Hattie Wilkinson Meets Her Match

by Michelle Styles

When opposites attract…!In the eyes of the ton Hattie Wilkinson is a respectable widow, content with her safe, if somewhat modest life.On the other hand Sir Christopher Foxton prides himself on being regarded as one of London's most notorious rakes, with a particularly mischievous streak!Upon their first meeting Kit threatens to shatter Hattie's well-ordered peace-and her reputation!-if only she'll allow herself to succumb to his playful advances. This time they've both finally met their match….

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Harlequin Historical, Regency, Harlequin

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Born and raised near San Francisco Califorinia, Michelle Styles currently lives a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall with her husband, three children and menagerie of pets. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance when she discovered Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt in her school's library. Michelle enjoys writing stories in a wide range of time periods including Roman, Viking, Regency and early Victorian. Her website can be found at www.michellestyles.co.uk

Reviews

[Sonya Heaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted HERE .

I bought this book on a whim last year (I think it had the prettiest cover of the range I was looking at!), and expected I’d get around to it eventually. Months later, and I have, and instead of finding a run-of-the-mill Regency romance with little to distinguish it from any other, I found a nuanced, properly British, slow-to-develop love story I couldn’t put down.

I think the publisher has done Hattie Wilkinson Meets Her Match a disservice by marketing it as a light-hearted romp. Certainly, there’s an element of fun to the story, but I think it is far more serious and involving deeper emotions than the blurb, cover and even title imply.

Some authors have a writing style that works for you perfectly, and I found this was the case with Michelle Styles. She has managed to capture beautifully life in rural Regency England, creating a believable atmosphere with a few well-researched touches here and there, but mostly by concentrating on creating characters who truly exist within the rules of society at the time.

Hero and heroine of this story are flawed but also perfect for each other, and their slightly more mature relationship contrasted well with the wide-eyed innocence of the younger characters in the secondary romance.

I believe the author is an American who now lives in England, and I found she took great pains to make the language and tone very distinctly British. Diving into the truly English atmosphere of this book was a wonderful change after some anachronistic and downright American (England-set) historical romances I’ve read lately. It was very much appreciated!

Styles has a way with creating characters. Words like Rake are so overused in the genre they’re almost a joke, and yet the author has created interesting people within the stereotypes. I especially enjoyed the way she was able to write younger characters. At sixteen, a girl might have been of marriageable age back then, but in this book we still see young girls for what they are: teenagers, still learning about the world and trying to act grown up without knowing quite how.

This really was simply a lovely Regency romance. I loved the characters, loved the overall feel of the story, and loved the way everyone struggled and fought for their happy endings. This was the first book I have read by this author, but I have every intention of reading more.

[Adela Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog.

Bilingual review: ENG/RO




English

I received a signed copy of this book from the author through a giveaway called “Fall in Love Again”. Thank you, Michelle!

When I started reading it, I honestly didn’t expect much. However, to my surprise, I had a really pleasant experience with it and I discovered that I actually love Historical Romance very much. Setting a love story in an age where women had to constantly “guard” their reputation, where they weren’t considered men’s equals and their biggest worries in the world were getting married and then marry their daughters, makes everything much more intriguing.

Hattie is constantly struggling to maintain her image of a “respectable widow” even if that costs her happiness. The battle between her love for Christopher and her fear of not being loved back is a tough one. And Kit himself has his own fears because of his mother who left him when he was only a child. It’s the classic I-want-to-be-with-you-so-badly-but-I-am-afraid-of-getting-hurt situation, with a clever dialogue, the usual annoying matchmakers and the oh-so-selfish Hattie’s sister, who only cares about… (guess what?) marrying her daughter.

The flirtations and love-dovey scenes between Hattie and Kit are absolutely delicious. I savoured each and every one of them and not once did I want to scream at them: “For the love of God, he/she loves you too, so stop being stupid and set yourself free from all these fears!” But this is what makes romance stories set in the 19th century so enjoyable – the close to infinite impediments standing in the way of love. I recommend it to all hopeless romantics out there!

______________________________

Română

Am primti o copie cu autograf a acestei cărţi de la autoare prin intermediul unui giveaway numit “Fall in Love Again”. Mulţumesc, Michelle!

Când am început să o citesc, sincer, nu am avut mari aşteptări. Dar, spre surprinderea mea, a fost o experienţă foarte plăcută şi am descoperit că-mi place foarte mult genul Historical Romance. Plasarea unei poveşti de dragoste într-o epocă în care femeile trebuiau să-şi apere reputaţia în mod constant, în care nu erau considerate egalele bărbaţilor şi în care cea mai mare grijă a lor era să se mărite şi apoi să-şi mărite şi fetele, face totul mult mai interesant.

Hattie face un efort constant în a-şi menţine imaginea de văduvă respectabilă, deşi asta o costă fericirea. Lupta dintre dragostea ei pentru Christopher şi teama de a nu fi iubită la rândul ei este una cruntă. Însuşi Kit are temerile lui din cauză că mama sa l-a părăsit pe când era doar un copil. E clasica situaţie îmi-doresc-la-nebunie-să-fiu-cu-tine-dar-mi-e-teamă-să-nu-fiu-rănită, cu un dialog inteligent, obişnuitele şi enervantele persoane care încearcă să îi cupleze şi atât-de-egoista soră a lui Hattie, pe care o interesează doar… (ghici ce?) să-şi mărite fiica.

Flirturile şi scenele de dragoste dintre Hattie şi Kit sunt absolut delicioase. Le-am savurat pe toate şi nu doar o dată mi-a venit să ţip la ei: “Pentru numele lui Dumnezeu, şi el/ea te iubeşte, aşa că nu te mai purta prosteşte şi eliberează-te de temeri!”. Dar asta face cărţile romantice a căror acţiune are loc în secolul XIX atât e frumoase – aproape infinitele obstacole ce stau în calea dragostei. Recomand această carte tuturor romanticilor incurabili!

[Victoria Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely regency romance with two strong leading characters. Hattie was adorable and Kit was to die for! There was heaps to love about this book, most notably the hint of mystery surrounding Kit and the cleverly interlaced secondary romance that also closed with a most satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended!

[Laura J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two characters who overcome their past

This is a romance between a mature couple who start a summer affair. The biggest problem I had with this romance was that the two main characters were hard to like. Hattie is a widow who hasn’t let go of a past betrayal. She keeps herself busy by helping her irritating sister and constantly worrying about her reputation. Kit has also let a past betrayal shape his life. He’s a bit of a bully and uses Hattie’s sexual attraction to him to get what he wants - an affair.

[Carien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will confess I almost never read Historical Romances anymore, focusing more on Paranormal Romance and such. But I won this book in a giveaway and it did sound really nice so I picked it up soon after having received it.

This is a lovely read.

Hattie is a great heroine. She is strong and cares for those around her, but she's forgotten how to have fun herself. Luckily Kit enters her life and soon both of them discover they're a better match for each other than either one ever expected.

I loved seeing Hattie and Kit grow closer together. Hattie and Kit may seem to have very different personalities, but once you get to know more about them you can see why they fit together so well. The romance was sweet and touching in my opinion.

I did think that Kit had to grovel a bit too much at some point about something I thought wasn't something Hattie was allowed to hold against him, but that aside this book was a very enjoyable and satisfying read.

All in all I'm glad to have won this book and I will check out what other books Styles has written.

[Suze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this a 3.5 but it was enjoyable and everything expected of an historical, so rounded up.
I got this as a First Read giveaway on Goodreads, and the book came very quickly.
It is an enjoyable regency romance with all the required elements - feisty, independent heroine; rakish hero, with reasons for his rakish behaviours; star-crossed young lovers in a secondary plot; interferring busybody who is also heroines sister and mysterious older friend of heroine, who turns out to be very important.
There were a couple of references early that made me think I might get a more realistic version of the era - dripping wax off the chandelier - but then bad breath and sweaty clothes aren't very romantic!
I did get annoyed by Stephanie, the sister - I'm sure she was accurately portrayed but i wanted to thump her!
Well written and if you like regency historicals, you'll like this.

[Siti Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was blah. But liked the strawberry scene and horse riding scene.

[♥ Suger Honey ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good read i read this in two days and loved it excitement, drama there love wasn't sloppy and twists and turns great book

i look forward to reading more from this author

[📚Linda Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

So very, very dated.

[Mnms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story. The characters and language were good, and the story delightful

[Tash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Confessions From Romaholics

To see review at Confessions

Hattie Wilkinson knows how to stop scandal from happening and ruining a life as she nearly succumbed to one herself. She survived it and now she is making sure that her niece Livvy does not fall in the same trap with Mr Rupert Hook. However, her intentions backfire in the worst possible way for Hattie as she herself gains the attention of Christopher ‘Kit” Foxton.

Kit is there at the ball for one thing—to keep an eye on his godson Rupert Hook and steer him in the right path. Therefore, he lounges in the background whilst Livvy and Rupert have what has all the earmarks of a scandal in the making meeting. That is, until Hattie walks in and Kit finds himself utterly enchanted by her and decides to play her game and protect the young couple. Hattie has her reasons: her formidable sister Stephanie, the mother of Livvy, has a tendency to want things her way. Currently she has her head in the clouds and is engrossed in herself but she possesses a kind heart and tries with disastrous results to help her sister Stephanie when she has her moments of clarity.

When poor Rupert one day makes a comment about frogs, Stephanie decides he is a world authority on them and needs to do a lecture. They usually have a series of lectures in the summer and her sister Stephanie is on the committee for organising the summer entertainment but since she nearly forgot one year to organise the lectures, she has been taken off the job as clearly it was for simply keeping up appearances.

Kit knows firsthand what a scandal is as his family is marked by one. His mother disappeared with her lover and left him with his father. Kit tried to move on but his childhood has haunted him and the effects of his mother’s behaviour has caused him to be reckless and gain a reputation for loving a good fight. In addition, gossip says he supposedly beat a man near to death and the rumour has been fuelled since his arrival in Tyrne Valley although he is only there to look at his property which he inherited about a year ago and he isn’t interested in anything the locals have to offer. However, his playful side starts to emerge as Hattie gets under his skin and he cannot stop teasing her.

Two souls who are tinged by pasts they would like to forget for differing reasons; one has discovered the sordid truth about her past, the other is believing what the locals remember about his childhood because he doesn’t know anything else. They’re involved in a game of cat and mouse to protect their charges. Who will win when there is Hattie ‘s sister and her helpers around to match make and push the couple to spend more time together while discovering that they are perfect for each other and can heal their wounded hearts?

Even though the book is about Hattie and Kit, you can’t help but fall in love with the other characters, especially Livvy and Rupert, as they are reminiscent of timeless star crossed lovers who have opposition from their family (in this case, Hattie and Kit). I do hope we get their story as Rupert has a past coloured by scandal as his father married his mother just before she gave birth to him and was a courtesan to boot. This results in some very funny scenes involving Stephanie and Rupert, as he knows she’s the only one in his path to obtaining Livvy.

4 couples

P.S There is a mention of Moles Swords in this book during the market/fair, which was the place to see the latest things from the craftsmen and farmers, etc. for the locals. If you don’t know what I’m referring to here, you need to check out Michelle’s Aug release for Harlequin which will give you the 101 about Moles and the history and a heroine who is trying to save it and the hero who assists and falls in love.

[Aurian Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Hattie, she is trying to make the best of her life, even though she is a bit scared to really enjoy it. Propriety is important to her. She takes care of her sister, and her sisters’ children and duties. Like visiting the tenants, solving problems.
And now this very handsome rake is interested in her, and she doesn’t want to feel anything any more. She was so in love with her husband, and he betrayed her in the worst way. Falling for Kit will only result in more heartbreak. But she can’t help feeling attracted to him, and he keeps tempting her, challenging her. So why not? She is a respectable widow, not a young and naïve miss. She knows it will only last one summer, and after that, she will go back to being respectable and reliable. Even though she longs to travel, her sister is pregnant again, and really needs her.
Kit had a very harsh childhood, and as a result, doesn’t trust women very much. He is the one to end relationships before they start going somewhere. He lost his brother at Waterloo and promised to take care of his nephew, help him grow up to be a good man. And he really is doing a fine job of it. That is one aspect I liked about him. But he is arrogant, in wanting to teach Hattie a lesson, when he knows nothing about her. It took me a while to warm up to him.

I liked their character development. Hattie stands up for herself, she doesn’t want another loveless marriage, and Kit will have to acknowledge his feelings, and more. I liked this story, it was not really a big surprise for me, but Michelle Styles has a nice writing voice, and I enjoyed how she told this story. This is a book with quiet country gentility, not the high ton, no balls and such. I do like the difference in setting and pacing.
I do question Hattie’s sister though. She comes over as not caring for Hattie at all, but only for herself and her children, and what Hattie can do for them. Hattie is not to do anything that can endanger Lillie’s prospects.
I also enjoyed reading about the Fair, it was painted really realistically.

If you like a stand alone historical romance, I do recommend Michelle Styles. She has a nice writing voice, nicely paced and with surprising characters.

Full review on my blog: www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com

[Jaime Aleshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I really felt like it had undertones of Rhett and Scarlett.(Gone with the wind)Very classy. The whole cat and mouse game of love that Kit and Hattie continued to play throughout the book left it enjoyable and page turning. and kit's character remind me so much of Rhett Butler. Very debonaire smart witty gaurded. Very reserved but a soft teddy bear on the inside. I feel like the book was very discriptive. I found myself imaging what the era and each scene were like. Hattie and kit were two very guarded people until they learn to gain trust with eachother,and break down their barriers to form a genuine loving relationship.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. There was lots of twists and turns and an ultimate happy ending which are some of the best parts of a romance are these two and this book was great at it! I highly recommend this book :) This was a win off of Goodreads that I absolutely loved.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5

[Donna Alward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters - Hattie was a bit prim but with a sharp tongue and Kit was delightfully sexy. Loved the added subplot of Mrs. Reynaud and enjoyed it from start to finish.

[Angelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

maganda :) i really love historical romance... :)

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75