Just for the Season

by Rachel Griffiths

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?

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Second Chance, Forced Proximity

320 pages, ebook

First published July 7, 2026

About the author

Rachel 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.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

- nothing really to note – Charlotte’s mother has some issues and can be a bit manipulative, there’s a highwayman scene but no real danger/injuries
Author content warnings? Didn’t catch any (I always encourage you to check author’s websites, since Amazon penalizes authors for certain content warning words in their novels)


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: he pulls out
How’s the consent? It's good
Pregnancy/children in story? No
Chapter 15 / pg 90 – kiss between Charlotte and Warrick
Chapter 20 / pg 118 – Charlotte kisses another suitor (brief)
Chapter 25 / pg 148 – some touches between Charlotte and Warrick
Chapter 27 / pg 166 – very brief kiss between Charlotte and another suitor
Chapter 32 / pg 194 – kisses, breast play in the carriage
Chapter 39 / pg 247 – 🔥 kisses, breast play, dry humping o for her
”This fucking dress.”
His hands were impatient, tugging at every hidden button and ribbon and Charlotte was vaguely aware that her gown was really terribly complicated. She gasped with relief when the bodice, damp from his wet clothes, went slack and Wolfgang drew it down, and gasped again at the feeling of his clever hand reaching inside...
Chapter 41 / pg 261 – 🔥 kisses, oral for her
His right hand burrowed deep in her hair and the left fisted in the skirt at her hip. She shifted, her skirt rose higher, and a sound slurred deep in his throat. When he dipped his hand down to her stockinged ankle, the fabric ruched into a ladder of little pleats that led up her calf to a stretch of smooth bare skin.
She whimpered.
Wolfgang whimpered right back.
Chapter 44 / pg 286 – 🔥 oral for her, missionary
Her fingertips glowed at the pleasure of skimming over his fascinating ridges and valleys. What would it be like to peel back his robe and nightshirt, so she had acres of bare skin to -
He pushed her back hard and she landed with a gasp against the pillows.
“Wolfgang!” she protested, but not for long, because he followed her down, his shoulders filling her view as he loomed up over her, his pelvis pinning her to the bed. Charlotte stared up at him, the mattress at her back and so much Wolfgang on top of her. He filled her vision and her lungs, the scent of him mingling with hers and making her senses swim. Her body churned and ached, but her mind felt blessedly clear for once.
She tilted toward Wolfgang like he was her gravity.


Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs


Full break down on what my ratings above mean here:
Overall: How I felt about it everything considered!
Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.)
Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?
Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story?
Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch.
Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective.
Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgment (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions
Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (5) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio!
Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)


Find me
Instagram || The Storygraph || Bookbub ||

Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?

[b.andherbooks]

it is me, not the book. will try again maybe with hard copy someday.

[MillennialMomReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[brewdy_reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

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/

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ceanray · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?)

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Nikki (awallflowerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Kimberly]

Every 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

[Jessica White · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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."

[Kamryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Inaaa_Sayshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 ❤️

[Aaliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5☆

This was a wonderfully angsty and romantic time!!! Who doesn't love a SOAKING WET Regency man in a billowy white shirt🤭🤭???? We get love letters and the only one-carriage trope with a sleepy chaperone, hehehe, along with an interfering grandmother eagerly wishing for them to realize their feelings!!
The heroine, Charlotte, is a determined woman, and she aspires to run her own business and embrace life completely! I LOVEDDDD how she wouldn't allow men to behave disgustingly or misogynistically in her presence, even to the extent of threatening violence, LMAOOO!
The hero, Wolfgang, admired everything about our heroine and wanted to give her the world!!! This is a second chance romance, so after he overhears something that Charlotte says, he believes she doesn't want him anymore. He decides to stop corresponding with her, but this man wants her desperately!!! He remembers every little detail about her, and when suitors vie for her attention, he becomes sick with jealousy, and it had me SQUEALING!!!! He truly could not even be in her proximity without losing his mind, and when he sees tears come from her eyes, he can't breathe without making sure she's okay.
If you're interested in a story about a self-assured and intelligent woman who makes a duke long for her for THREE WHOLE YEARS, then please pick this up ; you will absolutely adore it!!

Releases July 7th, 2026 🫖🌸 Thank you to Rachel and Netgalley for the E-ARC!!!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a gifted physical copy of Just for the Season. All opinions are my own.

Just for the Season hit all of my favorite regency romance feels! The pining, tension, and spice between Charlotte and Wolfgang was kick your feet perfection. They do, of course, have some miscommunication going on, but it works to drive all of the aspects of their relationship.

Charlotte was a strong FMC and I loved her fun spirit and desire to trump the ideals of regency society, but the issues with her mother definitely made her feel relatable. There are also some great side characters and I hope there will be future books featuring some of them as couples!!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Regency Romance
* Scandal & Society
* Second Chance
* Family Conflict
* Brother’s Best Friend

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️.5

If you are a fan of Bridgerton and historical romantic fiction with characters finding their own HEA despite societal expectations then I would highly recommend Just for the Season.

[Madeleine Berges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Gallery Books for the #gifted copy :)

Title: Just for the Season
Author: Rachel Griffiths
Publication Date; July 7, 2026
Format: combo!

This was a delight!!! I hear everyone in the St. Louis bookish community raves about historical romance, and to be honest. I haven't read that much of the romance subgenre.

Boy, am I missing out!!! This was so so so fun.. Lady Charlotte. I adored her. She is a delight and kept us on our toes for sure!!!! Fun, smart, and flirty was such a winning combo. :)

Wofffffyyyy. yes, I loved him.

The yearning.

The banter.

The whole cast of characters.

Yes, I need to go back and read Anna's book now!!

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

fofissimooooooo

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical romance is not normally my thing, but this was delightful. There was a great wit and writing, and I adored the real romance that was brewing amidst the parade of suitors that brought the humor and plot twists throughout. Thanks to the publisher for sending this recent release my way.

[Onceuponabooktalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful! Loved Charlotte, an FMC who loves defying society rules, loved Gran, who was such a sly schemer, and loved Wolfgang who was down so bad for mischievous Charlotte and only wished to support her unorthodox dreams.

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Thank you to Gallery Books & NetGalley for the e•ARC; all opinions are my own.**

5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶

OMG. Just for the Season was absolutely amazing! I had so much fun reading this one- Charlotte, the FMC, is full of life and literally bounces off the page. The yearning from the MMC, Wolfgang, was palpable, and I kept kicking my feet and giggling. If you're looking for a summer romance of the historical variety, look no further!

All of the secondary characters were also amusing- I especially liked Charlotte's grandmother, Lady Alice, and all her scheming ways. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books from Rachel Griffiths and I will be picking up book 1 shortly!!

☆forced proximity
☆second chances
☆scandal
☆historical romance
☆YEARNING
☆Darcy-esque MMC

[Darcy TTT Abc · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Maddy Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Physical ARC Review:

This was a fun and quick read. It read a little current for being set in the regency era which took away from the historical romance a bit. For being high up in “polite society” Charlotte was a bit risqué (which I understand is supposed to be apart of her character) and the language Warrick used didn’t seem like how a duke would actually speak. Comparing this to pride and prejudice where even a touch before marriage was frowned upon in society, this just didn’t fit the regency vibe. BUT I took it for what it was and that gave me a better experience.

[Melanie Lakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Erin Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding a historical romance that perfectly balances witty banter, emotional depth, and a fast-paced, entertaining plot can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, Rachel Griffiths delivers all of that and more in her novel, Just for the Season. Described as a Regency-era version of The Bachelorette crossed with Bridgerton, this book is a sexy and funny story that keeps you hooked from the very first page. It is a quick, highly engaging read that provides an incredibly enjoyable plot from start to finish.

The story centers around Lady Charlotte Louisa Aveton, a fiercely independent, clever, and ambitious heroine who knows all of high society’s strict rules—and exactly how to break them. However, after an escapade lands her at the center of a serious scandal, she is forced to consider the only thing that will save her: marriage, and as soon as possible. Never one to back down from a challenge, Charlotte hosts an extravagant summer retreat at a country manor house, inviting England’s most eligible bachelors to compete for her hand. The suitors include a brooding artist, a wealthy European tycoon, and a handsome Russian prince. Yet, despite the glittering array of men vying for her attention, Charlotte’s gaze keeps slipping toward Wolfgang, the Duke of Warrick—the only man who has ever come close to breaking her heart.

The true heart of Just for the Season lies in its fantastic, multi-layered character arcs. Charlotte’s growth throughout the novel is exceptionally well-written. While she initially presents herself as a confident rebel who views marriage as a mere logistical transaction to escape societal ruin, her true journey is an emotional one. Having guarded her heart fiercely, Charlotte must unlearn her deep-seated fear of vulnerability over the course of the summer. She evolves from a woman trying to handle every burden entirely on her own to someone who realizes that opening her heart to a true partnership isn't a weakness, but a strength.

Opposite her is Wolfgang, the Duke of Warrick, who undergoes an equally compelling transformation. Scarred by past misunderstandings and determined to resist his feelings, Wolfgang enters the story as a guarded, almost grumpy presence. Yet, as he is forced to watch a circus of competitive suitors attempt to win Charlotte's hand, his restraint completely unravels. Wolfgang’s arc is a beautiful illustration of a hero being utterly undone by love. He doesn't want to change Charlotte or restrict her fierce independence; instead, he learns to embrace her wildness and support her completely. Watching Wolfgang reclaim his capacity for joy through his devotion to Charlotte makes for a brilliant second-chance romance.

An added bonus for readers is that Just for the Season functions beautifully as a standalone. While I didn't read the first book—which follows Anna and Julien's story—I didn't really miss much at all. Griffiths provides just enough background to keep the narrative seamless and accessible. That said, the writing is so well done and the characters are so charming that I will definitely be going back to check that first one out.

Overall, Just for the Season is a wonderful addition to the Regency romance genre. With its fresh feminist undertones and an emotionally satisfying second-chance romance, it ticks every single box. It is a great new historical romance that I highly recommend picking up!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5⭐️

Thank you to Rachel Griffiths, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Just for the Season had me hooked from the first few pages, and it didn’t let me go!

The humor and banter legitimately had me giggling (ask my husband, I literally had a fit of giggles at one point 😂🙈). It had been a while since a book had me actually laugh out loud and not just smirk lol. Then there was the yearningggggg, the lettersssss (I LOVE an epistolary trope!), and years of secretly pining after each other, ahhh I was having THE best time! I loveeee dual POV for a second chance romance because it really highlights the mutual longing! Second Chance Romance is one of my absolute favorite romance tropes and I thought it was done well in this one!

Charlotte is a bit of a wild card and definitely a bit brazen for a Regency lady, but she was so much fun. She's bold, a bit mischievous, vocally feminist, sure of who she is, clever and witty, entrepreneurial, a bit of a trailblazer, and she also has a softness to her, embracing her femininity (she loveees fashion). And Wolfgang? He’s her brother’s best friend, a Duke, ex-military, protective, yummy, and totally besotted with Charlotte (I loveeee when he falls first and harder hehehe).🤭 They both have depth which balanced their characters. Wolfgang was navigating grief over his brother and Charlotte was navigating her complicated relationship with her mother. (Though, I will admit that I struggled a bit to wrap my head around Charlotte's steadfast commitment to trying to rescue her mother from her problems and taking on that huge responsibility/burden…it just seemed like her mom didn’t deserve that, but hey, family can be complicated. 🤷‍♀️)

Just for the Season kind of had Bridgerton meets The Bachelorette vibes, which was a delightfully fun combination. We have meddling family and friends (particularly, her grandmother who I adored), a nosy and commanding queen, female friendship, and multiple gentleman suitors (we have a broody artist, a charming Russian prince, one of the wealthiest men in Europe , and our dear Duke—the only man who ever really held her heart). We get good chemistry with plenty of forced proximity (and only one carriage 😉); plus, we also get drunken confessions which is one of my favorite microtropes! Hehehe🤗 And it's steamy—a literal bodice ripper since he does, in fact, rip her dress off of her in a moment of passion at one point. 😂🥵

My only complaint was that, while I did appreciate the feminist take on this regency romance (and highlighted many of Charlotte's more feminist lines), it felt a little heavy-handed at times for my personal reading tastes. There were moments where it felt like Charlotte was just being difficult and picking fights for the sake of it, making things about gender when they really weren't. (For example, when Wolfgang said "well played" after losing to her at a round of cards, to me, he was just being a good sport, but she got huffy and responded as though he was congratulating her because she was a woman who had enough common sense to win with an easy hand). There were just a few moments like that where I just rolled my eyes at her a little. But that’s literally my only complaint about this book and it’s a relatively small complaint because again that only happened a few times and I usually enjoyed her feminist quips! So I wouldn’t say it significantly got in the way of my overall enjoyment. 🤷‍♀️

Overall, I thought this book had a great balance of romance, humor, and depth. I loved this one!!