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Her Lady to Love
Country mouse Lady Honora Banfield arrives in London with one mission: to catch a husband. A perpetual wallflower, she’s going to do whatever it takes to win a proposal from London’s most eligible bachelor, including teaming up with the most popular (and least proper) woman in London.
Miss Jacqueline Lockhart is having too much fun in her sixth season to ever consider settling down, even though she’s been unsuccessful at mingling with the upper echelons of London society.
When Lady Honora agrees to exchange invitations to the most exclusive events in return for Jacqueline’s introductions to eligible gentlemen, neither expects their friendship to ignite passion. Nora and Jacquie begin an affair with the strict understanding that it will end once Nora is married, but as a proposal becomes more imminent, choosing between a conventional life without love, or certain ruination if they stay together, isn’t as simple as it seems.
Miss Jacqueline Lockhart is having too much fun in her sixth season to ever consider settling down, even though she’s been unsuccessful at mingling with the upper echelons of London society.
When Lady Honora agrees to exchange invitations to the most exclusive events in return for Jacqueline’s introductions to eligible gentlemen, neither expects their friendship to ignite passion. Nora and Jacquie begin an affair with the strict understanding that it will end once Nora is married, but as a proposal becomes more imminent, choosing between a conventional life without love, or certain ruination if they stay together, isn’t as simple as it seems.
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2020
19 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Jane Walsh
8 books62 followersJane Walsh is a queer historical romance novelist published by Bold Strokes Books who loves everything Regency. She is delighted to have the opportunity to put her studies in history and costume design to good use by writing love stories. Jane’s happily ever after is centered on her wife and their cat and their cozy home together in Canada. You can find her at www.janewalshwrites.com and discover all her latest releases at www.boldstrokesbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 6, 2020
‘Her Lady to Love’ is a historical, opposites-attract romance set in the Regency London time period.
Lady Honora (Nora) and Jacqueline (Jacquie) are opposites in every way. Jacquie’s black hair to Nora’s blonde, Jacquie’s belle of the ball personality to Nora’s self-described wallflower persona. Jacquie loves city life and Nora speaks of wanting to get back to her country home as quickly as possible. It was difficult to see how they could ever meet in the middle with all of their differences. The only thing they seem to have in common is a preference for the fairer sex.
Honestly, I found it a little difficult to like Jacquie for most of the book. I found her and her best friend Bea, to be both conceited, spoiled and selfish. She states early on and often that she has no interest in finding a husband. She’s only interested in having a good time in whatever fashion that may be. For the time period, I had trouble reconciling with the fact she has that choice as I wonder how she would support herself? What I did like about her is that she knows what and who she is and is honest with herself about it. She doesn’t care much about others and their opinions of her.
Nora, on the other hand, is only in town to find a husband. She’s 25 and realizes she only has this one chance to find a husband to finance her country home living. Being shy and introverted, she has trouble getting the attention of the right people. She makes a trade with Jacquie that she will get Jacquie the best invitations that her title affords her in exchange for being introduced to the wealthy, titled men she’s interested in dating.
Walsh wrote a great cast of characters here. The ladies are surrounded by a pretty large group of likeminded people. I truly enjoyed the scenes with Phin and Gina and wouldn’t mind seeing this being a first in a series so we can see their happy endings as well.
I wanted to love this book and only ended up liking it instead. I found the pacing to be a little annoying as the beginning seems to drag and the ending feels rushed and abrupt. My other issue was that Nora and Jacquie only have a couple of in-depth conversations. It was very hard to believe they could be so in love after spending most of their time talking about finding Nora a husband. I would’ve liked less party scenes and more of them getting to know each other.
I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of historical romances and I look forward to reading more from Walsh in the future.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Honora (Nora) and Jacqueline (Jacquie) are opposites in every way. Jacquie’s black hair to Nora’s blonde, Jacquie’s belle of the ball personality to Nora’s self-described wallflower persona. Jacquie loves city life and Nora speaks of wanting to get back to her country home as quickly as possible. It was difficult to see how they could ever meet in the middle with all of their differences. The only thing they seem to have in common is a preference for the fairer sex.
Honestly, I found it a little difficult to like Jacquie for most of the book. I found her and her best friend Bea, to be both conceited, spoiled and selfish. She states early on and often that she has no interest in finding a husband. She’s only interested in having a good time in whatever fashion that may be. For the time period, I had trouble reconciling with the fact she has that choice as I wonder how she would support herself? What I did like about her is that she knows what and who she is and is honest with herself about it. She doesn’t care much about others and their opinions of her.
Nora, on the other hand, is only in town to find a husband. She’s 25 and realizes she only has this one chance to find a husband to finance her country home living. Being shy and introverted, she has trouble getting the attention of the right people. She makes a trade with Jacquie that she will get Jacquie the best invitations that her title affords her in exchange for being introduced to the wealthy, titled men she’s interested in dating.
Walsh wrote a great cast of characters here. The ladies are surrounded by a pretty large group of likeminded people. I truly enjoyed the scenes with Phin and Gina and wouldn’t mind seeing this being a first in a series so we can see their happy endings as well.
I wanted to love this book and only ended up liking it instead. I found the pacing to be a little annoying as the beginning seems to drag and the ending feels rushed and abrupt. My other issue was that Nora and Jacquie only have a couple of in-depth conversations. It was very hard to believe they could be so in love after spending most of their time talking about finding Nora a husband. I would’ve liked less party scenes and more of them getting to know each other.
I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of historical romances and I look forward to reading more from Walsh in the future.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2021
“La and taradiddle!”
It’s the season to get a husband and London is the place where it all happens. For Lady Honorah (Nora) Banfield it’s on! She needs to marry well to secure a comfortable future for herself and her beloved family country estate. Under the ever watchful eye of her aunt Mildred she endures – or should I say suffers - the countless balls and assemblies. Oh, if only she possessed the flair and ease of the pretty Miss Jacqueline (Jacquie) Lockhart who’s enjoying her sixth season. With eager suitors flocking around her, Jacquie and her bff Miss Beatrice (Bea) Everson make sure they keep their dance cards filled as they bring their flirting A-game.
Everybody seems to have their eye on the Earl of Sinclair who is in need of a wife. Nora needs to aim high so the Earl would be a perfect match but as a wallflower she isn’t able to catch his eye. She turns to Jacqui for help. In exchange for invitations to the best parties (where all the aristos are) Jacquie promises to snare the Earl for Nora. But then Bea suddenly has decided that 6 seasons are enough and she needs to settle down… with the Earl of Sinclair.
If you have read this far and you wonder where the Sapphic angle is in all of this straight marriage madness, I can assure you there is gay-a-plenty. Author Jane Walsh manages to keep us entertained while the ladies scheme and plot. In Regency times women had to be very clever to find any time away from their restrictive lives and the prying eyes of society. A scandal that could ruin your reputation for life was lurking around every corner. I’m surprised they didn’t develop ulcers from all that stress. Walsh succeeds to show us that oppressive feeling women must have felt back then. Not everything felt as period as it should be, but this being her debut I won’t be too harsh on that.
Her Lady to Love offers some Regency realness for history lovers and covert Sapphic goings on for the romance fans. Check it out!
f/f
Themes: London 1813, wedding mart, hunting for a man of means, sometimes I could slap aunt Mildred for being such a broken record, the importance of being connected to the right people, and what’s with this cover? Why is it so hard to get any historical accuracy when it comes to fashion, hair and make-up?
3.4 Stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
It’s the season to get a husband and London is the place where it all happens. For Lady Honorah (Nora) Banfield it’s on! She needs to marry well to secure a comfortable future for herself and her beloved family country estate. Under the ever watchful eye of her aunt Mildred she endures – or should I say suffers - the countless balls and assemblies. Oh, if only she possessed the flair and ease of the pretty Miss Jacqueline (Jacquie) Lockhart who’s enjoying her sixth season. With eager suitors flocking around her, Jacquie and her bff Miss Beatrice (Bea) Everson make sure they keep their dance cards filled as they bring their flirting A-game.
Everybody seems to have their eye on the Earl of Sinclair who is in need of a wife. Nora needs to aim high so the Earl would be a perfect match but as a wallflower she isn’t able to catch his eye. She turns to Jacqui for help. In exchange for invitations to the best parties (where all the aristos are) Jacquie promises to snare the Earl for Nora. But then Bea suddenly has decided that 6 seasons are enough and she needs to settle down… with the Earl of Sinclair.
If you have read this far and you wonder where the Sapphic angle is in all of this straight marriage madness, I can assure you there is gay-a-plenty. Author Jane Walsh manages to keep us entertained while the ladies scheme and plot. In Regency times women had to be very clever to find any time away from their restrictive lives and the prying eyes of society. A scandal that could ruin your reputation for life was lurking around every corner. I’m surprised they didn’t develop ulcers from all that stress. Walsh succeeds to show us that oppressive feeling women must have felt back then. Not everything felt as period as it should be, but this being her debut I won’t be too harsh on that.
Her Lady to Love offers some Regency realness for history lovers and covert Sapphic goings on for the romance fans. Check it out!
f/f
Themes: London 1813, wedding mart, hunting for a man of means, sometimes I could slap aunt Mildred for being such a broken record, the importance of being connected to the right people, and what’s with this cover? Why is it so hard to get any historical accuracy when it comes to fashion, hair and make-up?
3.4 Stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
November 5, 2020
I've always liked regency romances, and have read many in the past. However, those were all M/F romances. So, when I saw that this is a F/F regency, I knew I had to pick this up. Jacque is in her 6th season and has no plans to marry, despite her parents' ambitions and plans for her. She are quite popular though with the gentlemen of the ton. Lady Honora is new to London, has great family connections, but when it comes to parties of the ton, she's a wallflower. So Nora asked Jacque to help her snag a husband, specifically the Earl of Sinclair. Both Jacque and Nora are aware of their attraction to other women. They have had romantic relationships with other women. But society dictates that women need to find a man to marry, mainly for financial and societal stabilities.
This book shows that, even in Regency times, homosexual relationships exist. They have to be in secret though, as sodomy laws are still in effect. A lot of times, gay men and women are pressured into heterosexual marriages. The romance in this story is average though. Most of the book is set in and around ton parties and balls. Of course, that's because these women's lives revolve around these shindigs and that is where one hunts for husbands. I just wish the main characters have more depth. The most interesting character in the book is Georgina, who befriended Nora. She hosts an all female get-together at her house where they discuss politics and other social issues. Overall, this is a pretty solid debut novel. The premise is good, but not as fleshed out as it could have been.
This book shows that, even in Regency times, homosexual relationships exist. They have to be in secret though, as sodomy laws are still in effect. A lot of times, gay men and women are pressured into heterosexual marriages. The romance in this story is average though. Most of the book is set in and around ton parties and balls. Of course, that's because these women's lives revolve around these shindigs and that is where one hunts for husbands. I just wish the main characters have more depth. The most interesting character in the book is Georgina, who befriended Nora. She hosts an all female get-together at her house where they discuss politics and other social issues. Overall, this is a pretty solid debut novel. The premise is good, but not as fleshed out as it could have been.
April 13, 2022
I love to read historical romances. The description of different times and different mores and rules can be fascinating. I also like the main characters to be a bit adventurous and different from the rest of the people of their era. This book had that, but it felt unrealistic. I also wasn’t able to feel a real connection with the main characters. Maybe because their love felt instant and therefore somewhat superficial. Too superficial to break with the rigid rules and traditions of those times for women of the ton. They lived under the protection of male family members until their husbands took over that role. So the choice of the main characters to live together in the country instead of marrying a man, after only 6 weeks or so felt surprising. There were also things in the book that I enjoyed. I liked reading about the gatherings where women of different classes met to talk about their lives, politics and their the lack of rights. The same goes for the way the group of people that liked or loved their own sex or tried to live according to their gender tried to protect each other. I don’t know wether there were such gatherings or groups in reality, but the idea is heart warming.
All in all this was a 3 star book for me.
All in all this was a 3 star book for me.
November 9, 2020
THIS MISSED THE MARK FOR ME
I was so excited for this. It was going to be my first FF historical romance and I had such high hopes. But Walsh didn't deliver on my expectations. I didn't connect with the story or the characters and that made this a difficult book to get through...
👍 What I Liked 👍
Inclusion and community: Even though most of this book didn't work for me, I really appreciated the inclusion of different queer identities. And I also appreciated how the queer community was portrayed as.. well, as a wholesome, supportive community!
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Nora: I cannot stress how much I disliked Nora. She was a terrible character and an even worse MC. She was jealous, possessive and selfish. She makes demands of Jacquie without doing anything in return for her. And she doesn't care that her demands hurt Jacquie, because Nora only cares about herself.
Romance: I felt no chemistry between Nora and Jacquie, their relationship was so strange, because I couldn't feel them clicking as a couple and it took so long for them to find each other. And then they were suddenly in love. Completely out of the blue. It didn't work for me at all.
Story and plot: The plot was so thin, there was nothing to drive the story onward. There was no hook (aside from the FF romance) that made this book stand out amongst the millions of other historical romances.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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I was so excited for this. It was going to be my first FF historical romance and I had such high hopes. But Walsh didn't deliver on my expectations. I didn't connect with the story or the characters and that made this a difficult book to get through...
👍 What I Liked 👍
Inclusion and community: Even though most of this book didn't work for me, I really appreciated the inclusion of different queer identities. And I also appreciated how the queer community was portrayed as.. well, as a wholesome, supportive community!
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Nora: I cannot stress how much I disliked Nora. She was a terrible character and an even worse MC. She was jealous, possessive and selfish. She makes demands of Jacquie without doing anything in return for her. And she doesn't care that her demands hurt Jacquie, because Nora only cares about herself.
Romance: I felt no chemistry between Nora and Jacquie, their relationship was so strange, because I couldn't feel them clicking as a couple and it took so long for them to find each other. And then they were suddenly in love. Completely out of the blue. It didn't work for me at all.
Story and plot: The plot was so thin, there was nothing to drive the story onward. There was no hook (aside from the FF romance) that made this book stand out amongst the millions of other historical romances.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Blog Post: 15 Books to Read if You Love Jane Austen
March 6, 2021
Attempt 2: 3/4/2021 to 3/6/2021
Started where I left off, and slogged through to the end. This book is just BORING. There was no plot at all for most of the books, and then sudden swings and declarations that feel like they come from nowhere. The bitchy best friend was unbearable. I didn’t care about the main couple at all, and certainly didn’t believe that they were in love.
Attempt 1: 10/24/2020 to 11/15/2020
DNF at 66%.
I’ve been trying to read this book for weeks now, but I just can’t get through it. It’s. So. Slow. The characters are so flat I barely even want to call them one dimensional — that implies they have literally any personality traits. They aren’t nice to each other, but not even in a bantering, enemies-to-lovers kind of way. They just talk about marrying other people while claiming to be horny for one another, but demonstrate literally zero chemistry.
This is FF historical. I wanted to like it. I just didn’t.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
Started where I left off, and slogged through to the end. This book is just BORING. There was no plot at all for most of the books, and then sudden swings and declarations that feel like they come from nowhere. The bitchy best friend was unbearable. I didn’t care about the main couple at all, and certainly didn’t believe that they were in love.
Attempt 1: 10/24/2020 to 11/15/2020
DNF at 66%.
I’ve been trying to read this book for weeks now, but I just can’t get through it. It’s. So. Slow. The characters are so flat I barely even want to call them one dimensional — that implies they have literally any personality traits. They aren’t nice to each other, but not even in a bantering, enemies-to-lovers kind of way. They just talk about marrying other people while claiming to be horny for one another, but demonstrate literally zero chemistry.
This is FF historical. I wanted to like it. I just didn’t.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
January 3, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC of this book.
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this debut from Jane Walsh. What stood out to me the most was Walsh’s ability to immerse the reader in the Regency England setting. The writing was Austen-esque in terms of word choice and sentence structure, but it thankfully lacked the clunkiness. Marriage and social climbing were huge themes in this book, which makes sense given the period. I think I would have rather had more feels than all that society talk (yes, I’m thinking about The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, which probably isn’t fair, since they’re totally different novels), but I appreciate that this novel helped me learn a great deal about the Regency period.
Our two leads, 25-year-old Honora and 26-year-old Jacqueline, are both nearing the end of the “prime” marriage period. Honora is a subdued wallflower, while Jacqueline is much more extroverted. I enjoyed their interactions and think that, for the most part, they make a lovely opposites-attract couple. Unfortunately, while I loved Nora, I was on the fence about Jacquie. Half the time, I thought she was sweet and genuine, while the rest of the time, I thought she was shallow and conceited (along with her friend, Beatrice, who egged her on). I think this is most prominent in the dismissive way she often treats her maid, Sally, who always bends over backwards to treat Jacquie well. In general, I would have liked for the “lowest-ranking” characters to shine more. (Again, this all might be completely accurate for the time period, but…I don’t know…) I was happy, however, that Walsh included so many queer secondary characters. They’re all delightful, especially Mr. Smith!
I think that this story really shines during the last 30%. Often, I’m not a huge fan of the tension/breakup that happens around the 80% mark of most romance novels, but the tension in this novel actually worked well for me. While I knew that, as a romance novel, this would be a HEA, it was never obvious how the HEA would work out. So yeah, more points for the ending!
Overall, I enjoyed this and will be looking forward to more books from Jane Walsh.
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this debut from Jane Walsh. What stood out to me the most was Walsh’s ability to immerse the reader in the Regency England setting. The writing was Austen-esque in terms of word choice and sentence structure, but it thankfully lacked the clunkiness. Marriage and social climbing were huge themes in this book, which makes sense given the period. I think I would have rather had more feels than all that society talk (yes, I’m thinking about The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, which probably isn’t fair, since they’re totally different novels), but I appreciate that this novel helped me learn a great deal about the Regency period.
Our two leads, 25-year-old Honora and 26-year-old Jacqueline, are both nearing the end of the “prime” marriage period. Honora is a subdued wallflower, while Jacqueline is much more extroverted. I enjoyed their interactions and think that, for the most part, they make a lovely opposites-attract couple. Unfortunately, while I loved Nora, I was on the fence about Jacquie. Half the time, I thought she was sweet and genuine, while the rest of the time, I thought she was shallow and conceited (along with her friend, Beatrice, who egged her on). I think this is most prominent in the dismissive way she often treats her maid, Sally, who always bends over backwards to treat Jacquie well. In general, I would have liked for the “lowest-ranking” characters to shine more. (Again, this all might be completely accurate for the time period, but…I don’t know…) I was happy, however, that Walsh included so many queer secondary characters. They’re all delightful, especially Mr. Smith!
I think that this story really shines during the last 30%. Often, I’m not a huge fan of the tension/breakup that happens around the 80% mark of most romance novels, but the tension in this novel actually worked well for me. While I knew that, as a romance novel, this would be a HEA, it was never obvious how the HEA would work out. So yeah, more points for the ending!
Overall, I enjoyed this and will be looking forward to more books from Jane Walsh.
January 17, 2022
3/5 stars
This was a sweet historical romance, but it was a bit bumpy as well. Last year I read the second book in this series, Her Countess to Cherish and absolutely adored it. It was one of my faves of the year. While I definitely enjoyed that book more than this one, I don’t say that to bash this book, but rather to highlight how much Walsh’ writing and story making has developed and improved. It also meant that my expectations for this book were so high, which also might account for my disappointment.
This was a classic case of opposites attract, with serious and shy Lady Honora (Nora) enlisting the help of charming and notorious Lady Jaqueline to snare herself a Duke. I enjoyed the general romance, but I can’t say it is a stand out. While the characters fit together well, there was nothing that really drew me in. I felt like both characters had times of acting unreasonable, especially Nora, which kind of spoilt the sweeter moments for me. I also think the side characters interrupted the romance, rather than cause helpful tension for the story or complement the romance plot. It just felt like all the parts of the story coming together, although being perfectly sound by themselves, felt awkward on the whole. I liked the side characters, they were unique and interesting people, but it also for some reason didn’t feel like they fit into Nora and Jaqueline’s story. Similarly, since there was so much focus on the romance (which I don’t mind because I love romance), when it faltered sometimes there was no interesting plot to hold the whole book together.
I still want to say that overall this was an enjoyable and a well-written story, but my expectations were so high after reading Walsh’s more recent release. Nonetheless, I’m still looking forward to read more from this author
This was a sweet historical romance, but it was a bit bumpy as well. Last year I read the second book in this series, Her Countess to Cherish and absolutely adored it. It was one of my faves of the year. While I definitely enjoyed that book more than this one, I don’t say that to bash this book, but rather to highlight how much Walsh’ writing and story making has developed and improved. It also meant that my expectations for this book were so high, which also might account for my disappointment.
This was a classic case of opposites attract, with serious and shy Lady Honora (Nora) enlisting the help of charming and notorious Lady Jaqueline to snare herself a Duke. I enjoyed the general romance, but I can’t say it is a stand out. While the characters fit together well, there was nothing that really drew me in. I felt like both characters had times of acting unreasonable, especially Nora, which kind of spoilt the sweeter moments for me. I also think the side characters interrupted the romance, rather than cause helpful tension for the story or complement the romance plot. It just felt like all the parts of the story coming together, although being perfectly sound by themselves, felt awkward on the whole. I liked the side characters, they were unique and interesting people, but it also for some reason didn’t feel like they fit into Nora and Jaqueline’s story. Similarly, since there was so much focus on the romance (which I don’t mind because I love romance), when it faltered sometimes there was no interesting plot to hold the whole book together.
I still want to say that overall this was an enjoyable and a well-written story, but my expectations were so high after reading Walsh’s more recent release. Nonetheless, I’m still looking forward to read more from this author
May 27, 2023
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both heroines
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: No
Format: a very old advanced reader copy in e-book form that I’ve let languish on my kindle for years
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I don’t see this listed as a series on goodreads, but I believe its the first of a series. (Her Countess to Cherish features a side character from this novel).
Basic plot:
Jacquie and Nora strike a bargain – Nora will get Jacquie invitations if she can help set up her up with a husband.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1813)
- London setting
- Lots of balls and social gatherings
- F/F pairing
- low to mid steam – 2 full scenes but they were a touch on the short side. Walsh’s scenes are explicit enough that you know what is happening but were a touch on the flowery side for prose and ended a bit abruptly for me
- touch of instalust
- forbidden love
- you’re okay with scenes of other woman/other man jealousy
Ages:
- Jacquie is 26, Nora is 25
First line:
Miss Jacqueline Lockhart stood at the edge of the ballroom with her dearest friend and only true confidante, Miss Beatrice Everson.
My thoughts:
Overall I think this was a sweet story, but it had focus on a couple things I’m not a big fan of in romance so it ended up not being a favorite for me.
Jacque is delightful – she has this bright and energetic personality and she came off as one of those people you just cannot help but enjoy when you are around them. She lights up a room. This is her sixth London season as her parents are really hoping to use her good looks to gain them a title and bring them up in society.
Lady Nora has good society connections but her shyness impedes her social interactions. Jacquie helps bring her out of her shell and she really blossoms with a friendship together.
This is a really cute story – it does have a bit of instalust between the mains, but they hold off a bit by striking a bargain. Jacquie will help secure Nora a husband and Nora will invite Jacquie to all the best society parties. This results in what becomes a friendship until passion is acted upon. I really loved both heroines!
There were quite a few scenes of other woman/other man jealousy and drama that I don’t really get into. Some scenes of cattiness and just general judgments of society made it more of a heavy read for me. So while I maybe wouldn’t reread this one, I would definitely try more by Walsh :) I did like the ending but would have really loved an epilogue.
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both heroines
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: No
Format: a very old advanced reader copy in e-book form that I’ve let languish on my kindle for years
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I don’t see this listed as a series on goodreads, but I believe its the first of a series. (Her Countess to Cherish features a side character from this novel).
Basic plot:
Jacquie and Nora strike a bargain – Nora will get Jacquie invitations if she can help set up her up with a husband.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1813)
- London setting
- Lots of balls and social gatherings
- F/F pairing
- low to mid steam – 2 full scenes but they were a touch on the short side. Walsh’s scenes are explicit enough that you know what is happening but were a touch on the flowery side for prose and ended a bit abruptly for me
- touch of instalust
- forbidden love
- you’re okay with scenes of other woman/other man jealousy
Ages:
- Jacquie is 26, Nora is 25
First line:
Miss Jacqueline Lockhart stood at the edge of the ballroom with her dearest friend and only true confidante, Miss Beatrice Everson.
My thoughts:
Overall I think this was a sweet story, but it had focus on a couple things I’m not a big fan of in romance so it ended up not being a favorite for me.
Jacque is delightful – she has this bright and energetic personality and she came off as one of those people you just cannot help but enjoy when you are around them. She lights up a room. This is her sixth London season as her parents are really hoping to use her good looks to gain them a title and bring them up in society.
Lady Nora has good society connections but her shyness impedes her social interactions. Jacquie helps bring her out of her shell and she really blossoms with a friendship together.
This is a really cute story – it does have a bit of instalust between the mains, but they hold off a bit by striking a bargain. Jacquie will help secure Nora a husband and Nora will invite Jacquie to all the best society parties. This results in what becomes a friendship until passion is acted upon. I really loved both heroines!
There were quite a few scenes of other woman/other man jealousy and drama that I don’t really get into. Some scenes of cattiness and just general judgments of society made it more of a heavy read for me. So while I maybe wouldn’t reread this one, I would definitely try more by Walsh :) I did like the ending but would have really loved an epilogue.
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
November 4, 2020
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was excited for Her Lady to Love, as f/f historicals remain rare in traditional publishing. This book is fairly charming read, filling the void fairly well. Jane Walsh clearly knows her stuff, capturing the minute period details fairly well, and while I’m familiar with most of them from having read many a Regency, I admire her ability to sweep me away for a few hours, which was something I considered essential for my Election Day reading.
Of the two heroines, Jacquie is the more compelling, taking on the “rogue” role, resisting attempts at matchmaking and being happily unwed after six seasons. While the rake archetype has long bored me, I continue to love the way gender subversion alters the dynamic.
However, I didn’t feel as invested in Nora as a character, and the story feels uneven, leaving the relationship development a little neglected, although there are some fabulous flirty and intimate scenes.
I did like the way it set up the potential for more stories down the road with such a diverse supporting cast representing various parts of the LGBTQ+ community. And I liked that, while Nora and Jacquie’s birth families were judgy, these supporting characters formed a loving surrogate family to an extent that I’d love to see more of.
While I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped, I would love to see where all these characters end up next. If you’ve been looking for more f/f historical romance, I think it’s worth giving this a try.
I was excited for Her Lady to Love, as f/f historicals remain rare in traditional publishing. This book is fairly charming read, filling the void fairly well. Jane Walsh clearly knows her stuff, capturing the minute period details fairly well, and while I’m familiar with most of them from having read many a Regency, I admire her ability to sweep me away for a few hours, which was something I considered essential for my Election Day reading.
Of the two heroines, Jacquie is the more compelling, taking on the “rogue” role, resisting attempts at matchmaking and being happily unwed after six seasons. While the rake archetype has long bored me, I continue to love the way gender subversion alters the dynamic.
However, I didn’t feel as invested in Nora as a character, and the story feels uneven, leaving the relationship development a little neglected, although there are some fabulous flirty and intimate scenes.
I did like the way it set up the potential for more stories down the road with such a diverse supporting cast representing various parts of the LGBTQ+ community. And I liked that, while Nora and Jacquie’s birth families were judgy, these supporting characters formed a loving surrogate family to an extent that I’d love to see more of.
While I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped, I would love to see where all these characters end up next. If you’ve been looking for more f/f historical romance, I think it’s worth giving this a try.
October 3, 2020
Lady Honora arrive in London to find herself a husband with the help of her aunt Mildred. She hasn’t had any luck when she meets Jacqueline she attracted to her but also knows she can help her find a husband.
Jacqueline doesn’t really care for settling down she having too much fun besides she not really into men even though they are into her. As she trying to recover from heartache she meets Lady Honora and she does something to her even though she decides to give up on love. When they both become friends they surprise it turns into something more but they both know it won’t last because Honora is determined to get married. Will they let society dictate how they should live their lives or risk their reputation on a chance of a love of lifetime.
This was good read. It amazes me how society can really rule your life that you think it’s right going along then being true to yourself. I love Jacqueline because she didn’t care to follow the norm and even though she doesn’t she never was judging that Beatrice and Honora wanted to married to have nobility.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Jacqueline doesn’t really care for settling down she having too much fun besides she not really into men even though they are into her. As she trying to recover from heartache she meets Lady Honora and she does something to her even though she decides to give up on love. When they both become friends they surprise it turns into something more but they both know it won’t last because Honora is determined to get married. Will they let society dictate how they should live their lives or risk their reputation on a chance of a love of lifetime.
This was good read. It amazes me how society can really rule your life that you think it’s right going along then being true to yourself. I love Jacqueline because she didn’t care to follow the norm and even though she doesn’t she never was judging that Beatrice and Honora wanted to married to have nobility.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
December 11, 2020
When I read summary of this book, I wanted to dive into it as soon as possible. Better yet, immediately. I love historical romances. And a sapphic historical romance? It's what the world (and this humble reviewer) needs more of!
Sadly, in the end, I feel a tiny bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong - this was a good story. Definitely would recommend. It's fun, it's sexy (though not explicit), it has this regency vibe of longing and "a touch of your ungloved hand kills me" thing going on.
At the same time, there were some issues with this book that took away from my general enjoyment, such as pacing, which was all over the place. The beginning dragged on quite a bit, while the ending felt absolutely rushed. More than that, the romance between Honora and Jacqueline didn't really have time to develop in all of that? They had some amazing moments and I loved their meet-cute, and the flirtation that followed (like sending gifts, the covert glances, innocent not-so-innocent touches - I live for that stuff!). But other than that, to me it didn't feel like they actually got to know each other that well, as their conversations mostly revolved around their attempts at finding husband for Honora.
Now onto what I absolutely adored about this book - the secondary characters and the sense of community. Apart from Nora and Jacquie, author introduces a plethora of queer characters as well as a transgender character. I loved the kinship, solidarity and support that was shared between them and how author focused on LGBTQ+ community, not only on the romance. To be honest, I would love to read more stories set in this universe, especially book on George, but also Phin and his Duke, and even Bea.
What it all comes down to is this - while this was not perfect, "Her Lady to Love" is still an impressive addition to the genre and one I don't hesitate to recommend. There are times when make-you-feel-good vibes are more important than pacing issues and this is one of those times.
Sadly, in the end, I feel a tiny bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong - this was a good story. Definitely would recommend. It's fun, it's sexy (though not explicit), it has this regency vibe of longing and "a touch of your ungloved hand kills me" thing going on.
At the same time, there were some issues with this book that took away from my general enjoyment, such as pacing, which was all over the place. The beginning dragged on quite a bit, while the ending felt absolutely rushed. More than that, the romance between Honora and Jacqueline didn't really have time to develop in all of that? They had some amazing moments and I loved their meet-cute, and the flirtation that followed (like sending gifts, the covert glances, innocent not-so-innocent touches - I live for that stuff!). But other than that, to me it didn't feel like they actually got to know each other that well, as their conversations mostly revolved around their attempts at finding husband for Honora.
Now onto what I absolutely adored about this book - the secondary characters and the sense of community. Apart from Nora and Jacquie, author introduces a plethora of queer characters as well as a transgender character. I loved the kinship, solidarity and support that was shared between them and how author focused on LGBTQ+ community, not only on the romance. To be honest, I would love to read more stories set in this universe, especially book on George, but also Phin and his Duke, and even Bea.
What it all comes down to is this - while this was not perfect, "Her Lady to Love" is still an impressive addition to the genre and one I don't hesitate to recommend. There are times when make-you-feel-good vibes are more important than pacing issues and this is one of those times.
October 12, 2020
3.5 stars!
Thank you to Netgallery and Jane Walsh for the ARC!
Her Lady to Love is a lesbian love story about two women trying to find their place amongst nagging families, gossiping society and so-called friends who might cause more harm than genuine friendship. It's sweet, light and funny but could benefit from some editing in regards to the overall pacing.
I rounded this up because overall, I really enjoyed HLTL; the story was light and full of easy-reading charm. It had moments of depth and emotion and I wished it developed certain plot points outside of the central romance (especially the lgbt+ community and its place in this era). The main two characters are lovely and their romance blossoms rather quickly but earnestly; I like seeing women become friends and lovers without questioning themselves, but rather the issues coming from outside sources such as societal pressures. It's nice to see good communication as well!
The book gets a lot of points for addressing issues of gender and lgbt+ roles but I really wish the author cut down on some bits in the beginning and expanded the ending further instead; I would've loved seeing Nora and Jacqueline find their own place in a society they've created and a found family they chose too. The ending was a bit rushed too, but I felt satisfied for the hopeful ending hinted at too.
All in all, a lovely enjoyable lesbian romance read.
Thank you to Netgallery and Jane Walsh for the ARC!
Her Lady to Love is a lesbian love story about two women trying to find their place amongst nagging families, gossiping society and so-called friends who might cause more harm than genuine friendship. It's sweet, light and funny but could benefit from some editing in regards to the overall pacing.
I rounded this up because overall, I really enjoyed HLTL; the story was light and full of easy-reading charm. It had moments of depth and emotion and I wished it developed certain plot points outside of the central romance (especially the lgbt+ community and its place in this era). The main two characters are lovely and their romance blossoms rather quickly but earnestly; I like seeing women become friends and lovers without questioning themselves, but rather the issues coming from outside sources such as societal pressures. It's nice to see good communication as well!
The book gets a lot of points for addressing issues of gender and lgbt+ roles but I really wish the author cut down on some bits in the beginning and expanded the ending further instead; I would've loved seeing Nora and Jacqueline find their own place in a society they've created and a found family they chose too. The ending was a bit rushed too, but I felt satisfied for the hopeful ending hinted at too.
All in all, a lovely enjoyable lesbian romance read.
October 4, 2020
* I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
First time reading something from Jane Walsh and it definitely won't be the last. I normally don't read historical novels as they are not exactly my cup of tea but this one intrigued me a lot from the description and thankfully it was a great read.
Lady Honora, a country mouse, comes to London with the only objective to find a husband with her aunt's help. She meets Jacqueline in a social gathering and they decide to help each other with their respective goals. Jacqueline will help Nora find a potential suitor and Nora will get Jacqueline invites to the most exclusive events and somehow satisfy Jacqueline's parents who start to wonder why she haven't found a powerful husband yet.
I really liked the language and the descriptions the author used, it really helped me get into the book and I literally devoured it in one evening. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
First time reading something from Jane Walsh and it definitely won't be the last. I normally don't read historical novels as they are not exactly my cup of tea but this one intrigued me a lot from the description and thankfully it was a great read.
Lady Honora, a country mouse, comes to London with the only objective to find a husband with her aunt's help. She meets Jacqueline in a social gathering and they decide to help each other with their respective goals. Jacqueline will help Nora find a potential suitor and Nora will get Jacqueline invites to the most exclusive events and somehow satisfy Jacqueline's parents who start to wonder why she haven't found a powerful husband yet.
I really liked the language and the descriptions the author used, it really helped me get into the book and I literally devoured it in one evening. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
November 7, 2020
I received an early copy of this by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A perpetual wallflower Lady Honora Banfield arrives in London with one mission: to catch a husband. Miss Jacqueline Lockhart, on the other hand, is having too much fun in her sixth season to ever consider settling down, even though she’s been unsuccessful at mingling with the upper echelons of London society. When Lady Honora agrees to exchange invitations to the most exclusive events in return for Jacqueline’s introductions to eligible gentlemen, neither expect their friendship to ignite passion.
This was the first queer historical romance I’ve ever read and probably won’t be the last. The romance was cute and I’m a sucker for mutual pining which was happening in the first half of the book. Jane Walsh created an immersive world taking us to Regency London. It has a diverse cast of character including lesbian, gay and non-binary characters. Sadly, not all of them were very likeable… From our two main characters, I much preferred Nora, who, although was quiet and often indecisive, stood by her morals and was not afraid to explore new things and find her true self. Where Jacquie got on my nerves because of how horrible she was to the people closest to her and rarely took a moment to consider how her actions impact them. In fact, I believe side characters Lady Georgina, Phin and Hawthorne to be more exciting to read about (perfect opportunity for a companion novel). The ending also felt sort of rushed and quite random. However, it was a fun read I yearned to picked up and continue to read whenever I had time. A fine debut novel from Jane Walsh.
A perpetual wallflower Lady Honora Banfield arrives in London with one mission: to catch a husband. Miss Jacqueline Lockhart, on the other hand, is having too much fun in her sixth season to ever consider settling down, even though she’s been unsuccessful at mingling with the upper echelons of London society. When Lady Honora agrees to exchange invitations to the most exclusive events in return for Jacqueline’s introductions to eligible gentlemen, neither expect their friendship to ignite passion.
This was the first queer historical romance I’ve ever read and probably won’t be the last. The romance was cute and I’m a sucker for mutual pining which was happening in the first half of the book. Jane Walsh created an immersive world taking us to Regency London. It has a diverse cast of character including lesbian, gay and non-binary characters. Sadly, not all of them were very likeable… From our two main characters, I much preferred Nora, who, although was quiet and often indecisive, stood by her morals and was not afraid to explore new things and find her true self. Where Jacquie got on my nerves because of how horrible she was to the people closest to her and rarely took a moment to consider how her actions impact them. In fact, I believe side characters Lady Georgina, Phin and Hawthorne to be more exciting to read about (perfect opportunity for a companion novel). The ending also felt sort of rushed and quite random. However, it was a fun read I yearned to picked up and continue to read whenever I had time. A fine debut novel from Jane Walsh.
November 3, 2020
Her Lady to Love is an impressive debut by Jane Walsh and a positive addition to the ever growing representation of LBGTQ+ stories in the historical romance genre.
This author did a beautiful job of building the world. Lots of time taken to transport the reader to Regency era London. Plenty of descriptions of clothing, of sights and sounds, little details about Gunter's Ices and Vauxhall Gardens really give the reader a sense of time and place. More importantly, interesting details about the queer community of this period. I liked that this wasn't just a romance that focused on the two leads, Nora and Jacquie, but also brought in society at the time and the hardships (and places of finding joy) of the LGBTQ+ community.
Now, though I appreciated the world building and details, this book definitely took a while to get going and was a bit slow for me the first quarter, while the ending seemed a bit rushed.
This book is really the story of Jacquie. She is the most sympathetic character and goes through the most dynamic changes. She's cast in the "rogue" role, who wants to be able to love freely, but can't due to the constraints of society. She loves hard and completely. She vivacious and interesting. She falls for Lady Honora, who just wasn't as interesting a character (even in the book she's described as dull). Nora never quite impressed me as much as Jacquie, and maybe that's because we spent a bit too much time in Nora's thoughts. Are Nora and Jacquie really a good fit? I'm not sure. I think Jacquie loves the idea of being in love, and though there was chemistry between the two, Jacquie was such a vivaciously written character, she had chemistry with everyone. Along with the LGBTQ+ issues, there are a lot of social class differences dealt with.
There were many side characters that I hope this author writes about. Gina, Phin and the Duke, the Duchess, even Bea (who was a hard one to like at the beginning, but definitely has an interesting story to tell.)
This book had a fair amount of steam, two "open door" scenes that were sexy and tastefully written.
I really look forward to more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own and are freely given.
This author did a beautiful job of building the world. Lots of time taken to transport the reader to Regency era London. Plenty of descriptions of clothing, of sights and sounds, little details about Gunter's Ices and Vauxhall Gardens really give the reader a sense of time and place. More importantly, interesting details about the queer community of this period. I liked that this wasn't just a romance that focused on the two leads, Nora and Jacquie, but also brought in society at the time and the hardships (and places of finding joy) of the LGBTQ+ community.
Now, though I appreciated the world building and details, this book definitely took a while to get going and was a bit slow for me the first quarter, while the ending seemed a bit rushed.
This book is really the story of Jacquie. She is the most sympathetic character and goes through the most dynamic changes. She's cast in the "rogue" role, who wants to be able to love freely, but can't due to the constraints of society. She loves hard and completely. She vivacious and interesting. She falls for Lady Honora, who just wasn't as interesting a character (even in the book she's described as dull). Nora never quite impressed me as much as Jacquie, and maybe that's because we spent a bit too much time in Nora's thoughts. Are Nora and Jacquie really a good fit? I'm not sure. I think Jacquie loves the idea of being in love, and though there was chemistry between the two, Jacquie was such a vivaciously written character, she had chemistry with everyone. Along with the LGBTQ+ issues, there are a lot of social class differences dealt with.
There were many side characters that I hope this author writes about. Gina, Phin and the Duke, the Duchess, even Bea (who was a hard one to like at the beginning, but definitely has an interesting story to tell.)
This book had a fair amount of steam, two "open door" scenes that were sexy and tastefully written.
I really look forward to more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own and are freely given.
October 28, 2020
I received an early copy of this by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rep: lesbian mcs, gay side characters, nonbinary side character
When I read the description for this book, I knew I needed to read it; I mean, a country lady who goes to London to look for a husband but ends up falling in love with the woman who was supposed to help her find one? Yeah, more of that please.
I will start by saying that even though this book had great representation and the solidarity between the various LGBTQ+ characters was really heartwarming, I feel like it needed to be worked on a little more.
The execution was a bit weak and boring at times especially in the first half. The second half picked up a little, there were some romantic and emotional scenes that I enjoyed, particularly one in the last chapter.
I think the main flaw this book had was the characterization: most of the characters didn't feel realistic because they acted and spoke in a very theatrical way, their actions were often over the top. One of the characters I liked the least was the main character's supposed best friend, I wrote "supposed" because she was more of a frenemy and a parody, she would say everything and the opposite.
Moreover, the relationship between the two main characters was very superficial and underdeveloped, I would say it got better in the last 30% but before that they didn't really have any chemistry.
Despite these things, I didn't struggle too much while reading it, sure the plot could've been more entertaining and the love story more fleshed out but overall it was an okay read.
Rep: lesbian mcs, gay side characters, nonbinary side character
When I read the description for this book, I knew I needed to read it; I mean, a country lady who goes to London to look for a husband but ends up falling in love with the woman who was supposed to help her find one? Yeah, more of that please.
I will start by saying that even though this book had great representation and the solidarity between the various LGBTQ+ characters was really heartwarming, I feel like it needed to be worked on a little more.
The execution was a bit weak and boring at times especially in the first half. The second half picked up a little, there were some romantic and emotional scenes that I enjoyed, particularly one in the last chapter.
I think the main flaw this book had was the characterization: most of the characters didn't feel realistic because they acted and spoke in a very theatrical way, their actions were often over the top. One of the characters I liked the least was the main character's supposed best friend, I wrote "supposed" because she was more of a frenemy and a parody, she would say everything and the opposite.
Moreover, the relationship between the two main characters was very superficial and underdeveloped, I would say it got better in the last 30% but before that they didn't really have any chemistry.
Despite these things, I didn't struggle too much while reading it, sure the plot could've been more entertaining and the love story more fleshed out but overall it was an okay read.
November 13, 2020
While I'm a fan of historical romances, this one missed the mark for me... I couldn't feel the chemistry between them, and I felt like the book was dragged to the point of it being dull... Granted, it didn't help that Nora character wasn't very likable to me. 2.5 - 3 stars from me.
November 12, 2020
“When I am around her, I feel so alive. And I can’t turn away from truly living, can I?”
Historical f/f romance is my absolute favourite thing! This debut centres on two ladies determined to make the most of their season in London. Honora is fresh from the country, and determined to catch a husband to secure her future. Jacqueline is in her sixth season, and has no interest in marriage, only in having fun and getting over the heartache that her last lover left her with. The two, opposites in every way, are thrown together, and soon find themselves developing a relationship that becomes more than friendship and convenience.
Like I said, I eat up almost anything that has to do with queer people in historical settings, so I enjoyed this for those reasons. The author did a great job of building the setting, and maybe it's because I haven't read a book like this in a while, but I was really drawn in to all the drama and excitement around balls and dances and making connections. I REALLY loved all the queerness in the little cast of characters, and all the different perspectives we got on being queer in this time. It wasn't a focus of the plot, but I loved the little glimpses we got into different people's lives and experiences.
Sadly the romance, while cute, wasn't my favourite thing. I didn't dislike anything about it; I just didn't feel the chemistry as much as I'd have liked to. I felt like it was really strong in the beginning, maybe the first 50%. It was slow-burny and delicious. But as soon as they embarked on a relationship I started losing interest a bit. Some of the historical aspects felt off as well, mostly just with regard to how one of our heroines talked about being into women. Nowhere near as careful as I might have expected her to be, even taking into consideration that women had it far easier than men. Not a huge thing, but it pulled me out of the story a lot. I was pretty disinterested in the conflict, and the ending came together very very fast. I didn't exactly dislike either of our heroines, but neither did I find them very memorable.
I still mostly enjoyed this; the general ambiance, setting and writing made up for where it stumbled in other places. I'd still recommend it for people who want more historical f/f romance.
☆ Review copy provided via NetGalley.
October 11, 2020
I was not expecting a cozy historical romance with this one, and I did. This is set in London during the Georgian Regency era of the early 1800's. I loved, that while it still concentrates on the London 'season' it still brings in some of the issues of the day. It has talk of the start of the women's movement in England, some lgbt issues, and even minor political jockeying that happens at the balls. It gives just the right amount of historical ambiance to help provide some tension between our two leading ladies.
As for our leads, you have the bubbly, charismatic Jaqueline Lockhart who is a beauty and loves the attention she garners from attending the balls. And then you have the quiet, sensitive Lady Honora Banfield. They meet when Jaqueline is literally turned into Honora by Jaqueline's dancing partner. It was a lovely meet cute, and the attraction is immediate on Jacqueline's part. Jacueline was taken with Honora's reserve and grace, when others found those characteristics off putting. They seemed to understand each other, and each meeting seems to deepen that bond. Of course, there's some tension about their lot in life, and how they overcome it. I found the conflict and resolution to be very grounded, even if not common. I think that's what so good about this book and the romance. It builds so smoothly that it is hard not to appreciate. By the end of the book I still couldn't believe that the women had really only met and been involved with each other for only about two months or so. The romance felt fast, but it still felt like they knew each other so well. This is one of the few books that managed to pull of the whirlwind romance well, and I loved it.
I also have to give a shout out to the little historical and cultural details that are used throughout the book. Sometimes, especially in lesfic, they are only here or there that it doesn't help the emersion. Then there's the heavy focus on details that grinds everything to a halt. This one just seamlessly integrates them into the action, and it gives the whole thing more depth. Walsh uses fan language, actually as a servant give a character a calling card, and they all sound like they belong in that era. I loved all of it.
If you are looking for a sweet, cozy romance with grounded leads, this is for you. The author's dedication to the little cultural details do help flesh out the setting so much more. I also loved how buttery smooth everything tied together. Nothing seemed to be out of place, and the romance had some stakes. Loved all of it, with only a couple of minor quibbles. Highly Recommended.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As for our leads, you have the bubbly, charismatic Jaqueline Lockhart who is a beauty and loves the attention she garners from attending the balls. And then you have the quiet, sensitive Lady Honora Banfield. They meet when Jaqueline is literally turned into Honora by Jaqueline's dancing partner. It was a lovely meet cute, and the attraction is immediate on Jacqueline's part. Jacueline was taken with Honora's reserve and grace, when others found those characteristics off putting. They seemed to understand each other, and each meeting seems to deepen that bond. Of course, there's some tension about their lot in life, and how they overcome it. I found the conflict and resolution to be very grounded, even if not common. I think that's what so good about this book and the romance. It builds so smoothly that it is hard not to appreciate. By the end of the book I still couldn't believe that the women had really only met and been involved with each other for only about two months or so. The romance felt fast, but it still felt like they knew each other so well. This is one of the few books that managed to pull of the whirlwind romance well, and I loved it.
I also have to give a shout out to the little historical and cultural details that are used throughout the book. Sometimes, especially in lesfic, they are only here or there that it doesn't help the emersion. Then there's the heavy focus on details that grinds everything to a halt. This one just seamlessly integrates them into the action, and it gives the whole thing more depth. Walsh uses fan language, actually as a servant give a character a calling card, and they all sound like they belong in that era. I loved all of it.
If you are looking for a sweet, cozy romance with grounded leads, this is for you. The author's dedication to the little cultural details do help flesh out the setting so much more. I also loved how buttery smooth everything tied together. Nothing seemed to be out of place, and the romance had some stakes. Loved all of it, with only a couple of minor quibbles. Highly Recommended.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 2, 2020
4.25 stars. "Her Lady to love" by Jane Walsh is a historical novel set in Regency London. I really love that period, so I had to get the book! The narrator Keira Grace also does a very good job!
The two mains, Jacqueline Lockhart (called Jackie) and Lady Honora Banfield (called Nora) are very different.
Jackie is a party girl and in her sixth Season. Although she is extremely popular with the gentlemen, she is heartbroken after an affair with a now married lady. But in total she very much enjoys her seasons and has no intention to wed any man, despite her lack of funds. Her best friend Bea, also a former lover of hers, is in dire need of a husband beause of her father's debts. Bea has set her eyes on the Earl of Sinclair, and Jackie has promised her friend to help her achieve this goal.
Nora on the other hand is very shy and loves the countryside. After the death of her parents she is brought to London for the Season by her aunt, so she isn't one of the very young girls either. She is expected to wed a man, and her dowry and family connections are quite good. Nora has had some experiences with women, but she understands the expectations of her aunt. She too has set her eyes on the Earl of Sinclair. But when she sees Jackie at her dressmaker's, she is instantly captivated. When she sees a pair of pretty pink slippers, she spontaneously gives them as a gift to Jackie.
Nora's aunt is quite desperate because of Nora's shyness. Therefore, she invites Jackie and her mother to the opera, so that Jackie might be a good influence for her and present her to eligible men. And that's where it all starts. Jackie and Nora form a team to marry Nora off to the Earl of Sinclair, but the more time they spend together, the more it becomes obvious that they are made for each other.
The first part of the story is quite standard, the topics of friendship and matrimony (and sex) are predominant. Just when I was about to get a little impatient, the story got much more interesting. Jackie finds she wishes to be open about their relationship and Nora is introduced to a women's feminist circle which got her thinking. With Jackie's male best friend Finn, also gay, the topic of forbidden homosexuality is introduced, and adds a layer of social criticism to the book. I liked how that was handled by the characters.
All in all, I really liked this book. This seems to be the first one by Jane Walsh, and as a debut it's impressive. Even though I didn't care too much about the two mains, the secondary characters and the descriptions such as Vauxhall were great. I really felt that the author was very much into the period. I overall liked the book very much.
The two mains, Jacqueline Lockhart (called Jackie) and Lady Honora Banfield (called Nora) are very different.
Jackie is a party girl and in her sixth Season. Although she is extremely popular with the gentlemen, she is heartbroken after an affair with a now married lady. But in total she very much enjoys her seasons and has no intention to wed any man, despite her lack of funds. Her best friend Bea, also a former lover of hers, is in dire need of a husband beause of her father's debts. Bea has set her eyes on the Earl of Sinclair, and Jackie has promised her friend to help her achieve this goal.
Nora on the other hand is very shy and loves the countryside. After the death of her parents she is brought to London for the Season by her aunt, so she isn't one of the very young girls either. She is expected to wed a man, and her dowry and family connections are quite good. Nora has had some experiences with women, but she understands the expectations of her aunt. She too has set her eyes on the Earl of Sinclair. But when she sees Jackie at her dressmaker's, she is instantly captivated. When she sees a pair of pretty pink slippers, she spontaneously gives them as a gift to Jackie.
Nora's aunt is quite desperate because of Nora's shyness. Therefore, she invites Jackie and her mother to the opera, so that Jackie might be a good influence for her and present her to eligible men. And that's where it all starts. Jackie and Nora form a team to marry Nora off to the Earl of Sinclair, but the more time they spend together, the more it becomes obvious that they are made for each other.
The first part of the story is quite standard, the topics of friendship and matrimony (and sex) are predominant. Just when I was about to get a little impatient, the story got much more interesting. Jackie finds she wishes to be open about their relationship and Nora is introduced to a women's feminist circle which got her thinking. With Jackie's male best friend Finn, also gay, the topic of forbidden homosexuality is introduced, and adds a layer of social criticism to the book. I liked how that was handled by the characters.
All in all, I really liked this book. This seems to be the first one by Jane Walsh, and as a debut it's impressive. Even though I didn't care too much about the two mains, the secondary characters and the descriptions such as Vauxhall were great. I really felt that the author was very much into the period. I overall liked the book very much.
September 25, 2023
Loved it!
From the ballrooms to the crowed streets of London, I think Jane does a wonderful job capturing the regency era of England. Truly incredible! And the characters were a joy to get to know, especially Mr George Smith!
Though I must admit, I wasn't a big fan of Beatrice for most of the book. But she partly won me over as well!
Most importantly, I completely adored Honora and Jacqueline. I was rooting for them from the very first time they met.
From the ballrooms to the crowed streets of London, I think Jane does a wonderful job capturing the regency era of England. Truly incredible! And the characters were a joy to get to know, especially Mr George Smith!
Though I must admit, I wasn't a big fan of Beatrice for most of the book. But she partly won me over as well!
Most importantly, I completely adored Honora and Jacqueline. I was rooting for them from the very first time they met.
November 16, 2020
It is Jacquie's sixth season in London's high society, and while she's formed a vibrant network of friends, she hasn't made plans to settle down. Lady Honora (Nora) has arrived in London for her first season in order to find her match in a husband. She soon falls into Jacquie's circle and as their friendship grows, so does their attraction. But is their romance destined to be short lived as Nora's inevitable marriage becomes closer and closer?
It took me a while to get into the book - it was a touch slow in the beginning and felt a little superficial. However, as it got a little more into politics I think it really deepened not only the story but the characters were much more interesting and well developed. It was easier to connect to them as the reader gets invested in their life. The relationships really developed as well, especially Jaqueline's network of friends. I'm very picky with historical fiction, and this wasn't my favourite style, but I still enjoyed the book and would definitely read more by this author.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a while to get into the book - it was a touch slow in the beginning and felt a little superficial. However, as it got a little more into politics I think it really deepened not only the story but the characters were much more interesting and well developed. It was easier to connect to them as the reader gets invested in their life. The relationships really developed as well, especially Jaqueline's network of friends. I'm very picky with historical fiction, and this wasn't my favourite style, but I still enjoyed the book and would definitely read more by this author.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2020
I don't know how to say "I really enjoy perfectly average romance novels" without it sounding insulting? Sometimes you don't need anything that reinvents the wheel or blows your mind and you just want to settle in for a nice little read and that's what this was for me. Self-described wallflower Honora Banfield searches for husband, meets Jacqueline Lockhart who is the spirited centre of attention at every ball her relatively lower status gets her into. They agree that Nora will get Jacquie access to better places and Jacquie will help Nora with men. It's quite cute, quite predictable, a generally fun and worthwhile F/F historical romance novel. Most of my dislikes come down to personal preference, which is a good sign, probably.
There's a supporting cast of queer characters, and while I'm not entirely sure about some of them - George(gina) in particular seemed very there to help the protagonists and then disappear - I did like their presence and the community they built. There were a few plot threads which I felt were raised once or twice and then never really mentioned again, but if the author is planning to write a series this may well be a feature and not a bug. I appreciated that both Nora and Jacquie came into the relationship having had previous lovers and both perfectly aware and unashamed of what they want; I less appreciated the ending . I found myself agreeing with the Duchess of Hawthorne a lot more than I think the book wanted me to, but again, it's a horses for courses thing. If the thing I am most annoyed about is "disagree with diegetic actions" then I don't think the book has much to worry about. It's a light, easy read, and it has historical lesbians to recommend it, which is always a powerful bonus. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
There's a supporting cast of queer characters, and while I'm not entirely sure about some of them - George(gina) in particular seemed very there to help the protagonists and then disappear - I did like their presence and the community they built. There were a few plot threads which I felt were raised once or twice and then never really mentioned again, but if the author is planning to write a series this may well be a feature and not a bug. I appreciated that both Nora and Jacquie came into the relationship having had previous lovers and both perfectly aware and unashamed of what they want; I less appreciated the ending . I found myself agreeing with the Duchess of Hawthorne a lot more than I think the book wanted me to, but again, it's a horses for courses thing. If the thing I am most annoyed about is "disagree with diegetic actions" then I don't think the book has much to worry about. It's a light, easy read, and it has historical lesbians to recommend it, which is always a powerful bonus. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 30, 2020
Set in the Regency Era of London, Her Lady to Love portrays the illicit love affair between Lady Honora Banfield and Miss Jacquline Lockhart. Lady Honora arrives in London in pursuit of a great match for a husband, but what she finds is more than she bargained for. Separated not only by station but also by personality, Nora recruits Jacquie and together they devise a plan to secure the most eligible and desired match of the season. But what they didn’t expect was to fall for each other instead.
Though I’m not a fan of this kind of romance novel, Her Lady to Love succeeded in portraying the atmosphere of the Regency era. The many balls, hyper focus on class, and fashion. That is the best part of this book, the culture. This book left me wanting more. More balls, more intricate dresses, more scandals!
As for the plot, I also wish there was more story or at least more detailed events.
I do not hate this book but it’s also not a favourite. It’s a simple palate cleanser. An easy read that you won’t regret.
Though I’m not a fan of this kind of romance novel, Her Lady to Love succeeded in portraying the atmosphere of the Regency era. The many balls, hyper focus on class, and fashion. That is the best part of this book, the culture. This book left me wanting more. More balls, more intricate dresses, more scandals!
As for the plot, I also wish there was more story or at least more detailed events.
I do not hate this book but it’s also not a favourite. It’s a simple palate cleanser. An easy read that you won’t regret.
April 3, 2022
Sapphic regency romance, which by rights ought to be my catnip, but I stopped reading halfway through (and had been skimming for half of that). This book had two main problems for me. One was that there is very little awareness of the social and economic forces that underpinned Regency society. I mean, we all make allowances for the protagonists of Regency romances to be extraordinary within their setting, but they still need to be plausible. Very little about the heroine’s family context or voiced expectations made any sense for the era. The attitudes and interactions felt very “modern people dressed in costume.” And on top of that, I simply didn’t like the protagonist as a person. I could find no reason to root for her to get her happy ending. I really wish I could have like this book more, especially given that the author appears to be on quite a roll with three sapphic Regencies out as of this month and a fourth on the way.
July 13, 2024
La puntuación real sería 3 ½.
Después de ver la T3 de Los Bridgerton me quedé con ganas de más del estilo y al ver que Cristina Domenech, autora de Señoras Que Se Empotraron Hace Mucho, recomendaba esta serie de libros, me animé con el primero.
La historia es muy sencilla, quizás un pelín de más, pero es muy agradable de leer en general.
Es una historia de amor común protagonizada por lesbianas y me parece importante destacarlo ya que por desgracia, las historias LGBTQ+ tienden a estar muy estereotipadas o a hacer pasar a estos personajes por desgracias de más y aquí no ocurre nada de eso. En ese aspecto está genial escrito. Desde luego seguiré leyendo el resto de las novelas.
Después de ver la T3 de Los Bridgerton me quedé con ganas de más del estilo y al ver que Cristina Domenech, autora de Señoras Que Se Empotraron Hace Mucho, recomendaba esta serie de libros, me animé con el primero.
La historia es muy sencilla, quizás un pelín de más, pero es muy agradable de leer en general.
Es una historia de amor común protagonizada por lesbianas y me parece importante destacarlo ya que por desgracia, las historias LGBTQ+ tienden a estar muy estereotipadas o a hacer pasar a estos personajes por desgracias de más y aquí no ocurre nada de eso. En ese aspecto está genial escrito. Desde luego seguiré leyendo el resto de las novelas.
February 2, 2021
Jane Walsh’s debut novel is set in Regency London and features a f/f romance of opposites attract along with an intriguing supporting cast of other queer characters. Her Lady to Love has moments that truly shine, even if it is undercut at times by issues with pacing and an inconsistent development of the chemistry between the two main characters. I still found enough to love that I would recommend the novel to readers hungry for historical fiction featuring women who love women and want to carve their own way in the world.
*
Summary:
Lady Honora (Nora) Banfield hails from the countryside and, accompanied by her aunt, comes to London to find a husband. While she feels no attraction to men, she believes her best hope in life is to marry someone who will allow her to retire to a quiet home where she can raise their children and be left to her own devices. Her inexperience in society and difficulty in expressing herself poses a difficulty in navigating the marriage mart.
The vivacious Miss Jacqueline (Jacquie) Lockhart, on the other hand, is in her sixth season – and she still has no desire to settle down with a husband. She enjoys dancing and flirting, and men and women alike are drawn into her orbit. When we meet her at the start of the novel, a woman has just broken her heart, and she determines to pour her energy into having fun and helping her best friend/sometimes lover Beatrice (Bea) to find a match.
A clumsy meet-cute on the dance floor brings Jacquie and Nora to each other’s attentions, and they soon find themselves making a bargain: Nora will use her higher status to get Jacquie into the best social engagements, and the socially adept Jacquie will aid Nora in her quest to find a husband. Unfortunately, Bea and Nora both set their caps for the biggest catch of the season: the Earl of Sinclair, and Jacquie struggles to keep her word to both friends. Along the way, Jacquie and Nora must also contend with the passion burgeoning between them and decide if love is worth the risk in a society so bent on determining a different path for them.
*
Review:
I enjoyed the initial conceit of the novel, which serves to bring Nora and Jacquie together with opportunities for intimacy and conflict. At times, Her Lady to Love risked being marred by too much conflict, however – Bea and Nora are pitched at jealous odds with one another for far too long for me, and Bea can be downright cruel, with very little intervention from Jacquie – at one point, the two abandon shy Nora so they can have more fun. In some parts of the novel, I also felt uncomfortable with Jacquie and Nora’s off-and-on again dynamic, where confusion about each other’s motivations and feelings led to a great deal of hurt. I expect conflict in a romance, of course, but the conflict and resolution and conflict again gave me a little bit of whiplash. I questioned why, after numerous misunderstandings and offenses, in which they seemed so quick to doubt one another, Jacquie and Nora continued to reunite. Their attraction for the first half of the book seemed primarily physical, so it proved a challenge at times to want to push through the conflicts and root for their romance. I would have liked to have had more consistent and in-depth intimacy between them, though there is something to be said for the historical accuracy of only being allotted so many stolen moments together. I still felt that their friendship would have benefited from more exploration.
Nonetheless, I fell in love with the characters. In fact, it might be accurate to say that I cared more about them individually and about what their romance meant to the both of them than I cared about the romance itself for most of the book. That’s not a slight against the novel, though – this turned out to be a hugely valuable part of the reading experience for me. Walsh does an amazing job of exploring how both women feel constrained by their roles in a heteronormative society in which their families want them to pursue particular paths. Both have their own internal conflicts as well, and the ups and downs of their love help them to overcome their struggles and grow into the women they want to be. The very things that frustrated me about their romance end up as a kind of crucible for them to know and love themselves better. It’s hard to feel you know and understand another person’s intentions when you’re still trying to figure out yourself and what you want out of life. Their romance doesn’t depend upon one character making the other better, however – instead, the story allows both characters to grow individually and to get to a point where they realize they are comfortable with themselves, with or without love.
Jacquie’s internal struggle lies with the fact that she doesn’t feel herself to be deserving of love. She is spurned by a woman who cast their love affair as a mere curious experiment, whereas Jacquie loves genuinely and has no shame in her sexuality. Jacquie’s parents view her as a commodity, caring only about the social status her beauty can buy them through an advantageous marriage that she has no desire to enter into. She longs for her mother’s approval in particular, and I was hit hard by a scene in which Jacquie’s mother expresses a desire for her daughter to make a match with someone “worthy of [her] beauty” that would raise the family up and “bring [them] to better things.” Walsh shines a keen insight into Jacquie’s character and the plight of many women like her: “Her mood came crashing down and resentment welled at being seen as the only cipher to break the code of the upper echelons, instead of a person worthy of good things because just maybe she was a good person.” Jacquie’s journey gives her the chance to be the person she wants to be and to see that person as someone good and deserving of real love and consideration. I thought Walsh explored that quite deftly and beautifully toward the latter half of the novel.
Nora is set up as a wallflower in contrast to Jacquie’s belle of the ball for a reason. Jacquie wants to be seen as more than just a pretty face, and Nora just wants to be seen at all – and more importantly, heard. Her aunt is her chaperone in London and has dedicated herself to the task of seeing Nora marry well. Nora believes that her aunt genuinely wants what is best for her, but she never listens to Nora’s wishes – or rather, she never even asks to hear them, and Nora lacks the courage to speak up for herself. When no one seems to care about what you want, it’s difficult to even know what you want, let alone how to go after it. Nora throws her energies into finding a husband because she thinks it’s the only path available to her, but being with Jacquie challenges her to look deeper within herself. Walsh is talented in painting small moments of feeling and introspection, such as this one, when Nora is preparing for a dance at which she expects to see Jacquie: “Deep inside, she was starting to feel the build of something more. Something different. Nora looked into her own eyes in the mirror and realized with an uncomfortable start that she didn’t just wish to know more about Miss Lockhart’s needs and wants. She wanted to learn more about her own.” Throughout the novel, Nora faces a number of moments in which she is silenced or feels trapped, and it’s so satisfying when she stands up for herself and demands that her voice be heard and her will be respected.
This is one of my favorite things about the romance genre – so many of the best stories offer us characters who learn more about who they are and what they want and need throughout the course of their romantic journeys. That is its own kind of love story, and it’s one that I think is especially important for queer characters. Jacquie and Nora find their own strengths, but Walsh doesn’t leave them entirely to their own devices either. An important part of their journey – Jacquie’s especially – is the discovery of a community that neither woman was aware of.
Both women have had their affairs, but the idea that they could actually build a life around their love was something that neither had experience with or a vocabulary for. Throughout the novel, they find advice and support from others who are able to encourage, protect, and advise Jacquie and Nora in their relationship. We get some insight into these side characters’ own stories and identities, and I long to know even more about them, especially the charming trans man we meet later in the novel; they definitely deserve their own book. Overall, Walsh examines the realistic barriers that existed for queer relationships in this period while still offering a place of possibility for her characters. I love how the support and mentorship from unexpected places help Jacquie and Nora to see their love as something sustainable in a social structure that seeks to repress it or at least keep it behind closed doors. I hope Walsh continues to write in this universe because she has introduced some very intriguing side characters I’d be happy to read more about.
I won’t detail the conflict and climax of the novel, but rest assured that Nora and Jacquie reach their HEA, and despite some of my earlier qualms about their relationship, I was rooting for them by the end and happy with how they get there. Both women have their own narrative arcs not exclusively tied to each other, and that was something I really appreciated. They’re both able to finally see themselves as worthy of love and the lives they previously didn’t dare dream of. Although the end is a bit rushed, I still felt that Jacquie and Nora were in a better position to embark upon on a healthy and hopeful relationship.
Her Lady to Love is a novel that, while uneven at times, is well worth a read. Ultimately, Walsh offers a rich examination of queer identity and community that I want to see more of in regency romance, and I look forward to reading her next book.
*
ARC kindly provided by the Bold Stroke Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*
Summary:
Lady Honora (Nora) Banfield hails from the countryside and, accompanied by her aunt, comes to London to find a husband. While she feels no attraction to men, she believes her best hope in life is to marry someone who will allow her to retire to a quiet home where she can raise their children and be left to her own devices. Her inexperience in society and difficulty in expressing herself poses a difficulty in navigating the marriage mart.
The vivacious Miss Jacqueline (Jacquie) Lockhart, on the other hand, is in her sixth season – and she still has no desire to settle down with a husband. She enjoys dancing and flirting, and men and women alike are drawn into her orbit. When we meet her at the start of the novel, a woman has just broken her heart, and she determines to pour her energy into having fun and helping her best friend/sometimes lover Beatrice (Bea) to find a match.
A clumsy meet-cute on the dance floor brings Jacquie and Nora to each other’s attentions, and they soon find themselves making a bargain: Nora will use her higher status to get Jacquie into the best social engagements, and the socially adept Jacquie will aid Nora in her quest to find a husband. Unfortunately, Bea and Nora both set their caps for the biggest catch of the season: the Earl of Sinclair, and Jacquie struggles to keep her word to both friends. Along the way, Jacquie and Nora must also contend with the passion burgeoning between them and decide if love is worth the risk in a society so bent on determining a different path for them.
*
Review:
I enjoyed the initial conceit of the novel, which serves to bring Nora and Jacquie together with opportunities for intimacy and conflict. At times, Her Lady to Love risked being marred by too much conflict, however – Bea and Nora are pitched at jealous odds with one another for far too long for me, and Bea can be downright cruel, with very little intervention from Jacquie – at one point, the two abandon shy Nora so they can have more fun. In some parts of the novel, I also felt uncomfortable with Jacquie and Nora’s off-and-on again dynamic, where confusion about each other’s motivations and feelings led to a great deal of hurt. I expect conflict in a romance, of course, but the conflict and resolution and conflict again gave me a little bit of whiplash. I questioned why, after numerous misunderstandings and offenses, in which they seemed so quick to doubt one another, Jacquie and Nora continued to reunite. Their attraction for the first half of the book seemed primarily physical, so it proved a challenge at times to want to push through the conflicts and root for their romance. I would have liked to have had more consistent and in-depth intimacy between them, though there is something to be said for the historical accuracy of only being allotted so many stolen moments together. I still felt that their friendship would have benefited from more exploration.
Nonetheless, I fell in love with the characters. In fact, it might be accurate to say that I cared more about them individually and about what their romance meant to the both of them than I cared about the romance itself for most of the book. That’s not a slight against the novel, though – this turned out to be a hugely valuable part of the reading experience for me. Walsh does an amazing job of exploring how both women feel constrained by their roles in a heteronormative society in which their families want them to pursue particular paths. Both have their own internal conflicts as well, and the ups and downs of their love help them to overcome their struggles and grow into the women they want to be. The very things that frustrated me about their romance end up as a kind of crucible for them to know and love themselves better. It’s hard to feel you know and understand another person’s intentions when you’re still trying to figure out yourself and what you want out of life. Their romance doesn’t depend upon one character making the other better, however – instead, the story allows both characters to grow individually and to get to a point where they realize they are comfortable with themselves, with or without love.
Jacquie’s internal struggle lies with the fact that she doesn’t feel herself to be deserving of love. She is spurned by a woman who cast their love affair as a mere curious experiment, whereas Jacquie loves genuinely and has no shame in her sexuality. Jacquie’s parents view her as a commodity, caring only about the social status her beauty can buy them through an advantageous marriage that she has no desire to enter into. She longs for her mother’s approval in particular, and I was hit hard by a scene in which Jacquie’s mother expresses a desire for her daughter to make a match with someone “worthy of [her] beauty” that would raise the family up and “bring [them] to better things.” Walsh shines a keen insight into Jacquie’s character and the plight of many women like her: “Her mood came crashing down and resentment welled at being seen as the only cipher to break the code of the upper echelons, instead of a person worthy of good things because just maybe she was a good person.” Jacquie’s journey gives her the chance to be the person she wants to be and to see that person as someone good and deserving of real love and consideration. I thought Walsh explored that quite deftly and beautifully toward the latter half of the novel.
Nora is set up as a wallflower in contrast to Jacquie’s belle of the ball for a reason. Jacquie wants to be seen as more than just a pretty face, and Nora just wants to be seen at all – and more importantly, heard. Her aunt is her chaperone in London and has dedicated herself to the task of seeing Nora marry well. Nora believes that her aunt genuinely wants what is best for her, but she never listens to Nora’s wishes – or rather, she never even asks to hear them, and Nora lacks the courage to speak up for herself. When no one seems to care about what you want, it’s difficult to even know what you want, let alone how to go after it. Nora throws her energies into finding a husband because she thinks it’s the only path available to her, but being with Jacquie challenges her to look deeper within herself. Walsh is talented in painting small moments of feeling and introspection, such as this one, when Nora is preparing for a dance at which she expects to see Jacquie: “Deep inside, she was starting to feel the build of something more. Something different. Nora looked into her own eyes in the mirror and realized with an uncomfortable start that she didn’t just wish to know more about Miss Lockhart’s needs and wants. She wanted to learn more about her own.” Throughout the novel, Nora faces a number of moments in which she is silenced or feels trapped, and it’s so satisfying when she stands up for herself and demands that her voice be heard and her will be respected.
This is one of my favorite things about the romance genre – so many of the best stories offer us characters who learn more about who they are and what they want and need throughout the course of their romantic journeys. That is its own kind of love story, and it’s one that I think is especially important for queer characters. Jacquie and Nora find their own strengths, but Walsh doesn’t leave them entirely to their own devices either. An important part of their journey – Jacquie’s especially – is the discovery of a community that neither woman was aware of.
Both women have had their affairs, but the idea that they could actually build a life around their love was something that neither had experience with or a vocabulary for. Throughout the novel, they find advice and support from others who are able to encourage, protect, and advise Jacquie and Nora in their relationship. We get some insight into these side characters’ own stories and identities, and I long to know even more about them, especially the charming trans man we meet later in the novel; they definitely deserve their own book. Overall, Walsh examines the realistic barriers that existed for queer relationships in this period while still offering a place of possibility for her characters. I love how the support and mentorship from unexpected places help Jacquie and Nora to see their love as something sustainable in a social structure that seeks to repress it or at least keep it behind closed doors. I hope Walsh continues to write in this universe because she has introduced some very intriguing side characters I’d be happy to read more about.
I won’t detail the conflict and climax of the novel, but rest assured that Nora and Jacquie reach their HEA, and despite some of my earlier qualms about their relationship, I was rooting for them by the end and happy with how they get there. Both women have their own narrative arcs not exclusively tied to each other, and that was something I really appreciated. They’re both able to finally see themselves as worthy of love and the lives they previously didn’t dare dream of. Although the end is a bit rushed, I still felt that Jacquie and Nora were in a better position to embark upon on a healthy and hopeful relationship.
Her Lady to Love is a novel that, while uneven at times, is well worth a read. Ultimately, Walsh offers a rich examination of queer identity and community that I want to see more of in regency romance, and I look forward to reading her next book.
*
ARC kindly provided by the Bold Stroke Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2020
*I would like to thank Netgalley and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
I have been getting into the romance genre this year and so when I came across this sapphic historical romance I knew I had to request it. In this book we have Nora who is looking to find a husband to finance her country estate and she enlists the help of Jacqueline who is on her 6th season and has no intention of settling down with a man. The pair are both immediately drawn to each other. Overall I did enjoy this however felt that the pacing was a little off at times and I really would have liked to see more depth to Jacqueline and Nora’s relationship. Overall I gave this 3 out of 5 stars.
I have been getting into the romance genre this year and so when I came across this sapphic historical romance I knew I had to request it. In this book we have Nora who is looking to find a husband to finance her country estate and she enlists the help of Jacqueline who is on her 6th season and has no intention of settling down with a man. The pair are both immediately drawn to each other. Overall I did enjoy this however felt that the pacing was a little off at times and I really would have liked to see more depth to Jacqueline and Nora’s relationship. Overall I gave this 3 out of 5 stars.
October 30, 2020
Historical romance has become a draw for me. The attraction is the reserve of the time period with folks navigating the restraints to finds their true self. I like the language of the time. I had to take a pause here and there to look up some of the words and that was fun and enlightening. The reads also provide an education about what were the thoughts and happenings during that time, which in my opinion is always a good thing.
What an interesting read with strong characters that were easy to like. To be "anyone" and to find comfort in life, you need to marry and if possible, marry well. Lady Honora (Nora) Banfield, is looking for a husband. This marriage will provide the resources to repair her country house. She grew up and loves the country and hope to return at least part of the time after she marries. Nora believes this will make her, her deceased parents, and her Aunt Mildred happy. Miss Jacqueline (Jacquie) Lockhart, is not looking for a husband. She is looking to have a good time in her sixth season. The supporting characters are a wonderful addition to the story, especially Lady Georgina Smith and Miss Beatrice Everson.
The only thing that holds me back from a five star is the ending. It is difficult to find the words to describe how the ending unfolded. In my opinion, I was dissatisfied due to that fact it did not fit the flow of the read.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
What an interesting read with strong characters that were easy to like. To be "anyone" and to find comfort in life, you need to marry and if possible, marry well. Lady Honora (Nora) Banfield, is looking for a husband. This marriage will provide the resources to repair her country house. She grew up and loves the country and hope to return at least part of the time after she marries. Nora believes this will make her, her deceased parents, and her Aunt Mildred happy. Miss Jacqueline (Jacquie) Lockhart, is not looking for a husband. She is looking to have a good time in her sixth season. The supporting characters are a wonderful addition to the story, especially Lady Georgina Smith and Miss Beatrice Everson.
The only thing that holds me back from a five star is the ending. It is difficult to find the words to describe how the ending unfolded. In my opinion, I was dissatisfied due to that fact it did not fit the flow of the read.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
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