Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Kit and Elizabeth

Rate this book
Lady Elizabeth Spaulding’s world has fallen apart. Despite living her entire life to please her demanding parents, the Duke and Duchess of Marwood, she has little to show for it. After Elizabeth’s second failed betrothal, her father’s debts and appalling acts of retaliation force him to flee the country, consigning Elizabeth and her bitter mother to a life of poverty and exile. But Elizabeth’s fortunes change one day when an elderly acquaintance makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

Lady Walmsley, widowed and childless, is in need of a lady’s companion—and who better than the lovely Lady Elizabeth? Determined to rescue Elizabeth from her dreary life in the country, Lady Walmsley secures the help of Kit, the dashing Earl of Cantwell, in her quest. But the young woman they find is a ghost of the charming girl they once knew. Taken in by Lady Walmsley, and with Kit’s enthusiastic encouragement, Elizabeth finds herself pushed further and further from her empty solitude as she discovers the joy of truly living. Now, for the first time in her life, she must decide for herself who she is and if she deserves to be loved.

296 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2019

48 people are currently reading
859 people want to read

About the author

Karen Tuft

13 books334 followers

Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU and graduated from the University of Utah in music theory, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies.
In addition to being an author, Karen is a wife, mother, pianist, composer, and arranger. She has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions along the Wasatch Front. Among her varied interests, she likes to figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel whether it's by car, plane, or paperback.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
402 (31%)
4 stars
532 (41%)
3 stars
290 (22%)
2 stars
45 (3%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,543 reviews270 followers
November 7, 2019
Tuft has such a unique style of writing. I always worry I am not going to like a book when I start it but I always end up liking it. Poor Sweet Elizabeth took some time for me to understand and like. So did Kit for that matter. I love when a story and characters evolve and grow and become better people. Her story's also have a good supporting cast. I know her next book will involve these people. You can read this as a series or on it's own. I have enjoyed all 3 of these books and how different they all are. I loved watching these two fall in love. It was so natural and easy and so well written. This is a proper regency romance with no religion.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,468 reviews110 followers
December 2, 2019
Oh how I loved this story. ❤ My heart felt for Elizabeth from the very first page when she's being berated by her father before attending a ball where they hope Anthony, the new Lord Halford, will announce his engagement to Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the daughter of the Duke of Marwood, but instead of being loved and adored, she's grown up having her parents blame her for everything that doesn't go the way they want even it's things Elizabeth has no control over--being born a female, not being able to get either Lord Halford to marry her (we find out it's actually because of who her parents are and not because of anything Elizabeth said or did, which I suspected right away), her father's bad investments and their financial woes. The list goes on and on. The more I read I more I wondered how such awful people could have such a wonderful, kind-hearted daughter?

Once her father's creditors come calling he leaves the country and Elizabeth and her mother go to their country estate. Elizabeth basically becomes a recluse during this time, rarely leaving the estate and being subjected to her mother's constant emotional abuse, she becomes a shell of the girl she once was. The future seems bleak for our dear Elizabeth until Lady Walmsley and Kit, the Earl of Cantwell, descend upon the house after hearing that the Duke of Marwood has died. When they arrive they can't believe Elizabeth is the same young woman from just the year before. Before you know it the sly older woman manages to wisk Elizabeth away from her mother, and the new Duke and Duchess of Marwood.

Speaking of Kit aka Christopher, the Earl of Cantwell is the best!! He's fun, caring, trustworthy, a gentleman at all times, the best of men and completely swoony. (sigh) Kit decides to help Elizabeth find who she is inside--the person she was meant to be. He helps her start to find what she likes and doesn't like, teaches her fencing, and how to swim. He's patient with her to a point but he wants her to speak her mind.

I loved Lady Walmsley. She's older but crafty, and if she wants something to happen, she'll definitely find a way to get it done. Thank goodness Elizabeth made a good impression on her the year before or who knows what would've become of her. I loved when Lady Walmsley told Elizabeth to call her Aunt Margaret. So sweet.

Elizabeth is a wonderful character--she's everything her parents wanted her to be and everything they were not. She was trained to run a household some day, but not to have her own opinions. This was a young woman who'd grown up constantly being told she was a disappointment, "I have ever only been a disappointment and have been making amends for it since the day I was born." She grows so much in the short time she lives with Lady Walmsley. I loved her list of likes and dislikes and I was so happy the first time she blurted out something kind of snarky at Kit because he was aggravating her. One of my favorite parts is near the end when she stands up to her awful, selfish mother. I cheered inwardly for her.

This is a wonderful book that caused such a range of emotions while reading it. Karen Tuft is becoming a go-to author for me. If you've read The Earl's Betrothal and wondered what happened to Lady Elizabeth this is the rest of her story. This is a standalone and you don't have to read The Earl's Bethrothal first, but you may want to do so after reading Kit and Elizabeth.

I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley and Covenant Communications. All thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are my own.
Profile Image for Lisa  (Bookworm Lisa).
2,240 reviews206 followers
December 9, 2019
Elizabeth has had a hard life. Most wouldn't believe it. She is the daughter of a Duke and lives a life of luxury. Appearances are not what they seem. She is the victim of controlling parents who place their happiness and welfare at her feet. She is despised because she is not a son and pressured to make a match that her parents want. Her thoughts and feelings are never considered.

Kit is a gentleman in every way. He is loyal to his friends and their family. Namely to a great-aunt who he is charged to make sure she is doing well while her family is out of town. This becomes a greater task than he realizes when she pulls him in on a scheme to rescue Elizabeth from her parents.

There were many fun scenarios in this story. I loved the interaction between the characters and the doting elderly aunt. Honestly, she may have been my favorite character. This is a story of helping a young woman finding her footing after years of emotional and verbal abuse. It is also a story of learning how to trust and open your heart to new possibilities.

I enjoyed this book. It does contain parental abuse to a daughter and physical abuse to a rival. It has a very happy ending.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Amy.
685 reviews41 followers
November 12, 2019
“You need to dance, and I need you to trust me”

There’s a common thread that flows throughout this story. Lady Elizabeth has suffered somewhat at the hands of her parents her entire life. The only daughter of a Duke, no male heir, and the tragic events that precede the book leaving her without a marriage agreement. It’s no surprise then that, despite her years of training, she at heart, is lacking in any kind of self confidence or self care. It’s inevitable that she will be tossed around at the wiles of her awful Mother, unless something or someone comes to her aid. That someone is the handsome Lord Cantwell, known as Kit by his friends.

He’s one of those endearing, all around good guys, with a title of his own, and has known who Elizabeth is her entire life, but their paths have not really crossed an awful lot. I loved watching how he knew just how to handle the fragile state she was in, but not content to allow her to stay there. He is all about cultivating the empowerment she needs to have in herself. He pushes her to her extremes. The reader will likely connect with Kit quickly. He’s likable from the start. He’s a hero, and the kind of character you want to see win the day. Elizabeth took some warming too, but she’s had a lot to deal with and unfairly (and I think this happens in reality too) we tend to be less forgiving or patient with those who are struggling or healing. There’s a great lesson in this, and one in which we can do better. Once this story got going I didn’t want to put it down. Thoroughly satisfying.

Hope we get a story for Philip or Aylesham!
Profile Image for Aimee .
3,072 reviews298 followers
December 10, 2019
First, before my review, is something I loved about this book. It's the chapter heading pages. I absolutely love when there are pretties to go along with my books! This one made me want to pull out my pens and color. That's one perk of physical books VS e-books. E-books don't usually give you pretties!

I really found myself caught up in the story of Kit and Elizabeth. I loved them both from the beginning for different reasons. Kit is light and joyful for the most part. He has a good energy about him and I was really drawn to him. He is a good friend and a steady companion. I loved how hard he worked to get Elizabeth to experience life and find herself after so many years of being who her parents expected her to be.

Elizabeth is the character that you are empathizing with, rooting for and celebrating with. She has a great emotional journey and it was very satisfying as a reader.

I found so many real life parallels for me in this book. And one quote that sums up everything in this book and many things that my family is dealing with right now. "For some bonds were stronger than lineage, and some loves deeper than blood." This is a gentle story with a gentle, slow blooming romance. I enjoyed it very much.

This book has carry over characters from the previous book by this author but can easily stand alone.

Content: verbal abuse, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
Author 8 books501 followers
December 2, 2019
One of my favorite things about Kit and Elizabeth is that it is a part of a standalone series, meaning you can read any book from the series in any order AND enjoy recurring characters! While this book does not necessarily build upon the previous two, there are characters and plot threads that connect all the books. I love getting to read about familiar characters and it makes me so happy that each person will eventually get their own happily ever after.

I love the way in which Tuft has written this book. It would have been easy to jump right into the "meat" of the story without giving readers any sort of background on Elizabeth's life before things went south, but instead, she spent a good deal of time showing us what her life was like "before". I'm glad she did this because I was able to relate to Elizabeth and really root for her while she was rebuilding her life and self-esteem. I loved reading Elizabeth's lists, seeing her grow, and of course, fall in love.

That brings us to Kit. Oh how I loved him! He is a kind gentleman who truly cares for (and takes care of) Elizabeth. He was funny, and strong, and a character I loved to cheer on. Great book! Recommended for readers who love regency romance.
Profile Image for Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...).
1,673 reviews582 followers
December 10, 2019
I loved the full arc of character growth in this book! We see Elizabeth in many forms- subservient yet courageous, reclusive and depressed, fragile but sassy. It was important that the author show us her behavior and struggles living under the thumb of her parents, because I loved it so much more to see her come out of her shell and with Kit's encouragement, discover and explore her true self. The list she makes of what she likes is a great touch that brought her humanity to life and shows how gratitude brings happiness and peace. Her relationship with Kit starts as an acquaintance with mutual friends, moves to a rescuer/rescuee dynamic, evolves to friendship, then naturally to romance. Kit is wonderful with Elizabeth, and while he has his own small flaws, plays a pivotal role in her newfound empowerment. Lady Walmsley, Elizabeth's benefactor, is a favorite character and I hope to be a fun and meddling person like her when I'm older! This book is a lovely and sweet romance with deeper themes that is perfect for Regency fans!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Profile Image for romancejunkie.
390 reviews86 followers
February 2, 2020
Kit and Elizabeth was a sweet and touching read. I loved watching them fall in love and have a happily ever after. ❤️❤️
Profile Image for Kai.
191 reviews9 followers
November 19, 2019
description

Kit and Elizabeth is the sequel to The Earl’s Betrothal. There are pros and cons to having read the previous book first. There are some scenes from The Earl’s Betrothal that are skimmed over in this book, like the scene about Amelia’s parentage at the ball. If you have read the first book it makes a lot more sense, and I feel that you will better be able to appreciate the characters. On the other hand, having read the previous book, some of the recap tends to drag a little.

This book took me a bit to get in to at first. The first three chapters of the book include Elizabeth’s point of view of what happened during the book The Earl’s Betrothal which I have read. Chapter four no longer includes recap and becomes the new story which I was quickly able to get in to as the story really got going.

Elizabeth’s parents had never treated her well and they had always wanted a son. While a son had been needed for an heir, they shouldn’t have taken it out on her. She was always treated like property, and they told her often of her failure in not marrying who they wanted her to. She had always tried to make her parents proud and act like the daughter of a duke. This has caused others to compare her with being made of stone. She is still grieving the loss of her betrothed Alex and doesn’t want to marry his brother Anthony which her father is demanding. When Anthony offers her a way out, she takes it.

“I have ever only been a disappointment and have been making amends for it since the day I was born.”


Elizabeth’s father is truly evil with no morals and no love for his wife or daughter.

It’s so crazy during this time period that if someone doesn’t produce an heir, their remaining family loses everything due to entailment. Someone could just show up and kick people out of their house, even while they are in mourning. It was also a little shocking to see how some of the servants treated their masters; especially right after a tragic event.

Lady Walmsley is loud and talkative and just what Elizabeth needs to keep her from hiding in her room and shutting down. She also needs Kit to challenge her and help her find the good in life. Kit also helps her to realize who she really is and what she really wants.

“That question had raised other similar questions. Did she enjoy playing the harp? Did she even like music? Did she like doing needlework? Or painting? Or drawing? She’d taken lessons as a girl in all of these things and in others as well and had always worked to improve her skills. It had been expected of her. But she’d never thought about whether she liked doing any of them. It had never crossed her mind.”


Some favorite quotes:

“She had little faith at the moment, but maybe, just maybe, there was the tiniest acorn of faith that hadn’t been entirely extinguished . . .”


“Kit thought he might rather stick a fork in his eye than listen to a woman cry.”
Profile Image for  The Flipped Page (Susan K).
1,834 reviews39 followers
December 30, 2019
Romance, clean; period; series, but stand alone read
Kit's story and Elizabeth's was such a sweet, gentle, heartfelt read. Kit's gradual realization of his feelings, Elizabeth's awkward, hurting heart, that gradually opens and becomes HER was a hard, sweet, honest and lovely read. Anyone who loves gentle period romance will love Kit's heart, and how they fall and gradually get to know each other. Lovely fall.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,887 reviews239 followers
January 14, 2020
Before reading this book I hadn't read the synopsis. I had seen several friends reading and enjoying it and decided to put it on my list. I wasn't sure what to expect other than a lovely regency read. What I found turned out to be so much more. Full of heartache and sorrow, hopes and dreams that were finally given light, friendship, family, healing, learning to live, trusting yourself, trusting others, inner strength, forgiveness, gumption, joy, laughter, and of course learning to love and be loved in return.

This was a delightful read. Even with all the more sorrowful and sadder emotions and aspects of this book. My daughters asked what I was reading and they discovered it was an audiobook on a place I have a subscription for. So can you guess what happened? Yep, they instantly downloaded and listened to the book. They were hooked. We had a snow day and so while they were home from school they would be wandering around the house with headphones in and doing chores. There were some tears shed, many big smiles, lots of giggles, I could see some anxiety at moments as well. And of course the were pretty giddy when they got to the end of the book. My reading experience...was pretty much the same.

Elizabeth has not had an easy go at life with her parents. They are very controlling, manipulative and to say the least, not capable of love. When many different circumstances occur (or don't occur) she finds herself in the care of Lady Walmsley. Can I just say that I cheered at that scene. Lady Walmsley and Kit come to save the day. It was great. I should clarify that her father has passed away and it is time for her to be out from the clutches of the grief of her parents. Lady Walmsley was by far one of my absolute favorite characters! Absolutely loved her! No I'm not trying to lay it on thick. She just was that fabulous!

Elizabeth has much to sort through in her life to be able to heal. And she couldn't have been championed by any two better souls. I ached for her at times. But cheered for her when she took that first step of doing something that she wanted to do wether her father would agree or not. She helped the happiness of many others in her decision as well.

So many wonderful moments in this book amidst the hard. It was balanced out well, I thought. I don't want to spoil anything for you so I'll end my review here by saying that I loved it. It was tender and sweet, heartbreaking and lonely. But above all healing and lovely.

Content: Clean. Some mild kisses. Also some aspects of emotional abuse. Talk of a character having been beaten (whipped) by another character, not graphic, you just know it happened.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Annie Jakes.
Author 2 books7 followers
December 1, 2019
I once attended a writing class where the lecturer told us, “You must keep your promises to your readers.” And while that can mean something different for every reader, the promises made when writing regency romance are often pretty straightforward. In Kit and Elizabeth, Karen Tuft has most definitely kept her promises to us.


The promise of a good villain. I’ve read my share of abusive uncles, greedy cousins, and wicked aunts, each with their own selfish motives and hurtful ways. But few compare to the absolute waste of space that we meet in the first chapter who are none other than Elizabeth’s parents. Rarely have I been so completely enraged by the behavior of an otherwise respected character as I was reading about Elizabeth’s father and his treatment of her. And her mother wasn't far behind. Tuft does a marvelous job of quickly demonstrating the extent of the mistreatment our heroine has endured for years. And we are immediately captured in the story in the hope of seeing Elizabeth receive her just dues. 


The promise of a loveable, yet relatable hero. Kit is both extremely likeable and utterly flawed. He struggles to share his thoughts yet his actions show all. He pushes Elizabeth while respecting her and seeing her needs. He allows her her independence but never leaves her side. And while he himself has his own ghosts to deal with, his growth throughout the novel is exactly what we as readers hope to see. 


The promise of a scene that stays with you. Each well written regency romance tends to have that one scene that stands out from the rest; that scene that changes the whole book in the best of ways. In Kit and Elizabeth, there is a scene that I stopped to read twice before moving on with the story. In this scene, both characters are forced to face their past, and their honesty and acceptance for one another allows them both to come out the other side as different, but stronger individuals. Tuft wrote the scene beautifully, and I was brought to tears.


Karen Tuft’s Kit and Elizabeth is well-written and a lovely read. The characters are charming and the plot never ceases to entertain.

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Alisha.
1,234 reviews137 followers
December 11, 2019
This was a refreshing take on the Regency romance genre, and I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story. The main characters were winning and the story was heartfelt.
Lady Elizabeth has always known that she is a disappointment to her parents. When she is unable to accomplish a marriage to either of the gentlemen they have picked out for her, her father's actions nearly ruin the entire family and Elizabeth is left with only her facade of being the perfect society lady.
Lady Walmsley, an elderly friend from London, decides that she needs to save Elizabeth from her own life. She spirits her away from the family's country estate with the help of Christopher "Kit," Lord Cantwell, an intriguing young earl who quickly makes it his mission to help Elizabeth break out of her perfect mold. The relationship that these two discover is very sweet. I like that they didn't have the major misunderstandings that often keep couples apart in this genre. A lot of the dramatic tension in this book comes more from Elizabeth's own emotional baggage and the work she has to do to recover. I can respect that kind of storyline, because it's realistic.

The book could have been just a little shorter and possibly been even more effective, but it was easy reading and didn't take too long to finish. Near the beginning in particular I noticed some clunky exposition-as-dialogue that didn't come off very naturally, but for the most part I enjoyed the writing and look forward to future works from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this digital review copy.
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,955 reviews69 followers
December 10, 2019
I’m always up for a great Regency romance. And it’s even better when characters from other books you’ve read get their own happily ever after. That’s the case with this one. Elizabeth was in Karen Tuft’s The Earl’s Betrothal. If you haven’t read that one yet, you should! And it’s on sale.

I really loved Elizabeth. I don’t know how she turned out as amazing, and kind as she did with the parents that she had. Wow, they were awful! Both of them. I was kind of glad to seem them both disappear from her life. But, anyway…Elizabeth is a wonderful young woman. She deserves every happiness, but the story starts out with her not having any happiness.

I LOVED Kit! He’s the kind of hero that brings happiness. He also brings adventure and daring. I loved the way he did that for Elizabeth. And he wouldn’t take no for an answer. My favorite scene might have been the fencing scene. So amazing!

This book includes a whole great cast of characters, some of whom we’ve seen in her books before. And some of whom, I’m hoping to see in some of her other books.

Everything about this one is so great, the plot, the setting, the characters. And the ending….sigh! I can’t wait for more!
Profile Image for Lori.
171 reviews6 followers
March 4, 2020
This was such an endearing read! It was heartbreaking to see how Elizabeth was treated by her own parents. I enjoyed seeing how she evolved throughout the story, and I loved her interactions with Kit. They were so cute together!
Profile Image for Anna.
1,531 reviews31 followers
October 15, 2021
Although it looks like it took a long time, this actually only took me about two days to read. I started it when I brought it home from the library and when the story got a little too painful set it aside and ignored it while I read other things for a while. Elizabeth is such a lovely girl despite her horrific relatives and the abuse they heap upon her, and for too long Kit just doesn't seem up to the task of being her hero and rescuer, thankfully both of them grow through the course of the book which makes for a happy conclusion all around.
1,321 reviews59 followers
November 9, 2019
"There were events one experienced that ultimately changed the course of one's life..." Have you ever read a book whose main character just resonated with you? That's how I feel after having read Kit and Elizabeth. This book was wonderful! A quick plot summary, Lady Elizabeth Spaulding is a beautiful woman born the only child - the daughter- of a Duke. The only problem is just that, she's a girl. From birth she has never been able to please her parents and though she is the perfect example of what a lady should be, her inability to marry exactly who her father, the Duke of Marwood, wanted left her the blame of all her family's troubles. Exiled to the country with her mother, she has become a shell of the person she could be. Lord Christopher Cantwell, Kit as he prefers, remembers a shared moment with Elizabeth from the day before everything really headed south for her. Upon helping to rescue her from her exile with Lady Walmsley, Kit determines to help Elizabeth discover who she really is, losing his heart to her in the process.
What resonated with me in this story was Lady Elizabeth's character. While not personally exiled or having been treated less for being a girl, the way she felt broken down and worthless after all she had suffered, particularly after so many hardships that past year, was super relate-able to me. I think everyone has that moment in time where they feel beaten down and looking back they miss the person they once thought they could be and they aren't sure they'll ever get back there again. Kit was the perfect remedy for Elizabeth's troubles. Like great family, friends, or support in our own lives, Kit gives Elizabeth the chance to see and decide for herself who she wants to be. Their relationship is rocky as self-discovery often pushes one out of their comfort zone, but the end result, the true love found, is worth the journey.
I really enjoyed this Regency romance. It had wonderful characters I felt like I could understand and see myself in. I laughed out loud multiple times (particularly when Kit *shocks* Elizabeth by letting her know that men know woman have legs even when they wear dresses). The overall message was encouraging and the plot itself was just a great read.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel, this review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own. I definitely recommend this book!
34 reviews1 follower
November 26, 2019
Details in my review are known from reading the back cover or reading the previous book The Earl's Betrothal.

How would you feel if your whole life you were blamed for your parents failures and weaknesses? How would you feel if you were told your life was supposed to go in one direction, and that direction suddenly was changed? How would you feel if the people you are supposed to trust the most failed you?

Lady Elizabeth Spaulding has felt these feelings and more. "Kit and Elizabeth" is the  Elizabeth's side of the story from Karen Tufts novel "The Earl's Betrothal."

If you've read The Earl's Betrothal like me you finish wondering what happens to Elizabeth, and this is the answer you have been looking for. But this book has enough details and story lines referring to the first book to stand on it's own. (I didn't realize it was a sequel until I had finished reading the first chapter or two, but thought the characters and part of the story was similar to a book I had read.)

Elizabeth had been told at the age of 10 that she was betrothed to Lord Halford, and as such she needed to learn how to be a daughter of a Duke, and the wife of a future Marquess. But Lord Halford died in a tragic accident and Elizabeth's parents expect her to marry his younger brother in his place.

When Anthony Hargreaves the new Lord Halford talks to Elizabeth to see if she really wanted to go through with the betrothal, she decided that for once she wouldn't do what her parents required. When he immediately became engaged to Amelia Clarke, her father is outraged.

Her parents continue to blame her for all of their problems, and eventually her father leaves the country.

Over a year passes and Elizabeth's life is drifting. Enter crafty old Lady Walmsley and her sidekick Kit, Lord Cantwell. They rush to Elizabeth's home to have her come stay in London with Lady Walmsley.

When Kit sees Elizabeth she is just a reflection of who she used to be. Kit makes it his goal to help her to rediscover herself.

This charming book is one of laughter and redemption. Finding out who you are and what you like, and who your family really is. It's also about overcoming your past and learning to live and love.

I enjoyed this book and being able to see the redemption of Lady Elizabeth.

I was given access to an advanced copy but all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer).
1,467 reviews55 followers
December 14, 2019
Kit and Elizabeth is one of the most enchanting novels I've read all year! From the first page, I was swept away in the story. Karen Tuft has a magical way of writing such endearing characters that you feel invested in their lives immediately. Lady Elizabeth Spaulding, or Lizzie as Kit liked to call her, has led a privileged but sad life. As the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Marwood, she has had to live her whole life a certain way to obtain the right kind of husband. I felt so much sorrow for Lizzie and the physical and verbal abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and mother. I wanted to jump into the book and smack them both. That's great writing from Tuft that makes readers feel such strong emotions.

Now, let's talk about the heroes of the story. I'm including two of them Lady Walmsley, widowed and childless, and Kit, the Earl of Cantwell. They come together to save Lizzie's life by taking her under their proverbial wings. I loved these two characters so much! They brought so much humor and love into Lizzie's life. They also gave her hope for a new future. Lizzie also had to start loving her true self that she'd never been allowed to do before. It is fabulous to see this character go from a wilting flower to a blossom in full bloom.

This novel has many of the same characters that were in previous books by Tuft called, The Earl's Betrothal and Wager For a Wife but Kit and Elizabeth can stand on its own. This whole series is just amazing. Reading Kit and Elizabeth was a true joy for me and I was somewhat sad when I finished the book. This is one novel that I know I will pick up again to experience that joy and I highly recommend it to all lovers of Regency Romance.
Profile Image for Camille.
Author 35 books561 followers
January 27, 2020
I’ve read a few of Karen Tuft’s Regency romances, and while I’ve enjoyed them overall, I haven’t loved any of them…until Kit and Elizabeth, which in my opinion is the author’s best and most enjoyable work yet. It didn’t begin that way—I had a hard time getting through the beginning, but once Elizabeth’s horrible father was out of the picture, the rest of the story really picked up and I became thoroughly invested.

This was a beautiful romance because of all the growth Elizabeth experiences through the love and help of Kit. I loved watching her overcome the abuse of her past outside her parents’ confining and cold expectations in order to discover her true self through Kit’s gentle encouragement. She was such a good and lovely person, so seeing her heal and receive the love she deserves was extremely rewarding.

Kit was a wonderful hero—full of joy and loyalty, a true gentleman with such a good heart, whose endearing charm and delightful personality were exactly what Elizabeth needed. Both their developing friendship and deepening romance were both fun and incredibly gentle, and I loved how together they helped one another heal from the past in order to become stronger. It was all so well done.

In the end, Kit and Elizabeth was a beautiful story about discovery, healing, and true love. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Tressa (Wishful Endings).
1,829 reviews193 followers
January 3, 2020
4.5 Stars

KIT AND ELIZABETH is a story of neglect, heartbreak, friendship, and love. The characters are delightful and the story is so heartfelt that readers won't be able to resist loving it. Highly recommended to sweet historical romance fans!

I love stories that are balanced between the difficulties of life and the sweetness of love. This one definitely is. There are some difficult people the characters face, as well as a society where there are expectations and gossip galore. The story also shows the various relationship found at this time in history, such as arranged marriages, unfaithful spouses, friendships, family (both by blood and by adoption), and love matches. I literally ate up the first half of this story. I loved all the interactions between Kit, Lizzie and "Aunt Margaret." There is so much humor, chemistry, and just good friendship. My heart went out to Lizzie and Kit. The story did lose a bit of its momentum in the second half when these characters travel to the country, particularly as some things were completely let go in regards to being chaperoned, but it was still very enjoyable. I especially loved the epilogue. It was perfect for this story.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and definitely recommend it to sweet historical romance fans. Having read the other books by the author, there were also some delightful cameos from prior characters. A perfect read for those looking for a story to warm their heart.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lori.
1,892 reviews136 followers
February 27, 2020
This book was very enjoyable for the most part.
I really loved the Edwardian setting because it was quite different from what my usual genre is.
I felt bummed out when I discovered I ended up in the middle of a series again!! Just my luck! But, I found out that you can read it as a stand alone but for me I prefer to read them in order.
The characters were amazing and I actually made friends with some of them. I hated to say Goodbye.
I can relate to Elizabeth very well on not being able to please someone. It's hard believe me. Some people just aren't happy no matter what you do for them. And yes, I do consider that a form of abuse.
Sometimes we can't help what or how we are born. It's what God intends and wants.
Kit was a ok in my opinion. I loved how he treats Elizabeth like the true person she is. He reads her from the heart and I truly liked him for that. Very few men are like that. They only see the surface of someone.
In my opinion, it's the inside or heart of a person that counts. Not what you think they should be.
This was a well written story that the author has done a wonderful job with.
She is a new to me author that I enjoyed reading and will be looking for more by her.
My thanks to Covenant Communications/Netgalley. I was NOT required to write a positive review for this book. All opinions are my own
Profile Image for Lucinda.
Author 22 books1,303 followers
December 12, 2019
I had a hard time getting into the story. I don't know why, since I've read other books by this author and liked them. But I kept going and it got better (either the story or me, not quite sure which).

Elizabeth has a very controlled life (by her parents) and is expected to marry for advantage, and has been for years. She has a hard time asserting herself and her opinion. When the engagement doesn't happen, let alone the wedding, her parents are furious.

Instead of assuming responsibility, her parents blame everything on her and her father flees the country, and her mother cares only for herself.

Lady Walmsley offers Elizabeth a place in her home and she asks Kit, Earl of Cantwell, for help to bring Elizabeth.

Slowly, with the help of her friends, Elizabeth learns to form an opinion and to speak up, and, in the process, she and Kit fall in love.

This is not only an historical romance but also a story of one's worth.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Sydney.
1,083 reviews131 followers
January 10, 2020
Author Karen Tuft has written and delightful, charming, and sweet regency romance that readers will adore. Although a standalone novel on its own, this book can be read as a series with reoccurring characters from Tuft’s other regency novels. Tuft does an excellent job of showing readers the background of her characters, bringing them to life from the pages. The main characters are brave, strong, and funny. And of course the romance and falling in love is an excellent part of the story. This is the perfect book for readers that enjoy regency romance.

Genre: historical, regency, romance
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: December 1, 2020
Number of pages: 296

Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Marilee .
1,454 reviews237 followers
November 28, 2019
How much do I love this book? Let me count the ways! This is a sweet love story of two beloved characters from a previous book by the author (The Earl's Betrothal) who deserved their own happily ever after. Kit and Elizabeth find healing and happiness and hope together as Kit learns to let go of misplaced guilt for past events and as he helps Elizabeth discover who she really is and what is important to her. She was never allowed to have opinions or choices growing up as the daughter of a duke and with Kit's encouragement, she finally finds her voice! Their love is tender and real and their story is so very relatable as we all struggle at times with the unrealistic expectations of others. Truly a beautiful story from start to finish. Just make sure you don't start reading it late at night unless you are willing to lose some sleep!

I had access to an advance copy of this book but am voluntarily leaving a review of my own opinions.
Profile Image for Kathee.
345 reviews51 followers
December 30, 2019
Lady Elizabeth has suffered her whole life from emotional abuse and neglect from her parents. Despite constantly trying, she can never please them. Through choices she made because of her good heart, her father makes horrific choices and she is left to carry the consequences. Lady Walmsley decides to rescue her and enlists Kit to help her. Kit is the perfect person for this because of his positive attitude and fun personality. Lady Elizabeth learns how to love herself finally, and it is a joy to read her do so. This is just a lovely book, I found myself quietly crying so many times while reading it.
Profile Image for Stella Potts.
516 reviews10 followers
November 12, 2019
This is a great Regency Romance. I don’t feel like I need to repeat the blurb on the back of the book so I will just say that the Author did a fantastic job of writing this book. The two main characters are so relatable and I liked both Kit and Elizabeth very much. Watching them fall in love and waiting to see if Lizzy would ever develop a backbone was very enthralling. I recommend this book to all lovers of Regency Romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Dee/ bookworm.
1,400 reviews4 followers
November 5, 2021
#KitandElizabeth #NetGalley

I have never read a Tuft book before, but I will be reading them from now on. This was a delightful book full of surprises and wonderful characters. Both main characters go through so much but their ability to understand, challenge, and heal each other is amazing. They both become better people because of each other. A wonderful, wonderful book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Convenant Communications for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Martha.
867 reviews49 followers
November 7, 2020
I totally enjoyed this delightful, easy Regency romance. My Rating 4.5.

Elizabeth is deeply aware that she was a disappointment for not being born a male and heir for her father. She has spent her life trying to be a properly behaved Duke’s daughter in hopes of gaining the affection of her parents. She was aware as a teen that marriage arrangements had been made for her with Alex. Although Elizabeth was infatuated with the handsome Earl, it became clear after a season or two that he was avoiding the marriage. Then he died unexpectedly leaving Elizabeth and her family in an awkward circumstance.

When Alex’s brother, Anthony, who was believed to be dead, returns home, Elizabeth’s father makes it clear that the marriage contract is shifted to him. But Elizabeth knows that Anthony’s interest is engaged elsewhere. Elizabeth releases him from the commitment raising the extreme anger and disgust of her father. Her father creates a scandal and then abandons Elizabeth and her mother with destroyed finances.

Elizabeth has spent the last year in seclusion with her angry mother at the family country manor. An elderly friend, Lady Walmsley, coerces Kit, an Earl and friend of Alex, to help retrieve Elizabeth to become her companion. They arrive just in time as news arrives that the Duke has died and the new Duke and Duchess are ready to move into the family home. Lady Walmsley and Kit are dismayed to find a dispirited young woman instead of the charming and assured young woman of the year before.

Kit sets out to push Elizabeth out of her complacent self-deprivation and to realize that she is more than the disappointment her parents belittled. Slowly Elizabeth begins to break out of her shell and a surprising event makes Elizabeth even more aware of the lack of approval in her childhood.

I enjoyed this historical romance that was focused on the characters. Elizabeth is emotionally injured but she is kind and determined. Kit is a lovely light-hearted hero, seeking to help Lizzie find a place of joy. There is tension in the light and growing attraction all supplemented by family drama. I often like a little mystery in my romance but this book shows that the right author can deliver an engaging romance even without mystery. I will look forward to reading more by this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, Regency romance.
Source: NetGalley
Profile Image for Kindra B.
130 reviews
November 29, 2021
A fun read! Loved seeing how Kit helped Elizabeth grow and find herself in the world. I enjoyed how he would push her out of her comfort zone and force her to do fun things that she would never be comfortable doing with society’s rules and structure.
I think the fencing and swimming lessons are among my favorite chapters in this book. And the fact that Elizabeth FINALLY stood up to her mother in the end.
I enjoyed the fact that Alex’s family welcomed her into their home and saw that despite her parents, Elizabeth is a wonderful, kind and gracious person. She found a family who helped her realize her potential and grow to reach it.
I’m glad she found Kit and he helped her realize and feel her emotions. It’s okay to take a break from your family when you have been treated poorly, but I also appreciate that he is supporting her in her decisions.

However, my sister in law and I talked about how this would never have happened in high society at the time.

I really enjoyed her story line! Would read again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.