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Lords & Ladies of Mayfair #6

A Regrettable Charade

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To protect her, he must stay away. But will his heart obey?

Lady Octavia Westlake made a promise to her ailing mother that she would enjoy herself this Season, embracing the glittering festivities with grace and charm. But beneath her poised exterior, she is conflicted and struggles with what is expected of her. And when a persistent rake sets his cap on her, she must resist his ardent advances at every turn. Harred Woodville, the Lord of Kendal, has an immense fear of failure. It gnaws at him, taking every ounce of joy that he possesses. Amidst his struggles, he has an unexpected encounter with the lovely Lady Octavia, sparking an ember of intrigue within him. Yet, the weight of his obligations leaves him no room to pursue anyone, especially the sister of his dear friend. When Octavia and Harred concoct a plan to help ease her mother’s suffering, their friendship begins to deepen and they soon find solace in one another’s company. But danger is never far behind, forcing them to decide how much they are willing to risk for love, happiness, and a future together.

As the sixth novel in the series by author Laura Beers, A Regrettable Charade continues the Lords & Ladies of Mayfair series. This is a light-hearted, clean and wholesome romance set in the Regency era.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2024

219 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

About the author

Laura Beers

76 books495 followers
Laura Beers is an award-winning author. She attended Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. She can't sing, doesn't dance and loves naps.

Laura lives in Utah with her husband, three kids, and her dysfunctional dog. When not writing regency romance, she loves waterskiing, hiking, and drinking Dr Pepper.

You can connect with Laura on Facebook, Instagram, or on her site at www.authorlaurabeers.com.

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5 stars
400 (57%)
4 stars
184 (26%)
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92 (13%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee).
784 reviews361 followers
January 19, 2024
Oh, how I love Octavia! I'm so happy she got her own story! She is just so awesome and hilarious. I love her sense of humor and how much she cares for her mother, who has dementia. She has a great relationship with both of her brothers, and I love the banter between them. Harrad, has had to take on the family responsibilities since he is the heir and his parents died. He takes everything very seriously, and his job is made tougher with his brother William spending money left and right without care, then William goes to pursue an heiress, Octavia. Harrad, doesn't want William anywhere near his friend's sister. And either does Freddy the peacock, yes peacock and it's hilarious. When Octavia's mother thinks Octavia got married, Frederick, Octavia's brother, suggests that she pretend she did. Who better to be the husband than Harrad? Harrad agrees to the charade. As they pretend to be husband and wife, they start wishing they were for real. I really liked watching this relationship develop. I loved Harrad and Octavia as a couple, they are so well suited. We also have the mystery of who wants Harrad dead to solve in the story. I also loved seeing reoccurring characters from other stories in the series. I thought this story was amazing, it may be my favorite one yet and I definitely recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
1,720 reviews7 followers
February 9, 2024
Fake dating regency edition! I love the mystery subplot in this one! I didn't want to put it down!

*note- this series is best enjoyed when read in order

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kristy Q.
386 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2024
Another amazing addition to the series! Octavia is so fun and I’m thrilled she got her own story. I love that Octavia and Harred have such a sweet relationship and that they instantly feel so comfortable with one another. The perfect amount of mystery trying to figure out who is doing it all!
Profile Image for Faith Lund.
66 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2025
Love this story. It has a sweet romance but it also deals with handling grief. Octavia was a fun protagonist and I love the sibling banter between her and her brother, Frederick. And that epilogue was perfection 🥰
1,354 reviews8 followers
February 21, 2024
Clean Romance with Murderous Intrigue

Harred and Octavia are a sweet couple, even if faking it. I love the banter between Octavia and her brother Frederick! There are some hard family dynamics that the characters bear in the story, but all ends well and with humor. This author's stories are always excellent.
Profile Image for Carissa.
424 reviews4 followers
February 11, 2024
This book was super sweet. I loved Harred and Octavia together! They instantly clicked from the beginning and I enjoyed their rather unique way of getting to know each other better. Yay matchmaking brothers!

I especially enjoyed the banter in this book. Octavia has such a sharp wit and she really is a delight, just as Harred points out. It was a fun addition to the story seeing Octavia and Frederick interact. And of course the sweet love story was a win as well!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
959 reviews5 followers
February 12, 2024
clean romance

Four and a half stars for this next book in the series. Each can be read as a stand alone but I have enjoyed reading each in sequence as it gives more “background story “to the other characters.

I enjoyed the humor between the characters, the plot kept me interested.

I enjoyed the theme of seeing the good in others and change for the better. Although that didn’t always go as planned.

Both the hero and heroine are strong and kind but feel broken. There was healing within themselves and the relationship.

I look forward to reading the next in the series!
Profile Image for Jess &#x1f426;&#x1f3b6;.
20 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2024
the funniest of the series

This is by far my favorite regency era series. Laura Beers has created such lovable and interesting characters, that in every book I am delighted when one makes an appearance. Roswell is by far my favorite, and while he wasn’t in this one hardly at all, the entertaining relationship between his two other siblings more than made up for it. I love the antics that were in this installment, and I thought the author did a great job on selecting the villain, even if the end there was slightly anticlimactic. Already looking forward to the next one.
661 reviews5 followers
February 9, 2024
Fantastic

So so very good! Wow! I loved it so much and it is always so nice to read about past characters and see where they are at. So fun and makes me want to read the whole series again to have all the details fresh. Outstanding story in all aspects.
1,276 reviews12 followers
February 5, 2024
What a wonderful Regency romance. This book is so entertaining, intriguing and humorous. I love the character of Octavia. She was in the first book of the series. She is full of life and spunk. All the characters are well written, and a joy to read. The story has many twists that keep you turning the pages. It is a clean, wholesome romance. It can be read as a standalone but I highly encourage you to read the first book. It was just as wonderful.
Profile Image for Shauna Jones.
714 reviews16 followers
January 9, 2024
This book will pull you in!
You are quickly pulled into this book from the first chapter as you meet each well-defined character. Your heart is immediately involved as you identify with their struggles. Lord Kendal, Harred, has recently inherited the title with the unexpected death of both his parents. Not only must he take over the running of the estate, his brother has taken to a life that is unacceptable in polite society. He can’t control his brother, he feels like he will fail at maintaining his estate, and now a friend is asking him to pretend to be married. Octavia and Fredrick’s mother is dying and is not in touch with reality, now she has decided that Octavia is married. In an effort to make her last days better, Fredrick approaches Harred to pose as Octavia’s husband. Now mix in an unwanted suitor, a marriage of convenience, attempts on Harred’s life, a kidnapping, and an attack peacock and you have a story that will hold you to the last page. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,467 reviews110 followers
March 19, 2024
I was excited that Lady Octavia got her own story! She was such a fun, witty and loveable character in the previous books plus that means we get more of Freddy the attacking peacock, who comes in quite handy taking care of unwanted suitors.

Octavia isn't looking forward to the Season. Her mother has dementia and Octavia would rather be with her than put on a happy face at all those Society functions. Harred, Marquess of Kendal, is struggling. He's struggling to keep up with the affairs of the estate, getting his spendthrift brother (William) to be more responsible and mostly trying to live up to his father's reputation in the House of Lords. The death of both parents in a carriage accident was a shock and put a lot of responsibility on Harred in a short amount of time. When he gives William an ultimatum, William decides he'll marry an heiress which will take care of his financial problems, and sets his sights on Octavia, which makes Harred none too happy. This leads to a hilarious scene with Freddy the peacock.

When the Westlake's mother thinks Octavia is married, Fredrick suggests Harred and Octavia fake being married for his mother's sake. As the two spend more time together, real feelings start to develop with each wishing they were a real couple. Watching feelings change and evolve is my favorite part of the fake relationship trope. I loved all of Octavia and Harred's interactions--they're such a fun couple.

I love the Westlake siblings and their relationship with each other and their mother, who has dementia. I was happy that Harred was able to have a good talk with his William and discovered the reason for his drinking and gambling and that the two of them were able to start repairing their relationship. I love that the author includes an element of suspense in her stories and that the guilty party in this one was a complete surprise!!!

This was such a fun addition to the Lords & Ladies of Mayfair. I'm going to hate to see the series come to an end and highly recommend the entire series.
Profile Image for Kristi W - Book Love By Kristi.
359 reviews18 followers
July 5, 2025
“I have come to realize that I am hopelessly, desperately in love with you, and I can’t go on without you by my side.“

Fake relationship meets danger, overprotective brother, witty banter, and a little bit of mystery in this great story. 🦚

Octavia is sunny, funny, and always looking for the good. Her strength and gentleness toward her mother was amazing. I enjoyed seeing her open up to her brother and Harred when she was struggling with her mother’s illness. I love her relationships with her brothers and the banter between them is fantastic! Harred is kind, loyal, and determined to be a help. His struggle with his desire to not fail was heartbreaking. There were a few times I just wanted to give him a hug and tell him he was doing an amazing job. I really enjoyed Octavia and Harred’s relationship. I loved how quickly their friendship grew and the strength of it. Theirs was a little bit of a hard-one happily ever after. That epilogue 🤣

A few more quotes:
“Truly being brave means that you have the courage to be vulnerable. It means you can admit that you don’t have everything figured out. To ask for help when you need it.”

“Why is it that you do not see yourself for who you truly are?” “And who is that?” “You may not be your father, but there was already one of him. You are your own person, and you can make a difference in your own way.”

“You are no longer my favorite brother. It goes Roswell, Freddy, then you.” “Freddy is a peacock.” “Yes, but I like him more than you right now.”

Note: This is the sixth book in the series. It can be enjoyed as a stand alone but you will appreciate the characters more having read the previous books.
658 reviews6 followers
February 6, 2024
What an enjoyable story as the next book in the series highlights Lady Octavia Westlake. The story picks up after her brother Roswell is on his honeymoon with his new wife Anette. The oldest brother Fredrick has returned from serving Wellington as a spy in the war effort. Their ailing mother continues to deteriorate as her memory weakens and there are times she doesn't even remember her children. Actually part of this story is that the mother believes that Octavia has a husband, so Fredrick asks one of his friends, Harred Woodville, Marquess of Kendal to pretend to be her husband.

Reading these stories in order really works best as the characters and situations do continue from book to book.

Lady Octavia wants to make her mother happy by enjoying the Season but her heart is breaking as her mother declines. I loved her outgoing spontaneous personality. She was a strong woman who kept her struggles and heartbreak to herself. Her brother Fredrick is a wonderful brother who is protective and they have a fun relationship filled with lots of joking. When a known rake William decides he wants to marry her for her large dowry, Fredrick will have none of it.

Harred, is still struggling to get over his parents death from a carriage accident. He feels the weight of carrying on his father's wonderful legacy while feeling he won't measure up. His brother William continues to give him problems as he gambled away his inheritance and has earned the reputation of a rake. His promise to his father to look after him weighs on him. As he tries to reign William in, his brother decides to pursue Lady Olivia. Harred is a good friend of her brother Fredrick and he was just recently introduced to Olivia. Harred will have to step in to thwart his brother William. Getting asked by Fredrick to be Olivia's pretend husband gives him lots of time to get to know her better.

There story has added danger as someone plots to kill Lord Kendal. Will Olivia and Harred discover who is behind the many attempts on his life? Will their pretend relationship lead to more then friendship as they spend more time together?

Fredrick played such an important part in this story and I'm excited to see that the next book will focus on him.

I received a copy of this story from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
467 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2024
I keep reading this series even though I’m continually disappointed. I think the high stars here must be from devoted fans who keep coming back. But I really need to quit. This book includes what is at least the third kidnapping of the series—is there really no other plot device available to create tension? Her brother is weird. By turns pushing the FMC and MMC together, and then threatening to duel the MMC in every other conversation if his intentions aren’t honorable. Both leads go from never wanting to marry to fake married to in love in about two weeks. The mother’s mysterious illness for her young age is, again, more plot decide than believable. Lastly, the MMC is full of praise for all the FMC amazing, generous character traits, when he really hasn’t seen anything but her pretty face. Lastly, the wayward brother’s side plot was just…a lot…and very weird in the end. His constant childish refrain of his brother’s jealousy is so strange. Anyway. The redeem of two stars from one is, well, I just feel so bad giving one star. I did finish it after all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Julie.
776 reviews6 followers
January 10, 2024
Octavia is a great character. She is feisty, kind, generous and thinks the best of everyone. Harrod is trying to get his feet underneath him after the death of his parents. He compares himself to his Father and finds himself falling short. His brother is giving him trouble and things are tough. But even with all of that he thinks the best of people and is very kind. I love that Harrod and Octavia come to find what each other needs in the other. Someone to share in their grief but also to believe in them. I also loved Fredrick's subtle plan to get them together. Yet he is still the very protective brother. I also really loved that Greydon was back helping out. Really looking forward to Fredrick's story! I am loving this series.
Profile Image for Teresa Williams.
556 reviews7 followers
January 9, 2024
We’ve met Lady Octavia Westlake before in this series, but Harred, Lord Kendal, is a new character, I believe. Octavia literally knocks him to the ground when they meet, and he never seems on sure ground again, at least for awhile.
I love that in this series, the hero and heroine realize that happiness is actually a choice they make to have, but that it is definitely easier with a loving companion at their side.
I was given an advanced reader copy of the book, and am leaving my honest opinions on the book with no other incentive.
104 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2024
Love & Suspense

What more could one ask for in a Regency read? Mayfair fans have been waiting for the story of quirky Octavia - would she ever find true love? How will she bear the rapid decline of her mother’s health? Harod seemingly has so many things to work through - grieving the loss of his parents & dealing with his worthless rake of a brother…then there are several attempts on his life! Will Harod & Octavia ever be more than friends? And who is responsible for the attempts on Harod’s life?
Profile Image for Gina.
2,383 reviews31 followers
February 1, 2024
Harred is a Marquess with an estate in a mess and a reprobate brother. When he meets Octavia he is captivated by her charm and fortrightness. Harred's brother marries a woman for her dowry, now Harred feels as if he needs to take care of the wife because his brother ignores her. Then there is the issue of someone trying to kill him. As he pursue Octavia, her brother helps to find out who the murderer is. It is shocking who it is.
Profile Image for Kerstin.
491 reviews
February 8, 2024
Cute, fun suspense. It really held my attention. Quite enjoyed it. One of the best in the series. I loved the sibling relationships! Loved seeing characters from past books. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Clean!
Language/profanity: none
Sex/innuendo: only sweet kisses
Gore/Violence: Some peril scenes with mild wounds, but not graphic in description. Death is discussed.
Dark/Creepy: none
163 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2024
Playing Pretend

What could possibly be worse? A pretend husband? Unexplained accidents, abduction, arsenic, or scheming family members? This book has it all. Laura Beers tackles adventure, love, and friends to the rescue again beautifully in this book. I especially enjoyed Lady O's pet!
1,711 reviews6 followers
April 13, 2024
Ms. Beers had to work hard to make this one interesting. She did accomplish it by not having the main characters being in dire straights financially. That is such a tired theme that it ruins the book. Although William was in debt and a rake, he was not the villain. It took a surprising twist and I was pleased.
533 reviews
July 13, 2024
I read the earlier books in the series some time ago but took a break. When I took it up again with this book, I felt like I was once again among friends. The group of friends populating the 'Lords and Ladies of Mayfair' are delightful. It is wonderful to see how each person works through trying situations and finds love.
Profile Image for Joan.
1,314 reviews
September 18, 2025
Olivia and Harred

This is an enjoyable story with excitement, mystery, danger, and romance. I enjoyed the family dynamics and the characters’ interactions with each other. I liked trying to figure out the culprit and the motive. A Regrettable Charade is an excellent addition to the Lords and Ladies of Mayfair series.
Profile Image for Tabitha.
627 reviews7 followers
February 3, 2024
Enjoyable continuation of the series. Some emotional growth in a rakish brother, a surprising enemy, and some clean romance. Intriguing enough to keep you reading but not so suspenseful you'll lose sleep. Definitely worth reading.
Profile Image for Chelsea Gardner.
295 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2024
Octavia is delightful and I’m so happy she got her HAE with someone who saw and embraced that. Harred is a good man who has learned and overcome much with Octavia’s help. I’m so happy they found each other!
72 reviews
February 27, 2024
the peacock is amazing

This series is fantastic, the plot so fun and exciting, and the characters excellent. There is witty humor and banter in this clean romance. The pet peacock is absolutely amazing!
Profile Image for Emerald Angus.
14 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2024
This book is stinky good, I’ve been binge reading this series and have loved every single book. This book’s epilogue is amazing, the bickering and banter in this book is amazing. And the peacock is amazing. Highly recommend reading this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sandra  Driver.
122 reviews
July 15, 2024
Falling in love in a fake marriage

A terrific story with love, death, kidnapping, and two aggravating brothers. The story had it's ups and downs and no reader could guess who was trying to kill Harred but his future wife. If you want to know you must read this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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