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Maitland Maidens #1
Save the Last Dance for Me
When Lady Honoria Maitland reunites with her old friend Benedict Grey, she proposes an arrangement: a faux courtship that will smooth wallflower Benedict's re-entry into society and appease her dying father. But Honoria's clever plan failed to account for Benedict's heart...or her own.
Audiobook
First published September 28, 2015
150 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Cora Lee
21 books87 followersCora Lee is a National Bestselling author of Regency romance. She went on a twelve year expedition through the blackboard jungle as a high school math teacher before publishing Save the Last Dance for Me, the first book in the Maitland Maidens series. She then followed it up with eight other novels and novellas ranging from sweet and traditional to spicy and suspenseful.
When she’s not walking Rotten Row at the fashionable hour or attending the entertainments of the Season, you might find her participating in Regency Fiction Writers events, wading through her towering TBR pile, or eagerly awaiting the next Marvel movie release.
If you’d like to find out more about Cora or her books you can sign up for her newsletter (https://coraleeauthor.com/newsletters), or connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/coralee49), BlueSky(https://bsky.app/profile/coralee49.bs...), Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cora-lee), or Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/coralee49).
When she’s not walking Rotten Row at the fashionable hour or attending the entertainments of the Season, you might find her participating in Regency Fiction Writers events, wading through her towering TBR pile, or eagerly awaiting the next Marvel movie release.
If you’d like to find out more about Cora or her books you can sign up for her newsletter (https://coraleeauthor.com/newsletters), or connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/coralee49), BlueSky(https://bsky.app/profile/coralee49.bs...), Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cora-lee), or Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/coralee49).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 5, 2025
⭐💫
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Some tiny parts of the story was sweet.
Some tiny parts of the story was a little tiny bit interesting.
➖ What I disliked:
Too predictable.
Too simple.
Too much telling and not enough showing.… even for a novella.
Nonsensical in some parts of the story.
The couples journey from being friends and then slowly realizing that they have feelings for each other ...that were more than friendship and realizing they were in love with each other … was not shown enough or explored enough…. And it just seemed like a big part was missing in that journey.
So the realization they had about their romantic feelings for each other just seemed to come almost out of nowhere and seemed tame and like a afterthought.
But other than that …. their friendship and time together was OK and sweet.
They also had No contact in any way at all for 6 years… and lived totally different lives and was totally OK with that and did not seem to even miss each other (at least from the miniscule info there was on that in the book) and then they just resumed their friendship and fell in love … and realized they had been in love all along. 🤨🤔
Everything from the main characters to the romance to the plot was just too watered-down/lackluster even for a closed door/sweet romance.
August 1, 2025
listened to this. cute sweet short story.
February 8, 2025
4 stars
Very cute. Very sweet. They’re dumdums for not realizing they were in love sooner.
Very cute. Very sweet. They’re dumdums for not realizing they were in love sooner.
April 19, 2020
A delightful romance that is entertaining and good clean fun, this book hit all the right notes for me. Benedict Grey is an academic with few social skills. Even in public, his mind ruminates on antiquities and findings in ancient ruins. He is, however, a genuinely kind-hearted man and protects those he loves. Skulking in the shadows at a ball, he bumps into his childhood friend, Lady Honoria Maitland and their easy rapport springs into life once again. They need to marry, for different reasons, and Honoria suggests a way in which they can both win. The more time they spend together, the more the ton takes note and they become the talk of the season. With a lifetime of history behind them, how do they transition the gap between friends and lovers? I thoroughly enjoyed this novelette, the characters, and the outcome.
December 14, 2020
Stumbled upon this when I was noodling around Libby, and I decided to have a go. It was a sweet little novelette, not long enough to drag out any angst, but not long enough for me to fall in love with the characters either. I was rooting for them, but I did not swoon.
July 26, 2025
This is a sweet (chaste kisses) Regency romance novella. It wasn't to my taste but if you enjoy this type of story, it's well done.
December 22, 2025
2,75 ⭐️
October 17, 2016
SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME, the first book in her
Maitland Maidens
series, is Ms Lee’s debut work which was originally published in the anthology, Sweet Summer Kisses.
Antiquarian Benedict Grey is tongue-tied and awkward at society events and only too aware that he bores everyone to death. Circumstances require him to marry and produce an heir but he know he lacks the necessary social skills to court a potential wife.
Believing he is terminally ill, Lady Honoria Maitland’s father wants his daughter settled before he dies and has sent her off for a season in London to look for a husband. Although Honoria has enough money to live independently, her father believes she needs a man to protect her and there is also her young brother to consider. After eleven years on the marriage mart, she has very little hope of finding love which is the one thing she truly wants.
Benedict and Honoria were childhood friends and when they meet again at a Christmas House Party, Honoria proposes a plan that will be mutually beneficial. She will teach him how to woo a lady while he agrees to a sham betrothal to put her father’s mind at rest. However…
“Things rarely end up the way we plan them.”
I really enjoyed this friends-to-lovers romance with its likeable hero and heroine and it was also refreshing to have a less-than-perfect hero. Even within the confines of 70 pages, Ms Lee succeeds in giving her characters sufficient depth to make them feel real. She also conveys the relationship between Benedict and Honoria in a believable and charming way. I usually love plenty of heat in my romances but, in this book, I feel the lack of explicit love scenes fits the general mood of the story perfectly.
I like Ms Lee’s intelligent and engaging writing style and I know that she employs a British editor which definitely shows in her choice of vocabulary and lack of Americanisms, the bane of British readers like myself.
MY VERDICT: A well-written and charming short story and I will be looking out for book 2 in the Maitland Maiden series, BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN.
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
Antiquarian Benedict Grey is tongue-tied and awkward at society events and only too aware that he bores everyone to death. Circumstances require him to marry and produce an heir but he know he lacks the necessary social skills to court a potential wife.
Believing he is terminally ill, Lady Honoria Maitland’s father wants his daughter settled before he dies and has sent her off for a season in London to look for a husband. Although Honoria has enough money to live independently, her father believes she needs a man to protect her and there is also her young brother to consider. After eleven years on the marriage mart, she has very little hope of finding love which is the one thing she truly wants.
Benedict and Honoria were childhood friends and when they meet again at a Christmas House Party, Honoria proposes a plan that will be mutually beneficial. She will teach him how to woo a lady while he agrees to a sham betrothal to put her father’s mind at rest. However…
“Things rarely end up the way we plan them.”
I really enjoyed this friends-to-lovers romance with its likeable hero and heroine and it was also refreshing to have a less-than-perfect hero. Even within the confines of 70 pages, Ms Lee succeeds in giving her characters sufficient depth to make them feel real. She also conveys the relationship between Benedict and Honoria in a believable and charming way. I usually love plenty of heat in my romances but, in this book, I feel the lack of explicit love scenes fits the general mood of the story perfectly.
I like Ms Lee’s intelligent and engaging writing style and I know that she employs a British editor which definitely shows in her choice of vocabulary and lack of Americanisms, the bane of British readers like myself.
MY VERDICT: A well-written and charming short story and I will be looking out for book 2 in the Maitland Maiden series, BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN.
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
October 18, 2015
Loved this novella and read it in one sitting before going to sleep. This was a lovely, easy reading story based on the friends to lovers trope and the development of that new relationship, in 77 pages, was achieved in a way that was both credible and heart-warming. I loved the hero in particular - by no means a man whore or rake, but a genuine man who actually read like a real man. This is a clean, but make-you-feel-darned-good story---the type that makes you exhale on a long, slow sigh of deep satisfaction when you close the book.
Highly recommend it to all romantics.
Highly recommend it to all romantics.
November 9, 2023
Loved This Sweet Story!!
This story is so charming and well written! I don't feel like I get to say that often enough even with all the books I review. This was truly a delight from beginning to end. Until they have that dark moment and its fallout later in the book—as every romance must have—I swear I was smiling as I listened to the entire thing. Enemies-to-lovers has been such a popular trope for so long—nearly to the exclusion except for other hot tropes—that it's refreshing to read a friends-to-lovers story. These two were childhood friends, and as friends now as adults (though they haven’t seen each other in some time), they agree to help each other during the Season. He knows the time has now come for him to find a wife and start a family; she wants to give her dying father his greatest wish, seeing her settled. She's had 11 seasons; he's, essentially, a nerd who goes around the world working at archaeological sites. That's why they haven't seen each other in a long time. But their long history makes it so that even though time has gone by, they are still simpatico. I loved the little things that they noticed and appreciated about each other.
Since he's a bit socially inept—as a nerdy, shy young man, and one who's more intellectual than social—part of the deal is that she will give him dance lessons and assist him with other skills to smooth his way in society. Of course, it's obvious to everyone else but them that they are perfect for each other, and in fact, have deep, abiding affection for each other. I love the scenes between them. They're just so sweet to each other; the scenes are often humorous and amusing, as life often is between good friends who have shared much during their lives.
I like how both had certain standards and were very conscious and aware of where the other person was or might be. They're so considerate of each other. Both struggle with these feelings turning into something different; neither is quite sure how to handle it or what they want to truly give to (and receive from) the other person. Their epiphanies were believable and oh-so-perfect. Again, the moments between this couple are just so sweet and heartwarming. If you enjoy well-written, old-school Regency romance—no anticipating vows here!—you may be as charmed by this delightful romance as I was.
Highly recommended.
My favorite quotes, paraphrased (because it’s hard to find a specific quote in an audiobook!):
Hero: So, what if you discover you love her and she does not love you?
Friend of hero: That, my friend, is when you understand what the poets are talking about.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
This story is so charming and well written! I don't feel like I get to say that often enough even with all the books I review. This was truly a delight from beginning to end. Until they have that dark moment and its fallout later in the book—as every romance must have—I swear I was smiling as I listened to the entire thing. Enemies-to-lovers has been such a popular trope for so long—nearly to the exclusion except for other hot tropes—that it's refreshing to read a friends-to-lovers story. These two were childhood friends, and as friends now as adults (though they haven’t seen each other in some time), they agree to help each other during the Season. He knows the time has now come for him to find a wife and start a family; she wants to give her dying father his greatest wish, seeing her settled. She's had 11 seasons; he's, essentially, a nerd who goes around the world working at archaeological sites. That's why they haven't seen each other in a long time. But their long history makes it so that even though time has gone by, they are still simpatico. I loved the little things that they noticed and appreciated about each other.
Since he's a bit socially inept—as a nerdy, shy young man, and one who's more intellectual than social—part of the deal is that she will give him dance lessons and assist him with other skills to smooth his way in society. Of course, it's obvious to everyone else but them that they are perfect for each other, and in fact, have deep, abiding affection for each other. I love the scenes between them. They're just so sweet to each other; the scenes are often humorous and amusing, as life often is between good friends who have shared much during their lives.
I like how both had certain standards and were very conscious and aware of where the other person was or might be. They're so considerate of each other. Both struggle with these feelings turning into something different; neither is quite sure how to handle it or what they want to truly give to (and receive from) the other person. Their epiphanies were believable and oh-so-perfect. Again, the moments between this couple are just so sweet and heartwarming. If you enjoy well-written, old-school Regency romance—no anticipating vows here!—you may be as charmed by this delightful romance as I was.
Highly recommended.
My favorite quotes, paraphrased (because it’s hard to find a specific quote in an audiobook!):
Hero: So, what if you discover you love her and she does not love you?
Friend of hero: That, my friend, is when you understand what the poets are talking about.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
August 22, 2018
Pleasant Regency novella with the friends-to-lovers trope. This was my first attempt at borrowing an e-book from my library system; since none of the books I wanted were available, I "borrowed" this one as a test.expected
It was much shorter than I expected; I'll have to figure out the library's app a bit better. As to the book itself, the story held no surprises, but it was pleasant enough and I polished it off in the course of an evening. The Marquess needs to find a wife, but he 's not comfortable in society; he can't dance or make small talk, and he'd rather be reading or off on an archeological dig (it seems he's been off in Greece for several year s, working on importing what would become known as the Elgin marbles.) He meets his childhood friend Lady Honoria, who at the advanced age of 28 and having had 11Seasons, has promised her dying father that she would actually try to find a husband; unfortunately, she insists on marrying for love, rather than settling for someone just for security. They hatch a plot to pretend a courtship and betrothal to make her father happy before he dies, and during which She can teach him to dance and get along with polite society so that he will have a chance at finding a bride. Of course, they fall in love.
Again, no surprises here, but it's a pleasant little love story and a typical Recency romance.
It was much shorter than I expected; I'll have to figure out the library's app a bit better. As to the book itself, the story held no surprises, but it was pleasant enough and I polished it off in the course of an evening. The Marquess needs to find a wife, but he 's not comfortable in society; he can't dance or make small talk, and he'd rather be reading or off on an archeological dig (it seems he's been off in Greece for several year s, working on importing what would become known as the Elgin marbles.) He meets his childhood friend Lady Honoria, who at the advanced age of 28 and having had 11Seasons, has promised her dying father that she would actually try to find a husband; unfortunately, she insists on marrying for love, rather than settling for someone just for security. They hatch a plot to pretend a courtship and betrothal to make her father happy before he dies, and during which She can teach him to dance and get along with polite society so that he will have a chance at finding a bride. Of course, they fall in love.
Again, no surprises here, but it's a pleasant little love story and a typical Recency romance.
August 24, 2024
This is the first book of the Maitland Maidens series and also my first by this author. I listened to this as an audiobook and I really enjoyed the experience. The narrator did a lovely job of bringing the story and the characters to life. Benedict and Honoria are good friends. They find themselves needing each other's help which leads them into a fake relationship. Benedict is the male version of a wallflower, and as such has difficulty conversing with ladies. This is a big problem, because as heir to a long-standing title, he is expected to marry and have an heir of his own. Honoria's father is ill and she wants nothing more than to ease his worry about her wellbeing after he passes. To help each other with their respective problems, Honoria and Benedict begin a fake courtship. This should set her father at ease knowing someone will be around to take care of her after he is gone. Honoria in turn will give Benedict lessons in wooing ladies so that he may find a suitable bride. Neither of them, however, expected this fake relationship to become real. Now that they truly care for each other, can this facade become a reality?
A delightfully entertaining, sweet, and enjoyable story! The story was well-written and adorably charming and I had a lovely time listening to it.
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
A delightfully entertaining, sweet, and enjoyable story! The story was well-written and adorably charming and I had a lovely time listening to it.
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
August 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this sweet story of two long-term friends who agree to help each other with marriage issues via a fake courtship. They haven't seen each other in several years, but remained in contact via letters. He is bookish and socially awkward, but needs to marry and get an heir to continue his line. She has remained unmarried through eleven seasons, because she is holding out for love, but now seeks a husband to ease the concerns of her ailing father. A fake courtship and betrothal serves both their purposes, while giving them time to find the one they truly want. Or have they already?
I absolutely loved how caring Benedict was, and I loved how light and carefree Honoria was. The humor was engaging, and both MCs were very likeable, as was Benedict's cousin and all the side characters. There are no villains. Of course, the course of true love never did run smooth, and it was so entertaining when Benedict tries to drown himself in poetry, just like his cousin said he would. But, all's well that ends well, and there is HEA for all.
The narration was spectacular. So pleasant and easy to listen to. Enjoyable and well-paced. I definitely recommend this quick listen.
I received a free copy via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I absolutely loved how caring Benedict was, and I loved how light and carefree Honoria was. The humor was engaging, and both MCs were very likeable, as was Benedict's cousin and all the side characters. There are no villains. Of course, the course of true love never did run smooth, and it was so entertaining when Benedict tries to drown himself in poetry, just like his cousin said he would. But, all's well that ends well, and there is HEA for all.
The narration was spectacular. So pleasant and easy to listen to. Enjoyable and well-paced. I definitely recommend this quick listen.
I received a free copy via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
August 21, 2023
Benedict Grey has returned from Greece after several years on an archeological expedition. He is reunited with his old friend, Lady Honoria Maitland, leading to an arrangement proposed by Honoria herself. She suggests a pretend courtship to help Benedict, a wallflower, reintegrate into society and fulfill her father's wishes before he passes away. However, Honoria's plan overlooks the emotions that emerge, not just within Benedict's heart, but within her own as well.
This is a simple romance. Nothing more and nothing less. Sometimes that’s all I’m looking for, and this delivered exactly that. Our two main characters have known each other since childhood, so they didn’t have to get to know each other as other romances.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator had such a soothing voice! I could have listened to him for hours! Sadly, this novella meant the audiobook was only two and a half hours long.
Overall, I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a historical romance. I received a copy from the author, and all opinions expressed are my own.
This is a simple romance. Nothing more and nothing less. Sometimes that’s all I’m looking for, and this delivered exactly that. Our two main characters have known each other since childhood, so they didn’t have to get to know each other as other romances.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator had such a soothing voice! I could have listened to him for hours! Sadly, this novella meant the audiobook was only two and a half hours long.
Overall, I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a historical romance. I received a copy from the author, and all opinions expressed are my own.
October 29, 2023
I got the audiobook version of this book and I absolutely enjoyed it!
A charming and amusing plot with witty conversations and wonderful characters, especially Benedict.
The narrator is excellent, it was fun and easy to listen to him. With its short length, the audiobook is perfect for spending a couple of pleasant hours.
After having spent years in Greece, Benedict returns home to England and learns from his cousin that as his heir, he must marry and produce an heir. At a ball he meets his childhood friend Honoria again. She is now a spinster who is looking for a husband for the sake of her sick father. However, she only wants to marry for love.
Benedict is shy and clumsy in society whilst Honoria enjoys societal events. So they decide to help each other and fake a courtship...
I definitely recommend this quick listen (approx. 2,5h) to all who love short sweet and witty historical romances with friends to lovers and fake courtship tropes, male wallflowers and confident heroines.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A charming and amusing plot with witty conversations and wonderful characters, especially Benedict.
The narrator is excellent, it was fun and easy to listen to him. With its short length, the audiobook is perfect for spending a couple of pleasant hours.
After having spent years in Greece, Benedict returns home to England and learns from his cousin that as his heir, he must marry and produce an heir. At a ball he meets his childhood friend Honoria again. She is now a spinster who is looking for a husband for the sake of her sick father. However, she only wants to marry for love.
Benedict is shy and clumsy in society whilst Honoria enjoys societal events. So they decide to help each other and fake a courtship...
I definitely recommend this quick listen (approx. 2,5h) to all who love short sweet and witty historical romances with friends to lovers and fake courtship tropes, male wallflowers and confident heroines.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 17, 2024
This was such a sweet novella!
Honoria Maitland proposes a fake relationship with Benedict Grey, her childhood friend to help him find a wife while helping her ease her ailing father's mind that she's found a potential husband.
They're both of the same age, around 27. I really liked how she was an older woman in her 11th London season and the struggles that go with being "an old maid."
Benedict is more of the wallflower in this story, preferring books and his archeology digs. Honoria balances him our beautifully by bringing him out of his shell more.
Through the eight years apart neither had forgotten the other and kept a flame alight in their heart for the other. At first they kept it to a "business arrangement," then they both realized they loved the other and each other was the perfect person for them to spend of the rest of their life with.
I can't wait to read the other books in the Maitland Maiden's series!
Honoria Maitland proposes a fake relationship with Benedict Grey, her childhood friend to help him find a wife while helping her ease her ailing father's mind that she's found a potential husband.
They're both of the same age, around 27. I really liked how she was an older woman in her 11th London season and the struggles that go with being "an old maid."
Benedict is more of the wallflower in this story, preferring books and his archeology digs. Honoria balances him our beautifully by bringing him out of his shell more.
Through the eight years apart neither had forgotten the other and kept a flame alight in their heart for the other. At first they kept it to a "business arrangement," then they both realized they loved the other and each other was the perfect person for them to spend of the rest of their life with.
I can't wait to read the other books in the Maitland Maiden's series!
April 29, 2024
Save the Last Dance for Me is the start of a new series titled Maitland Maidens and is a wonderful beginning. This is a sweet romance in which the hero is a shy male version of a wallflower and the heroine is a strong, personable lady who convinces the hero that they can help each other. Lady Honoria Maitland and Mr. Benedict Grey have been friends since childhood but through the years they have drifted apart. Benedict is more interested in securing ancient artifacts but has now returned to society to find a wife and secure the succession. Honoria literally bumps into Benedict at a ball and as they catch up while strolling, they realize they are both there to find a spouse for different reasons but when Benedict explains his difficulty Honoria makes a plan that will help them both. He needs courtship lessons and she wants to marry for love, so they pretend to be courting until they can find the one to marry. This is a fun, easy read with a sweet story line and engaging characters.
Read
June 25, 2023🎧Available in Audio!🎧
Narrated by Philip Battley
Audible US: https://adbl.co/3pfabXl
Audible UK: https://adbl.co/44eJZLd
Apple: https://apple.co/43XR3vR
Scribd: https://bit.ly/3XqwYMn
Chirp: https://bit.ly/3Xt0MrB
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3r3eV2M
Google Play: https://bit.ly/46ld8Gk
Barnes & Noble Audio: https://bit.ly/3NoH2B0
Audiobooks.com: https://bit.ly/3CLc3Kp
Libro.fm: https://bit.ly/3Xojkt2
Or request a copy from your local library 📚
If you are an audiobook reviewer, you can request a copy via Story Origin:
-->Findaway Voices/Spotify download: https://bit.ly/3JSUyfl
-->Kobo download: https://bit.ly/3XvWqjG
Narrated by Philip Battley
Audible US: https://adbl.co/3pfabXl
Audible UK: https://adbl.co/44eJZLd
Apple: https://apple.co/43XR3vR
Scribd: https://bit.ly/3XqwYMn
Chirp: https://bit.ly/3Xt0MrB
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3r3eV2M
Google Play: https://bit.ly/46ld8Gk
Barnes & Noble Audio: https://bit.ly/3NoH2B0
Audiobooks.com: https://bit.ly/3CLc3Kp
Libro.fm: https://bit.ly/3Xojkt2
Or request a copy from your local library 📚
If you are an audiobook reviewer, you can request a copy via Story Origin:
-->Findaway Voices/Spotify download: https://bit.ly/3JSUyfl
-->Kobo download: https://bit.ly/3XvWqjG
November 1, 2023
This is a cute, quick, historically appropriate, clean romance. It was also a bit funny to have such an innocent fake dating storyline, a lot of modern ones end up with the one-bed scenario or similar intimate situations which could not accurately be the case here; I suppose that also makes it a friends-to-lovers plot as well.
For me, I frankly found this boring, the most exciting things to happen were stories of the MMCs archaeology trips. I'm also not a fan of the miscommunication trope, especially as it was used here.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For me, I frankly found this boring, the most exciting things to happen were stories of the MMCs archaeology trips. I'm also not a fan of the miscommunication trope, especially as it was used here.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2024
Save the Last Dance for Me is a sweet, regency romance with an HEA. The book is quite short, perfect for keeping in your purse or laptop bag for whenever you have a free moment to read.
The story is simple, a society spinster in her late 20's renews her acquaintance with a childhood friend who has been away for years, studying antiquities. He is quite shy around women but knows he needs to wed. She agrees to a fake betrothal to make her dying (she thinks) Father happy and give our hero time to meet some women he likes. She also agrees to teach him to dance and guess what happens? I'll let you figure out the rest..
The story is simple, a society spinster in her late 20's renews her acquaintance with a childhood friend who has been away for years, studying antiquities. He is quite shy around women but knows he needs to wed. She agrees to a fake betrothal to make her dying (she thinks) Father happy and give our hero time to meet some women he likes. She also agrees to teach him to dance and guess what happens? I'll let you figure out the rest..
November 30, 2025
3.25⭐️
Vibes - Fine
Friends not lovers
Benedict has returned from his travels and must now be in search of a wife. He's shy and awkward but he becomes reacquainted with his childhood friend, now spinster, Honoria. They come to an agreement in which she'll help him in the skills required for courting, i.e. dancing, and he pretend to court her to appease her sick father. As they spend more time together their affection grows. There wasn't any romantic chemistry between them. They were great friends but that was it; which for a historical era is more than enough, for a romance book it's not.
Tropes
-Fake Dating
-Friends To Lovers
Vibes - Fine
Friends not lovers
Benedict has returned from his travels and must now be in search of a wife. He's shy and awkward but he becomes reacquainted with his childhood friend, now spinster, Honoria. They come to an agreement in which she'll help him in the skills required for courting, i.e. dancing, and he pretend to court her to appease her sick father. As they spend more time together their affection grows. There wasn't any romantic chemistry between them. They were great friends but that was it; which for a historical era is more than enough, for a romance book it's not.
Tropes
-Fake Dating
-Friends To Lovers
June 15, 2023
Audiobook: This was my first experience with Cora Lee's work, and it was delightful. I appreciated the setting as Regency England has long been a favorite time period of mine. I liked the characters, both the shy wallflower and the more forward-thinking individual. I thought the occasional flashes of humor added to the story's entertainment. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Phillip Battley's narration was good, and his performance maintained the proper ambiance of the tale. I was gifted a free copy of the audiobook through Spotify, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
July 7, 2023
This was my first Cora Lee's book, and won't be my last. This is the first novella in the Maitland Maidens Series, a Regency Romance. Benedict and Honoria's story is well written, and engaging. They are both fantastic characters, kind, and caring. This is a clean and sweet friends to lovers romance. Philip Battley did an outstanding job with the narration. He has a beautiful voice, pleasant to listen to. Looking forward to listening to Back in My Arms Again, the next book in the series. #StoryOrigin
November 5, 2023
Benedict and Honoria are supposed to find spouses this season but she only wants to marry for love and he is passionate about his studies and uncomfortable in society and with the opposite sex except for his long term friend Honoria. They agree to a pretend engagement to assist each other but it isn’t long before he wants it to be real. But Honoria won’t accept anything else but a love match. This was a kisses only novella romance.
I enjoyed the British narrator with clear dictation and plenty of inflections to keep me interested and listening to the end.
I enjoyed the British narrator with clear dictation and plenty of inflections to keep me interested and listening to the end.
January 6, 2024
Sweet Clean Regency Romance
Parents- PG- good for middle school to adults
Language- PG- none
Violence- G- none
Sexual Content- PG Kissing, young adult romance, stays very clean no bedroom scenes
This was a quick and sweet regency romance with the story of friends to convenient covers to maybe something more.
Narrator- did a good job with the differentiations and was easy to listen to. I did prefer listening at 1.4x speed but I usually listen around 1.25x speed anyway.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents- PG- good for middle school to adults
Language- PG- none
Violence- G- none
Sexual Content- PG Kissing, young adult romance, stays very clean no bedroom scenes
This was a quick and sweet regency romance with the story of friends to convenient covers to maybe something more.
Narrator- did a good job with the differentiations and was easy to listen to. I did prefer listening at 1.4x speed but I usually listen around 1.25x speed anyway.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 1, 2018
2.5 stars. A sweet story about lifelong friends who reunite and fall in love, but it is short and relatively uneventful, and utterly unsurprising to the point that it is boring. It feels like the author was doing an exercise in Regency romance writing, rather than crafting a captivating tale. The cover feels the same way-- studious attention to authentic period signals + a Colin Firth lookalike, but the overall effect was rather anemic.
December 4, 2024
Rating: 3.75/5
Regency short story, a cross between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton from Bridgerton/Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice 😍 and I’m sucker for stories in that era
Favorite quote: "I believe that point is now. I will never be comfortable in society, never enjoy it the way you do. But if you will always save me a dance and sit with me in the orchard, I'll find a way to manage. I love you too much to do otherwise.
Will you marry me, Honoria?"
Regency short story, a cross between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton from Bridgerton/Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice 😍 and I’m sucker for stories in that era
Favorite quote: "I believe that point is now. I will never be comfortable in society, never enjoy it the way you do. But if you will always save me a dance and sit with me in the orchard, I'll find a way to manage. I love you too much to do otherwise.
Will you marry me, Honoria?"
June 25, 2023
Both the author and narrator of this audiobook were new to me, and I was happy to find that I enjoyed both. I loved the best friend dynamic between Honoria and Benedict. They were so funny together, and it was obvious to everyone but themselves that they were a love match. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing to life their friendship and true concern for each other.
February 14, 2024
A lovely friends to lovers story
Shy academic Benedict has to marry and produce an heir but he is so out of touch with the ways of society. He stands on the fringes. Then his childhood friend Honoria offers to help him find a wife and his way around society. This novella was a nice introduction to the author for me.
Shy academic Benedict has to marry and produce an heir but he is so out of touch with the ways of society. He stands on the fringes. Then his childhood friend Honoria offers to help him find a wife and his way around society. This novella was a nice introduction to the author for me.
February 8, 2025
Benedict arrives back in England after six years in Greece among ruins. When it is suggested he wife hunt as he will ultimately be an heir, he sees his childhood friend Honoria and she offers to guide him through the intricacies of society again. In the end they find their hea a sweet and simple read
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