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Mischief in Mayfair #8
Miss Dashing
She's learned to ask for nothing... Miss Hecate Brompton is on the shelf and relieved to finally be there with her personal wealth in tact. She faces enough challenges keeping her rackety family from scandal and ruin without the added bother of marriage. When Phillip Vincent approaches her with a request to become his de facto finishing governess, she's both appalled by and sympathetic to his plan. She was once the awkward outsider, and knows exactly how treacherous the waters of the Beau Monde can be for the unsuspecting. To win her love, he will sacrifice everything. Phillip is mere gentry at heart, and the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair leave him frankly bored. For the sake of his family he must nonetheless learn to do the pretty. Miss Hecate Brompton, is anything but glittering. She's quiet, proper, plain, and--to Phillip--utterly fascinating. He sees what society does Behind Hecate's demure facade lurks a fierce heart and a brilliant mind. Hecate's family has no quarrel with Phillip stealing her heart, but her fortune and her hand in marriage are quite another matter. Can the squire and spinster find a happily ever after when all of polite society intends to deny them exactly that?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2023
177 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
188 books2,930 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 18, 2025
It was wonderful to settle in with an author I hadn’t read in awhile, mostly because there aren’t very many Grace Burrowes novels I haven’t yet read so I have to wait for a new one to be written. Fortunately, this author is prolific and still writing. Unfortunately, the swift production means they tend to follow a formula.
This one does too, with a twist. Instead of the usual villain plotting mischief on the fringes of the story, this book’s villains are an entire family of grasping, conniving, selfish blood suckers. Hecate Brompton (NOT the worst name in this book, believe it or not. That honor goes to her relative, Eglantine Brompton. Maybe. It’s too close to call), after wresting control of her fortune and becoming the sole financial provider for her ne’er-do-well family, is plucked off the spinster shelf by newly minted marquessate heir, Phillip. Phillip doesn’t care a hoot for Hecate’s fortune. He finds her enchanting and only frets that he and his bumbling country ways will embarrass the polished and ever competent Hecate.
Hecate doesn’t find him embarrassing at all. Her parasitic family, however, sees a threat to their current financial arrangement in Hecate’s new love interest.
I had to deduct a star for how obvious the solution to Hecate’s dilemma was:
There’s also, of course, Burrowes’ immediately identifiable sublime, formal, dry and delicious writing style, which is what I keep coming back for.
“We already had an untoward scene,” Nunn said, his tone sufficient to freeze the punch in the bowls set up in the foyer. “I went to my study, thinking to share a quiet brandy with a pair of guests, and what should we come upon, but Portia nigh climbing Johnny’s person, and Johnny aiding her ascent with both hands upon the lady’s fundament.”
“A unique approach to kissing,” Mrs. Roberts added. “Very athletic.”
“What it lacked in refinement,” Mr. DeGrange observed, “it made up for in enthusiasm on the part of both parties.
This one does too, with a twist. Instead of the usual villain plotting mischief on the fringes of the story, this book’s villains are an entire family of grasping, conniving, selfish blood suckers. Hecate Brompton (NOT the worst name in this book, believe it or not. That honor goes to her relative, Eglantine Brompton. Maybe. It’s too close to call), after wresting control of her fortune and becoming the sole financial provider for her ne’er-do-well family, is plucked off the spinster shelf by newly minted marquessate heir, Phillip. Phillip doesn’t care a hoot for Hecate’s fortune. He finds her enchanting and only frets that he and his bumbling country ways will embarrass the polished and ever competent Hecate.
Hecate doesn’t find him embarrassing at all. Her parasitic family, however, sees a threat to their current financial arrangement in Hecate’s new love interest.
I had to deduct a star for how obvious the solution to Hecate’s dilemma was:
There’s also, of course, Burrowes’ immediately identifiable sublime, formal, dry and delicious writing style, which is what I keep coming back for.
“We already had an untoward scene,” Nunn said, his tone sufficient to freeze the punch in the bowls set up in the foyer. “I went to my study, thinking to share a quiet brandy with a pair of guests, and what should we come upon, but Portia nigh climbing Johnny’s person, and Johnny aiding her ascent with both hands upon the lady’s fundament.”
“A unique approach to kissing,” Mrs. Roberts added. “Very athletic.”
“What it lacked in refinement,” Mr. DeGrange observed, “it made up for in enthusiasm on the part of both parties.
September 10, 2023
Chalk this book in the Mischief in Mayfair series a miss. The first 25% was off to a good start, but then it went on autopilot, shadowing behavior and speech from every MC in almost every book in the series. The dilemma was different. Hecate Brompton had horrible relatives who gleefully sucked the money and life out of her. Unfortunately, instead of a truly inescapable dilemma Burrowes coyly manipulated Hecate’s perspective, and thus the readers. Given a little logic, it was easy to figure out Hecate’s escape route to a HEA.
Quibbles:
-Too many unpleasant Bromptons to keep track of. A chart of the family tree would have been helpful. Here’s a quick rundown.
▪️Great-uncle Nunn, the Earl of Nunn
▪️Charles, the earl’s heir.
▪️Eglantine, “Eggy,” Charles’ wife.
▪️Edna, Charles’ mother. Widow.
▪️Portia and Flavia, Edna’s daughters.
▪️Issac, Hecate’s “father.”
▪️Cousin Johnny
-The MCs had connections to characters in #7 Miss Determined, but no ties to books 1 - 6.
-In the previous book, Philip had a lifelong disability which had vanished by the start of this book. To be fair, there was one brief mention.
-Liberal use of military jargon. Sure, in earlier books the heroes had been officers, but why would a lady from the “Mayfair crowd” and a farmer talk that way?
-The title bared no resemblance to the heroine.
-Why would Hecate obsess over irretrievable societal ruin when her family shook off scandals as often as snakes shed skin?
-Like most Burrowes’ heroines. Hecate had a “past.” Given her strict adherence to a social compass, it seemed out of character.
-The abrupt ending was faster than an airplane landing on an aircraft carrier.
ETA: It occurred to me after completing my long winded quibble list, I should have said the story stretched my suspension of disbelief and left it at that. Lol
Quibbles:
-Too many unpleasant Bromptons to keep track of. A chart of the family tree would have been helpful. Here’s a quick rundown.
▪️Great-uncle Nunn, the Earl of Nunn
▪️Charles, the earl’s heir.
▪️Eglantine, “Eggy,” Charles’ wife.
▪️Edna, Charles’ mother. Widow.
▪️Portia and Flavia, Edna’s daughters.
▪️Issac, Hecate’s “father.”
▪️Cousin Johnny
-The MCs had connections to characters in #7 Miss Determined, but no ties to books 1 - 6.
-In the previous book, Philip had a lifelong disability which had vanished by the start of this book. To be fair, there was one brief mention.
-Liberal use of military jargon. Sure, in earlier books the heroes had been officers, but why would a lady from the “Mayfair crowd” and a farmer talk that way?
-The title bared no resemblance to the heroine.
-Why would Hecate obsess over irretrievable societal ruin when her family shook off scandals as often as snakes shed skin?
-Like most Burrowes’ heroines. Hecate had a “past.” Given her strict adherence to a social compass, it seemed out of character.
-The abrupt ending was faster than an airplane landing on an aircraft carrier.
ETA: It occurred to me after completing my long winded quibble list, I should have said the story stretched my suspension of disbelief and left it at that. Lol
August 25, 2023
Miss Hecate Brompton is an heiress dismissed by her relatives except when they demand her money to furnish their lifestyle. What happens when this spinster meets. Man who recognises er for who she is. Stars and sunshine, that’s what.
Lovely read!
Lovely read!
September 10, 2023
I am really puzzled by the title. I have read all the Mischief in Mayfair series, but although I like Grace's style , peppered with humorous comments and agricultural metaphors, the story in itself is not really interesting. Lord Vincent and Hecate are by far the best characters, but the others either are plain silly (in particular Portia and Flavia)or boring. Family loyalty des not seem enough to justify Hecate financially supporting this hapless or greedy group.
Of course, I felt the star of the book was Lord Vincent Philip. I loved the way he behaved towards the local tenants, his gentle humour and the way the Ton mores baffle him.
The denouement, although hardly a surprise, was well organised however I could not see why
Hecate needed to give up her wealth. Perhaps she thought the Bromptons could no longer make use of it. I wonder.
I understand the next Mischief will centre on the young DeWitt. He is an interesting character and maybe the title "Miss Dramatic" will have more relevance to the story given De Witt past history with the theatre than "Miss Dashing" which in no way, to my mind at least, describes Hecate. Let's see.
Of course, I felt the star of the book was Lord Vincent Philip. I loved the way he behaved towards the local tenants, his gentle humour and the way the Ton mores baffle him.
The denouement, although hardly a surprise, was well organised however I could not see why
Hecate needed to give up her wealth. Perhaps she thought the Bromptons could no longer make use of it. I wonder.
I understand the next Mischief will centre on the young DeWitt. He is an interesting character and maybe the title "Miss Dramatic" will have more relevance to the story given De Witt past history with the theatre than "Miss Dashing" which in no way, to my mind at least, describes Hecate. Let's see.
September 5, 2023
4.5/5⭐️
I loved this story. It’s the story of a woman, now considered a spinster, who has basically sacrificed her life to guide, lead and provide financial assistance (from her maternal family) to her self-centered and grasping paternal family of which she is technically not even related.
Hecate is a shrewd but much put-upon heroine who must begin to realize what her life has become and endeavor to take steps toward change. Phillip is a newly acknowledged aristocratic heir who enlists Hecate as his “finishing governess” to smooth his rough “squire farmer” edges in order to uphold his family’s honor. Phillip, as an eligible bachelor, is invited to a house party which Hecate is both hosting and paying for (behind-the-scenes) at her family’s country estate. As self-centered family members instigate mayhem in order to wrest control of Hecate’s fortune, Phillip steps up to defend and lend confidence to the woman he has come to love.
Burrowes has a way with her book heroes. They are all that a gentleman should be…honorable, stalwart, and good-hearted. However, they aren’t (thankfully) portrayed as saints. And her historical detail and vernacular are always a pleasure to become lost in. This book is just another example of her remarkable literary talent.
My thanks to the author for providing a complimentary arc of Miss Dashing for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
I loved this story. It’s the story of a woman, now considered a spinster, who has basically sacrificed her life to guide, lead and provide financial assistance (from her maternal family) to her self-centered and grasping paternal family of which she is technically not even related.
Hecate is a shrewd but much put-upon heroine who must begin to realize what her life has become and endeavor to take steps toward change. Phillip is a newly acknowledged aristocratic heir who enlists Hecate as his “finishing governess” to smooth his rough “squire farmer” edges in order to uphold his family’s honor. Phillip, as an eligible bachelor, is invited to a house party which Hecate is both hosting and paying for (behind-the-scenes) at her family’s country estate. As self-centered family members instigate mayhem in order to wrest control of Hecate’s fortune, Phillip steps up to defend and lend confidence to the woman he has come to love.
Burrowes has a way with her book heroes. They are all that a gentleman should be…honorable, stalwart, and good-hearted. However, they aren’t (thankfully) portrayed as saints. And her historical detail and vernacular are always a pleasure to become lost in. This book is just another example of her remarkable literary talent.
My thanks to the author for providing a complimentary arc of Miss Dashing for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
September 26, 2024
Another Captivating Story in this Wonderful Series!
This is one of my favorite series!
Grace Burrowes is such a gifted writer. Love the world she creates with her amazing characters.
This is one of my favorite series!
Grace Burrowes is such a gifted writer. Love the world she creates with her amazing characters.
September 13, 2023
This story fit the characters personality so very perfectly ! I quite liked the slow pace and laid-back action that fit the H & H of the story. I had to look up HECATE's name to find out how to pronounce her name! Learned about a new Goddess I didn't know of before! (bonus).
I loved how this story had a "love to hate" figure (Hecate's pseudo-father) and the Earl that was filled with inertia so as to never do anything about Hecate's situation and life.
The hero was perfect fit for the character started in the last novel! I was so very glad he found his mate and she would light up his life. He brought about the biggest help to allow Hec-a-tec to move on from the family that was always pulling her down.
AND the villain's house of cards came falling down in a great resounding crash. I actually said out looud---YEA!!!!
I loved how this story had a "love to hate" figure (Hecate's pseudo-father) and the Earl that was filled with inertia so as to never do anything about Hecate's situation and life.
The hero was perfect fit for the character started in the last novel! I was so very glad he found his mate and she would light up his life. He brought about the biggest help to allow Hec-a-tec to move on from the family that was always pulling her down.
AND the villain's house of cards came falling down in a great resounding crash. I actually said out looud---YEA!!!!
March 14, 2025
3.5 stars. Phillip and Hecate were a nice pairing. The name Hecate seemed pretty unlikely to me (named after the goddess of witches and necromancy???), but Burrowes often gives her characters unusual names, and I just went with it.
Hecate is an 'overlooked' heroine, a spinster (as it was known in those times) who has put her own happiness aside, in order to keep her unpredictable and demanding wider family free of scandal and debt. They all just take her for granted, while she works hard behind the scenes to keep the money flowing.
When the somewhat shy and reserved Phillip seeks Hecate's help, things start to change for the better for both of them. Phillip is basically a country farmer with no town-polish. But he is now the heir presumptive to a marquess, and wants to become more polished.
The first half of the book moves fairly slowly, and it felt like a typical Burrowes HR, with likeable MCs, some tedious/annoying/evil secondary characters, and some slightly boring sections. But, as also often happens in Ms Burrowes' books, the story picked up, and the second half was much more interesting. It started to move along at a good pace, and the ending was quite satisfying, with a couple of little surprises along to way (to this reader anyway LOL).
I read the early books in this series, but hadn't read those just preceding this one. If I had, perhaps I might have understood the wider cast of characters and their back stories better? IDK. As it was, I did struggle in the first half with who was whom, how they were connected, and what their motives might be. I guess that might be part of the reason I found the first half a little slow.
On the whole, I like Ms Burrowes' low-key HRs with their MCs who are deserving people, full of integrity, and the lovely HEAs. This turned out to be a decent read overall. I give 3 stars for the first half and 4 stars for the second half, so overall, 3.5 stars rounded up.
Hecate is an 'overlooked' heroine, a spinster (as it was known in those times) who has put her own happiness aside, in order to keep her unpredictable and demanding wider family free of scandal and debt. They all just take her for granted, while she works hard behind the scenes to keep the money flowing.
When the somewhat shy and reserved Phillip seeks Hecate's help, things start to change for the better for both of them. Phillip is basically a country farmer with no town-polish. But he is now the heir presumptive to a marquess, and wants to become more polished.
The first half of the book moves fairly slowly, and it felt like a typical Burrowes HR, with likeable MCs, some tedious/annoying/evil secondary characters, and some slightly boring sections. But, as also often happens in Ms Burrowes' books, the story picked up, and the second half was much more interesting. It started to move along at a good pace, and the ending was quite satisfying, with a couple of little surprises along to way (to this reader anyway LOL).
I read the early books in this series, but hadn't read those just preceding this one. If I had, perhaps I might have understood the wider cast of characters and their back stories better? IDK. As it was, I did struggle in the first half with who was whom, how they were connected, and what their motives might be. I guess that might be part of the reason I found the first half a little slow.
On the whole, I like Ms Burrowes' low-key HRs with their MCs who are deserving people, full of integrity, and the lovely HEAs. This turned out to be a decent read overall. I give 3 stars for the first half and 4 stars for the second half, so overall, 3.5 stars rounded up.
August 21, 2023
I enjoyed this story. Both the hero and heroine were likeable, mature adults whose growing relationship made each stronger, better people. Both grew up mistreated unfairly by a family member or members, but still grew up to be full of Grace Burrowes favorite traits--strong, hard working, willing to sacrifice for others, very honorable, humble instead of arrogant; although they still have their personal vulnerabilities. The "twist" at the end regarding the main villain was a huge surprise as were some of the characters who turned out to be "good guys."
I have enjoyed all the books in the Mischief in Mayfair series about strong but feminine women, unappreciated and "on the shelf," and the honorable men who "discover" them and love them for the treasures they are. The cover art of this series is just gorgeous, the pastel colors emphasizing the femininity of the lead female character. Looking forward with anticipation to the next in the series coming later this fall, Miss Dramatic.
The author graciously provided an ARC copy of this ebook to me gratis, and the opinions expressed are fully my own.
I have enjoyed all the books in the Mischief in Mayfair series about strong but feminine women, unappreciated and "on the shelf," and the honorable men who "discover" them and love them for the treasures they are. The cover art of this series is just gorgeous, the pastel colors emphasizing the femininity of the lead female character. Looking forward with anticipation to the next in the series coming later this fall, Miss Dramatic.
The author graciously provided an ARC copy of this ebook to me gratis, and the opinions expressed are fully my own.
August 22, 2023
Although I've read every book in this series, I was taken aback by the introduction of the main character in this story. I had to read quite a bit before I realized that this was a character we met in the previous book. He was described in the previous book as being awkward, reticent, and having a minor disfigurement. Not until the final chapters is there any reference to this. In the first pages, he's asking for help learning how to fit in with polite society by learning dancing, French, and etiquette etc. but I didn't get any sense of his previous awkwardness. As I continued reading the book, I settled into his new character and his love interest and enjoyed the story. I missed all the relatives whose lives were such a huge part of the books that preceded this one. I hope that the next book brings back some of the family members who have woven their way through all the previous books.
September 7, 2023
Hecate Brompton agrees to help her friend Philip Vincent brave the world of the Ton and learn its rules, changing him from a gentleman farmer to a gentleman of the world. Truthfully, Philip is not as interested in a transformation as in Hecate. She sets up the house party from Hell to allow him a chance to practice his gentlemanly arts.
Ms. Burrowes is one of my favorite authors. I admire her ability to show the best of people quietly while dealing with Regency society's perils. No big drama, just kindness and respect between the couples. Hecate has way more patience than I would ever be able to dredge up, and Philip is a gentleman, no matter what society may think. I doubted that the Brompton family could be redeemed, but the author manages to do that for the most part. Another great read in this fun series.
Ms. Burrowes is one of my favorite authors. I admire her ability to show the best of people quietly while dealing with Regency society's perils. No big drama, just kindness and respect between the couples. Hecate has way more patience than I would ever be able to dredge up, and Philip is a gentleman, no matter what society may think. I doubted that the Brompton family could be redeemed, but the author manages to do that for the most part. Another great read in this fun series.
August 20, 2024
I liked Phillip, and his lack of patience for bad behaviour and bulls****, and Hecate had her moments., though she did fall into the pattern of "everything is my responsibility etc." I know trauma has a major impact as does being surrounded by narcissists, but watching her say "they are all I have" over and over again was incredibly hard to watch. Even when she acknowledged "they ruin everything", it didn't feel like enough, as she was still willing to put herself last. I was also really annoyed by a character acknowledging Hecate's role in the family, but their justification for not supporting her was weak. Lastly, I guess the denouement made sense, but I think some elements needed to be more developed. I will say that the consequences of scandal on a family was clearly expressed and do rationalize, to some extent, certain choices.
September 6, 2023
Grace Burrowes writes a story you enjoy reading and also one where you can get lost in the charactors lives, the time and the place. My favorite quote came from the combination of watching the hay harvest and a sweet kiss. "The rhythm of his heart matched the slow, gracebul sweep of the curved blade that had so enthralled Hecate earlier, and when Phillip cupped her check and brushed his lips against hers, she fell into his kisses as gently as the scythed grass came to rest upon the earth." How lovely. Highly recommend getting this book for when you have time to read straight through. You won't want to put it down.
October 25, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The title does not match the heroine for me, as she never was portrayed as Dashing. The love story is gorgeous. Phillip is a fantastic hero. Grace Burrowes writing is impeccable, intelligent, and lovely to read. I did miss the other characters from this series. The characters were easy for me to follow, and while some have thought certain characters were extraneous, I found they all added to the story very nicely. As in all the Mischief in Mayfair stories, there is beautiful love, intrigue, past demons, and sometimes present demons, dysfunctional family, and loving family. Hectate and Phillip certainly deserve a happily ever after.
August 24, 2023
This is another great book by Grace Burrowes. The heroine Hescate confidently manages her family finances but does not value herself. The hero is a "legitimate bastard" with a wish to be accepted in Society. The two battle their own personal emotional battles. This story highlights the emotional trauma family can inflict on each other.
As usual there is plenty of witty banter, trials for both the hero and heroine. Highly recommend for any romance fans.
As usual there is plenty of witty banter, trials for both the hero and heroine. Highly recommend for any romance fans.
September 25, 2023
Hecate is an heiress with a large and annoying family. Phillip is a country bumpkin trying to learn town ways. Phillip asks Hecate to be his finishing governess, she agrees. Phillip is invited to a house party where Hecate is the real hostess. There are problems in Hecate's family revolving around money. Hecate comes up with a creative solution to her problems. I love that Phillip really loved Hecate and wanted to help her, but also allow her to make her own decisions.
September 8, 2023
saved by the side characters
I was disappointed at first as the story felt contrived for the meetup and the “beleaguered by her family” heroine. But as usual Grace Burrowes scatters interesting side characters who you root for and scorn in their turn. This made me keep reading and it was a good story that overall.
I was disappointed at first as the story felt contrived for the meetup and the “beleaguered by her family” heroine. But as usual Grace Burrowes scatters interesting side characters who you root for and scorn in their turn. This made me keep reading and it was a good story that overall.
September 8, 2023
The tale of the antidote and the farmer ❤️
This series is wonderful, and this story is another perfect part of the whole. Hecate and Philippe have both lived on the fringe in their own ways, and when they come together, romance blooms, sparks fly, and foes are vanquished. The writing is exquisite. Highly recommended.
This series is wonderful, and this story is another perfect part of the whole. Hecate and Philippe have both lived on the fringe in their own ways, and when they come together, romance blooms, sparks fly, and foes are vanquished. The writing is exquisite. Highly recommended.
September 11, 2023
Grace Burrowes never disappoints.
Miss Dashing was a great book it had me hooked from begging to end, I did not want to put it down. Hecate and Phillip were wonderful as a couple and I was rooting for them. I don’t know how Hecate put up with her father and her family they were not nice people specially the father 😡.
I highly recommend it .
Miss Dashing was a great book it had me hooked from begging to end, I did not want to put it down. Hecate and Phillip were wonderful as a couple and I was rooting for them. I don’t know how Hecate put up with her father and her family they were not nice people specially the father 😡.
I highly recommend it .
September 27, 2023
wonderful reading
Grace Burrowes is one author who can write real people into a story. They have real lives, real friends, real conversations, and real feelings. This alone makes for good reading, but additionally she writes a compelling story that you hate to put down for any reason short of a burning house around one and firefighters urging one to forgo one last page.
Grace Burrowes is one author who can write real people into a story. They have real lives, real friends, real conversations, and real feelings. This alone makes for good reading, but additionally she writes a compelling story that you hate to put down for any reason short of a burning house around one and firefighters urging one to forgo one last page.
November 14, 2023
3.5. Did not enjoy this entry as much as the earlier books, maybe because it was so obvious where it was going, but it did end up being an entertaining read though I spread out that reading more than I normally would with a romance—blame it on my current non-fiction book taking up a lot of time! Free ebook from the library.
December 4, 2023
The best kind
Grace Burrows writes the best kind of historical romances. Instead of just trying to come up with a new angle for the three main plots that are done to death by most writers, she comes up with new ideas, fresh plots, and characters you care about. She’s my favorite kind of author, one that keeps me enthralled to the last page and then looking for her next book.
Grace Burrows writes the best kind of historical romances. Instead of just trying to come up with a new angle for the three main plots that are done to death by most writers, she comes up with new ideas, fresh plots, and characters you care about. She’s my favorite kind of author, one that keeps me enthralled to the last page and then looking for her next book.
January 15, 2024
I really liked the first three books in this series. Those that followed strayed farther and farther away from the connection. One of the reasons a series works is that there is a character that you are vested in, and want to see their HEA or comeuppance or both. I didn't feel that as the series progressed.
February 12, 2024
3 1/2 stars
Hectate has a fortune and manages it very well. Unfortunately the rest of the family does not handle money well at all and come to her for assistance all the time. Phillip is Tavistock's brother and a gentleman farmer. They find kindred spirits in each other. The rest of the story is fluff and unlike most of Ms Burrowes' other books, rather uninteresting.
Hectate has a fortune and manages it very well. Unfortunately the rest of the family does not handle money well at all and come to her for assistance all the time. Phillip is Tavistock's brother and a gentleman farmer. They find kindred spirits in each other. The rest of the story is fluff and unlike most of Ms Burrowes' other books, rather uninteresting.
June 27, 2024
Why did the author take a strong heroine and turn her into just another manipulated female? Why when her family were such pieces of shit would she think that any kind of scandal could make them less unacceptable? So much better if the author had allowed her to join with the hero and defeat the villain rather than be manipulated and almost given into stupidity. It didn’t make any sense.
August 28, 2023
Grace Burrows is my favorite author, I won't lie. Her books are like visiting old friends; you laugh, cry and fall in love with her characters. As this series is coming to an end I fear I will miss the "Dorning" family and all that it entails. The way she writes her series always provides just enough backstory to continue, and enough detail to make you want to read the previous book.
We were introduced to both H/h in the previous book, Miss Determined, and Hecate was not very likeable. Phillip was just a little bit in love with Amaryllis DeWitt, but now they are related by marriage. This is a wonderful story of finding love when you believe it's never gonna happen. I'm ready for Gavin's story, but not ready for this series to end.
We were introduced to both H/h in the previous book, Miss Determined, and Hecate was not very likeable. Phillip was just a little bit in love with Amaryllis DeWitt, but now they are related by marriage. This is a wonderful story of finding love when you believe it's never gonna happen. I'm ready for Gavin's story, but not ready for this series to end.
September 8, 2023
Perfection!
Absolutely delightful! Extremely well written characters, infused with intelligence, charm, honor, and need! The stories are intriguing, and intertwine beautifully! Well done, Ms. Burrowes! I look forward to your next book!
Absolutely delightful! Extremely well written characters, infused with intelligence, charm, honor, and need! The stories are intriguing, and intertwine beautifully! Well done, Ms. Burrowes! I look forward to your next book!
September 8, 2023
I've enjoyed dozens of Grace Burrowes' books, they're all similar but I find them very satisfying. Lovely supportive hero, spunky intelligent heroine, seemingly insurmountable problems to be faced, and always a very HEA. She never disappoints.
September 9, 2023
At first Phillip was my favorite character, but as I read, Hecate really grew on me. Although her name never did. This was one of the best written friends to marriage stories I've read. They are tough because it's so difficult not to rush them.
October 14, 2023
What a truly awful family the Brompton clan are! Hecate Brompton has had her hands full trying to keep them afloat, despite the fact that they treat her horribly. Fortunately she meets Philip, another outsider, and her life and priorities change.
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