What do you think?
Just for the Season
For fans of Lisa Kleypas and Sarah MacLean, Rachel Griffiths’s latest historical romance is a sexy, laugh-out-loud romp that’s The Bachelorette set in Regency England with shades of Bridgerton.
Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton knows all of London’s rules, and better yet, knows how to break them. But when she takes it too far and stumbles into a serious scandal, she knows only one thing will save her—marriage, as soon as possible.
With only one summer to pick a husband, Charlotte invites all of England’s most eligible bachelors to an extravagant summer retreat at a country manor house. There’s a brooding artist, a wickedly handsome Russian prince, and one of the richest men in all of Europe...so why do her eyes keep sliding over to the Duke of Warrick, the only man who’s ever come close to breaking her heart?
Does Charlotte’s summer of suitors have any room for second chances?
Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton knows all of London’s rules, and better yet, knows how to break them. But when she takes it too far and stumbles into a serious scandal, she knows only one thing will save her—marriage, as soon as possible.
With only one summer to pick a husband, Charlotte invites all of England’s most eligible bachelors to an extravagant summer retreat at a country manor house. There’s a brooding artist, a wickedly handsome Russian prince, and one of the richest men in all of Europe...so why do her eyes keep sliding over to the Duke of Warrick, the only man who’s ever come close to breaking her heart?
Does Charlotte’s summer of suitors have any room for second chances?
320 pages, ebook
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Rachel Griffiths
49 books142 followersRachel Griffiths is an author, wife, mother, Earl Grey tea drinker, gin enthusiast, dog walker and fan of the afternoon nap. She loves to read, write and spend time with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
March 8, 2026
SHES THE ARTIST NOT THE MUSE!!!
Here for everyone meddling and scheming for these two idiots to get together!!
A summer countryside romp for a scandal mired Lady and the rake dragged headlong into her marriage hunt mark the start of this unmissable historical romance. Rachel Griffiths’s Just for the Season is out to prove that all the best historical romances are second chance and include plenty of tension filled carriage rides and incessant quarrels. Two former correspondents, now mostly strangers, avoid the past at a house retreat where one of them is the coveted potential bride, and the other a reluctant grumbling duke refusing to admit he still cares. Returning with grace, wit, headstrong women, and a constantly frustrated man, Just for the Season sees Griffiths cement a signature style, one that impresses the importance of angst and the tried and true only one carriage trope. Charlotte and Wolfgang are perfectly suited, both in temperament and their tendency to avoid the proverbial elephant in the room: feelings (derogatory). But meddlesome family, highwaymen, and of all things embroidery soon make them impossible to ignore. Just for the Season had me earnestly hanging onto every interaction and failed suitor hoping these two would dig up their shared past and confess to wanting every season after. Griffiths’s second novel is a real triumph, not just a love letter to the best trope around, but to creative pursuits and the driven, passionate women willing to succeed by any means necessary.
thank you to the author for providing me with an advance copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
Here for everyone meddling and scheming for these two idiots to get together!!
A summer countryside romp for a scandal mired Lady and the rake dragged headlong into her marriage hunt mark the start of this unmissable historical romance. Rachel Griffiths’s Just for the Season is out to prove that all the best historical romances are second chance and include plenty of tension filled carriage rides and incessant quarrels. Two former correspondents, now mostly strangers, avoid the past at a house retreat where one of them is the coveted potential bride, and the other a reluctant grumbling duke refusing to admit he still cares. Returning with grace, wit, headstrong women, and a constantly frustrated man, Just for the Season sees Griffiths cement a signature style, one that impresses the importance of angst and the tried and true only one carriage trope. Charlotte and Wolfgang are perfectly suited, both in temperament and their tendency to avoid the proverbial elephant in the room: feelings (derogatory). But meddlesome family, highwaymen, and of all things embroidery soon make them impossible to ignore. Just for the Season had me earnestly hanging onto every interaction and failed suitor hoping these two would dig up their shared past and confess to wanting every season after. Griffiths’s second novel is a real triumph, not just a love letter to the best trope around, but to creative pursuits and the driven, passionate women willing to succeed by any means necessary.
thank you to the author for providing me with an advance copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
August 27, 2026
A sparkling tale about the Regency’s Paris Hilton turning the marriage mart into her own personal playground.
Reading this felt like the most glorious archaeological dig. With every turn of the page, I was excavating forgotten recipes and quiet lessons in how women have long turned play, mischief, and charm into acts of rebellion.
IT’S A REVOLUTION!
And I’m taking notes.
It's also a revelation, considering the sheer magnitude of whimsy, jest, and exuberance oozing from this story.
Before we had The Bachelorette, we had The Season:
Lady Charlotte is no stranger to scandal. But when her latest stunt leaves the ton clutching their pearls a little too tightly, the Queen declares her a menace to society and decrees she must be betrothed before the first ball of the next season.
As if a man could 'tame’ Charlotte...
But with an unexpected financial burden closing in and no foreseeable way to skirt around the Queen’s edict, Charlotte decides to do what she does best and make the situation work in her favor.
She hatches a plan to host the most eligible bachelors at her family’s country manor, where they'll be put through their paces in a mad dash to prove themselves worthy of Charlotte’s hand (which she’d much prefer to keep to herself, all things considered).
Further complicating matters is the watchful presence of Wolfgang.
Her older brother’s best friend who’s been tasked with keeping an eye on Charlotte while her brother’s out of the country.
No small feat for Wolfgang given her track record of mischief and mayhem, but all the more daunting given the festering wound left behind by their ill-fated summer fling three years prior.
Now, avoiding one another—and their unresolved hurt—is no longer possible. And with Charlotte’s inevitable engagement looming, it’s only a matter of time before they’ll have to decide whether to leave the past behind them for good, or see if there’s still something between them worth pursuing.
Pride and pain keep them from addressing their resentment head-on for much of the story. So instead, they taunt and tease one another endlessly, culminating in a deliciously tense and playful slow burn—
Wolfgang dismisses each of Charlotte’s suitors as unfit, puffs out his chest to prove his superiority, and sticks his jealous nose into all her affairs.
Charlotte, meanwhile, runs Wolfgang ragged with her mischief as she tries to focus on the men vying for her hand and forget the one who stomped on her heart yet still makes it flutter.
Charlotte is my spirit animal.
Being convenient, quiet, or obedient is something of a cardinal sin in her world, and she takes great pride in menacing the men around her. In fact, she’s turned it into something of an Olympic sport.
What makes Charlotte all the more lovable, though, is that her mischief is fueled by an enormous heart. She cares fiercely for the people around her and constantly deploys her formidable confidence, cleverness, and resourcefulness to uplift the women in her life.
She's also a fashion icon.
And I loved the playful yet strategic way her clothes speak a language of their own. She dresses according to her mood, intentions, and whatever role she needs to play to accomplish her schemes.
Being in her mind as she mulled over the perfect ensemble for each occasion brought back the nostalgic euphoria of dressing my barbies. It also gave her emotional tides a wonderfully immersive texture.
If this all sounds like nothing more than a bit of frilly girlie pop fun, allow me to inform you that Charlotte is twirling all the way to the bank as she builds an empire around her passion for textiles and exquisite taste. Following this entrepreneurial journey throughout the story was incredibly satisfying for me.
Beneath all her sparkle and strength is a surprisingly tender character arc.
Raised by a jaded, emotionally immature mother after her parents’ marriage fell apart, Charlotte was taught that falling in love with a man is a one-way ticket to hell:
“Never love a man, darling. Never give him that kind of power.”
So she avoids commitment and vulnerability like the plague.
Which makes it rather inconvenient when her heart refuses to cooperate where a certain duke is concerned.
Enter: Wolfie
Wolfgang is an honorable war hero who’s been weighed down by grief and the responsibilities of a dukedom he inherited unexpectedly after his brother's death.
But around Charlotte, life feels lighter. His carefully maintained composure evaporates, and he remembers how to play. And this man lives to have his broody shell cracked open by her whimsy and unpredictability.
He's also the gallant protector who's constantly scanning for threats and ready to pop off at the first whiff of danger.
So he's very disappointed to discover that Charlotte doesn't need or want to be rescued. Though in time, he comes to admire her even more for this.
Wolfgang is the ultimate dream because he carries a pocketful of peppermints on him at all times, ready to pop one in your mouth the moment you’re feeling sad or overwhelmed.
And also because he wants to water Charlotte in a world intent on making her smaller.
“Find a man who makes you larger, one who wants you to be the most Charlotte.”
He reveres her autonomy, authority, competence, and ambition. He's intoxicated by her power.
All he wants is the privilege of standing beside this dazzling, trailblazing, industrious woman so he can clear even more space for her to become the most fulfilled, fully expressed version of herself.
And for a woman as fierce and audacious as Charlotte, being loved by a man who sees and respects all of who she is, and wants to build a life together that gives her even more freedom, lights her soul on fire.
The rest of the men would do well to follow Wolfgang's lead because challenging her is a losing battle.
Charlotte and Gran are masters at beating men at their own game—
Wielding grace, charm, and femininity as weapons to enforce their boundaries, assert their agency, influence others, accomplish their goals, and humble these men every step of the way.
I call it resourceful femininity. Charlotte and Gran are vipers in lace, but always well meaning.
Their relationship is a major bright spot in the story.
Gran gives Charlotte an extraordinary degree of agency for the time while teaching her how to artfully navigate a society determined to limit women’s autonomy and financial security. She's equal parts queen, shark, and voice of reason, and fast became one of my favorite characters.
The entire novel carries a profoundly feminist tone.
These ladies aren’t just condemning the patriarchy; they’re constantly finding small but mighty ways to raise a middle finger to it, and succeed in spite of it.
The narrative also explores the emotional suppression and stoicism patriarchy demands of men as we follow two war veterans struggling with the expectation that they should shoulder grief without complaint or support.
These themes aren't explored in tremendous depth given the lighthearted tone of the story, but they do add a thoughtful core to the plot.
This is a love story that celebrates choosing partners who appreciate all that you are and delight in watching you flourish.
I also found it to be a playful ode to the ingenuity of women throughout history who have found ways to uplift themselves and one another despite the limitations imposed on them.
My inner cheeky mongrel feels reactivated.
All of the playful scheming, jesting, and verbal chess packed into these pages made me realize I'm not injecting nearly enough mischief into my daily life.
Is there anything more delightfully petty than embroidering bayonets, dead frogs, or someone's beheaded profile onto their garments to send a message or exact revenge?
Color me inspired.
I loved every morsel of this.
So much so that I immediately ran off to read Rachel Griffiths’ debut novel, The Trouble with Anna, and thoroughly enjoyed that one too.
These books read like interconnected standalones, though they don’t appear to be marketed that way for whatever reason. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but you will be missing out on some very scrumptious Charlotte and Wolfie crumbs if you decide to skip it.
Now that I’ve read them both, I need more from you Rachel Griffiths. Please and thank you.
Reading this felt like the most glorious archaeological dig. With every turn of the page, I was excavating forgotten recipes and quiet lessons in how women have long turned play, mischief, and charm into acts of rebellion.
IT’S A REVOLUTION!
And I’m taking notes.
It's also a revelation, considering the sheer magnitude of whimsy, jest, and exuberance oozing from this story.
Before we had The Bachelorette, we had The Season:
Lady Charlotte is no stranger to scandal. But when her latest stunt leaves the ton clutching their pearls a little too tightly, the Queen declares her a menace to society and decrees she must be betrothed before the first ball of the next season.
As if a man could 'tame’ Charlotte...
But with an unexpected financial burden closing in and no foreseeable way to skirt around the Queen’s edict, Charlotte decides to do what she does best and make the situation work in her favor.
She hatches a plan to host the most eligible bachelors at her family’s country manor, where they'll be put through their paces in a mad dash to prove themselves worthy of Charlotte’s hand (which she’d much prefer to keep to herself, all things considered).
Further complicating matters is the watchful presence of Wolfgang.
Her older brother’s best friend who’s been tasked with keeping an eye on Charlotte while her brother’s out of the country.
No small feat for Wolfgang given her track record of mischief and mayhem, but all the more daunting given the festering wound left behind by their ill-fated summer fling three years prior.
Now, avoiding one another—and their unresolved hurt—is no longer possible. And with Charlotte’s inevitable engagement looming, it’s only a matter of time before they’ll have to decide whether to leave the past behind them for good, or see if there’s still something between them worth pursuing.
Pride and pain keep them from addressing their resentment head-on for much of the story. So instead, they taunt and tease one another endlessly, culminating in a deliciously tense and playful slow burn—
Wolfgang dismisses each of Charlotte’s suitors as unfit, puffs out his chest to prove his superiority, and sticks his jealous nose into all her affairs.
Charlotte, meanwhile, runs Wolfgang ragged with her mischief as she tries to focus on the men vying for her hand and forget the one who stomped on her heart yet still makes it flutter.
Charlotte is my spirit animal.
Being convenient, quiet, or obedient is something of a cardinal sin in her world, and she takes great pride in menacing the men around her. In fact, she’s turned it into something of an Olympic sport.
What makes Charlotte all the more lovable, though, is that her mischief is fueled by an enormous heart. She cares fiercely for the people around her and constantly deploys her formidable confidence, cleverness, and resourcefulness to uplift the women in her life.
She's also a fashion icon.
And I loved the playful yet strategic way her clothes speak a language of their own. She dresses according to her mood, intentions, and whatever role she needs to play to accomplish her schemes.
Being in her mind as she mulled over the perfect ensemble for each occasion brought back the nostalgic euphoria of dressing my barbies. It also gave her emotional tides a wonderfully immersive texture.
If this all sounds like nothing more than a bit of frilly girlie pop fun, allow me to inform you that Charlotte is twirling all the way to the bank as she builds an empire around her passion for textiles and exquisite taste. Following this entrepreneurial journey throughout the story was incredibly satisfying for me.
Beneath all her sparkle and strength is a surprisingly tender character arc.
Raised by a jaded, emotionally immature mother after her parents’ marriage fell apart, Charlotte was taught that falling in love with a man is a one-way ticket to hell:
“Never love a man, darling. Never give him that kind of power.”
So she avoids commitment and vulnerability like the plague.
Which makes it rather inconvenient when her heart refuses to cooperate where a certain duke is concerned.
Enter: Wolfie
Wolfgang is an honorable war hero who’s been weighed down by grief and the responsibilities of a dukedom he inherited unexpectedly after his brother's death.
But around Charlotte, life feels lighter. His carefully maintained composure evaporates, and he remembers how to play. And this man lives to have his broody shell cracked open by her whimsy and unpredictability.
He's also the gallant protector who's constantly scanning for threats and ready to pop off at the first whiff of danger.
So he's very disappointed to discover that Charlotte doesn't need or want to be rescued. Though in time, he comes to admire her even more for this.
Wolfgang is the ultimate dream because he carries a pocketful of peppermints on him at all times, ready to pop one in your mouth the moment you’re feeling sad or overwhelmed.
And also because he wants to water Charlotte in a world intent on making her smaller.
“Find a man who makes you larger, one who wants you to be the most Charlotte.”
He reveres her autonomy, authority, competence, and ambition. He's intoxicated by her power.
All he wants is the privilege of standing beside this dazzling, trailblazing, industrious woman so he can clear even more space for her to become the most fulfilled, fully expressed version of herself.
And for a woman as fierce and audacious as Charlotte, being loved by a man who sees and respects all of who she is, and wants to build a life together that gives her even more freedom, lights her soul on fire.
The rest of the men would do well to follow Wolfgang's lead because challenging her is a losing battle.
Charlotte and Gran are masters at beating men at their own game—
Wielding grace, charm, and femininity as weapons to enforce their boundaries, assert their agency, influence others, accomplish their goals, and humble these men every step of the way.
I call it resourceful femininity. Charlotte and Gran are vipers in lace, but always well meaning.
Their relationship is a major bright spot in the story.
Gran gives Charlotte an extraordinary degree of agency for the time while teaching her how to artfully navigate a society determined to limit women’s autonomy and financial security. She's equal parts queen, shark, and voice of reason, and fast became one of my favorite characters.
The entire novel carries a profoundly feminist tone.
These ladies aren’t just condemning the patriarchy; they’re constantly finding small but mighty ways to raise a middle finger to it, and succeed in spite of it.
The narrative also explores the emotional suppression and stoicism patriarchy demands of men as we follow two war veterans struggling with the expectation that they should shoulder grief without complaint or support.
These themes aren't explored in tremendous depth given the lighthearted tone of the story, but they do add a thoughtful core to the plot.
This is a love story that celebrates choosing partners who appreciate all that you are and delight in watching you flourish.
I also found it to be a playful ode to the ingenuity of women throughout history who have found ways to uplift themselves and one another despite the limitations imposed on them.
My inner cheeky mongrel feels reactivated.
All of the playful scheming, jesting, and verbal chess packed into these pages made me realize I'm not injecting nearly enough mischief into my daily life.
Is there anything more delightfully petty than embroidering bayonets, dead frogs, or someone's beheaded profile onto their garments to send a message or exact revenge?
Color me inspired.
I loved every morsel of this.
So much so that I immediately ran off to read Rachel Griffiths’ debut novel, The Trouble with Anna, and thoroughly enjoyed that one too.
These books read like interconnected standalones, though they don’t appear to be marketed that way for whatever reason. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but you will be missing out on some very scrumptious Charlotte and Wolfie crumbs if you decide to skip it.
Now that I’ve read them both, I need more from you Rachel Griffiths. Please and thank you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (the last one is longer)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, it’s so witty and delightful
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine (I think there’s a few scenes from Charlotte’s grandmother’s Pov too?)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: pretty much immediately – he’s following her a couple pages in, first interactions are around pg 20
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 5 months later
Format: voluntarily read a physical advanced reader copy from the author (Thank you ever so much!!!!)
Why I chose this book: I LOVED Griffiths debut and want to read all her books
Mains: Wolfgang Robert Latham (Duke of Warrick) and Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton – This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
You could – you will get to know Charlotte a bit and the mains from book 1 have some page time here – but overall I think this one is quite readable alone.
Basic plot:
This is the summer Charlotte must find a husband – but the Duke of Warrick is the only one off limits, even though he’s the one making her heart race...
Give this a try if you want:
- historical romance – Regency – 1818
- Duke hero
- soldier / war hero
- brother’s best friend
- he’s in charge of keeping her safe during her brother’s absence
- she loves fashion / fashion business owner
- lots of close proximity at a house party
- masquerade (shorter scene at the beginning)
- some epistolary remembrances
- a bit of opposites attract – she is more boisterous and sassy and he is more stoic
- second chance-ish – there was the start of a spark before a misunderstanding ruined it all
- medium steam with a slower burn – 3ish full scenes
Ages:
- I didn’t catch them! I felt like maybe both mid 20s?
First line:
Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton knew all the rules, and better yet, she knew how to break them.
My thoughts:
I was so excited to see Griffith’s next book coming out! But also….scared? I had loved The Trouble with Anna so much. I was worried this just wouldn’t compare. And I actually put Charlotte and Warrick off for awhile because I figured hoping for 2 adorable, witty gut wrenchingly delicious novels in a row was just asking for too much…
But, OH, did Ms. Griffith’s deliver! I just gobbled this novel up – every single part of this book was so delightful to me. The side characters are so bright and fun – with Charlotte’s granny being a true diabolical hoot. The tension and longing between Charlotte and Warrick - oh it tugged on my heart so bad. He was a sad boy for Charlotte deep down and I ate up every single minute of that. There is a...misunderstanding element that happened that I just adore in romance when it turns into angsty turmoil like it did here. I loved it so much – their entire journey was making my heart pitter patter in the best way.
I also loved that Charlotte loved fashion and her career in textiles. That was a true delight to read and one I wish I had more of in my romances. The way Charlotte would design her outfit for the purpose of her day and mood...and the way Warrick would smolder at her from across the room with his heavy-lidded eyes, observing every flounce, every ribbon, naming every outfit. My gawd the man had it so bad and I was so here for it. 🥹
I just loved every part of this book. Like usually at least some parts in books are you know...fill ins. Details you don’t really care about. Or conversations or side characters I feel like are taking me away from the main show. But this one, every single scene was just so good. The entire book grabbed me, start to finish.
It took a bit to get to a review because I stuck sticky notes in for reflection and this book was a rainbow smorgasbord when I finished. But taking the time to relive my favorite lines, quotes and scenes from this book was an extra delight. This will absolutely be a reread for me.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 5 stars
Favorite book: I think this one!
Quotes are in the comments because I hit my character limit!
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (the last one is longer)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, it’s so witty and delightful
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine (I think there’s a few scenes from Charlotte’s grandmother’s Pov too?)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: pretty much immediately – he’s following her a couple pages in, first interactions are around pg 20
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 5 months later
Format: voluntarily read a physical advanced reader copy from the author (Thank you ever so much!!!!)
Why I chose this book: I LOVED Griffiths debut and want to read all her books
Mains: Wolfgang Robert Latham (Duke of Warrick) and Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton – This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
You could – you will get to know Charlotte a bit and the mains from book 1 have some page time here – but overall I think this one is quite readable alone.
Basic plot:
This is the summer Charlotte must find a husband – but the Duke of Warrick is the only one off limits, even though he’s the one making her heart race...
Give this a try if you want:
- historical romance – Regency – 1818
- Duke hero
- soldier / war hero
- brother’s best friend
- he’s in charge of keeping her safe during her brother’s absence
- she loves fashion / fashion business owner
- lots of close proximity at a house party
- masquerade (shorter scene at the beginning)
- some epistolary remembrances
- a bit of opposites attract – she is more boisterous and sassy and he is more stoic
- second chance-ish – there was the start of a spark before a misunderstanding ruined it all
- medium steam with a slower burn – 3ish full scenes
Ages:
- I didn’t catch them! I felt like maybe both mid 20s?
First line:
Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton knew all the rules, and better yet, she knew how to break them.
My thoughts:
I was so excited to see Griffith’s next book coming out! But also….scared? I had loved The Trouble with Anna so much. I was worried this just wouldn’t compare. And I actually put Charlotte and Warrick off for awhile because I figured hoping for 2 adorable, witty gut wrenchingly delicious novels in a row was just asking for too much…
But, OH, did Ms. Griffith’s deliver! I just gobbled this novel up – every single part of this book was so delightful to me. The side characters are so bright and fun – with Charlotte’s granny being a true diabolical hoot. The tension and longing between Charlotte and Warrick - oh it tugged on my heart so bad. He was a sad boy for Charlotte deep down and I ate up every single minute of that. There is a...misunderstanding element that happened that I just adore in romance when it turns into angsty turmoil like it did here. I loved it so much – their entire journey was making my heart pitter patter in the best way.
I also loved that Charlotte loved fashion and her career in textiles. That was a true delight to read and one I wish I had more of in my romances. The way Charlotte would design her outfit for the purpose of her day and mood...and the way Warrick would smolder at her from across the room with his heavy-lidded eyes, observing every flounce, every ribbon, naming every outfit. My gawd the man had it so bad and I was so here for it. 🥹
I just loved every part of this book. Like usually at least some parts in books are you know...fill ins. Details you don’t really care about. Or conversations or side characters I feel like are taking me away from the main show. But this one, every single scene was just so good. The entire book grabbed me, start to finish.
It took a bit to get to a review because I stuck sticky notes in for reflection and this book was a rainbow smorgasbord when I finished. But taking the time to relive my favorite lines, quotes and scenes from this book was an extra delight. This will absolutely be a reread for me.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 5 stars
Favorite book: I think this one!
Quotes are in the comments because I hit my character limit!
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
July 7, 2026
4.5
Thank you so much to S&S for sending me a copy of this to review!
This was so good!!! The chemistry between Charlotte and Wolfgang was amazing, i loved their banter and the plot line overall
Thank you so much to S&S for sending me a copy of this to review!
This was so good!!! The chemistry between Charlotte and Wolfgang was amazing, i loved their banter and the plot line overall
July 4, 2026
10/10, this was such a treat. I’ve said it for months and I’ll say it again: everyone needs to stop sleeping on historical romance.
This was giving the absolute PERFECT mix of yearning, wit, and just aching tension and banter and chemistry.
I adored the undercurrent of female empowerment; the incredible matriarch in the dowager (a more meddlesome, do no wrong grandmother there never was), the perfect cast of side characters and ill-begotten suitors.
But really, Charlotte and Wolfgang are the heart of this story and they are utterly perfect. Just, absolutely adorable, obsessed with each other but reluctant to admit it, idiots in love who see the other oh so deeply and perfectly.
Absolutely adored this, and will read anything else Rachel writes!
This was giving the absolute PERFECT mix of yearning, wit, and just aching tension and banter and chemistry.
I adored the undercurrent of female empowerment; the incredible matriarch in the dowager (a more meddlesome, do no wrong grandmother there never was), the perfect cast of side characters and ill-begotten suitors.
But really, Charlotte and Wolfgang are the heart of this story and they are utterly perfect. Just, absolutely adorable, obsessed with each other but reluctant to admit it, idiots in love who see the other oh so deeply and perfectly.
Absolutely adored this, and will read anything else Rachel writes!
August 16, 2026
This book was honestly ok. It did feel like pride and prejudice but it was way more historical in a way.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This is my first time reading a book by Rachel and I am super thankful that it was a book that had all these pleasant Bridgerton vibes! Overall if you are someone who enjoys a good second chance romance story that has some comedy weaved into it then you should really consider reading this book!
We are introduced to Charlotte who has always disregard the rules for London Society. But with a recent scandal and her mother's financial issues she just has the Summer to find herself a husband. Things start to get really complicated when a past love Wolfgang suddenly comes back. Could he possibly be the one to help Charlotte or did that ship sail a long time ago?
We are introduced to Charlotte who has always disregard the rules for London Society. But with a recent scandal and her mother's financial issues she just has the Summer to find herself a husband. Things start to get really complicated when a past love Wolfgang suddenly comes back. Could he possibly be the one to help Charlotte or did that ship sail a long time ago?
Did Not Finish
May 12, 2026it is me, not the book. will try again maybe with hard copy someday.
July 11, 2026
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy of this book.
There is only one carriage! 😂🙌🏽
A playful lighter hearted edition of Bridgerton’s regency era romance, with a very slow burn and some spice, forget propriety!
Lady Charlotte is independent feisty young lady who acts out by embroidering frogs 🐸 and other fun jokes to punk her family and friends. However she still has societal expectations, including needing to find a husband ASAP.
Enter Wolfgang, aka Duke of Warrick and her brother’s best friend. And also the one who got away. Except now he’s been appointed by her brother as her chaperone while he’s out of town.
As suitors begin to court, we all know what’s going to happen. None of them had a chance. It’s just a matter of how we are going to get there.
I was rooting for these two even though they are both obstinate avoiders of tough conversations!
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Shakira Shute made this easy listening to on audio - I was able to turn this on and do a bunch of chores while the time passed!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DafvGdmFGdy/
There is only one carriage! 😂🙌🏽
A playful lighter hearted edition of Bridgerton’s regency era romance, with a very slow burn and some spice, forget propriety!
Lady Charlotte is independent feisty young lady who acts out by embroidering frogs 🐸 and other fun jokes to punk her family and friends. However she still has societal expectations, including needing to find a husband ASAP.
Enter Wolfgang, aka Duke of Warrick and her brother’s best friend. And also the one who got away. Except now he’s been appointed by her brother as her chaperone while he’s out of town.
As suitors begin to court, we all know what’s going to happen. None of them had a chance. It’s just a matter of how we are going to get there.
I was rooting for these two even though they are both obstinate avoiders of tough conversations!
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Shakira Shute made this easy listening to on audio - I was able to turn this on and do a bunch of chores while the time passed!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DafvGdmFGdy/
July 13, 2026
This is so good I finished it in a day, and I need to start seeing it all over bookish socials. Historical romance never disappoints me-despite being a mood reader, I know it’s a genre I can always go back to when I’m not sure what I’m feeling up to reading. This is an especially good historical romance! Wolfgang and Charlotte have such a fun and real push-pull and the forced proximity of the Clare estate as the home for Charlotte’s tour de suitors was so well done. Every single Bridgerton fan needs to pick this up ASAP, but even if you’re into romance but not sure about Histrom, I think you’ll love it. I plan to go back and read the first interconnected novel next (you don’t need to know anything about it to read this one), and I want to see more on each and every side character as well as the prince come across my reader ASAP.
August 5, 2026
Just for the Season 💐 ✨Review✨ thank you so much @rachel.griffiths.writes for this incredible gift!!!
Just for the Season
by Rachel Griffiths
Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton knows all of London’s rules, and better yet, knows how to break them. But when she takes it too far and stumbles into a serious scandal, she knows only one thing will save her—marriage, as soon as possible.
With only one summer to pick a husband, Charlotte invites all of England’s most eligible bachelors to an extravagant summer house party. There’s a brooding artist, a wickedly handsome Russian prince, and one of the wealthiest men in all of Europe...so why do her eyes keep sliding over to the Duke of Warrick, the man who once came dangerously close to breaking her heart?
My thoughts 💭:
This was my first Regency romance, and I absolutely devoured it! If this is what the genre has to offer, then consider me officially converted because Rachel Griffiths is now an auto buy author for me. This story had the perfect amount of wit, charm, and swoon. Charlotte and the Duke were everything. The letters between them had me kicking my feet, while the yearning and unresolved tension were so well done. But that one carriage with your brother’s best friend had me overheating. Sure it’s a slow burn but dammit was it hot, and I think i was drooling at some point. But I have to say that I loved watching Charlotte navigate the expectations placed on her while still holding onto her sharp wit and fearlessness. The chemistry between the characters was undeniable all while I was desperate for them to finally admit what was right in front of them. This was an easy five star read for me and has convinced me I need far more Regency romances on my shelves!
What to expect 👇🏽
💞Second chance romance
💐Brother's best friend
❤️🔥He falls first and harder
🐎Only one carriage
🧲Forced Proximity
😩Yearning
👑Regency era
Happy reading 📖 💐💞
Just for the Season
by Rachel Griffiths
Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton knows all of London’s rules, and better yet, knows how to break them. But when she takes it too far and stumbles into a serious scandal, she knows only one thing will save her—marriage, as soon as possible.
With only one summer to pick a husband, Charlotte invites all of England’s most eligible bachelors to an extravagant summer house party. There’s a brooding artist, a wickedly handsome Russian prince, and one of the wealthiest men in all of Europe...so why do her eyes keep sliding over to the Duke of Warrick, the man who once came dangerously close to breaking her heart?
My thoughts 💭:
This was my first Regency romance, and I absolutely devoured it! If this is what the genre has to offer, then consider me officially converted because Rachel Griffiths is now an auto buy author for me. This story had the perfect amount of wit, charm, and swoon. Charlotte and the Duke were everything. The letters between them had me kicking my feet, while the yearning and unresolved tension were so well done. But that one carriage with your brother’s best friend had me overheating. Sure it’s a slow burn but dammit was it hot, and I think i was drooling at some point. But I have to say that I loved watching Charlotte navigate the expectations placed on her while still holding onto her sharp wit and fearlessness. The chemistry between the characters was undeniable all while I was desperate for them to finally admit what was right in front of them. This was an easy five star read for me and has convinced me I need far more Regency romances on my shelves!
What to expect 👇🏽
💞Second chance romance
💐Brother's best friend
❤️🔥He falls first and harder
🐎Only one carriage
🧲Forced Proximity
😩Yearning
👑Regency era
Happy reading 📖 💐💞
February 14, 2026
I’ve long anticipated Charlotte and Wolfgang’s story, especially after the nuggets we were dropped about the two in The Trouble with Anna. Their chemistry is electric from the first moment they’re together, and despite the fact that they love to argue, they also can’t help their ever-present attraction. One of Rachel’s strengths as a writer is in thrusting the reader into the story, so I’m ten chapters in before I look up for breath. Her fast-paced and witty dialogue immediately immerses you into the story, and I could not put it down. She must have seriously put crack in these pages!
The special kind of torture our boy Wofgang goes through with his best friend out of town, when he’s forced to field Charlotte’s many requests for a suitor. It makes him grumbly in the best kind of way, and prickles his jealousy (like it needed to be pricked)! Add in his grief and layered feelings about his brother’s death and his subsequent title. He feels like a fully fleshed-out character in a way that complements Charlotte so well. She’s a force, and needs an equal force to match her strength (and compassion).
An absolute romp of a time, I fell so hard for Charlotte and Wolfgang!! This one really blends the comedy and romance perfectly, with such witty dialogue and situations that kept me giggling. The side characters are all a delight, and I hope we see more of the Marby family. Grams is always and forever a main character in my heart, and I’m so glad we got to see Charlotte and her bond in this one. While this could have just been the Charlotte show, and I would have been happy, Wolfgang was such a swoony hero with a heart of gold. His own grief and struggle to fill the role of his elder brother were both heartbreaking and brought such depth to this hot slab of muscle. The way he sees the true Charlotte, and wants to cherish her while watching her thrive, is exactly what I’m looking for in my heroes. His unwavering support and love for her were always present, even when the two were arguing.
This one absolutely lived up to the hype in my mind, and I could live in Rachel’s fun-fueled world forever! While The Trouble with Anna was an outstanding debut, this second novel packs a powerful punch and further cements this author in the genre. I can’t wait to see what else she brings us!
5/5
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book!
Second chance, epistolary elements, war hero Duke, she’s armed with fashion, business owner FMC, bachelorette vibes, summer house party, brother's best friend, stern meets brat dynamics, she loves to drive him crazy
The special kind of torture our boy Wofgang goes through with his best friend out of town, when he’s forced to field Charlotte’s many requests for a suitor. It makes him grumbly in the best kind of way, and prickles his jealousy (like it needed to be pricked)! Add in his grief and layered feelings about his brother’s death and his subsequent title. He feels like a fully fleshed-out character in a way that complements Charlotte so well. She’s a force, and needs an equal force to match her strength (and compassion).
An absolute romp of a time, I fell so hard for Charlotte and Wolfgang!! This one really blends the comedy and romance perfectly, with such witty dialogue and situations that kept me giggling. The side characters are all a delight, and I hope we see more of the Marby family. Grams is always and forever a main character in my heart, and I’m so glad we got to see Charlotte and her bond in this one. While this could have just been the Charlotte show, and I would have been happy, Wolfgang was such a swoony hero with a heart of gold. His own grief and struggle to fill the role of his elder brother were both heartbreaking and brought such depth to this hot slab of muscle. The way he sees the true Charlotte, and wants to cherish her while watching her thrive, is exactly what I’m looking for in my heroes. His unwavering support and love for her were always present, even when the two were arguing.
This one absolutely lived up to the hype in my mind, and I could live in Rachel’s fun-fueled world forever! While The Trouble with Anna was an outstanding debut, this second novel packs a powerful punch and further cements this author in the genre. I can’t wait to see what else she brings us!
5/5
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book!
Second chance, epistolary elements, war hero Duke, she’s armed with fashion, business owner FMC, bachelorette vibes, summer house party, brother's best friend, stern meets brat dynamics, she loves to drive him crazy
July 8, 2026
When Lady Charlotte discovers her mother is in debt, she decides she's going to try to help. Unfortunately, she creates a bit more of a scandal than she intends, and the Queen has thrown her support behind Charlotte, but ha also ordered her to marry to keep the scandal under wraps. The solution: Lady Charlotte's grandmother hosts a series of guests at the country estate, all of whom can vie for Charlotte's hand. Meanwhile, Wolfgang, Duke of Warrick and friend of Charlotte's brother Julian, is overseeing the proceedings while not admitting to himself that he should be courting Charlotte instead.
Just for the Season is a solid sophomore novel from Rachel Griffiths. It felt better written and better plotted than her debut (which I enjoyed quite a lot!), but the romance itself and our main characters didn't work quite as well for me. This can often be the case while I'm reading historical romances - I can enjoy the novel, but sometimes it's a matter of the characters not shining for me the same way they may work for others. Charlotte and Wolfgang start to fall in love as correspondents, but an overheard comment pushes them apart. While this is believable in the Regency Era, I wish we had a little more emotional backstory, to make their present storyline romance work for me. Charlotte is a fun character to read, and I tend to enjoy a spunky business savvy heroine, but I needed a little more tension with Charlotte and Wolfgang.
I had fun reading Just for the Season, and it's nice have fresh feeling historical romances on the market that clearly come from historical romance roots. I'll even forgive the Bridgerton-version of the Queen here, because I'm really interested to see what Rachel Griffiths can continue to do. She's not a new favorite [yet] but she's definitely an author to keep your eyes on as she starts to develop her voice and her characters.
Thank you to Gallery Books for an eARC. Just for the Season is out 7/7/2026.
Just for the Season is a solid sophomore novel from Rachel Griffiths. It felt better written and better plotted than her debut (which I enjoyed quite a lot!), but the romance itself and our main characters didn't work quite as well for me. This can often be the case while I'm reading historical romances - I can enjoy the novel, but sometimes it's a matter of the characters not shining for me the same way they may work for others. Charlotte and Wolfgang start to fall in love as correspondents, but an overheard comment pushes them apart. While this is believable in the Regency Era, I wish we had a little more emotional backstory, to make their present storyline romance work for me. Charlotte is a fun character to read, and I tend to enjoy a spunky business savvy heroine, but I needed a little more tension with Charlotte and Wolfgang.
I had fun reading Just for the Season, and it's nice have fresh feeling historical romances on the market that clearly come from historical romance roots. I'll even forgive the Bridgerton-version of the Queen here, because I'm really interested to see what Rachel Griffiths can continue to do. She's not a new favorite [yet] but she's definitely an author to keep your eyes on as she starts to develop her voice and her characters.
Thank you to Gallery Books for an eARC. Just for the Season is out 7/7/2026.
July 20, 2026
This was such a fun story (it gave regency era The Bachelor vibes). The characters were all such great additions to the cast and Charlotte and Wolfgang were perfect main characters. They had great history, great tension, and a great journey. This was so sweet and funny and I really enjoyed reading it!
July 6, 2026
I LOVED THIS ONE!!!
Oh my gosh! This is my first ever second chance historical romance and I ate it up! I was also giggling and kicking my feet the whole way through. So much wit, banter, and of course yearning!
I really loved our FMC Charlotte. She was so funny, smart, and I found myself smiling while reading because she felt like my friend in a way. Her chemistry with our MMC Wolfgang was undeniable. I loved them together as much as they loved to argue ;)
This honestly has to be my favorite historical romance I’ve ever read! I seriously found myself laughing while reading, highly recommend!
💗 second chance
🦋 brothers best friend
🖋️ historical romance
💫 Bachelorette vibes
🩵 only one carriage
🌷 dual POV
Oh my gosh! This is my first ever second chance historical romance and I ate it up! I was also giggling and kicking my feet the whole way through. So much wit, banter, and of course yearning!
I really loved our FMC Charlotte. She was so funny, smart, and I found myself smiling while reading because she felt like my friend in a way. Her chemistry with our MMC Wolfgang was undeniable. I loved them together as much as they loved to argue ;)
This honestly has to be my favorite historical romance I’ve ever read! I seriously found myself laughing while reading, highly recommend!
💗 second chance
🦋 brothers best friend
🖋️ historical romance
💫 Bachelorette vibes
🩵 only one carriage
🌷 dual POV
July 5, 2026
a delightful smash! Rachel Griffiths is among the most exciting new voices in HR and if her publisher, publicist etc know what they’re doing they’ll cross-market her to CR. Griffiths has a distinct authorial voice and a knack for creating a standout supporting cast.
My only gripes were that I felt this book took awhile to find its rhythm relative to the Trouble with Anna, and that while I am obviously a feminist myself I think Charlotte’s actions were sufficiently feminist to stand on their own without being repeatedly over explained.
Despite that I absolutely loved this book and it was so worth the year’s wait to get Charlotte’s story. Can’t wait to read the next instalment (Lysander?)
My only gripes were that I felt this book took awhile to find its rhythm relative to the Trouble with Anna, and that while I am obviously a feminist myself I think Charlotte’s actions were sufficiently feminist to stand on their own without being repeatedly over explained.
Despite that I absolutely loved this book and it was so worth the year’s wait to get Charlotte’s story. Can’t wait to read the next instalment (Lysander?)
July 4, 2026
I devoured this one in a weekend. Rachel Griffiths nails the second-chance romance trope - the history between these two adds so much weight to every scene.
The banter is genuinely the highlight. These two spar with each other in a way that had me grinning on nearly every page, quick, sharp, and never forced. It gives major Bridgerton energy: the same blend of period charm, wit, and slow-burn tension that makes those books so addictive.
And the hero? Broody in all the right ways. He’s guarded without being frustratingly closed-off, and watching his walls come down over the course of the book was so satisfying.
If you love second-chance romance with crackling dialogue and a hero who broods with purpose, this one’s worth picking up.
August 17, 2026
This book was okay for my liking and I will read more by this author. This felt more like pride and prejudice a little bit and I give this a 3 star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2026
"When we are not honest with ourselves, it is easy to stray from who we want to be."
This one gave me major Bridgerton vibes, and I was here for it! If you love strong-willed heroines, longing glances, and delicious romantic tension, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Lady Charlotte is an absolute powerhouse FMC who's determined to make her own way in society instead of following the rules laid out for her. I loved her confidence, wit, and determination... she reminded me so much of Eloise Bridgerton.
Then there's Wolfgang, the Duke of Warrick... who happens to be her brother's best friend. While her brother is away, Wolfgang is tasked with being Charlotte's chaperone, but these two have plenty of history, unresolved feelings, and enough miscommunication to keep the tension simmering all book long. As suitors begin lining up to court Charlotte, it is pretty obvious that none of them ever stood a chance... it was just a matter of how these two would eventually find their way back to each other.
I truly had so much fun with this friends-turned-frenemies-turned-lovers, slow-burn, second-chance romance. The chemistry was undeniable, the banter kept me smiling, and the historical setting had me wishing it was tea time.
The audiobook was an absolute delight! Shakira Shute narrated this story expertly, bringing every character to life with warmth, emotion, and personality. Her performance made the romance and tension even more engaging, and I highly recommend picking up the audiobook, or even better, immersive reading with both the book and audio.
"Break the rules with me Wolfgang, give me everything tonight."
This one gave me major Bridgerton vibes, and I was here for it! If you love strong-willed heroines, longing glances, and delicious romantic tension, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Lady Charlotte is an absolute powerhouse FMC who's determined to make her own way in society instead of following the rules laid out for her. I loved her confidence, wit, and determination... she reminded me so much of Eloise Bridgerton.
Then there's Wolfgang, the Duke of Warrick... who happens to be her brother's best friend. While her brother is away, Wolfgang is tasked with being Charlotte's chaperone, but these two have plenty of history, unresolved feelings, and enough miscommunication to keep the tension simmering all book long. As suitors begin lining up to court Charlotte, it is pretty obvious that none of them ever stood a chance... it was just a matter of how these two would eventually find their way back to each other.
I truly had so much fun with this friends-turned-frenemies-turned-lovers, slow-burn, second-chance romance. The chemistry was undeniable, the banter kept me smiling, and the historical setting had me wishing it was tea time.
The audiobook was an absolute delight! Shakira Shute narrated this story expertly, bringing every character to life with warmth, emotion, and personality. Her performance made the romance and tension even more engaging, and I highly recommend picking up the audiobook, or even better, immersive reading with both the book and audio.
"Break the rules with me Wolfgang, give me everything tonight."
August 9, 2026
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read all year!! A delightful, hilarious historical with the kind of longing and chemistry that makes me feral
July 7, 2026
Rachel Griffiths knows how to write my favorite kind of hero. You know the kind. The pouty, broody male who eases his wretchedness over a woman by decimating peppermints repeatedly in his mouth. The kind who keenly observes everything about a heroine so much so that he starts naming her different ensembles and moods in his head. The kind who can’t think straight when he spies an ounce of her skin and likens her body to tactile senses like the slide of silk and ripe bursting blackberries. Well lucky me because that’s exactly the type of hero Wolfgang, the Duke of Warrick is every time he encounters Lady Charlotte Aveton. Their chemistry and banter is toe curlingly good and boy do they know how to torment each other.
Charlotte has quite a few problems she must solve namely taking on her mother’s debt, dealing with the queen issuing a “marriage or else” edict, and getting her woman-owned and run silk mill up and running. A roadtrip to her Grandmother’s country estate where she may audition suitors that can help solve her problems just might be the thing to cure her ails. If only it weren’t for one dashingly broad and handsome brother’s best-friend that’s been tasked with overseeing Charlotte’s care where her grandmother’s chaperoning may be a bit lacking. It especially doesn’t help that there’s been unresolved history between Charlotte and Wolfgang simmering beneath the surface of every interaction.
This book has comedy, chemistry, and so much joy. You get the sense that Charlotte is a girl’s girl and that even her grandmother evokes a playful youthfulness in her meddling at shipping Charlotte and Wolfgang together. Meanwhile Wolfgang is in Charlotte’s ear about her suitors regardless of her wanting him there and perhaps she can listen to him and also toy with him at the same time. This book is also full of somewhat modern sensibilities, even though it is a historical (Charlotte’s grandmother turning a blind eye at her being chaperoned, women being able to own unentailed property, Charlotte’s freedom sexually to name a few) and I think it will be extremely appealing to the modern reader. Why permit yourself to be ruined when you can ruin the wrongdoers in society? Come for the revolving door of suitors, stay for the “nonsense” and the Desperate Man™️. Thank you to Gallery Books for my early copy. All opinions are my own.
Bits and Bobs:
-dead frog embroidery
-a jewelry artist, a Russian Prince, and a rakish Marquess
-there’s only one carriage
-🍒
-a wild goose chase, but with a dog
Charlotte has quite a few problems she must solve namely taking on her mother’s debt, dealing with the queen issuing a “marriage or else” edict, and getting her woman-owned and run silk mill up and running. A roadtrip to her Grandmother’s country estate where she may audition suitors that can help solve her problems just might be the thing to cure her ails. If only it weren’t for one dashingly broad and handsome brother’s best-friend that’s been tasked with overseeing Charlotte’s care where her grandmother’s chaperoning may be a bit lacking. It especially doesn’t help that there’s been unresolved history between Charlotte and Wolfgang simmering beneath the surface of every interaction.
This book has comedy, chemistry, and so much joy. You get the sense that Charlotte is a girl’s girl and that even her grandmother evokes a playful youthfulness in her meddling at shipping Charlotte and Wolfgang together. Meanwhile Wolfgang is in Charlotte’s ear about her suitors regardless of her wanting him there and perhaps she can listen to him and also toy with him at the same time. This book is also full of somewhat modern sensibilities, even though it is a historical (Charlotte’s grandmother turning a blind eye at her being chaperoned, women being able to own unentailed property, Charlotte’s freedom sexually to name a few) and I think it will be extremely appealing to the modern reader. Why permit yourself to be ruined when you can ruin the wrongdoers in society? Come for the revolving door of suitors, stay for the “nonsense” and the Desperate Man™️. Thank you to Gallery Books for my early copy. All opinions are my own.
Bits and Bobs:
-dead frog embroidery
-a jewelry artist, a Russian Prince, and a rakish Marquess
-there’s only one carriage
-🍒
-a wild goose chase, but with a dog
July 16, 2026
This reminds me so much of the other bennet sister + bridgerton s2 vibes and i enjoyed this so much! The tension and yearning was everything that a regency era book needed 😭
Charlotte and Wolfgang are so cute together and we love a grumpy x sunshine trope ❤️
Charlotte and Wolfgang are so cute together and we love a grumpy x sunshine trope ❤️
August 10, 2026
This one is going in the “not for me” box. Powered through for bookclub, but I remember why I DNF The Trouble with Anna. It felt like I was reading a modern rom-com in regency cosplay. Excellent writing, but the vibe was not it, for me.
May 28, 2026
I give it a 2.5 rounded up. I’m not a fan of third person but my biggest issue there are so many names and characters. I wish there was a chapter guide or family tree in the beginning of the book to refer to while reading. Some of the characters had multiple names they were referred to as throughout the book, that would have been helpful in a reference sheet as well. #GoodreadsGiveaway
September 21, 2026
It's a truth I universally acknowledge that if I like an author's debut, I will probably love their second book. That's what happened here with Just for the Season by Rachel Griffiths.
Thanks to Gallery Books for the complimentary ARC and Rachel Griffiths for the audiobook.
Lady Charlotte Aveton is in a bit of a pickle. While following her mother to a clandestine masked ball, she is accosted by a cad of a man and becomes the central figure in a scandal so big, the queen becomes involved. Queen Charlotte puts her support behind her namesake, but only if Lady Charlotte marries by the end of the summer. With no option but to comply, Charlotte decides to take as much control of the situation as she can. She and her grandmother decide to host all of the potential bachelors at their country estate for the house party of the summer. All would be well if Wolfgang, Duke of Warrick, weren't along for the ride. Charlotte's brother asked him to keep an eye on her while he is abroad with his wife, not realizing the history they have together—a history that makes them both wary of getting close to each other, but also means they can't help it. How will Wolfgang make it through the summer, watching Charlotte choose from this group of lackluster suitors when he knows they belong together?
Rachel's debut, The Trouble with Anna, made my Best Debuts of the Year list in 2025. I loved the voice she brought to the genre, the character work, and the feminism that still fit well within the framework of a Regency romance. There were some kinks in the writing, but I expect that from a debut, and honestly, they make me more eager to read an author's sophomore outing. I loved Charlotte as a supporting character in Rachel's first book and could not wait for her to get her own story. Let me just say, I was not disappointed.
My favorite part of this novel was the way Rachel Griffiths threaded her 21st-century feminist voice through the lens of the Regency period. It's trendy right now in a lot of historical romance to ignore the real challenges women faced in the past, instead pretending they could do anything they wanted. Escapism like that has its place in historical romance, but it's not exciting to me as a reader. What does excite me is an author who clearly recognizes the limitations women faced in the past and uses them to comment on the struggles women face today. Lady Charlotte is the co-owner of a silk mill where she employs the widows of men who died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. The veterans of that conflict were completely abandoned by their government, and the widows fared even worse. Charlotte sees their struggle and makes a concerted effort to help them with her business. Yet, despite the brilliance of Charlotte's business strategy, she still faces immense hurdles in being able to raise the capital she needs to clear her mother's secret gambling debt and free her family from the threat of the moneylender. This is a common issue women face in business today. Female entrepreneurs are documented to be more creative and industrious than their male counterparts, but still face massive hurdles in getting funded, whether through loans or investments. I have worked for startups for over a decade now and have seen the unequal landscape firsthand, and I loved what Rachel Griffiths had to say about our world through the lens of the past.
The other thing that really stood out to me in this novel was Charlotte's complicated relationship with her mother. After her father's death, her mother became the worst version of herself. This left Charlotte in an uncomfortable position, trapped between her mother, who was not grieving well, and her grandmother, who stepped in to become her guardian. Charlotte struggles with the conflict between the only two women in her family, and I was struck over and over again by how hard it is for her to navigate those circumstances as a young woman who just wants to be able to love her whole family, even when they make bad choices.
Rachel Griffiths knows of my love for the wounded Napoleonic War hero. We are internet friends, and I make no secret of my deep and abiding love for this particular trope in Regency romance. She assured me that Wolfgang was, in fact, a scarred veteran of that conflict, and he did not disappoint. The only way he could have worked for me more was if half his face were scarred. As it stands, he worked very well for me, and I enjoyed every second of his narration. I really hope his brother is the hero of a future book because that man is messed up from his service, and I need his story.
I loved this book. It was a complete delight from start to finish. 5 stars.
Thanks to Gallery Books for the complimentary ARC and Rachel Griffiths for the audiobook.
Lady Charlotte Aveton is in a bit of a pickle. While following her mother to a clandestine masked ball, she is accosted by a cad of a man and becomes the central figure in a scandal so big, the queen becomes involved. Queen Charlotte puts her support behind her namesake, but only if Lady Charlotte marries by the end of the summer. With no option but to comply, Charlotte decides to take as much control of the situation as she can. She and her grandmother decide to host all of the potential bachelors at their country estate for the house party of the summer. All would be well if Wolfgang, Duke of Warrick, weren't along for the ride. Charlotte's brother asked him to keep an eye on her while he is abroad with his wife, not realizing the history they have together—a history that makes them both wary of getting close to each other, but also means they can't help it. How will Wolfgang make it through the summer, watching Charlotte choose from this group of lackluster suitors when he knows they belong together?
Rachel's debut, The Trouble with Anna, made my Best Debuts of the Year list in 2025. I loved the voice she brought to the genre, the character work, and the feminism that still fit well within the framework of a Regency romance. There were some kinks in the writing, but I expect that from a debut, and honestly, they make me more eager to read an author's sophomore outing. I loved Charlotte as a supporting character in Rachel's first book and could not wait for her to get her own story. Let me just say, I was not disappointed.
My favorite part of this novel was the way Rachel Griffiths threaded her 21st-century feminist voice through the lens of the Regency period. It's trendy right now in a lot of historical romance to ignore the real challenges women faced in the past, instead pretending they could do anything they wanted. Escapism like that has its place in historical romance, but it's not exciting to me as a reader. What does excite me is an author who clearly recognizes the limitations women faced in the past and uses them to comment on the struggles women face today. Lady Charlotte is the co-owner of a silk mill where she employs the widows of men who died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. The veterans of that conflict were completely abandoned by their government, and the widows fared even worse. Charlotte sees their struggle and makes a concerted effort to help them with her business. Yet, despite the brilliance of Charlotte's business strategy, she still faces immense hurdles in being able to raise the capital she needs to clear her mother's secret gambling debt and free her family from the threat of the moneylender. This is a common issue women face in business today. Female entrepreneurs are documented to be more creative and industrious than their male counterparts, but still face massive hurdles in getting funded, whether through loans or investments. I have worked for startups for over a decade now and have seen the unequal landscape firsthand, and I loved what Rachel Griffiths had to say about our world through the lens of the past.
The other thing that really stood out to me in this novel was Charlotte's complicated relationship with her mother. After her father's death, her mother became the worst version of herself. This left Charlotte in an uncomfortable position, trapped between her mother, who was not grieving well, and her grandmother, who stepped in to become her guardian. Charlotte struggles with the conflict between the only two women in her family, and I was struck over and over again by how hard it is for her to navigate those circumstances as a young woman who just wants to be able to love her whole family, even when they make bad choices.
Rachel Griffiths knows of my love for the wounded Napoleonic War hero. We are internet friends, and I make no secret of my deep and abiding love for this particular trope in Regency romance. She assured me that Wolfgang was, in fact, a scarred veteran of that conflict, and he did not disappoint. The only way he could have worked for me more was if half his face were scarred. As it stands, he worked very well for me, and I enjoyed every second of his narration. I really hope his brother is the hero of a future book because that man is messed up from his service, and I need his story.
I loved this book. It was a complete delight from start to finish. 5 stars.
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July 22, 2026Every now and then, a historical romance reminds me why I keep reaching for the genre, and Rachel Griffiths’ Just for the Season did exactly that. Thank you to Gallery Books for the gifted copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“You were always the one I measured everyone else against.”
I picked this one up thinking it would be an easy evening read, but before long I was completely wrapped up in Charlotte and Wolfgang’s story. I kept saying I’d stop after one more chapter, and somehow that never happened.
Charlotte was the heart of this book for me. She’s thoughtful, independent, and knows her own value. I appreciated that she didn’t let old memories erase old disappointments. She expected honesty, not excuses, and I respected every decision she made along the way.
Wolfgang had to earn my trust, just like he had to earn Charlotte’s. I actually liked that he wasn’t written as a flawless hero. He makes mistakes, carries regrets, and slowly realizes that wanting another chance isn’t enough. He has to prove he’s worthy of one. That made their relationship feel believable from beginning to end.
What really stayed with me, though, were the quieter moments. A simple conversation, a shared memory, or a glance across the room often carried more emotion than the biggest romantic scenes. Those little moments gave the story so much heart and made the romance feel genuine.
The supporting characters added warmth without taking attention away from the main couple, and the Regency setting created a wonderful backdrop without ever slowing the story. Everything felt balanced, allowing the characters and their journey to remain the focus.
By the final chapters, I wasn’t wondering whether Charlotte and Wolfgang would find their way back to each other. I was hoping they would, because the story had completely convinced me they deserved that chance. I closed the book smiling and wishing I had just one more chapter with them.
If you’re looking for a historical romance filled with second chances, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, emotional growth, and a romance that unfolds at just the right pace, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
📚 Genre: Historical Romance / Regency Romance
☕ Drink Pairing: A lavender Earl Grey latte with warm shortbread cookies.
What’s your favorite kind of historical romance—second chances, enemies to lovers, or friends to lovers?
#JustForTheSeason #RachelGriffiths #HistoricalRomance #BookReview #Bookstagram
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“You were always the one I measured everyone else against.”
I picked this one up thinking it would be an easy evening read, but before long I was completely wrapped up in Charlotte and Wolfgang’s story. I kept saying I’d stop after one more chapter, and somehow that never happened.
Charlotte was the heart of this book for me. She’s thoughtful, independent, and knows her own value. I appreciated that she didn’t let old memories erase old disappointments. She expected honesty, not excuses, and I respected every decision she made along the way.
Wolfgang had to earn my trust, just like he had to earn Charlotte’s. I actually liked that he wasn’t written as a flawless hero. He makes mistakes, carries regrets, and slowly realizes that wanting another chance isn’t enough. He has to prove he’s worthy of one. That made their relationship feel believable from beginning to end.
What really stayed with me, though, were the quieter moments. A simple conversation, a shared memory, or a glance across the room often carried more emotion than the biggest romantic scenes. Those little moments gave the story so much heart and made the romance feel genuine.
The supporting characters added warmth without taking attention away from the main couple, and the Regency setting created a wonderful backdrop without ever slowing the story. Everything felt balanced, allowing the characters and their journey to remain the focus.
By the final chapters, I wasn’t wondering whether Charlotte and Wolfgang would find their way back to each other. I was hoping they would, because the story had completely convinced me they deserved that chance. I closed the book smiling and wishing I had just one more chapter with them.
If you’re looking for a historical romance filled with second chances, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, emotional growth, and a romance that unfolds at just the right pace, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
📚 Genre: Historical Romance / Regency Romance
☕ Drink Pairing: A lavender Earl Grey latte with warm shortbread cookies.
What’s your favorite kind of historical romance—second chances, enemies to lovers, or friends to lovers?
#JustForTheSeason #RachelGriffiths #HistoricalRomance #BookReview #Bookstagram
September 6, 2026
Charlotte has found herself in a pickle; in attempting to rescue her mother from scandal, she’s found herself in one of her own. And now the Queen has declared she must be married by the end of the summer. But how can she accomplish both this—and paying her mother’s outstanding debts—without having to sacrifice her burgeoning fabric business? A wealthy husband may be the only answer, and this clearly calls for a house party. But while dealing with a parade of lackluster suitors, Charlotte must also deal with her brother’s friend, Wolfgang, who her brother has tasked with watching over Charlotte. Nevermind that they have been avoiding eachother due to bruised hearts. But Wolfgang may not be able to silently watch others vie for Charlotte’s hand after all.
Just for the Season by Rachel Griffiths is a romp, full of humor and heart. I love a historical romcom that can also get me to shed a tear or two (and with Wolfgang we have a hero who has been wounded by war and the loss of his older brother). Griffith’s sharp and fast-paced style works so well here. I had such a fun time with this.
And consider this me officially lobbying for a Lysander book.
Just for the Season by Rachel Griffiths is a romp, full of humor and heart. I love a historical romcom that can also get me to shed a tear or two (and with Wolfgang we have a hero who has been wounded by war and the loss of his older brother). Griffith’s sharp and fast-paced style works so well here. I had such a fun time with this.
And consider this me officially lobbying for a Lysander book.
August 20, 2026
This was a really cute regency romance. It definitely gave off Bridgerton vibes. It was hilarious at moments and overall a good time.
Lady Charlotte finds out her mom is in debt and wants to help her out of it. That leads to her unwittingly finding herself in a scandal and her only way out is marriage. Over the course of a summer, she invites the eligible London bachelors to a summer retreat, including an artist, a Russian prince, and one of the wealthiest men in Europe. For some reason though, she can’t keep her eyes of lf the Duke of Warrick, who also happens to be the only man who’s ever come close to breaking Charlotte’s heart. Will her summer of suitors have room for second chances?
Lady Charlotte finds out her mom is in debt and wants to help her out of it. That leads to her unwittingly finding herself in a scandal and her only way out is marriage. Over the course of a summer, she invites the eligible London bachelors to a summer retreat, including an artist, a Russian prince, and one of the wealthiest men in Europe. For some reason though, she can’t keep her eyes of lf the Duke of Warrick, who also happens to be the only man who’s ever come close to breaking Charlotte’s heart. Will her summer of suitors have room for second chances?
August 9, 2026
A jaunty Regency romance in which an outspoken heiress commanded by the queen to find a husband by the end of the season invites a series of eligible suitors to her country estate, only to be saddled by the supervisory eye of her brother’s friend, the taciturn duke who ghosted her years earlier and who’s been struggling with his feelings ever since. The set-up provides plenty of opportunities for the two to spar and spark as he simmers with jealousy and desire, and as she baits him with witty teasing and a delightful talent for embroidering hidden insults into handkerchiefs for him. The history between the two lays a rich groundwork for big feelings early on, even as the pair avoids confronting what drove them apart years ago. With the help of a deliciously meddling grandmother and an attraction too strong to resist, eventually, the two can’t help but collide. I loved that the heroine co-owned and managed a textile mill, and my fashion-history-loving heart delighted in the descriptions of the jacquard loom, the embroidery, and the feather motif in the damask. We also get lots of other fun details about clothes, an exploration of the power of artistic expression, and several fabulous barbs about gender dynamics that still hit close to the mark in today’s society. It’s a fun, flirty, smart, sexy read, with an independent, modern-minded heroine, a noble hero wracked from the start by love and lust, a fabulous cast of supporting characters, and an empowering celebration of not just pushing back against the rules, but of overturning them completely, especially when love is on the line.
August 19, 2026
Adorable!
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