My Lady, Will You Dance?

Viennese Waltz #0.5

by Sofi Laporte

A Lost Love. A Cold Marquess. A Fateful Christmas Country House Party…

Mirabel’s dreams are shattered when her bridegroom vanishes without a trace from her little village in Cornwall. With a determined heart, she embarks on a journey to London to find him, only to find herself in humble service in a noble household. As time passes, the memory of her lost love lingers, defying the odds. When an unexpected opportunity arises to attend a lavish country house party as a companion, Mira seizes the chance.

Enter the enigmatic Lord Atherton, a sought-after bachelor known as the 'Cold Marquess.' His icy demeanour belies a longing for connection. At the opulent London opera, he's captivated by the exquisite Mira and resolves to make her his own. As Christmas approaches, a festive country house party sets the stage for a tale of lost love, concealed identities, and the promise of second chances. Will Mira's heart find the love it yearns for amidst the glistening snow and warm glow of Christmas?

This enchanting story serves as the prequel to the "Viennese Waltz" series, introducing a world of captivating characters and timeless romance.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Christmas, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2023

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, entertaining, historical romance novella. It has a likable and engaging female protagonist, a bit of mystery, wit, a touch of humor, appealing secondary characters, a heartwarming romance, and a gratifying conclusion. I am looking forward to reading the other entries in this series with great anticipation. Ms. Ella Lynch, who has a lovely voice, does a wonderful job narrating the audiobook.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read: 10/27/25
Setting: 1814 England

This was a sweet, predictable novella.

[Grisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Utterly charming read! I loved SL's writing style: light, crisp, concise, elegant, and also smartly emotional. The story was well-laced, well-paced and perfect for the novella format. This little gem was a very nice surprise. I can almost regret not having reserved it for a Christmas read (because it is such a perfect little tale for the season) - almost 😅😁🥰. And SL's writing is sure a real discovery!

The romance was really sweet, with a dash of angsty (note: it is a very clean romance). All is perfectly resolved between the leads after some nice little tension. Since it is a novella, there are so unanswered questions and some conveniently smooth explanations, but SL did it all with such charm that I was more than ready to overlook them. My only complaint is that the H was a slight tad too infuriatingly beta and there was no proper epilogue (instead the story teases the next book).

💯 recommended novella and author! Wait for Christmas time if you can, but else just enjoy this beautiful read!


P.S. I will definitely read the rest of the series whenever they happen!

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirabel Taylor has been in service for the last seven years. It was her only choice after Kit, a blacksmith in their small town, suddenly disappeared one day, leaving her to deal with taking care of herself and Miss Pearson, the school teacher. Now, she’s forced to switch gears and become a companion to Miss Cullpepper, her employer’s daughter, at a Christmas house party in the country. Mira isn’t sure she’s prepared to fit in with such a swanky and exalted crowd, but the reward for doing so is too great and she can’t allow it to pass. What she doesn’t realize is that her life will change once she’s settled into Highcourt Abbey.

Lord Christopher de Lacey, 12th Marquess of Atherton, is known for being cold and distant, unmannerly, except with his closest friends. What few realize is that he has a secret past filled with sacrifices more precious to him than anything his position and fortune can offer. That past haunts him, making him certain that he’s lost the only one who could ever make him happy.

This was such a sweet story, and a well-written one. It’s an interesting rendition of a lesser used trope of love, abandonment, and love-refound. I enjoyed how easily Mira was accepted by the aristocracy, and how she always gave credit for that to Miss Pearson.

Miss Pearson was a singular woman, not only a school teacher, but a woman willing to step in and take care of children whose parents had died. The story doesn’t show much of her, just enough to make the reader realize what an extraordinary and caring person she was.

I enjoyed this story. It offered everything I could want in this kind of tale: stepping out of poverty, finding friendship, finding love, and mostly, coming together as a family. It’s a story that will leave you smiling.

I highly recommend this book.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Olga Godim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the worst book I've read by this author, and I've read almost everything she has written so far. Usually I enjoy her stories, but this one was a struggle to finish. The problem is, it should've been a short story. There is not enough plot to support a novella. To adhere to the novella's length, the author resorted to some gimmicks that convoluted the story, made it unfocused.
For example: the hero meets the heroine by chance 7 years after his abrupt and unexplained disappearance from her life. He should tell her what happened right away, right? Should explain. But he doesn't. The first time they meet, he dithers and hugs her and begs her forgiveness. No explanations. The second time they meet, he just reiterates that they needed to talk, but again, no information exchange occurs. The third time they meet, there is anger and accusations on her part, but still he keeps silent about the reasons for their forced parting. Only the last time they meet, he finally talks. Why? The only reason I could see was that the author needed to beef up her word count. Yikes!
Compared to Laporte's many other charming tales, this one was a disappointment.

[Maria Merced · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute and clean story. I got this audio from Hoopla as an extra borrow.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mira, Kit and Cornwall…oh Sofi Laporte, you have done it again. Another magical, romantic story that captures readers hearts. It completely stole mine.

I don’t want to giveaway any spoilers because this book is wonderful and each and every reader should have the pleasure of discovering the new pieces to the story with each turn of the page. So I’ll keep this short.

Read this book! If you are a fan of Sofi Laporte’s books, read this Christmas/winter time romance. If you are new to Sofi Laporte, pick this up and read it. You will be enchanted, entertained, the strings of the heart will be pulled and there will definitely be swooning. Love the book, love the characters, can’t wait for more books from Laporte!

*I received an advanced ecopy from the publisher/author and all opinions are my own.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my fave from her, and I've read/listened to almost everything she's done.

The story was too unbelievable, and the MMC was kind of a jerk. Plus, I hate the no-communication trope.

SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

The premise—her hubby disappears the day after their wedding when he was getting eggs. Seven years later, they randomly meet again. Turns out, it was a big misunderstanding. She thought he was dead; he thought she was dead. Aww, and he's not a blacksmith anymore, but a viscount or a duke or something. So, yeah, all good then. 🙄

[Jennie Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet Christmas story! The twists were fantastic, as always with a Sofi Laporte book. I was guessing the whole way through. The ending was so heartwarming, and I adored reading about all the Cornish traditions (especially the pasties, yum!)

There's such a great cast of characters, from wise old ladies to slightly annoying social climbers to mysterious, aloof gentlemen, and of course, the best part was reading about them all interacting with each other. A true classic Regency!

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I’m happy to find a clean romance author. I enjoyed this novella! It’s certainly not believable, lol, but it still made me cry. I’m docking it half a star, bc I get really annoyed with the seriously overused modern trope of misunderstandings because characters don’t communicate, for not very good reasons actually. Just talk already. Like it doesn’t offer a good reason why the guy takes a few meetings before he starts talking to clear things up. Her too. Come on.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story.

Content: clean - passionate kissing, innuendo

[Nina · Rating 1 out of 5]

2026 is off to a bad start.

[Becca Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a maid story

The thing I love about this author is you really feel for the character. (My favorite is Ludmilla’s book). But there are some unexpected twists and turns in this one. My only complaint is that it was tied up a bit quickly once secrets were revealed and maybe the bad guy should have been alive to answer for himself.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just too silly, too implausible and too rushed.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

This Anastasia-retelling-wannabe was a complete hot mess of profanity and spewing melodrama right in front of guests. Read at your own risk.

Content: profanity

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mira, the maid, is asked to be a ladies' maid because one is ill. Mira explains that she cannot because she was promised one day off a week when she was hired. ( At this point, the reader knows she has a child somewhere, but the story doesn't tell us) Quickly after she agreed to this, she ended up being a companion to the daughter when they went to the opera.

The daughter Rose doesn't do well in public, and they needed Mira to have smelling salts if she fainted. Which she does. In all the commotion, the elderly lady that they are with forced Mira to sit in Rose's seat until she could recover. From all the commotion and then Mira's genuine tears over the moving Opera, the ton is entranced. The men beat a path to their door, but a princess beats them back and enters. She asked Mira all sorts of questions before inviting them to a party at her home.

There is an ongoing story that the marquis is an ice sculpture who persues opera singers. Obviously, he was going to be the love of her life, but I couldn't wait to see how it played out.

At the party, Mira goes for a walk and runs into the blacksmith.It was Kit. Her lost love. She had been searching for him for 7 years. She thought he might be dead, and yet he was here safe. He told her he had so much to explain, but in that moment, he didn't get a chance.

Nor does he when he sneaks up the ivy into her room. I know, I feel the same way, I hate stories that could end 40 pages in if one character said a sentence. I also know that as someone who is autistic sometimes telling the big truths is hard. So I can't hold it against either of them to be tongue-tied.

When Mira guesses the truth( the way it comes to her is wild), there is such drama. That whole scene was so entertaining!

Then, they had to tell their truths. What had happened to Kit , and what he had been told. It turns out what he had been told was a lie. Then Mira told her story. a much sadder and bleaker story. Thankfully, the Culpeppers rescued her.

Claire is such a gem. Absolutely adorable. I swear kids in romance novels always steal the show(and my heart).

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mira has been alone for years after her bridegroom disappeared, but she's never forgotten him. Now a servant, her earnings go toward trying to find him. So when she's offered a chance to act as paid companion at a house party, she takes it. Her charge is believed to have caught the attention of Lord Atherton, widely believed to have no heart, and she's expected to bring off an engagement between them. But before they even arrive, Mira sees a man she believes to be the bridegroom she's been searching for for so long. What separated them, and are they being given a second chance?

A delightful, heart-warming story of secrets, misunderstandings and second chances. I appreciated that the worst misunderstandings weren't the main characters' faults, and Kit's attitude towards Mira was great - particularly his patience. I also loved the way his family supported him (and Mira by extension). The way the secrets gradually came to light was really well done, and while some secrets were fairly obvious, others were not. As for the ending, it was perfect - heart-warming and satisfying. Something about this book really resonated with me. I typically prefer longer stories, but this one I really loved. The perfect escape from a too-busy world at any time of year, but also a great introduction to the Christmas season. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended this book mad at Kit. His wife’s been through hell and back after he essentially deserted her with a baby on the way, and he thinks the best way to let her know he’s still alive is through some kind of elaborate masquerade? What?

And I don’t even know why I’m so mad at Kit! But he had it so easy while Mira had it so hard. If he was such an innocent pawn in all of this why would he play mind games with her? Why pretend to be the blacksmith and lie about where he’s been and climb in her window for a kissing session all while he’s still lying to her? It just made him seem like a player of the worst kind.

I know I’m probably overthinking this and it’s supposed to be lighthearted fiction, but some of the topics were just too heavy to be handled so lightheartedly. At the end of the book what I took away was that Kit acted like a jerk and ended up with the perfect life anyway, while Mira forgave him entirely too quickly.

I agree with whoever said this should have been a short story. It should have ended at the opera house when Kit showed up at the intermission instead of the princess. Then I might have liked him. The end.

4 stars on the writing, 2 on the plot, split the difference and landed at 3. I do love Sofi Laporte’s writing under most circumstances, but this one overshot the finish line.

[A.A.B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book was like watching one of Miyazaki's grotesque monsters die because it keeps disintegrating faster than it can regenerate.

These stories usually require some suspension of disbelief, but this one strained credulity far beyond my endurance. And the problem wasn't just the improbable premise. The problem was that if you don't give the story its premise, there is no story. But if you do give the story its premise, then you end up with at least one of the main characters being a completely irresponsible selfish and self-indulgent poor excuse for a person to the point that the "happy ending" stops being happy and the story collapses at that point. I don't know what Olympic levels of mental gymnastics would be required to reconcile these two incompatible issues, but assuming you find the reader capable of such sportsmanship, then there is the problem of characters' reactions scene by scene which also don't make a whole lot of sense.

So the narrative demands multiple suspensions of disbelief, most of which are incompatible with each other, and the story keeps falling apart.

I did finish this book out of morbid perplexed curiosity as to what other outlandish and unbelievable things the author would try to shoehorn into this story. In that respect it didn't disappoint, but I can't say that I enjoyed the process.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story with a happy ending.

Mira married and was happy until her husband disappeared without a trace from their home in Cornwall. Years later and after much difficulty, she is pressed into being a lady's companion to her employer's daughter in London. Her mother wants her to marry someone with a title and she is determined to make it happen. While at the opera, they are discovered by a princess who invites them to a house party where they will be introduced to others from society. Mira strikes a bargain with her employer that if she agrees to this, she will be able to leave her employment with a good reference and some money in her pocket to take care of her young daughter whom she is separated from. At the house party, Mira discovers the truth about what happened to her bridegroom.

I really enjoyed this story because it was clean and wholesome with a bit of mystery and a good dose of romance.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of My Lady, Shall We Dance, which is a prequel to Sofi Laporte’s new series, Viennese Waltz. In typical prequel style, we are introduced to some of our future MMCs and FMCs and the series running theme in a short novella that was chock full of soap worthy drama and bomb drops. I’m happy to have a front row seat, popcorn ready.

Pros - loved the FMC, loved her mamma bear instincts and tendency to mutter gripes under her breath. Her reactions were written so they felt genuine. Loved the whole side cast of female characters as well. Well done.

Cons - a novella is supposed to be short, but I think this could have been an entire novel. Trying not to spoiler this…I would like to have learned more about the MMC between the ages of 21-29.

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level 🌶️🌶️ kisses only, but an implied intimate scene behind closed doors

All in all, a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔨My Lady, will you Dance🔨 by #SofiLaporte is a dashing tale of a lost love that stood strong despite hard years.

While reading I got a look into the life of a single mother in London in the 1800s, the struggles and the harsh reality that enveloped them. The MFC overcame an extensive amount of society scorn and unjust opinions regarding her character. The character did her best for her child without ever forgetting her lost love. The author spun a marvelous novel that took you on a rollercoaster of emotions. My mouth dropped at the absurdity of the situations that the main characters were put in. How many times I held contempt and then love for the different characters in this novel. And though the book held some tragic events, there was a beautiful wrap up that I felt that all strings were tied up.

It was a beautiful family reunion!

Repost of review from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9iBE4thu...

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Lady, Will You Dance? by Sofi Laporte is book 0.5 of the Viennese Waltz romance series set in England in the early 1800s. The Hoopla Bonus Borrow is a charming variation of the Cinderella story. Mira Taylor is from Fowey, Cornwall, where she married her childhood sweetheart Kit, the village blacksmith.

One night, Kit didn't return home. Months later, her cottage burnt to the ground, and she gave birth to a daughter. Mira left Cornwall to go into service as a housemaid for the Culpepper family in England. For seven years, she has spent her meager wages caring for her daughter and paying for a private investigator to find Kit (she clings to hope he's alive).

During Christmas season, the lady's maid to the Culpepper's daughter falls ill. Mira needs to take her place at a country house party. It's a role far above her humble maid position, but she rises to the occasion, relying on long-ago lessons in deportment from schoolteacher Miss Pearson in Fowey.

Her life changes forever at Highcourt Abbey. A short, sweet story to enjoy at Christmas time.

[Riana Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up as a Hoopla Bonus Borrow after I’d already hit my library checkout limit and needed an easy, low-stress escape from heavier reading. Cozy historical romance is an easy go-to in that situation — a known happy ending, no extreme emotional whiplash, and a focus on story rather than gratuitous spice.

This book delivered exactly that.

The plot uses familiar romance devices, but they’re handled competently and with enough warmth that the familiarity feels comforting rather than lazy. The pacing is especially well managed — something I appreciate in historical romance, where unnecessary detail can easily bog things down in the name of “atmosphere.” In 'My Lady' the story moved along without overstaying its welcome.

While I wouldn't call it a standout read, it was pleasant, easy to settle into, and enjoyable enough that I immediately picked up the second book. As cozy escapism goes, it does what it sets out to do — and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story of lost love and dreams. Mirabel was far from the Cornwall village she grew up in as she searched for her lost love. She works in London as a housemaid to provide for her young daughter and to get the funds needed each month to pay the detective she has hired to find Kit, her missing bridegroom.

When her employer wants her to accompany her debutante daughter to the opera, her life will take a sudden turn. Following the opera, Mirabel will be accompanying Rose Cullpepper to a house party hosted by Lord Atherton, a sought after bachelor. He's known as the "Cold Marquess".

This story just pulled me in from the start and I love how Sofi manages to keep you on edge as she unravels the story. When all of the secrets are finally revealed to Mirabel, her life will never be the same.

This is the prequel to a new series the "Viennese Waltz". I am really looking forward to the next book which we were given a peek at the end of this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mira was just a maid with a secret daughter and a past who didn’t expect to be invited to some haughty lord’s country estate with the young lady she was playing companion to. I wondered about Mira’s part in this story. Hers and Kit’s were heartbreaking all because an evil man decided he was going to do whatever he needed to control their fate. Thankfully they each had friends to assist them in their time of need and despair but still didn’t manage to cross paths. Young Clare was precocious and full of joy for someone who didn’t have the easiest life and had to be apart from her mother. I liked Kit’s friends and I’m looking forward to reading more about them in future books. This was a kisses only second chance romance.

[Amanda Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many reviews do I need to write before I can become the president of the Sofi Laporte fan club? All jokes aside, I seriously can’t get enough of her books. They are an automatic buy from me whenever a new one is available.

My Lady, Will You Dance is a tale of two lovers separated by cruelty, each believing the other is dead, only to reunite under a surprising set of circumstances and quickly find their happy ending. I loved Mira and Kit’s romance so much, I could not put this book down– finished in one sitting! A unique twist on the “second chance romance with baby” trope, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you love sweet, closed-door Regency Romances that are low on the spice but high on the “awww” factor, then you’ll love My Lady, Will You Dance.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this could have benefitted from being full length. I hesitated to read it because I don't celebrate Christmas, but it was just set at that time of year.

The only thing I wanted was a more definitive declaration that Kit had been true to his vows, even thinking she was dead. I would have preferred he never thought that, and that instead he just couldn't find her. He was portrayed as a player and I have no time for that. It's mentioned he shuts down adultery as grounds for divorce, but I'd like that detailed more. And maybe a little wooing on his part. But I found it to be enjoyable.

[Shaylin Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sofi Laporte is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!
Her book are always so unique and fun! Everything I have read by her makes me laugh and keeps me wanting more- her writing is a joy to read- clever and interesting.
This was a novella, but I didn’t feel cheated out of a great story- Sofi packed a lot of story into such a short amount of pages.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series!

[Diane Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Lady, Will You Dance By Sofi Laporte

Five stars, cute storyline, misunderstandings, memories, and hope.
Kit went from being a blacksmith to a Marques but he left something precious behind. But was hinder by lies. Mira was constantly looking for him, becoming a maid to survive. All comes to ahead years later, forgiveness and love overcoming the obstacles in their way. Good ending