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An Utterly Unsuitable Lady: a sweet historical romance
A witty sweet historical romance about a career-minded naturalist and the scandal-shadowed lady who upends his mother's matchmaking. Gentle humour, unlikely courtship and Victorian Cambridge charm around a discreet matchmaking agency.
The brilliant young professor needs a wife. Just not this one.
Cambridge, 1890s, Professor Theo Watt’s dazzling career as a naturalist leaves no time for romance, so he reluctantly submits to his mother’s matchmaking. After a parade of disappointing candidates, he is unexpectedly captivated by a stranger who ruins her dress to help him rescue a stranded fish.
Ida Moss has long abandoned any hope of marriage. With her past marred by scandal and her days consumed with caring for her nephew, she knows no respectable man would ever claim her. Yet Theo’s kindness—and his curiosity—begin to tempt her heart.
In a summer of unexpected encounters, can a fish, a wooden acorn, and a sudden shower of rain bring two unlikely souls together against all social convention?
An Utterly Unsuitable Lady is the witty first book in the Moth Agency Romances series, set around Cambridge’s discreet new matchmaking venture— Matters of the Heart. Perfect for readers who adore engaging characters, vivid period settings, and romance rooted in history.
Praise for The Moth Agency Romance
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An intelligent rendering of romance in the late Victorian era.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A perfectly sweet historical novel…
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Beautifully written and wonderfully clean, with humour, suspense and wit woven into a sweet historical tale.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An unusual story and one I enjoyed very much.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Both social commentary and a tender romance… conjures up vivid pictures of a Cambridge summer.
The brilliant young professor needs a wife. Just not this one.
Cambridge, 1890s, Professor Theo Watt’s dazzling career as a naturalist leaves no time for romance, so he reluctantly submits to his mother’s matchmaking. After a parade of disappointing candidates, he is unexpectedly captivated by a stranger who ruins her dress to help him rescue a stranded fish.
Ida Moss has long abandoned any hope of marriage. With her past marred by scandal and her days consumed with caring for her nephew, she knows no respectable man would ever claim her. Yet Theo’s kindness—and his curiosity—begin to tempt her heart.
In a summer of unexpected encounters, can a fish, a wooden acorn, and a sudden shower of rain bring two unlikely souls together against all social convention?
An Utterly Unsuitable Lady is the witty first book in the Moth Agency Romances series, set around Cambridge’s discreet new matchmaking venture— Matters of the Heart. Perfect for readers who adore engaging characters, vivid period settings, and romance rooted in history.
Praise for The Moth Agency Romance
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An intelligent rendering of romance in the late Victorian era.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A perfectly sweet historical novel…
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Beautifully written and wonderfully clean, with humour, suspense and wit woven into a sweet historical tale.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An unusual story and one I enjoyed very much.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Both social commentary and a tender romance… conjures up vivid pictures of a Cambridge summer.
- GenresHistorical Romance
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 11, 2025
Whimsical, humorous, wise, empathetic and original. I love Ms. Greenhill's writing and this 1st volume of the series really sparkles with wit and warmth.
The Moth Agency series seemingly revolves around 2 sisters, one of whom runs an introduction service and the other a hat shop, in the university town of Cambridge. The sisters provide continuity but each book features a young man and woman who are the actual central characters. There is almost no "ton" involvement, and the social strictures are somewhat looser among the academicians and commoners.
I am always on the lookout for period romances of higher quality and originality. These books fit the bill. I may try Ms. Greenhill's mysteries (written under another name) even though I am not crazy about the genre.
The Moth Agency series seemingly revolves around 2 sisters, one of whom runs an introduction service and the other a hat shop, in the university town of Cambridge. The sisters provide continuity but each book features a young man and woman who are the actual central characters. There is almost no "ton" involvement, and the social strictures are somewhat looser among the academicians and commoners.
I am always on the lookout for period romances of higher quality and originality. These books fit the bill. I may try Ms. Greenhill's mysteries (written under another name) even though I am not crazy about the genre.
March 26, 2024
excellent.
Well written and quite unusual. Set in Cambridge (the original town in England), and sometime in the Victorian era, it combines the difficult life of a family unfairly tainted by scandal, and the slowly realised romance between an academic and his lady. I look forward to the next book.
Well written and quite unusual. Set in Cambridge (the original town in England), and sometime in the Victorian era, it combines the difficult life of a family unfairly tainted by scandal, and the slowly realised romance between an academic and his lady. I look forward to the next book.
April 12, 2024
Loved this book!
A great read. The writing was excellent and the characters were well developed and realistically portrayed. The emotional content was very touching and gripping. The dialogue was well done and appropriate. There were a few typos but nothing too significant. The storyline was intriguing and original. I highly recommend.
A great read. The writing was excellent and the characters were well developed and realistically portrayed. The emotional content was very touching and gripping. The dialogue was well done and appropriate. There were a few typos but nothing too significant. The storyline was intriguing and original. I highly recommend.
June 7, 2024
Truly delightful
I have not read anything by this author before but I will be now. The characters not main and secondary were all crafted with care and the MCs, shy, academic Theo who finds his confidence and smart, caring Ida were perfect. Little Oliver was a delight too. An unusual story and one I enjoyed very much.
I have not read anything by this author before but I will be now. The characters not main and secondary were all crafted with care and the MCs, shy, academic Theo who finds his confidence and smart, caring Ida were perfect. Little Oliver was a delight too. An unusual story and one I enjoyed very much.
September 11, 2024
cute and well written
This is a perfect book for a light evening read! I really enjoyed the character development and the mysterious circumstances as well as the main character realizing that nothing was as important as his true love. Thankfully the bad guy gets what is coming to him!
This is a perfect book for a light evening read! I really enjoyed the character development and the mysterious circumstances as well as the main character realizing that nothing was as important as his true love. Thankfully the bad guy gets what is coming to him!
November 10, 2025
Unique and Wonderful
A genuine pleasure to read, paced to perfectly express the characters and their point of view. The language feels literary. I only wish that a sequel is in progress for Oliver, Theodore, and Ida. I would welcome the parental and peripheral characters as well. Hatch is priceless.
A genuine pleasure to read, paced to perfectly express the characters and their point of view. The language feels literary. I only wish that a sequel is in progress for Oliver, Theodore, and Ida. I would welcome the parental and peripheral characters as well. Hatch is priceless.
December 9, 2025
I loved this book. It was a sweet romance that didn’t take place in 1815, didn’t involve a love story about a Duke, a Marquez, and Earl. The hero was not a huge muscled devastatingly handsome man. In fact it was a romance between somewhat normal people, the characters were interesting and it actually had a story. I will read this author again.
May 25, 2023
What a delightful story!
The story is well written with a delightful cast of characters. What I liked about the Professor is his determination that led to his transformation. I truly think the story is well done.
The story is well written with a delightful cast of characters. What I liked about the Professor is his determination that led to his transformation. I truly think the story is well done.
January 3, 2024
A Perfectly Sweet Historical Novel
-Well written (only a few typos noted)
-This was a clean read with no smut.
-It was a little slow at first, but became more interesting as the characters became more entangled in eachother's lives.
...read by Mike's wife, Amanda (not Mike)
-Well written (only a few typos noted)
-This was a clean read with no smut.
-It was a little slow at first, but became more interesting as the characters became more entangled in eachother's lives.
...read by Mike's wife, Amanda (not Mike)
January 26, 2024
Delightful!
I absolutely loved this book. The development of the main male character was wonderful. I just fell in love with him. An unexpected courageous and clever gentleman. Look forward to more from this author.
I absolutely loved this book. The development of the main male character was wonderful. I just fell in love with him. An unexpected courageous and clever gentleman. Look forward to more from this author.
June 18, 2024
Wonderful and kind....and a delightful read
The beginning worried me but also raised my curiosity...as to why. And then the very pleasant story, with life's characters, charmingly portrayed, filled my day. Thank you. Nice, very nice,..and kind
The beginning worried me but also raised my curiosity...as to why. And then the very pleasant story, with life's characters, charmingly portrayed, filled my day. Thank you. Nice, very nice,..and kind
October 22, 2025
Original and fun
Excellent read. Based on historical fact, conjures up with telling detail the Victorian world of Cambridge, interesting characters, good dialogue. If you’re looking for a different sort of historical romance, definitely read this!
Excellent read. Based on historical fact, conjures up with telling detail the Victorian world of Cambridge, interesting characters, good dialogue. If you’re looking for a different sort of historical romance, definitely read this!
November 9, 2025
adequate but not scintillating
Cute enough. A little light on substance. Decent characters. Will read on, as available. Appreciated mothers about face, as mothers in general ten to be the most problematic.
Cute enough. A little light on substance. Decent characters. Will read on, as available. Appreciated mothers about face, as mothers in general ten to be the most problematic.
December 27, 2025
Two people living extremely constrained lives. H was sickly as a child, and his mother pushed him into a narrow life. The h's family suffered from terrible gossip after h's sister divorced. Somehow they found the courage to change their lives. Sweet read.
July 17, 2023
A Good Story!
Really enjoyed reading this story. Enough excitement to keep my interest and moves along like a good read should. Looking for more from this entertaining author.
Really enjoyed reading this story. Enough excitement to keep my interest and moves along like a good read should. Looking for more from this entertaining author.
April 7, 2024
What a lovely read. The hero was so kind and an expert in fish with his lady being a maker of hummingbird decorations for hats.
An unusual story with little description of the physical appearance of the protagonists.
Highly recommend. No spice only swoon.
An unusual story with little description of the physical appearance of the protagonists.
Highly recommend. No spice only swoon.
October 18, 2025
Short and sweet. Too short and rather too sweet on reflection. Take the story, double it, develop the characters and scenes and it would be much improved.
March 16, 2026
Really, 3.5, it’s a light, quick read. Not sure I’d consider it a romance novel, but entertaining
July 13, 2023
Loved it
What a refreshing romance novel. No bulging muscled Lord or astonishingly beautiful leading lady (in fact the book says little on their appearance, which I enjoyed as I could imagine them as I liked) and the story was original and flowed beautifully
I'd have liked to know more about after the end of this book.... I think there is more so I am off to find it now!
What a refreshing romance novel. No bulging muscled Lord or astonishingly beautiful leading lady (in fact the book says little on their appearance, which I enjoyed as I could imagine them as I liked) and the story was original and flowed beautifully
I'd have liked to know more about after the end of this book.... I think there is more so I am off to find it now!
October 21, 2025
What a charming read with a gentle romance for a deserving young woman and a kind naive professor. I first read it on kindle unlimited then bought it because I will read it again for it is a keeper. I have her next book in the series on kindle unlimited with book 3 releasing on October 29th to get next.
January 3, 2026
Cute cozy read.
Same vibes as The Importance of Being Earnest.
Same vibes as The Importance of Being Earnest.
April 12, 2026
A nice way to spend a Sunday listening to this delightful quite short story. I will be reading the other two books in the series later.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews