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As a Manor of Fact: Book 1 in the Manor of Fate Series
Briar Adler’s life is falling apart.
So she does what any rational woman would do. She runs.
Taking a restoration job at a crumbling historic manor in the small coastal town of Beaumere, South Carolina is supposed to be temporary. A fresh start. A distraction.
Then she meets Wystan Hargrave.
Broody. Sharp-tongued. Infuriatingly attractive. A man who clearly wants nothing to do with people… especially her.
But the longer Briar stays in Beaumere, the harder it becomes to ignore the town that’s beginning to feel like home and the man who keeps showing up when she least expects him to.
As the walls around Wystan slowly crack, Briar realizes restoring the manor may not be the only thing being rebuilt.
A slow-burn contemporary romance full of sharp banter, emotional tension, found family, and coastal small-town charm.
So she does what any rational woman would do. She runs.
Taking a restoration job at a crumbling historic manor in the small coastal town of Beaumere, South Carolina is supposed to be temporary. A fresh start. A distraction.
Then she meets Wystan Hargrave.
Broody. Sharp-tongued. Infuriatingly attractive. A man who clearly wants nothing to do with people… especially her.
But the longer Briar stays in Beaumere, the harder it becomes to ignore the town that’s beginning to feel like home and the man who keeps showing up when she least expects him to.
As the walls around Wystan slowly crack, Briar realizes restoring the manor may not be the only thing being rebuilt.
A slow-burn contemporary romance full of sharp banter, emotional tension, found family, and coastal small-town charm.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for choosing and trusting me for this ARC read. This story had me kicking my feet and feeling giddy from the start. This is a fun and flirty read!
June 1, 2026
For starters, slow burns are not my cup of tea. I tend to lose interest and put them down. Not this book! There wasn’t a moment where I felt bored, I had such a difficult time putting it down! I found myself hiding from kids just to try and finish the chapter!
This book was beautifully written and I was twirling my hair and kicking my feet at some points. The build up was definitely worth the wait. I absolutely loved reading this book and I cannot wait to share it with my mother and sister who are also avid readers!
I am excited to see more from this Author! Ate. It. Up.
This book was beautifully written and I was twirling my hair and kicking my feet at some points. The build up was definitely worth the wait. I absolutely loved reading this book and I cannot wait to share it with my mother and sister who are also avid readers!
I am excited to see more from this Author! Ate. It. Up.
May 31, 2026
as a manor of fact is, simply put, perfect 🥹 it has all the best things: slow burn, found family, grumpy x sunshine, witty banter ✨ all while telling a story featuring two complex characters, with their own traumas and coping mechanisms, revealing character arcs full of emotional growth.
i truly felt like i had to deal with briar’s shitty mom and ex personally, like i’ve been to beaumere, like i’ve met emily and iris. 🫶🏼 lindz has such a magical way of describing settings and people in a warm glowing light while still leaving some details up to the interpretation of the reader.
i genuinely have no notes, and i can’t wait to come back to beaumere for book 2. 📚
i truly felt like i had to deal with briar’s shitty mom and ex personally, like i’ve been to beaumere, like i’ve met emily and iris. 🫶🏼 lindz has such a magical way of describing settings and people in a warm glowing light while still leaving some details up to the interpretation of the reader.
i genuinely have no notes, and i can’t wait to come back to beaumere for book 2. 📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2026
Review of Advanced Reader Copy Received from the Author:
Romance is not my preferred genre, but I came across this arc and signed up anyway. Briar's story draws you in and Lindz writes in short, snappy chapters that make you want to keep reading. Each character is unique and they make for a fun cast to explore with.
It is definitely worth the read and I can't wait to see more from Beaumere and this author.
Romance is not my preferred genre, but I came across this arc and signed up anyway. Briar's story draws you in and Lindz writes in short, snappy chapters that make you want to keep reading. Each character is unique and they make for a fun cast to explore with.
It is definitely worth the read and I can't wait to see more from Beaumere and this author.
July 13, 2026
SO CUTSIEEEE!!💖💖🥰 kicking my feet!!
first audiobook narration and had so much fun voicing briar, wystan & all the wonderful characters of beaumere 🕺🏡
first audiobook narration and had so much fun voicing briar, wystan & all the wonderful characters of beaumere 🕺🏡
July 22, 2026
I haven’t been able to keep up with my reading goals this year and this book has me with my mojo back! lol it was just such a good read. Really enjoyed diving into Briar’s world and her finding a new version of herself in Beaumere. Seeing all the characters open up in their own ways. I can imagine the town and the people. It makes me want to book a trip and just sit and read in a small town 😂
So glad I picked this book up from the author at a book market. It’s brought me so much joy and kicked start my hunger for more reading! Can’t wait for the next book.
So glad I picked this book up from the author at a book market. It’s brought me so much joy and kicked start my hunger for more reading! Can’t wait for the next book.
June 11, 2026
As a Manor of Fact was such a charming and cozy romance that felt like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket and spending a weekend in a beautiful coastal town.
Lindz Deaver delivers a sweet slow-burn romance filled with heart, healing, and plenty of small-town charm. The story follows architect Briar Adler as she arrives in South Carolina looking for a fresh start and finds herself restoring a historic manor alongside its grumpy and stubborn owner, Wystan Hargrave.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the restoration project itself. Watching Briar breathe new life into Hargrave Manor mirrored the emotional journeys of both main characters. As the house was rebuilt room by room, Briar and Wystan were also learning how to trust again and open themselves to new possibilities. The setting felt vivid and inviting, making Beaumere feel like a place I'd love to visit.
The romance was a true slow burn, which worked well for these characters. Wystan's grumpy, guarded personality balanced nicely against Briar's determination and warmth. Their chemistry developed naturally through long days working together, shared conversations, and growing mutual respect rather than relying solely on instant attraction. I also loved the found-family aspect and the sense of community that surrounded them.
The reason this was a 4-star read instead of 5 stars for me is that the pacing occasionally felt a little too slow. While I enjoyed the character development, there were moments where I wanted the romance to move forward a bit quicker. Some scenes lingered longer than necessary, making the middle portion drag slightly.
Overall, As a Manor of Fact is a heartfelt, character-driven romance about second chances, rebuilding trust, and discovering where home truly is. If you love slow-burn romances, grumpy-sunshine dynamics, found family, and charming small-town settings, this is definitely worth picking up. It left me smiling long after I turned the final page. 💚📚
Lindz Deaver delivers a sweet slow-burn romance filled with heart, healing, and plenty of small-town charm. The story follows architect Briar Adler as she arrives in South Carolina looking for a fresh start and finds herself restoring a historic manor alongside its grumpy and stubborn owner, Wystan Hargrave.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the restoration project itself. Watching Briar breathe new life into Hargrave Manor mirrored the emotional journeys of both main characters. As the house was rebuilt room by room, Briar and Wystan were also learning how to trust again and open themselves to new possibilities. The setting felt vivid and inviting, making Beaumere feel like a place I'd love to visit.
The romance was a true slow burn, which worked well for these characters. Wystan's grumpy, guarded personality balanced nicely against Briar's determination and warmth. Their chemistry developed naturally through long days working together, shared conversations, and growing mutual respect rather than relying solely on instant attraction. I also loved the found-family aspect and the sense of community that surrounded them.
The reason this was a 4-star read instead of 5 stars for me is that the pacing occasionally felt a little too slow. While I enjoyed the character development, there were moments where I wanted the romance to move forward a bit quicker. Some scenes lingered longer than necessary, making the middle portion drag slightly.
Overall, As a Manor of Fact is a heartfelt, character-driven romance about second chances, rebuilding trust, and discovering where home truly is. If you love slow-burn romances, grumpy-sunshine dynamics, found family, and charming small-town settings, this is definitely worth picking up. It left me smiling long after I turned the final page. 💚📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
A sweet, casual grumpy/sunshine romance about an architect and a guy who hates attention? Oh hi 👋
Okay, so this was actually extremely cute. It’s a quick small-town slow burn (my absolute holy grail): reluctant work relationship turned friendship turned actual relationship, and it was adorable to witness. From the “you might mean more than I think you do” energy to the full-on “you’re my person” vibes, I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time.
The story itself is pretty well paced, with a clear end goal and cute little side quests along the way. Both Briar and Wystan get a good amount of character growth that feels really rewarding as the story progresses, especially with how naturally their friendship evolves before the romance actually starts.
My only critique is that the ending felt a little rushed. Not necessarily in a bad way, but throughout the story the overall “villains” felt like they were being built up toward this huge, climactic payoff, and when we finally got there, they came across as more petty and entitled than genuinely threatening. Because of that, the ending felt a bit more underwhelming than I expected.
Overall, though, this was a really enjoyable read, and I’d definitely like to read more from this author.
Okay, so this was actually extremely cute. It’s a quick small-town slow burn (my absolute holy grail): reluctant work relationship turned friendship turned actual relationship, and it was adorable to witness. From the “you might mean more than I think you do” energy to the full-on “you’re my person” vibes, I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time.
The story itself is pretty well paced, with a clear end goal and cute little side quests along the way. Both Briar and Wystan get a good amount of character growth that feels really rewarding as the story progresses, especially with how naturally their friendship evolves before the romance actually starts.
My only critique is that the ending felt a little rushed. Not necessarily in a bad way, but throughout the story the overall “villains” felt like they were being built up toward this huge, climactic payoff, and when we finally got there, they came across as more petty and entitled than genuinely threatening. Because of that, the ending felt a bit more underwhelming than I expected.
Overall, though, this was a really enjoyable read, and I’d definitely like to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a Manor of Fact delivered exactly what was promised, and more. It’s not often you read a romance that feels so natural and authentic to the human experience that you feel both giddy butterflies and the dread of adulthood along with the characters. The organic pacing saves you from the too-slow slow burn and the insta-love we see so often these days.
The characters themselves offer a refreshing take on two usually mind-numbing cliches that blend into the grumpy/sunshine trope so effortlessly you have no choice but to adore them. With witty banter that makes you kick your feet like you’ve never read witty banter before, and realistic, authentic emotional beats, the reader can disappear into the characters and actually relate to their complex emotions without the usual frustration of a drawn-out and infuriating miscommunication trope.
As a whole, As A Manor Of Fact is a celebration of heartwarming friendships, fairytale-perfect timing, and a small town life straight out of Gilmore Girls. It’s a delightful and relatable read that I would recommend to anyone who wants to devour a book in one sitting (Guilty).
The characters themselves offer a refreshing take on two usually mind-numbing cliches that blend into the grumpy/sunshine trope so effortlessly you have no choice but to adore them. With witty banter that makes you kick your feet like you’ve never read witty banter before, and realistic, authentic emotional beats, the reader can disappear into the characters and actually relate to their complex emotions without the usual frustration of a drawn-out and infuriating miscommunication trope.
As a whole, As A Manor Of Fact is a celebration of heartwarming friendships, fairytale-perfect timing, and a small town life straight out of Gilmore Girls. It’s a delightful and relatable read that I would recommend to anyone who wants to devour a book in one sitting (Guilty).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tropes in the book:
Small town romance
grumpy/sunshine
Slow burn
Some forced proximity
This book was such a good read, I think about it daily since I have read it. We start off with Briar finding out that her boyfriend (who also happens to be a partner in the architecture firm she works at) is cheating on her! So of course she does what any woman would want to do at that moment: she runs away. She convinces the people in charge that she is the right person to oversee the project to restore a Manor down in Beaumere, South Carolina which is about as far as she could get from her life in New York. Briar is under the impression that she will be working with the butler of the manor while working on the project and told that the owner is rarely around. Which of course means that he is going to be there all the time. And for everyone that enjoys when books have HEA... this one has that, you're welcome!! Yes this book had some predictable things but I like predictable books because then I don’t have to think and I can just be there for the vibes, and this book had ALL the vibes I like. I will most definitely be recommending this book to anyone that likes romance books!
Small town romance
grumpy/sunshine
Slow burn
Some forced proximity
This book was such a good read, I think about it daily since I have read it. We start off with Briar finding out that her boyfriend (who also happens to be a partner in the architecture firm she works at) is cheating on her! So of course she does what any woman would want to do at that moment: she runs away. She convinces the people in charge that she is the right person to oversee the project to restore a Manor down in Beaumere, South Carolina which is about as far as she could get from her life in New York. Briar is under the impression that she will be working with the butler of the manor while working on the project and told that the owner is rarely around. Which of course means that he is going to be there all the time. And for everyone that enjoys when books have HEA... this one has that, you're welcome!! Yes this book had some predictable things but I like predictable books because then I don’t have to think and I can just be there for the vibes, and this book had ALL the vibes I like. I will most definitely be recommending this book to anyone that likes romance books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3/5 Thank you to the author for selecting me to participate in the review of an ARC copy.
- The story is the literary equivalent of a warm hug. If you're interested in a refreshing small-town atmosphere with a "grumpy x sunshine" dynamic that makes you smile, this is an amazing choice. The author excels at creating an environment that feels warm and welcoming, making the reader want to be in the town with the characters.
- The highlight of this book is definitely the character growth, specifically seeing Briar find her voice. Watching her finally stand up to her parents and Jake to choose her own happiness was heartwarming. The emotional depth Briar provided allowed the "grumpy" MC space to open up about his trauma, added a layer of sincerity that made their beautiful possible.
Constructive Feedback
- The Antagonist: Briar's ex Jake's pettiness felt a bit juvenile. Giving the story's anatgonist a more grounded motivation can make the FMC's victory over them feel even more significant.
- While setting the scene is important, we can lose some emotional momentum when the narrative pauses for technical details. Focus on descriptions that advance the mood or plot, and trust your reader's imagination to fill the textures of the room.
- The story is the literary equivalent of a warm hug. If you're interested in a refreshing small-town atmosphere with a "grumpy x sunshine" dynamic that makes you smile, this is an amazing choice. The author excels at creating an environment that feels warm and welcoming, making the reader want to be in the town with the characters.
- The highlight of this book is definitely the character growth, specifically seeing Briar find her voice. Watching her finally stand up to her parents and Jake to choose her own happiness was heartwarming. The emotional depth Briar provided allowed the "grumpy" MC space to open up about his trauma, added a layer of sincerity that made their beautiful possible.
Constructive Feedback
- The Antagonist: Briar's ex Jake's pettiness felt a bit juvenile. Giving the story's anatgonist a more grounded motivation can make the FMC's victory over them feel even more significant.
- While setting the scene is important, we can lose some emotional momentum when the narrative pauses for technical details. Focus on descriptions that advance the mood or plot, and trust your reader's imagination to fill the textures of the room.
August 7, 2026
4.25⭐️
This is the second book I have read by Lindz and she did not disappoint. The narrators voice was so good and the South Carolina accent was really well done. This romance was a slow, slow, slow burn, but the tension and intimacy between the characters was written perfectly. This was funny and charming and the cuteness of this love story will stay with me. The banter was SOOOOOOO GOOD, OMG. The characters had me laughing out loud. I love that the FMC is an architect what a great idea for the character. The FMC was a real over thinker and I could totally see myself overthinking every situation and every conversation just like she did. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
This is the second book I have read by Lindz and she did not disappoint. The narrators voice was so good and the South Carolina accent was really well done. This romance was a slow, slow, slow burn, but the tension and intimacy between the characters was written perfectly. This was funny and charming and the cuteness of this love story will stay with me. The banter was SOOOOOOO GOOD, OMG. The characters had me laughing out loud. I love that the FMC is an architect what a great idea for the character. The FMC was a real over thinker and I could totally see myself overthinking every situation and every conversation just like she did. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a charming read. I’ve always loved a good small-town romance mixed with a little Southern charm, and this story delivered both perfectly. Alex and Wystan are two emotionally wounded people who struggle with vulnerability, which makes their slow-burn relationship feel rewarding.
The story was sweet, funny, and surprisingly relatable. It felt like the perfect blend of a rom-com and HGTV, which, honestly, are two of my favorite things.
This is the kind of book that pairs perfectly with a rainy afternoon, a cozy blanket, and a really good cup of coffee.
The story was sweet, funny, and surprisingly relatable. It felt like the perfect blend of a rom-com and HGTV, which, honestly, are two of my favorite things.
This is the kind of book that pairs perfectly with a rainy afternoon, a cozy blanket, and a really good cup of coffee.
July 6, 2026
A true slow burn that somehow just kept getting better the more I read. I completely fell in love with not only the main characters but the side characters too, which has me excited to see where this series goes. There were a few very minor typos and a couple formatting inconsistencies, but they never took away from how much I enjoyed the story. If you love character-driven romances that take their time building the relationship, this is absolutely worth picking up. I can't wait for the next book.
July 31, 2026
I personally bought this book at the Texas book lovers convention a couple weeks ago and I was very eager to read and finish it. The setting and characters give you a Gilmore Girls like environment. The banter between the two main characters has you wanting them to become so much closer and closer.
There are a couple little bomb shells in here and they are a great shift in the story telling. This is a top favorite book of mine!
There are a couple little bomb shells in here and they are a great shift in the story telling. This is a top favorite book of mine!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5 ⭐️
I had received a gifted copy of this book from Author Lindz Deaver for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. I could not put this book down.
This book comes out June 8th so mark your calendars!
This book has grumpy/sunshine romance, slow burn, small town, and historic restoration vibes to it
I had received a gifted copy of this book from Author Lindz Deaver for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. I could not put this book down.
This book comes out June 8th so mark your calendars!
This book has grumpy/sunshine romance, slow burn, small town, and historic restoration vibes to it
June 1, 2026
Finished reading my arc copy of As a Manor of Fact and I give it:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved the budding romance between Wystan and Briar and felt the slow burn romance paid off in the end.
This book combines slow burn, small town romance, and grumpy/sunshine romance well. If you like any of these tropes then I’d recommend giving this story a shot.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved the budding romance between Wystan and Briar and felt the slow burn romance paid off in the end.
This book combines slow burn, small town romance, and grumpy/sunshine romance well. If you like any of these tropes then I’d recommend giving this story a shot.
June 8, 2026
I received an ARC and am leaving an honest review.
This is a slow burn, found family dark vs sunshine, banter filled story. This tale is beautifully written by Lindz!! I couldn’t wait to keep reading to see what happened next! The build was worth the wait!! Can’t wait to read more from this author!! Grab this one ASAP!!
This is a slow burn, found family dark vs sunshine, banter filled story. This tale is beautifully written by Lindz!! I couldn’t wait to keep reading to see what happened next! The build was worth the wait!! Can’t wait to read more from this author!! Grab this one ASAP!!
June 13, 2026
This book is so cute!! I love a good slow burn when you can just feel the chemistry between the two main characters. I love how the author knew how to keep you from wanting to stop reading the book. It was so beautifully written and well done that I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! Please girl write some more! I’m just gonna keep coming back for more.
June 27, 2026
This was so freaking adorable! 🥹 A grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance with a big-city architect chasing her dream after catching her fiancé cheating. The texting scenes had me absolutely melting because this man was trying so hard to flirt. 🫠 Fair warning—it is a TRUE slow burn, but oh was it so incredibly worth it. I freaking loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read As a Manor of Fact as an ARC reader. While romance books are not my usual, I still ate this up! The southern small-town vibes are wonderful, and I felt there was enough character development. The story felt convincing and the ending was satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book!! The characters felt relatable and easy to connect with, and the chemistry between the two main characters made the story so fun to read. The writing flowed easily and kept me turning pages the whole time! Highly recommend!
June 8, 2026
Well, let’s just say I’m always a sucker for witty banter between characters. On top of that, the characters are just down right believable and the writing feels so natural that it truly threw me down an emotional rabbit hole right along with them.
Couldn’t put it down!
Couldn’t put it down!
August 2, 2026
I have read both of this authors books. I was so looking forward to being an ARC for this book. Now she has an audio book for AAMOF!!!!
The story was sweet. He was a big ole' softy. Going to read it again so with the audio!
The story was sweet. He was a big ole' softy. Going to read it again so with the audio!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved, loved, loved! Such a cute romcom! The chemistry between Briar and Wystan is top notch and the tension is extremely appealing. Loved every second of this book and I can’t wait for more!
July 26, 2026
I absolutely loved this book it had a good plot can't wait for the second book to come out
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews