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Kendall House #1
The London Rose
A handsome earl. A trip to London. But is this Derbyshire widow ready to give up her independence for a second chance at romance?
An homage to the inimitable Georgette Heyer, this clean and wholesome Regency romance follows the adventures and exploits of a sensible widow, a managing earl, an absent-minded botanist, a high-strung heiress, a coldhearted guardian, and a villainous kidnapper.
An homage to the inimitable Georgette Heyer, this clean and wholesome Regency romance follows the adventures and exploits of a sensible widow, a managing earl, an absent-minded botanist, a high-strung heiress, a coldhearted guardian, and a villainous kidnapper.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
211 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Rosanne E. Lortz
28 books215 followersRosanne E. Lortz (“Rose”) is a writer, editor, teacher, history-lover, and mom to four boys. She loves to read, sing, draw, compose, write, and create. Education is one of her passions, particularly a classical, liberal arts education. She has taught English composition and grammar, Latin, history, music, and various other subjects for eighteen years at both the elementary and secondary level and is currently an administrator at a classical Christian school.
Rose writes historical novels full of adventure, mystery, and romance. Her Pevensey Mysteries transpose tales from the Middle Ages into Regency Era romance/murder mysteries. Her Allen Abbey Romances are three linked novellas set in Regency England. And her latest series are the Kendall House Romances and the Comfort Quartet, Regency romances full of humour and heart that pay tribute to the inimitable Georgette Heyer.
Rose served on the board of the Historical Novel Society North America for four years and works to promote interest in historical novels. She enjoys reading and reviewing historical fiction, historical romance, historical mysteries, high fantasy, and some young adult and middle grade books.
Rose writes historical novels full of adventure, mystery, and romance. Her Pevensey Mysteries transpose tales from the Middle Ages into Regency Era romance/murder mysteries. Her Allen Abbey Romances are three linked novellas set in Regency England. And her latest series are the Kendall House Romances and the Comfort Quartet, Regency romances full of humour and heart that pay tribute to the inimitable Georgette Heyer.
Rose served on the board of the Historical Novel Society North America for four years and works to promote interest in historical novels. She enjoys reading and reviewing historical fiction, historical romance, historical mysteries, high fantasy, and some young adult and middle grade books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 1, 2025
The one word which summarises this book is charm. It’s a delightful, gentle read, which the author describes as an homage to Georgette Heyer and it really does work pretty well, so for anyone yearning to find a new Heyer, while there’ll never be anyone quite like her, this book is a very acceptable substitute.
Here’s the premise: Mrs Audeley is a widow living a quiet, lower gentry life in Derbyshire with her son Gyles, who is obsessed with roses. She’d rather like to visit London again some time for a little recreation, but Gyles isn’t interested. But one day, a girl appears and tells Mrs Audeley that she’s running away from her tyrannical guardian. Mrs Audeley is quite happy to go along with this idea, pushing her out into the garden to be looked after by Gyles, for who knows what may come of that? But when the tyrannical guardian appears, he’s not a monstrous, wicked sort of man, but the rather handsome and well-mannered Earl of Kendall. And in no time he has persuaded Mrs Audeley and Gyles to accompany his niece Penelope and himself to London to help bring her out. Which fits Mrs Audeley’s plans very well.
And so to London they go, where various things happen, both good and bad, but that isn’t really the point of the book. It’s the gently managing manner of Lord Kendall and the pragmatic and easy-going ways of Mrs Audeley and their wonderful conversations that make the book. I love these two, and the fact that they’re both the shady side of forty makes their romance all the more wonderful.
A perfect Regency read, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was that Mrs Audeley was (very correctly) called that almost throughout the entire book, and Lord Kendall had to ask what her Christian name is when he proposes. Five stars, but I’d have given it more if I could.
Here’s the premise: Mrs Audeley is a widow living a quiet, lower gentry life in Derbyshire with her son Gyles, who is obsessed with roses. She’d rather like to visit London again some time for a little recreation, but Gyles isn’t interested. But one day, a girl appears and tells Mrs Audeley that she’s running away from her tyrannical guardian. Mrs Audeley is quite happy to go along with this idea, pushing her out into the garden to be looked after by Gyles, for who knows what may come of that? But when the tyrannical guardian appears, he’s not a monstrous, wicked sort of man, but the rather handsome and well-mannered Earl of Kendall. And in no time he has persuaded Mrs Audeley and Gyles to accompany his niece Penelope and himself to London to help bring her out. Which fits Mrs Audeley’s plans very well.
And so to London they go, where various things happen, both good and bad, but that isn’t really the point of the book. It’s the gently managing manner of Lord Kendall and the pragmatic and easy-going ways of Mrs Audeley and their wonderful conversations that make the book. I love these two, and the fact that they’re both the shady side of forty makes their romance all the more wonderful.
A perfect Regency read, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was that Mrs Audeley was (very correctly) called that almost throughout the entire book, and Lord Kendall had to ask what her Christian name is when he proposes. Five stars, but I’d have given it more if I could.
June 28, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When I first read the blurb for The London Rose, I was instantly intrigued. The descriptions of the characters sounded so interesting, so I knew I had to give it a go! I’d read a shorter novel by Rosanne E. Lortz before and enjoyed it, though not immensely so, so my expectations weren’t too high. However, this story surely surpassed them!
Every now and then, I absolutely love stumbling upon a romance between older/middle-aged characters. They’re often much sweeter and far less dramatic and cliché than romances with considerably younger characters—and this is such a one! I was pleasantly surprised to discover the focus of the story was on Mrs. Audeley and Lord Kendall (especially considering who our other options were: Giles and Penny). Mrs. Audeley was a lovely character—she was simultaneously the mature widow and the still-youthful heroine, and it was a perfect balance! And Lord Kendall—ah! He was simply perfection. Grumpy, world-weary, stern, and no-nonsense to the point where he bungled relationships and needed a gentle hand to help him. Pair that with a hint of roguish charm, strong sense of duty and loyalty, and a good heart hidden beneath his gruff exterior, and you have a sublime hero, lemme tell ya.
Penny and Giles were almost like caricatures of your standard Regency hero and heroine, and I loved how that typical storyline (along with the evil greedy uncle trope) were flipped on their heads. The story felt familiar and yet new all at once!
The writing style definitely gave off Heyer vibes, which I loved. The plot was also that classic Regency storyline—complete with evil lords, secret elopements, mysterious ladies, and scandalous rumors! I really appreciated how Lortz combined the setting of the English countryside with the very beginning of a London Season—it kept the story from feeling like a repeat of so many others set solely in the middle of London’s hubbub.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and now I’ve found myself in a Regency mood! Which has, as luck would have it, led me to one of Lortz’s stories on Kindle Vella, which I don’t feel like paying for right now, even though I’ve been so entranced by the story...but I digress. The London Rose was simply delightful—even though I’m still a bit miffed we never learned what “Bertie” was short for—and I cannot wait for the next book in The Kendall House series!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author through BookSirens. All opinions expressed are my own.
When I first read the blurb for The London Rose, I was instantly intrigued. The descriptions of the characters sounded so interesting, so I knew I had to give it a go! I’d read a shorter novel by Rosanne E. Lortz before and enjoyed it, though not immensely so, so my expectations weren’t too high. However, this story surely surpassed them!
Every now and then, I absolutely love stumbling upon a romance between older/middle-aged characters. They’re often much sweeter and far less dramatic and cliché than romances with considerably younger characters—and this is such a one! I was pleasantly surprised to discover the focus of the story was on Mrs. Audeley and Lord Kendall (especially considering who our other options were: Giles and Penny). Mrs. Audeley was a lovely character—she was simultaneously the mature widow and the still-youthful heroine, and it was a perfect balance! And Lord Kendall—ah! He was simply perfection. Grumpy, world-weary, stern, and no-nonsense to the point where he bungled relationships and needed a gentle hand to help him. Pair that with a hint of roguish charm, strong sense of duty and loyalty, and a good heart hidden beneath his gruff exterior, and you have a sublime hero, lemme tell ya.
Penny and Giles were almost like caricatures of your standard Regency hero and heroine, and I loved how that typical storyline (along with the evil greedy uncle trope) were flipped on their heads. The story felt familiar and yet new all at once!
The writing style definitely gave off Heyer vibes, which I loved. The plot was also that classic Regency storyline—complete with evil lords, secret elopements, mysterious ladies, and scandalous rumors! I really appreciated how Lortz combined the setting of the English countryside with the very beginning of a London Season—it kept the story from feeling like a repeat of so many others set solely in the middle of London’s hubbub.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and now I’ve found myself in a Regency mood! Which has, as luck would have it, led me to one of Lortz’s stories on Kindle Vella, which I don’t feel like paying for right now, even though I’ve been so entranced by the story...but I digress. The London Rose was simply delightful—even though I’m still a bit miffed we never learned what “Bertie” was short for—and I cannot wait for the next book in The Kendall House series!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author through BookSirens. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 29, 2024
A delightful, refreshing comedy. It reminded me of those old black & white movies from the 30s and 40s, but in a good way. It's a second chance at love for widow, Mrs. Audeley, a self-described country mouse, with confirmed bachelor, Lord Kendall. They meet by chance in Derbyshire when his histrionic niece, Penelope, escapes from his carriage on their way to London. She seeks refuge in Mrs. Audeley's nearby home, where she hides in the garden with the widow's son.
After the sudden death of their parents, Penelope and her two sisters became wards of their uncle. She and Lord Kendall were on their way to London for the Season, in the hopes of finding her a husband, which the melodramatic miss opposes. Upon finding his ward in the widow's garden, he notices how well Mrs. Audeley manages Penelope's drama and invites her and her son to travel to London with him, so that she can oversee his niece's come out.
While not heavy with angst, there's just enough unexpected turmoil to keep things interesting. There's a happy ending, but it's a series. Not everything is settled, and other characters will get their own stories. This is a new author for me. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books. She has a lovely writing style, with subtle humor that kept me chuckling.
After the sudden death of their parents, Penelope and her two sisters became wards of their uncle. She and Lord Kendall were on their way to London for the Season, in the hopes of finding her a husband, which the melodramatic miss opposes. Upon finding his ward in the widow's garden, he notices how well Mrs. Audeley manages Penelope's drama and invites her and her son to travel to London with him, so that she can oversee his niece's come out.
While not heavy with angst, there's just enough unexpected turmoil to keep things interesting. There's a happy ending, but it's a series. Not everything is settled, and other characters will get their own stories. This is a new author for me. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books. She has a lovely writing style, with subtle humor that kept me chuckling.
June 3, 2023
Mrs Audley, a widow, lives quietly in Derbyshire with her son, a dedicated horticulturist.
Fast approaching 40, she wanted to visit London again for the season, as she hadn’t been there since she came out in society as a young lady, and she also hoped that her son would find himself a bride.
Lord Kendall, a confirmed bachelor, has his hands full, as he has 3 young nieces as his wards following the tragic loss of their parents.
Mrs Audley and Lord Kendall make each other’s acquaintance as, en route to London with his eldest niece Penelope for the season, she runs away and hides in Mrs Audley’s garden.
Both parties agree to travel to London together for their own convenience, and soon become embroiled in each other’s lives.
This “mid-life” Romance was a joy to read, with a cast of characters that brought the story to life.
There is skullduggery afoot, and lots of malicious gossip to be overcome before the story reaches its end.
I really enjoyed this easy to read book, which has short chapters, so is easy to pick up and put down as needs be. I look forward to more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Fast approaching 40, she wanted to visit London again for the season, as she hadn’t been there since she came out in society as a young lady, and she also hoped that her son would find himself a bride.
Lord Kendall, a confirmed bachelor, has his hands full, as he has 3 young nieces as his wards following the tragic loss of their parents.
Mrs Audley and Lord Kendall make each other’s acquaintance as, en route to London with his eldest niece Penelope for the season, she runs away and hides in Mrs Audley’s garden.
Both parties agree to travel to London together for their own convenience, and soon become embroiled in each other’s lives.
This “mid-life” Romance was a joy to read, with a cast of characters that brought the story to life.
There is skullduggery afoot, and lots of malicious gossip to be overcome before the story reaches its end.
I really enjoyed this easy to read book, which has short chapters, so is easy to pick up and put down as needs be. I look forward to more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
June 28, 2023
Quite The Regency Comedy!
by Barbara Kelley
"The London Rose" is a Regency Romance novel, Kendall House Book 1, written by Rosanne E. Lortz. I chose this book because I am a fan of Georgette Heyer, and the blurb hyped it to resemble one of her novels. However, I found it to be nothing at all like a novel by Georgette Heyer, and more like a Shakespeare comedy, which I love even more than a Heyer novel. This is the story of Mrs. Audeley, a widow of around 40 years of age, who has a son of 22 years of age. It is also the story of an Earl and Lord, and his teenaged nieces, Penelope, Geneva, and Camilla (or Penny, Ginny, and Millie, as their uncle calls them). Mrs. Audeley's son, Gyles, is mostly interested in his beautiful rose garden than he is about going to London to meet eligible young ladies to court. Penelope is an overly dramatic young girl of whom her uncle is following the wishes of his deceased sister and brother-in-law: debuting Penelope in London's Regency era Season. She doesn't want to be introduced to Society. She wants to read the books her uncle confiscated from her, such as The Castle of Otranto, a gothic thriller by Walpole. In order to make Penelope feel more comfortable about the upcoming Season, Mrs. Audeley and her son join the Earl and Penny and travel to London. Gyles will allow the butler's family to water and prune the roses in the garden, but he completely digs up his most precious rose bush, replant it in a huge pot, and takes it to London with him. The bush takes up most of the space in the Auderley carriage, so there's only room for him and his rose bush. Therefore, Mrs. Auderley rides in the Earl's carriage with him and Penelope. A lot of action takes place in London, such as young ladies pretending to be High Society debutantes and a few villains, such as a kidnapper or two. It is the story of Mrs. Audeley and the Earl of Kendall, who prove that your life can have a fresh new love after the age if 40. I thought this book was extremely funny, as well as serious in some spots, but mostly funny because of Penny and Gyles' attitudes. I gave this book 5 stars because it was a fast read, was very entertaining, and reminded me somewhat of Shakespeare's "As You Like It".
I received an advanced reader copy for free via BookSirens, and this is my voluntary and honest review.
by Barbara Kelley
"The London Rose" is a Regency Romance novel, Kendall House Book 1, written by Rosanne E. Lortz. I chose this book because I am a fan of Georgette Heyer, and the blurb hyped it to resemble one of her novels. However, I found it to be nothing at all like a novel by Georgette Heyer, and more like a Shakespeare comedy, which I love even more than a Heyer novel. This is the story of Mrs. Audeley, a widow of around 40 years of age, who has a son of 22 years of age. It is also the story of an Earl and Lord, and his teenaged nieces, Penelope, Geneva, and Camilla (or Penny, Ginny, and Millie, as their uncle calls them). Mrs. Audeley's son, Gyles, is mostly interested in his beautiful rose garden than he is about going to London to meet eligible young ladies to court. Penelope is an overly dramatic young girl of whom her uncle is following the wishes of his deceased sister and brother-in-law: debuting Penelope in London's Regency era Season. She doesn't want to be introduced to Society. She wants to read the books her uncle confiscated from her, such as The Castle of Otranto, a gothic thriller by Walpole. In order to make Penelope feel more comfortable about the upcoming Season, Mrs. Audeley and her son join the Earl and Penny and travel to London. Gyles will allow the butler's family to water and prune the roses in the garden, but he completely digs up his most precious rose bush, replant it in a huge pot, and takes it to London with him. The bush takes up most of the space in the Auderley carriage, so there's only room for him and his rose bush. Therefore, Mrs. Auderley rides in the Earl's carriage with him and Penelope. A lot of action takes place in London, such as young ladies pretending to be High Society debutantes and a few villains, such as a kidnapper or two. It is the story of Mrs. Audeley and the Earl of Kendall, who prove that your life can have a fresh new love after the age if 40. I thought this book was extremely funny, as well as serious in some spots, but mostly funny because of Penny and Gyles' attitudes. I gave this book 5 stars because it was a fast read, was very entertaining, and reminded me somewhat of Shakespeare's "As You Like It".
I received an advanced reader copy for free via BookSirens, and this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 27, 2023
Mrs. Audeley's London Visit . . .
Mrs. Audeley is a widow who lives with her son Gyles who is deeply involved with his flowers, obsessed with observing the pollinating habits of bees and butterflies, constructing mechanical irrigation hoses, and creating new species of roses. It was doubtful she could ever get him away from his flowers long enough to find a bride for himself. Mrs. Audeley decides she wants to visit London to experience again the excitement of the Season after all the years away. And when she meets Mr. Kendall who is accompanying his nieces to London, Mrs. Audeley and Lord Kendall continue on the trip together. Will they end up pursuing a romance? Will others try to make trouble for them? Or will they finally find a HEA together?
Mrs. Audeley is a widow who lives with her son Gyles who is deeply involved with his flowers, obsessed with observing the pollinating habits of bees and butterflies, constructing mechanical irrigation hoses, and creating new species of roses. It was doubtful she could ever get him away from his flowers long enough to find a bride for himself. Mrs. Audeley decides she wants to visit London to experience again the excitement of the Season after all the years away. And when she meets Mr. Kendall who is accompanying his nieces to London, Mrs. Audeley and Lord Kendall continue on the trip together. Will they end up pursuing a romance? Will others try to make trouble for them? Or will they finally find a HEA together?
June 25, 2023
A tale with all the good stuff thrown into it.
The way this book is written reminds me of the historical books I read in high school way back in the middle ages. This is a sweet simple tales that allow the reader to join the characters in their story. There is a bit of drama, maybe some danger, misunderstanding, and all the good stuff that goes into an enjoyable story. I liked that the characters are a bit older too. Overall it is a very decent read and well worth the time you spend with it, it’s also one I would recommend. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
The way this book is written reminds me of the historical books I read in high school way back in the middle ages. This is a sweet simple tales that allow the reader to join the characters in their story. There is a bit of drama, maybe some danger, misunderstanding, and all the good stuff that goes into an enjoyable story. I liked that the characters are a bit older too. Overall it is a very decent read and well worth the time you spend with it, it’s also one I would recommend. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
July 13, 2023
A Perfect Rose
Things are NOT always what they seem! Character may be misunderstood; motives may be misconstrued. And assumptions such as “romance is only for the young” are downright false! I thoroughly enjoyed this regency love story with its short chapters and deep emotions. I’m glad to see it labeled “Book 1,” and look forward to devouring Book 2 just as quickly. Lortz has a gentle but not superficial style that brings her characters to life. I am feeling so “happily-ever-after’d” as I close my Kindle.
Things are NOT always what they seem! Character may be misunderstood; motives may be misconstrued. And assumptions such as “romance is only for the young” are downright false! I thoroughly enjoyed this regency love story with its short chapters and deep emotions. I’m glad to see it labeled “Book 1,” and look forward to devouring Book 2 just as quickly. Lortz has a gentle but not superficial style that brings her characters to life. I am feeling so “happily-ever-after’d” as I close my Kindle.
June 27, 2023
A widow who befriends a young woman who has escaped from a carriage
The man wants to marry her — and NO way is she having anything to do with that. When her uncle comes to collect her she wants nothing to do with him either. . . and convinces the widow to join thm in London . . . this is a great book — totally unexpected love happening in more than one instance. Love this book!!! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The man wants to marry her — and NO way is she having anything to do with that. When her uncle comes to collect her she wants nothing to do with him either. . . and convinces the widow to join thm in London . . . this is a great book — totally unexpected love happening in more than one instance. Love this book!!! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2024
Nice older protagonist romance. The pace was fast with enough action to keep it moving. The writing was sound with clever juxtaposition between Penny's naivete and the earl, especially when she never quite gets the earl's sarcasm. Finally the resolution made sense and worked out misunderstandings before they became painful to the reader. I especially liked the contrast between the older couple's growing attachment and the heedless younger infatuations.
June 25, 2023
The first book in the Kendall House series, a well written story that held my interest until the end. Widow Mrs Audeley, her son Gyles and Lord Kendall's story had its ups and downs. I enjoyed reading this older couples story, and seeing the adversary get what they deserved. I will be watching for more in this series. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2023
A delight from start to finish
Great characters, terrific dialogue, a low angst plot but still some shenanigans. My only quibble was that it left the thread of Gyles and Louisa so up in the air.
Great characters, terrific dialogue, a low angst plot but still some shenanigans. My only quibble was that it left the thread of Gyles and Louisa so up in the air.
April 27, 2025
A Wonderful Original Story!
Loved The London Rose. This was my first book by Lortz, but it won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, Lortz’s easy sophisticated prose and the fresh surprising twist and turns. I definitely recommend for lovers of Regency romance.
Loved The London Rose. This was my first book by Lortz, but it won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, Lortz’s easy sophisticated prose and the fresh surprising twist and turns. I definitely recommend for lovers of Regency romance.
May 19, 2024
3.75 rounded up.
Definitely a fun read. Was nice to just read a few chapters before bed each night.
Definitely a fun read. Was nice to just read a few chapters before bed each night.
June 15, 2023
The London Rose is a quick enjoyable afternoon read.
Mrs. Audeley gets drawn into the adventures of Penelope Trafford as she claims that her uncle is trying to marry her off to one of his old friends, to get her off his hands. Having never met the Earl of Kendall, Mrs. Audeley tries to intervene in order to find out what is going on. After a conversation the group heads to London where the entertaining adventure begins.
It is no surprise that all the characters have trouble making themselves clear except Penelope, who has a flair for the dramatic and a need to share what she thinks is the "truth." What begins as a misunderstanding turn into a love story from an unlikely couple.
This is a fun and entertaining story with wonderful characters that make this worth reading.
I received an ARC from BookSirens for an unbiased review.
Mrs. Audeley gets drawn into the adventures of Penelope Trafford as she claims that her uncle is trying to marry her off to one of his old friends, to get her off his hands. Having never met the Earl of Kendall, Mrs. Audeley tries to intervene in order to find out what is going on. After a conversation the group heads to London where the entertaining adventure begins.
It is no surprise that all the characters have trouble making themselves clear except Penelope, who has a flair for the dramatic and a need to share what she thinks is the "truth." What begins as a misunderstanding turn into a love story from an unlikely couple.
This is a fun and entertaining story with wonderful characters that make this worth reading.
I received an ARC from BookSirens for an unbiased review.
April 19, 2024
A most delightful read about how Lord Kendall(a highly admired but a confirmed bachelor), who was looking to take his niece to London for a season ends up finding himself courting a lady and find his hea. Of course the course leading up to his hea is filled with a lot of chaos and humor amidst the two families and their young people. Very enjoyable sweet and clean read.
May 10, 2023
Fun, subversive - delights in gently mocking several tropes. Main romance is built carefully and is well earned. A satisfying ending except for one thread left hanging, I’m guessing for the sequel.
June 13, 2023
A delightful story which tells the story of a widow and a bachelor earl finding love in the most unlikely of places.
I very much enjoyed this story of the loveable Mrs. Audeley and her return to London with the very charming Lord Kendall. They meet (a few laugh out loud moments) and travel to London together. Lord Kendall is very charming, I love the little things he did to make life easier for Mrs. Audeley without taking credit. The side characters are enjoyable - the dramatic Penny and head-in-the-clouds Gyles amongst the few.
I'm interested to see the stories of the other characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I very much enjoyed this story of the loveable Mrs. Audeley and her return to London with the very charming Lord Kendall. They meet (a few laugh out loud moments) and travel to London together. Lord Kendall is very charming, I love the little things he did to make life easier for Mrs. Audeley without taking credit. The side characters are enjoyable - the dramatic Penny and head-in-the-clouds Gyles amongst the few.
I'm interested to see the stories of the other characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2023
A wonderful story by one of my favourite authors. I loved the characters, the setting, the humour and the romance. A delightful read.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
April 14, 2024
Enjoyed the story,anxious for a second edition
June 12, 2023
Cute happily ever after regency romance between a couple in their 40s. The love story was cute and I enjoyed seeing the way the experienced adults interacted with the younger characters. I also really liked learning lots of new words. I didn’t love the ending though, it just didn’t feel complete, but the rest of the story was a good one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 19, 2024
Charming
A few plot twists and in general sweet and clean, and a Happily Ever After. I look forward to all the rest of the books in the series.
A few plot twists and in general sweet and clean, and a Happily Ever After. I look forward to all the rest of the books in the series.
August 30, 2023
This is a delightful read from beginning to end with rich characters who fall in love despite knowing "better" in their "older" years within a historically accurate regency era romance.
March 30, 2024
Such fun! I don't typically pick up Regency romances, but I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this one.
Read
June 5, 2024I really enjoyed this one. It felt a bit different than the typical debutante debut stories. It was clean and sweet.
Looking forward to more releases in this series!
Looking forward to more releases in this series!
November 16, 2024
so fun!
This was quite a fun book to read. Nothing too deep or dramatic, but a good time. It’s a clean book
This was quite a fun book to read. Nothing too deep or dramatic, but a good time. It’s a clean book
February 22, 2025
3.5 stars. Slows down a little in spots but I really liked Mrs. Audeley. She seems capable of handling just about anything. Looking forward to book 2, The Paris Footman. And maybe book 3?
June 30, 2023
Mrs Audley has long been hoping for a trip to London, both to renew her wardrobe and to find a husband for her rose-obsessed son. Being obsessed with roses, though, Gyles declines - until one day a beautiful young lady lands on their doorstep claiming to be the victim of a terribly wicked guardian. When the earl turns up, he appears far from villainous, but Gyles nevertheless agrees to accompany them to London to protect her. Lord Kendall, intrigued by this widow who is both sensible and pretty, is glad for her help with his spirited ward, and sets out to smooth her path in London, little thinking what an invidious position he is placing her in. Can they escape the traps of a London season and achieve the happy ending each had given up on?
While not my favourite of the books I've read by the author, this was still an enjoyable clean read, with good writing, interesting characters, a satisfying ending and a good villain or two. I appreciated Lord Kendall's clear but low-key interest in Mrs Audley - and her clear efforts not to be interested in him! They made for a good couple, and I'd like to see more of them. There were also some interesting secondary characters, like Gyles, Louisa and the duke, not to mention Penelope and her sisters, and I hope to see some of them getting their own books in future. All in all, a good read, and I look forward to reading more by the author in future.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from Booksirens. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
While not my favourite of the books I've read by the author, this was still an enjoyable clean read, with good writing, interesting characters, a satisfying ending and a good villain or two. I appreciated Lord Kendall's clear but low-key interest in Mrs Audley - and her clear efforts not to be interested in him! They made for a good couple, and I'd like to see more of them. There were also some interesting secondary characters, like Gyles, Louisa and the duke, not to mention Penelope and her sisters, and I hope to see some of them getting their own books in future. All in all, a good read, and I look forward to reading more by the author in future.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from Booksirens. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
June 11, 2025
This was surprisingly good- a palate cleanser from angst, anachronisms, OTT forced drama and misunderstandings, mediocre writing, etc.
First, there's trickery afoot, in that what seems to be a romance between two young people is in fact focused on their 40+ guardians.
I almost gave up after the first 5 chapters, because it seemed too predictable and sweet. But then stuff started happening, and the pace picked up, and shenanigans occurred. I will say that, while I *get* why the FMC, a widow with a grown son, went by Mrs. Herlastname until almost the end, it did make her feel more matronly than she might otherwise have seemed. But maybe that was the point?
Anyhow, the refreshing parts:
The MMC is, from the start, genuinely interested in and attracted to the FMC, who is a 41-year-old widow with a 22-year old son. She's not glamorous or sophisticated or a genius, she's just kind, warm, of normal intelligence, is great at putting people at ease, tactful, sensible, and pretty.
The way it plays off the typical Regency tropes of Georgette Heyer with the naive, independent, somewhat spoiled young debutante and her much older ogre of a guardian, and turns them on their head by showing how ridiculous it would be for the older guardian to even kind of think of a young idjit like that as a bride. Nice.
Anyway, good read.
First, there's trickery afoot, in that what seems to be a romance between two young people is in fact focused on their 40+ guardians.
I almost gave up after the first 5 chapters, because it seemed too predictable and sweet. But then stuff started happening, and the pace picked up, and shenanigans occurred. I will say that, while I *get* why the FMC, a widow with a grown son, went by Mrs. Herlastname until almost the end, it did make her feel more matronly than she might otherwise have seemed. But maybe that was the point?
Anyhow, the refreshing parts:
The MMC is, from the start, genuinely interested in and attracted to the FMC, who is a 41-year-old widow with a 22-year old son. She's not glamorous or sophisticated or a genius, she's just kind, warm, of normal intelligence, is great at putting people at ease, tactful, sensible, and pretty.
The way it plays off the typical Regency tropes of Georgette Heyer with the naive, independent, somewhat spoiled young debutante and her much older ogre of a guardian, and turns them on their head by showing how ridiculous it would be for the older guardian to even kind of think of a young idjit like that as a bride. Nice.
Anyway, good read.
December 5, 2025
A clean story. A widowed lady living with her horticultural minded son meets an Earl pursuing his errant niece.
I found it a little odd in places. Mrs Audley quite happily immediately agrees to accompany said Earl and niece to London for the season and depart immediately. Whilst she has a quiet life, I am sure there would be local commitments to resolve before departing. Penelope is a bit too theatrical, and why? Her sisters seem more calm and so that must have been from their mother’s upbringing, not explained why Penelope is not following the same example. The ‘Lady Louisa’ scenario became a bit obvious early on, and whilst unpalatable, the Duke is her guardian. There is a huge risk to Kendall that it is deemed he ruined her as she is living at his house and acting as governess, the Duke might demand he marry her and pay him compensation.
Why Digby was upstairs at the ball and in the children’s ‘nursery’ again is unfathomable. His reputation could be ruined by those actions. Okay here he finds Lady Louisa, but the act of going to the children’s area is very unusual.
I think Penelope probably would be ruined by being seen with the Viscount unchaperoned, despite the story of footpads. Lots must have seen her.
It was a pleasant read, but not quite 4 stars for me.
I found it a little odd in places. Mrs Audley quite happily immediately agrees to accompany said Earl and niece to London for the season and depart immediately. Whilst she has a quiet life, I am sure there would be local commitments to resolve before departing. Penelope is a bit too theatrical, and why? Her sisters seem more calm and so that must have been from their mother’s upbringing, not explained why Penelope is not following the same example. The ‘Lady Louisa’ scenario became a bit obvious early on, and whilst unpalatable, the Duke is her guardian. There is a huge risk to Kendall that it is deemed he ruined her as she is living at his house and acting as governess, the Duke might demand he marry her and pay him compensation.
Why Digby was upstairs at the ball and in the children’s ‘nursery’ again is unfathomable. His reputation could be ruined by those actions. Okay here he finds Lady Louisa, but the act of going to the children’s area is very unusual.
I think Penelope probably would be ruined by being seen with the Viscount unchaperoned, despite the story of footpads. Lots must have seen her.
It was a pleasant read, but not quite 4 stars for me.
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