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To Catch a Husband

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Gloucestershire, 1813. Miss Mary Lound of Tapley End would be the first to say that she demonstrates more grace with a fishing rod in her hand than she might ever twirling in a ballroom. This was not, however, a problem until her ne'er-do-well brother sold the family estate, leaving Mary and her mother in very straitened circumstances. When the new owner, Sir Rowland Kempsey, takes up residence, Mary decides to direct her energies into recovering her beloved home by catching a husband.

Promisingly, Sir Rowland thinks Miss Lound is a breath of fresh air. But with awkward attempts at flirtation, a duplicitous predator at large in the neighbourhood and the emergence of feelings that complicate her pragmatic goal, Mary discovers that landing the man she wants is more difficult than she had anticipated.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2024

61 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

Sophia Holloway

11 books103 followers
Sophia Holloway describes herself as a ‘wordsmith’. She read Modern History at Oxford, and her factual book on the Royal Marines in the First World War, From Trench and Turret, was published in 2006. Shea takes her pen name from her great grandmother ( hence the photograph portrait). She also writes the Bradecote & Catchpoll mediaeval murder mysteries under the pen name, Sarah Hawkswood. Her third Classic Regency novel, 'Kingscastle' was published in paperback and ebook by Allison & Busby in November 2021, with another due out in spring 2022.

She is a member of the Historical Writers’ Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the Crime Writers' Associationand the Romantic Novelists' Association.

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5 stars
127 (50%)
4 stars
77 (30%)
3 stars
35 (13%)
2 stars
10 (3%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Pauline Ross.
Author 11 books363 followers
May 20, 2024
I loved everything about this book. It felt like a much older book, one written perhaps twenty or thirty years ago, and I mean that as a very sincere compliment. Lately, I’ve almost despaired of modern Regencies, where the characters behave in modern ways with very modern sensibilities and sometimes even modern language. Sophia Holloway is one of the very few who avoids all these pitfalls.

Here’s the premise: Miss Mary Lound is twenty-five, and a spinster, being happier outdoors than in drawing rooms or ballrooms. That’s never bothered her, but now she’s in a difficult position. Her father’s debts and her brother’s unwillingness to try to repay them means that her beloved home of Tapley End has been sold, and she and her scatterbrained mother are living in near destitution in the Dower House. But the new owner, Sir Rowland Kempsey, is a pleasant man of thirty or so, and if she could catch him, Mary would be free of the threat of starvation, and mistress of Tapley End. It was worth a try…

Trouble is, Mary’s never tried to attract a man before, and she has no idea how to do it. Her early attempts are not very successful, and only serve to deter her target. If only she knew that he was attracted to open, honest and straightforward Mary just as she was. Meanwhile, her neighbour and almost-like-a-brother Sir Harry Penwood is sighing over the beautiful Madeleine Banham, and finding his own courtship troubled by smooth-talking and rakish Lord Cradley. This is the heart of the book - how exactly does one catch a husband? The beautiful Madeleine would like a gentleman who sees more to her than the exquisite exterior, while Mary would just like a man who sees her, and doesn’t veer away the instant the lovely Miss Banham appears.

This is not a particularly complex book, either in romance terms or in the plot. After a series of missteps, Mary and Sir Rowland manage to reach an accommodation that allows them to drift towards love, and Lord Cradley is seen off by his own misdeeds. Not much happens, in other words, but that doesn’t matter a bit. These characters are so real and so likeable that I was rooting for them all the way. Even the side characters, like Sir Rowland’s younger brother, Madeleine’s parents and the butterfly-minded Lady Damerham, are delightful. There was a certain amount of coincidence in how things worked out towards the end, but not so much as to be implausible.

As far as the writing goes, absolutely nothing tripped me up, not a single anachronism or Americanism, although I would have liked it if the author had used the word ‘nice’ less often. Such a bland word, surely she could have found something more interesting? Otherwise, the whole book is perfection, and I highly recommend it. Five stars.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,576 reviews182 followers
April 23, 2025
4.5 stars! This was a lovely, sweet read. Sir Rowland is an especially delightful hero: emotionally intelligent, kind, and I loved the contrast between him and the “should have been” heir to the estate. Very satisfying to have the “spiritual heir” get the estate in the end. I did like Mary as well, though she has more to struggle with. I thought the things she had to overcome were realistic. I loved her relationship with Harry. The secondary story with Madeline was slightly less interesting but I liked how it weaves in more and more to the overall plot. Tom Kempsey is a great character too. Lady Damerham is hilarious! Like Miss Bates only even more ditzy. The fishing was such a fun angle and there was a line about it at the end that was so funny. Never saw that coming! I found this very well written too. Occasionally I’d stop and think: “I love that turn of phrase.” The author uses Regency-era language very effectively too. There’s not so much as Heyer (and honestly hers can be a bit over the top!) but enough that it does evoke a different era.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,100 reviews11 followers
April 23, 2024
5 stars because there are no more!

I cannot praise this book enough. It is worthy of being hailed as a Heyer-like romance. I was absolutely glued & read in one sitting - into the early hours of the morning.
It’s a slow-burn romance, with no great actions, no dukes, no angst riddled lords, but one delightfully different lady, an interestingly normal Sir, two villains, and an entire cast of lovely families and neighbours, both primary and secondary.
Seriously, if you love Georgette Heyer’s novels, then this is for you.
So it comes with the highest recommendation to read it.
Profile Image for Tammie.
1,608 reviews174 followers
October 2, 2024
3.5 stars.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I almost gave it 4 stars, but took a half star away because the main character does some incredibly irritating things at one point. Overall, I love this author's writing style, even though it took getting used to at first. I'm looking forward to reading all of her books.
Profile Image for Flo.
1,155 reviews18 followers
May 10, 2024
I liked Sophia Holloway's new book to a point. Once the man in the story realizes he loves the woman, the story is less interesting no matter what the writer throws into the plot. Sir Rowland buys the house at Tapley End and is soon on good terms with the daughter of the previous owner, Miss Mary Lounds. She is an outdoor girl of 25 but has no idea how to catch a man. When she tries to "flirt" with Sir Rowland is turned off. At some point he realizes he loves her. Holloway throws in Lord Chadley, a cur, a neighborhood beauty who falls through the ice, the dissolute brother of our heroine...nothing wakes up the book.
230 reviews
May 11, 2024
I liked the story. It was interesting reading about the fly fishing and that it was something that women could do as well as men. I thought Mary was a different main character and good that she found someone who appreciated her.
Profile Image for Lafawnduh!.
157 reviews30 followers
September 7, 2025
*3.5 stars*
As far as Regency romance heroines go, Mary Lound was indeed a 'breath of fresh air'. Of course, I was just as exasperated at the hero at times, for she was not exactly the easiest person to get along with, due to her low self- esteem when comparing herself to other ladies. She was, however, generally likable and had distinct personality.

The hero was nothing new really, but there was just something very wholesome about him. He was able to think logically when re-examining his interactions with Mary, enabling him to understand where her unreasonable reactions were coming from, which I really liked.

I recently read another Sophia Holloway book and I was glad to find that this book focused mainly on the the hero and heroine's relationship. Another relationship is also explored, but it was kept to a minimum, not taking our attention away from the main story. I did, however, feel a bit sorry for Miss Banham at the end of the book, for she seemed to serve no other purpose than to be convenient for the sake of the plot ( 1. be the cause of a misunderstanding and an object of jealousy 2. make the bad guy seem bader 3. bring the main couple together at the end and create a nice setting for the ending). The author didn't even bother to let us know that if she recovered before the book ended xD

But to get back to the review, this was another well written and enjoyable regency romance by Sophia Holloway and I think I will be checking out a couple more books from this author
Profile Image for Gabz.
1,284 reviews41 followers
August 3, 2024
A lovely return to Holloway's early style and heroines. Much like with Bless Thine Inheritance, now called Celia I believe, we're treated to an unusual lady in a difficult predicament.

Mary was deeply lovable from the start, a sensible young woman, aware of her strengths and weaknesses, with a hobby that she loves dearly. Rowland balanced her nicely, being an equally sensible man, seeking an understanding between partners rather than riches or immense beauty. The way their relationship flourished was beautiful.

We see a couple ups and downs, Mary mainly hounded by her insecurities and jealousy before she realises the root cause, and Rowland falling prey to his temper in response, though both of them approach their situation reasonably.

I loved that there was no 3rd act breakup, which I find to be a desperately annoying trope, and the drama added by that last segment of the book was just right.

Highly recommended Regency romance!
Profile Image for Lida May Marie.
149 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2024
TITLE : "To Catch a Husband"
Author : Sophia Holloway
Format : e-book
Start Date : May 8, 2024
Finish Date: May 9, 2024

Sophia Holloway's latest book got to me, although my excitement tapered off as the story went on. The relationship between Sir Rowland Kempsey and Miss Mary Lounds hooked me in, especially Mary's unconventional interests and straightforward attitude. I could totally relate to Mary's situation and why she felt like marriage was her only way out. Even though the story lost some of its charm as it went on, I still appreciated the slow-paced romance and how it developed naturally. What I loved most about the book were the endearing characters and the genuine way love was portrayed. Holloway's novel was so different from the usual romance stories, and I loved how real the relationships felt. Overall, even though my excitement might have gone down, the book's sincerity and the depth of the characters left a lasting impression on me.
2,439 reviews27 followers
April 18, 2024
Mary Lound wasn’t the usual for a lady of her time. She enjoyed angling and hunting. Mary had little idea of how to flirt and was usually forthright and determined in her manner. She did have a quick temper which did cause her problems. I did feel for Mary and the situation she was in, thanks to her feckless brother. Little wonder her only way out was to marry.
Sir Rowland Kempsey, is a newcomer to the area and I was glad that he could see Mary’s true worth. It was a gentle romance, kisses only, and it did develop slowly into something more meaningful. This was an engaging story with a number of interesting characters, some I liked, some I didn’t but that all ads to the interest. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.
5 reviews
July 29, 2024
Had but potential but became too preachy

Had potential to be a great book. The authors continual need to force feed the reader feminist retoric was such a shame. The heroine needed to repeatedly show that she needed no man to rescue her. If the hero showed spirit and fight it was shown to be toxic masculinity but when the heroine did it was simply empowering. Double standards everywhere. It's impossible to feel this book is authentic to the era in which it's set as you can feel the contemporary writers' presence behind the pen. This modern take on historic novels has been done to death in recent years and this book is sadly another one of many that thinks it's noble 'message' is vital. It isn't. A brilliant story and clever dialogue are what make a great book. A really sad swing and a miss
Profile Image for Cydni.
145 reviews
July 6, 2025
I’m not quite sure how this book has so high a rating or why I read 75% of it. The writing style was good but there is no story! There was no development of the characters and the dialogue was boring. The drawn out history of Mary’s ancestors, and learning the ins-and-outs of fishing are definitely not my idea of character development. Where were the facial expressions rather than spelling out for me exactly what each person is feeling at any given time?

A romance has the story of the development of the relationship but there is always a secondary story, something that when overlapping with the relationship story, creates the climax. A pretty girl in town is not a secondary story. A man that we met twice (Lord Cradley) that is a bit snarky and everyone magically hates, is not a secondary story.
Profile Image for Penny Hampson.
Author 13 books66 followers
May 2, 2024
I downloaded and devoured this book as soon as it was released, knowing that this author never disappoints. Beautifully written, the story of how Mary Lound ‘lands’ herself a husband was absolutely charming. Make no mistake, Mary isn’t your typical Regency heroine; she is forthright, intelligent, attractive... and has no idea of her true worth. However, Sir Rowland Kempsey, the target of her attempts to marry, sees exactly in Mary what everybody else misses.
With its unusual plot, engaging characters, and delightful slow burn romance, Ms Holloway has created a wonderful story in the Georgette Heyer tradition. Authentic historical details delicately woven in set it firmly in the Regency period. For anyone looking for an intelligently written, feelgood story, I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Carol Keogh (Goodfellow).
285 reviews7 followers
May 27, 2024
I do love Sophia Holloways writing style and can always count on her to deliver a great book. Her heroines are always interesting and are well drawn. I enjoyed meeting Mary Lound, once resident of Tapley End her ancestral home but now unhappy tenant of the dower house along with her mother. Her brother Edmund has ruined the family and sold his heritage. Our hero is Sir Rowley, and he his a worthy hero indeed. He has bought the estate and intends to make it his home. The slow burning romance between the two protagonists is a joy to watch. Also, there is a lot to learn about fly fishing! This is a worthy addition to Holloways' previous books, and it is a very lovely read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of To Catch a Husband.
Profile Image for Beebs.
207 reviews4 followers
November 1, 2024
Didn't know what to expect, especially after reading some of the reviews, and to be fair, for a little bit, the heroine's personality was a bit off-putting for me. I couldn't really relate to her prickly, fish-loving, book-shunning (so to speak), outdoorsy personality.

But something kept me reading, and by the end this was one of my favorite books I've read in a very long time.

Loved the kind of intricate, close-up, detailed look at the progress of a man and woman falling in love, with the 1 step forward, 1.5 step backward, halt-and-go progress, the insecurities of both, but a steadily growing love between them.

Just a solid story imo.

Very clean, closed door for anyone who pays attention to that.
Profile Image for Lola.
25 reviews
December 12, 2025
I love the way this was written. I think twice I went to check when the book was written, because it was reminiscent of books I'd read that were much older (30+ years), and I adored that feel. It was a romance without any smut scenes but there were references to our MMC's desire which made it much more enjoyable for me despite that. I loved his little intrusive thoughts (nothing vulgar, for those worried of this)! They made me giggle just as much as his more tender thoughts and feelings. I was quite frustrated with FMC when she was quite obstinate about looking down on herself. It got them into misunderstandings that she refused to really be mature abt and it seemed that she let her pride get in the way as well, so that's where 1 star went but otherwise....I loved the book!
Profile Image for Olya.
570 reviews3 followers
August 18, 2024
First there were the soliloquies. Does the author not know how to write internal monologues?
Then there was a bit of mind-reading done by the hero. He seemed to understand the heroine's motivations in more detail than she did.
Then there was that ending. A slew of secondary characters were introduced, their stories sort of fleshed out, then just left unfinished. I checked and this is not a series, so if I want to find out how the other stories ended I'm SOL. Oh and that completely unnecessary skating accident at the end? Did the author finally realize the book needed something to actually happen??
141 reviews
January 23, 2025
Mary Lound of Tapley End but no longer as her unfeeling and conscienceless brother sold~off the family seat to a Risely, a family enemy since the Civil War. Fortunately, the Enemy dropped dead after a month of possession and the whole village was agog to know who would be the next owner. When Mary met him after some contretemps, she angled to land him to marry her. For Mary is a "compleat angler" unlike most young ladies, her education was quite different plus she never had a Season. This author always manages to give a new twist to all her Regency Romance Novels... to a cut above the rest.
Profile Image for Melanie.
31 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2024
I’ve enjoyed all Sophia Holloway books, and this one as well as The Season are my favourites. Mary is a very different heroine to her other female leads and it’s refreshing! The characters were a little reminiscent of those in Georgette Heyer books as is the style of writing (especially in this novel) although I don’t think it is fair to this author to be compared to Heyer (nothing really comes close).
338 reviews
November 4, 2024
To Catch a Husband

I love this authors books. This is the third one I’ve read and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all she writes so differently so well paced it’s sad, it’s funny, it has a lovely romantic end. I would have loved an epilogue to see Mary & Rowland a few years into marriage.
45 reviews
December 13, 2024
S. Halloway--a master painter with words

Yet another soul soothing, hitting the spot, itching the scratch--kind of novel. The theme of fishing is so CLEVERLY woven throughout the story, and the dialog is delightful.

It is on my re-readable list, as well as all the other Sophia Holloway books I've read so far.
54 reviews3 followers
February 15, 2025
I love Sophia Holloway’s smart style of writing and her sharp humor. Mary is a realistic blend of brash confidence that hides deep insecurity. Sir Rowland’s attraction to her is heartwarming and his responses to her behavior are mature and thoughtful. I appreciated this aspect a great deal as I tire of authors leaning on the miscommunication trope so often.
Profile Image for Debs.
98 reviews
October 19, 2025
Surprisingly sweet story

Mary is blunt, honest, and no longer in her ancestral home due to her wastrel of a brother. Luckily the new owner of 'her' trout lake is a delightfully single man of some fortune. Mary needs to cast some lures, and not the type she usually casts for the fish.
8 reviews
February 16, 2025
I loved it. There's not much story or action but a lot of cozy romance, humor and warmth. Perfect if you like a romance in historical setting with a focus on dialogue and subtle hints of strong emotions
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews165 followers
April 17, 2024
A perfect novel if you love Georgette Heyer. Well plotted, entertaining, another good story by this author
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for Liz.
125 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2024
As mentioned by others, this book has all the style and empathetic writing of Heyer.
How refreshing to read about Mary Lound, not a typical young lady of the time, but so true to herself - amazing
Profile Image for brianna7.
6 reviews
July 9, 2024
For me the story did not connect, there is no achievement to feel chemical between the characters and a reading became tired.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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