Counting on Love

The Taverstons of Iversley #1

by Carol Coventry

If the gossips of the ton can agree on one thing, it is that no brothers are closer than the Taverstons of Iversley.

When the Honorable Reginald Taverston, third son of the Earl of Iversley, is unceremoniously dumped by his mistress, what bothers him most is how little it bothers him. To the amusement of his older brothers, Reginald prefers translating ancient Greek texts to the hedonistic pursuits of his peers. Nominated “the brilliant brother,” Reginald is assigned the task of balancing the account books after the death of the family’s steward. He dutifully tackles the work, only to be perplexed when the numbers don’t add up.

Lady Georgiana Stewart, a duke’s daughter who possesses beauty, wit, and a dowry of twenty thousand pounds, is dreading a second London Season. She knows she can’t keep rejecting suitors just because they’re…boring, but wonders what is it that makes a young lady look at a gentleman and Yes, this is the one!

Georgiana is pressured by her mother to encourage the attentions of Lord Jasper Taverston. The handsome heir to the ailing Earl of Iversley is the most eligible man in the ton, and he believes Lady Georgiana will make a perfect countess. She goes through the motions of courtship, bored by the lord’s easy charm and frustrated that their betrothal seems to be a foregone conclusion. Until she discovers Jasper’s younger brother struggling to solve an arithmetical puzzle. Numbers are Georgiana’s secret passion. When Reginald accepts her help rather than scorning it, she learns that poring over ledgers together can be more seductive than a sultry waltz or stolen kiss.

But uncovering secrets better left buried in crooked account books is not the most scandalous thing a lady can do. Even worse is to come between two Taverston brothers.

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

The Taverstons of Iversley
Book 1 - Counting on Love
Book 2 - Holding onto Love
Book 3 - Waiting for Love
Book 4 - Yielding to Love

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Historical

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2024

Reviews

[Mary Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

New author to me and I enjoyed it lots. Georgiana is a Duke's daughter heading for her second season. Her mother is quite conventional and though she wants her to be happy is keen for her to find someone to wed. Georgiana refused 16 proposals the first season. We also have Alice the cousin. Georgiana meets Jasper the heir to an Earldom and though she likes him she doesn't think he's the one but to make her mother happy she goes along with a visit to his home. Jasper's father is dying. We meet his brothers: Crispin a soldier very switched on who ran away to be a soldier because as a child he was very sickly and the earl forbid him to join up. Reginald is the scholar. Georgiana is very gifted mathematically and has to hide this gift as her mother has drummed into her that it's not womanly in the regency age. Just kisses for the majority of the book and then a bit of passion at the end. Great story, keen to read the other brothers stories especially Crispins. It's lovely when I find a new author. Heartily recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the whole Taverston family. I cannot wait to read all their books. I thought this was gonna be a clean romance but there was one not too descriptive not clean scene in the final chapter. My main gripe is it took so long for these two to meet.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which fictional character would you love to have as a best friend? I would love to be friends with Lady Georgiana Stewart in Counting on Love with Carol Coventry.

Lady Georgiana Stewart is a math prodigy, but she must hide her proficiency to fit into society and try to attract a suitor. As the daughter of a Duke and a beauty, she received many marriage proposals in her first season. She refused them all as she wants to feel the spark and have the loving relationship that her parents have. As she starts her second season, will she be able to find true love?

Reginald Taverston is the third son of an Earl. As the third son, he has been slated for the church, but he would rather translate a Greek manuscript and work on other intellectual pursuits. He is not sure he is well suited for the church. Should Reginald pursue the path his family wants for him, or should he strike out on his own path?

The Earl is on his deathbed so his eldest son, Jasper needs to find a wife. He is sure that Lady Georgiana will make the perfect wife. His wife invites Georgiana, her mother, and cousin to their country estate for a small house party so that the Earl can meet Georgiana and the romance between Jasper and Georgiana can proceed. Will all go as planned?

My thoughts on this novel:
• The novel is a the first in a new series “The Taverstons of Iversley.” I can’t wait to read more in this series.

• I love, love, loved that the heroine enjoyed mathematics and was a genius in that regard. It was sad she had to hide it, but I loved her finding a man that valued her mind.

• The entire Taverston family was fun. They each had their own unique personalities. They love each other but aren’t above pranking each other.

• The romance was slow build and mostly clean (until the last chapter).

• Most of the novel was set at a house party in the country.

• I liked the look into how keeping mistresses impacts people and their families.

• The love triangle between Georgiana, Reginald, and Jasper is well done. It can be awkward when the love story is a woman and two brothers. Georgiana and Reginald fall in love without it being “icky” or making Jasper a villain. Jasper is a good guy, but not for Georgiana.

• I didn’t think that sparks could fly with just two pinkies touching, but they do.

Overall, Counting on Love by Carol Coventry is a lovely Regency Romance with great characters and a fun STEM storyline.

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2024...

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I think this is one of my most disappointing reads of the year. I am a fan of this author’s YA novel The Queen’s Daughter, but I cannot say that I’m a fan of this one.

The pacing was so weird and so was the characterization. I feel like our protagonists were very very flat, 1 dimensional characters with very little motivating them. Also, the historical inaccuracies drove me a touch crazy. This novel happens over the course of a winter which is NOT WHEN THE SOCIAL SEASON HAPPENS IN REGENCY ENGLAND. Typically, The Season ™️ starts in late spring and last through the summer which makes sense because why would the rich and notable spend their winters in yucky, cold London when then could instead retreat to their giant country estates? But I felt like I was fighting with this novel every time she tried to convince me that this was going on during the season. Just, please, no.

The romance was sweet enough and it was fairly closed door. I do think this would have benefitted greatly from these two meeting much, much sooner.

I was gifted this copy by the author which I greatly appreciate. I do love her other novel, it’s just a shame I couldn’t love this one too.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Georgiana Stewart is a duke's daughter who has turned away suitor after suitor while waiting for a love match like her parents have. She has a passion for mathematics that her father finds charming while horrifying her mother, leaving her to study in secret. At the start of her second season she meets Lord Jasper Taverston, a perfect-on-paper match who quickly starts to court her before having to leave for his family's estate. Jasper invites Georgiana, her mother, and her cousin to visit his family, and it's not long before Jasper's youngest brother, the awkward Reginald, is turning Georgiana's head instead.

This book was SUCH a fun read. It was really smartly done and even though I don't typically love slow burns, I was kicking my feet watching Georgiana and Reginald fall for each other (there's this one scene where just their pinkies are touching, and somehow there's steam billowing off the page). While sometimes a book where she's falling for the "wrong" brother can feel icky, in this book you're left feeling that the couple is so very right for each other, without betraying Jasper or turning him into a villain.

4.25 stars out of 5, can definitely see myself reading this again!
Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe this book is a debut. A debut!! This book reads like this author has been writing for years!! I thoroughly loved this book. I was so glad Georgiana and Reg ended up together. They have so much in common and the slow burn was exquisite. Crispin and Jasper have a lot of sides to their personalities (and secrets) and I hope they both get their own stories. Excellent writing all around!

[Tracy Emro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Georgiana Stewart, the daughter of the Duke of Hovington, is preparing for her second season and knows that her parents are expecting her to find a husband this year after refusing 16 proposals in her first season. This year there is a rumor that Jasper Taverston, the heir to the Earl of Iversley is looking for a bride and has set his sights on Georgiana. Too bad she doesn’t feel anything for him beyond friendship. When Jasper is called home to attend to his ailing father, Georgiana and her cousin Alice Fogbotham are invited to his family’s country estate, presumably so Jasper can continue his courting. At first, Georgiana resigns herself to accepting Jasper, but when she meets his younger brother Reginald, she knows that she can’t marry Jasper. And when she helps him sort out a problem and he praises her intellect, she falls hopelessly in love with the wrong brother.

Reginald Taverston is the youngest (and most brilliant) son of the Earl of Iversley, when his mistress dumps him, he is happy for an excuse to retire to the country, but not happy at the reason. His father suffered a stroke a year ago and has now taken a turn for the worse. His family expects him to pursue a career in the church, but that is not where is heart is, he would rather continue his Greek translations at Cambridge and wonders how he can break this news to his family. In the meantime, he agrees to help Jasper get the estate’s accounts in order before the steward arrives and to help entertain his houseguests – neither is going well. First, he can’t seem to balance the accounts and when Georgiana offers to help, he falls head over heels in love with the one woman he can’t have.

This was a new to me author, whose writing style I enjoyed. In my personal opinion, the book moved a bit slow at points, the love scenes are barely lukewarm and there were a lot of characters to keep track of, but overall, it was an interesting story with likable characters and the author did a nice job of setting readers up for the next book in what appears to be at least a four-book series. While not perfect, it was a very entertaining read and a book I would happily recommend, and I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Counting on Love by Carol Coventry is a third person dual-POV Regency romance. When Georgiana’s mother encourages her to accept the attentions of Jasper, a future earl, Georgiana isn’t too keen on the match but doesn’t know how to stop the gossip going around the Ton. Then she meets Jasper’s youngest brother, Reginald, and finds herself drawn to him while Jasper continues his pursuit.

What I thought was really interesting was how Georgiana’s family was invited to Reginald’s family’s home while the earl was on his deathbed. It cements that Jasper is considering Georgiana very seriously as his future countess and provides a reason why Reginald and Georgiana are in such close quarters. I think we would find it quite awkward in the modern day, especially given that Georgiana and Jasper don’t know each other that well, but their mothers do know each other and the courts of the Regency period tended to be somewhat close-knit from what I know.

Reginald and Georgiana bond over intellectual pursuits and balance each other quite well. Georgiana is quite good with numbers and patterns while Reginald is more gifted in linguistics and literature. It makes a lot of sense why he was originally going to pursue a more religious profession as they tended to allow more time for scholarly pursuits, but his personal relationship with faith impeded him. On Georgiana’s end, her mother doesn’t really support her skills and refers to them as ‘parlor tricks,’ which creates a bit of a complex towards her own intelligence.

The love triangle between Georgiana, Jasper, and Reginald is complicated mostly by Georgiana’s mother and Reginald’s loyalty to Jasper. The ‘saw her first trope’ is used from Reginald’s POV with Jasper having met up with Georgiana first and has repeatedly made his intentions towards her quite clear. Georgiana is looking for a love like her parents’ marriage, one with a spark and finds that very quickly in Reginald, since Jasper doesn’t know about any of this, he’s making things a bit awkward for everyone.

I would recommend this to fans of love triangles in Regency romances and readers of historical romance looking for a grief angle.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Counting on Love by Carol Coventry is part of the series The Taverstons of Iversley and was a little more complicated than one normally sees in this type of book. Jasper, Heir to the earldom has decided it is time to take a wife and he has chosen a beauty, Lady Georgiana Stewart, daughter of the Duke of Hovington. Their parents had been friends of a sort when they were younger. She was in her second season, having turned down sixteen marriage proposals during her first. She was a beauty and would make a wonderful countess. Just after he met her during a ball, he was recalled to his country estate where his father had been ill for months. It looked as if his death was imminent. The rumors had started about their betrothal and wagers were in the book at White’s. Shortly after he left, his mother issued an invitation to Lady Georgiana, Her Grace, and Alice, her cousin who was making her debut this season from the Duke’s home. They debated whether to go under the circumstances but decided it would be best. What they encountered when they arrived was a plethora of personalities and family issues.

Jasper was a good man, he was simply not the right man for Georgiana. She wanted a spark. There was none. He was boring. As his brother, Reginald put it, she was too good for him. He didn’t notice or didn’t care and proceeded carefully and slowly with wooing her. Meanwhile we got to know his brothers, Reginald and Crispin. Crispin was a soldier; his father had refused to purchase his commission so he took care of it himself. He was home for the interim; he had some sort of food allergies, had always been delicate, and had brought a “physician” with him who was monitoring his diet. Reginald was a scholar, through and through. He was destined for the church but was hesitant. These were a trio of very interesting men, well-written and intriguing. Crispin, especially, had a way of cutting through the chaff to the heart of a matter. Excellent book, wonderful characters, enticing story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was invited to read Counting on Love by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #CarolCoventry #CountingOnLove

[August · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgiana Stewart is entering her second London Season, having turned down all sixteen suitors who proposed to her the previous year. At first, it seems her newest suitor, Jasper Taverston, is the perfect match. Certainly, everyone thinks they are perfectly suited. When a summons from his ailing father sends Jasper back home and he invites Georgiana and her family to stay with him, it's assumed that Georgiana's visit will end with a marriage proposal. However, she soon finds herself drawn to Jasper's younger brother, Reginald, and agrees to use her long-hidden skill at mathematics to help him put the family's account books in order.

In a lot of ways, this was an unconventional romance novel. For one thing, the hero and heroine don't actually meet until about a third of the way through the book. Their romance is much more focused on their personalities and the time they spend together rather than on physical desire, which was a refreshing change, although it did make the two steamier scenes feel out of place in comparison. The way the Taverston family was written was wonderful - you get a real sense of who these siblings are and how they interact with each other, which I think sets up the rest of the series pretty well. There's fairly limited interaction between Georgiana and Reginald, but their love story still work despite this. I especially appreciate a moment in which Georgiana recognizes she has feelings for Reginald and thinks she might have loved him from the moment she met him, but then corrects herself - there was the potential for her to love him from that moment, but she didn't instantly fall in love. This is one of my pet peeves in romance novels - the hero or heroine realizes they're in love, then looks back and realizes they were in love the whole time, from the very moment of meeting, which seems pretty ridiculous to me in most cases. I was glad this book didn't fall into that trap. My biggest criticism was that after the slow and steady pace of the rest of the book, the ending felt kind of rushed and abrupt. But all in all, this was a very enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

I am giving this book as a whole a '4-star' rating but the actual romance more of a '3.5'. I loved this as the first in the series because it so effortlessly set up the Taverstons side of the characters around which the series will be based. It also managed to make all of the Taverstons interesting as individuals and showed how tight the bond is between them. I finished this book excited to see which character would be the focus of the next book and to find out how their story would unfold. As for the romance here my absolute only complaint is that there just wasn't enough of it! It's not until about a third of the way through that Georgiana and Reginald actually meet and then they seem to barely really be together. That's probably an overstatement since the two find time to fall in love and that feels genuine rather than underdeveloped but it felt that way because I wanted to see them interact a little more. I loved that they see one another for who they really are rather than what society tells them they should be. Given that they are both intellectuals it's clear they are meant for one another and since neither of them had ever really had someone appreciate that about them it was so sweet to see them fall for one another. The one conversation I really wanted to read was Reginald apologizing and/or explaining his reasons for the things he said to her after their kiss at the folly. He knows he should talk with her but certain events prevent that from happening right away and it's kind of forgotten about. I am hoping that Abigail is the love interest for either Jasper or Crispin. There are hints that she could end up with either one - I just want to know that she doesn't have to settle when it comes to finding a husband just because of her financial situation. This was the first book I've read by this author and I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!

[KelseyreadsHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut HR, love triangle blue stockings

Counting on Love is the first in the Traverstons of Iversely series and the author’s debut historical romance. This was an enjoyable and entertaining story that kept me intrigued throughout.

The heroine is looking for a love match and frustrated in how she’s supposed to find someone worth tying her life to within the restraints of society. She didn’t lack proposals in her first season but this doesn’t reassure her that this next year will be any different. Georgiania also has a gift with numbers that she’s been forced to hide but it’s when she’s able to be herself that’s she finds what she has been looking for.

The hero is the third son that is torn between doing what he wants in translating Greek texts and what’s expected of him by taking a living with the church. His father is also in bad health that brings up big feelings and tension. The sickness of a parent is part of the main storyline.

Being the first in a the series, there was a lot of side characters and future MC to introduce. It made for a slower pace and had the hero and heroine meeting for the first time further into the story. However, I really enjoyed the camaraderie and banter between the Traverston siblings. It was fun and the love that they had for one another shone through.

This story had some traits that reminded me more of a romantic historical fiction than historical romance. There was still a HEA and I liked the storytelling.

It kept me engaged and wanting to see how everything would turn out. It left me endeared with the MC and curious about the rest of the Traverstons and their stories to come.

This was a slow burn which seemed appropriate to the plot. There is one encounter that is more sensual than explicit. There is no consummation. In one scene the hero touches the heroine’s hand that was steamy in how the author built it up.

I received an ecopy of the book from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of a new series, The Taverstons of Iversley. It is a sparkling Regency romance with intrigue, wit, and forbidden attraction. Reginald Taverston is the quiet and scholarly third son of the Earl of Iversley. He is different from most members of the ton. Instead of gambling and other typical aristocratic pleasures, his interests lie in ancient Greek texts and solving numerical puzzles.
Lady Georgiana is a duke’s daughter, torn between duty and her own desires. With her love for mathematics and skepticism about marriage, she is a heroine who defies Regency stereotypes, making her a thoroughly modern yet entirely believable lady of her time period.


Reginald's reserved demeanor is the perfect counterpoint to Georgiana’s sharp mind and independent spirit. The romance between them is tender and intellectual, grounded in mutual respect rather than stolen glances and flirtatious banter. Their connection feels real, and the scenes of them poring over ledgers together have a surprising sensuality that rivals the typical grand ballroom dances and stolen kisses usually portrayed in this genre.

The added complication of the love triangle, Reginald's older brother and Georgiana's intended, Jasper, is handled with nuance, exploring themes of loyalty, identity, and the weight of family expectations. Jasper’s charm and confidence make him a formidable rival, and the brothers’ close bond heightens the stakes of Georgiana’s affections.

The mystery surrounding the crooked account books adds a layer of intrigue in addition to the romance, making this an even more enchanting read.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Rachel Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

If you enjoy Bridgerton and Regency romances then this series will be a great series for you to read. This series is centered around the Taverston family and showing them falling in love. This was definitely a slow-burn romance with one tastefully explicit scene.

This book in particular is centered around a Duke’s daughter, Lady Georgiana, and the third son of an Earl, Reginald Taverston. Georgiana has a secret that she is actually very intelligent and interested in math and some science. Despite being told her entire life that this proclivity of hers will be a barrier to her finding a marriage, this is the very thing that once revealed becomes a catalyst to her falling in love with a man that appreciates every aspect of her. Reginald does not want to follow the path that has been laid out for him his entire life, but he does not have the courage to tell his family that he wants to do something else. That is until Georgiana gives him the courage to do what he wants with his life.

One thing that I love about this book that is also very similar to Bridgerton is how much the family loves each other. They experience a great tragedy in the book and through the whole thing they are there for each other. They are a very close knit family that do not stand on ceremony amongst each other and enjoy teasing and pranking each other, which was very entertaining to read.

I look forward to reading about the other siblings in the following books. And I hope I get to see Georgiana and Reginald in their married life as well.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by the author and I will certainly be looking out for future novels by her as I thoroughly enjoyed the intricacies that make up the relationship between the Taverston siblings. Georgiana is something of an oddball in the Regency ballrooms, as in spite of her beauty and substantial dowry, she turned down sixteen proposals in her first season. She is dreading having to enter a second season, especially as she is under pressure to at least consider Jasper Taverston as a prospective groom. When the Earl of Iversley takes a turn for the worse in his illness, Georgiana, her mother, and cousin follow the family back to their estate in order to spend time with them and give the matchmaking mamas time to work out their plan. Unfortunately, Jasper does not create the spark in her that she was hoping for, but when Reginald recognizes and admires Georgiana's quick mind without disparaging her, the spark ignites a conflagration. At first, it seems that the attraction between Reginald and Georgiana is doomed to failure, but when challenged Reginald takes a stand. The novel is the first in a series of interesting characters, but is a standalone and although there is some sadness hanging over the family, the book comes to a lovely conclusion. I received a copy of this well-written and attention-grabbing romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Charmaine Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. We meet Lady Georgiana Stewart, the daughter of the Duke of Hovington who is entering her second on the marriage mart. She is a beauty with a good dowry, and all the necessary requirements to make a fantastic match. Unfortunately, she is not keen on any of the candidates who offer for her hand and in her first year, she has turned down sixteen of them!

This year, her parents feel that she will be a good match with the heir to the Earl of Iversley, Lord Jasper. He himself is handsome, etc., etc., etc. However, in the eyes of Georgiana, she is bored bumless and feels absolutely no chemistry with him. His youngest brother, Reginald Taverston, third son of the Earl of Iversley is a different story! He is a learned man and someone she can relate to and enjoys spending time with.

The two meet during a house party when Jasper invites Georgiana to the house to see if they match. This is a trying period for the family as the current Earl of Iversley is dying. Despite this situation, the feelings between Georgiana and Reginald grow and they have their HEA.

The supporting characters in Crispin and their only sister, Olivia as well as Alice, Georgiana's cousin who accompanies them to the house party all play wonderfully along with the dynamics.

I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Georgina Stewart, the daughter of the Duke of Hovington, is bored, bored, bored. Only in London for her cousin's first season, she's not expecting anything different from last year's refusal of sixteen proposals. The Earl of Iversley is very ill. His heir, Lord Jasper Taverston, has decided he must soon marry. The lady that comes to mind is Lady Georgina. She's not impressed and is not receptive to his courting. Invited to Chaumbers, the Iversley estate, for a house party, Georgina finally meets the man who ignites the spark and let's her be true to herself. Its not Lord Jasper. A vow between brother's makes Reginald hesitant to express his feelings, but it's a chance he must take or lose Georgina to someone else. A house party where the Earl is dying seems a little weird for the setting of a romance. The sibling dynamics was also a little strange, especially the middle brother manipulating the romance.
Mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging Romance
In her first season Lady Georgiana turned down numerous offers of marriage, frightened of committing to a lifetime with a man she barely knows. As a duke’s daughter and with a large dowry, men were not shy in coming forward but this season the men will be warier and the pressure for her to make a good marriage even stronger. She wants a loving marriage like her parents have, to feel a spark or, at least something other than boredom. Unfortunately at the pre-season ball an eminently suitable match makes a play for her and rumours fill the ton that a betrothal is to be announced. With her mother keen for her to make a match she agrees to spend time with her suitor and his family even though she has no strong feelings for him. What happens when she meets and falls for the youngest brother is the meat of this story. A new author to me who I highly recommend.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan Steggall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel is set in Regency England with a wide cast of comfortably recognisable characters: a feisty heiress, a trio of brothers with the eldest, Lord Jasper Taverston, to inherit the earldom, the second Crispin, to enlist in the army, but the third Taverston, the scholar Reginald, to defy convention and aim to become a scholar rather than enter the church. The heroine, Lady Georgiana Stewart, has an unconventional talent for numbers (perhaps a nod to Ada Lovelace and her gift for algebra) which not only makes Georgiana Reginald’s intellectual equal but also allays the boredom of the London Season (marriage market in less patrician terms).

There are enough twists in the plot, splendid settings and entertaining conversations to make the novel an enjoyable albeit light-hearted read. As the author writes, ‘after any tough day, nothing soothes the spirit like a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Escaping to the Regency Era is like a mini-vacation’.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected Love
Everyone expects Georgiana to marry the heir to the earldom. But what happens when she falls in love with the youngest son instead? While visiting her betrothed's family, Georgiana finds herself bored—until she notices Reginald working on the family's ledgers. Math is her true passion, and if anything can capture her interest, it's numbers. As she helps Reginald solve some puzzling discrepancies, they uncover surprising family secrets. Caught between the expectation of marrying one brother and falling in love with another, Georgiana faces inevitable conflict. How will it all turn out? I enjoyed this Regency romance and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me author that finally got me out of my reading slump!!

Georgiana is the daughter of a Duke and a secret bluestocking who is not looking forward to her second year in the marriage mart.

Jasper, the heir of an Earl, is finally looking for his Countess and decides he must have Georgiana.

I really enjoyed the love triangle that developed and the air of mystery for the brothers, especially Crispin. I can’t wait for their stories!

Highly recommend!!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

CW - death of parent, terminal illness

This was enjoyable, but took a while to get going. I would have liked more focus on the maths interest of the heroine and whether or not she was neurodivergent. I also think there should have been more warning about the terminal illness and death of the hero’s father.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reginald & Georgiana

Victorian rules of etiquette and what is "right" and "proper" for men versus women is enough to make a twenty-first century girl want to punch someone! Seriously. I'm so glad Crispen decided to interfere in his brothers' affairs. Clearly, Reginald was unwilling, unable (?), to speak up for himself. But there's no way he ultimately would have let Georgiana go without fighting for her.

[itsybitsybookhoarder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good romance. I enjoyed the story but I wished the build up would have been less and the love story when they were actually together would have been more. They didn’t get together until 3/4 of the way through the book. I loved the main characters Georgianna and Reginald, and they were well written. I really did like the book, and it left me wanting to see who was next in the series!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgianna is being pushed to marry well but the reality is of the three brothers, Jasper is as boring as watching paint dry. Reginald on the other hand isn't the heir but is so much more up Georgianna's alley. A well written story of family pressures, obedience versus desired happiness and opportunities. Fully engaging and entertaining.

[Razet Shaipova · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

The ending was bit rushed and they fell in love too fast , otherwise really nice. I liked how it wasn’t instalove, but the falling in love could have been developed better.

[Deane Zager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for number two.
I could have done without the steamy sex scenes, but at least they were near the end and easily skipped.
Ms. Coventry is a very talented writer.

[Debbie Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read a Regency, and I very much enjoyed this one. Loved the banter and camaraderie of the Traverson brothers, and the slow burn romance was just what I was looking for. Well written and drew me in right away. Look forward to reading more in the series!

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

I really enjoyed this story. It had a few amusing twists. However, the love scene at the end was totally unnecessary. It seemed thrown in as an afterthought. If Coventry had gone in a different direction, I would have given a higher rating.

[Karen Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the heroine

As a math teacher, I loved Georgiana & her love of & skill with mathematics. I also like all the Taverston brothers. Sweet book with something interesting instead of the same old London season trope.