundrel who had to impose on his brother's kindness since he wasted his inheritance with dissolute living.
Likewise, Thomas is not impressed with Claire's superior attitude with him and so he uses every opportunity to ruffle her feathers, just because he can.
This is an enemies-to-lovers trope with a strong Pride and Prejudice undercurrent. Misunderstanding and preconceptions abound on both sides. I enjoyed the storyline and the slow burn romance. There is a letter Claire writes to Thomas toward the end of the book which I thought was a bit clunky to read and didn't quite fit with the flow of the book, but other than that, it's a nicely written Regency romance.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
When she meets her new neighbours Thomas and his elder brother William she finds Thomas a very disagreeable man, mostly because she overhears him telling his brother that she is mulish. William however is kind, gentlemanly and obviously trying to make a good impression in their new neighbourhood.
It doesn't take much for Claire to believe the rumours that Thomas is a rake and a scoundrel who had to impose on his brother's kindness since he wasted his inheritance with dissolute living.
Likewise, Thomas is not impressed with Claire's superior attitude with him and so he uses every opportunity to ruffle her feathers, just because he can.
This is an enemies-to-lovers trope with a strong Pride and Prejudice undercurrent. Misunderstanding and preconceptions abound on both sides. I enjoyed the storyline and the slow burn romance. There is a letter Claire writes to Thomas toward the end of the book which I thought was a bit clunky to read and didn't quite fit with the flow of the book, but other than that, it's a nicely written Regency romance.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
May 3, 2021
To begin with, let me say that I really like the title and cover. Starting with reading, I feel like I am in a Jane Austen novel. Small community, house full of daughters, two newcomers to the village; a kindly attentive man and his obnoxious brother, a stubborn young lady who happens to eavesdrop on the brothers ... Although the obnoxious brother, a rake everyone warns against, and the young lady who never mince het words, do not like each other at first sight, their attraction to each other grows as the book progresses, with in the background vicissitudes, misunderstandings, “pride and prejudices” and the local newspaper full of warnings about how a young lady should behave and especially how to stay away from rakes. Although the book occasionally reminds of Jane Austen, the author has humor, spunk, spice and her own point of view so that it is completely her own book.
I found the middle part a bit messy, scenes that do not follow each other well, a bit repetitive, but the end result is a book that I enjoyed reading
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found the middle part a bit messy, scenes that do not follow each other well, a bit repetitive, but the end result is a book that I enjoyed reading
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2021
3.5 stars: needs more editing; hero needs to become better father on the page
While the feisty dialog creates believable tension, the two main characters need more tender moments together and with younger characters to show their kinder natures and to improve their likability.
There’s much to appreciate about the story—exciting moments/action scenes, forgiveness, owning mistakes, a wise mother—but there are elements that are frustrating: hints about other characters with illegitimacy issues (must be explained in other books in the series), quick jumps to various scenes with little foreshadowing, and inadequate secondary character development at times.
The biggest frustration is the need for better editing. There are grammar, paragraphing, pronoun, word usage, and P.O.V. errors that either distract the reader or force him/her to reread for understanding. The sex scenes seem obligatory rather than inspired.
With more work, this could be a great story, but it’s rather rough as is.
While the feisty dialog creates believable tension, the two main characters need more tender moments together and with younger characters to show their kinder natures and to improve their likability.
There’s much to appreciate about the story—exciting moments/action scenes, forgiveness, owning mistakes, a wise mother—but there are elements that are frustrating: hints about other characters with illegitimacy issues (must be explained in other books in the series), quick jumps to various scenes with little foreshadowing, and inadequate secondary character development at times.
The biggest frustration is the need for better editing. There are grammar, paragraphing, pronoun, word usage, and P.O.V. errors that either distract the reader or force him/her to reread for understanding. The sex scenes seem obligatory rather than inspired.
With more work, this could be a great story, but it’s rather rough as is.
May 29, 2022
When you begin to write a book review and the first words to pop into your head are “Well, it wasn’t terrible,” you know you’re going to struggle with an explanation. Here goes: I rather liked the first half of the book. The writing style was lively, the characters were engaging, the relationship between the main characters started to shift from initial antipathy to attraction. But then the book lost me. It became obvious that Thomas was a dolt who always ALWAYS said the wrong thing, right down to the end of the book when he mentioned his former mistress to his new wife during foreplay. Claire was kind to everyone EXCEPT Thomas, to whom she said unpleasant, vitriolic and downright cruel things even after she married him—frankly, what she said to him after he kicked his former mistress out of the house and came to her afterwards was downright unforgivable. By the end I found both characters so unpleasant and unworthy of my interest that I skimmed the last couple of chapters just to get it over with.
March 24, 2025
This was an okay read, but I'm mad they gave Thomas a daughter and yet he still had no redeeming qualities or attempts to reconnect with that daughter. It feels like he went from Serafina straight to Claire and then poor Isabel still was left on the wayside by him, with the only people who really cared for her were Claire&fam and William. Mr. Darcy would never! And oh my GOSH just the heavy handed miscommunication trope on this. I don't mind miscommunication except this one wasn't just one instance, it was like they kept misunderstanding each other and then resolving one issue only to fall immediately into a whole other issue. Exhausting.
I was going to read more of these but after putting all of my thoughts down and realizing I didn't like this as much as I thought I did, I think I might be done with the series.
Edit;; I'm actually decreasing again because justice for Isabel. Poor girl was neglected and abused and nearly died because of it and no one in the book cared enough about that and shamed Thomas more for it, imo.
I was going to read more of these but after putting all of my thoughts down and realizing I didn't like this as much as I thought I did, I think I might be done with the series.
Edit;; I'm actually decreasing again because justice for Isabel. Poor girl was neglected and abused and nearly died because of it and no one in the book cared enough about that and shamed Thomas more for it, imo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2021
Well written plot and good character development. I like that the main female character, Claire, is not a poor girl who needs to marry for money. She is content with her simple life and not desparate to find a husband. When new neighbors arrive, Claire does not see them as marriage prospects. She speaks her mind and does not try to impress them. They like her honest, bold, and witty personality. Later, Claire cannot deny the attraction she feels toward one of the brothers. However, she gets distracted by gossip and allows it to cloud her thinking. Both brothers are keeping secrets. Will their secrets, mistakes, and misunderstandings cause irreconcilable differences? Read this fun historical romance to find out if Claire can find more than just contentment in the country. Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this title through Voracious Readers Only. I submit this review voluntarily.
November 30, 2022
4.2
There are two stories and 2 couples but Claire and Thomas’s story is at the heart! There are some laugh out loud moments which one I highlighted and still makes me smile!
When Thomas meets Claire he and William both are drawn to her!
Thomas had a couple of mistresses before and one he thought he was in love with! She bore him a child and he like most men of this era sadly neglected the daughter and she was sickly!
This was the reason for William and Thomas remove to the country!
There is an immediate attraction but Claire is determined to not succumb to Thomas or any man she does not want to wed!
These two are like fire and gasoline and their road too. HEA is paved with good intentions!
I do like how they both major foolish mistakes and own them! Maybe not right away but stand up for the truth before too long has passed!
I love this series and can’t wait for Rosalyn story! Well done!!
There are two stories and 2 couples but Claire and Thomas’s story is at the heart! There are some laugh out loud moments which one I highlighted and still makes me smile!
When Thomas meets Claire he and William both are drawn to her!
Thomas had a couple of mistresses before and one he thought he was in love with! She bore him a child and he like most men of this era sadly neglected the daughter and she was sickly!
This was the reason for William and Thomas remove to the country!
There is an immediate attraction but Claire is determined to not succumb to Thomas or any man she does not want to wed!
These two are like fire and gasoline and their road too. HEA is paved with good intentions!
I do like how they both major foolish mistakes and own them! Maybe not right away but stand up for the truth before too long has passed!
I love this series and can’t wait for Rosalyn story! Well done!!
May 1, 2021
I was absolutely bitten by the Bridgerton bug. I watched the entire series in a night and immediately read the entire series. It’d been YEARS since I read a historically based book. I read contemporary romance and mostly sport ones at that but I’m so happy I went with this debut novel by Fenna Edgewood. It was a perfect “break into Regency” read! It has all the historic points and feelings with a modern sensibility.
I love that Claire is feisty and not fearful like so many females of her time. Thomas frustrated me, maddened me with his sense of detached responsibility and care then rendered me breathless with his lusty maneuvers. By the end they had both grown a lot and their HEA is so well-deserved. Get your Regency read on and grab this one today!
I love that Claire is feisty and not fearful like so many females of her time. Thomas frustrated me, maddened me with his sense of detached responsibility and care then rendered me breathless with his lusty maneuvers. By the end they had both grown a lot and their HEA is so well-deserved. Get your Regency read on and grab this one today!
May 11, 2021
I loved the slow burn of this story between the MCs. It reminded me of Grace Burrowes, similar style of writing but I enjoyed that this was a fairly simple story, not a lot of side drama or too many characters. Since it was set outside of London, the scenes didn't contain a lot of fluff (the fancy balls and walks in the park, too much description of clothing, etc.) Simple was nice. It allowed you to get to know each MC and root for them to get together.
In Regency romance, there is always the whole forced to get married due to being caught in the act. This story broke away from the typical Regency romance, giving the heroine a slight modern edge. Since I read mostly contemporary romance, it was nice to see a historical romance deviate a little.
Will definitely read more from Fenna Edgewood!
In Regency romance, there is always the whole forced to get married due to being caught in the act. This story broke away from the typical Regency romance, giving the heroine a slight modern edge. Since I read mostly contemporary romance, it was nice to see a historical romance deviate a little.
Will definitely read more from Fenna Edgewood!
April 25, 2021
I received a copy of this book through voracious readers and I really liked reading it. I loved the love story between Claire and Thomas, it was portrayed beautifully and was soo romantic and cute. I also liked the background love story of William and Fanny, which was equally romantic and cute. The way Thomas and Claire worked together and overcame their first impressions by getting to know each other more, was actually quite realistic and didn't feel forced. Furthermore, the chemistry between them was strong and sexy. I would absolutely recommend this book to people who like historical romances with a few steamy scenes.
May 2, 2021
This is a debut author for Fenna Edgewood. I initially had some difficulty getting into the writing style, as it is has a very Jane Austen feel to it and that's not what I normally read.
Claire Gardener has no intention of every marrying and is a woman before her time. She often speaks her mind and does not mince words. There is great character development and the author paints a picture of the village that is the backdrop for the story. There are fun background characters, plenty of plot twists but I would consider this a slow burn and low steam novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Claire Gardener has no intention of every marrying and is a woman before her time. She often speaks her mind and does not mince words. There is great character development and the author paints a picture of the village that is the backdrop for the story. There are fun background characters, plenty of plot twists but I would consider this a slow burn and low steam novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2021
The story of Claire and Thomas was sweet, full of missconceptions, lies, love, romance and all that entailed in a story set in the 1880s. The story reminded me a little of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, which is a story I love, so I really enjoyed this story. I liked the way life at the time is described, and how easy it is to judge based on what someone else tells you, which is just as true in todays society. I am a fan of stories from this era and so I am looking forward to more stories from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2022
Thomas Campbell…younger brother of William, considered a rake, has a very low opinion of women. Claire Gardner…second oldest of four girls, outgoing and outspoken, does not want a Season. Definitely a enemies to lovers vibe. Never have I met two people more suited for one another but absolutely clueless about the fact, LOL. The h was very quick to jump to conclusions, but then again so was the H. The H has a secret and the h defends it without realizing. Of course gossip had a role in this story and it was a doozy. There is steam. I wasn’t fond of the h in the beginning but I realized she hadn’t experienced passion of any kind which made her very dull. Good story.
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