What do you think?
The Vaughns
Rivals and Roses
He thinks they’re courting. She thinks they’re rivals. A surprise awaits them both
Dr. Arthur Vaughn came to the countryside for a fresh start, not to fall hopelessly in love. But from the moment he meets Violet Templeton—brilliant, headstrong, and as passionate about medicine as he is—he knows he’s found his perfect match.
But while he’s dreaming of their future together, she’s ensuring he doesn’t have one.
With her family’s practice at stake and their income dwindling, Violet has no choice but to drive the new doctor out of town before he steals every last patient. But the more she schemes against him, the more she glimpses the man beneath the threat—one who listens, who respects her, and who might just understand her better than anyone ever has.
She’s fighting for her family’s survival. He’s fighting for a future with her. But only one of them can win.
Dr. Arthur Vaughn came to the countryside for a fresh start, not to fall hopelessly in love. But from the moment he meets Violet Templeton—brilliant, headstrong, and as passionate about medicine as he is—he knows he’s found his perfect match.
But while he’s dreaming of their future together, she’s ensuring he doesn’t have one.
With her family’s practice at stake and their income dwindling, Violet has no choice but to drive the new doctor out of town before he steals every last patient. But the more she schemes against him, the more she glimpses the man beneath the threat—one who listens, who respects her, and who might just understand her better than anyone ever has.
She’s fighting for her family’s survival. He’s fighting for a future with her. But only one of them can win.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2024
About the author
M.A. Nichols
45 books516 followersBorn and raised in Anchorage, M.A. Nichols is a lifelong Alaskan, though she briefly ventured south to get a fancy bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from Utah State University—neither of which had anything to do with why she became an author, but they kept her alive while launching her publishing career.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 21, 2024
I've wanted to write this book for a while, and it was such a blast to see it come to fruition. I hope you enjoy it, too!
August 25, 2024
Need to take a moment to say how much I love that M.A. Nichols is never afraid to create characters outside the mold and is talented enough to make us fall in love with them. Mr. Darcy? Who needs him when we have the bumbling, balding, precious Arthur Vaughn? I loved this book!
Did Not Finish
May 14, 2026I've read many of this author's books, and generally they are enjoyable. But I began to notice the literary crutch she employs with the overuse of "for all that". In one book, she used it 78 times. Once time, she used it twice in the same sentence. It can be expressed in many other ways: although, since, as, even though, in spite of, nevertheless, notwithstanding, nonetheless, however, still, even so, all the same, despite that, etc. It has become so distracting I can't focus on the story.
August 21, 2025
M.A. Nicols specialty is writing books about the kinds of women that it would seem no man wanted. Violet is very tall and manly. I imagine her build to resemble Gewndoline Christie. The people of her town call her Mr Templeton.
Granted half of that ugly name comes from the fact that they know she is the one who runs her brother's doctoring business. She is the apothecary even if they pretend otherwise.
Lewis and Felicity from Jack Of All Trades are in this book, and Felicity is pregnant with her first child. Simon was not going to sit back and leave his family in the hands of Violet's negligent brother, so he lured a real doctor to the town.
Arthur came to the town believing they had no doctor. When he arrived, a man is injured in the road, and Violet is busy tearing apart her petticoat to save him. Between the two of them, the man's life was saved.
Arthur soon found out that there was another doctor, and if he were to stay, that family would lose their livelihood. The thing is, he was so drawn to Violet that he wanted to stay to be with her. He tried every way he could to make it work. He was also falling irrevocably in love with her.
Violet, in the meantime, was trying every subtle way she could think of to run him out. Run him out even though he was better to her than anyone she had ever known. It was sad. Sadder still was how obvious Arthur was being as he tried to court her, and because of her past treatment, she could never see what was going on in front of her face.
Arthur was a very shy man who could barely speak to women but became almost an angry brute if anyone mistreated a woman. When he decided her scheming meant she could never love him, he blew up at her with almost the same force.
Poor silly Violet. When you read the part where she helps Felicity through her labor pains, it will be obvious why she never believed the proof in front of her eyes.
I just realized this is the Vaughn series. We didn't meet any other Vaughn except Arthur. I wonder who the next book is about?
Granted half of that ugly name comes from the fact that they know she is the one who runs her brother's doctoring business. She is the apothecary even if they pretend otherwise.
Lewis and Felicity from Jack Of All Trades are in this book, and Felicity is pregnant with her first child. Simon was not going to sit back and leave his family in the hands of Violet's negligent brother, so he lured a real doctor to the town.
Arthur came to the town believing they had no doctor. When he arrived, a man is injured in the road, and Violet is busy tearing apart her petticoat to save him. Between the two of them, the man's life was saved.
Arthur soon found out that there was another doctor, and if he were to stay, that family would lose their livelihood. The thing is, he was so drawn to Violet that he wanted to stay to be with her. He tried every way he could to make it work. He was also falling irrevocably in love with her.
Violet, in the meantime, was trying every subtle way she could think of to run him out. Run him out even though he was better to her than anyone she had ever known. It was sad. Sadder still was how obvious Arthur was being as he tried to court her, and because of her past treatment, she could never see what was going on in front of her face.
Arthur was a very shy man who could barely speak to women but became almost an angry brute if anyone mistreated a woman. When he decided her scheming meant she could never love him, he blew up at her with almost the same force.
Poor silly Violet. When you read the part where she helps Felicity through her labor pains, it will be obvious why she never believed the proof in front of her eyes.
I just realized this is the Vaughn series. We didn't meet any other Vaughn except Arthur. I wonder who the next book is about?
September 10, 2025
I came across this audiobook on YouTube, kindly shared by the author herself, just when I was searching for a Regency Romance with a clean rating.
The main characters immediately captured me with their unconventional appearances. Violet is a tall, broad-shouldered woman (I pictured her a bit like Luisa from Encanto), and Arthur is bald and about her height. Both are 32 years old, which I loved (as a almost 40yo women I really value stories with older female leads). She’s firmly considered a spinster. Violet is a "healer", while Arthur is a doctor, so their shared interests create a natural connection. Arthur is shy and endearingly sweet, while Violet—worn down by countless rejections—can only interpret his attention as kindness and friendship. The result is a slow-burn romance where he struggles to voice his feelings, and she simply cannot imagine herself the object of his affection.
The only reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me is Violet’s perspective on Arthur. Throughout the book, we hear Arthur’s thoughts and see his interest in Violet, but I never recall Violet reflecting on him in a romantic way (to much busy to dismiss the possibility I never recall a moment in which she wished for it... come on! I totally fell for him when he dealt with the apprentice!). When she suddenly accepts his declaration, it felt less like she wanted him and more like she was relieved to finally have someone. Likewise, the moment where she jumps to the conclusion of being engaged—meant to be humorous—pulled me out of the story and felt unnecessary.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this charming and tender story, and I’m eager to listen to more from M.A. Nichols. Since this is her most recent book (uploaded just four weeks ago!), I’ll be diving into her earlier works next.
The main characters immediately captured me with their unconventional appearances. Violet is a tall, broad-shouldered woman (I pictured her a bit like Luisa from Encanto), and Arthur is bald and about her height. Both are 32 years old, which I loved (as a almost 40yo women I really value stories with older female leads). She’s firmly considered a spinster. Violet is a "healer", while Arthur is a doctor, so their shared interests create a natural connection. Arthur is shy and endearingly sweet, while Violet—worn down by countless rejections—can only interpret his attention as kindness and friendship. The result is a slow-burn romance where he struggles to voice his feelings, and she simply cannot imagine herself the object of his affection.
The only reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me is Violet’s perspective on Arthur. Throughout the book, we hear Arthur’s thoughts and see his interest in Violet, but I never recall Violet reflecting on him in a romantic way (to much busy to dismiss the possibility I never recall a moment in which she wished for it... come on! I totally fell for him when he dealt with the apprentice!). When she suddenly accepts his declaration, it felt less like she wanted him and more like she was relieved to finally have someone. Likewise, the moment where she jumps to the conclusion of being engaged—meant to be humorous—pulled me out of the story and felt unnecessary.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this charming and tender story, and I’m eager to listen to more from M.A. Nichols. Since this is her most recent book (uploaded just four weeks ago!), I’ll be diving into her earlier works next.
July 19, 2026
4.5 Upgraded to 5
Yays 👍
- Middle class working MCs with real problems and lives beyond the ballroom and ton
- He falls first but is too shy and unsure to really do anything about it
- She's too self conscious to believe a man can like her
- They make an adorable, real couple with flaws, kindness and generosity
- He is bald. Love that in a historical where MMC is not a greek god with muscles.
- FMCs forgetful and uncaring family is dealt with a maturity few authors manage to do. There's no repercussions or regret, no catharsis if you will. Just acceptance that sometimes family isn't all you hoped they are and that's okay.
Nays 👎
- FMCs self beliefs while earned through hard experience are far too pessimistic. It makes sense given her history but its heartbreaking
- The swoon factor was missing for sure but the story wouldn't quite work if it was there. It did leave me wanting a little bit though
- The FMCs career didn't quite get the HEA I was hoping for given how talented she was. That's a genuine miss IMO
Verdict 🪒
Exceptionally delivered story of real, imperfect people in everyday situations doing our best and finding our HEAs in different shapes and sizes :) Lovely, satisfying, clean read that will warm your heart with its sweetness.
Yays 👍
- Middle class working MCs with real problems and lives beyond the ballroom and ton
- He falls first but is too shy and unsure to really do anything about it
- She's too self conscious to believe a man can like her
- They make an adorable, real couple with flaws, kindness and generosity
- He is bald. Love that in a historical where MMC is not a greek god with muscles.
- FMCs forgetful and uncaring family is dealt with a maturity few authors manage to do. There's no repercussions or regret, no catharsis if you will. Just acceptance that sometimes family isn't all you hoped they are and that's okay.
Nays 👎
- FMCs self beliefs while earned through hard experience are far too pessimistic. It makes sense given her history but its heartbreaking
- The swoon factor was missing for sure but the story wouldn't quite work if it was there. It did leave me wanting a little bit though
- The FMCs career didn't quite get the HEA I was hoping for given how talented she was. That's a genuine miss IMO
Verdict 🪒
Exceptionally delivered story of real, imperfect people in everyday situations doing our best and finding our HEAs in different shapes and sizes :) Lovely, satisfying, clean read that will warm your heart with its sweetness.
August 29, 2024
From the very first book I read from this author, "A True Gentleman" she had me hooked as one of her biggest fans. I don't know how she does it but each book I read I'm pulled in right away. This hero is not one of those standard tall, dark and handsome fellas...oh no...THIS hero is a Doctor with a bald head and the biggest heart you can imagine. He's also shy and has trouble speaking around women. And somehow you fall in love with him right away! And the heroine is not the blonde simpering little miss who flutters her lashes...oh no...THIS heroine has all the feminine curves but is described as tall and mannish. And you can't help but love her too! This was another excellent story from this author you won't want to miss.
November 17, 2024
This is the story of Violet Templeton and Dr. Arthur Vaughn. Ms. Nichols is a master of internal emotions; however, I think she dipped from this well once too often. Neither Arthur nor Violet are raving beauties. Violet would be considered "sturdy," and Arthur is balding. However, their internal values are lovely and engaging.
As with the other characters before him, Dr. Arthur Vaughn cannot verbalize his feelings adequately. Violet and Arthur are each thirty-two years old. Violet has forgotten all possibilities of marriage, so when Arthur's interest in her becomes pronounced, she does not see it for what it is.
This story moved much too slowly. Although they were often in each other's company, the conversation didn't seem to move the plot along.
As with the other characters before him, Dr. Arthur Vaughn cannot verbalize his feelings adequately. Violet and Arthur are each thirty-two years old. Violet has forgotten all possibilities of marriage, so when Arthur's interest in her becomes pronounced, she does not see it for what it is.
This story moved much too slowly. Although they were often in each other's company, the conversation didn't seem to move the plot along.
September 20, 2024
Never disappoints
I really enjoy M.A. Nichols as an author. Many of her stories present a heroine who is a little bit older and overlooked. Violet takes care of everyone, but no one takes care of her. Experience has taught her not to interpret friendly interactions as romantic interest.
I found the characters well-written, and the plot was realistic.
Clean, historical romance.
I really enjoy M.A. Nichols as an author. Many of her stories present a heroine who is a little bit older and overlooked. Violet takes care of everyone, but no one takes care of her. Experience has taught her not to interpret friendly interactions as romantic interest.
I found the characters well-written, and the plot was realistic.
Clean, historical romance.
September 21, 2024
I thought I was going to die!
I really, really enjoy Ms Nichol’s books. The care she takes in characterization and the focus on the heart and soul of the characters. Two awesome characters that hurt so much that it was almost painful…no it was literally painful. At one point I thought, if their broken hearts misunderstand one another one more time, I am throwing this book across the room. But I didn’t and I was rewarded!
I really, really enjoy Ms Nichol’s books. The care she takes in characterization and the focus on the heart and soul of the characters. Two awesome characters that hurt so much that it was almost painful…no it was literally painful. At one point I thought, if their broken hearts misunderstand one another one more time, I am throwing this book across the room. But I didn’t and I was rewarded!
February 16, 2025
Beautifully written with a depth of storytelling unique to this author! M.A. Nichols has a talent for creating characters that are compelling yet flawed, making them so very relatable. This story takes the reader through a range of powerful emotions, experiencing the journey of discovery with the characters. Though Violet and Arthur take their sweet time getting there, their tender relationship is inspiring and beautiful.
April 29, 2025
Love story with a twist
Truly there isn't a love story that I do not like, but this one evoked so much emotion from me.
From happy to sadness, and back again.
I love this book!
M.A. Nichols is a writer with such depth ; such understanding of life, and it's yours and downs.
Such heart!
Truly there isn't a love story that I do not like, but this one evoked so much emotion from me.
From happy to sadness, and back again.
I love this book!
M.A. Nichols is a writer with such depth ; such understanding of life, and it's yours and downs.
Such heart!
May 5, 2026
The story of the parents of the groom in book 2. He's courting her, but she sees him as a danger to her family's survival, believing their small town only has room for one doctor. Finally he convinces her that she is lovable in spite of being tall and strong, and even though she thinks she's to old to give him children, the book ends with her expecting their first--but not their last.
September 26, 2026
Arthur comes upon an accident on road into town. He finds Violet giving orders to the people at the scene on how to help the injured person. She makes quite an impression on him. He’s a doctor. She’s the sister of the current doctor in town. The town can’t support two doctors. This creates quite an interesting plot.
August 21, 2024
Amazing as usual!
Violet brings out the best in Arthur. The problem is that Arthur brings out the best AND the worst in Violet. They connect immediately, but his coming threatens her family's livelihood and hijinks ensue. I loved it!
Violet brings out the best in Arthur. The problem is that Arthur brings out the best AND the worst in Violet. They connect immediately, but his coming threatens her family's livelihood and hijinks ensue. I loved it!
December 10, 2024
What a wonderful story!
Beautifully and honestly crafted story that is a cut well above the usual in this genre by the merit of believable - and wonderfully flawed - characters. Brava to Nichols for her insightful tale, and for keeping the bar high. Highly recommended.
Beautifully and honestly crafted story that is a cut well above the usual in this genre by the merit of believable - and wonderfully flawed - characters. Brava to Nichols for her insightful tale, and for keeping the bar high. Highly recommended.
December 27, 2024
Kisses only
I really wanted to shake Violet. She was soooo obtuse. I also wished she and Dr. Vaughn had real conversations. I did like that they wished for the other’s happiness and that ultimately they did what was best for them.
I really wanted to shake Violet. She was soooo obtuse. I also wished she and Dr. Vaughn had real conversations. I did like that they wished for the other’s happiness and that ultimately they did what was best for them.
May 9, 2025
Such a delight.
Older H and h and while again repetitive (instead of steamy - how many times must your friends and relations tell you the same damn thing, sometimes in the same damn conversation - over and over?
Padded word count is how it feels. It makes me skim - don't do that.
Older H and h and while again repetitive (instead of steamy - how many times must your friends and relations tell you the same damn thing, sometimes in the same damn conversation - over and over?
Padded word count is how it feels. It makes me skim - don't do that.
September 1, 2025
Not my favorite but still enjoyed. I think what annoyed me most was Violet at times being entirely selfish and self-pitying. Arthur was a dear and far too nice to deserve her. But at the same time it was still a sweet story, and she wasn't always that way, just sometimes.
September 7, 2025
Hearts in need of healing
When two people who have been disappointed by life, have so much in common, are both allies and adversaries, and are secretly attracted to one another, well - a lovely story such as this presents itself. Very well done. Highly recommended.
When two people who have been disappointed by life, have so much in common, are both allies and adversaries, and are secretly attracted to one another, well - a lovely story such as this presents itself. Very well done. Highly recommended.
September 11, 2025
So incredibly enjoyable
I LOVED this book. The main characters are so real. Life kicked them in the teeth, they had to deal with lies and misfortune and all through, they communicated and I love that.
The writing style is so enjoyable. Really nice read, highly recommend.
I LOVED this book. The main characters are so real. Life kicked them in the teeth, they had to deal with lies and misfortune and all through, they communicated and I love that.
The writing style is so enjoyable. Really nice read, highly recommend.
November 2, 2025
its soooo sweet, I generally don't like sweet but its so refreshing to read love stories with more "real" people like tall women and men that are starting to lose hair.. I think the author did great..
May 26, 2026
A doctor has attained his dream of working in a village way from London but finds himself in many a dilemma after he realizes that his working there puts antler family at risk. Not to mention too. That he happens to like the lady of that family. All gets worked out and they find their hea
July 22, 2026
lovely
A very good story that is well plotted and written. It’s also completely clean in all aspects, so that makes it doubly enjoyable.
All of the characters have been well thought out and given realistic depths. All in all a lovely book.
A very good story that is well plotted and written. It’s also completely clean in all aspects, so that makes it doubly enjoyable.
All of the characters have been well thought out and given realistic depths. All in all a lovely book.
July 29, 2026
I’m absolutely addicted to this author. I’ve been reading her books like crazy, neglected everything else. I adore her world view, creating flawed characters with beautiful arcs. Her prose is so lovely I’m highlighting constantly. It’s ridiculous. I adore Arthur and Violet. Highly recommended!
September 7, 2024
One of the most relatable heroines I’ve read in a while!
April 22, 2025
I am enjoying this series by Nichols. Fun characters with real world application in this book.
How many dr's can a small country town handle?
How many dr's can a small country town handle?
February 23, 2026
Strong main characters, yet 'flawed' in the eyes of village society.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews