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Brides for Bachelors #1
La scommessa del visconte
Inghilterra, 1814 - Quando Lady Harriet Inskip causa involontariamente la caduta da cavallo di un misterioso gentiluomo e si appresta a soccorrerlo, non immagina che quell'intrigante cavaliere sarà anche colui che le darà il suo primo, vero bacio. Costretta ad allontanarsi in fretta, Harriet nei giorni successivi all'incidente non può fare a meno di chiedersi se e quando rivedrà l'uomo che ormai le ha rubato il cuore. L'occasione non tarda ad arrivare quando, durante il suo debutto in società, le viene presentato Lord Jack Hesketh Becconsall, maggiore dell'esercito di sua Maestà e da poco erede al titolo di visconte, Jack è un ottimo partito e, come lei, decisamente insofferente alle regole della rigida etichetta inglese. Potrebbe essere vero amore se Harriet non venisse a conoscenza di una scommessa che la riguarda e che coinvolge proprio Jack.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2017
118 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Annie Burrows
184 books310 followersI've been published by Mills & Boon since 2007..but I'd been making up stories in my head for as long as I can remember. It was a long walk home from school, and there were no ipods in those days to keep you amused! When I wasn't daydreaming, I had my nose stuck in a book. My parents used to take me to the library every Saturday, until I was old enough to get there on my own, and my house was always full of books.
During school holidays, the whole family loved to visit stately homes and castles. As soon as we got home, my older sister and I would either dress up as lords and ladies, and romp around the garden, or, if it was raining, retreat to our bedroom where we would draw intricately detailed plans of our very own imaginary stately home, complete with secret tunnels, dungeons, and usually, a maze in the extensive grounds.
When I was old enough to go to university, I studied English literature, with Philosophy. I was not sure what I wanted to do after that, but meeting a handsome student of maths, who was the owner of a very powerful motorbike helped me make up my mind. Reader, I married him.
For many years I felt it was important to stay at home to raise our two children, but one day, when the youngest had gone to senior school, I began to wonder if all those stories I made up to occupy my mind whilst attending to mundane chores, would interest anyone else.
I started to write some of them down, and eventually decided that one of them was "deep" enough to merit attention from publishers. It took me almost two years to complete, mainly because I kept tearing it up and starting all over again. And having to keep going out to work to help pay for school fees, then university tuition, slowed progress down as well.
Needless to say, this masterpiece was rejected by every single publisher I sent it to, but by this time, writing had become an addiction.
Four more stories got rejected, before Mills & Boon bought "His Cinderella Bride", a regency romance.
I do have some other interests, besides writing! I love spending time pottering in my garden. And recently I've taken up ballroom dancing as a way to try and keep fit (and keep the romance alive in my marriage!)
During school holidays, the whole family loved to visit stately homes and castles. As soon as we got home, my older sister and I would either dress up as lords and ladies, and romp around the garden, or, if it was raining, retreat to our bedroom where we would draw intricately detailed plans of our very own imaginary stately home, complete with secret tunnels, dungeons, and usually, a maze in the extensive grounds.
When I was old enough to go to university, I studied English literature, with Philosophy. I was not sure what I wanted to do after that, but meeting a handsome student of maths, who was the owner of a very powerful motorbike helped me make up my mind. Reader, I married him.
For many years I felt it was important to stay at home to raise our two children, but one day, when the youngest had gone to senior school, I began to wonder if all those stories I made up to occupy my mind whilst attending to mundane chores, would interest anyone else.
I started to write some of them down, and eventually decided that one of them was "deep" enough to merit attention from publishers. It took me almost two years to complete, mainly because I kept tearing it up and starting all over again. And having to keep going out to work to help pay for school fees, then university tuition, slowed progress down as well.
Needless to say, this masterpiece was rejected by every single publisher I sent it to, but by this time, writing had become an addiction.
Four more stories got rejected, before Mills & Boon bought "His Cinderella Bride", a regency romance.
I do have some other interests, besides writing! I love spending time pottering in my garden. And recently I've taken up ballroom dancing as a way to try and keep fit (and keep the romance alive in my marriage!)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 1, 2017
4☆ Endearing fun Love story, with added Mystery, Suspense and Passion.
The Major Meets his Match is the first book in the Brides for Bachelors series. It is also my first book i have read by Annie Burrows, and it certainly won't be my last.
The Major Meets his Match is a fun endearing Romance that captures how opposites do attract. With passion, sizzling chemistry, suspense, mystery, humour and secrets a perfect mix.
Lord Becconsall (Jack) has been told he must marry and produce a Son to carry the family name, as soon as possible.
Jack is the only remaining Son left as he's brothers have now passed away. So there is even more pressure on Jack to find a bride.
However Jack has no intentions of settling down any time soon.
He is enjoying his life, until he meets Harriet. She may just be the one to change Jacks childish fun ways.
I really loved Lady Harriet she is fun, but there is also a vulnerable side to her.
Being the only girl she has been overshadowed by her brothers.
Her family appear to favour her brothers so she never gets the attention she deserves. Lacking in self esteem.
It was so lovely to watch Harriet grow into a beautiful fun young lady.
However because of this she is used to doing what she wants. With very little rules to follow or any role model to teach her how to conform to be a lady.
So when she moves to London with her Aunt, it's a real shock to Harriet.
London is very different to the countryside. She is expected to learn how to become a lady and to eventually find herself a husband.
So when Jack and Harriet meet for the very first time. There is an instant spark between them.
When Harriet rides away, Jack knows he must get to know Harriet more. She intrigues him.
I will stop there I don't want to spoil it for you. Let's just say it's exciting.
I loved Jack and Harriet' s relationship the connection between them was heartwarming. Plenty of teasing, playful banter and stolen kisses.
Although this was a romance, there is also a mystery alongside the storyline. That will keep you reading till the early hours.
This book is a fun , easy to read, light hearted romance and mystery.
Would I recommend this book, definitely!!
A perfect read for those who love Fun Romances, Regency, Mystery, easy to read books.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mills and Boon Insider for giving me the chance to read this beautiful book and review voluntarily.
My review will also be added to my blog :
Dashfan81.blogspot.com
The Major Meets his Match is the first book in the Brides for Bachelors series. It is also my first book i have read by Annie Burrows, and it certainly won't be my last.
The Major Meets his Match is a fun endearing Romance that captures how opposites do attract. With passion, sizzling chemistry, suspense, mystery, humour and secrets a perfect mix.
Lord Becconsall (Jack) has been told he must marry and produce a Son to carry the family name, as soon as possible.
Jack is the only remaining Son left as he's brothers have now passed away. So there is even more pressure on Jack to find a bride.
However Jack has no intentions of settling down any time soon.
He is enjoying his life, until he meets Harriet. She may just be the one to change Jacks childish fun ways.
I really loved Lady Harriet she is fun, but there is also a vulnerable side to her.
Being the only girl she has been overshadowed by her brothers.
Her family appear to favour her brothers so she never gets the attention she deserves. Lacking in self esteem.
It was so lovely to watch Harriet grow into a beautiful fun young lady.
However because of this she is used to doing what she wants. With very little rules to follow or any role model to teach her how to conform to be a lady.
So when she moves to London with her Aunt, it's a real shock to Harriet.
London is very different to the countryside. She is expected to learn how to become a lady and to eventually find herself a husband.
So when Jack and Harriet meet for the very first time. There is an instant spark between them.
When Harriet rides away, Jack knows he must get to know Harriet more. She intrigues him.
I will stop there I don't want to spoil it for you. Let's just say it's exciting.
I loved Jack and Harriet' s relationship the connection between them was heartwarming. Plenty of teasing, playful banter and stolen kisses.
Although this was a romance, there is also a mystery alongside the storyline. That will keep you reading till the early hours.
This book is a fun , easy to read, light hearted romance and mystery.
Would I recommend this book, definitely!!
A perfect read for those who love Fun Romances, Regency, Mystery, easy to read books.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mills and Boon Insider for giving me the chance to read this beautiful book and review voluntarily.
My review will also be added to my blog :
Dashfan81.blogspot.com
September 1, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up
The Major Meets His Match is the first in a new, three-book series from Annie Burrows entitled Brides for Bachelors . The bachelors in question are gentlemen who have been friends since their schooldays, but who were separated when they went off to war and have just recently reunited. They are discovering that picking up their friendship where they left off isn’t going to be easy; they’re different people now, and it’s going to take a bit of work and understanding if they are to forge their former bond anew.
Jack Hesketh, Viscount Becconsall, is a third son who never thought to inherit and who is well aware that his father favoured his elder brothers and regarded him as the runt of the litter. He was never expected to amount to much, and when, at school, he was threatened by bullies because of his – then – small stature, he avoided too many drubbings by playing the fool and making the bullies laugh so that eventually they forgot why he had been their target. He has carried this tendency with him into adulthood; even though he is now a decorated military officer – a Major – he still hides his quick mind, sharp wit and true emotions behind a wall of teasing and joking, sometimes so successfully that even his closest friends find it easy to forget that his quips and jests are a cover.
It’s this automatic reaction that lands him in trouble when, after a reunion turned into an all-night carouse that has lasted until morning, Jack makes a wager that he can ride the Marquess of Rawcliffe’s prize stallion through Hyde Park while drunk without falling off. He is barrelling through the park when he startles another rider, a young woman, who, believing his horse has bolted, tries her best to stop it. Jack comes a-cropper, the young woman dismounts to ascertain if he is injured and Jack, deciding to take advantage of their relative positions, pulls her on top of him and kisses her soundly.
Lady Harriet Inskip is taking part in the Season under the auspices of her Aunt Susan, who would have a fit if she knew her niece was out riding in the park alone at such an early hour. But Harriet needed to shake off the restrictions of society for just a little while and a swift gallop was just the thing – although she hadn’t expected another rider to come bursting from the trees at full pelt. Harriet is simultaneously concerned for his safety and irritated by his idiocy and disregard for the safety of others – but nevertheless, she does what she can to calm the runaway horse and then, in spite of the voice in her head telling her to fetch help, to see to its rider.
The last thing she expects is to find herself being kissed... and worse, enjoying it. But the interlude ends quickly when the unknown rider’s friends make an appearance, and Harriet, indignant and furious, hurries away.
One of Jack’s friends – the haughty Marquess of Rawcliffe – opines that the young woman lying on top of Jack must have been a lightskirt, but Jack protests to the contrary and also realises that not only had she felt right in his arms, he’d liked her spirit and enjoyed their brief verbal fencing match. He wants to see her again, but can’t possibly admit that outright to his friends, so retreating to his default of joking to hide his real feelings, Jack makes a wager with Rawcliffe; whoever can locate the young lady and determine whether she is an innocent or otherwise will win their bet.
The story follows the course of Jack and Harriet’s relationship as they meet at society balls and outings and continue to strike sparks off each other. At first, Jack assumes that Harriet’s forthright, often prickly manner is designed to put off potential suitors, but eventually realises that it’s her defence mechanism. Nobody has ever taken much notice or care of her and her instinctive reaction whenever Jack says something complementary is to view it with suspicion and shrug it off or respond with a tart comment. Yet as they come to know each other, they begin to realise that they have more in common than they thought. Both Jack and Harriet have been discounted and often ignored by those who should have shown them love and affection and have learned to hide their hurt and self-doubt – in Jack’s case, behind joking good humour and in Harriet’s behind sharp-tongued put-downs and a façade of indifference. It’s going to take an act of courage on both their parts to drop their guards and admit the depth of their feelings for each other.
The romance that develops between Jack and Harriet is laced with wit, tenderness, charm and a nice simmer of sexual tension as they trade barbs while coming to a greater awareness of each other. The central characters are strongly characterised and I particularly appreciated the depiction of Harriet as an intelligent woman who isn’t afraid to express her opinions, but who also recognises that there are some rules she needs to follow. Ms. Burrows does a very good job of depicting the complicated relationship Harriet has with her mother and her dawning appreciation of what her aunt – whom she had initially regarded as trying to stifle her with convention – is trying to do for her by sponsoring her Season. This appreciation leads to the introduction of a sub-plot regarding some stolen rubies which I found rather insipid, but which, as it is not concluded here, I’m assuming is going to run through the rest of the series.
Jack and his friends - who still call each other by the nicknames drawn from Greek mythology they used at school - are well-drawn also, as is their friendship which, they discover, needs to be worked on given the changes they have all gone through. The marquess – aka Zeus – seems to be cold and unfeeling, but in an unguarded moment, lets something slip that tells Jack that there is more going on beneath his hard exterior than he would have others believe. Then there’s Atlas – Captain Bretherton – a naval officer who has returned from war almost literally a shadow of his former self, a man broken in body and spirit, who seems to be drifting through life without a purpose. Both are intriguing secondary characters here, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories in due course.
My reservations about the plotline concerning the rubies aside, I enjoyed The Major Meets His Match If you’re looking for a warm, humorous and emotionally satisfying historical romance, you could do worse than give this one a try.
The Major Meets His Match is the first in a new, three-book series from Annie Burrows entitled Brides for Bachelors . The bachelors in question are gentlemen who have been friends since their schooldays, but who were separated when they went off to war and have just recently reunited. They are discovering that picking up their friendship where they left off isn’t going to be easy; they’re different people now, and it’s going to take a bit of work and understanding if they are to forge their former bond anew.
Jack Hesketh, Viscount Becconsall, is a third son who never thought to inherit and who is well aware that his father favoured his elder brothers and regarded him as the runt of the litter. He was never expected to amount to much, and when, at school, he was threatened by bullies because of his – then – small stature, he avoided too many drubbings by playing the fool and making the bullies laugh so that eventually they forgot why he had been their target. He has carried this tendency with him into adulthood; even though he is now a decorated military officer – a Major – he still hides his quick mind, sharp wit and true emotions behind a wall of teasing and joking, sometimes so successfully that even his closest friends find it easy to forget that his quips and jests are a cover.
It’s this automatic reaction that lands him in trouble when, after a reunion turned into an all-night carouse that has lasted until morning, Jack makes a wager that he can ride the Marquess of Rawcliffe’s prize stallion through Hyde Park while drunk without falling off. He is barrelling through the park when he startles another rider, a young woman, who, believing his horse has bolted, tries her best to stop it. Jack comes a-cropper, the young woman dismounts to ascertain if he is injured and Jack, deciding to take advantage of their relative positions, pulls her on top of him and kisses her soundly.
Lady Harriet Inskip is taking part in the Season under the auspices of her Aunt Susan, who would have a fit if she knew her niece was out riding in the park alone at such an early hour. But Harriet needed to shake off the restrictions of society for just a little while and a swift gallop was just the thing – although she hadn’t expected another rider to come bursting from the trees at full pelt. Harriet is simultaneously concerned for his safety and irritated by his idiocy and disregard for the safety of others – but nevertheless, she does what she can to calm the runaway horse and then, in spite of the voice in her head telling her to fetch help, to see to its rider.
The last thing she expects is to find herself being kissed... and worse, enjoying it. But the interlude ends quickly when the unknown rider’s friends make an appearance, and Harriet, indignant and furious, hurries away.
One of Jack’s friends – the haughty Marquess of Rawcliffe – opines that the young woman lying on top of Jack must have been a lightskirt, but Jack protests to the contrary and also realises that not only had she felt right in his arms, he’d liked her spirit and enjoyed their brief verbal fencing match. He wants to see her again, but can’t possibly admit that outright to his friends, so retreating to his default of joking to hide his real feelings, Jack makes a wager with Rawcliffe; whoever can locate the young lady and determine whether she is an innocent or otherwise will win their bet.
The story follows the course of Jack and Harriet’s relationship as they meet at society balls and outings and continue to strike sparks off each other. At first, Jack assumes that Harriet’s forthright, often prickly manner is designed to put off potential suitors, but eventually realises that it’s her defence mechanism. Nobody has ever taken much notice or care of her and her instinctive reaction whenever Jack says something complementary is to view it with suspicion and shrug it off or respond with a tart comment. Yet as they come to know each other, they begin to realise that they have more in common than they thought. Both Jack and Harriet have been discounted and often ignored by those who should have shown them love and affection and have learned to hide their hurt and self-doubt – in Jack’s case, behind joking good humour and in Harriet’s behind sharp-tongued put-downs and a façade of indifference. It’s going to take an act of courage on both their parts to drop their guards and admit the depth of their feelings for each other.
The romance that develops between Jack and Harriet is laced with wit, tenderness, charm and a nice simmer of sexual tension as they trade barbs while coming to a greater awareness of each other. The central characters are strongly characterised and I particularly appreciated the depiction of Harriet as an intelligent woman who isn’t afraid to express her opinions, but who also recognises that there are some rules she needs to follow. Ms. Burrows does a very good job of depicting the complicated relationship Harriet has with her mother and her dawning appreciation of what her aunt – whom she had initially regarded as trying to stifle her with convention – is trying to do for her by sponsoring her Season. This appreciation leads to the introduction of a sub-plot regarding some stolen rubies which I found rather insipid, but which, as it is not concluded here, I’m assuming is going to run through the rest of the series.
Jack and his friends - who still call each other by the nicknames drawn from Greek mythology they used at school - are well-drawn also, as is their friendship which, they discover, needs to be worked on given the changes they have all gone through. The marquess – aka Zeus – seems to be cold and unfeeling, but in an unguarded moment, lets something slip that tells Jack that there is more going on beneath his hard exterior than he would have others believe. Then there’s Atlas – Captain Bretherton – a naval officer who has returned from war almost literally a shadow of his former self, a man broken in body and spirit, who seems to be drifting through life without a purpose. Both are intriguing secondary characters here, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories in due course.
My reservations about the plotline concerning the rubies aside, I enjoyed The Major Meets His Match If you’re looking for a warm, humorous and emotionally satisfying historical romance, you could do worse than give this one a try.
August 25, 2017
What a delightful read this was! We had a heroine who was spirited, but refreshingly so, not just irritatingly stubborn, plus a hero infuriating in his constant need to tease her. Their encounters were fun, and filled with a chemistry that had me wanting more.
And yet, underneath the teasing, behind the clowning, we readers could see all was not right. Both suffered from tremendous lack of self esteem, which kept them apart far better than any chaperone ever could have done. Before they could find one another, they had to find the treasures within themselves. To say nothing of the treasures that had gone missing from Ant Susan’s jewellery collection…
Harriet and Jack were real people, complex and flawed, and wonderful. They and their predicaments stayed with me after I put down the book.
Just three things detracted from the enjoyment.
1. I had to stop and check whether Jack was a Viscount because his father was dead, or whether it was because he was heir to an earl. Early in the book, a character referred to one of Jack’s deceased elder brothers as having been Viscount Becconsall, although we know both older brothers predeceased their father, indicating it was a courtesy title. But then, we’re led to believe Jack’s father has died, so it’s an hereditary one. A small point, perhaps, but to pedants like me, it matters.
2. The word oh! So many of Harriet’s speeches, especially towards the end, contain that word. It’s like well and er and um. They get used frequently in real life speech, but in the dialogue in a book, they can be wearing.
3. Finally, I am absolutely devastated to learn I must wait till January to read Book Two in this series. I hate when that happens. By January, I will have read so many more books, lived so much more life, that I will need a refresher course to remember Book 1 clearly.
(Although it won’t be so bad as long as book two is by the same author as book one. Mills and Boon don’t make reference to which books by different authors are linked, and the readers can miss an episode completely.)
So come on, Mills and Boon. Release the sequels sooner, please. And list the titles in a series, so we know which go together and what to look for.
And yet, underneath the teasing, behind the clowning, we readers could see all was not right. Both suffered from tremendous lack of self esteem, which kept them apart far better than any chaperone ever could have done. Before they could find one another, they had to find the treasures within themselves. To say nothing of the treasures that had gone missing from Ant Susan’s jewellery collection…
Harriet and Jack were real people, complex and flawed, and wonderful. They and their predicaments stayed with me after I put down the book.
Just three things detracted from the enjoyment.
1. I had to stop and check whether Jack was a Viscount because his father was dead, or whether it was because he was heir to an earl. Early in the book, a character referred to one of Jack’s deceased elder brothers as having been Viscount Becconsall, although we know both older brothers predeceased their father, indicating it was a courtesy title. But then, we’re led to believe Jack’s father has died, so it’s an hereditary one. A small point, perhaps, but to pedants like me, it matters.
2. The word oh! So many of Harriet’s speeches, especially towards the end, contain that word. It’s like well and er and um. They get used frequently in real life speech, but in the dialogue in a book, they can be wearing.
3. Finally, I am absolutely devastated to learn I must wait till January to read Book Two in this series. I hate when that happens. By January, I will have read so many more books, lived so much more life, that I will need a refresher course to remember Book 1 clearly.
(Although it won’t be so bad as long as book two is by the same author as book one. Mills and Boon don’t make reference to which books by different authors are linked, and the readers can miss an episode completely.)
So come on, Mills and Boon. Release the sequels sooner, please. And list the titles in a series, so we know which go together and what to look for.
January 14, 2020
3.5 stars
Well, that was very nice. A sweet romance (in all senses of the term). It was so refreshing to read about a soldier who was not wracked by PTSD, and a young girl who is not TSTL. I might have cheered quietly when I read:
Harriet and Jack are both youngest children, overlooked by their parents; they've adapted in different ways, but much of the pleasure in this simple story is watching them "see" each other. Their relationship moves from gentle bickering to genuine appreciation, and their reactions are the more convincing because they avoid the dramatics that bedevil so many other HRs. I liked too the realism of Jack's ambivalent reunion with his school-friends, and Harriet's sober realisation that her fussy, etiquette-mad aunt might actually have a point or two worth listening to. These felt like adult characters.
There's a flabby little plot round some stolen rubies, which is more a McGuffin than something of intrinsic interest, so the book's not perfect. I suspect this will be a series featuring Jack's friends and more about the rubies, so I could live with it. On the whole, though, you could go much further and do very much worse. I enjoyed this.
Well, that was very nice. A sweet romance (in all senses of the term). It was so refreshing to read about a soldier who was not wracked by PTSD, and a young girl who is not TSTL. I might have cheered quietly when I read:
To start with, if he could go to Thetford and make enquiries, then why shouldn’t she? She could saddle her horse and...
Actually, no, she couldn’t. Shadow was still stabled in the mews behind Tarbrook House...
Besides, a girl couldn’t turn up in a remote village, on horseback, without attendants, and expect locals to answer her questions in a helpful, or even respectful, manner. They’d think she was not a respectable person.
Harriet and Jack are both youngest children, overlooked by their parents; they've adapted in different ways, but much of the pleasure in this simple story is watching them "see" each other. Their relationship moves from gentle bickering to genuine appreciation, and their reactions are the more convincing because they avoid the dramatics that bedevil so many other HRs. I liked too the realism of Jack's ambivalent reunion with his school-friends, and Harriet's sober realisation that her fussy, etiquette-mad aunt might actually have a point or two worth listening to. These felt like adult characters.
There's a flabby little plot round some stolen rubies, which is more a McGuffin than something of intrinsic interest, so the book's not perfect. I suspect this will be a series featuring Jack's friends and more about the rubies, so I could live with it. On the whole, though, you could go much further and do very much worse. I enjoyed this.
August 30, 2017
This was a lovely, fun Regency read, with a teasing hero and a determined heroine. I liked both Harriet and Jack, even if there were times when I wanted to smack Jack for the way he continuously teases Harriet, especially when it’s clear it isn’t doing him any favours.
Because Jack isn’t very good at dealing with his feelings. He’s spent his whole life hiding his intelligence, preferring to play the fool and make people laugh rather than risk rejection. He’s been told he has to marry, which has firmly set him against the idea, and then along comes Harriet, upending all his plans and leaving him all adrift. He might be annoying at times, but he’s pretty endearing too, especially when he stops playing and tries to be serious.
Poor Harriet. She’s spent her life being overlooked and ignored, and then along comes Jack who certainly doesn’t ignore her, because he prefers to provoke her instead. Yet somehow, despite all the teasing, she does see the good in him. Even if she doesn’t want to. The pair of them are incredibly well matched, deep down, under all the gloss, and I loved how easily they could talk to each other – even when they weren’t trying.
But this book is about more than just the romance – there’s also a mystery unfolding. The sort of mystery that comes and goes at times, then seems of utmost importance, yet doesn’t actually get resolved before the end of the book. In fact, it looks like it’s set to run through the whole series, drawing in Jack’s various schoolboy friends in turn. Which is fine and definitely keeps things interesting, but it also completely overshadowed the romance at the end. Which was a shame, because as lovely as it was for them to be happy, it left that side of things feeling a little anticlimactic.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this. The writing is light, the characters are fun, the romance was lovely and the intriguing mystery left me definitely wanting more. I can’t wait for Rawcliffe’s book.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
Because Jack isn’t very good at dealing with his feelings. He’s spent his whole life hiding his intelligence, preferring to play the fool and make people laugh rather than risk rejection. He’s been told he has to marry, which has firmly set him against the idea, and then along comes Harriet, upending all his plans and leaving him all adrift. He might be annoying at times, but he’s pretty endearing too, especially when he stops playing and tries to be serious.
Poor Harriet. She’s spent her life being overlooked and ignored, and then along comes Jack who certainly doesn’t ignore her, because he prefers to provoke her instead. Yet somehow, despite all the teasing, she does see the good in him. Even if she doesn’t want to. The pair of them are incredibly well matched, deep down, under all the gloss, and I loved how easily they could talk to each other – even when they weren’t trying.
But this book is about more than just the romance – there’s also a mystery unfolding. The sort of mystery that comes and goes at times, then seems of utmost importance, yet doesn’t actually get resolved before the end of the book. In fact, it looks like it’s set to run through the whole series, drawing in Jack’s various schoolboy friends in turn. Which is fine and definitely keeps things interesting, but it also completely overshadowed the romance at the end. Which was a shame, because as lovely as it was for them to be happy, it left that side of things feeling a little anticlimactic.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this. The writing is light, the characters are fun, the romance was lovely and the intriguing mystery left me definitely wanting more. I can’t wait for Rawcliffe’s book.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
September 1, 2017
Jack Hesketh, Viscount Becconsall has been called a wastrel, rebel, layabout, just a few of the names he’s hidden his quick intellect and sharp wit behind over the years, he has the nickname Ulysses from his three closest friends. He’s recently gained the title. The four friends meet after several years & after a night of revelry Jack wages to ride a horse through the Park but the horse runs away with him & he’s aided by a young lady out riding.
After years of being overlooked, Lady Harriet Inskip cannot believe that Lord Becconsall is the only person to truly see her. But between his taunts and her fiery disposition, it's soon clear that the major has finally met his match. The attraction between the pair is instantaneous & when Harriet rides away Jack is determined to find her. A delightful read, Jack & Harriet have both been ignored by their parents Jack as the runt of the litter & Harriet because she’s a girl. They’ve both hidden their hurt & it was a relief to each of them to find their soul mate. The plot is well paced & I was eager for the mystery to be solved but find that it looks like the mystery will run throughout the series, so I eagerly await the other three stories. There was plenty of humour in the book, especially what the group wagered. A very enjoyable light read that left me smiling & wanting more.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
After years of being overlooked, Lady Harriet Inskip cannot believe that Lord Becconsall is the only person to truly see her. But between his taunts and her fiery disposition, it's soon clear that the major has finally met his match. The attraction between the pair is instantaneous & when Harriet rides away Jack is determined to find her. A delightful read, Jack & Harriet have both been ignored by their parents Jack as the runt of the litter & Harriet because she’s a girl. They’ve both hidden their hurt & it was a relief to each of them to find their soul mate. The plot is well paced & I was eager for the mystery to be solved but find that it looks like the mystery will run throughout the series, so I eagerly await the other three stories. There was plenty of humour in the book, especially what the group wagered. A very enjoyable light read that left me smiling & wanting more.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 22, 2017
Naughtiness 2*
Recieved in return from Mills and Boon Insiders in return for an honest review.
Absolutely loved this book very much, finished it in the early hours of the morning as I didn't want to put it down. As always Annie definitely does not disappoint, beautifully written and a huge abundance of characters and adventures within the book to thoroughly enjoy and even ones you want to shout at like I did at one point, confound stubborn males at times.
As always I will not give spoilers, I will say not all is as it seems and a future hero grows on you, truly though I very much adored this book awesome heroine and most definitely handsome hero, a very well earned ending. With this book you definitely feel many emotions from outrage to ecstatic. I must admit a time or two weeping moments aswell as wanting to slap a character at one point (yes I did get that into it).
I very much adored reading this book and cannot wait to read the next in the series, I recommended very highly to all who love regency romance especially with a hint of mystery and an adventure with some giggles on the way.
Thank you Lady Annie for writing it and Insiders for asking g me to read it though truth be told I was already going to get it as it was on my to get list.
Recieved in return from Mills and Boon Insiders in return for an honest review.
Absolutely loved this book very much, finished it in the early hours of the morning as I didn't want to put it down. As always Annie definitely does not disappoint, beautifully written and a huge abundance of characters and adventures within the book to thoroughly enjoy and even ones you want to shout at like I did at one point, confound stubborn males at times.
As always I will not give spoilers, I will say not all is as it seems and a future hero grows on you, truly though I very much adored this book awesome heroine and most definitely handsome hero, a very well earned ending. With this book you definitely feel many emotions from outrage to ecstatic. I must admit a time or two weeping moments aswell as wanting to slap a character at one point (yes I did get that into it).
I very much adored reading this book and cannot wait to read the next in the series, I recommended very highly to all who love regency romance especially with a hint of mystery and an adventure with some giggles on the way.
Thank you Lady Annie for writing it and Insiders for asking g me to read it though truth be told I was already going to get it as it was on my to get list.
August 27, 2017
The Major Meets His Match is the first book in the Brides for Bachelors series by Annie Burrows.
Jack Hesketh, Lord Becconsall, known to his closest friends as Ulysses, was a major in the army. His two older brothers are dead and now he has the duty of being heir to his family title and estates. His father has never cared much for him and makes it clear that he is heartbroken that his two sons have died, sons that would be much better suited to be his heir. All he expects from Jack is to marry and beget a son as soon as possible. Things that Jack is in no hurry to do.
Lady Harriet is the only sister to 3 brothers. Her father has only ever shown an interest in his sons and teaching them all there is to know about looking after the estates. Her mother was so busy with her scientific endeavours that she didn't spend any time looking after the house or making sure her daughter learned manners and the ways of society. Things that she needed to know in order to find a husband. Fortunately, Harriet's aunt decides to take her under her wing and offers to sponsor Harriet coming out into London society.
Harriet is used to living life to the full in the country, wearing what she wants, doing what she wants, definitely not thinking about the daft rules of London society. Feeling overwhelmed with all the things her aunt was trying to teach her, Harriet goes out in the very early hours of the morning for a ride in Hyde Park. It is there that she has her first meeting with Jack. A very funny first meeting that also includes her very first kiss!
Jack is fascinated by Harriet and despite having the wrong impression of her at their first meeting, he finds out who she is and before he knows it he is attending balls and functions because he thinks she is a breath of fresh air whom he can be himself around. He also thinks that she isn't looking for a husband, and as he isn't looking for a wife he thinks they are a great pair. He isn't at all pleased when he realises he is wrong, and that Harriet does indeed want a husband.
The couple obviously have feelings for each other, but both, for one reason or another, believe that the other isn't right for them. Communication is the key to any chance they might have for a love match, but how to make that happen, that's the question?
I really enjoyed this book, it was well written, the characters were all likeable, well apart from Harriet's Uncle that is, and as well as the romance there was even mystery afoot, the case of some missing jewels. So not only were we treated to a love story with laughs and a little sadness, we also had intrigue and suspense.
The only thing that I didn't like about the story is that although we do get given a theory behind the jewel theft, nothing is proven definitively and the culprits aren't arrested! Will that storyline continue in the next book? If so, then it's not so bad, but if it doesn't, then I will be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
Jack Hesketh, Lord Becconsall, known to his closest friends as Ulysses, was a major in the army. His two older brothers are dead and now he has the duty of being heir to his family title and estates. His father has never cared much for him and makes it clear that he is heartbroken that his two sons have died, sons that would be much better suited to be his heir. All he expects from Jack is to marry and beget a son as soon as possible. Things that Jack is in no hurry to do.
Lady Harriet is the only sister to 3 brothers. Her father has only ever shown an interest in his sons and teaching them all there is to know about looking after the estates. Her mother was so busy with her scientific endeavours that she didn't spend any time looking after the house or making sure her daughter learned manners and the ways of society. Things that she needed to know in order to find a husband. Fortunately, Harriet's aunt decides to take her under her wing and offers to sponsor Harriet coming out into London society.
Harriet is used to living life to the full in the country, wearing what she wants, doing what she wants, definitely not thinking about the daft rules of London society. Feeling overwhelmed with all the things her aunt was trying to teach her, Harriet goes out in the very early hours of the morning for a ride in Hyde Park. It is there that she has her first meeting with Jack. A very funny first meeting that also includes her very first kiss!
Jack is fascinated by Harriet and despite having the wrong impression of her at their first meeting, he finds out who she is and before he knows it he is attending balls and functions because he thinks she is a breath of fresh air whom he can be himself around. He also thinks that she isn't looking for a husband, and as he isn't looking for a wife he thinks they are a great pair. He isn't at all pleased when he realises he is wrong, and that Harriet does indeed want a husband.
The couple obviously have feelings for each other, but both, for one reason or another, believe that the other isn't right for them. Communication is the key to any chance they might have for a love match, but how to make that happen, that's the question?
I really enjoyed this book, it was well written, the characters were all likeable, well apart from Harriet's Uncle that is, and as well as the romance there was even mystery afoot, the case of some missing jewels. So not only were we treated to a love story with laughs and a little sadness, we also had intrigue and suspense.
The only thing that I didn't like about the story is that although we do get given a theory behind the jewel theft, nothing is proven definitively and the culprits aren't arrested! Will that storyline continue in the next book? If so, then it's not so bad, but if it doesn't, then I will be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
December 3, 2017
Wow! I really liked this one. It is part 1 of a series that will follow our Hero Jack and his friends who all knew each other at school. All of the characters are well written and well developed. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
The romance between Jack and Harriet developed slowly as they meet at various balls and parties. They both have their insecurities, but they are a perfect fit for each other. They have great banter and nice sexual tension. There are only kisses exchanged, but it still bubbles with romance.
The ending felt a bit abrupt but there is a minor mystery about some rubies that I'm assuming will carry throughout the series.
The romance between Jack and Harriet developed slowly as they meet at various balls and parties. They both have their insecurities, but they are a perfect fit for each other. They have great banter and nice sexual tension. There are only kisses exchanged, but it still bubbles with romance.
The ending felt a bit abrupt but there is a minor mystery about some rubies that I'm assuming will carry throughout the series.
July 4, 2020
Ms Burrows has written a clean romance/mystery. It does seem to take some time to get to the mystery, and it is unsolved. So I am looking forward to the second book in the series The Marquess Tames His Bride for more about the mystery. Harriet who is impulsive to Lord Becconsall's jokester attitude almost costs them their HEA. Good book.
Read
August 7, 2017Miniseries: Brides for Bachelors
October 22, 2017
Good book. Harriet and Jack appear to be opposites at first glance. Harriet is young, innocent but also spirited, and rather stubborn. Raised in the country, she has had no training in what is expected of girls when they enter Society, instead experiencing a somewhat unusual upbringing. She has come to London with her aunt and cousin to participate in the Season but finds herself chafing at the restrictions placed on her by her aunt. She sneaks out one morning for a rousing ride, which is where she meets Jack.
Jack has recently and unexpectedly inherited the title, making it necessary for him to leave the army career that he liked. He has a reputation for being lazy and rebellious, and with the ascension to the title "encouraged" to marry as soon as possible. He has no intention of doing so, as he likes his life just as it is. He has recently reunited with three friends from school, though getting to know each other as adults has been a challenging undertaking. An all-night, drunken carouse and ill-advised wager has Jack literally falling at Harriet's feet.
Jack and his friends do not make a good first impression on Harriet. She is disgusted by his apparent disregard for the horse or the safety of those he encounters. She is stunned when he grabs her and kisses her, though she can't deny that he stirs up an unexpected reaction. His equally intoxicated friends make untoward comments to and about her. I enjoyed seeing her stand up to them, before fleeing their company. She has made a completely different impression on Jack, however, who defends her to his friends and is determined to find out who she is.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Harriet and Jack. They meet at various Society events where the sparks between them fly. Jack insists on teasing her, gaining great enjoyment from making her lose her temper, while Harriet gives as good as she gets when she can no longer hold back. But there is more going on than appears. Jack's seemingly juvenile teasing hides a lack of confidence in himself. As the youngest and smallest of three brothers, he was bullied by his brothers and regarded with disgust by his father, who called him "the runt of the litter." This continued through school, where he used humor and clowning around to distract those who tormented him. Even as an adult and military officer, he hid his emotions and intelligence behind a wall of foolishness as a way to avoid being rejected. Even his friends occasionally forget which is the real Jack. Harriet also feels out of her depth. As the only girl with three older brothers, she has felt ignored and invisible for most of her life. Her father has only been interested in his three sons. Her mother, who has a brilliant scientific mind, is oblivious to her obligations, leaving Harriet to fend for herself. She is stuck taking care of the household until her aunt sweeps her away to London. Though her aunt means well, her words frequently add to Harriet's feelings of inadequacy. Once Harriet and Jack begin to spend time together their teasing turns to friendship. I liked seeing them recognize their similarities and how that added to their growing feelings for each other. It was a little amusing to see Jack panic a bit when he realized that he was thinking about her far more than he was comfortable with. He is also surprised by the protectiveness he feels toward her. I loved his insistence on helping her with her quest, and his rather ingenious method of convincing her to let his friends help. I liked the ending, as they easily slipped into sharing hopes and ideas for their future.
I liked seeing the various relationships among the characters in the story. Jack's relationships with his three friends are at times close and at others quite awkward. His friend Zeus was especially irritating with his cynical attitude and arrogant behavior. I would have thoroughly disliked him, except for one incident that made him much more human and sympathetic. There was a scene involving the stakes of a wager that had Harriet dissolved in laughter and Jack's friends looking rather sheepish. I ached for Jack and the effect his father's attitude had on him. Harriet's mother annoyed me a lot. She was self-absorbed and rude. She had one brief instance of standing up for Harriet, but even that seemed to have selfish undertones. I wasn't too sure about Harriet's Aunt Susan at first, but she turned out to be pretty sweet. I liked the way that she wanted to give Harriet a chance to find a good husband. I liked Harriet's determination to repay her by clearing her name. Harriet's uncle was obnoxious through most of the book. I thought he was a terrible bully, to both Harriet and Aunt Susan.
There was an interesting secondary story regarding some missing jewels that contributed to Harriet's issues with her aunt and uncle. I liked the way that Harriet wanted to help, though her initial attempts got her into trouble. I liked Jack's protectiveness as he insisted on helping her and getting his friends involved also. There are some good leads that come to light, enabling Harriet to help her aunt. However, the mystery is not fully resolved, so I expect there will be more revealed in the next book.
I do have one concern that lingers after finishing the book. This is the first of a trilogy involving Jack and his three friends. Four men, three books - who gets left out and why?
Jack has recently and unexpectedly inherited the title, making it necessary for him to leave the army career that he liked. He has a reputation for being lazy and rebellious, and with the ascension to the title "encouraged" to marry as soon as possible. He has no intention of doing so, as he likes his life just as it is. He has recently reunited with three friends from school, though getting to know each other as adults has been a challenging undertaking. An all-night, drunken carouse and ill-advised wager has Jack literally falling at Harriet's feet.
Jack and his friends do not make a good first impression on Harriet. She is disgusted by his apparent disregard for the horse or the safety of those he encounters. She is stunned when he grabs her and kisses her, though she can't deny that he stirs up an unexpected reaction. His equally intoxicated friends make untoward comments to and about her. I enjoyed seeing her stand up to them, before fleeing their company. She has made a completely different impression on Jack, however, who defends her to his friends and is determined to find out who she is.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Harriet and Jack. They meet at various Society events where the sparks between them fly. Jack insists on teasing her, gaining great enjoyment from making her lose her temper, while Harriet gives as good as she gets when she can no longer hold back. But there is more going on than appears. Jack's seemingly juvenile teasing hides a lack of confidence in himself. As the youngest and smallest of three brothers, he was bullied by his brothers and regarded with disgust by his father, who called him "the runt of the litter." This continued through school, where he used humor and clowning around to distract those who tormented him. Even as an adult and military officer, he hid his emotions and intelligence behind a wall of foolishness as a way to avoid being rejected. Even his friends occasionally forget which is the real Jack. Harriet also feels out of her depth. As the only girl with three older brothers, she has felt ignored and invisible for most of her life. Her father has only been interested in his three sons. Her mother, who has a brilliant scientific mind, is oblivious to her obligations, leaving Harriet to fend for herself. She is stuck taking care of the household until her aunt sweeps her away to London. Though her aunt means well, her words frequently add to Harriet's feelings of inadequacy. Once Harriet and Jack begin to spend time together their teasing turns to friendship. I liked seeing them recognize their similarities and how that added to their growing feelings for each other. It was a little amusing to see Jack panic a bit when he realized that he was thinking about her far more than he was comfortable with. He is also surprised by the protectiveness he feels toward her. I loved his insistence on helping her with her quest, and his rather ingenious method of convincing her to let his friends help. I liked the ending, as they easily slipped into sharing hopes and ideas for their future.
I liked seeing the various relationships among the characters in the story. Jack's relationships with his three friends are at times close and at others quite awkward. His friend Zeus was especially irritating with his cynical attitude and arrogant behavior. I would have thoroughly disliked him, except for one incident that made him much more human and sympathetic. There was a scene involving the stakes of a wager that had Harriet dissolved in laughter and Jack's friends looking rather sheepish. I ached for Jack and the effect his father's attitude had on him. Harriet's mother annoyed me a lot. She was self-absorbed and rude. She had one brief instance of standing up for Harriet, but even that seemed to have selfish undertones. I wasn't too sure about Harriet's Aunt Susan at first, but she turned out to be pretty sweet. I liked the way that she wanted to give Harriet a chance to find a good husband. I liked Harriet's determination to repay her by clearing her name. Harriet's uncle was obnoxious through most of the book. I thought he was a terrible bully, to both Harriet and Aunt Susan.
There was an interesting secondary story regarding some missing jewels that contributed to Harriet's issues with her aunt and uncle. I liked the way that Harriet wanted to help, though her initial attempts got her into trouble. I liked Jack's protectiveness as he insisted on helping her and getting his friends involved also. There are some good leads that come to light, enabling Harriet to help her aunt. However, the mystery is not fully resolved, so I expect there will be more revealed in the next book.
I do have one concern that lingers after finishing the book. This is the first of a trilogy involving Jack and his three friends. Four men, three books - who gets left out and why?
July 22, 2020
"The Major Meets His Match" by Annie Burrows was quite a surprise. I was not expecting the little mystery of the rubies and that was definitely a fun thing to have, although it made me want to read more about Jack's friends because of that last scene.
Now, the main characters, the couple, the intriguing Jack and the amazing Harriet. What a fantastic duo!
They were so interesting together. All the moments they were together had sparks flying and I had fun. There were a lot of things about their past that made them understand one another which was such a great thing, it made them no only connect but also it made us connect with them and their background.
Then there is the plot. And I always find the society and the rules interesting. It's quite weird to think that it washes that long ago, and that in some things some people still have to deal with it. Nevertheless, I love how Annie Burrows created a strong female character.
From the first time we meet her she's has this free spirit touch. And from then on, certain things Harriet does makes us truly respected her and see how her background has turned her into this kind of woman with strong believes and a fiery personality.
Also, like I said, the mystery of the rubies gave the plot an extra layer. It allows us to see more of the characters interactions and have something intriguing to figure out.
Overall it was a solid historical romances for me. And I'm quite intrigued to look up the authors books and see if Jack's friends get there romance story.
Now, the main characters, the couple, the intriguing Jack and the amazing Harriet. What a fantastic duo!
They were so interesting together. All the moments they were together had sparks flying and I had fun. There were a lot of things about their past that made them understand one another which was such a great thing, it made them no only connect but also it made us connect with them and their background.
Then there is the plot. And I always find the society and the rules interesting. It's quite weird to think that it washes that long ago, and that in some things some people still have to deal with it. Nevertheless, I love how Annie Burrows created a strong female character.
From the first time we meet her she's has this free spirit touch. And from then on, certain things Harriet does makes us truly respected her and see how her background has turned her into this kind of woman with strong believes and a fiery personality.
Also, like I said, the mystery of the rubies gave the plot an extra layer. It allows us to see more of the characters interactions and have something intriguing to figure out.
Overall it was a solid historical romances for me. And I'm quite intrigued to look up the authors books and see if Jack's friends get there romance story.
September 26, 2018
A refreshing read. I so much enjoyed reading this story. Loved all the characters.
5☆
5☆
September 23, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review via Netgalley.
It took me a while to get into this book, as I struggled a little with the character of the hero at first. Also, the lack of confidence of the heroine was quite a heavy burden throughout the book. I did warm to them both by the end, which led to my four star rating.
Lord Becconsall and Lady Harriet almost literally collide right at the beginning of this book, and it is clear that they are opposites...until they are not! They both suffer from families who see them as something like second best. Despite outward appearances, these two have more in common than they think.
When the hero and heroine first met, I did wonder how serious the hero could turn out to be due to his casual treatment of the situation and his friends. I also could not see that Harriet could grow much as a character due to being stifled by her duty to her aunt in how she conducted herself, and the obvious damage done by her careless parents.
I did not foresee how well Annie Burrows would suck me in as a reader once the pair met again, and instead of an instant, obvious attraction, we learn how this grows between them as they continue to meet and therefore rely on and miss each other. I particularly liked this area of sweetness in the story.
I did find the mystery of the missing jewels part of the story a little unnecessary, and felt it added little at the time. It did allow Harriet to finally interact with her aunt and uncle, and to some extent her mother in a more adult way but I now see that it was there to lead the reader into the next story in the series. I felt that this could have been done better simply by giving the next hero a bit more development in the book.
However, I really enjoyed it, the hero and heroine's growth by the end. I will look out for the next story in the series.
It took me a while to get into this book, as I struggled a little with the character of the hero at first. Also, the lack of confidence of the heroine was quite a heavy burden throughout the book. I did warm to them both by the end, which led to my four star rating.
Lord Becconsall and Lady Harriet almost literally collide right at the beginning of this book, and it is clear that they are opposites...until they are not! They both suffer from families who see them as something like second best. Despite outward appearances, these two have more in common than they think.
When the hero and heroine first met, I did wonder how serious the hero could turn out to be due to his casual treatment of the situation and his friends. I also could not see that Harriet could grow much as a character due to being stifled by her duty to her aunt in how she conducted herself, and the obvious damage done by her careless parents.
I did not foresee how well Annie Burrows would suck me in as a reader once the pair met again, and instead of an instant, obvious attraction, we learn how this grows between them as they continue to meet and therefore rely on and miss each other. I particularly liked this area of sweetness in the story.
I did find the mystery of the missing jewels part of the story a little unnecessary, and felt it added little at the time. It did allow Harriet to finally interact with her aunt and uncle, and to some extent her mother in a more adult way but I now see that it was there to lead the reader into the next story in the series. I felt that this could have been done better simply by giving the next hero a bit more development in the book.
However, I really enjoyed it, the hero and heroine's growth by the end. I will look out for the next story in the series.
September 3, 2017
Lady Harriet has come to London for the Season to stay with her aunt and be launched into society alongside her younger cousin. More used to the countryside and her academic mother, Harriet is not finding London to her liking, or the endless social events her aunt takes her to. While sneaking out for an early morning ride, she bumps into Lord Becconsall (Jack) and his friends. Jack decides he must find out who she is, and subsequently meets her at a ball.
Their interactions are sharp, as they poke at each other but also allow themselves to be honest, something they haven't done with others in their life recently. I really enjoyed reading about them getting to know each other, and seeing them grow closer, then draw back, then get closer again, and so on. It's a very believable relationship, which is a huge plus in my book - so often, relationships seem rushed to the point that I can't bring myself to believe them, but the pacing in The Major Meets His Match is excellent.
I also loved the other relationships in the book. Harriet gets on well with her aunt and cousin, and really appreciates how her aunt is trying to help her, while still having a good relationship with both of her own parents. Of course we need a little bit of angst, which comes in the form of Jack's disapproving (and now dead) father, who thought his estate would be passed to one of Jack's brothers. Having never expected to inherit anything, Jack must deal with the pressure of learning to manage an estate, and the weight of expectations (or lack thereof) of the various staff tied in to the estate.
This is book one of a series, with the others to follow Jack's three friends, I think. There's an interesting theft plot that kicks off in The Major Meets His Match and isn't entirely solved, so I expect there will be more about that in the next book. I don't think I've read anything by Annie Burrows before, but I'm always looking for more well written historical romance, so I'm going to go and find her previous books now, and I'll definitely read the sequel to this one when it comes out. A believable romance with all the rogues and parties you'd hope for in historical romance, The Major Meets His Match was a great read. Annie Burrows is an author all fans of the genre should try. 8 out of 10.
[Review first posted on my book blog; link is in my profile. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
Their interactions are sharp, as they poke at each other but also allow themselves to be honest, something they haven't done with others in their life recently. I really enjoyed reading about them getting to know each other, and seeing them grow closer, then draw back, then get closer again, and so on. It's a very believable relationship, which is a huge plus in my book - so often, relationships seem rushed to the point that I can't bring myself to believe them, but the pacing in The Major Meets His Match is excellent.
I also loved the other relationships in the book. Harriet gets on well with her aunt and cousin, and really appreciates how her aunt is trying to help her, while still having a good relationship with both of her own parents. Of course we need a little bit of angst, which comes in the form of Jack's disapproving (and now dead) father, who thought his estate would be passed to one of Jack's brothers. Having never expected to inherit anything, Jack must deal with the pressure of learning to manage an estate, and the weight of expectations (or lack thereof) of the various staff tied in to the estate.
This is book one of a series, with the others to follow Jack's three friends, I think. There's an interesting theft plot that kicks off in The Major Meets His Match and isn't entirely solved, so I expect there will be more about that in the next book. I don't think I've read anything by Annie Burrows before, but I'm always looking for more well written historical romance, so I'm going to go and find her previous books now, and I'll definitely read the sequel to this one when it comes out. A believable romance with all the rogues and parties you'd hope for in historical romance, The Major Meets His Match was a great read. Annie Burrows is an author all fans of the genre should try. 8 out of 10.
[Review first posted on my book blog; link is in my profile. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
October 26, 2017
Once again displaying her talent for chaos in the midst of matchmaking, Ms. Burrows adds quite a bit of humor to spice the sauce for her romantic lovers in this particular novel. Lady Harriet Inskip has a truly memorable meet-cute moment with Lord Jack Becconsall when he goes flying from a runaway horse and she attempts to see if he’s injured. Drunk and half-unconscious, he’s not so out of it that he doesn’t try kissing her and tumbling her into the grass, an abrupt maneuver that the startled lady is quick to dissuade him from with a good whack from her riding crop.
Matters get fairly lively from there as Jack (called “Ulysses” by his friends) attempts to track down the intrepid lass who smacked him. Lady Harriet is just as equally determined to keep as far away from him as possible. However, societal conventions and Jack’s own curiosity and burgeoning desire contrive to throw them both in each other’s paths often and with a lot of sparking conversation between them. It’s fun to read as the two of them spar and parry with each other.
Both Harriet and Jack share lively minds, kind hearts and bitter pasts that cause them to act out in similar ways. Having both decided that marriage is not in the cards for either of them, they rebound and rebuff as often as they attract. A mystery about missing jewels also serves to draw the would-be lovers closer together in that it brings Harriet into proximity with Jack’s childhood chums (it’s regular for Regency romances to feature groups of male friends; female circles can be found in the literature but aren’t quite as common).
But it’s not always about our two lovers. There are quite a few secondary characters to attract interest, including two middle-aged spouses who make startling discoveries about one another as well as Harriet’s brilliant yet absent-minded mother. The author fully realizes that shifting focus away from the main couples every now and again heightens the interests when the reader is once again led back to our merry duo.
It’s a really good novel and an insightful start to the series (no doubt showing the other members of Jack’s quartet and solving the mystery of the missing gems). I recommend reading about Harriet and Jack and want to know just what happens next.
Matters get fairly lively from there as Jack (called “Ulysses” by his friends) attempts to track down the intrepid lass who smacked him. Lady Harriet is just as equally determined to keep as far away from him as possible. However, societal conventions and Jack’s own curiosity and burgeoning desire contrive to throw them both in each other’s paths often and with a lot of sparking conversation between them. It’s fun to read as the two of them spar and parry with each other.
Both Harriet and Jack share lively minds, kind hearts and bitter pasts that cause them to act out in similar ways. Having both decided that marriage is not in the cards for either of them, they rebound and rebuff as often as they attract. A mystery about missing jewels also serves to draw the would-be lovers closer together in that it brings Harriet into proximity with Jack’s childhood chums (it’s regular for Regency romances to feature groups of male friends; female circles can be found in the literature but aren’t quite as common).
But it’s not always about our two lovers. There are quite a few secondary characters to attract interest, including two middle-aged spouses who make startling discoveries about one another as well as Harriet’s brilliant yet absent-minded mother. The author fully realizes that shifting focus away from the main couples every now and again heightens the interests when the reader is once again led back to our merry duo.
It’s a really good novel and an insightful start to the series (no doubt showing the other members of Jack’s quartet and solving the mystery of the missing gems). I recommend reading about Harriet and Jack and want to know just what happens next.
June 13, 2022
"Per tutta la serata si era sentito sprofondare in un pozzo nero di delusione finché, all'improvviso, lei non era apparsa al centro dell'unico punto luminoso dell'intera notte. E quel bacio lo aveva rianimato, come la vista di un faro avrebbe potuto rianimare un marinaio sferzato dalla tempesta.
Speranza, ecco cosa gli aveva donato.
[...] Speranza, ecco come l'avrebbe chiamata mentre la cercava. Perché no? Perché non ricordare l'unica luce della serata come la scintilla di speranza in una vita che, negli ultimi tempi, ne era priva?
Un'altra cosa: valeva sempre la pena di seguire le proprie speranze."
Carino ma un po' piatto, i personaggi sono abbastanza bidimensionali e tante cose rimangono molto superficiali, come il rapporto dei protagonisti con le rispettive famiglie o l'amicizia che lega il gruppo di Jack, che non solo sembrano non avere assolutamente NULLA in comune tranne ricordi adolescenziali ma la maggior parte delle loro interazioni manca proprio di affiatamento e complicità, sembrano estranei messi insieme a caso (nonostante ciò abbiamo qualche breve scorcio interessante che immagino verrà approfondito negli altri libri della serie) ^^'' Il mistero dei rubini avrebbe potuto dare quel tocco in più alla storia ma anche quello rimane aperto, almeno per ora, e il finale è decisamente affrettato, con i nostri eroi che da qualche battibecco passano a rotolarsi sul divano... e lei manco conosce il suo nome XD
Speranza, ecco cosa gli aveva donato.
[...] Speranza, ecco come l'avrebbe chiamata mentre la cercava. Perché no? Perché non ricordare l'unica luce della serata come la scintilla di speranza in una vita che, negli ultimi tempi, ne era priva?
Un'altra cosa: valeva sempre la pena di seguire le proprie speranze."
Carino ma un po' piatto, i personaggi sono abbastanza bidimensionali e tante cose rimangono molto superficiali, come il rapporto dei protagonisti con le rispettive famiglie o l'amicizia che lega il gruppo di Jack, che non solo sembrano non avere assolutamente NULLA in comune tranne ricordi adolescenziali ma la maggior parte delle loro interazioni manca proprio di affiatamento e complicità, sembrano estranei messi insieme a caso (nonostante ciò abbiamo qualche breve scorcio interessante che immagino verrà approfondito negli altri libri della serie) ^^'' Il mistero dei rubini avrebbe potuto dare quel tocco in più alla storia ma anche quello rimane aperto, almeno per ora, e il finale è decisamente affrettato, con i nostri eroi che da qualche battibecco passano a rotolarsi sul divano... e lei manco conosce il suo nome XD
March 29, 2026
Quotes:
“’Lady Harriet is, perchance a follower of all the latest scientific investigations,’ said Lord Rawcliffe sarcastically, ‘and has been impressed by the brilliance of your latest publication regarding your theories concerning the properties of dephlogisticated air.’
If there was one thing Harriet knew about, thanks to her mother’s obsession with all things scientific, it was the vast range of theories currently being hotly debated regarding various gases.
‘Not at all,’ she said, flinging up her chin mutinously. ‘There is nothing the least bit impressive about suffocating mice under glass domes.’
All three men changed the way they were looking at her”(p. 120).
“No wonder Lord Becconsall and his friends had no compunction about wagering on her the way they’d wager on a horse or a dog.
She blinked rapidly to clear her vision. She’d been of no account to anyone, all her life. So why should it hurt so much to find she was still of no account, now she’d come to London? She had never expected anything else, had she?”(p. 132).
“Harriet tried to imagine her uncle feeling insecure about himself and failed. If anything, she suspected the opposite of what her mother had suggested. That he believed in himself so completely that he couldn’t understand why anyone could possibly have an opinion that ran counter to his own.
Much like Mama.
No wonder they clashed”(p. 161).
“’Lady Harriet is, perchance a follower of all the latest scientific investigations,’ said Lord Rawcliffe sarcastically, ‘and has been impressed by the brilliance of your latest publication regarding your theories concerning the properties of dephlogisticated air.’
If there was one thing Harriet knew about, thanks to her mother’s obsession with all things scientific, it was the vast range of theories currently being hotly debated regarding various gases.
‘Not at all,’ she said, flinging up her chin mutinously. ‘There is nothing the least bit impressive about suffocating mice under glass domes.’
All three men changed the way they were looking at her”(p. 120).
“No wonder Lord Becconsall and his friends had no compunction about wagering on her the way they’d wager on a horse or a dog.
She blinked rapidly to clear her vision. She’d been of no account to anyone, all her life. So why should it hurt so much to find she was still of no account, now she’d come to London? She had never expected anything else, had she?”(p. 132).
“Harriet tried to imagine her uncle feeling insecure about himself and failed. If anything, she suspected the opposite of what her mother had suggested. That he believed in himself so completely that he couldn’t understand why anyone could possibly have an opinion that ran counter to his own.
Much like Mama.
No wonder they clashed”(p. 161).
September 7, 2017
This is a book which had something to bite.Rather than the usual formula of insta-lust there is a connection between Jack and Hariette which develops into love over time.Their first meeting in the park was very well done.Especially the reactions of his friends which is very true to the time period.One of the best things about the book is that the other characters aren't reduced to cardboard cutouts.It took Jack time to see that his friends have grown up and are different from what he remembered from his school days.In the same way Harriet discovered that her aunt is more than just a fairy godmother who whisked her into a magical new world.She's a human being with her own life and problems.The characters grow up over the book.Jack decides to take up the responsibilities he had been ignoring.Harriet finds her own style and confidence and starts thinking seriously about her future.Though she's clever it's refreshing to see a heroine who isn't a bluestocking or a reformer. The Greek nicknames of Jack and friends fits their characters very well.Oh and the stake for their wager which is revealed at the end! Hilarious.The plot of the missing jewels was intriguing.I like how it wasn't resolved in this book.I hope the sequels come out soon.We have a Cynical Duke(not literal), Disillusioned Veteran and a Nerdy Scientist to look forward to.
September 25, 2017
Escape to Regency England.
The Major Meets His Match
By: Annie Burrows
Harlequin Historical Sept 2017
Escape to Regency England.
Lady Harriet Inskip is a country girl. She finds London, with all the rules for young ladies, too restrictive. So she saddles her mare and goes riding in the park before the dawn.
Jack (Ulysses) Hesketh bets his friends he can ride any horse – sober or drunk. He’s the latter. And when he tumbles to the ground he’s not sure if it’s the brandy or the bump on the head which makes him kiss the girl.
Balls, picnics, school chums, and science lectures are all good fun as this couple fights their attraction for each other. Until the rubies go missing – then this weekend escape takes a serious turn. And Ms. Burrows dangles the solution in front of the reader as bait for the next in this new series.
The Major Meets His Match
By: Annie Burrows
Harlequin Historical Sept 2017
Escape to Regency England.
Lady Harriet Inskip is a country girl. She finds London, with all the rules for young ladies, too restrictive. So she saddles her mare and goes riding in the park before the dawn.
Jack (Ulysses) Hesketh bets his friends he can ride any horse – sober or drunk. He’s the latter. And when he tumbles to the ground he’s not sure if it’s the brandy or the bump on the head which makes him kiss the girl.
Balls, picnics, school chums, and science lectures are all good fun as this couple fights their attraction for each other. Until the rubies go missing – then this weekend escape takes a serious turn. And Ms. Burrows dangles the solution in front of the reader as bait for the next in this new series.
January 28, 2019
Another fun, heartfelt, romance by Annie Burrows
Annie Burrows writes fun, funny romances, and The Major Meets His Match is a good fit with her other books.
Lady Harriet, a headstrong young miss, and Lord Becconsall, a rakish, mischievous young man, accidentally run into each other one morning at Hyde Park in London. So begins many a Regency romance. What sets this story apart, however, is thehidden depths and many layers of the main characters. They appear to be one way on the surface, but there is more to each of them than meets the eye. There is also lots of sparkling dialogue and some interesting secondary characters.
The romance is fun, but getting to know the characters is even better.
Warning: I'd say this story is PG-13; There are sexual references, but not graphic sex scenes
Annie Burrows writes fun, funny romances, and The Major Meets His Match is a good fit with her other books.
Lady Harriet, a headstrong young miss, and Lord Becconsall, a rakish, mischievous young man, accidentally run into each other one morning at Hyde Park in London. So begins many a Regency romance. What sets this story apart, however, is thehidden depths and many layers of the main characters. They appear to be one way on the surface, but there is more to each of them than meets the eye. There is also lots of sparkling dialogue and some interesting secondary characters.
The romance is fun, but getting to know the characters is even better.
Warning: I'd say this story is PG-13; There are sexual references, but not graphic sex scenes
September 18, 2017
As the 50-something year old mom of 2 kids, this chaste virgin stuff isn't for me. Although, I would recommend this book for virgin teenagers, like my daughter. The story moved along pretty well, but I was frustrated with the ending, but I won't explain due to spoilers. I'll just say that with Harriet's tyrannical uncle does something in the end that is completely inconsistent with his character and personality. And there is the other matter regarding rubies that I'm left feeling unsatisfied.
December 30, 2020
This should have been my catnip, enemies to lovers from a disastrous meet-cute, but the hero went on being a douchebag for far too long and some of the things he said to her were so insulting.
That being said they did have great chemistry and even though I normally abhor a “clean” romance, the slow burn worked well.
The mystery plot was clearly put in to give them more to do but it felt distracting as well as underdeveloped.
I have the next book in the series as part of the anthology, but I’m going to put it on ice for a little while.
That being said they did have great chemistry and even though I normally abhor a “clean” romance, the slow burn worked well.
The mystery plot was clearly put in to give them more to do but it felt distracting as well as underdeveloped.
I have the next book in the series as part of the anthology, but I’m going to put it on ice for a little while.
December 4, 2021
This was the first book in the series. It started off interesting but I wasn’t very engaged by the rest of the story. A young lady who has been neglected by her parents comes to town to attend her first season in the marriage Mart. She is sponsored by her aunt and comes across Lord Becconsal who has also been ignored by his parents growing up as he was the third child. They fall in love while trying to solve the mystery of some missing ruby parure from her aunt's house.
September 4, 2024
"The Major Meets His Match" by Annie Burrows is a Regency romance that follows the story of a determined major who encounters a spirited woman who challenges his views and expectations. Burrows is known for her engaging characters and witty dialogue, and this book is praised for its delightful chemistry between the leads and its blend of humor and romance. If you enjoy well-written historical romances with strong character dynamics and engaging plots, this book might be a great choice.
March 17, 2020
I have read this one twice without realizing it to one of the first turning points, then kept going because I like it so much. The witty banter had me laughing out loud. Typical historic privileged romance, no sex, but still good.
September 12, 2022
Harriet and The Major
The two have been ignored by their respective families. By being thrown together by accident Jack and Harriet soon discover they are full of strengths and spirit that only a few give them credit.
The two have been ignored by their respective families. By being thrown together by accident Jack and Harriet soon discover they are full of strengths and spirit that only a few give them credit.
October 23, 2022
A sweet historical romance.
I had a little problem getting into this book but After a chapter or two I couldn't put it down. I love a mystery In this book is the beginning of one. So I'll have read the rest of the series. Recommended for historical mystery readers everywhete.
I had a little problem getting into this book but After a chapter or two I couldn't put it down. I love a mystery In this book is the beginning of one. So I'll have read the rest of the series. Recommended for historical mystery readers everywhete.
January 22, 2018
One of the better Mills and Boon Regency I've read, absolutely loved it xx
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