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Beauty and the Brooding Viscount
A Regency fairytale retelling with a grumpy sunshine romance
To make her mark…
She must find his match!
It’s a tale as old as Lucas Worthing, a wealthy Viscount, is reluctantly obliged to find a high-society wife. Especially with a deathbed promise to his mother to fulfill! But who could love the battle-hardened Beast of Barnett House? Enter the Cupid’s Arrow Agency…
Matchmaking for the scarred and reclusive Lucas won’t be easy, but plucky Ophelia Granger isn’t deterred by his imposing castle or gruff demeanor. If she can pull this off, her business stands a chance of success. Yet there’s nothing harder than finding a bride for the man you’re falling for yourself!
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Regency Fairytales
Book 1: Cinderella's Charade with the Duke
To make her mark…
She must find his match!
It’s a tale as old as Lucas Worthing, a wealthy Viscount, is reluctantly obliged to find a high-society wife. Especially with a deathbed promise to his mother to fulfill! But who could love the battle-hardened Beast of Barnett House? Enter the Cupid’s Arrow Agency…
Matchmaking for the scarred and reclusive Lucas won’t be easy, but plucky Ophelia Granger isn’t deterred by his imposing castle or gruff demeanor. If she can pull this off, her business stands a chance of success. Yet there’s nothing harder than finding a bride for the man you’re falling for yourself!
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Regency Fairytales
Book 1: Cinderella's Charade with the Duke
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
About the author
Jeanine Englert
43 books649 followersJeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a VIVIAN® and Golden Heart® Finalist as well as a Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. She was also named the 2024 Georgia Author of the Year in romance for A Laird without a Past.
Her Scottish Highland historical, Regency historical, and historical mystery novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers.
Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.
Her Scottish Highland historical, Regency historical, and historical mystery novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers.
Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is book #2 of Regency Fairytales. Three young ladies (Hattie, Ophelia, and Trudy) who bonded in an orphanage travel to London for four months. Ophelia, a determined young beauty, has had some success as a matchmaker in her small community and now wants to begin her business (Cupid’s Arrow Agency) in London. Her first client is Lucas, a wealthy Viscount, who reluctantly hires her to find him a match because of a deathbed promise to his mother. Lucas sustained physical scars from a scabbard cut to his face and body from fighting in America before the War of 1813. He is emotionally scarred from losing many of the men he led into battle. The gossip sheets call him a Beast. But as she arranges outings for him to a masquerade ball and even Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, she finds herself falling for him. The author does a great job of drawing both of these characters. We can feel the apprehension Lucas experiences about entering the London social whirl. We can also feel the enthusiasm and trepidation Ophelia has for ensuring that a high-ranking client could make or break her new business venture. The reader can cheer for their relationship—the more time they spend together, the closer they become. I am anxious to read book #3, Trudy’s story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beauty and the Brooding Viscount by Jeanine Englert is a historical romance definitely worth reading! The story of Ophelia and Lucas, a Viscount, was a page turner from the beginning. Ophelia, with the support of her two friends, Trudy and Hattie, feels she has what it takes to be a matchmaker. Ophelia names her agency Cupid’s Arrow Agency. On her way home after picking up her new calling cards and placing them in her reticule, a boy runs up behind her and grabs her reticule and takes off with it. Ophelia begins to run after the thief.
A carriage stops and a man jumps out and chases the thief. Now Ophelia feels her cards are gone for good.
The carriage stops again and a man gets out. He returns her reticule to her. This man is Viscount Lucas Worthing. He invites Ophelia to his carriage for a ride home. He asks about her matchmaking business and now the adventures begin. Lucas hires Ophelia to find him a wife, wants to be her first client. Lucas feels he must fulfill the wishes of his mother who has passed away. Ophelia gets to work on finding Lucas a wife.
As the story grows, all kinds of ups and downs happen to Ophelia and Lucas.
A wonderful story about a determined woman and a man who has many thoughts to overcome.
The characters in this book were easy to get to know. The scenes were very well described. The story had some unexpected twists and romance too.
I would recommend this book to all!
A carriage stops and a man jumps out and chases the thief. Now Ophelia feels her cards are gone for good.
The carriage stops again and a man gets out. He returns her reticule to her. This man is Viscount Lucas Worthing. He invites Ophelia to his carriage for a ride home. He asks about her matchmaking business and now the adventures begin. Lucas hires Ophelia to find him a wife, wants to be her first client. Lucas feels he must fulfill the wishes of his mother who has passed away. Ophelia gets to work on finding Lucas a wife.
As the story grows, all kinds of ups and downs happen to Ophelia and Lucas.
A wonderful story about a determined woman and a man who has many thoughts to overcome.
The characters in this book were easy to get to know. The scenes were very well described. The story had some unexpected twists and romance too.
I would recommend this book to all!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a most entertaining Regency Drama with echoes of the Fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. The Viscount has been living a reclusive existence following his return from battle but it is soon evident that he has a kind, generous and sensitive nature. Lucas becomes determined to fulfil his duty to his family and provide an heir, which leads to his friendship with Ophelia who is keen to start up her own business as a matchmaker.
If you have read the first in this series, Cinderella's Charade with the Duke, you will recognise several of the characters, especially Ophelia and her friends. It is interesting to see Ophelia mixing in society and hoping that she can establish herself as an independent woman. The society events which Ophelia takes Lucas to show you how their friendship is developing and introduces more lively characters. It is Lucas who goes through the greatest transformation and his life in his own home shows you his more sensitive side. This is rewarding reading, as characters strive to see where they belong.
In short: opposites attract
If you have read the first in this series, Cinderella's Charade with the Duke, you will recognise several of the characters, especially Ophelia and her friends. It is interesting to see Ophelia mixing in society and hoping that she can establish herself as an independent woman. The society events which Ophelia takes Lucas to show you how their friendship is developing and introduces more lively characters. It is Lucas who goes through the greatest transformation and his life in his own home shows you his more sensitive side. This is rewarding reading, as characters strive to see where they belong.
In short: opposites attract
May 22, 2026
Beauty and the Brooding Viscount was such a good and entertaining novel that kept me reading throughout the day.
Lucas, Viscount Worthing, came back from the Americas war deeply changed and scarred. He cut himself off from the ton, earning the moniker Beast. When he runs into Miss Ophelia Granger, his hermit life is disrupted, because she will try to make him appreciate the social life again.
I adored Ophelia, she is lively and courageous, she is an enterprising woman who started her own business with all the challenges of that period. Lucas is grumpy and stubborn, he believes he isn't worth of any happyness and love, but he changed thanks to Ophelia presence into his life. It was interesting how Ophelia persistence won Lucas over, making him accepting her matchmaking plan.
Jeanine Englert wrote a sweet and emotional story and, like the Beauty and The Beast, it conquerd me.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book review:
Signed ARC of Beauty and the Brooding Viscount by Jeanine Englert
This historical romance had me mesmorized from the very beginning. The strong independent women and the well-groomed attractive men are such real characters, especially Lucas, the Viscount and Ophelia, the spunky matchmaker. Even though they are falling for each other, they feel it is not in their best interest to be paired, so to keep from getting rejected or hurt they stow their feelings away. I love reading about the details in their ball gowns and how the men are dressed.i would love to go to a ball in that Era just one time to see the extravagant costumes and decorations. But reading this story will take you back in time, and let you find out if Lucas and Ophelia can restore happiness together. This is dream worthy of 5 stars.
Signed ARC of Beauty and the Brooding Viscount by Jeanine Englert
This historical romance had me mesmorized from the very beginning. The strong independent women and the well-groomed attractive men are such real characters, especially Lucas, the Viscount and Ophelia, the spunky matchmaker. Even though they are falling for each other, they feel it is not in their best interest to be paired, so to keep from getting rejected or hurt they stow their feelings away. I love reading about the details in their ball gowns and how the men are dressed.i would love to go to a ball in that Era just one time to see the extravagant costumes and decorations. But reading this story will take you back in time, and let you find out if Lucas and Ophelia can restore happiness together. This is dream worthy of 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a classic Regency romance with Beauty and the Beast- esque vibes that centres on an emotionally withdrawn aristocrat and the woman trying to rebuild her matchmaking career.
The strongest part of the novel is the arc between the two leads- the Viscount who is written as genuinely guarded rather than grumpy - and Ophelia - practical, ambitious, and not easily intimidated, which gives the story a brilliant balance of power dynamics.
The romance builds slowly, and leans into the emotion and vulnerability with the relationship developing through conversation and the building of trust.
As expected, the plot follows a typical retelling structure, so there aren’t many surprises but it is a comforting, emotional read with strong chemistry between the two main characters.
The strongest part of the novel is the arc between the two leads- the Viscount who is written as genuinely guarded rather than grumpy - and Ophelia - practical, ambitious, and not easily intimidated, which gives the story a brilliant balance of power dynamics.
The romance builds slowly, and leans into the emotion and vulnerability with the relationship developing through conversation and the building of trust.
As expected, the plot follows a typical retelling structure, so there aren’t many surprises but it is a comforting, emotional read with strong chemistry between the two main characters.
May 21, 2026
Ophelia has a talent for matchmaking, which she hopes will make her a successful business owner in Regency London. Lucas is reclusive and has a reputation which the gossip sheets fuel. He needs a society marriage, and Ophelia is determined to help him. It's a gentle romance about a couple falling in love, but knowing their love cannot be. I enjoyed them battling the challenges to their happiness, the passion that builds between them and the vivid social events and vibrant characters this fairytale romance has.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
Review of advance copy
❤️ Blurb -
A Regency fairytale retelling with a grumpy sunshine romance
To make her mark…
She must find his match!
It’s a tale as old as Lucas Worthing, a wealthy Viscount, is reluctantly obliged to find a high-society wife. Especially with a deathbed promise to his mother to fulfill! But who could love the battle-hardened Beast of Barnett House? Enter the Cupid’s Arrow Agency…
Matchmaking for the scarred and reclusive Lucas won’t be easy, but plucky Ophelia Granger isn’t deterred by his imposing castle or gruff demeanor. If she can pull this off, her business stands a chance of success. Yet there’s nothing harder than finding a bride for the man you’re falling for yourself!
🩵 Review -
Historical fiction fans will love this. From the very first page I was drawn into the story along with the characters. It's obvious that the author has done their research for the book as the attention to detail was spot on for the time period. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. Plus I loved the chemistry between the main characters. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Jeanine Englert and the publisher, Harlequin Romance for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A Regency fairytale retelling with a grumpy sunshine romance
To make her mark…
She must find his match!
It’s a tale as old as Lucas Worthing, a wealthy Viscount, is reluctantly obliged to find a high-society wife. Especially with a deathbed promise to his mother to fulfill! But who could love the battle-hardened Beast of Barnett House? Enter the Cupid’s Arrow Agency…
Matchmaking for the scarred and reclusive Lucas won’t be easy, but plucky Ophelia Granger isn’t deterred by his imposing castle or gruff demeanor. If she can pull this off, her business stands a chance of success. Yet there’s nothing harder than finding a bride for the man you’re falling for yourself!
🩵 Review -
Historical fiction fans will love this. From the very first page I was drawn into the story along with the characters. It's obvious that the author has done their research for the book as the attention to detail was spot on for the time period. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. Plus I loved the chemistry between the main characters. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Jeanine Englert and the publisher, Harlequin Romance for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews