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Bad Heir Day Tales #4
The Besotted Baron
The last thing Camden Huxley wants is to sort out his family’s sprawling Yorkshire estate, along with its squabbling tenants, retainers, and neighbors. Cam nonetheless turns his back on his greatest passion–trade–and travels to Lorne Hall, telling himself all the while that he’s merely making the duty visit required of any new titleholder.
Matters at the Hall are in serious disarray, but what alarms Cam even more are the matchmaking ambitions aimed in his direction. Miss Alice Singleton, granddaughter of the antediluvian estate steward, is a voice of reason and common sense, and she’s also sweet, kind, and possessed of a wicked sense of humor. To Cam’s bafflement, Alice alone seems to have no interest in becoming his baroness. For her part, Alice is indeed smitten with the new baron, but she has learned to avoid entanglements of any kind, and she is determined to make no exceptions even if this time, she really has fallen in love.
Cam and Alice will have to overcome old secrets and new betrayals, and learn to trust their hearts and each other if they are to have any chance of a shared and joyous future.
Matters at the Hall are in serious disarray, but what alarms Cam even more are the matchmaking ambitions aimed in his direction. Miss Alice Singleton, granddaughter of the antediluvian estate steward, is a voice of reason and common sense, and she’s also sweet, kind, and possessed of a wicked sense of humor. To Cam’s bafflement, Alice alone seems to have no interest in becoming his baroness. For her part, Alice is indeed smitten with the new baron, but she has learned to avoid entanglements of any kind, and she is determined to make no exceptions even if this time, she really has fallen in love.
Cam and Alice will have to overcome old secrets and new betrayals, and learn to trust their hearts and each other if they are to have any chance of a shared and joyous future.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2025
140 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
191 books2,915 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 26, 2025
Once again, Leopold St. Didier is found rounding up an heir, to ‘help” him take up his inherited responsibilities.
Camden Huxley, twenty-eighth Baron Lorne upon the death of his brother, is strongly urged by Leopold St. Didier to return to his manor and lands, Lorne Hall.
Upon his return, he finds that his childhood friend Alice Singleton has never married and still lives with her Grandfather, and that his aunt, Lady Josephine, is still ‘ruling the roost’ of the entire village from the vicarage where her son is now serving. What is unknown is the extent of her perfidy in controlling other people’s lives. Cam finds himself in the midst of a nightmare which Josephine is attempting to perpetrate against an innocent child.
This touching story, as is characteristic of Ms. Burrowes stories, pulls the reader right into the story from the beginning, making it difficult to put down until finished.
Camden Huxley, twenty-eighth Baron Lorne upon the death of his brother, is strongly urged by Leopold St. Didier to return to his manor and lands, Lorne Hall.
Upon his return, he finds that his childhood friend Alice Singleton has never married and still lives with her Grandfather, and that his aunt, Lady Josephine, is still ‘ruling the roost’ of the entire village from the vicarage where her son is now serving. What is unknown is the extent of her perfidy in controlling other people’s lives. Cam finds himself in the midst of a nightmare which Josephine is attempting to perpetrate against an innocent child.
This touching story, as is characteristic of Ms. Burrowes stories, pulls the reader right into the story from the beginning, making it difficult to put down until finished.
October 28, 2025
Reading Grace Burrowes books is like a balm to the soul. I love her characters, they are complex, multi layered, engaging. Well, all except the dreadful Lady Josephine who does not seem to have any redeeming features, even if at the very end we discover a possible reason for her evil behaviour. It hardly seems to compensate her malevolence. The book is written for all those who have a Lady Josephine in their lives...I am so glad I don't. Ms Burrowes prose is rich and her style flows freely.
Secondary characters all have an endearing aspect to them, from the potboy to the housekeeper. At the denouement, I was riding with Galahad, willing it to jump the last few fences safely in order to arrive in time.
The HEA is very satisfying even if perhaps a bit idealistic.
A really enjoyable read which I warmly recommend
Secondary characters all have an endearing aspect to them, from the potboy to the housekeeper. At the denouement, I was riding with Galahad, willing it to jump the last few fences safely in order to arrive in time.
The HEA is very satisfying even if perhaps a bit idealistic.
A really enjoyable read which I warmly recommend
November 1, 2025
I'm rounding up a trifle, but when a book leaves me with a book hangover, I'm inclined to give it five stars.
In this book, Burrowes has given her readers a particularly chilling and insidious villain they can love to hate. As someone with a limited capacity for enduring suspense, I had trouble making it through the interval before it became clear that her machinations would be effectively opposed. The more admirable characters are well drawn, and I eagerly awaited the improvement in their fates.
In this book, Burrowes has given her readers a particularly chilling and insidious villain they can love to hate. As someone with a limited capacity for enduring suspense, I had trouble making it through the interval before it became clear that her machinations would be effectively opposed. The more admirable characters are well drawn, and I eagerly awaited the improvement in their fates.
October 16, 2025
What magic does Leopold St. Didier possess that allows him to find heirs and successfully chivvy them to take up their duties? Inquiring minds etc. . . Camden Huxley, the new Baron Lorne, travels to his boyhood home to check up on matters three months after the old baron, his brother Alexander, has died. Lady Josephine, earl's daughter, vicar's widow, vicar's mother, baron's aunt, and general know-it-all, has her fingers in all the pies in the village and beyond. And no one dares to cross her. What power does she hold and what can Cam do to break it and win his beloved Alice?
October 16, 2025
Camden Huxley, the reluctant heir to a barony, is coerced into leaving his lucrative London business and returning to the Yorkshire family seat, supposedly for a couple of weeks. What he finds at Lorne Hall, though, is severe disarray, with ancient retainers who should have been pensioned off years ago, acres that aren’t being managed as well as they ought to be, and, worst of all, Miss Alice Singleton, a young woman who he knew from his childhood, living the life of an aged spinster. The beautiful, witty, charming, and well educated Miss Singleton naturally catches Camden’s attention but she inexplicably resists his advances. Manipulation, deceit, coercion and secrets are revealed as these two young lovers attempt to plot a future together. While “The Besotted Baron” is part of a series, each book can be enjoyed as a standalone. As always in the best stories, the solution to the dilemma facing these young lovers seems completely out of reach, right up until it isn’t. Ms. Burrowes writes wonderful, complex characters, some of whom the reader will fall in love with and some characters, not so much! I strongly recommend this latest book in the “The Bad Heir Day Tales” as well as all the previous ones for a lovely read with a memorable HEA. This book was provided by the author without any requirement for a review, positive or otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own.
January 5, 2026
Leopold At Didier is again encouraging a reluctant heir to take his rightful place in his family, in this case Baron Lorne - Cam.
Cam's brother Alex died leaving a will staying that his aunt Josephine could not do several things to do with the estate, at first Can didn't understand why, but the day after his return he started to, Josephine had arranged a party with all the eligible young ladies in the county, and was setting about finding Cam a wife, when all Can wants is to go back to London and his company.
Can soon meets Alice, his estate managers granddaughter again, and whilst deploying her dress sense, quickly becomes intrigued. But something is impacting everyone in the locality,- Aunt Josephine, always appears genial, but in fact holds people's secrets and manipulates them. Even her son Bernard has settled to try and avoid her manipulation, but she steals letters from the post office to try and manage him.
This book felt a little different from others in the series, and I found it took longer to get into. The ending is a little sugary sweet. But I liked seeing characters like Worth Lettering appearing in it.
If Bernard's book is next - what is he heir to? Or is his book is a different series?
Cam's brother Alex died leaving a will staying that his aunt Josephine could not do several things to do with the estate, at first Can didn't understand why, but the day after his return he started to, Josephine had arranged a party with all the eligible young ladies in the county, and was setting about finding Cam a wife, when all Can wants is to go back to London and his company.
Can soon meets Alice, his estate managers granddaughter again, and whilst deploying her dress sense, quickly becomes intrigued. But something is impacting everyone in the locality,- Aunt Josephine, always appears genial, but in fact holds people's secrets and manipulates them. Even her son Bernard has settled to try and avoid her manipulation, but she steals letters from the post office to try and manage him.
This book felt a little different from others in the series, and I found it took longer to get into. The ending is a little sugary sweet. But I liked seeing characters like Worth Lettering appearing in it.
If Bernard's book is next - what is he heir to? Or is his book is a different series?
October 15, 2025
I don't have the energy for a longer review, unfortunately.
So here's a quick hit about my thoughts:
Cam and Alice are typical Burrowes characters: older and wiser. Poor Alice has had such a difficult life- my heart goes out to her!! I love how Cam figures out that what Alice really needs is to make her own decisions, and to involve a second party (not Cam) in those decisions in order to be happy. Bravo, sir!
The villain of the piece is also a typical Burrowes character- someone that I end up hating with the strength of a thousand suns. How does she write such evil people?! It must be from the author's background in law, seeing people at their worst. I enjoy that she addresses this point a little bit in the Author Note at the end of the book.
St. Didier is still here, shepherding the heirs of various estates into their "old" lives. I CANNOT WAIT for him to meet his lady. I hope it is EPIC, because he deserves that!!!
So here's a quick hit about my thoughts:
Cam and Alice are typical Burrowes characters: older and wiser. Poor Alice has had such a difficult life- my heart goes out to her!! I love how Cam figures out that what Alice really needs is to make her own decisions, and to involve a second party (not Cam) in those decisions in order to be happy. Bravo, sir!
The villain of the piece is also a typical Burrowes character- someone that I end up hating with the strength of a thousand suns. How does she write such evil people?! It must be from the author's background in law, seeing people at their worst. I enjoy that she addresses this point a little bit in the Author Note at the end of the book.
St. Didier is still here, shepherding the heirs of various estates into their "old" lives. I CANNOT WAIT for him to meet his lady. I hope it is EPIC, because he deserves that!!!
December 14, 2025
I enjoyed the lesser intensity of this story, although the plot still addressed serious subject matters and possessed nefariousness behavior in endless quantities.
Unfortunately, the writing style in this series has evolved into the same style of the Lord Julian stories, which is disappointing. At times I thought Lord Lorne was Lord Julian. Having an exceptionally unique style of communication and behaviour for a main character is not uncommon (as Lord Julian does) , but when it spreads into all writing and is adopted by other characters it loses its impact and appeal.
I wish St Didier played a bigger part in all of the Bad Heir novels instead of just a plot piece to start the story off. Maybe his day will come, along with a return of his family title and lands.
3/5
Unfortunately, the writing style in this series has evolved into the same style of the Lord Julian stories, which is disappointing. At times I thought Lord Lorne was Lord Julian. Having an exceptionally unique style of communication and behaviour for a main character is not uncommon (as Lord Julian does) , but when it spreads into all writing and is adopted by other characters it loses its impact and appeal.
I wish St Didier played a bigger part in all of the Bad Heir novels instead of just a plot piece to start the story off. Maybe his day will come, along with a return of his family title and lands.
3/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2025
I'm actually in the midst of reading another very good book, but it's very long and I needed a bit of a change in tone. This provided just what I needed.
So far I have enjoyed every book I've read by this author, although up until this one, I preferred the Lord Julian Mysteries to the books in this series. The others weren't frivolous, but somehow this one took on a seriousness which I appreciated. A strong female lead is always a joy, and Alice here is reminiscent of Hyperia West in the Lord Julian Mystery series.
An excellent read, I will enjoy continuing to discover other books by Burrowes.
So far I have enjoyed every book I've read by this author, although up until this one, I preferred the Lord Julian Mysteries to the books in this series. The others weren't frivolous, but somehow this one took on a seriousness which I appreciated. A strong female lead is always a joy, and Alice here is reminiscent of Hyperia West in the Lord Julian Mystery series.
An excellent read, I will enjoy continuing to discover other books by Burrowes.
December 28, 2025
Camden Huxley is the new baron but finds most everything else has not changed. The house steward is ancient and his granddaughter still lives with him. Cam adored her years ago and cannot work out why she never married.
His ‘aunt’ Lady Josephine is one of those awful women who runs the whole village via veiled threats, and secrets worthy of a Midsomer murder episode. She orders her son, the vicar about, and she’d like nothing more than to be installed at Lorne Hall.
Over Cam’s dead body, if need be.
4 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3,140.98
His ‘aunt’ Lady Josephine is one of those awful women who runs the whole village via veiled threats, and secrets worthy of a Midsomer murder episode. She orders her son, the vicar about, and she’d like nothing more than to be installed at Lorne Hall.
Over Cam’s dead body, if need be.
4 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3,140.98
January 1, 2026
the first 140 pages I was not impressed at all, the story seemed very standard and the female protagonist's "secret" was very very obvious. but then, the plot became more unusual, a presumed side character turned out to be much more influential than thought and with extortion and manipulation the stakes rose to a satisfying level. I was not sure how the situation could be resolved, so it made for a very good read, then. i especially liked the trope of the young woman betrayed by a handsome scoundrel turned on its head.
November 16, 2025
I have loved The Bad Heir Day Tales series very much. Grace Burrowes writing is rich and rounded. The characters are layered from top to bottom. I am hoping Leopold St.Didier gets a book of his own after capturing the other heirs. The villain in this story is quite evil. She wants to control everyones lives to her satisfaction. There is mystery, suspense, and romance. A very enjoyable read from start to finish. A very satisfying HEA.
October 20, 2025
There are so many wonderful and good characters in this lovely romance, with one glaring exception. This person goes well beyond mere mischief, and when this beautifully written story finally gets to the well-deserved happily-ever-after, I was just as glad to experience the joy as I was to relish the just desserts. This is a series not to be missed. Highly recommended.
November 2, 2025
Burrowes does it again
A lovely, character driven novel, that manifests all that we expect of Burrowes. Terrific characters, great dialogue, beautiful writing and excellent plotting. The gradual revelation of a snake in the garden is as clever as it is horrifying. But we are blessed with a poignant, fairytale happy ever after.
A lovely, character driven novel, that manifests all that we expect of Burrowes. Terrific characters, great dialogue, beautiful writing and excellent plotting. The gradual revelation of a snake in the garden is as clever as it is horrifying. But we are blessed with a poignant, fairytale happy ever after.
October 17, 2025
A delightful story with a happy couple, small village tormented by a meddling villain, orphans and misfits, and a happily ever after (surprise!). Grace Burrowes always gives a wonderfully crafted story. (this was a happily received gift of an ARC)
November 7, 2025
Camden has been away from home for a long time, he returns to Yorkshire and finds out that Alice has not married. The romance has problems along the way, there is an aunt who is just awful. I enjoyed it, I'll be curious to see who gets the next story in this series.
November 9, 2025
It is unlike any similar books read before. Lady Josephine is made to be an almost supernatural vilain, there is no sparkle between our protagonists, and there are incongruencies in the story. He doesn't want children, but he gets to raise a hoarde of them.
November 15, 2025
delightful!
This is a typical, fun, and enjoyable Grace Burrowes novel. The dragon, Lady Josephine, is despicable. The hero and heroine fun and realistic. The plot inventive enough to delight. It’s also great to have St. Didier involved.
This is a typical, fun, and enjoyable Grace Burrowes novel. The dragon, Lady Josephine, is despicable. The hero and heroine fun and realistic. The plot inventive enough to delight. It’s also great to have St. Didier involved.
November 23, 2025
This wasn’t a bad book, but disappointingly close to other books in this and other series the author has written. A secret child is a recurring trope, so was not a surprise. I think it was 40% in when it became more interesting. The story seems to be more about the downfall of an evil woman.
December 26, 2025
Another lovely book in this series
Cam and Alice are terrific main characters, and the supporting cast compliments them well. The orphanage matron and the girls came into the story more a bit late in the book, and they were fun. I look forward to the next book in the series!
Cam and Alice are terrific main characters, and the supporting cast compliments them well. The orphanage matron and the girls came into the story more a bit late in the book, and they were fun. I look forward to the next book in the series!
October 29, 2025
kids kids kids
Wonderful story. A dozen kids. Wheww. I loved the characters. And e clergyman Cams factor was brilliant. Read it. You will enjoy the tail
Wonderful story. A dozen kids. Wheww. I loved the characters. And e clergyman Cams factor was brilliant. Read it. You will enjoy the tail
November 3, 2025
A gentle, sweet read. I particularly liked the hero's character arc.
November 5, 2025
3.75 Another Regency from Burrowes and as always, an entertaining read. Free ebook from the library.
December 12, 2025
Aunt Josephine is truly one of the most evil characters I have ever encountered. As always, an excellent story.
December 18, 2025
A belittled heir inherits. He discovers a village under the thumb of his mean, meddlesome aunt. A nice read and the season for an over-the-top HEA.
December 24, 2025
What fun! Aunt Josephine is definitely a snake in the grass; beware! I enjoyed Cam and Alice’s story, but Aunt Josephine draws most of the attention. Well written characters again.
January 6, 2026
I really like these characters. They are so kind to each other!
November 30, 2025
Another gem by Grace Burrowes! Her characters and language sparkle. As a fast reader I often skim parts of the text but not with Grace. I don’t want to miss any witty banter or elaborate vocabulary. Love all her books!
November 2, 2025
Grace Burrowes has become an automatic buy for me. This is a suspenseful tale of would-be lovers (and a whole village) beset by one heck of a villainous old woman. It's fun, if a bit stressful, watching our heroes cope with her evil machinations.
November 4, 2025
Loved this couple with a competent h helping the H accept his inheritance. She keeps her secrets close, but yearns for her child. Liked watching them fall in love, and finally sharing the truth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews