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The Liar's Club #2
The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount
USA Today
bestselling author Vivienne Lorret returns with the second book in her Liars’ Club series with a sparkling romance about the spirited middle sister, a dashing rogue, and a very real engagement…except he’s not the viscount he’s pretending to be.
Honoria Hartley enjoys flirting far too much to consider marrying. And besides, she’s been betrothed since birth to the long-lost Viscount Vandemere. But no one has actually ever met the viscount and, without an heir, the title will soon become extinct. So she’s willing to do anything to keep her viscount alive, even if she has to invent him herself.
Oscar Flint is a first-rate gambler. Estranged from his father’s side of the family his entire life, he grew up beneath the tutelage of a legendary con artist. There isn’t anyone who could pull the wool over his eyes. Not until he crosses paths with Honoria. Losing to her puts him in a bind… Until he remembers her story about a lost heir to a viscountcy. An heir that no one has ever met. Not yet, anyway.
When Oscar arrives on Honoria’s doorstep, claiming to be Vandemere, she is thrown for a loop. This rogue is not her viscount. The only problem is, he’s quite convincing, and when he kisses her, the line between the lie and the truth becomes hazy in all the steam they create. Honoria refuses to gamble with her heart. But Oscar has never played by the rules and he’s determined to win, no matter the cost.
Honoria Hartley enjoys flirting far too much to consider marrying. And besides, she’s been betrothed since birth to the long-lost Viscount Vandemere. But no one has actually ever met the viscount and, without an heir, the title will soon become extinct. So she’s willing to do anything to keep her viscount alive, even if she has to invent him herself.
Oscar Flint is a first-rate gambler. Estranged from his father’s side of the family his entire life, he grew up beneath the tutelage of a legendary con artist. There isn’t anyone who could pull the wool over his eyes. Not until he crosses paths with Honoria. Losing to her puts him in a bind… Until he remembers her story about a lost heir to a viscountcy. An heir that no one has ever met. Not yet, anyway.
When Oscar arrives on Honoria’s doorstep, claiming to be Vandemere, she is thrown for a loop. This rogue is not her viscount. The only problem is, he’s quite convincing, and when he kisses her, the line between the lie and the truth becomes hazy in all the steam they create. Honoria refuses to gamble with her heart. But Oscar has never played by the rules and he’s determined to win, no matter the cost.
392 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 24, 2024
110 people are currently reading
1988 people want to read
About the author
Vivienne Lorret
37 books1,306 followersUSA Today bestselling author VIVIENNE LORRET writes fun and steamy Regency historical romances. She lives in the Midwest where she coaxes words out of giant mugs of tea and attempts to jot them down before they can escape. For her entire catalog of books, including the Liars’ Club, her latest series from Avon, please visit www.vivlorret.net
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September 24, 2024
✨When he falls first and spends the rest of the book convincing her that she can love him and that he’ll be good for her but he doesn’t want to scare her off so he’s gotta go slow>>>✨
It was perfect. One of my favorite histrom ARCs I’ve read so far this year! It was an easy ten out of ten, scoring full marks in the dramatic and sexy and FUN departments. What a romp. I loved the drama of her knowing he was faking as the viscount (and that it wasn’t some big secret he was keeping from her) but not being able to tell anyone without incriminating herself. Both him and I were having a very giggly time over that!!
The ending was just what the book needed and even kept me guessing with some red herrings and such. I was just like PLEASE let this adorable simp keep the family he’s always wanted but never had!!! Also her family was so much fun. I was thrilled to see Verity and Magnus (and Lord Turgid and Lady Content) again! Ugh, I love them all.
I read this at the same time as I was listening to Loretta Chase audiobooks and I kept getting them confused because the writing/witty vibes felt very similar—which I feel is a pretty big nod! I’ve really enjoyed Lorret’s last few books, and definitely need to commit to reading her backlist. She has such a wonderful voice.
I think you could totally read this is a standalone if you’re desperate, but the Verity and Magnus side plot would make more sense if you read book one first. Plus it’s fantastic as well, so why not??
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.75/5
CWs: Loss of a sibling (in the past; recounted), grief, drowning
I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
It was perfect. One of my favorite histrom ARCs I’ve read so far this year! It was an easy ten out of ten, scoring full marks in the dramatic and sexy and FUN departments. What a romp. I loved the drama of her knowing he was faking as the viscount (and that it wasn’t some big secret he was keeping from her) but not being able to tell anyone without incriminating herself. Both him and I were having a very giggly time over that!!
The ending was just what the book needed and even kept me guessing with some red herrings and such. I was just like PLEASE let this adorable simp keep the family he’s always wanted but never had!!! Also her family was so much fun. I was thrilled to see Verity and Magnus (and Lord Turgid and Lady Content) again! Ugh, I love them all.
I read this at the same time as I was listening to Loretta Chase audiobooks and I kept getting them confused because the writing/witty vibes felt very similar—which I feel is a pretty big nod! I’ve really enjoyed Lorret’s last few books, and definitely need to commit to reading her backlist. She has such a wonderful voice.
I think you could totally read this is a standalone if you’re desperate, but the Verity and Magnus side plot would make more sense if you read book one first. Plus it’s fantastic as well, so why not??
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.75/5
CWs: Loss of a sibling (in the past; recounted), grief, drowning
I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
December 31, 2024
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (might feel hotter to you – there were 2 scenes that were close together and I combined for a flame and another scene that was short and I didn’t count as a full flame)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in (prologue, about 4%)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book form through NetGalley
Why I chose this book: Vivienne Lorret is one of my favorite authors! I adore so many of her books and want to read them all.
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
It’s not completely necessary – most of this focus is really on these mains, but there are a few scenes that are from the first book (It Had to Be a Duke) that take place here (it’s like some of the latter half of book 1 are happening during this story) so you might get more enjoyment of that with reading in order.
Basic plot:
Oscar arrives in the guise of Honoria’s missing fiance – using the ruse to lay low from his demons chasing him.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (my assumption)
- meet cute in Paris, but rest of the story in England
- English countryside setting
- bit of an antihero – he’s a swindling scoundrel that blackmails the heroine
- kind of a twist of fake relationship
- beautiful heroine
- hidden identity
- hero loves biscuits
- enemies to lovers but it turns quite playful
- heroine disguised as a lad
- medium steam – I settled as a 2 flame book but might feel hotter to you – there’s 2 scenes that are close together and I combined, and another that was short and I decided not to count
Ages:
- hero is 28, heroine is 23
First line:
Oscar Flint raked the razor down the hollow of his cheek, dispensing with the beard that had been part of his identity for the past six cities.
My thoughts:
Oh, how much adore Lorret’s writing. She really delivers so many things I just adore in romance. I really loved this novel!
We can say Honoria and Oscar are enemies to lovers but the playful, fun way Lorret presents it is my favorite form. More of a frenemies...they torment each other in the best ways while slowly circling towards each other in an inevitable collision. The tension building in this one was so lovely. The humor was so sweet and delicious. The gentleness and tenderness of Oscar while also having possessive and protective urges – there was no help for me in falling utterly in love with him.
But there was also emotional elements in this one that really got me. Both Oscar and Honoria’s character depth was lovely and I just fell in love with both of them. The setting of this series is wonderful in a way that small town, English countryside can provide. And the side characters and family just round everything out into this bright and lovely story that I adored falling into. I am left wanting more Vivienne Lorret immediately. LOVE.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 9
Average rating: 4.44 stars
Favorite book: Ten Kisses to Scandal
Endearments
Quotes Any typos or mistakes are purely my own
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (might feel hotter to you – there were 2 scenes that were close together and I combined for a flame and another scene that was short and I didn’t count as a full flame)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in (prologue, about 4%)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book form through NetGalley
Why I chose this book: Vivienne Lorret is one of my favorite authors! I adore so many of her books and want to read them all.
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
It’s not completely necessary – most of this focus is really on these mains, but there are a few scenes that are from the first book (It Had to Be a Duke) that take place here (it’s like some of the latter half of book 1 are happening during this story) so you might get more enjoyment of that with reading in order.
Basic plot:
Oscar arrives in the guise of Honoria’s missing fiance – using the ruse to lay low from his demons chasing him.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (my assumption)
- meet cute in Paris, but rest of the story in England
- English countryside setting
- bit of an antihero – he’s a swindling scoundrel that blackmails the heroine
- kind of a twist of fake relationship
- beautiful heroine
- hidden identity
- hero loves biscuits
- enemies to lovers but it turns quite playful
- heroine disguised as a lad
- medium steam – I settled as a 2 flame book but might feel hotter to you – there’s 2 scenes that are close together and I combined, and another that was short and I decided not to count
Ages:
- hero is 28, heroine is 23
First line:
Oscar Flint raked the razor down the hollow of his cheek, dispensing with the beard that had been part of his identity for the past six cities.
My thoughts:
Oh, how much adore Lorret’s writing. She really delivers so many things I just adore in romance. I really loved this novel!
We can say Honoria and Oscar are enemies to lovers but the playful, fun way Lorret presents it is my favorite form. More of a frenemies...they torment each other in the best ways while slowly circling towards each other in an inevitable collision. The tension building in this one was so lovely. The humor was so sweet and delicious. The gentleness and tenderness of Oscar while also having possessive and protective urges – there was no help for me in falling utterly in love with him.
But there was also emotional elements in this one that really got me. Both Oscar and Honoria’s character depth was lovely and I just fell in love with both of them. The setting of this series is wonderful in a way that small town, English countryside can provide. And the side characters and family just round everything out into this bright and lovely story that I adored falling into. I am left wanting more Vivienne Lorret immediately. LOVE.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 9
Average rating: 4.44 stars
Favorite book: Ten Kisses to Scandal
Endearments
Quotes Any typos or mistakes are purely my own
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
October 1, 2024
2.5
It was all right. It took a while for the romance to progress but everything else kept my interest for the most part. The book cover is a scene in the book.
It was all right. It took a while for the romance to progress but everything else kept my interest for the most part. The book cover is a scene in the book.
November 16, 2024
Entertaining, though not quite as good as Book 1 in the series. Honoria has made the most of her lifelong betrothal to an absent fiancé that no one has actually seen before. It has given the freedom to flirt and enjoy life without being shackled. When it is convenient to her, she reminds people of his existence while embellishing a bit here and there. It is thus highly inconvenient when he turns up in person to claim his bride. And it is extremely challenging, when she knows for a fact that he could not possible be the long lost heir to a viscountcy, but she cannot reveal the truth without incriminating herself. Caught up in the web of lies of her own making, the cunning and ever-plotting Honoria might have met her match in this conman extraordinaire.
May 25, 2024
I seriously did not want to put this book down, it was so good! I loved the tension and banter between these two characters. And the enemies-to-lovers vibes with blackmailing and playing their games to get under each other’s skin was perfection. Oh and the slow burn was just so well down that I was just here for it! Vivienne Lorret is definitely becoming one of those authors that I will just automatically pickup no matter what they write because the writing is just that good. I’m always pulled into the stories and this book was no exception. Highly suggest this one if you are looking for a tension and action filled historical romance!
I received the eARC of this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received the eARC of this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2024
This was almost as good as the first book. I still loved everything about it, though. Honoria and Oscar were fantastic together. Their little “games”, their banter, and I loved how they saw through each other. I loved how Honoria kept saying she wanted to murder Oscar, both of them had a great sense of humor. The sense of family was heartwarming. The Hartley family are unique, but they have so much love for each other. I’m absolutely loving this new series by Vivienne.
January 30, 2025
Review originally posted on Overflowing Shelf
CW: Death of a child; death of a parent; drowning; grief; abandonment; sexual assault; violence
I wasn’t the biggest fan of It Had to Be a Duke , book one in the Liar’s Club series, but I usually like Vivienne Lorret’s books, so I was willing to give the second book in this series a shot. And I’m so glad I did, as I really enjoyed this one! The vibes of the romance were immaculate, and I was eating up the relationship between Oscar and Honoria. Plus, I’m a sucker for the “made-up fiance who ends up showing up as a very real person” trope, so this one had me instantly intrigued.
Now, was the overarching plot a little predictable? Yes. Did I care? Not one bit, as I was having SUCH a good time with this story. Sure, there was a bunch of other stuff involving the identity of the real Viscount Vandemere and a big bad guy named Ladrón, but that felt like enjoyable background noise to me, as I was mainly here for the romance.
The romance! My god, the vibes of this were EXACTLY what I want in any romance novel. The banter and sexual chemistry between Oscar and Honoria had me HOOKED from their initial meeting. You could tell there would be this constant push and pull between them as they always tried to one-up each other. They were playing a game that no one else besides them was involved in, and it went down such a delicious avenue. This book was crackling with chemistry, and all I wanted was for Honoria and Oscar to kiss! Lorret draws the romance out so flawlessly that you’re on the edge of your seat, waiting for these two to admit their feelings, even as they lie to themselves about how deep the feelings run. And when they finally bang? PHEW. So much pent-up feeling and attraction! So fun, so sexy, so hot. Also, this book has a very sexy picnic – something I don’t think I’ve seen before but LOVED while reading it.
As much as Oscar and Honoria start out as adversaries, there are a lot of similarities between the two of them. Both are masters at playing different roles. Oscar is willing to lie, steal, and cheat to do what he needs to survive, while Honoria is willing to throw on a disguise to do what she must to protect her family. Oscar’s been burned by love before, while Honoria doesn’t want to let love in. And they’ve both experienced significant personal losses at a young age that shaped who they are as adults.
I loved that despite the front they put on for others, they can both see through that to see the real Oscar and Honoria behind all the bluster. Even though they started as adversaries, they ended up becoming each other’s confidants and holding each other’s secrets, building a strong foundation of trust. Slowly, the layers between them are pried back, helping to strengthen the romantic relationship into something much deeper.
This book managed to be lighthearted and incredibly funny, yet also emotionally complex and sad at the same time. Lorret toed the line perfectly between the emotional ends of the story, bringing in heavier subject matter like grief and loss to bring depth to her characters, but still managed to keep the book feeling fun in the end. I both laughed and cried while reading this book, yet both emotions felt like they fit seamlessly into the story.
The Trouble With Inventing a Viscount was so fun and so sexy that I couldn’t put it down! Outside the romance, the story was a lot of fun, even if there was a LOT to wrap up in the last chapter or so. But honestly, I didn’t care, as I was having a blast reading this book!
I definitely think this can be read as a standalone and would probably tell people to start with this book as it had that special something that I felt was missing from book one in the Liar’s Club series. I’m now excited to see what Lorret does next with this series, as this book was such a treat!
Thank you to Avon/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
CW: Death of a child; death of a parent; drowning; grief; abandonment; sexual assault; violence
I wasn’t the biggest fan of It Had to Be a Duke , book one in the Liar’s Club series, but I usually like Vivienne Lorret’s books, so I was willing to give the second book in this series a shot. And I’m so glad I did, as I really enjoyed this one! The vibes of the romance were immaculate, and I was eating up the relationship between Oscar and Honoria. Plus, I’m a sucker for the “made-up fiance who ends up showing up as a very real person” trope, so this one had me instantly intrigued.
Now, was the overarching plot a little predictable? Yes. Did I care? Not one bit, as I was having SUCH a good time with this story. Sure, there was a bunch of other stuff involving the identity of the real Viscount Vandemere and a big bad guy named Ladrón, but that felt like enjoyable background noise to me, as I was mainly here for the romance.
The romance! My god, the vibes of this were EXACTLY what I want in any romance novel. The banter and sexual chemistry between Oscar and Honoria had me HOOKED from their initial meeting. You could tell there would be this constant push and pull between them as they always tried to one-up each other. They were playing a game that no one else besides them was involved in, and it went down such a delicious avenue. This book was crackling with chemistry, and all I wanted was for Honoria and Oscar to kiss! Lorret draws the romance out so flawlessly that you’re on the edge of your seat, waiting for these two to admit their feelings, even as they lie to themselves about how deep the feelings run. And when they finally bang? PHEW. So much pent-up feeling and attraction! So fun, so sexy, so hot. Also, this book has a very sexy picnic – something I don’t think I’ve seen before but LOVED while reading it.
As much as Oscar and Honoria start out as adversaries, there are a lot of similarities between the two of them. Both are masters at playing different roles. Oscar is willing to lie, steal, and cheat to do what he needs to survive, while Honoria is willing to throw on a disguise to do what she must to protect her family. Oscar’s been burned by love before, while Honoria doesn’t want to let love in. And they’ve both experienced significant personal losses at a young age that shaped who they are as adults.
I loved that despite the front they put on for others, they can both see through that to see the real Oscar and Honoria behind all the bluster. Even though they started as adversaries, they ended up becoming each other’s confidants and holding each other’s secrets, building a strong foundation of trust. Slowly, the layers between them are pried back, helping to strengthen the romantic relationship into something much deeper.
This book managed to be lighthearted and incredibly funny, yet also emotionally complex and sad at the same time. Lorret toed the line perfectly between the emotional ends of the story, bringing in heavier subject matter like grief and loss to bring depth to her characters, but still managed to keep the book feeling fun in the end. I both laughed and cried while reading this book, yet both emotions felt like they fit seamlessly into the story.
The Trouble With Inventing a Viscount was so fun and so sexy that I couldn’t put it down! Outside the romance, the story was a lot of fun, even if there was a LOT to wrap up in the last chapter or so. But honestly, I didn’t care, as I was having a blast reading this book!
I definitely think this can be read as a standalone and would probably tell people to start with this book as it had that special something that I felt was missing from book one in the Liar’s Club series. I’m now excited to see what Lorret does next with this series, as this book was such a treat!
Thank you to Avon/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 1, 2024
Honoria Hartley has been betrothed since birth to the long-lost Viscount Vandemere...but no one has actually ever met the viscount. When Oscar Flint arrives on Honoria’s doorstep, claiming to be Vandemere, she is thrown for a loop. This rogue is not her viscount. The only problem is, this possible conman might steal her heart.
This is the second book in the Liars Club series. The Hartley family is introduced in the first story. While this book can stand alone, there are a lot of mentions at the beginning that could be confusing/overwhelming if you aren't familiar with the previous one.
Being tied to a marriage contract with a missing lord allows Honoria to move through life with a bit of freedom. A meet cute with Oscar comes back to bite her though, which leads to humor and sort of a "double blackmail" scenario where neither character can - or wants to - expose the other. For me, the book shone brightest when the characters were together, and Lorret is the excellent in building romantic chemistry and expectations with kisses.
Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Disguised Character, Enemies to Lovers, Hero Falls First
Steam: 3.5 (four scenes, but the last one is brief)
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review
This is the second book in the Liars Club series. The Hartley family is introduced in the first story. While this book can stand alone, there are a lot of mentions at the beginning that could be confusing/overwhelming if you aren't familiar with the previous one.
Being tied to a marriage contract with a missing lord allows Honoria to move through life with a bit of freedom. A meet cute with Oscar comes back to bite her though, which leads to humor and sort of a "double blackmail" scenario where neither character can - or wants to - expose the other. For me, the book shone brightest when the characters were together, and Lorret is the excellent in building romantic chemistry and expectations with kisses.
Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Disguised Character, Enemies to Lovers, Hero Falls First
Steam: 3.5 (four scenes, but the last one is brief)
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review
January 5, 2025
4 stars
I’m a big fan of the made up boyfriend/spouse trope, and this was a fun regency romp take on that!
Honoria has invented letters from her long-lost betrothed to keep her many suitors at bay, and Oscar (a gambler that Honoria bested while disguised as a signore, long story) shows up at her doorstep claiming to be said betrothed, the Viscount Vandemere.
I loved the chemistry between Honoria and Oscar, which had a lot of entertaining oneupmanship. It was really cute how they had fun (while antagonising each other), but there were also very touching moments when they each revealed why they do the things they do. The Hartleys (Honoria’s family) were also a delight — I loved the return of the sock puppets. 😂 Plus, this book had VERY good kissing.
I only wish the conclusion to the real Vandemere plotline had a breakdown or recap of how everything came together. The explanation was a bit rushed and glossed over some plot holes (maybe?), which left me feeling a little confused but 🤷♀️ there was still a HEA for our main couple.
I’m a big fan of the made up boyfriend/spouse trope, and this was a fun regency romp take on that!
Honoria has invented letters from her long-lost betrothed to keep her many suitors at bay, and Oscar (a gambler that Honoria bested while disguised as a signore, long story) shows up at her doorstep claiming to be said betrothed, the Viscount Vandemere.
I loved the chemistry between Honoria and Oscar, which had a lot of entertaining oneupmanship. It was really cute how they had fun (while antagonising each other), but there were also very touching moments when they each revealed why they do the things they do. The Hartleys (Honoria’s family) were also a delight — I loved the return of the sock puppets. 😂 Plus, this book had VERY good kissing.
I only wish the conclusion to the real Vandemere plotline had a breakdown or recap of how everything came together. The explanation was a bit rushed and glossed over some plot holes (maybe?), which left me feeling a little confused but 🤷♀️ there was still a HEA for our main couple.
September 27, 2024
4.5 stars.
December 27, 2024
This book (and series) makes me believe in new HR again.
June 18, 2024
The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount is the 2nd book in the Liar's Club series and it was just as amazing as the first book in the series!
The tropes include: slowburn, fake dating, animosity to lovers, found family, he falls first and falls harder.
Something that I am loving with this series is the banter, chemistry, and pure chaoticness of the family we are following. In this one we are following Honoria and Oscar and the chemistry is off the charts. I love how this follows the fake-dating trope and yet there is so much tension and angst between the characters. It is no secret that they are attracted to each other but they are also slowly falling for each other. It is also very clear from the very beginning that Oscar falls hard for Honoria and he would do anything for her! He is absolutely smitten by her and she is also falling in love with his charms and intellegence.
Another aspect that I loved about this book is the family aspects of it. Honoria's family is just so fun and chaotic and add alot of life to the novel. It is also a case where she is close to her siblings and parents and her parents were a love match. We also get to see Verity too which I loved!
The only "down" side to this novel is that the plot is not very strong and that made the pacing a bit slow at time. I personally didn't mind but if you need a strong plot in your novels this one will not have it.
Overall, I really loved this book. I think this is Vivienne Lorret's strongest series and I am so excited for Thea's book next.
.
.
.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an arc of this novel. All thoughts are my own.
The tropes include: slowburn, fake dating, animosity to lovers, found family, he falls first and falls harder.
Something that I am loving with this series is the banter, chemistry, and pure chaoticness of the family we are following. In this one we are following Honoria and Oscar and the chemistry is off the charts. I love how this follows the fake-dating trope and yet there is so much tension and angst between the characters. It is no secret that they are attracted to each other but they are also slowly falling for each other. It is also very clear from the very beginning that Oscar falls hard for Honoria and he would do anything for her! He is absolutely smitten by her and she is also falling in love with his charms and intellegence.
Another aspect that I loved about this book is the family aspects of it. Honoria's family is just so fun and chaotic and add alot of life to the novel. It is also a case where she is close to her siblings and parents and her parents were a love match. We also get to see Verity too which I loved!
The only "down" side to this novel is that the plot is not very strong and that made the pacing a bit slow at time. I personally didn't mind but if you need a strong plot in your novels this one will not have it.
Overall, I really loved this book. I think this is Vivienne Lorret's strongest series and I am so excited for Thea's book next.
.
.
.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an arc of this novel. All thoughts are my own.
October 14, 2024
*2.5
Honoria Hartley is a shameless flirt with no intentions of marrying despite being betrothed since birth to Viscount Vandemere. But no one has ever met the long-lost viscount, and with no heir in sight, the title is teetering on extinction, leaving Honoria in a jam. Determined to keep up her engagement ruse, Honoria goes to great lengths to make it seem like Vandemere is alive and well, even going so far as to send letters to herself from him. So imagine her surprise when the viscount turns up on her doorstep. Oscar Flint has been estranged from his father's side of the family for his entire life, growing up instead under the tutelage of a con man. Oscar is very good at what he does, and no one has ever bested him until he meets Honoria. Losing out to her puts Oscar in a bind, but when he remembers the story she told him about her fiancé, Oscar decides it's time for a little payback. The only problem? Oscar wasn't planning on falling for Honoria or that his ruse would lead to even more questions about his past.
I've wanted to pick something up by Lorret for a while now, but I'm not sure this was the way to go. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't all that interesting either. Based on the premise, I was expecting a bit of cat-and-mouse between our two main characters, and while their banter was spot-on, it felt like something was missing. I enjoyed watching them rile each other up, but I wanted to see more depth in their relationship. I also wasn't particularly invested in the plot. It was way too long and then wrapped up too quickly. I'm still interested in reading more from this author, but I don't think I'll make it a priority.
Honoria Hartley is a shameless flirt with no intentions of marrying despite being betrothed since birth to Viscount Vandemere. But no one has ever met the long-lost viscount, and with no heir in sight, the title is teetering on extinction, leaving Honoria in a jam. Determined to keep up her engagement ruse, Honoria goes to great lengths to make it seem like Vandemere is alive and well, even going so far as to send letters to herself from him. So imagine her surprise when the viscount turns up on her doorstep. Oscar Flint has been estranged from his father's side of the family for his entire life, growing up instead under the tutelage of a con man. Oscar is very good at what he does, and no one has ever bested him until he meets Honoria. Losing out to her puts Oscar in a bind, but when he remembers the story she told him about her fiancé, Oscar decides it's time for a little payback. The only problem? Oscar wasn't planning on falling for Honoria or that his ruse would lead to even more questions about his past.
I've wanted to pick something up by Lorret for a while now, but I'm not sure this was the way to go. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't all that interesting either. Based on the premise, I was expecting a bit of cat-and-mouse between our two main characters, and while their banter was spot-on, it felt like something was missing. I enjoyed watching them rile each other up, but I wanted to see more depth in their relationship. I also wasn't particularly invested in the plot. It was way too long and then wrapped up too quickly. I'm still interested in reading more from this author, but I don't think I'll make it a priority.
September 22, 2024
A big thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC— after quite a wait, I finally got my hands on it!
After really enjoying the first book in the series, I was excited to explore Honoria and Vandemere’s story. I expected a typical engaged-since-birth plot, but I was pleasantly surprised by the unique direction it took. The main characters were charming, and I loved the whimsical elements woven throughout.
That said, the twist became obvious early on, and I hoped for a quicker resolution. Unfortunately, it felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic in the final pages, especially regarding the villain’s role.
Overall, I think this series showcases Vivienne Lorret’s best work to date. It’s been wonderful to see her growth as an author, and I’ll definitely recommend it to my book communities.
While I enjoyed the book, it didn’t quite hit the five-star mark I was hoping for—maybe I just built up my expectations a bit too much!
After really enjoying the first book in the series, I was excited to explore Honoria and Vandemere’s story. I expected a typical engaged-since-birth plot, but I was pleasantly surprised by the unique direction it took. The main characters were charming, and I loved the whimsical elements woven throughout.
That said, the twist became obvious early on, and I hoped for a quicker resolution. Unfortunately, it felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic in the final pages, especially regarding the villain’s role.
Overall, I think this series showcases Vivienne Lorret’s best work to date. It’s been wonderful to see her growth as an author, and I’ll definitely recommend it to my book communities.
While I enjoyed the book, it didn’t quite hit the five-star mark I was hoping for—maybe I just built up my expectations a bit too much!
September 24, 2024
After reading and loving the first book in this series, I couldn’t wait to get my greedy eyes on this one and it did not disappoint.
I love love loved Honoria and Oscar. They’re both looking for something of their own and are so much more alike than either of them would like to admit. They have instant chemistry, banter for days, and flirting disguised as threatening murder and/or bodily harm. Of course, Honoria’s family is one of the best and I really enjoyed reading the scenes with all of them together.
Plot wise, it was good. These two are together for the majority of the story and it’s all I wanted. There are snippets of open conversations, but it works because we are shown how they learn to lean into each other and find that safe space they want (but refuse to admit.)
Overall, this was a strong book 2 and I can’t wait to see these two in the future in the next story.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I love love loved Honoria and Oscar. They’re both looking for something of their own and are so much more alike than either of them would like to admit. They have instant chemistry, banter for days, and flirting disguised as threatening murder and/or bodily harm. Of course, Honoria’s family is one of the best and I really enjoyed reading the scenes with all of them together.
Plot wise, it was good. These two are together for the majority of the story and it’s all I wanted. There are snippets of open conversations, but it works because we are shown how they learn to lean into each other and find that safe space they want (but refuse to admit.)
Overall, this was a strong book 2 and I can’t wait to see these two in the future in the next story.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
September 3, 2024
This was a really entertaining historical romance. It’s book 2 in the series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone (though I definitely recommend book 1!) There are some heavier topics discussed though, so please check CW’s.
I enjoyed the hidden identity mystery subplot in addition to the romance. It’s clear where things are headed, but I still liked seeing all the pieces come together. The Hartley family was absolutely hilarious and I laughed so hard at their interactions and antics. It was the playful banter and sizzling chemistry between Honoria and Oscar though that stole the show. Their slow burn enemies to lovers evolution was so satisfying and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these two headstrong and stubborn idiots fall for each other. lol
I appreciated that there wasn’t a third act breakup, but I did feel that the ending was quite rushed. The resolution to the Ladrón subplot felt anticlimactic and a lot of information is dumped on readers in the final chapters. Overall, this was a great addition to the series though and I’m looking forward to more!
CW: mentions of past scandal, gambling, death of parent (past), death of sibling/twin (past), grief, parental abandonment (past), poverty, prostitution (secondary character, past), cheating ex, life threatening situations, fighting
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
I enjoyed the hidden identity mystery subplot in addition to the romance. It’s clear where things are headed, but I still liked seeing all the pieces come together. The Hartley family was absolutely hilarious and I laughed so hard at their interactions and antics. It was the playful banter and sizzling chemistry between Honoria and Oscar though that stole the show. Their slow burn enemies to lovers evolution was so satisfying and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these two headstrong and stubborn idiots fall for each other. lol
I appreciated that there wasn’t a third act breakup, but I did feel that the ending was quite rushed. The resolution to the Ladrón subplot felt anticlimactic and a lot of information is dumped on readers in the final chapters. Overall, this was a great addition to the series though and I’m looking forward to more!
CW: mentions of past scandal, gambling, death of parent (past), death of sibling/twin (past), grief, parental abandonment (past), poverty, prostitution (secondary character, past), cheating ex, life threatening situations, fighting
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
September 10, 2024
Gosh I love a Lorret heroine! Honoria may have been my favorite yet. She was so strong, wasn’t going to take anyone’s crap including the MMC, Oscar.
For years Honoria has been telling everyone that she is betrothed to a viscount. However, that viscount hasn’t been seen, like ever. And that’s just fine with Honoria because she doesn’t want to get married so she will just live her life the way she wants.
Enter Oscar who is a thief and a gambler and a scoundrel. His words not mine. After his very brevity meeting with Honoria he can’t get her out of his mind and really she got him into a mess and she will have to get him out of it. So he pretends to be her viscount. What could go wrong? Everything, everything goes wrong.
So is Truman next?! I’m going Truman!
For years Honoria has been telling everyone that she is betrothed to a viscount. However, that viscount hasn’t been seen, like ever. And that’s just fine with Honoria because she doesn’t want to get married so she will just live her life the way she wants.
Enter Oscar who is a thief and a gambler and a scoundrel. His words not mine. After his very brevity meeting with Honoria he can’t get her out of his mind and really she got him into a mess and she will have to get him out of it. So he pretends to be her viscount. What could go wrong? Everything, everything goes wrong.
So is Truman next?! I’m going Truman!
September 29, 2024
This story was so fun! Unlike anything I've read before. The constant back-and-forth, the delulu of both characters, the simple, pure fun of each of their interactions, all of it made up a beautiful story.
The shenanigans of the Hartley family, and the Hartley family themselves, were some of the highlights of this story.
Sometimes unexpectedly poignant.
I love how Vivienne Lorret crafted this story: both Honoria and Oscar know from the very first moments who they are, the most real parts of them, even though they might be deceptive to other people. They see through each other, and their playful animosity enhances their attraction to each other.
I loved the romance in this, but I was less interested in the subplot. I think it was just my mood though.
Overall a very entertaining read!
The shenanigans of the Hartley family, and the Hartley family themselves, were some of the highlights of this story.
Sometimes unexpectedly poignant.
I love how Vivienne Lorret crafted this story: both Honoria and Oscar know from the very first moments who they are, the most real parts of them, even though they might be deceptive to other people. They see through each other, and their playful animosity enhances their attraction to each other.
I loved the romance in this, but I was less interested in the subplot. I think it was just my mood though.
Overall a very entertaining read!
dnf
March 14, 2025dnf @ 10% - i feel like the summary is misleading. or maybe i wanted a different setup. i wanted them both to independently invoke the viscounts name and then be stuck with each other and that's not what this is
September 30, 2024
The plot is really nice, something a bit different for once, so 5 stars for that. But I didn’t connect with the protagonists that much unfortunately; it might be a ‘me’ problem, because to be fair separately hero and heroine were actually interesting and entertaining…but somehow the synergy between them didn’t entirely translate for me.
October 15, 2024
This book was very good, especially when getting to know Oscar and having him realize he likes being settled down and having a family. Honoria got a little annoying when she wouldn’t acknowledge her feelings for Oscar. But then the ending took a turn and then swerved back but it became very confusing and I think left a lot of unanswered questions. For example, I would love to know how Cardew got the ring as that story was never explained. And how can you have a betrothal contract based on the events at the end and what the grandmothers would have known? And the scene at the lake was too melodramatic for me. The ending really didn’t resonate with me.
July 1, 2025
Vivienne Lorret never fails to make me fall in love with her books! The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount is a wonderful, fun historical romp, perfect for a summer afternoon read.
Honoria Hartley has been hiding behind a betrothal with a viscount who doesn’t technically exist for years, in order to avoid matrimony. Oscar Flint is a card sharp and sometime con man who needs a place to lie low for a while, and gets wind of this invented viscount. He decides to pose as Viscount Vandemere until the men chasing him lose interest. However, that means he has to act betrothed to Honoria as well.
Lorret has created a wonderful family in the Hartleys, and this book was just so much fun to read. It sizzles with tension at times, but doesn’t hesitate to delve into deeper themes of loss, grief, and identity.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
Honoria Hartley has been hiding behind a betrothal with a viscount who doesn’t technically exist for years, in order to avoid matrimony. Oscar Flint is a card sharp and sometime con man who needs a place to lie low for a while, and gets wind of this invented viscount. He decides to pose as Viscount Vandemere until the men chasing him lose interest. However, that means he has to act betrothed to Honoria as well.
Lorret has created a wonderful family in the Hartleys, and this book was just so much fun to read. It sizzles with tension at times, but doesn’t hesitate to delve into deeper themes of loss, grief, and identity.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
July 28, 2025
So this is a new author for me. Many folks in my FB group say she is great and steamy and recommend her. I don't remember why I decided not to read her before now. Maybe because she can be expensive. I got Book 1 through Kindle Unlimited, this book with credits and Book 3 was kindle double points day. I do have to say she is not as steamy as I was expecting. She seems to have only 1 big sex scene at the end (at least with this series so far). They are well written and nice and long but still not super steamy overall.
I did like Honoria and Oscar. Their story was cute and unexpected. Maybe because they are from the same family but the sisters were written very similar. I mean sometimes Honoria was written the same as Verity was in Book 1. Not sure that makes sense but since I very rarely get to read series' back-to-back and when I do you start to see the authors writing pattern and sometimes they can come out wash, rinse, repeat. I felt that a little with this book and book 1. Overall though it was a good read.
I did like Honoria and Oscar. Their story was cute and unexpected. Maybe because they are from the same family but the sisters were written very similar. I mean sometimes Honoria was written the same as Verity was in Book 1. Not sure that makes sense but since I very rarely get to read series' back-to-back and when I do you start to see the authors writing pattern and sometimes they can come out wash, rinse, repeat. I felt that a little with this book and book 1. Overall though it was a good read.
April 20, 2025
3.5 stars
Danger! Romance! Sock puppets! Get ready for a little bit of everything in this twisty-turny novel by Vivienne Lorrett!
Our heroine is a master of disguise, using her acting skills to lure men from their money in gambling dens. She’s got it all figured out, until our hero captures our mustachioed miss! She realizes that she’s met her match, but thinks she’s gotten away unscathed…until much later when he shows up posing as the man she’s told EVERYONE that’s she’s betrothed to! She’s furious, and yet she can’t deny the pull she feels towards him. But who is he, really, and what happens when she finds out?!?
I found this book to be quite funny, with a cast of characters that’s set up like an Agatha Christie novel. As in, what are everyone’s motives? The richly developed backstories of our MCs were built up almost to the point of overshadowing their developing relationship. I’d say this felt more like historical fiction than historical romance for about the first half of this book. Our characters’ chemistry is on point, but they didn’t share the stage enough for my taste. As a result, my attention waned at times.
Bottom line: anyone looking for a spicy, humorous historical romance with an entertaining cast of characters and a side of danger won’t be disappointed!
Trigger warnings: death of a sibling (off page but referenced), abandonment by father (before story begins), being wounded/bandaged, peril
I’d like to thank Avon and Avon Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Danger! Romance! Sock puppets! Get ready for a little bit of everything in this twisty-turny novel by Vivienne Lorrett!
Our heroine is a master of disguise, using her acting skills to lure men from their money in gambling dens. She’s got it all figured out, until our hero captures our mustachioed miss! She realizes that she’s met her match, but thinks she’s gotten away unscathed…until much later when he shows up posing as the man she’s told EVERYONE that’s she’s betrothed to! She’s furious, and yet she can’t deny the pull she feels towards him. But who is he, really, and what happens when she finds out?!?
I found this book to be quite funny, with a cast of characters that’s set up like an Agatha Christie novel. As in, what are everyone’s motives? The richly developed backstories of our MCs were built up almost to the point of overshadowing their developing relationship. I’d say this felt more like historical fiction than historical romance for about the first half of this book. Our characters’ chemistry is on point, but they didn’t share the stage enough for my taste. As a result, my attention waned at times.
Bottom line: anyone looking for a spicy, humorous historical romance with an entertaining cast of characters and a side of danger won’t be disappointed!
Trigger warnings: death of a sibling (off page but referenced), abandonment by father (before story begins), being wounded/bandaged, peril
I’d like to thank Avon and Avon Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 11, 2025
This was a fun concept, but the execution fell a bit short for me.
I adored "It Had To Be a Duke" and one of my favorite things about the first book was the chemistry between the two leads. This is what I was missing in this one. It felt insta-lovey, but the two characters didn't actually get together until the middle of the book. This weird combo was a bit irritating, especially since I adore slow burns.
I found myself liking the family dynamics and Oscar's backstory more than the interactions between the actual couple. Also Verity's cameo in this book was probably one of my favorite parts. The ending seemed a bit rushed but I was pleased with the way everything was wrapped up (the drama!!!!).
Excited to dive into Althea's story next!
I adored "It Had To Be a Duke" and one of my favorite things about the first book was the chemistry between the two leads. This is what I was missing in this one. It felt insta-lovey, but the two characters didn't actually get together until the middle of the book. This weird combo was a bit irritating, especially since I adore slow burns.
I found myself liking the family dynamics and Oscar's backstory more than the interactions between the actual couple. Also Verity's cameo in this book was probably one of my favorite parts. The ending seemed a bit rushed but I was pleased with the way everything was wrapped up (the drama!!!!).
Excited to dive into Althea's story next!
September 24, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this earc
This book was much fun! But honestly when a liar and a kind of a liar meet and fall in love? The best kind of story.
But this is what you need to know. This book has the best banter, so spicy scenes and super unrealistic plot twist with happily ever after. And sometimes that’s all you know. I loved Oscar. I loved Honoria. I loved Honoria’s family and how incredibly dramatic they all were. This book just hit the spot my friends. Make sure to pick it up
This book was much fun! But honestly when a liar and a kind of a liar meet and fall in love? The best kind of story.
But this is what you need to know. This book has the best banter, so spicy scenes and super unrealistic plot twist with happily ever after. And sometimes that’s all you know. I loved Oscar. I loved Honoria. I loved Honoria’s family and how incredibly dramatic they all were. This book just hit the spot my friends. Make sure to pick it up
May 1, 2024
As always, I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.
A regency romance always has to be taken for what it is, a light and fluffy read. There were parts of this book I could not put down, and parts that I feel like got too convoluted for the plot. Overall, the writing itself is really well done, and the romance is very intriguing. I just wish some of the elements that made the read a little busy got left out.
A regency romance always has to be taken for what it is, a light and fluffy read. There were parts of this book I could not put down, and parts that I feel like got too convoluted for the plot. Overall, the writing itself is really well done, and the romance is very intriguing. I just wish some of the elements that made the read a little busy got left out.
August 30, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! I loved this continuation of Vivienne Lorret’s The Liar’s Club series. First of all, I love this family - I love that they love drama, acting, comedy, and they love each other. They’re the sweetest. I really liked the banter and the enemies to lovers vibe of this book. I think this series is really doing a great job with trauma bonding in historical romance; the trauma is thoughtful and the love between the characters grows over the book. The main reason that this didn’t get 5 stars from me like the last book in this series is that it felt a little long, especially towards the middle, with all the stuff about the MMCs family drama. But saying that, the ending was great, the banter and steam top notch, and I highly, highly recommend this book for fans of historical romance and Lorret. This series is a must read for me, and I am excited for Thea’s story.
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February 17, 2025
Trigger & Content Warnings
Parental abandonment mentioned
Infidelity mentioned
Sex work mentioned (secondary character)
Gambling
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a sibling by drowning recounted
Death of a parent mentioned
Parental abandonment mentioned
Infidelity mentioned
Sex work mentioned (secondary character)
Gambling
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a sibling by drowning recounted
Death of a parent mentioned
June 4, 2024
I loved it so so so much! Full RTC here and on Bookbub.
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