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A Madness in Spring
The line between love and hate …
Belinda Leonard prefers things done a certain way, and has her life – and the entire village of Hemshawe – arranged to her liking. The only thorn in her side is the maddening presence of Adam Sturridge, who has delighted in disrupting Belinda’s perfectly ordered existence ever since they were children. But even though they are long past the age of pulling pigtails, Belinda and Adam cannot help but spark against each other every chance they get.
…is about to get blurry.
But when those sparks get noticed by a would-be matchmaker, things get turned on their head for Belinda and Adam. A few well-placed words have the pair questioning how they truly feel… and how long they have felt that way. But can these two stop squabbling long enough to overcome a lifetime of animosity and misunderstandings, and find their way to love?
Belinda Leonard prefers things done a certain way, and has her life – and the entire village of Hemshawe – arranged to her liking. The only thorn in her side is the maddening presence of Adam Sturridge, who has delighted in disrupting Belinda’s perfectly ordered existence ever since they were children. But even though they are long past the age of pulling pigtails, Belinda and Adam cannot help but spark against each other every chance they get.
…is about to get blurry.
But when those sparks get noticed by a would-be matchmaker, things get turned on their head for Belinda and Adam. A few well-placed words have the pair questioning how they truly feel… and how long they have felt that way. But can these two stop squabbling long enough to overcome a lifetime of animosity and misunderstandings, and find their way to love?
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2016
235 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Kate Noble
17 books499 followersaka
Kate Rorick
Kate Noble is the national bestselling, RITA-nominated author of historical romances, including the acclaimed Blue Raven series and the Winner Takes All series. Her books have earned her numerous accolades, including comparisons to Jane Austen, which just makes her giddy.
In her other life as Kate Rorick, she is an Emmy-award winning writer of television and web series, having written for NBC, FOX, and TNT, as well as the international hit YouTube series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Kate lives in Los Angeles with her family, and is hard at work on her next book.
Kate Rorick
Kate Noble is the national bestselling, RITA-nominated author of historical romances, including the acclaimed Blue Raven series and the Winner Takes All series. Her books have earned her numerous accolades, including comparisons to Jane Austen, which just makes her giddy.
In her other life as Kate Rorick, she is an Emmy-award winning writer of television and web series, having written for NBC, FOX, and TNT, as well as the international hit YouTube series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Kate lives in Los Angeles with her family, and is hard at work on her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 3, 2017
“Does it make any sense to you? Any sense at all that you and I would be kissing in the woods?”
“It didn’t make much sense before it happened,” he admitted. “But afterward it made all the sense in the world.” She could feel him stepping closer. “Like a puzzle piece that was turned the wrong way. Turn it around and everything clicks into place.”
An intuitive young woman decides to play matchmaker in the hopes of showing childhood enemies that they are actually each other’s soulmates. A Madness in Spring was like a breath of fresh air after a string of lackluster reads. I really enjoyed this one!
Just like in the friends to lovers trope, enemies to lovers can often be just as hard to portray if the transition from hate to love isn’t realistic. Thankfully Kate Noble handled it like a pro, with added charm and originality too. I loved how easy it was for Adam to accept that this girl, now a woman, who had driven him mad to distraction for years was the one for him. In stark contrast, Belinda took a little more convincing. I loved this aspect too as it flipped expectations since isn’t it usually the hero who takes FOREVER to realize he loves the heroine? Not this time. The fact that it was Belinda who was all push and no pull, that she refused to acknowledge her deep seeded feelings for Adam because that would mean everything would change. And change was Belinda’s worst fear as she couldn’t control it. But eventually Belinda comes to see that loving Adam would be worth the risk. It also helped that while Belinda was figuring all this out, Adam was being no nonsense and decisive. Once he knew he loved Belinda, he did something about it. He spoke his mind, told her he loved her and then let her decide what she wanted. Now if only more heroes were that direct and proactive, I’d probably have way less romance-induced headaches.
I had only read one other book of Kate Noble’s before this, but I have to commend the wonderful amount of depth and overall loveliness present in her writing here. Both the characters and the romance felt full formed and not rushed or one-dimensional as is usually the case with novellas. And holy hell was there chemistry galore! Between that kiss in the priest hole and then later, when Adam lets Belinda take full control during a love scene, well, let’s just say it was starting to feel more like summer than spring. Whew!
In reality, this was a 4-star story. But I decided it deserved an extra star for having saved me from the MEH books I’ve been reading lately. I know. My ratings system is totally bonkers. Tell me something I don’t know.
April 4, 2020
2.5 stars
Kate Noble is a good writer but I wasn't really feeling the romance in this one. The meddling part was nice. Short novella and I got it as a freebie via kindle.
Kate Noble is a good writer but I wasn't really feeling the romance in this one. The meddling part was nice. Short novella and I got it as a freebie via kindle.
January 4, 2018
This was a cute little novella from an author I enjoy. Very readable but probably fairly forgettable. I really LOVE a good enemies to lovers story, but this was not it.
A lot of quite modern terms in the language, so that it came across as a little sloppily written compared with other books by KN. Still, a pleasant way to spend an hour or two!
A lot of quite modern terms in the language, so that it came across as a little sloppily written compared with other books by KN. Still, a pleasant way to spend an hour or two!
August 20, 2017
Read this in the anthology A Gentleman For All Seasons. I enjoyed these two quirky frenemies-to-lovers, reading thier inner debates as they came to understand what all around them already knew was true. The author framed their thoughts and dialogs in a bit of an unorthodox way, which kept things fresh and well paced for this shorty. My one complaint in the anthology is extra words in sentences (not misspelled, just random extras) not caught in editing, hopefully it was caught before publishing it on its own.
October 13, 2020
short, light and lovely - exactly the drama-free kissfest i needed 🌼
January 28, 2019
4 stars of fun, frothy cuteness. I love the "not Scotland" callbacks throughout and the two leads dynamic.
April 10, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ My first book by Kate Noble, and it was actually a very charming and witty novella! Old childhood enemies/neighbors that got off on the wrong foot 15 yrs ago finally hash it out and are surprised to find out how the other really feels about them.
🌷Adam Sturridge - recently inherited an estate that is most definitely NOT in Scotland, he was a happy-go-lucky, lovable dufus that came across as socially clueless with no filter whatsoever and blurted things out mid-conversation. (Nothing inappropriate or offensive, just a bit too casual in a stuffy drawing room setting)
🌷 Belinda - prim and proper, a bit of a bossy know-it-all (according to Adam) that suffers from ott organizing and control issues after losing her parents at a young age.
🌷 Spring has sprung in the village of Hemshawe, outside of London. Belinda excitedly arrives to the home of her neighbor and bff Francesca so that they can start planning for the Fall Festival. Upon walking into the drawing room, Belinda finds Adam (Francesca’s brother-in-law visiting from not-Scotland) playing with tin soldiers on the floor of the drawing room. (I think they belonged to his toddler nephew, at least I’m hoping they did…)
🌷 So the bickering starts, and they bickered like old married people that often had me laughing with their set downs. I felt most of their banter was rather realistic and relatable. At some points in the story I would be smiling and telling myself this will be a 4-stars. Then Belinda would get wishy-washy again and I would need to dip it back down mentally to a 3-star. But overall, I smiled thru most of it and it was a sweet novella that delivered a fulfilling plot.
And here I thought I was reading a clean romance, and then I stumble across this:
“I… I think I know of a way to be less afraid.” She said, a tremor sneaking into her voice. “I was thinking about it all afternoon and… I’d like to try an experiment.”
“I’ll do anything you want.”
“Good,” she nodded, lifting her gaze to his. Her eyes glowed. “Take off your trousers.” - That caught my attention real quick-like. 😍 So definitely not a clean romance, but there’s only a few kisses and the one love scene towards the end of the novella.
Bingo Reading Challenge 2025
Square #26 - setting in the Springtime
Progress - 38/100
🌷Adam Sturridge - recently inherited an estate that is most definitely NOT in Scotland, he was a happy-go-lucky, lovable dufus that came across as socially clueless with no filter whatsoever and blurted things out mid-conversation. (Nothing inappropriate or offensive, just a bit too casual in a stuffy drawing room setting)
🌷 Belinda - prim and proper, a bit of a bossy know-it-all (according to Adam) that suffers from ott organizing and control issues after losing her parents at a young age.
🌷 Spring has sprung in the village of Hemshawe, outside of London. Belinda excitedly arrives to the home of her neighbor and bff Francesca so that they can start planning for the Fall Festival. Upon walking into the drawing room, Belinda finds Adam (Francesca’s brother-in-law visiting from not-Scotland) playing with tin soldiers on the floor of the drawing room. (I think they belonged to his toddler nephew, at least I’m hoping they did…)
🌷 So the bickering starts, and they bickered like old married people that often had me laughing with their set downs. I felt most of their banter was rather realistic and relatable. At some points in the story I would be smiling and telling myself this will be a 4-stars. Then Belinda would get wishy-washy again and I would need to dip it back down mentally to a 3-star. But overall, I smiled thru most of it and it was a sweet novella that delivered a fulfilling plot.
And here I thought I was reading a clean romance, and then I stumble across this:
“I… I think I know of a way to be less afraid.” She said, a tremor sneaking into her voice. “I was thinking about it all afternoon and… I’d like to try an experiment.”
“I’ll do anything you want.”
“Good,” she nodded, lifting her gaze to his. Her eyes glowed. “Take off your trousers.” - That caught my attention real quick-like. 😍 So definitely not a clean romance, but there’s only a few kisses and the one love scene towards the end of the novella.
Bingo Reading Challenge 2025
Square #26 - setting in the Springtime
Progress - 38/100
May 16, 2017
I got about five pages into this last night before realizing that I'd previously read it in an anthology (A Gentleman for all seasons), but I ended up reading it again anyway because it was so cute and fun. Misunderstanding/cross purposes plots work so much better in novellas, and I liked this one a lot. Usually I'd not rate the separate ebooks, but forgetting I'd read it in an anthology meant I bought it again so I figured I'd better indicate to myself I'd read it before I accidentally do it again.
February 11, 2018
OK but definitely un~English and obviously American and THAT is my issue. No complaints about the concept or storyline it is just that the dialogues and sentence construction are most definitely American and THIS is supposed to be set in England ~ so major Genre distortion and setting could be in the English influenced portion of the colonies circa same timeline, wrong side of the pond, though. Since this is a pseudo~Regency or Historical romance ~ 2 stars is just what it deserves, and I am being kind given its dubious authenticity.
December 9, 2018
A dandy read
I liked this one! The heroine and hero spent years making verbal warfare with each other -- Their spats stretching on from childhood. He inherited an estate near the border of Scotland but was back for a visit. A brother and sister had moved into the neighborhood, and the sister immediately saw that the pair were actually in love. She and the heroine's sister put a plan into action. Things don't go completely smooth, but there is a HEA.
The writing is clever. Not a long book. I highly recommend it.
I liked this one! The heroine and hero spent years making verbal warfare with each other -- Their spats stretching on from childhood. He inherited an estate near the border of Scotland but was back for a visit. A brother and sister had moved into the neighborhood, and the sister immediately saw that the pair were actually in love. She and the heroine's sister put a plan into action. Things don't go completely smooth, but there is a HEA.
The writing is clever. Not a long book. I highly recommend it.
February 26, 2018
Really cute novella, I laughed out loud a number of times. At first I thought it was going to be the same ole matchmaker story, but was pleasantly surprised. I liked all the various scenarios, and especially liked the characters. Yes, it’s true there were some typos and grammatical errors as noted in some of the other reviews, however I was interested enough to keep reading and I’m glad I did as I really enjoyed this book. :)
June 9, 2018
Delightful!
I am a newcomer to Ms Noble's novels. I enjoyed the story line, and I plan to read more of this author's work. This story has all the elements that I like when reading a book. Humor, passion, not too fussy with unnecessary minutiae: I would recommend this book/novella to any fans of Tessa Dare, Lisa Kleypas and Loretta Chase. The only thing that disconerts me is that I run across so many typos in ebooks, and this one had a few. It did not detract from the story.
I am a newcomer to Ms Noble's novels. I enjoyed the story line, and I plan to read more of this author's work. This story has all the elements that I like when reading a book. Humor, passion, not too fussy with unnecessary minutiae: I would recommend this book/novella to any fans of Tessa Dare, Lisa Kleypas and Loretta Chase. The only thing that disconerts me is that I run across so many typos in ebooks, and this one had a few. It did not detract from the story.
August 16, 2020
A delightful story of "enemies" to lovers! With the help of two meddlesome neighbors they're able to set aside their grudges and find companionship with each other. They were really friends the whole time; she showed she cared by sending magazine clippings and correcting him on how to perform tasks correctly, while he showed his deference by needling her and showing her love isn't all mental.
August 20, 2020
A matchmaking stranger realises that the constant needling that goes on between Belinda and Adam is due to hidden love, and sets out to shake the two of them up and make them look at each other differently.
Found this book a bit disjointed at times, in need of editing (phrases such as ‘she clamored to her feet’) and the bedroom scene seemed odd and inappropriate to the rest of the story.
Found this book a bit disjointed at times, in need of editing (phrases such as ‘she clamored to her feet’) and the bedroom scene seemed odd and inappropriate to the rest of the story.
September 18, 2021
Totally enjoyable
Loved this book. I wish it had been lengthier. The characters could have been better developed. Regardless, the storyline was original, the characters were very likeable and the dialogue was thoroughly entertaining… full of subtle and not so subtle humour … totally loved it. It was well written, in spite of the numerous typos. Thank you for a great read.
Loved this book. I wish it had been lengthier. The characters could have been better developed. Regardless, the storyline was original, the characters were very likeable and the dialogue was thoroughly entertaining… full of subtle and not so subtle humour … totally loved it. It was well written, in spite of the numerous typos. Thank you for a great read.
August 13, 2024
This is a fun, entertaining, quick read. Belinda and Adam are interesting, relatable, intriguing, complex, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. Their exchanges are fun to read. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.
March 26, 2025
This was a sweet novella about childhood frenemies to lovers. Well-crafted and plotted and a nice reversal in which the heroine is the more reluctant party. There were a few scenes between the side characters which thankfully only served to move the plot forward, which is not always the case in HR. Things may have moved fast, but it was a novella so it still worked. Very enjoyable.
August 1, 2020
Life in order
This is a good book if you live your life as on the has to have your life in perfect harmony! Belinda’s is planned months in advance but Adam lives in the moment so there has been friction between them for fifteen years. Read to find out the end!
This is a good book if you live your life as on the has to have your life in perfect harmony! Belinda’s is planned months in advance but Adam lives in the moment so there has been friction between them for fifteen years. Read to find out the end!
October 20, 2020
What was not noted in the summary is that some inspiration appears to come from Benedick and Beatrice - but that was a welcome surprise. The characters could have stood a little more development and the ending was a little quick, but it was ultimately a fun little novella.
January 3, 2021
Good
An interesting story that is recommendable to a slightly mature reader. The main characters spend the first half of the story antagonistic to each other and then decide they are madly in love and experience a sudden change of character
An interesting story that is recommendable to a slightly mature reader. The main characters spend the first half of the story antagonistic to each other and then decide they are madly in love and experience a sudden change of character
July 7, 2017
I enjoyed the Winner Takes All series, but this novella felt hastily written and I found the anachronisms distracting
February 14, 2018
Romance très mignonne, mais un peu rapide.
J’aime l’idée d’un couple qui se connaît depuis l’enfance et (croit) se déteste(r). La révélation est cependant un peu trop facilement acceptée.
J’aime l’idée d’un couple qui se connaît depuis l’enfance et (croit) se déteste(r). La révélation est cependant un peu trop facilement acceptée.
April 16, 2018
Loved it!
For a novella 5his was well written and thought through. The characters well developed and a beautiful story. I would recommend it to anyone that loves a love story.
For a novella 5his was well written and thought through. The characters well developed and a beautiful story. I would recommend it to anyone that loves a love story.
September 19, 2018
A predictable, sweet little romance good for a quick low key read.
April 6, 2020
Enjoyed this mail order bride novella.
July 1, 2020
Love this book with two characters who have to realise their long standing feud is actually love. Lots of humor, great fun!
August 28, 2020
Brilliant loved it
It is such a nice happy story well worth reading. You can empathise with both sides . Well written from both sides
It is such a nice happy story well worth reading. You can empathise with both sides . Well written from both sides
September 16, 2020
Kiss me Kate, er, Belinda!
Lovely little romp with something for everyone. Nicely done (even if the sexy times were gratuitous and not really wanted).
Lovely little romp with something for everyone. Nicely done (even if the sexy times were gratuitous and not really wanted).
September 20, 2020
Good book
I enjoyed this story. I have to admit there were times I was laughing so hard the tears were rolling.
I enjoyed this story. I have to admit there were times I was laughing so hard the tears were rolling.
October 26, 2020
I've read several Kate Noble novellas before and I found that the writer usually doesn't stick tight to the mannerism in that era, but since her works are mostly fun to read, I try to put this pet peeves on the backseat. This book is - how do I say this - it's funny but a bit boring at times. Maybe since there was barely any conflict between them. No misunderstanding (those who crave for drama would surely be disappointed) and the sexual chemistry was only so-so. I enjoyed their petty arguments more than I enjoy the love story. That being said, it's well written and an OK book to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews