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His #2
His Reluctant Lady
Firmly on the shelf, Poppy Fairchild has spent the past few years eking out a living as a Gothic novelist—under a pseudonym—to support herself and her younger sisters. Lacking for inspiration for some particularly salacious scenes, she seizes upon the idea to spy upon a gentleman engaged in an illicit liaison at a ball for research purposes. Unbeknownst to her, she’s chosen exactly the wrong gentleman from which to draw inspiration.
David Kittridge, the Earl of Westwood, is deep in the throes of heartbreak, as the woman he loves has recently become engaged to someone else. Engaging in meaningless trysts seems as good a way as any to cure himself of lovesickness, but after mistaking Poppy for a woman in search of a touch of scandal, and a kiss that leaves him reeling, he finds that he can’t quite get her out of his head.
David is incensed when he discovers that he has been used as material for a Gothic novel, and is determined to ferret out the culprit. But when he comes into possession of Poppy’s writing notebook and learns of her secret career as a Gothic novelist, he realizes the notebook comes with an unexpected boon—the leverage he needs to lure in the reluctant Poppy. If anyone should discover her secret, it would destroy her reputation and ruin her sisters’ chances of making decent matches. But David’s blackmail leads them down a path that neither would ever have expected.
David Kittridge, the Earl of Westwood, is deep in the throes of heartbreak, as the woman he loves has recently become engaged to someone else. Engaging in meaningless trysts seems as good a way as any to cure himself of lovesickness, but after mistaking Poppy for a woman in search of a touch of scandal, and a kiss that leaves him reeling, he finds that he can’t quite get her out of his head.
David is incensed when he discovers that he has been used as material for a Gothic novel, and is determined to ferret out the culprit. But when he comes into possession of Poppy’s writing notebook and learns of her secret career as a Gothic novelist, he realizes the notebook comes with an unexpected boon—the leverage he needs to lure in the reluctant Poppy. If anyone should discover her secret, it would destroy her reputation and ruin her sisters’ chances of making decent matches. But David’s blackmail leads them down a path that neither would ever have expected.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2020
158 people are currently reading
577 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
August 7, 2022
He’d left his mark on her, and he flexed his shoulders, wishing he’d had the foresight to remove his coat and let her leave her mark on him, for she’d have surely dug those little claws straight into his skin. It seemed somehow unfair that he’d come out unscathed, while she would have to wear his mark like a brand.
"His Reluctant Lady" is the story of Poppy and David.
What a wonderful ride!
Our heroine is a famous novelist of Gothic romances, something that is secretly enjoyed by the ladies of the ton. She writes under a pseudonym, and uses the funds to sponsor her sisters since her father unceremoniously died and left them penniless. She considers herself on the shelf, and is a chaperone for her twin siblings. On one such encounter, she finds the hero having a clandestine affair and decides to publish it in her book. Circumstances lead to the hero reading the piece, and he vows revenge on the author.
As she starts paying more attention at him, he also starts reciprocating it, which leads to a heated kiss.. and eventual compromise. They are wedded in haste, and he is unhappy. As the verbal onslaught from the hero and the ton pierces the heroine, she decides to take it in stride to protect her siblings. But will she ever find happiness even in this broken marriage?
The first half of the book is very fun and enjoyable. The heroine is smart, feisty and protective. She is also fiercely independent with lovable siblings. The second half is filled with loads of angst and painful moments. The hero is mean and very callous towards her feelings, often saying the worst things and disregarding her feelings while she's honest and doesn't expect much. The sex scenes were well written and epilogue was wonderful. All the secondary characters were enjoyable.
I did shed a few tears every time Poppy cried as she deserved everything! Id have rated it five stars if we saw more grovel from the hero because I feel he hurt Poppy a lot and his feelings in the end felt rushed.
Safe
4/5
"His Reluctant Lady" is the story of Poppy and David.
What a wonderful ride!
Our heroine is a famous novelist of Gothic romances, something that is secretly enjoyed by the ladies of the ton. She writes under a pseudonym, and uses the funds to sponsor her sisters since her father unceremoniously died and left them penniless. She considers herself on the shelf, and is a chaperone for her twin siblings. On one such encounter, she finds the hero having a clandestine affair and decides to publish it in her book. Circumstances lead to the hero reading the piece, and he vows revenge on the author.
As she starts paying more attention at him, he also starts reciprocating it, which leads to a heated kiss.. and eventual compromise. They are wedded in haste, and he is unhappy. As the verbal onslaught from the hero and the ton pierces the heroine, she decides to take it in stride to protect her siblings. But will she ever find happiness even in this broken marriage?
The first half of the book is very fun and enjoyable. The heroine is smart, feisty and protective. She is also fiercely independent with lovable siblings. The second half is filled with loads of angst and painful moments. The hero is mean and very callous towards her feelings, often saying the worst things and disregarding her feelings while she's honest and doesn't expect much. The sex scenes were well written and epilogue was wonderful. All the secondary characters were enjoyable.
I did shed a few tears every time Poppy cried as she deserved everything! Id have rated it five stars if we saw more grovel from the hero because I feel he hurt Poppy a lot and his feelings in the end felt rushed.
Safe
4/5
July 9, 2022
What I love most about Aydra Richards stories is the simplicity of her story lines. I feel that a lot of historical romance authors can over complicate a story. They throw in every type of trope and plot line, it is almost a competition in convulsion. Aydra Richards has pared down romance to what it should be, a couple finding friendship and love with one another despite life's obstacles and insecurities.
I noticed that I like stories more grounded in reality, not every book should have espionage, a monstrous villain, secret babies, and the kitchen sink. I most appreciate her character building and her ability to show us the vulnerability of each heroine and hero.
I have devoured 3 of her 7 books and each have been a 5 star. I can't wait to dig in to her remaining works as I know only good things await!
I noticed that I like stories more grounded in reality, not every book should have espionage, a monstrous villain, secret babies, and the kitchen sink. I most appreciate her character building and her ability to show us the vulnerability of each heroine and hero.
I have devoured 3 of her 7 books and each have been a 5 star. I can't wait to dig in to her remaining works as I know only good things await!
December 7, 2025
This is my third book by Aydra Richards and I'm happy to say I'm three for three
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February 28, 2024
Simply wonderful
Except for when he accused her of trapping him and he was a horrible jerk. But he got better and by the epilogue I liked him again. I loved Poppy and her sisters. They were sweet. I liked how they were trying to help their sister find love even if he reacted badly. And he pursued her anyway so when they were caught it was totally his fault. And I hate that she overheard him have sex with another woman on the first night she met him. That grossed me out. I almost did a DNF but since I really.liked this author I Gabe it a chance and the rest of the book was awesome. They hadn't even met but I just don't like those type of situations ever. Kind of disgusting but it was never brought up again.
Except for when he accused her of trapping him and he was a horrible jerk. But he got better and by the epilogue I liked him again. I loved Poppy and her sisters. They were sweet. I liked how they were trying to help their sister find love even if he reacted badly. And he pursued her anyway so when they were caught it was totally his fault. And I hate that she overheard him have sex with another woman on the first night she met him. That grossed me out. I almost did a DNF but since I really.liked this author I Gabe it a chance and the rest of the book was awesome. They hadn't even met but I just don't like those type of situations ever. Kind of disgusting but it was never brought up again.
January 6, 2025
Poppy is a Gothic writer, who secretly watches David have an illicit meeting with a lady. This is for her research.
David is livid at the person who has put his affair in her book and is determined to find her.
David finds Poppy secret out, then decides to help her with her research, this leads to being caught together and then marriage. Quite a interesting read.
David is livid at the person who has put his affair in her book and is determined to find her.
David finds Poppy secret out, then decides to help her with her research, this leads to being caught together and then marriage. Quite a interesting read.
April 14, 2024
I think I really like AR’s books. :)
December 29, 2023
This is a terrific read about two people inching their way to understanding and love, discovering the worth in each other when they couldn’t find it for themselves. I was pretty impressed with this after reading two disappointing books in a row from this author…until, that is, the 93% mark when a jarring, manufactured non-crisis occurred that depended on the intelligent, practical heroine turning into a brain-dead high-drama-diva and the formerly-intuitive hero becoming emotionally retarded. Ah well. At least coming so late in the book the stupidity didn’t last long, which it why it held on to a four-star rating…but barely.
July 21, 2025
This book took me forever to finish. But when it was good it was great. Poppy was writing gothic novels to support herself and younger sisters. Earl Westwood is a flighty rake. But he sees Poppy for who she really is and stumbles into his role as cindrella’s prince charming. If p. charming was an a@@ that drinks too much and spouts off in a temper. good side characters and so many moments that brought me to tears and smiles. Ahhh it feels fabulous to be pulled into an emotional roller coaster, and come out realizing it is fiction. 🌤️🤓💀
July 23, 2022
Poppy Fairchild is a twenty-six year old spinster. She's devoted herself to giving her twin sisters the advantages she never had. For money, she writes Gothic novels that are all the rage, but she needs some research on seduction. Poppy is the one that fades in the background at balls and sees the opportunity to spy on a couple's assignation. When the next section of her book is printed in the paper, David Kittridge, Earl of Westwood, recognizes himself. Angry he decides to set a trap. Only his discovery of the lady intrigues him and decides her "punishment" is lessons in seduction. A rake is reformed by a lady. He gives her confidence to overcome her fears. Great plot!
Heat Level 4
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Heat Level 4
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
March 1, 2022
3.75 rounded up.
It's a nice plot with really likeable mcs. David and Poppy are very relatable characters in this day and time too. It starts off OK,with a fantastic middle and then dwindles down . I'm OK with reading a smaller, but crisper book than read a whole lot of meaningless, convoluted nothings. An extremely simplified story line could definitely have been more complex. My favourite part was David getting Poppy more comfortable and accepting of their marriage. Those 50 pages were the true icing.
Recommended : 👍
It's a nice plot with really likeable mcs. David and Poppy are very relatable characters in this day and time too. It starts off OK,with a fantastic middle and then dwindles down . I'm OK with reading a smaller, but crisper book than read a whole lot of meaningless, convoluted nothings. An extremely simplified story line could definitely have been more complex. My favourite part was David getting Poppy more comfortable and accepting of their marriage. Those 50 pages were the true icing.
Recommended : 👍
February 14, 2021
Secret novelist h spies on H and uses his shenanigan's to write the romance in her books ... and gets caught ... to be honest this bit bothered me a lot; the way she spies on him ... of course if she did not spy, then there would be no story but really, it's creepy the way h spies on him
They marry but H believes she trapped him and so he carries on for a bit but does come to his senses
All in all, not as good as this author has written previously but rather well done all the same ...
They marry but H believes she trapped him and so he carries on for a bit but does come to his senses
All in all, not as good as this author has written previously but rather well done all the same ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
It’s been too long since I was this invested in a book. I could see myself in Poppy and I’m glad to announce that I loved her. 😂 David was a dum-dum and some of his comments cut DEEP. Like damn man, tell her gently how much you despise her yet still want to kiss her.
It needed a touch more angst with that grovel but again, I had so much fun reading this.
Aydra is my new favorite.
It needed a touch more angst with that grovel but again, I had so much fun reading this.
Aydra is my new favorite.
July 1, 2022
His Reluctant Lady... His RELUCTANT Lady... RELUCTANT... RELUCTANT!!
Yes, the title is accurate!
My goodness, I can't stand uber reluctant heroines like this one -_-
''Woe-is-me'' Poppy had to be one of the most pathetic and annoying heroines. She simply ruined the book for me. From the description, I imagine her with an extremly sour face and dour mien.
I had trouble believing David was attracted and so obssessed with her!
She hired a chaperonne/guardian/sponsor for her twins sisters, but insists on acting like an old maid, chaperonne herself, with ugly and drab dresses. This I didn't mind, I love reading how ugly ducklings blossoming into beautiful swans. But gosh, her attitude was so ugly!
First she spies on David having a tryst with a lady during a ball and uses the scene for her next book, as an inspiration, because she is a virgin who knows nothing about sex -_-
David somehow notices her, then being the cad he is, seduces her into a hot kiss he can't forget.
While fantasizing about her, he realizes she is the mysterious author that used him for her book and he decides to blackmail her into giving him more kisses/orgasmes...
Until her sisters catch them and create a scandal that will lead to their marriage.
Now I didn't like David because he was quite an ass, he kept thinking how Poppy wasn't the usual woman he was attracted to as if she were beneath him (well, technically she was since he was an earl and she a nobody) but I didn't like it too much. Anyway, after being tricked into marrying her, he was understandably angry but decided to make a lemonade from the lemons, he even forgave the sisters and tried to put Poppy at ease. Poppy? SHE WAS THE RELUCTANT LADY!!
I also couldn't stand Jilly, David's sister. I guess it is a series and she had her own book and the author probably tought to include her in this one as a supporting character helping Poppy and David, but goodness, she was such an annoying meddler! Your brother only mentions a woman you clearly don't know and that's it, you decide you will become her friends, give her a makeover, support her into becoming your brother's bride. Like, wth?! It didn't even make sense and she was too forceful.
I really didn't enjoy this book, the main characters were not likable and the secondaries were not better...
Yes, the title is accurate!
My goodness, I can't stand uber reluctant heroines like this one -_-
''Woe-is-me'' Poppy had to be one of the most pathetic and annoying heroines. She simply ruined the book for me. From the description, I imagine her with an extremly sour face and dour mien.
I had trouble believing David was attracted and so obssessed with her!
She hired a chaperonne/guardian/sponsor for her twins sisters, but insists on acting like an old maid, chaperonne herself, with ugly and drab dresses. This I didn't mind, I love reading how ugly ducklings blossoming into beautiful swans. But gosh, her attitude was so ugly!
First she spies on David having a tryst with a lady during a ball and uses the scene for her next book, as an inspiration, because she is a virgin who knows nothing about sex -_-
David somehow notices her, then being the cad he is, seduces her into a hot kiss he can't forget.
While fantasizing about her, he realizes she is the mysterious author that used him for her book and he decides to blackmail her into giving him more kisses/orgasmes...
Until her sisters catch them and create a scandal that will lead to their marriage.
Now I didn't like David because he was quite an ass, he kept thinking how Poppy wasn't the usual woman he was attracted to as if she were beneath him (well, technically she was since he was an earl and she a nobody) but I didn't like it too much. Anyway, after being tricked into marrying her, he was understandably angry but decided to make a lemonade from the lemons, he even forgave the sisters and tried to put Poppy at ease. Poppy? SHE WAS THE RELUCTANT LADY!!
I also couldn't stand Jilly, David's sister. I guess it is a series and she had her own book and the author probably tought to include her in this one as a supporting character helping Poppy and David, but goodness, she was such an annoying meddler! Your brother only mentions a woman you clearly don't know and that's it, you decide you will become her friends, give her a makeover, support her into becoming your brother's bride. Like, wth?! It didn't even make sense and she was too forceful.
I really didn't enjoy this book, the main characters were not likable and the secondaries were not better...
August 18, 2022
I don’t think I can adequately express how much I enjoyed this book.
I’m immensely impressed with Aydra Richards’s writing, as this story was even better than His Forgotten Bride
I simply loved everything about this book: the characters, the romance, the banter, the chemistry and humor, the angst.
The main couple was brilliant together! They had tons of witty banter, and the chemistry between them jumped from every page (and it fueled so rather spectacular sex scenes…).
I so adored Poppy and her misbehaving knees; how devoted she was to her family even if they didn’t always appreciate her. How stoic she seemed, but in reality had a droll sense of humor, and even how little naïve she was about the whole “let’s stalk a rake” business.
David was amazing too – I think I have soft spot for rakes who are secretly sweet and gentle. He did some not so very smart things, especially jumping to conclusion way to quickly, but that just made him a prime example of a “himbo”, and I so enjoyed that. He was a prime source of most of the delicious angst in the story, and I love some sadness to make the romance that much sweeter.
I don’t want to spoil too much about this book – and I’d have to if I was to write in detail all the things that made me enjoy reading is so much - because it’s really worth reading, but I’d just say that later in the story – with all that’s happening – David’s shows so much character and it’s pretty clear how caring, supporting, and loving he is. The dynamics between him and Poppy (and her family) shine in later chapters. It was a really good sort of redemption arc.
What I already noticed about Aydra Richards’s books - the blurbs don’t seem to do them justice. The plot is not forcible convoluted, it’s quite simple really, but it feels so rich and multilayered. It might be because the focus falls on well-written, fleshed out, and likable characters.
I highly highly recommend this book.
5+/5 stars
I’m immensely impressed with Aydra Richards’s writing, as this story was even better than His Forgotten Bride
I simply loved everything about this book: the characters, the romance, the banter, the chemistry and humor, the angst.
The main couple was brilliant together! They had tons of witty banter, and the chemistry between them jumped from every page (and it fueled so rather spectacular sex scenes…).
I so adored Poppy and her misbehaving knees; how devoted she was to her family even if they didn’t always appreciate her. How stoic she seemed, but in reality had a droll sense of humor, and even how little naïve she was about the whole “let’s stalk a rake” business.
David was amazing too – I think I have soft spot for rakes who are secretly sweet and gentle. He did some not so very smart things, especially jumping to conclusion way to quickly, but that just made him a prime example of a “himbo”, and I so enjoyed that. He was a prime source of most of the delicious angst in the story, and I love some sadness to make the romance that much sweeter.
I don’t want to spoil too much about this book – and I’d have to if I was to write in detail all the things that made me enjoy reading is so much - because it’s really worth reading, but I’d just say that later in the story – with all that’s happening – David’s shows so much character and it’s pretty clear how caring, supporting, and loving he is. The dynamics between him and Poppy (and her family) shine in later chapters. It was a really good sort of redemption arc.
What I already noticed about Aydra Richards’s books - the blurbs don’t seem to do them justice. The plot is not forcible convoluted, it’s quite simple really, but it feels so rich and multilayered. It might be because the focus falls on well-written, fleshed out, and likable characters.
I highly highly recommend this book.
5+/5 stars
December 26, 2022
Do not read these books in order. Do not read if you've read HR's for a while, don't read if you have no patience for deeply insecure h's that don't change. I'm fine with H's boosting h's confidences... But I would rather they accept it themselves and love themselves. Anyway on to the review...
DNF 75%, disappointed because I loved His Forgotten Bride from this author. This book felt like it was practice with all the worst tropes and zero redeemable qualities. Hero was not terrible but I could not stand the heroine:
1- plain insecure heroine: I couldn't stand how she could not take a single compliment. She always assumed the person was lying, taking pity, or playing a cruel prank on her. Hero couldn't say one nice thing without her clamping up. Like JUST TAKE A COMPLIMENT! 🤨
We're supposed to feel bad for her past. Her dad gambled and they lived poorly, but she is a super successful writer with enough money to afford a rental in London, servants, a paid chaperone and gowns/clothes for 2 sisters. Like, girl is doing FINE 🧐.
I get she has to be careful with spending but I didn't understand why her gowns were so Ugly?? Like she had to CHOOSE those browns and greys with necklines to her chin. She chose to dress hideously and cries about it. Who said you couldn't have plain ncie colors??
Cue heroines from previous books coming in with makeover, now she's elegance and grace 🙄.
But worse was that her 'plainness' and 'sharp features' and 'small breasts' were all so new and unique to our man-ho hero, that you have no faith once the novelty of her wears off he won't get bored.
2- she gave me ANXIETY! I kid you not, she was so tense and awkward and anxious so much it actually gave me vicarious anxiety. All her body descriptions of sharp bones and cracking knees and twisting her fingers and a snapping her spine straight. I just wanted girl to RELAX 😭
3- I felt like she was using the hero as a science project LOL. Like they'd be making out and she'd be tilting her head cataloging how it felt so she could write about it. Not very romantic.
4- she was always frowning, unhappy, snapping, insecure or defensive. She was so unlikable I couldn't understand why people put up with her. She had the personality of the typical disapproving governess without any of the common sense.
Hero: what happened to my emotionally mature great friend from the other book? Here was an alcoholic with no aspirations and seduced the heroine because she was 'different'. He didn't irritate me but he didn't impress me either.
Overall I still like the authors writing but this story was a definite miss for me.
DNF 75%, disappointed because I loved His Forgotten Bride from this author. This book felt like it was practice with all the worst tropes and zero redeemable qualities. Hero was not terrible but I could not stand the heroine:
1- plain insecure heroine: I couldn't stand how she could not take a single compliment. She always assumed the person was lying, taking pity, or playing a cruel prank on her. Hero couldn't say one nice thing without her clamping up. Like JUST TAKE A COMPLIMENT! 🤨
We're supposed to feel bad for her past. Her dad gambled and they lived poorly, but she is a super successful writer with enough money to afford a rental in London, servants, a paid chaperone and gowns/clothes for 2 sisters. Like, girl is doing FINE 🧐.
I get she has to be careful with spending but I didn't understand why her gowns were so Ugly?? Like she had to CHOOSE those browns and greys with necklines to her chin. She chose to dress hideously and cries about it. Who said you couldn't have plain ncie colors??
Cue heroines from previous books coming in with makeover, now she's elegance and grace 🙄.
But worse was that her 'plainness' and 'sharp features' and 'small breasts' were all so new and unique to our man-ho hero, that you have no faith once the novelty of her wears off he won't get bored.
2- she gave me ANXIETY! I kid you not, she was so tense and awkward and anxious so much it actually gave me vicarious anxiety. All her body descriptions of sharp bones and cracking knees and twisting her fingers and a snapping her spine straight. I just wanted girl to RELAX 😭
3- I felt like she was using the hero as a science project LOL. Like they'd be making out and she'd be tilting her head cataloging how it felt so she could write about it. Not very romantic.
4- she was always frowning, unhappy, snapping, insecure or defensive. She was so unlikable I couldn't understand why people put up with her. She had the personality of the typical disapproving governess without any of the common sense.
Hero: what happened to my emotionally mature great friend from the other book? Here was an alcoholic with no aspirations and seduced the heroine because she was 'different'. He didn't irritate me but he didn't impress me either.
Overall I still like the authors writing but this story was a definite miss for me.
December 29, 2022
I wanted to love this one but it was missing a lot of the angst I craved. I loved how the marriage started out with David being resentful and taking it out on Poppy, but he did an about-face way too quickly. Also, I found Poppy’s behavior to be a bit annoying. Her insecurities and feeling sorry for herself grated on me. It seemed David was always having to overcompensate for her delicate feelings.
I would’ve enjoyed her to be a bit more strong-minded. She showed no willingness to fight for her happiness. She was constantly retreating. I really liked the H, David. He showed a great propensity for self-improvement and reflection.
It was a cute story though. I enjoy this author’s style.
I would’ve enjoyed her to be a bit more strong-minded. She showed no willingness to fight for her happiness. She was constantly retreating. I really liked the H, David. He showed a great propensity for self-improvement and reflection.
It was a cute story though. I enjoy this author’s style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2021
Made me laugh and cry
I smiled and chuckled my way though the first half, gripped my phone, blushed and sweated though the second half and cried at the end. A delight the whole way through.
I smiled and chuckled my way though the first half, gripped my phone, blushed and sweated though the second half and cried at the end. A delight the whole way through.
April 4, 2022
A heart warming tale
I read the second book first and was delighted that the first book was about David. A classic example of a good man made to look deeper into his soul and heart by a remarkable woman.
I read the second book first and was delighted that the first book was about David. A classic example of a good man made to look deeper into his soul and heart by a remarkable woman.
Read
July 19, 2025DNR.
April 22, 2024
3.5 - 3.75 stars
I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, and the storyline. The spinster + rake pairing always gets me, and I don’t know if my moral compass is warped but I had no issues with Poppy accidentally-then-intentionally spying on David for writing inspiration (she writes gothic novels), probably because of how quickly he realises what’s happening.
I’ll admit it’s not my favourite book by Aydra Richards — probably because the angst was mild at the beginning and something felt a little uneven, so I wasn’t immediately invested. But the story really hit its stride emotionally after the 40% mark. There were parts I absolutely loved (like when 🥹🥹🥹).
Overall, a really solid read.
I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, and the storyline. The spinster + rake pairing always gets me, and I don’t know if my moral compass is warped but I had no issues with Poppy accidentally-then-intentionally spying on David for writing inspiration (she writes gothic novels), probably because of how quickly he realises what’s happening.
I’ll admit it’s not my favourite book by Aydra Richards — probably because the angst was mild at the beginning and something felt a little uneven, so I wasn’t immediately invested. But the story really hit its stride emotionally after the 40% mark. There were parts I absolutely loved (like when 🥹🥹🥹).
Overall, a really solid read.
Read
February 4, 2024SOFT DNF @ 48%
I feel like I just picked this up at the wrong time, but I wasn’t enjoying it while I was reading. I started skimming parts, and I’ve just decided I’m gonna try another one of this authors books (since I’ve been eyeing them for awhile) and came back to this one if I like another. I liked the writing, so hopefully it was just a wrong time type of thing!
I feel like I just picked this up at the wrong time, but I wasn’t enjoying it while I was reading. I started skimming parts, and I’ve just decided I’m gonna try another one of this authors books (since I’ve been eyeing them for awhile) and came back to this one if I like another. I liked the writing, so hopefully it was just a wrong time type of thing!
December 17, 2023
Such an interesting pair. As the story unfolds they make each other better and stronger. Can a romance reader ask for anything more?
This is my third Aydra Richards story and once again she provides a strong heroine. I appreciate her take on how historically women’s lives were in a fragile balance not of their own making.
Solid 4 I adored Poppy and David stars.
This is my third Aydra Richards story and once again she provides a strong heroine. I appreciate her take on how historically women’s lives were in a fragile balance not of their own making.
Solid 4 I adored Poppy and David stars.
April 7, 2024
The h is a spinster trying to help her sisters to marry well. She hides her secret - she's a published author. But her lack of experience impacts on her story telling. The H shows her what she's missing but she doesn't believe that he could care for her. I enjoyed their melodrama.
October 1, 2025
The first part was so lovely! The second half was angsty. I almost didn’t like how David and Poppy were in the latter half but I also get that they were two real human beings living with their insecurities.
December 8, 2025
by the end of the novel I realized our mmc had almost no personality, shocking.
January 30, 2022
This was another really great story by this author.
Poppy is a gothic novelist trying her hardest to give her sisters a season. When her gambling father dies and her cousin kicks them out of their home, Poppy rises to the occasion and becomes the breadwinner. But she is lacking in experience and she decides she needs to spy on some trysts in order to write better scenes in her novels. She spies on David Kittridge, and starts to notice that he has her attention at the balls. She is quirky and never says what he's expecting. He is surprised to find that he is attracted to the plain little wallflower with the older dresses. But he can't seem to stop thinking about her, or touching her every chance he gets.
He inevitably hurts her and has to make amends, which is exactly the sort of thing I like. I love it when the Hero has to make the heroine fall in love with him again.
Poppy is a gothic novelist trying her hardest to give her sisters a season. When her gambling father dies and her cousin kicks them out of their home, Poppy rises to the occasion and becomes the breadwinner. But she is lacking in experience and she decides she needs to spy on some trysts in order to write better scenes in her novels. She spies on David Kittridge, and starts to notice that he has her attention at the balls. She is quirky and never says what he's expecting. He is surprised to find that he is attracted to the plain little wallflower with the older dresses. But he can't seem to stop thinking about her, or touching her every chance he gets.
He inevitably hurts her and has to make amends, which is exactly the sort of thing I like. I love it when the Hero has to make the heroine fall in love with him again.
June 30, 2022
I got 5/6 of the way through this book and DNF. I didn’t like either MC: Poppy was sour and joyless, David was a himbo. I didn’t even believe the HEA because Poppy is that much of a Debbie Downer that I don’t think she could ever be happy. First romance novel I’ve ever read where I thought the MMC should have ended up with the OW…David would have been better off with Elaine and the cantaloupes.
I’m reading this series in order and so far everything else has been 4-5 stars. The writing is as good in this one and the plot starts off well, which is why I gave it two stars.
I’m reading this series in order and so far everything else has been 4-5 stars. The writing is as good in this one and the plot starts off well, which is why I gave it two stars.
July 27, 2021
I am so glad that I saw a review of a book by this author and decided to try it. This is a charming story of a somewhat feckless rake and a determined spinster. Interesting writing, and some nice angst made it a great read. Now on to book three.
February 23, 2020
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
August 11, 2021
DNF
The story was too contrived.
The story was too contrived.
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