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Of The Mind
*Book One in the Gentleman's Proposal Series*
In Victorian England, Miss Augusta Browning has few marriage prospects. Thankfully, she has a thriving career - one that absolutely no one can know about.
Sebastian has just inherited his father's estate. Or, rather, his many debts. Nearly penniless, Sebastian must marry and quickly turn his new wife's dowry into another fortune to save his family name. And he knows one woman who is available and unlikely to cause scandal.
Betrayal and Grovel
Second Chance
Brother's Best Friend
She Falls First, He Falls Harder
In Victorian England, Miss Augusta Browning has few marriage prospects. Thankfully, she has a thriving career - one that absolutely no one can know about.
Sebastian has just inherited his father's estate. Or, rather, his many debts. Nearly penniless, Sebastian must marry and quickly turn his new wife's dowry into another fortune to save his family name. And he knows one woman who is available and unlikely to cause scandal.
Betrayal and Grovel
Second Chance
Brother's Best Friend
She Falls First, He Falls Harder
- GenresHistorical Romance
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2025
18 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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January 5, 2026Ramblings....
〰️ Sebastian (31) is her brother's best friend, and now he's taken on the role of head of his family since his dad passed away. He left him with so much debt that he’s totally at a loss about how to pay it all off. And his idea was to get married, hoping that the dowry from the (un)fortunate woman would help him settle those debts.
〰️ August (24) was completely fine with being a spinster and secretly learning the ropes as an alienist (psychiatrist) for as long as she could.
〰️ When Sebastian found out about her dowry, she obviously became one of his prospects, and he was at least man enough to be honest with his friend about his intentions.
〰️ The brother/friend understood it, as he probably gets where he's coming from. He also wanted this for Auggie, as he can't imagine his sister being all alone. His heart was in the right place, but the way he went about it was ugh. Still, he said that it was up to her whether she wanted to know Sebastian or not.
〰️ He wooed her in just two weeks and eventually got her to say yes to marrying him.
〰️ There was more telling than showing during their married life (6 weeks) and it was disappointing to say the least.
〰️ See, this has two problems: 1) She thought he wanted her; that's why he courted and then married her. When all along he only charmed her because he's in dire need of money, and he's in cahoots with her brother. 2) She's hiding the fact that she's an apprentice; apparently this is scandalous for women in this period.
〰️ They obviously have their secrets, but I think his was the worst.
〰️ This all came to light at the 60% mark. She was hurt, and she would rather not do anything with him anymore. They've been married for six weeks at this point. Then he told her to stop the apprenticeship, not just because of the possible repercussions to their reputation but also because he's worried for her.
〰️ Did he grovel? Eh, maybe? I mean, he apologized and tried to make up for it. He really fell in love in the six weeks they were together and wanted to make this marriage work. So, he sent flowers, invited her to attend certain events, shared meals with her (by force since she's avoiding him), and asked about her day. But really, it’s nothing too extraordinary when you think about it. Most of this was done both on and off page. The only major things he did for her were to support her when she was asked to speak in a rally in support of women and to allow her to continue the apprenticeship.
〰️ The last chapter was her finally forgiving him and them having makeup sex, and then that's basically it. It was honestly one of the meh endings I've read.
Book info:
- Brother's bff
- MOC (for him)
- Mental health rep
- Betrayal
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- V FMC 🫥, Experienced MMC
- HEA (?? they're married after all)
〰️ Sebastian (31) is her brother's best friend, and now he's taken on the role of head of his family since his dad passed away. He left him with so much debt that he’s totally at a loss about how to pay it all off. And his idea was to get married, hoping that the dowry from the (un)fortunate woman would help him settle those debts.
〰️ August (24) was completely fine with being a spinster and secretly learning the ropes as an alienist (psychiatrist) for as long as she could.
〰️ When Sebastian found out about her dowry, she obviously became one of his prospects, and he was at least man enough to be honest with his friend about his intentions.
〰️ The brother/friend understood it, as he probably gets where he's coming from. He also wanted this for Auggie, as he can't imagine his sister being all alone. His heart was in the right place, but the way he went about it was ugh. Still, he said that it was up to her whether she wanted to know Sebastian or not.
〰️ He wooed her in just two weeks and eventually got her to say yes to marrying him.
〰️ There was more telling than showing during their married life (6 weeks) and it was disappointing to say the least.
〰️ See, this has two problems: 1) She thought he wanted her; that's why he courted and then married her. When all along he only charmed her because he's in dire need of money, and he's in cahoots with her brother. 2) She's hiding the fact that she's an apprentice; apparently this is scandalous for women in this period.
〰️ They obviously have their secrets, but I think his was the worst.
〰️ This all came to light at the 60% mark. She was hurt, and she would rather not do anything with him anymore. They've been married for six weeks at this point. Then he told her to stop the apprenticeship, not just because of the possible repercussions to their reputation but also because he's worried for her.
〰️ Did he grovel? Eh, maybe? I mean, he apologized and tried to make up for it. He really fell in love in the six weeks they were together and wanted to make this marriage work. So, he sent flowers, invited her to attend certain events, shared meals with her (by force since she's avoiding him), and asked about her day. But really, it’s nothing too extraordinary when you think about it. Most of this was done both on and off page. The only major things he did for her were to support her when she was asked to speak in a rally in support of women and to allow her to continue the apprenticeship.
〰️ The last chapter was her finally forgiving him and them having makeup sex, and then that's basically it. It was honestly one of the meh endings I've read.
Book info:
- Brother's bff
- MOC (for him)
- Mental health rep
- Betrayal
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- V FMC 🫥, Experienced MMC
- HEA (?? they're married after all)
January 5, 2026
If you’re looking for an angsty book then this one might be right up your alley. The connection between the MCs was warm at best. While I understand the author trying the ‘he falls harder’ trope, it wasn’t entirely effectively executed.
November 22, 2025
I found this author on a different platform and immediately fell in love with her work.
I loved everything about this book - the writing, the plot, the things it made me feel.
I'm a big reader of betrayal and grovel books and this story really hit the spot.
Brief spoilers:
We have a man who needs an advantageous marriage brokered for personal reasons. he isn't immediately enamored with the heroine while she finds him charming.
When the real reason for the marriage comes to light, our heroine is devastated and you feel it right along with her.
I loved them together by the end and found the HEA satisfying.
I loved everything about this book - the writing, the plot, the things it made me feel.
I'm a big reader of betrayal and grovel books and this story really hit the spot.
Brief spoilers:
We have a man who needs an advantageous marriage brokered for personal reasons. he isn't immediately enamored with the heroine while she finds him charming.
When the real reason for the marriage comes to light, our heroine is devastated and you feel it right along with her.
I loved them together by the end and found the HEA satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 3, 2025More of a fantasy historical romance. I'm super picky with this genre and I'd rather an author would just straight up say this is more of fantasy. Just make it a steampunk historical or some such thing, but when it's just dress up and the social mores of today? Book killer for me. I really appreciate the effort, though, takes a lot of courage to write a book and put it out there for everyone to judge. Not rating bc I knew going in it probably wasn't going to be for me, but others should try if my issues aren't your issues.
November 21, 2025
Jumping into a story from a new author always feels like a risky endeavor, but I guarantee it’ll only take a chapter for you to realize that that is not a concern here.
Of the Mind follows Augusta and Sebastian, two imperfect individuals who learn in time that love is not about finding the person who completes your life - but rather finding the person who enhances it. This novel is written with a wonderfully unique prose - all the elegance you’d expect of a historical romance, but in a voice all its own. It’s thought-provoking in its relevance both then and now. Such as how one of the subplots, following Augusta’s job, explores the secret, shameful treatment of individuals with melancholia, and how easy it is to make the connection to the way modern-day mental illness is still viewed as an issue to be swept under the rug and dealt with in private. The novel hits on many other heavy themes, but tackles each with the care and consideration they deserve.
The characters are well-developed and complex, each making me tear-up and laugh in turn. Even the grumpy Bancroft won me over in the end lol.
The betrayal does cut deep, but there’s no cheating or misunderstandings between these two. Only the gutting consequences of societal expectations clashing with matters of the heart - and how Augusta and Sebastian must learn to navigate that discourse as a unit if they ever stand a chance of finding their way back together.
There’s friendship and banter, betrayal and spice in these pages, and a uniqueness to the plot that I’ve never read before in historical romance. However, I would advise readers to plan ahead. Ms Fairchild has a way of stealing my sleep - and if I had had this information beforehand, I would’ve started reading a bit earlier in the evening!
Disclosure: I was provided an advance copy of this novel by the author for review consideration and am acknowledged for providing editorial notes. My review is voluntary and of my own opinion.
Of the Mind follows Augusta and Sebastian, two imperfect individuals who learn in time that love is not about finding the person who completes your life - but rather finding the person who enhances it. This novel is written with a wonderfully unique prose - all the elegance you’d expect of a historical romance, but in a voice all its own. It’s thought-provoking in its relevance both then and now. Such as how one of the subplots, following Augusta’s job, explores the secret, shameful treatment of individuals with melancholia, and how easy it is to make the connection to the way modern-day mental illness is still viewed as an issue to be swept under the rug and dealt with in private. The novel hits on many other heavy themes, but tackles each with the care and consideration they deserve.
The characters are well-developed and complex, each making me tear-up and laugh in turn. Even the grumpy Bancroft won me over in the end lol.
The betrayal does cut deep, but there’s no cheating or misunderstandings between these two. Only the gutting consequences of societal expectations clashing with matters of the heart - and how Augusta and Sebastian must learn to navigate that discourse as a unit if they ever stand a chance of finding their way back together.
There’s friendship and banter, betrayal and spice in these pages, and a uniqueness to the plot that I’ve never read before in historical romance. However, I would advise readers to plan ahead. Ms Fairchild has a way of stealing my sleep - and if I had had this information beforehand, I would’ve started reading a bit earlier in the evening!
Disclosure: I was provided an advance copy of this novel by the author for review consideration and am acknowledged for providing editorial notes. My review is voluntary and of my own opinion.
November 21, 2025
New author alert! So I am not one to usually pick up historical romances, not because of any specific reason, but there are so many contemporary and fantasy romances to get to, that I have to draw a line somewhere! Well, that line just broke, and Lila Fairchild broke it. This historical romance was everything I didn’t know I wanted. The story is set in late 1800’s England. She gives us a strong female character! The h, Augustus, is an alienist*basically an older term for a psychiatrist. Now given the time and the dismissal and wariness of psychological problems in general, she has to intern in private with a local doctor. She is at an age where she should have already been married with children, but she is not focused on that. Enter Sebastian, her brother’s friend. He is not excited by marriage either, but it seems his father has run up so many debts that he is in want of a wife with the means to get him out of debt. So he starts to wooing her, and it is a success. She falls in love with him, and shockingly he falls in love with her! End of story right? Nope! His secret gets out, she is hurt and betrayed! Her secret life gets out and he is shocked and dismayed! Now both of them are reeling from the revelations. However, Sebastian wants his wife back, so he knows he needs to make some changes in his thinking to win her back! There are some exciting and funny moments in store for our couple…and the rebuilding of trust. There is a lovely wrap up! I already know that the author has other books in the series to eventually be published to kindle. She has strong heroines who are not afaid to challenge the societal norms of the late 1800’s.
January 20, 2026
a great story
oh wow i was surprised by this book!! i wanted more, i would have loved to see auggie talking with the neighbor, see the aftermath of her speech… hopefully we get a couple more books in the series that can give us more of a peek into what life looks like now for sebastian and augusta!
oh wow i was surprised by this book!! i wanted more, i would have loved to see auggie talking with the neighbor, see the aftermath of her speech… hopefully we get a couple more books in the series that can give us more of a peek into what life looks like now for sebastian and augusta!
November 21, 2025
My first historical romance story and loved it!
November 26, 2025
I absolutely loved it. It’s been a long time since I’ve read such a great, beautifully written story. It was a true pleasure to devour.
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December 3, 2025Interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews