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A Matter of Honor
Orin Hume from The Rose and the Thistle comes of age in A Matter of Honor and ventures beyond Scotland's borders, achieving a renown all his own, only to return home again to reclaim the life and lady he once loved.
Having grown up at Wedderburn Castle in the serene Scottish Lowlands, Orin Hume is thrust into the dazzling realm of London society and Court circles as Poet Laureate of Britain. But at the height of his fame a former tragedy and his ties to a lass he once loved lead him home to Berwickshire again. When his return is further marred by lost love letters and scheming kin who conspire to keep the pair apart, can Lady Maryn Lockhart, now Duchess of Fordyce, forgive him? Or will the shadows of the past and the complexities of the present rewrite their love story?
Having grown up at Wedderburn Castle in the serene Scottish Lowlands, Orin Hume is thrust into the dazzling realm of London society and Court circles as Poet Laureate of Britain. But at the height of his fame a former tragedy and his ties to a lass he once loved lead him home to Berwickshire again. When his return is further marred by lost love letters and scheming kin who conspire to keep the pair apart, can Lady Maryn Lockhart, now Duchess of Fordyce, forgive him? Or will the shadows of the past and the complexities of the present rewrite their love story?
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2024
About the author
Laura Frantz
25 books2,984 followersLaura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.According to Publishers Weekly, "Frantz has done her historical homework." With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 29, 2024
4.5 stars
“You have my heart, both now and always.”
In my review for The Rose and The Thistle, I mentioned my NEED for a story that featured the hero’s youngest brother Orin all grown up with a story of his own. I was not the only one, apparently, to be charmed by this adorable little boy. And oh goodness, in A Matter of Honor, Laura Frantz gave us the Orin story we craved and even beyond what we hoped for.
Frantz’s always-gorgeous prose and sense of place sweeps us from London’s royal Court to Edinburgh and on to the Scottish Lowlands, giving us a front row seat to Orin’s increasing dissatisfaction with the shallowness of London society and his subsequent return home to Wedderburn Castle. As we acquaint ourselves with a grown-up Orin – the Poet Laureate of Britain, fittingly – we also gradually learn about the tragedy that, among other repercussions, ended his hopes of marrying his childhood friend Maryn. The author reveals these details a piece at a time until we have the full picture, a technique which ensured that the story held me in rapt attention, drinking in every perfectly-placed word.
I loved getting inside Orin’s head and his heart, seeing glimpses of the little boy who captured my affection even as I can clearly see how the ups and downs of life since then have shaped him. His longheld love for Maryn, while bittersweet, is also the epitome of romantic and left my own heart sighing in contentment. Speaking of Maryn, I absolutely adored her and the layers to her character, and I was rooting for her to once again embrace living in spite of all the loss she’s endured. A tragic accident, insecurity, familial machinations … so many elements conspired to keep them apart for too long. Watching their love story resurrect from the ashes was truly rewarding as a reader and a KissingBooks fan, and the fact that they are both delightfully bookish is icing on the cake!
Bottom Line: A Matter of Honor by Laura Frantz is a tender story of faith that enriches, hope that encourages, and love that endures, as well as a refreshing visit with dear fictional friends. Frantz’s impeccable sense of time and place transports you to the Scottish Lowlands during the 1700s, be it in a charming cottage, the expansive merse, a local village, or a grand castle, with just the right amount of dialect utilized to help you ‘hear’ the setting too. Readers will love Orin and Maryn, even if they haven’t yet read The Rose and The Thistle, though I do encourage you to read that one too because it’s one of my recent fave books by this author! Though this is a novella (albeit a longer one), the characters are skillfully fleshed out, the plot deeply developed, and the love story blissfully timeless. A redemptive and beautiful read!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
“You have my heart, both now and always.”
In my review for The Rose and The Thistle, I mentioned my NEED for a story that featured the hero’s youngest brother Orin all grown up with a story of his own. I was not the only one, apparently, to be charmed by this adorable little boy. And oh goodness, in A Matter of Honor, Laura Frantz gave us the Orin story we craved and even beyond what we hoped for.
Frantz’s always-gorgeous prose and sense of place sweeps us from London’s royal Court to Edinburgh and on to the Scottish Lowlands, giving us a front row seat to Orin’s increasing dissatisfaction with the shallowness of London society and his subsequent return home to Wedderburn Castle. As we acquaint ourselves with a grown-up Orin – the Poet Laureate of Britain, fittingly – we also gradually learn about the tragedy that, among other repercussions, ended his hopes of marrying his childhood friend Maryn. The author reveals these details a piece at a time until we have the full picture, a technique which ensured that the story held me in rapt attention, drinking in every perfectly-placed word.
I loved getting inside Orin’s head and his heart, seeing glimpses of the little boy who captured my affection even as I can clearly see how the ups and downs of life since then have shaped him. His longheld love for Maryn, while bittersweet, is also the epitome of romantic and left my own heart sighing in contentment. Speaking of Maryn, I absolutely adored her and the layers to her character, and I was rooting for her to once again embrace living in spite of all the loss she’s endured. A tragic accident, insecurity, familial machinations … so many elements conspired to keep them apart for too long. Watching their love story resurrect from the ashes was truly rewarding as a reader and a KissingBooks fan, and the fact that they are both delightfully bookish is icing on the cake!
Bottom Line: A Matter of Honor by Laura Frantz is a tender story of faith that enriches, hope that encourages, and love that endures, as well as a refreshing visit with dear fictional friends. Frantz’s impeccable sense of time and place transports you to the Scottish Lowlands during the 1700s, be it in a charming cottage, the expansive merse, a local village, or a grand castle, with just the right amount of dialect utilized to help you ‘hear’ the setting too. Readers will love Orin and Maryn, even if they haven’t yet read The Rose and The Thistle, though I do encourage you to read that one too because it’s one of my recent fave books by this author! Though this is a novella (albeit a longer one), the characters are skillfully fleshed out, the plot deeply developed, and the love story blissfully timeless. A redemptive and beautiful read!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
June 20, 2025
4.5⭐
I really enjoyed this sweet romantic stories. At times sorrowful and I loved the outcome. The story captivated me and I was in love with the characters.
I really enjoyed this sweet romantic stories. At times sorrowful and I loved the outcome. The story captivated me and I was in love with the characters.
July 19, 2025
#️⃣3️⃣5️⃣3️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 🌀🌊💠
Date : 📬 Friday, July 18, 2025 🫧🛌
Word Count📃: 52k Words 🛢️✈️
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ 💧🥏🩻 ‹𝟹 𓇢𓆸 𓂂 𓇼˚｡ •
ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ My 38th read in "Why is Lorde's latest album so bad" 🩻 July
1️⃣🌟, oh please...you're not Jane Austen 🙄🙄🙄
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
Thank you @Melanie for the buddy read 🥰🥰🥰 (its trash tho)
Oh please, when i say this book tries to be a book that is written in the 15th century i mean it. It has sooooo many old english jargon it seems like you searched too many "______ old english synonym" on google. Thats my number one problem in this book. THE DAMN WRITING STYLE.
Fascinating how im the first low star review in here, wow. But i still stand here with me. This is overwritten to the fullest.
The plot is not even serving anything. It's a semi mystery novel about a grandfather's death and the love story of two of the most romeo + juliet characters you've ever seen. We also have so many repetitive disney stereotypes of the old times especially with the evil sisters thing?? Eww. Can't you be a little bit more unique on the characterization of people instead of just doing the exact same characters as all other famous media already. Because i swear i think that the characters here even the side characters are just renamed people from popular media and movies.
When you read too many classic novels, you know the differences between a good one and a bad one. Mostly the bad ones come from overwritten descriptions of literally everything (EHEM EHEM VICTOR HUGO UNABRIDGED EDITION) AND HOW THAT OVERSHADOWS THE GENERAL PLOT AND CHARACTERS AND LENGTHENS THE BOOK VERY MUCH. Plus this book is not even that long, and it's already too long for what the story actually is. You can see it crystal clear that the author probably doesn't even know half of the things that are written on their own novel because of the forced lyrical writing and vivid prose that it tries to do.
No you can't just put in a blender random old english words and expect everyone to say that this is one of the best written "classic novel of all time" (this was published in 2024) without any cohesiveness, random old english words that doesn't relate to each other even abstractically speaking. It's all too far off from each other to even have any meaning to say. This book doesn't even try to tackle any deep topics. If it doesn't even discuss in depth topics, how can you expect the writing to also be "in depth"?
Date : 📬 Friday, July 18, 2025 🫧🛌
Word Count📃: 52k Words 🛢️✈️
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ 💧🥏🩻 ‹𝟹 𓇢𓆸 𓂂 𓇼˚｡ •
ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ My 38th read in "Why is Lorde's latest album so bad" 🩻 July
1️⃣🌟, oh please...you're not Jane Austen 🙄🙄🙄
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
Thank you @Melanie for the buddy read 🥰🥰🥰 (its trash tho)
Oh please, when i say this book tries to be a book that is written in the 15th century i mean it. It has sooooo many old english jargon it seems like you searched too many "______ old english synonym" on google. Thats my number one problem in this book. THE DAMN WRITING STYLE.
Fascinating how im the first low star review in here, wow. But i still stand here with me. This is overwritten to the fullest.
The plot is not even serving anything. It's a semi mystery novel about a grandfather's death and the love story of two of the most romeo + juliet characters you've ever seen. We also have so many repetitive disney stereotypes of the old times especially with the evil sisters thing?? Eww. Can't you be a little bit more unique on the characterization of people instead of just doing the exact same characters as all other famous media already. Because i swear i think that the characters here even the side characters are just renamed people from popular media and movies.
When you read too many classic novels, you know the differences between a good one and a bad one. Mostly the bad ones come from overwritten descriptions of literally everything (EHEM EHEM VICTOR HUGO UNABRIDGED EDITION) AND HOW THAT OVERSHADOWS THE GENERAL PLOT AND CHARACTERS AND LENGTHENS THE BOOK VERY MUCH. Plus this book is not even that long, and it's already too long for what the story actually is. You can see it crystal clear that the author probably doesn't even know half of the things that are written on their own novel because of the forced lyrical writing and vivid prose that it tries to do.
No you can't just put in a blender random old english words and expect everyone to say that this is one of the best written "classic novel of all time" (this was published in 2024) without any cohesiveness, random old english words that doesn't relate to each other even abstractically speaking. It's all too far off from each other to even have any meaning to say. This book doesn't even try to tackle any deep topics. If it doesn't even discuss in depth topics, how can you expect the writing to also be "in depth"?
August 20, 2024
I liked some parts of this, and always enjoy a Scottish setting, but ultimately found it a little frustrating.
Maryn and Orin were best friends and are in marriage contracts when they’re involved in a sleigh accident. Maryn is injured (permanently losing use of one arm) and her twin brother is killed. Orin takes a lot of blame for it since he’s there and knew the weather was treacherous. The marriage talks dissolve and Maryn retreats to the country to be alone, Orin doesn’t hear from her and goes to London, and five years pass. In current day, Maryn has to return to civilization when her grandfather dies and makes her duchess, and Orin is home to visit family.
My main issue is that they don’t meet again in current time until 50% into the book! We don’t see flashbacks either, just some letters that Orin wrote that Maryn doesn’t know exist until the current time. (She wrote him too, but they never reached him either.) So I wanted waayyy more of them actually spending time together and we don’t get it.
My second issue is their communication. It’s set up that they were in love and then this tragedy ruined them, but then Maryn says they never spoke beyond friendship, never kissed, and she didn’t even know if he felt for her that way?! I was surprised by this! Obviously they did love each other deeply but they don’t come out and say it for basically the whole book, so I wanted to see it more.
Orin, who has beautiful words for her in his head and we know still loves her, approaches her like he would still marry her out of duty. This makes her refuse and was frustrating. They also throw in two possible love interests for him and even though they don’t compare to Maryn and nothing comes of it, I didn’t need him thinking of them as flawless, etc.
One thing I did like was their shared love of literary pursuits. They both write and love reading, and Orin even undertakes opening a library and bookshop of sorts with Maryn’s help.
But overall, it was too much of them not saying their feelings. It just wasn’t satisfying when most times they met and it ended without achieving anything.
Even at the end, he says he hopes heaven would change her mind about marrying him, but I think it would’ve been more successful if they got to know each other again, if maybe he forged a bond with the children she takes on from her sister, if they talked more…
I am glad they finally got over it and got together in the end, and I’d recommend if you like second chance and angst more than me!
Maryn and Orin were best friends and are in marriage contracts when they’re involved in a sleigh accident. Maryn is injured (permanently losing use of one arm) and her twin brother is killed. Orin takes a lot of blame for it since he’s there and knew the weather was treacherous. The marriage talks dissolve and Maryn retreats to the country to be alone, Orin doesn’t hear from her and goes to London, and five years pass. In current day, Maryn has to return to civilization when her grandfather dies and makes her duchess, and Orin is home to visit family.
My main issue is that they don’t meet again in current time until 50% into the book! We don’t see flashbacks either, just some letters that Orin wrote that Maryn doesn’t know exist until the current time. (She wrote him too, but they never reached him either.) So I wanted waayyy more of them actually spending time together and we don’t get it.
My second issue is their communication. It’s set up that they were in love and then this tragedy ruined them, but then Maryn says they never spoke beyond friendship, never kissed, and she didn’t even know if he felt for her that way?! I was surprised by this! Obviously they did love each other deeply but they don’t come out and say it for basically the whole book, so I wanted to see it more.
Orin, who has beautiful words for her in his head and we know still loves her, approaches her like he would still marry her out of duty. This makes her refuse and was frustrating. They also throw in two possible love interests for him and even though they don’t compare to Maryn and nothing comes of it, I didn’t need him thinking of them as flawless, etc.
One thing I did like was their shared love of literary pursuits. They both write and love reading, and Orin even undertakes opening a library and bookshop of sorts with Maryn’s help.
But overall, it was too much of them not saying their feelings. It just wasn’t satisfying when most times they met and it ended without achieving anything.
Even at the end, he says he hopes heaven would change her mind about marrying him, but I think it would’ve been more successful if they got to know each other again, if maybe he forged a bond with the children she takes on from her sister, if they talked more…
I am glad they finally got over it and got together in the end, and I’d recommend if you like second chance and angst more than me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2024
A Matter of Honor is all of Frantz’s decadent historical details and romantic longing in a slightly smaller package than her full length novels. This second chance love story is made for readers with features like the mass exodus of a home library and the opening of a bookshop compete with tinkling bells to herald an arrival. It’s hidden letters and sighs for the past and hopes for the future. It’s unknown futures and both hope and blossoms blooming from tragedy. If her 2025 release is to be a full historical feast, A Matter of Honor is a sumptuous appetizer with all of the heart and swoon trademark to Frantz’s stories. Readers of romantic historical fiction will not want to miss it!
July 15, 2025
A Matter of Honor was a sweet read. I enjoyed how the romance was a second-chance story. The book held my attention, although I wish it would have been a little bit deeper sometimes and that the scenes wouldn't have ended so abruptly at times. I thought the ending was great and I really enjoyed getting to see what happened in Orin's life.
October 15, 2024
This was such a fun sweet novella! The pace was perfect and I really fell in love with Orin and Maryn. They both have gone through so much and yet they both have good hearts and caring souls. Honestly, I was expecting to feel like the pacing was too fast. However, that wasn’t my experience at all. If anything it was perfect pacing with the proper backstories as well. I really enjoyed this experience.
Maryn, especially, I felt for during the whole book. She had lost so much of her family and still loses more. Her sister, Nicola, irritated me with her attitude towards her family and her expectations. But Maryn reacted with love and grace. It was a beautiful example of living in grace.
I really enjoy Laura Frantz’s ability to write so beautifully in whatever setting she chooses. The Scotland setting and language was fun to read! The writing was beautifully done as well.
This is a companion novella to The Rose and the Thistle, which I didn’t know before reading it, but it can be read as a standalone as the backstory is given! I will be reading The Rose and Thistle and I am looking forward to reading more about the Laird and his countess!
I recommend this if you need a quick pick me up and enjoy Scotland, historical romance, and novellas.
Content Guide:
Language: None
Spice: Level 1
TW: Grief, accident, family deaths
Maryn, especially, I felt for during the whole book. She had lost so much of her family and still loses more. Her sister, Nicola, irritated me with her attitude towards her family and her expectations. But Maryn reacted with love and grace. It was a beautiful example of living in grace.
I really enjoy Laura Frantz’s ability to write so beautifully in whatever setting she chooses. The Scotland setting and language was fun to read! The writing was beautifully done as well.
This is a companion novella to The Rose and the Thistle, which I didn’t know before reading it, but it can be read as a standalone as the backstory is given! I will be reading The Rose and Thistle and I am looking forward to reading more about the Laird and his countess!
I recommend this if you need a quick pick me up and enjoy Scotland, historical romance, and novellas.
Content Guide:
Language: None
Spice: Level 1
TW: Grief, accident, family deaths
August 12, 2024
I loved returning to the world that Ms. Frantz introduced us to in “The Rose and the Thistle!” The main characters were so sweet in this one and the love story very romantic. I loved the disability representation and Maryn’s story and character arc was so beautiful and encouraging. This book has such lush descriptions and I was transported to bonny Scotland (one of my favorite places)! This truly is an ode to books, blooms and birds!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a clean read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a clean read.
July 28, 2024
Another beautiful story by Laura Frantz that I never wanted to end.
March 10, 2025
After loving The Rose and the Thistle, I was so happy to know that Laura gave us sweet Orin’s story!
It’s a short read filled with so much history & hurt, longing & grief, hope & compassion. Orin & Maryn have much to overcome but they do—and it’s beautiful.
My only qualm is that the entire book is spent with miscommunications & epic yearning… and the entire resolution is the last 2 pages of them going “we can be together” and then it’s the end. I’d have liked a little epilogue or a chapter of the togetherness after a whole book of them being apart, haha.
And seeing Blythe & Everard again was icing on the cake! 🥹
It’s a short read filled with so much history & hurt, longing & grief, hope & compassion. Orin & Maryn have much to overcome but they do—and it’s beautiful.
My only qualm is that the entire book is spent with miscommunications & epic yearning… and the entire resolution is the last 2 pages of them going “we can be together” and then it’s the end. I’d have liked a little epilogue or a chapter of the togetherness after a whole book of them being apart, haha.
And seeing Blythe & Everard again was icing on the cake! 🥹
July 31, 2024
What a stunning novella! I am so delighted that author, Laura Frantz gave us more of The Rose and the Thistle story! I had so been hoping she would. (Both can be read as standalones). I loved this story of a grown up Orin Hume, and his once best friend and former intended Maryn Lockhart. The author's beautiful writing makes the story come alive, we are transported to Scotland in the 1700's, and the reader has a front row seat to the struggles, the thoughts, and the personalities of these captivating characters, as well as the rolling landscape and what life was like in another century. So much has happened in the years since they've seen each other. I couldn't put it down!
Lovers of Laura Frantz stories, and excellent historical romance will love A Matter of Honor.
I was thrilled when my pre-ordered copy arrived on release day.
Lovers of Laura Frantz stories, and excellent historical romance will love A Matter of Honor.
I was thrilled when my pre-ordered copy arrived on release day.
July 28, 2024
Beautiful and compelling, A Matter of Honor delivers an exquisite Laura Frantz tale in a small package with all of her storytelling traits we love: deep emotion, picturesque depictions, and abiding love. Better yet, we are swept back to Scotland in the world of The Rose and the Thistle to revisit happy endings and see young characters that have grown up to find love despite all odds. Never one to shy away from deep topics of tragedy and loss, Laura Frantz points to our Savior in dark times while never failing to provide a happily ever after. A Matter of Honor is a delight through and through!
January 23, 2026
Much more genre romance than I'm used to in Frantz's books, and it's a bit more melancholy than I enjoy. But the details are wonderfully immersive, the writing is great, and the story is sweet and lovely.
September 21, 2024
Even in a short novella I became so invested in the characters and their story.
April 16, 2025
I enjoyed Laura Frantz’s previous novel, The Rose and The Thistle, beautifully written and rich in the history surrounding Scotland’s Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. I also favored her character, Orin, youngest brother to Lord Wedderburn, so I was delighted to read his story in this novella. Frantz's gift of creating seemingly impossible odds for two people finding love does not disappoint in this romantic journey that captures the heart!
July 1, 2025
A sweet romance.
January 5, 2025
Oh goodness I loved this novella which totally didn’t read like one. I loved the character of Orin while reading the Rose and the Thistle and I am so glad that there is a story about him!! This was perfection! Laura truly gave us the Orin story we all wanted! You truly see that same pure heart we experience in The Rose and the Thistle but the grown up version. The love for Maryn and how he’s held on to it all these years was honestly swoony!
Maryn has gone through hardships but I was championing for her to once more step into the light and begin living life again to its fullest. I loved every minute of being transported to the Scottish lowlands and visiting with some familiar characters while encountering some new ones.
Definitely not to be missed and a great first read for the year! I can’t wait to acquire my own copy for my shelves but in the meantime if you’d like to read this is available through Kindle Unlimited.
Maryn has gone through hardships but I was championing for her to once more step into the light and begin living life again to its fullest. I loved every minute of being transported to the Scottish lowlands and visiting with some familiar characters while encountering some new ones.
Definitely not to be missed and a great first read for the year! I can’t wait to acquire my own copy for my shelves but in the meantime if you’d like to read this is available through Kindle Unlimited.
August 22, 2024
What a treat to catch up with the Humes in this novella! And, to see Orin all grown up into such an honorable gentleman is delightful. This is a story both bittersweet and hopeful, and I appreciate how it handles a second-chance romance delicately and with enough time developing great depths of the characters. I feel like I know the "adult" Orin and his love, Maryn, as well as any of Frantz's characters after spending a shorter time on-page with them. Another favorite aspect of this story is its use and focus on the merits of literature.
December 21, 2024
Frantz has crafted an exquisite masterpiece. I adored this novella.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational historical fiction.
DISCLAIMER: I won a copy. I am not required to write positive reviews. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational historical fiction.
DISCLAIMER: I won a copy. I am not required to write positive reviews. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 9, 2026
I'll be in the minority with 3 stars.
Start with the good... That cover is gorgeous with the purple/pink and the goldish colors and her dress is beautiful. It's a Christian romance set in the 1700s in Scotland. The setting of their childhood homes sounds pretty. I liked that the MMC opened a bookstore for the town. The main characters were both writers, a poet and playwright, and they discussed Shakespeare and other books. They both loved books and reading.
So, the not so good... the story is forgettable. The main characters were in love before a tragedy happened. They both come back to their childhood homes and don't meet in person again to be reacquainted until 48% in the book. Then, they don't share their feelings until the last chapter. So the whole book is them not talking about how they still feel after all the years since the tragedy. Also, the FMC loses a lot of family before the book and during the book. It's a sad story. They had family members keeping them apart after the tragedy, too. The book moves slowly. The audiobook takes some getting used to since the characters are in Scotland and talk with an accent and use different words than we do for certain words.
I liked the first book in this series better.
Start with the good... That cover is gorgeous with the purple/pink and the goldish colors and her dress is beautiful. It's a Christian romance set in the 1700s in Scotland. The setting of their childhood homes sounds pretty. I liked that the MMC opened a bookstore for the town. The main characters were both writers, a poet and playwright, and they discussed Shakespeare and other books. They both loved books and reading.
So, the not so good... the story is forgettable. The main characters were in love before a tragedy happened. They both come back to their childhood homes and don't meet in person again to be reacquainted until 48% in the book. Then, they don't share their feelings until the last chapter. So the whole book is them not talking about how they still feel after all the years since the tragedy. Also, the FMC loses a lot of family before the book and during the book. It's a sad story. They had family members keeping them apart after the tragedy, too. The book moves slowly. The audiobook takes some getting used to since the characters are in Scotland and talk with an accent and use different words than we do for certain words.
I liked the first book in this series better.
January 18, 2026
A Matter of Honor by Laura Frantz
I really enjoyed returning to Orin Hume’s story, and this was a solid listen overall. The narration was excellent—it brought the Scottish setting, emotional moments, and courtly atmosphere to life in a way that made the audiobook especially engaging.
That said, the slow-burn romance was very slow for me. I usually enjoy a gradual build, but this one felt like it took a bit too long to reach the emotional payoff. There were moments where I found myself wishing the characters would just finally say what needed to be said already.
Still, Laura Frantz’s writing is as rich and immersive as ever, and I appreciated the depth of emotion, the sense of history, and the themes of honor, forgiveness, and lost love. The letters, misunderstandings, and scheming family added plenty of tension, even if the pacing didn’t always work for me.
If you love deeply emotional historical romances, second-chance love stories, and slower, thoughtful storytelling—especially in audio format—this one is worth your time. Just be prepared for a very patient slow burn.
I really enjoyed returning to Orin Hume’s story, and this was a solid listen overall. The narration was excellent—it brought the Scottish setting, emotional moments, and courtly atmosphere to life in a way that made the audiobook especially engaging.
That said, the slow-burn romance was very slow for me. I usually enjoy a gradual build, but this one felt like it took a bit too long to reach the emotional payoff. There were moments where I found myself wishing the characters would just finally say what needed to be said already.
Still, Laura Frantz’s writing is as rich and immersive as ever, and I appreciated the depth of emotion, the sense of history, and the themes of honor, forgiveness, and lost love. The letters, misunderstandings, and scheming family added plenty of tension, even if the pacing didn’t always work for me.
If you love deeply emotional historical romances, second-chance love stories, and slower, thoughtful storytelling—especially in audio format—this one is worth your time. Just be prepared for a very patient slow burn.
August 19, 2024
A MATTER OF HONOR is a wish come true. This novella is the sequel to THE ROSE AND THE THISTLE novel. I love books that share former favorite characters. The story begins in London, England 1739 but moves to Edinburgh, Scotland, May 1740. This is a novella that is full-storied with depth of character, tension, and challenges that move this story to a satisfying ending. The characters have their imperfections, yet they have the determination and perseverance to face their heartbreak and work to overcome! Their pathways are inspiring, motivating, and clean romance at it's best!
August 10, 2024
Lovely story, with characters and setting I love
What can be more lovely than curling up with another delightful story by Laura Frantz? The setting in Scotland is so beautifully portrayed that it felt as though I'd escaped into it. And the characters are so real, the tragedy that tore them apart from each other so painful, and the uncertainty of their future so heartwrenching that I could hardly put the book down. The resolution was sweet indeed. Highly recommended!
What can be more lovely than curling up with another delightful story by Laura Frantz? The setting in Scotland is so beautifully portrayed that it felt as though I'd escaped into it. And the characters are so real, the tragedy that tore them apart from each other so painful, and the uncertainty of their future so heartwrenching that I could hardly put the book down. The resolution was sweet indeed. Highly recommended!
October 12, 2024
This was a lovely read that I gobbled down in one sitting. It was so nice to visit with the Hume family once again and seeing Everard and Blythe on the other side of the book HEA. I do wish that this didn't end so abruptly and had a chapter or two (plus epilogue!) of the MCs being together. However, this was a beautiful story of second chances.
August 1, 2024
This book is just completely and utterly beautiful. I saw myself in its pages, I felt seen in my struggles, and thoroughly encouraged to trust in the Lord always. If you want to be swept away in a story of healing and redemption, then you should definitely read this sweet novella.
August 29, 2025
Is the Lockhart curse just a superstition? The family endures one loss after another, ending relationships, revealing others. And what about the motto of the Hume coat of arms: True to the End? What a delightful and satisfying novella.
March 4, 2025
This seemed a little longer than most novellas, but it actually was the perfect size for a quick read in a few nights. Beautiful prose, as usual for Frantz. A sweet love story. Scottish brogue is always a plus.
October 13, 2024
It is a beautiful love story set in the Scottish Lowlands in 1739. Laura Frantz never disappoints.
March 18, 2026
This lovely historical novel follows Orin Hume from The Rose and the Thistle, now serving as Poet Laureate of Britain. Weary of London's social scene, he returns to his Scottish homeland, where he must face his past and his former love, Maryn Lockhart, who has recently become the Duchess of Fordyce. Could this be his second chance to win her heart?
I absolutely loved this story! It’s filled with everything I love—wonderful characters, an enchanting setting, and gorgeous writing. The lush, immersive writing made me feel like I was strolling through Scottish gardens right beside Maryn.
The clean, second-chance romance between Orin and Maryn was so sweet! I loved how both Orin and Maryn are true bookish and literary souls, making them characters after my own heart. This tender, heartfelt read has beautiful themes of faith and celebrates the beauty of enduring love.
I absolutely loved this story! It’s filled with everything I love—wonderful characters, an enchanting setting, and gorgeous writing. The lush, immersive writing made me feel like I was strolling through Scottish gardens right beside Maryn.
The clean, second-chance romance between Orin and Maryn was so sweet! I loved how both Orin and Maryn are true bookish and literary souls, making them characters after my own heart. This tender, heartfelt read has beautiful themes of faith and celebrates the beauty of enduring love.
August 9, 2024
Laura Frantz's novels are always one of the biggest reading treats of the year for me and this very first novella of hers is no exception. Laura’s lush prose, attention to detail, and historical research are guaranteed to take you away to another time and another place absolutely every time. Thank you, Laura, for such wonderful reading experiences! I absolutely loved this follow-up to The Rose and the Thistle!
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