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His by Opening Day
A wallflower desperate to avoid an engagement…
All Rosie Fontaine wants is to study her butterflies in peace. But as family pressure mounts to accept an unwanted marriage proposal by opening day of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Rosie must convince everyone she’s not a social pariah. So when the real estate magnate she has stealthily scrutinized for years agrees to a fake relationship, she is thrilled. But how is she supposed to protect her heart and keep her hands off Seattle’s most desirable bachelor?
A gentleman destined to change her mind…
Theodore Townsend is far too busy to help his cousin’s best friend…until he realizes it’s the brainy blonde that has always threatened to distract him from his goals. A few innocent outings should appease his curiosity, except the more time he spends with the captivating scientist, the more he craves her. Before long, he’s caught entirely in her net, consumed with one heart-stopping thought: what if she was his by opening day instead?
His by Opening Day is a steamy, turn-of-the-century historical romance perfect for fans of female scientists, letter writing, and a world's fair setting.
All Rosie Fontaine wants is to study her butterflies in peace. But as family pressure mounts to accept an unwanted marriage proposal by opening day of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Rosie must convince everyone she’s not a social pariah. So when the real estate magnate she has stealthily scrutinized for years agrees to a fake relationship, she is thrilled. But how is she supposed to protect her heart and keep her hands off Seattle’s most desirable bachelor?
A gentleman destined to change her mind…
Theodore Townsend is far too busy to help his cousin’s best friend…until he realizes it’s the brainy blonde that has always threatened to distract him from his goals. A few innocent outings should appease his curiosity, except the more time he spends with the captivating scientist, the more he craves her. Before long, he’s caught entirely in her net, consumed with one heart-stopping thought: what if she was his by opening day instead?
His by Opening Day is a steamy, turn-of-the-century historical romance perfect for fans of female scientists, letter writing, and a world's fair setting.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2023
About the author
Kat Sterling
6 books152 followersKat Sterling is an author of historical romance featuring rebellious heroines and the swoon-worthy heroes who challenge and support them. She splits her time between Atlanta and Bogotá with her brilliant husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys nature walks, playing videogames, and drinks with friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 8, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down
What a sweet and enjoyable historical novella that has a teensy side of epistolary elements. Rosie (h) is a tad unusual compared to her peers, she’s a lepidopterist and not too concerned with society’s standards. Now her father is pushing a possible unwanted engagement on her and Rosie’s bestie decides that her cousin Theo (H) is just the person to assist Rosie by showing her family that she can attract another gentleman. Theo’s a local, respected businessman who also already secretly admires Rosie. Cute romance ensues.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow drama, tiny blip of om drama in the form of the om who could be h’s suitor. H appeared to be experienced (but no real history given) and h seemed inexperienced.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ “Fake” courting
☆ Mutual unknown crushing
☆ Sweet moments
☆ Messages between FMC, MMC, and FMC’s best friend
I really liked Rosie and Theo together. The start of the novella did rate higher for me than the ending when things got kind of rushed. I felt like both of these characters come to know each other well and appreciate each other’s strengths and quirks. There are also a couple of steamy scenes, unfortunately happening before it’s clear to both characters where their relationship is going and there is a small amount of angst that occurs. The author mentions in their note I think that this was their first novella and I think it showed with the flow later in the book.
The ending wraps it all up with the last chapter including some fixing of a touch of angst, declarations, a proposal, and a last bit of steam. Given that the first part of the novella read more slowly and had a stronger emphasis on development, something here didn’t work as well for me. It is HEA though and the couple are engaged. The epilogue is given via two messages to Rosie’s BFF/Theo’s cousin sharing the news of their engagement rather than getting a peek into them as a couple or even seeing them share the news in person with the best friend/cousin so that was somewhat of a disappointing close, even though again, it’s a HEA.
What a sweet and enjoyable historical novella that has a teensy side of epistolary elements. Rosie (h) is a tad unusual compared to her peers, she’s a lepidopterist and not too concerned with society’s standards. Now her father is pushing a possible unwanted engagement on her and Rosie’s bestie decides that her cousin Theo (H) is just the person to assist Rosie by showing her family that she can attract another gentleman. Theo’s a local, respected businessman who also already secretly admires Rosie. Cute romance ensues.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow drama, tiny blip of om drama in the form of the om who could be h’s suitor. H appeared to be experienced (but no real history given) and h seemed inexperienced.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ “Fake” courting
☆ Mutual unknown crushing
☆ Sweet moments
☆ Messages between FMC, MMC, and FMC’s best friend
I really liked Rosie and Theo together. The start of the novella did rate higher for me than the ending when things got kind of rushed. I felt like both of these characters come to know each other well and appreciate each other’s strengths and quirks. There are also a couple of steamy scenes, unfortunately happening before it’s clear to both characters where their relationship is going and there is a small amount of angst that occurs. The author mentions in their note I think that this was their first novella and I think it showed with the flow later in the book.
The ending wraps it all up with the last chapter including some fixing of a touch of angst, declarations, a proposal, and a last bit of steam. Given that the first part of the novella read more slowly and had a stronger emphasis on development, something here didn’t work as well for me. It is HEA though and the couple are engaged. The epilogue is given via two messages to Rosie’s BFF/Theo’s cousin sharing the news of their engagement rather than getting a peek into them as a couple or even seeing them share the news in person with the best friend/cousin so that was somewhat of a disappointing close, even though again, it’s a HEA.
June 16, 2023
We had SO MUCH FUN reading this super cute novella set in 1909 Seattle. You can expect to read:
*Best friend's older [cousin];
*Fake courtship;
*It's always been you (mutual pining!)
How do we get there? Well, Rosie (passionate about science) is facing pressure from her family to accept the proposal of a guy she's really not into. His deadline? Opening day of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Her BFF comes up with a great solution: ask Theo, BFF's older cousin and Rosie's crush, to pretend to court Rosie. That way, her father will see that she doesn't have to settle for someone she doesn't love. But c'mon, we all know that a fake relationship doesn't stay fake for long...
In addition to the cute setup and couple, these two are also hot for each other. The book is smoking, especially for a novella. (Also apparently these two have never heard of a bed.)
Finally, this is a /historical/ romance, and we are always enamored of the way Kat Sterling incorporates her history. 1909 Seattle give the book a unique feel, and it was a highlight to read about the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (what a name!) and some of the wild things that happened (including ELECTRIFIED GRASS).
17-Word Summaries:
Laine: Opening day made me think baseball and then I was kinda disappointed, but it was very cute.
Meg: Lady lepidopterist, encouraged to marry a boor, finds a solution in a fake relationship with her crush.
*Best friend's older [cousin];
*Fake courtship;
*It's always been you (mutual pining!)
How do we get there? Well, Rosie (passionate about science) is facing pressure from her family to accept the proposal of a guy she's really not into. His deadline? Opening day of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Her BFF comes up with a great solution: ask Theo, BFF's older cousin and Rosie's crush, to pretend to court Rosie. That way, her father will see that she doesn't have to settle for someone she doesn't love. But c'mon, we all know that a fake relationship doesn't stay fake for long...
In addition to the cute setup and couple, these two are also hot for each other. The book is smoking, especially for a novella. (Also apparently these two have never heard of a bed.)
Finally, this is a /historical/ romance, and we are always enamored of the way Kat Sterling incorporates her history. 1909 Seattle give the book a unique feel, and it was a highlight to read about the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (what a name!) and some of the wild things that happened (including ELECTRIFIED GRASS).
17-Word Summaries:
Laine: Opening day made me think baseball and then I was kinda disappointed, but it was very cute.
Meg: Lady lepidopterist, encouraged to marry a boor, finds a solution in a fake relationship with her crush.
February 20, 2026
Finally a character who’s aware of their stupidity over a relationship misunderstanding!! But other than that, this was a sweet novella that takes place in an era that’s hardly written about in historical romance!
April 13, 2026
This was a delight, a perfect historical romance novella. And I loved the Seattle setting!
March 24, 2025
I saw a bunch of folks talking about this on BlueSky and decided to give it a try. Love the setting and the time period and the characters are darling. The heat of it all maybe felt a bit incongruous to me but that's a personal preference thing. Will absolutely read this author again!
August 26, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
Ok so Kat Sterling puts crack into her books!
Obviously I had to go back and read Theo and Rosie’s story after seeing a glimpse of them in Hers by Summers End and they delivered. (It was also lovely seeing the letters from Cecelia and how she was already plotting her book with Drew)
The romance. It’s fake engagement galore with these two!! Rosie doesn’t want to get engaged to an annoying fart so she enlists the help of her friend Cecelia who of course sends her hot cousin who only has eyes for Rosie to save the day 😏 they strike up a deal and begin a fake courtship but obviously things start to get real and feelings get in the way 😌 I just adored Rosie she’s so smart and independent and just wants to do her own thing. Theo is very much a Kleypasian kind of hero, so swoony and knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go after it 🤷♀️
The sex. The first sex scene was a little out of the blue and a bit fast but other than that it really worked for me. I will say this is definitely hornier than Cecilia’s book it wasn’t too annoying but at times I felt like saying “okkkk I get it” but that’s just personal preference!
The writing. Again great! There is a modern tone sometimes but I didn’t mind it usually it would take me out of a story but it worked for me here and I think it’s because Kat is really great at establishing setting and painting a really vivid picture of who these two are. It suited them so it worked for me!
Overall another great novella I’ll be gobbling up more for sure!
January 20, 2026
I was hoping this would be good because it has an unusual setting for HR: early 20th C Seattle. However there was no depth or growth to the characters at all. They enter into a fake relationship and suddenly they were lusting after one another. Predictable and ridiculous.
I will grant that Sterling could be an interesting author if she develops her storytelling skills.
I will grant that Sterling could be an interesting author if she develops her storytelling skills.
January 13, 2025
A smart and sexy little novella and one of the reasons I really loved this was that it's not a regency histrom taking place in England, this is taking place in the early 1900s in the Pacific Northwest so both the time period and the setting are unusual and I adored that. I always say I don't love a fake romance trope but when it's done well and especially in historical romances, I will make an exception and this one works beautifully with a smart lady scientist heroine and the hero being her best friend's cousin who she's been secretly crushing on for a long time. And as they get closer and he begins to get to know her, he develops feelings as well for someone who has always been a source of fascination for him. The sex is hot for a 91 page novella and all in all, this was a delightful, quick read.
Read
January 21, 2025I've read (it feels like) a million books with this setup: an unconventional lady not looking to marry enlists the help of a charming rogue to avoid being shackled to a repulsive man approved by her family. However, what sets His By Opening Day apart is its fantastic setting, 1909 Seattle and the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition.
Rosie is a lepidopterist, a gently-bred walking oddball of a young woman; I admit I’m not completely sure what Theo is (an architect? a banker? I was left a little confused). He is a decent, charming man married to his job, who decides to help Rosie out with her slightly inane fake relationship idea. Given the page count, their relationship progresses super quickly, but that's fine in a novella. There are hints about how they’ve quietly lusted after each other for ages, but that’s kind of left dangling. Regardless, this little novella was funny, cute and surprisingly steamy. There were some odd turns of phrase and some abrupt transitions between scenes, but overall, I enjoyed this one. There were monkeys, badminton and empty offices being put to good use. The novella had a great, unusual setting and likeable, charming characters, and I especially liked the epistolary element.
Rosie is a lepidopterist, a gently-bred walking oddball of a young woman; I admit I’m not completely sure what Theo is (an architect? a banker? I was left a little confused). He is a decent, charming man married to his job, who decides to help Rosie out with her slightly inane fake relationship idea. Given the page count, their relationship progresses super quickly, but that's fine in a novella. There are hints about how they’ve quietly lusted after each other for ages, but that’s kind of left dangling. Regardless, this little novella was funny, cute and surprisingly steamy. There were some odd turns of phrase and some abrupt transitions between scenes, but overall, I enjoyed this one. There were monkeys, badminton and empty offices being put to good use. The novella had a great, unusual setting and likeable, charming characters, and I especially liked the epistolary element.
January 22, 2025
This novella is a delightful bite-size morsel of historical romance. I read this in a couple of hours, and truly had fun with it. His by Opening Day takes some tried and true tropes (best friend’s {cousin}, fake relationship, it’s always been you) and sets it in the unique (as far as I know) setting of 1909 Seattle. The history in this book serves as a solid backdrop to the romance, and I was impressed at how much history is packed into this novella. The relationship moved quickly, as you’d expect from the novella length, but the relationship doesn’t feel forced. Give His by Opening Day a try!
June 16, 2023
This story was so delightful. Also, how cool is it that the main female character is a female scientist? I loved Rosie and Theo's chemistry. The unique setting (1909 World's Fair), the well done historical research, the witty banter, and the meddling cousin were the icing on the cake. If you haven't had a chance to read this charming novella, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy. You're in for a treat!
This novella is a free download when you sign up for Kat Sterling's newsletter.
This novella is a free download when you sign up for Kat Sterling's newsletter.
January 27, 2025
This was a delight. The writing was excellent! It is set in Seattle in 1909, which was a novelty for me. I enjoyed the plot and I loved that this novella was partly epistolary. I will be reading more from this author.
October 6, 2024
This was so stinking cute. Fake relationship, scientist FMC, all the swoon. A delightful little novella.
January 6, 2025
so refreshing to read a historical romance not set in 1800's England
February 5, 2025
I didn’t feel a connection to the MCs.
August 15, 2025
everything would be good if it wasn't for really unecessary 3rd act break up and Cecilia never actually appearing on the page
June 16, 2023
Super cute. Scientist heroine x real estate tycoon hero (whose gift of the gab suddenly vanishes when she's around)
The unusual choice of era and setting brought a fresh and brisk feel to this already short novella : industrialization and modern mores taking over a more staid pace of life.
The unusual choice of era and setting brought a fresh and brisk feel to this already short novella : industrialization and modern mores taking over a more staid pace of life.
December 27, 2025
Maybe more like 3.5/5 but rounding up
Overall, I liked this much more than Snowed in with the Scoundrel, I think because I liked the characters more and was more invested in the romance.
Overall, I liked this much more than Snowed in with the Scoundrel, I think because I liked the characters more and was more invested in the romance.
February 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
For years, Theo and Rosie have watched each other from a distance but for various reasons have never pursued anything further. For Theo, this had largely to do with his growing real estate career and his avoidance of distractions- particularly beautiful and clever ones. For Rosie, this has largely to do with her insecurities regarding her scholarly pursuits and a lack of suitors (because men are idiots especially when it comes to brilliant women). When Rosie needs help getting out of an unwanted engagement, her bestie plays matchmaker and sets up a fake courtship situation with her beloved cousin Theo.
Theo & Rosie
While sometimes novella romances can feel insta-love-y, that didn’t happen here! These two have been pining from afar for years and once they engage in this fake dating scheme their chemistry and friendship are so apparent from the start. We spend most of our time with the couple, as well, and that helps to develop this relationship over the brief time we have with them. The spice level was also perfect for me in terms of a novella- dirty talk, tree time fun, and the classic ballroom sneak-away.
This was my first book by Kat Sterling, and will not be my last! I’m so excited to check out her full-length novel and am really enjoying this turn-of-the-century American setting. It’s different than the traditional Georgian/Victorian/Regency British romance and was super refreshing to read. Particularly, I found the backdrop of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition cool as hell. It didn’t dominate the story but added a nice historical context and some fun settings for our characters to get about.
For years, Theo and Rosie have watched each other from a distance but for various reasons have never pursued anything further. For Theo, this had largely to do with his growing real estate career and his avoidance of distractions- particularly beautiful and clever ones. For Rosie, this has largely to do with her insecurities regarding her scholarly pursuits and a lack of suitors (because men are idiots especially when it comes to brilliant women). When Rosie needs help getting out of an unwanted engagement, her bestie plays matchmaker and sets up a fake courtship situation with her beloved cousin Theo.
Theo & Rosie
While sometimes novella romances can feel insta-love-y, that didn’t happen here! These two have been pining from afar for years and once they engage in this fake dating scheme their chemistry and friendship are so apparent from the start. We spend most of our time with the couple, as well, and that helps to develop this relationship over the brief time we have with them. The spice level was also perfect for me in terms of a novella- dirty talk, tree time fun, and the classic ballroom sneak-away.
This was my first book by Kat Sterling, and will not be my last! I’m so excited to check out her full-length novel and am really enjoying this turn-of-the-century American setting. It’s different than the traditional Georgian/Victorian/Regency British romance and was super refreshing to read. Particularly, I found the backdrop of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition cool as hell. It didn’t dominate the story but added a nice historical context and some fun settings for our characters to get about.
January 1, 2025
This is a new to me author and I loved this novella! I can’t wait to read more of her stuff. Does Cecelia end up with Andrew Sutton?!?!
This novella is a fake dating, almost marriage of convenience love story that takes place in Washington state in 1909 during the railroad exposition. Theo is a successful, charming real estate magnate who is committed and busy with work. Rosie is a lepidopterist or a female scientist who specializes in moths, butterflies, and the sort. She’s considered a spinster and currently about to get engaged to a horrid man who wants her to move to San Francisco and doesn’t respect her scientific studies. Rosie can be describe as an absentminded professor type who oftentimes gets absorbed and fascinated by her work with butterflies. But, she is also thoughtful, funny, and kind.
Theo’s cousin, who is also best friends with Rosie, set these two up into a fake relationship so Rosie doesn’t have to marry the other guy. But, Rosie and Theo (Teddy) fall in love. This novella is steamy and open door. I like how it takes place in the US during a different time period than regency.
I got this book for free during the December 2024 Stuff Your Kindle day. But, I really enjoy this author’s writing and am prepared to purchase more of her works.
This novella is a fake dating, almost marriage of convenience love story that takes place in Washington state in 1909 during the railroad exposition. Theo is a successful, charming real estate magnate who is committed and busy with work. Rosie is a lepidopterist or a female scientist who specializes in moths, butterflies, and the sort. She’s considered a spinster and currently about to get engaged to a horrid man who wants her to move to San Francisco and doesn’t respect her scientific studies. Rosie can be describe as an absentminded professor type who oftentimes gets absorbed and fascinated by her work with butterflies. But, she is also thoughtful, funny, and kind.
Theo’s cousin, who is also best friends with Rosie, set these two up into a fake relationship so Rosie doesn’t have to marry the other guy. But, Rosie and Theo (Teddy) fall in love. This novella is steamy and open door. I like how it takes place in the US during a different time period than regency.
I got this book for free during the December 2024 Stuff Your Kindle day. But, I really enjoy this author’s writing and am prepared to purchase more of her works.
July 26, 2023
I love an excellently written free-with-the-newsletter novella. And I read this in one sitting with a big dumb smile on my face.
Such an interesting and well-built setting: 1909 Seattle. Just the description of the clothes alone—it was everything. And the characters were so well-drawn, so compatible, and really unique!
We had:
💛 fake engagement: our girl just wanted to catch butterflies and be a bug scientists in peace, but her parents were setting up a betrothal to a weeny. Solution? Fake date someone else.
💛 all the mutual pining: pining heroes who’ve had the hots for her forever? Obviously delicious. Pining heroines who have also had the hots for him forever? Even better!
💛 epistolary: it’s the superior trope, everyone knows this. And this novella not only contained letters between the MCs, it also had letters to the mastermind behind this whole premise, Cecelia; our heroine’s best friend and our hero’s cousin. And it was just lovely 🥰
This author has shot onto my auto-read list.
Such an interesting and well-built setting: 1909 Seattle. Just the description of the clothes alone—it was everything. And the characters were so well-drawn, so compatible, and really unique!
We had:
💛 fake engagement: our girl just wanted to catch butterflies and be a bug scientists in peace, but her parents were setting up a betrothal to a weeny. Solution? Fake date someone else.
💛 all the mutual pining: pining heroes who’ve had the hots for her forever? Obviously delicious. Pining heroines who have also had the hots for him forever? Even better!
💛 epistolary: it’s the superior trope, everyone knows this. And this novella not only contained letters between the MCs, it also had letters to the mastermind behind this whole premise, Cecelia; our heroine’s best friend and our hero’s cousin. And it was just lovely 🥰
This author has shot onto my auto-read list.
July 6, 2023
🦋 novella
🦋 1909, Seattle
🦋 scientist heroine
🦋 best friend's cousin
🦋 fake dating
🦋 mutual pining
After reading and loving "Winnie West has an Agenda" back in May, I was very excited to pick up more by this author.
This novella follows Rosie (a scientist) who's been given a deadline by her father to accept a marriage proposal by opening day of the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Expedition.
She turns to her best friend Cecelia who suggests that Rosie and her cousin Theo should fake court until opening day, while giving Rosie enough time to figure out her situation.
This novella was a delight and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Rosie and Theo! Kat Sterling has quickly become a new favourite author of mine. I love how her writing entwines great wit and humour with such swoon worthy romance!
🦋 1909, Seattle
🦋 scientist heroine
🦋 best friend's cousin
🦋 fake dating
🦋 mutual pining
After reading and loving "Winnie West has an Agenda" back in May, I was very excited to pick up more by this author.
This novella follows Rosie (a scientist) who's been given a deadline by her father to accept a marriage proposal by opening day of the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Expedition.
She turns to her best friend Cecelia who suggests that Rosie and her cousin Theo should fake court until opening day, while giving Rosie enough time to figure out her situation.
This novella was a delight and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Rosie and Theo! Kat Sterling has quickly become a new favourite author of mine. I love how her writing entwines great wit and humour with such swoon worthy romance!
July 12, 2026
An Enjoyable Short and Sexy Read
Rosie collects moths and butterflies and doesn’t have time for romance. When a certain persistent gentleman refuses to take no for an answer to his suit, Rosie lets a friend talk her into a fake dating with the friend’s cousin, Theo, an up and coming businessman in the Seattle scene.
It’s spring 1909 and everyone is excited for the Alaska and Yukon exposition that will be taking place at the university of Washington campus that summer. This is a pleasant read. Rosie and Theo have danced around each other for years and finally get a chance to work out the things that we’re keeping them apart.
I enjoyed this and recommend it. I look forward to reading other works from the author.
Rosie collects moths and butterflies and doesn’t have time for romance. When a certain persistent gentleman refuses to take no for an answer to his suit, Rosie lets a friend talk her into a fake dating with the friend’s cousin, Theo, an up and coming businessman in the Seattle scene.
It’s spring 1909 and everyone is excited for the Alaska and Yukon exposition that will be taking place at the university of Washington campus that summer. This is a pleasant read. Rosie and Theo have danced around each other for years and finally get a chance to work out the things that we’re keeping them apart.
I enjoyed this and recommend it. I look forward to reading other works from the author.
January 28, 2025
It is rare to find an exciting and new-to-me historical romance author that i'm excited to read, and Kat Sterling is that rare gem. So grateful to my pal Funmi for yelling about her Pacific Northwest Gilded age books.
This is currently a free novella (go snap it up on the 'zon) here
i absolutely loved how smitten Theodore Townsend is with Rosie, he's met her and been flummoxed by her insect interests and seeming lack of interest towards him, but she's just shy! and also very determined to live the life she wants.
Also, in the short amount of time we have with these two, we get some great spice!
This is currently a free novella (go snap it up on the 'zon) here
i absolutely loved how smitten Theodore Townsend is with Rosie, he's met her and been flummoxed by her insect interests and seeming lack of interest towards him, but she's just shy! and also very determined to live the life she wants.
Also, in the short amount of time we have with these two, we get some great spice!
January 2, 2025
5 stars.
Loved this. The chemistry between our leads was pounding and palpable. The sexy scenes (1 fingering + 2 penetrative) were great. Even the scenes between felt hot because the yearning was so strong and believable.
Very impressive to have a novella do both steam and emotions so well. The characters were interesting and defined. The heroine’s attempt at a third act crisis was a bit annoying, but not unbelievable or overly long. And they fuck afterwards, so that rights a lot of wrongs.
Very good. Highly recommend, and will be seeking out the author’s other work.
Loved this. The chemistry between our leads was pounding and palpable. The sexy scenes (1 fingering + 2 penetrative) were great. Even the scenes between felt hot because the yearning was so strong and believable.
Very impressive to have a novella do both steam and emotions so well. The characters were interesting and defined. The heroine’s attempt at a third act crisis was a bit annoying, but not unbelievable or overly long. And they fuck afterwards, so that rights a lot of wrongs.
Very good. Highly recommend, and will be seeking out the author’s other work.
June 26, 2025
If you’re already a lover of the Bridgerton novels, this short novella will tide you over until the next adaptation comes out. It’s quick enough to get through in one sitting, steamy enough to quell your thirst (I see you!), and my Austen heart will always love the use of letters as propelling the story forward. Of course, being so short of a read, there’s not a lot of depth, and it’s incredibly predictable as to where it’s headed. But for a cosy, short read to buffer in between a reading slump, it’s a great recommendation.
January 7, 2025
It's refreshing to see a non regency book set in the US in a time period I hardly ever see - 1909. (fun fact: my grandma was born in 1909)
Rosie is a butterfly expert and Teddy is a businessman in Washington DC. She talks him into a fake courtship so she does not have to marry an odious man. This book was short but had lots of character development. These kids were a joy to watch them slowly fall for each other.
Rosie is a butterfly expert and Teddy is a businessman in Washington DC. She talks him into a fake courtship so she does not have to marry an odious man. This book was short but had lots of character development. These kids were a joy to watch them slowly fall for each other.
May 4, 2025
Delightful debut
This story is sweet, sexy and fun! Rosie and Teddy enter a fake courtship to scare off another suitor and, of course, sparks fly!!!! I loved the MCs in this novella…an awkward, butterfly obsessed MFC and a handsome, cinnamon roll industrialist MMC. The writing sparkles as does the romance between these two sweethearts! I finished it in one sitting! Definitely recommend!
This story is sweet, sexy and fun! Rosie and Teddy enter a fake courtship to scare off another suitor and, of course, sparks fly!!!! I loved the MCs in this novella…an awkward, butterfly obsessed MFC and a handsome, cinnamon roll industrialist MMC. The writing sparkles as does the romance between these two sweethearts! I finished it in one sitting! Definitely recommend!
June 16, 2023
Wow this little novella blew me away. It had everything you could want squeezed into so few pages! For once I didn’t feel like I was missing out by it not being a full novel (I mean of course I always want more of a good thing but it didn’t feel a rushed as other novellas I’ve read).
Can’t wait to pick up the authors full length novel!
Can’t wait to pick up the authors full length novel!
June 16, 2023
After I finished Winnie West has an Agenda I knew I also had to read this one. So I did and finished it in one evening. I loved it very much. It has a strong, passionate and supportive main characters. There is lots of great banter. The setting is very unique and I loved learning more about this time period.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews