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Love Manor #3
Falling for Another Darcy
Don't miss this laugh-out-loud, heart-warming final instalment in the Love Manor romantic comedy series for fans of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series, Sinéad Moriarty, and Bridget Jones's Diary.
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage. Right?
That's the way the song goes, anyway. For Emma Brady, marrying her Mr. Darcy was a road to happiness that is about to take a sharp turn to trouble. Creating a tiny Mr. Darcy isn't exactly proving to be easy. Sure, being newly-weds mean they're more than happy to give it a good shot, but as time ticks along, Emma and Sebastian's efforts come to nothing.
It's time to call in the big guns.
For Emma, that means mood swings, hot flashes, ovulation kits, and more needles than a haystack. Add that to an increasingly-disapproving granny, and Sebastian and Emma's love is being put to the test in a way they never saw coming.
Will they get the family they so desperately want? And will their love survive? Or will Emma's fairy tale ending with her Mr. Darcy slip between her fingers?
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage. Right?
That's the way the song goes, anyway. For Emma Brady, marrying her Mr. Darcy was a road to happiness that is about to take a sharp turn to trouble. Creating a tiny Mr. Darcy isn't exactly proving to be easy. Sure, being newly-weds mean they're more than happy to give it a good shot, but as time ticks along, Emma and Sebastian's efforts come to nothing.
It's time to call in the big guns.
For Emma, that means mood swings, hot flashes, ovulation kits, and more needles than a haystack. Add that to an increasingly-disapproving granny, and Sebastian and Emma's love is being put to the test in a way they never saw coming.
Will they get the family they so desperately want? And will their love survive? Or will Emma's fairy tale ending with her Mr. Darcy slip between her fingers?
286 pages, ebook
First published May 25, 2021
110 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Kate O'Keeffe
69 books857 followersKate O'Keeffe is a USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author who writes exactly what she loves to read: laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with swoon-worthy heroes and gorgeous feel-good happily ever afters. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family and two scruffy but loveable dogs.
When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.
Get a free book when you sign up to Kate's newsletter at kateokeeffe.com.
When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.
Get a free book when you sign up to Kate's newsletter at kateokeeffe.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 10, 2023
Yikes! This book was painful to read! The entire book was based on her struggle to get pregnant. While the author did address real life issues regarding infertility, it droned on & on and the main character became extremely annoying! While I’m not trying to sound insensitive, the book was next in a series that is supposed to be a light, romantic, fun read. It wasn’t! It was about infertility which is extremely “not light”. And because that was the ONLY premise of the book, it felt repetitive and endless. And I can’t imagine anyone who has gone through what the main character goes through would want to read this! UGH!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2021
A romantic with a bit of humour book to make your day better.
May 22, 2021
With this third installment in the Love Manor series, this delightful and fun trilogy is brought to an emotional and heartwarming end. I have really enjoyed reading these books, and although this one was a bit more on the serious side, it was still a charming read. Ms. O'Keeffe did a brilliant job of bringing the difficult and very real issue of infertility to life along with the challenges and heartaches that couples face. I appreciated how she delivered this deep and difficult subject matter in a somewhat lighthearted medium, but still staying true to the emotions and challenges the couples have to face. The story brought laughter to my face and tears to my eyes. A lovely story and delightful trilogy, not to be missed! Highly recommended!
I was given a complimentary advanced reader's copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I was given a complimentary advanced reader's copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
September 28, 2022
My lease favorite in this series. Emma has so little confidence. There isn't a lot of support from her husband. It was hard to get through.
November 17, 2021
Nice ending to the series.
November 3, 2022
A Heartbreaking Journey with a Happy Ending
Kate O’Keeffe has given her readers a priceless gift: a glimpse into the trials and victories of infertile couples, based on her own journey. The descriptions of daily injections and monthly embryo implants are educational for those of us who aren’t familiar with the process, and to hear women who’ve come out of it successfully talking blithely about which drug they were prescribed, it doesn’t sound like such a big deal. Then you reach a scene in which Emma, convinced that she’s done her duty in “providing the family with an heir”, as Sebastian’s snooty granny calls it, gets news that the cycle has failed and no baby is on the way—and she curls up into a ball on the sofa with her husband spooning her while she sobs. It is a big deal, a very big deal, and it made me wonder if O’Keeffe was writing semi-autobiographically. The Author’s Note confirms that she and her husband tried all sorts of solutions before adopting a little boy. I love her transparency!
Now for the book itself. Emma Brady—that is, Emma Huntington-Ross, who won the heart of aristocrat Sebastian in “Dating Mr. Darcy” and narrowly avoided disaster during her engagement in “Marrying Mr. Darcy”—faces the biggest challenge of all: “providing the family with an heir” as his snobby Granny calls it, or simply having a baby with her husband. Considering how often they do what normally leads to pregnancy, it should be no problem…until months go by with no baby on the way. They try tracking her cycle, scheduling sex to coincide with her ovulation, and various tricks she finds online, to no avail. Their last stop is a fertility clinic, which determines that Emma has endometriosis and nearly blocked tubes.
By then, Emma is frantic. Seb suggests that they go away for a romantic weekend with no fertility concerns. Emma, who’s not on board, suggests that they go when she’s ovulating. Seb tells her that’s not what he has in mind.
Their romantic weekend in Barcelona is a great success…until Emma discovers that it was planned for them by Odette, Seb’s brilliant, beautiful, divorced coworker—who has children and is therefore much better for him than “broken, barren” Emma. Watching Seb talk with Odette and play with her children drives Emma to the estate’s pond, where she notices someone drowning and saves that person. (The near-victim was Odette’s small daughter. A grateful Odette confesses that she’s been jealous of Emma’s marriage to a husband so devoted to her that he won’t cheat, as her ex-husband had. It seems being “perfect” isn’t a guarantee of a pain-free life.) Suddenly, Emma the media joke, the comic relief from Texas who “stole” Sebastian from the last woman remaining on the Dating Mr. Darcy reality show, is the new British superhero! It still doesn’t fill the baby-shaped hole inside Emma.
That hole is filled when…no spoilers, you’ll have to read it to find out how. Suffice to say, I appreciate the efforts, persistence, and pain thresholds of the women I know who’ve gone through IVF, and I applaud the families who’ve chosen to foster and adopt children who don’t have stable, loving families. This book is important, heart-wrenching, and—thanks to Emma’s sister-in-law Zara and her American friends Kennedy and Phoebe, as well as the redoubtable Granny—very funny! Highly recommended.
Kate O’Keeffe has given her readers a priceless gift: a glimpse into the trials and victories of infertile couples, based on her own journey. The descriptions of daily injections and monthly embryo implants are educational for those of us who aren’t familiar with the process, and to hear women who’ve come out of it successfully talking blithely about which drug they were prescribed, it doesn’t sound like such a big deal. Then you reach a scene in which Emma, convinced that she’s done her duty in “providing the family with an heir”, as Sebastian’s snooty granny calls it, gets news that the cycle has failed and no baby is on the way—and she curls up into a ball on the sofa with her husband spooning her while she sobs. It is a big deal, a very big deal, and it made me wonder if O’Keeffe was writing semi-autobiographically. The Author’s Note confirms that she and her husband tried all sorts of solutions before adopting a little boy. I love her transparency!
Now for the book itself. Emma Brady—that is, Emma Huntington-Ross, who won the heart of aristocrat Sebastian in “Dating Mr. Darcy” and narrowly avoided disaster during her engagement in “Marrying Mr. Darcy”—faces the biggest challenge of all: “providing the family with an heir” as his snobby Granny calls it, or simply having a baby with her husband. Considering how often they do what normally leads to pregnancy, it should be no problem…until months go by with no baby on the way. They try tracking her cycle, scheduling sex to coincide with her ovulation, and various tricks she finds online, to no avail. Their last stop is a fertility clinic, which determines that Emma has endometriosis and nearly blocked tubes.
By then, Emma is frantic. Seb suggests that they go away for a romantic weekend with no fertility concerns. Emma, who’s not on board, suggests that they go when she’s ovulating. Seb tells her that’s not what he has in mind.
Their romantic weekend in Barcelona is a great success…until Emma discovers that it was planned for them by Odette, Seb’s brilliant, beautiful, divorced coworker—who has children and is therefore much better for him than “broken, barren” Emma. Watching Seb talk with Odette and play with her children drives Emma to the estate’s pond, where she notices someone drowning and saves that person. (The near-victim was Odette’s small daughter. A grateful Odette confesses that she’s been jealous of Emma’s marriage to a husband so devoted to her that he won’t cheat, as her ex-husband had. It seems being “perfect” isn’t a guarantee of a pain-free life.) Suddenly, Emma the media joke, the comic relief from Texas who “stole” Sebastian from the last woman remaining on the Dating Mr. Darcy reality show, is the new British superhero! It still doesn’t fill the baby-shaped hole inside Emma.
That hole is filled when…no spoilers, you’ll have to read it to find out how. Suffice to say, I appreciate the efforts, persistence, and pain thresholds of the women I know who’ve gone through IVF, and I applaud the families who’ve chosen to foster and adopt children who don’t have stable, loving families. This book is important, heart-wrenching, and—thanks to Emma’s sister-in-law Zara and her American friends Kennedy and Phoebe, as well as the redoubtable Granny—very funny! Highly recommended.
October 29, 2023
The third installment of the “Love Manor” series hits different now that Sebastian and Emma are married and are actively trying to have a baby. Dare I say, it is even a tad bit spicier. All the spice, however, is played up for laughs . In fact, I was merely one chapter in and I was already cackling in amusement. Humorous use of cringy conversations has poor Emma and Seb hearing almost every family member and friend comment on their baby making plans . From Granny offering advice on positions, Emma’s mother recalling creative methods she and Emma's father tried in an effort to make Emma a sibling, Sebastian’s uncle referring to them having newlywed “rumpy-pumpy”, and don’t even get me started on their visit to Dr. Sheffield who-- after making a crass reference to “hiding the sausage” -- attempts to explain the act of conception using war analogies . Hilarity also ensues as Emma, who has made getting pregnant her sole mission, often needs to go on a whole adventure just to find Sebastian and sneak away to do the deed while she’s still in her ovulating window .
Yet by the second half of the book, the lighthearted comedy depicted in the first half is offset by a much darker and serious tone. The stress of not having a baby after months of trying begins to take a toll on Emma’s emotional state and on her relationships . She battles feelings of jealousy when she sees her surrounding friends and peers getting pregnant or starting families while she's still unable to. When Emma can’t help but continue feeling anxious that something is deeply wrong, she and Sebastian have no choice but to seek medical advice regarding fertility assistance .
Overall, the Huntington-Ross’ pregnancy journey was truly quite heartbreaking, and the author does an excellent job of making readers sympathize (or even empathize) with Emma’s turmoil . This was another reason why “Falling for Another Darcy” hit so differently with me . It sensitively and realsitically dealt with such heavy subject matter which I’m sure readers who personally relate to Emma’s fertility challenges can further appreciate . I'll let others read the book for themselves to discover whether the couple's painful struggle toward parenthood ever results in their own little bundle of joy, but I will say that I enjoyed the bittersweetness of their odyssey and how the characters both evolved and were strengthened by it. Additionally, there’s a particularly golden moment in the story that really gives the novel’s title that much more meaning, and I utterly adored it!
Yet by the second half of the book, the lighthearted comedy depicted in the first half is offset by a much darker and serious tone. The stress of not having a baby after months of trying begins to take a toll on Emma’s emotional state and on her relationships . She battles feelings of jealousy when she sees her surrounding friends and peers getting pregnant or starting families while she's still unable to. When Emma can’t help but continue feeling anxious that something is deeply wrong, she and Sebastian have no choice but to seek medical advice regarding fertility assistance .
Overall, the Huntington-Ross’ pregnancy journey was truly quite heartbreaking, and the author does an excellent job of making readers sympathize (or even empathize) with Emma’s turmoil . This was another reason why “Falling for Another Darcy” hit so differently with me . It sensitively and realsitically dealt with such heavy subject matter which I’m sure readers who personally relate to Emma’s fertility challenges can further appreciate . I'll let others read the book for themselves to discover whether the couple's painful struggle toward parenthood ever results in their own little bundle of joy, but I will say that I enjoyed the bittersweetness of their odyssey and how the characters both evolved and were strengthened by it. Additionally, there’s a particularly golden moment in the story that really gives the novel’s title that much more meaning, and I utterly adored it!
May 7, 2021
I received a copy from Hidden Gems; this is my honest review
-I have to say that it's absolutely different from the two previous books. It's not as funny, it's way more serious - I would not categorize as ChickLit - and you finally understand the title at the very end only, which was a bit of a let-down as much as it was Fate indeed. Lovely play on names, though.
-Having been an expert in NFP and successfully see woman getting pregnant, I was curious how the author would go about this theme. There were a few places where I did cringe like going to seek a doctor after only a few months of trying - you will never get an appointment before you try at least 12 months; references wouldn't be accepted. Emma bought a "state-of-the-art" thermometer that you put in your ear. If you really want to get pregnant, these are not accurate enough to make waves on a graphic sheet; you need a basal one (that goes in your v.).
-My first LOL moments: "Sebastian works for a wealthy bank". Aren't all the banks wealthy? Maybe she meant servicing wealthy clients...
-It was funny to hear Emma pick and chose what she would try to get pregnant. "Not a fan. Anything else?"
-At some point, I really wished there were at least two POVs - Emma's and Sebastian's. Most of the time we have no idea what goes through his head and how he feels. There's a whole chapter that's quite emotional but on Emma's side only.
-I was a bit confused when the doctor said Emma had done her research but Emma didn't know what the doctor was talking about - simple stuff that anyone in general would know.
-The whole scene about getting surgery made me roll my eyes. "They give me the most horrendous looking nightgown to wear". Have you never seen one?
-Most of the book I gave a 5 or a 4; but it went down to 3 when the garden party was on and Odette was there with her two brats. I didn't like Antonella's tone while speaking to adults and Joaquin could have refrain from going up trees while at a stranger's house, a party no less.
-I must archaic, as per Emma, because I too care about bloodlines and male descendants.
-I have to say that it's absolutely different from the two previous books. It's not as funny, it's way more serious - I would not categorize as ChickLit - and you finally understand the title at the very end only, which was a bit of a let-down as much as it was Fate indeed. Lovely play on names, though.
-Having been an expert in NFP and successfully see woman getting pregnant, I was curious how the author would go about this theme. There were a few places where I did cringe like going to seek a doctor after only a few months of trying - you will never get an appointment before you try at least 12 months; references wouldn't be accepted. Emma bought a "state-of-the-art" thermometer that you put in your ear. If you really want to get pregnant, these are not accurate enough to make waves on a graphic sheet; you need a basal one (that goes in your v.).
-My first LOL moments: "Sebastian works for a wealthy bank". Aren't all the banks wealthy? Maybe she meant servicing wealthy clients...
-It was funny to hear Emma pick and chose what she would try to get pregnant. "Not a fan. Anything else?"
-At some point, I really wished there were at least two POVs - Emma's and Sebastian's. Most of the time we have no idea what goes through his head and how he feels. There's a whole chapter that's quite emotional but on Emma's side only.
-I was a bit confused when the doctor said Emma had done her research but Emma didn't know what the doctor was talking about - simple stuff that anyone in general would know.
-The whole scene about getting surgery made me roll my eyes. "They give me the most horrendous looking nightgown to wear". Have you never seen one?
-Most of the book I gave a 5 or a 4; but it went down to 3 when the garden party was on and Odette was there with her two brats. I didn't like Antonella's tone while speaking to adults and Joaquin could have refrain from going up trees while at a stranger's house, a party no less.
-I must archaic, as per Emma, because I too care about bloodlines and male descendants.
June 20, 2021
Can They Survive Fertility Issues?
I have found this series to be so much fun, even some details are cloying here and there. This book is no exception. It's the third book in the series, and you will certainly appreciate it more if you read the other two books before it that show us how ODC got to where they are in this book, trying to start a family amidst family pressures, work pressures, and fertility issues. Sebastian, the hero, is charmingly sweet and utterly in love with his wife, which is always a nice thing to see when a romance features a married couple. Granny (Seb’s grandmama), whom we met in the last book, is still pretty awful... and embarrassingly so in this one. The author does a good job writing deep characterization. We are firmly placed in the heroine's head, and the author shows her spinning emotions, especially as fertility becomes an issue, very well, making the heroine very real, believable, and relatable. The author is from New Zealand, and in this series, she writes about both American and British cultures, neither of which she has long-term experience of (so far as I am aware). As such, she does hit a few clunker notes occasionally, details she might not know or understand about the other cultures. For instance, she assumes Americans only say “Happy Holidays” and not “Merry Christmas.” Actually, we say both, and as each holiday season rolls around, it becomes a bone of contention on conservative talk and TV shows. Somewhat inexplicably at one point, she refers to the heroine as “a Texan gal.” The term Texan is a noun all on its own; when we refer to ourselves as being a part of a state, we would say it like “a Texas gal.” Aside from these minor quibbles, though, I enjoyed reading the continuing story of this couple.
3.5 rounded up
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I have found this series to be so much fun, even some details are cloying here and there. This book is no exception. It's the third book in the series, and you will certainly appreciate it more if you read the other two books before it that show us how ODC got to where they are in this book, trying to start a family amidst family pressures, work pressures, and fertility issues. Sebastian, the hero, is charmingly sweet and utterly in love with his wife, which is always a nice thing to see when a romance features a married couple. Granny (Seb’s grandmama), whom we met in the last book, is still pretty awful... and embarrassingly so in this one. The author does a good job writing deep characterization. We are firmly placed in the heroine's head, and the author shows her spinning emotions, especially as fertility becomes an issue, very well, making the heroine very real, believable, and relatable. The author is from New Zealand, and in this series, she writes about both American and British cultures, neither of which she has long-term experience of (so far as I am aware). As such, she does hit a few clunker notes occasionally, details she might not know or understand about the other cultures. For instance, she assumes Americans only say “Happy Holidays” and not “Merry Christmas.” Actually, we say both, and as each holiday season rolls around, it becomes a bone of contention on conservative talk and TV shows. Somewhat inexplicably at one point, she refers to the heroine as “a Texan gal.” The term Texan is a noun all on its own; when we refer to ourselves as being a part of a state, we would say it like “a Texas gal.” Aside from these minor quibbles, though, I enjoyed reading the continuing story of this couple.
3.5 rounded up
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
May 6, 2021
Brilliantly addressing diverse issues with grace and wit. Deserves more than 5* Emma from Texas wins the love of her Mr Darcy, a.k.a. Sebastian, a real-life English lord on a reality TV series and is gradually getting used to living in England, and with a title. I expected this book to be a romantic comedy. I was wrong. This novel gave an amazing insight into the heart-breaking reality of many couples who are dealing with fertility issues. Not only was the book informative but it dressed a profoundly serious issue in a seemingly light-hearted delivery medium. That is hard to do well at the best of times as we know, but to succeed in conveying heartache, pain, inadequacy, anxiety, uncertainty in the middle of what are difficult personal circumstances for Emma was a remarkable achievement by the author. The storyline included a potential threat to their blissful marriage on top of everything and many times I was biting my lower lip in fear that their story will go in a direction from which there is rarely a way back. The story progression was very well executed technically, no scene was anything but natural and plausible. I loved the subtlety of the author's style, her wit, her understated reactions, her research into IVF, her writing skills, attention to good editing and her ability to create likeable characters and intelligent dialogue. I cried and laughed. The book demonstrated that IVF is by no means an easy option as not only there are no guarantees for a successful outcome but can threaten the couple’s relationship. This was a lovely romantic novel with very serious undertones, yet the reader is rewarded with a HEA to bring a nice resolution to all the drama. I loved this book and would most happily recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2021
👶A bit more on the serious side than the rest of the series💉
The storyline kept me thoroughly engaged and provided a good follow-up for Emma and her Sebastian, the reality show stars who are making the most of their newly-married state and confronting the challenges of expanding their family while leading busy careers and keeping the family estate afloat. Their baby-making issues are really no laughing matter, but the author handles the subject well, including Emma's frail ego and the cynosure of her in-laws at the prospect of a potential childless marriage.
The subject is a bit serious for a romcom, but having read the earlier two books in the series, I was eager to see where the couple's "life after the HEA" would lead. I was not disappointed either by the writing or the arc of the story. The author's writing is well paced and easy to read. And it's great that despite a lot of somber moments, author Kate O'Keeffe has created a character in Emma who keeps looking forward through the tears and remains a positive force, quite selfless and heroic at times. (Even sneering granny-in-law Geraldine can't keep her down for long!)
The advantage of telling the entire story from Emma's perspective is a clear understanding of the range of Emma's emotions as she wrestles with her jealousy and frustrations. But I felt that Sebastian remained a bit of a mystery; I would have liked some insight into his thoughts.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
The storyline kept me thoroughly engaged and provided a good follow-up for Emma and her Sebastian, the reality show stars who are making the most of their newly-married state and confronting the challenges of expanding their family while leading busy careers and keeping the family estate afloat. Their baby-making issues are really no laughing matter, but the author handles the subject well, including Emma's frail ego and the cynosure of her in-laws at the prospect of a potential childless marriage.
The subject is a bit serious for a romcom, but having read the earlier two books in the series, I was eager to see where the couple's "life after the HEA" would lead. I was not disappointed either by the writing or the arc of the story. The author's writing is well paced and easy to read. And it's great that despite a lot of somber moments, author Kate O'Keeffe has created a character in Emma who keeps looking forward through the tears and remains a positive force, quite selfless and heroic at times. (Even sneering granny-in-law Geraldine can't keep her down for long!)
The advantage of telling the entire story from Emma's perspective is a clear understanding of the range of Emma's emotions as she wrestles with her jealousy and frustrations. But I felt that Sebastian remained a bit of a mystery; I would have liked some insight into his thoughts.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 5, 2021
This is the concluding book in the "Lovely Manor" series by Kate O'Keefe and although it is a standalone I sincerely urge reading the series on sequence to get the most enjoyment.
Texan Emma Brady had met Dashing Lord Sebastian Huntington-Ross on a reality TV show to find him a bride, the audience loved Seb but hated clumsy, ungainly Emma and wanted Phoebe to be the chosen one, however Seb and Emma fell madly in love behind the scenes and had now been married for a year.....and the audience still hated her.
This concluding book follows the heartbreak as the couple try without success to have a baby, the barbed comments from Seb's overbearing, controlling granny Geraldine didn't help, she had been against the marriage from the start and had done her best to put a spoke in the wheel.
Emma becomes more and more desperate and as time passes their marriage is suffering and it isn't helped by the fact that Seb is confiding is work colleague, the beautiful and perfect in every way (in Emma's eyes) Odette Riojos.
Could their marriage survive the strain ? Would Granny finally get her way ? Would Seb be drawn to the obviously flirtatious Odette ?
The author has very sensitively covered three very emotive subjects in this story, infertility, endometriosis and jealousy. It is very tear jerking at times but as with all Kate O'Keefe books it is injected with humour....Granny giving sex advice and the little black dress at the Christmas party saga come to mind. A very enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Texan Emma Brady had met Dashing Lord Sebastian Huntington-Ross on a reality TV show to find him a bride, the audience loved Seb but hated clumsy, ungainly Emma and wanted Phoebe to be the chosen one, however Seb and Emma fell madly in love behind the scenes and had now been married for a year.....and the audience still hated her.
This concluding book follows the heartbreak as the couple try without success to have a baby, the barbed comments from Seb's overbearing, controlling granny Geraldine didn't help, she had been against the marriage from the start and had done her best to put a spoke in the wheel.
Emma becomes more and more desperate and as time passes their marriage is suffering and it isn't helped by the fact that Seb is confiding is work colleague, the beautiful and perfect in every way (in Emma's eyes) Odette Riojos.
Could their marriage survive the strain ? Would Granny finally get her way ? Would Seb be drawn to the obviously flirtatious Odette ?
The author has very sensitively covered three very emotive subjects in this story, infertility, endometriosis and jealousy. It is very tear jerking at times but as with all Kate O'Keefe books it is injected with humour....Granny giving sex advice and the little black dress at the Christmas party saga come to mind. A very enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2021
This story was raw and honest in a beautiful way and a wonderful piece of women's fiction. Unlike the first two books in the series, this one isn't really a rom-com. Instead, we get to see Emma and Sebastian a year into their marriage when they decide to start having a family. It tackles infertility and all the emotions that come along with that trial. I think the author very tastefully handled this very sensitive topic. The emotions and ups and downs that Emma faces were very realistically portrayed. Sebastian was so supportive and I liked how even with his undeterred love of Emma, the author showed how infertility can strain even the strongest of couples. There were just enough moments of humor to break up the gravity of the topic, but not make light of it. I appreciate the author sharing this story especially as her note mentions it parallels her own.
Because this book does focus on a couple trying to have a family, it does make mention of marital intimacy. I would consider everything completely appropriate and nothing offensive. The content stays clean, though sex is mentioned, it's only in reference to the reality of being a part of creating a baby. There is absolutely nothing on the page or crude in this book. I teared up at the end, but enjoyed the happy ending even if it wasn't the "perfect happily ever after". It showed that love is what matters and no matter how families come to be, if they love each other, that's what matters.
Because this book does focus on a couple trying to have a family, it does make mention of marital intimacy. I would consider everything completely appropriate and nothing offensive. The content stays clean, though sex is mentioned, it's only in reference to the reality of being a part of creating a baby. There is absolutely nothing on the page or crude in this book. I teared up at the end, but enjoyed the happy ending even if it wasn't the "perfect happily ever after". It showed that love is what matters and no matter how families come to be, if they love each other, that's what matters.
July 21, 2023
Hard read but good
This book was rather depressing. Here I thought it was would be about a baby Darcy and the challenges of parenthood, alas it was more about getting pregnant.
What's sad is that Emma went down this long depressing journey to get pregnant because Seb's grandma pushed her to it and her mom told her that after a certain age it would be hard. Before that, she was enjoying marriage and life and suddenly she was desperate for a baby, which led to a strain in her marriage and her sanity.
She was hard to deal with, what with all the pressure and disappointments. I get it though, its a very real situation for some people and it does take a toll on marriage and brings out ugly emotions. I just....didn't want to read 20 chapters of depressing 😅
I'm sure this book would speak out to others and make them feel seen, and that's good. It just made me sad. Especially since I'm now 33 with no chances of having a family yet and now I'm wondering if my time is ticking lol
Also....how dare Seb confine in ANOTHER WOMAN when his wife is so sad?! I get he needed to vent but really? Odette was NEW, she shouldn't have been first in line for best friend and confidant. And she later admitted she was a brat to Emma on purpose too smh
Seb wasnt that bad and he was very supportive, but that part was messed up. Note to all men (unless the woman has been you bff forever or is family) never EVER go spill your marriage problems to another woman 😝 lol
This book was rather depressing. Here I thought it was would be about a baby Darcy and the challenges of parenthood, alas it was more about getting pregnant.
What's sad is that Emma went down this long depressing journey to get pregnant because Seb's grandma pushed her to it and her mom told her that after a certain age it would be hard. Before that, she was enjoying marriage and life and suddenly she was desperate for a baby, which led to a strain in her marriage and her sanity.
She was hard to deal with, what with all the pressure and disappointments. I get it though, its a very real situation for some people and it does take a toll on marriage and brings out ugly emotions. I just....didn't want to read 20 chapters of depressing 😅
I'm sure this book would speak out to others and make them feel seen, and that's good. It just made me sad. Especially since I'm now 33 with no chances of having a family yet and now I'm wondering if my time is ticking lol
Also....how dare Seb confine in ANOTHER WOMAN when his wife is so sad?! I get he needed to vent but really? Odette was NEW, she shouldn't have been first in line for best friend and confidant. And she later admitted she was a brat to Emma on purpose too smh
Seb wasnt that bad and he was very supportive, but that part was messed up. Note to all men (unless the woman has been you bff forever or is family) never EVER go spill your marriage problems to another woman 😝 lol
September 8, 2021
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book because I loved the first two so much. It dropped right before Mother’s Day, which meant I read it that weekend, which made it touch my heart that much more.
I first need to say a huge thank you to Kate O’Keeffe for tackling the difficult topic of endometriosis. So many of us suffer from this and yet we still don’t talk about it nearly enough. I felt seen and heard for one of the first times and understood all of Emma’s ups and downs. The emotions were real: the pain and frustration of diagnoses and trying and hating yourself and the jealousy when friends can pop them out. I also felt like readers were well-educated in the topic without it being a medical lecture. I cried many tears while reading this. And the epilogue itself made me sob for a solid 15 minutes after finishing it.
This was a different way of ending this kind of a trilogy, and in spite of all of my tears, I loved it. I think a lot more women than we realize are truly going to empathize with Emma and Sebastian.
And now I want to go back and reread all three books.
I know that one spinoff story from the series has already published in an anthology I have, and I believe more are to come in the future. I look forward to getting to know there other characters even better and revisiting this world.
I first need to say a huge thank you to Kate O’Keeffe for tackling the difficult topic of endometriosis. So many of us suffer from this and yet we still don’t talk about it nearly enough. I felt seen and heard for one of the first times and understood all of Emma’s ups and downs. The emotions were real: the pain and frustration of diagnoses and trying and hating yourself and the jealousy when friends can pop them out. I also felt like readers were well-educated in the topic without it being a medical lecture. I cried many tears while reading this. And the epilogue itself made me sob for a solid 15 minutes after finishing it.
This was a different way of ending this kind of a trilogy, and in spite of all of my tears, I loved it. I think a lot more women than we realize are truly going to empathize with Emma and Sebastian.
And now I want to go back and reread all three books.
I know that one spinoff story from the series has already published in an anthology I have, and I believe more are to come in the future. I look forward to getting to know there other characters even better and revisiting this world.
May 10, 2021
When this book really got rolling, I was of two minds about it. I loved that it was giving us a light-hearted perspective on something so fraught with dark emotions. At the same time, I was slightly horrified to see something so personal, so emotional, treated in such a light-hearted manner. But then the story doubled down and really dug into the thick treacly sentiments of the problem. And that’s when it reached out, grabbed my heart, and pulled. Hard. I am impressed with how accurate and authentic Emma’s reactions are. To be a woman and realize that your body is unable to do one of the most basic things it was designed to do, is utterly debilitating. Emma conveyed that in such a charming way that I was able to laugh at the absurdities she was experiencing while tearing up at the universal unfairness of it all. And while I would have loved to know what was going on in Sebastian’s head, the story wouldn’t have had the same impact if we did. I kind of hate knowing that it’s over now, but I adored where this journey took our leading couple.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
July 14, 2021
Perfect
I’m so happy this story was written the way it was. For the first time ever I got to read about a character experiencing endometriosis. although she didn’t know she had it until her surgery, it was refreshing to actually read about it. It was also refreshing to read about the fertility treatments and all that goes into it. As a woman who suffers from endometriosis and I’m about to get a second surgery in which my surgeon recommended getting my eggs frozen before the surgery, this book was exactly what I needed. Sure I may not currently have a perfect husband, but for the first time I fully resonated with the very real problems of a character. Thank you Kate O’Keefe for making a significant woman’s disease and the struggles of infertility the main topic of this book. The more women discuss it the more progress we can make. I will say though the recovery from endo surgery is ROUGH. I wish it was as easy of a recovery as Emma’s was but my first surgery took me a good 8 weeks before I started to feel slightly normal. I’m just so happy though that finally someone started the conversation about it in a fiction book. The more awareness, the better.
I’m so happy this story was written the way it was. For the first time ever I got to read about a character experiencing endometriosis. although she didn’t know she had it until her surgery, it was refreshing to actually read about it. It was also refreshing to read about the fertility treatments and all that goes into it. As a woman who suffers from endometriosis and I’m about to get a second surgery in which my surgeon recommended getting my eggs frozen before the surgery, this book was exactly what I needed. Sure I may not currently have a perfect husband, but for the first time I fully resonated with the very real problems of a character. Thank you Kate O’Keefe for making a significant woman’s disease and the struggles of infertility the main topic of this book. The more women discuss it the more progress we can make. I will say though the recovery from endo surgery is ROUGH. I wish it was as easy of a recovery as Emma’s was but my first surgery took me a good 8 weeks before I started to feel slightly normal. I’m just so happy though that finally someone started the conversation about it in a fiction book. The more awareness, the better.
May 11, 2021
Back to Pemberley...
This is the third and apparently final part of Emma and Seb's story and it was absolutely a fitting (and moving) end. Once again it was as really well written, the story flows so easily and makes it a really enjoyable read, although I might've shed a tear or two throughout this time. We had characters to wonder about to keep things interesting again and of course the path of true love never runs smoothly for the lovely Emma. I'm hoping we'll hear more about Kennedy in the future and there are other characters it would be nice to revisit in their own stories too.
If you loved the previous books you're in for a treat. And if you haven't read the previous books in the series, what are you waiting for?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the third and apparently final part of Emma and Seb's story and it was absolutely a fitting (and moving) end. Once again it was as really well written, the story flows so easily and makes it a really enjoyable read, although I might've shed a tear or two throughout this time. We had characters to wonder about to keep things interesting again and of course the path of true love never runs smoothly for the lovely Emma. I'm hoping we'll hear more about Kennedy in the future and there are other characters it would be nice to revisit in their own stories too.
If you loved the previous books you're in for a treat. And if you haven't read the previous books in the series, what are you waiting for?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
I love Sebastian and Emma's love story, it's heartfelt. This third book is the perfect conclusion to Emma and Sebastian's love story. However, it was a bit more serious than the other two and touched inadept real issued lots of couples face nowadays with childbearing issues. I was so proud of Emma, her strength, perseverance, kindness, determination, and how she loves so completely and fiercely. I loved how honest, raw and caring Sebastian is in this story. The banter with Sebastian and Emma is more serious and not as fluffy as the other two books and brought tears to my eyes several times. I especially love how unconditionally Emma and Sebastian love each other, no matter what. This third book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions and conflicts. I loved Emma and Sebastian story, and it was a hard journey to get through. but they did it together with love.
May 2, 2021
I can't believe this is the final book of the Love Manor series. I have been such a huge fan of the series since the very first book and I don't want it to end.
Emma and Sebastian are ready to start a family and this book is the journey that leads them to parenthood. I finished this book in just a couple hours because I could not put it down.
The story beautifully and respectfully covers all the trials that a couple can go through when trying to start a family. It's harder for some couples and this book touches on that subject. By the end of the story, I was crying happy tears for Emma and Seb. The book is sweet and heartfelt rom-com and has a HEA for Emma and Seb.
I loved Seb's sister, Zara. I really hope there is plans to write her story.
Emma and Sebastian are ready to start a family and this book is the journey that leads them to parenthood. I finished this book in just a couple hours because I could not put it down.
The story beautifully and respectfully covers all the trials that a couple can go through when trying to start a family. It's harder for some couples and this book touches on that subject. By the end of the story, I was crying happy tears for Emma and Seb. The book is sweet and heartfelt rom-com and has a HEA for Emma and Seb.
I loved Seb's sister, Zara. I really hope there is plans to write her story.
May 10, 2021
So touching:
It was great catching up with Sebastian and Emma again and this was a great end to what has been a fabulous series.
The wit and humour was most enjoyable and even though it dealt with quite a sad and serious topic (infertility), overall it was such a fun and enjoyable book. My heart did go out to poor Emma though and I appreciated that the author took on this sensitive yet highly relevant issue
I enjoyed reading a book where the main characters are a married couple now and seeing what their life is like down the road, especially as real life is never just "and they lived happily ever after"!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was great catching up with Sebastian and Emma again and this was a great end to what has been a fabulous series.
The wit and humour was most enjoyable and even though it dealt with quite a sad and serious topic (infertility), overall it was such a fun and enjoyable book. My heart did go out to poor Emma though and I appreciated that the author took on this sensitive yet highly relevant issue
I enjoyed reading a book where the main characters are a married couple now and seeing what their life is like down the road, especially as real life is never just "and they lived happily ever after"!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 5, 2021
In this third book , of course they are now trying for a family. Initially thought it was just going to happen until months of trials were unsuccessful. This is were the story really began.
This is another easyread, and entertaining story with heart-breaking moments. Loved how the author presented a female's dream of having a family and the extent she will do to make it happen. Of course, with humor incorporated in it.(particularly loved the chinwag with the doctor).
Recommend reading this story, especially those who can identify with the struggles, failures of having a family. (Spoiler ...and finally the success, different with what we might assume). Loved the moral lesson in the end!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another easyread, and entertaining story with heart-breaking moments. Loved how the author presented a female's dream of having a family and the extent she will do to make it happen. Of course, with humor incorporated in it.(particularly loved the chinwag with the doctor).
Recommend reading this story, especially those who can identify with the struggles, failures of having a family. (Spoiler ...and finally the success, different with what we might assume). Loved the moral lesson in the end!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2021
Happily married for a year, Emma & Seb's Marital life is a bliss. But things take a sharp turn when time comes to create a tiny Darcy.
This book is a lot more serious than its prequels but of course has got some wildly hilarious scenes as well.
Watching them go through all those awkward conversations about their sex life, comparison between rabbits & newly weds, tracking cycles, failed attempts of IVFs, infertility issues left me heartbroken.
Seb & Emma's love for each other was exquisite, they reminded me so much of Becky & Luke from Confessions of a Shopaholic ( who are my absolute favorite).
I loved how this topic was handled with such great care & sensibility & occasional humour, especially the ending adoption instead of miracle pregnancy.
This book is a lot more serious than its prequels but of course has got some wildly hilarious scenes as well.
Watching them go through all those awkward conversations about their sex life, comparison between rabbits & newly weds, tracking cycles, failed attempts of IVFs, infertility issues left me heartbroken.
Seb & Emma's love for each other was exquisite, they reminded me so much of Becky & Luke from Confessions of a Shopaholic ( who are my absolute favorite).
I loved how this topic was handled with such great care & sensibility & occasional humour, especially the ending adoption instead of miracle pregnancy.
September 24, 2021
2.5 stars
First the pros: this book speaks very honestly about infertility, that emotions surrounding it, and that happy endings come in all shapes and sizes.
The cons: Emma. I read this book hoping it would make me root for her like I did in the first book but didn’t in the second. And Another Darcy made me dislike her all over again. Emma is immature and has the emotional iq of a flea. Like marrying mr Darcy she has this grand revelation that she’s sing an asshat and turns it around in the back half of the book but I read romance novels to root for the main characters and I was rooting for Sebastian to dump her and run off with Odette. So it’s really hard to like a book when the narrator invokes those negative feelings.
First the pros: this book speaks very honestly about infertility, that emotions surrounding it, and that happy endings come in all shapes and sizes.
The cons: Emma. I read this book hoping it would make me root for her like I did in the first book but didn’t in the second. And Another Darcy made me dislike her all over again. Emma is immature and has the emotional iq of a flea. Like marrying mr Darcy she has this grand revelation that she’s sing an asshat and turns it around in the back half of the book but I read romance novels to root for the main characters and I was rooting for Sebastian to dump her and run off with Odette. So it’s really hard to like a book when the narrator invokes those negative feelings.
May 6, 2021
I was given a free copy of this book and I decided to give it an honest review.
This is the third book in the series and continues the story of Emma and Sebastian. This book is, also, from Emma's snarky humorous point of view. Emma has married the love of her life and now it is time to start a family. I love Emma and Sebastian's relationship. Emma tries to Type A personality her way through this with plans and schedules. Sebastian's laid back attitude tries to relieve some of the pressure, while still being supportive. This book didn't seem to me to be as light as the first two, but there was still lots of snarky attitude and quite a bit of slap stick comedy.
This is the third book in the series and continues the story of Emma and Sebastian. This book is, also, from Emma's snarky humorous point of view. Emma has married the love of her life and now it is time to start a family. I love Emma and Sebastian's relationship. Emma tries to Type A personality her way through this with plans and schedules. Sebastian's laid back attitude tries to relieve some of the pressure, while still being supportive. This book didn't seem to me to be as light as the first two, but there was still lots of snarky attitude and quite a bit of slap stick comedy.
May 11, 2021
“Love Manor: Falling for Another Darcy” by Kate O’Keeffe was unexpectedly poignant and swoon worthy. I was taken aback by its realness and its genuine charisma. The author’s use of the first person perspective of Emma Brady tied me to her struggles and I trembled.
Sebastian Huntington-Ross was the husband we all hoped for, but knew he was meant for Emma Brady. I embraced these characters and felt that in the end, their joy was my joy too.
I read all three books in the Love Manor series and feel it was time worth spent. You will feel the same way too. The last book made this a true love story indeed.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
Sebastian Huntington-Ross was the husband we all hoped for, but knew he was meant for Emma Brady. I embraced these characters and felt that in the end, their joy was my joy too.
I read all three books in the Love Manor series and feel it was time worth spent. You will feel the same way too. The last book made this a true love story indeed.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
May 16, 2021
Personally I really enjoyed reading this novel and the way it dealt with real life. Fun and laughter is there as well but it could also contain some heartache for these characters. It is a great way to end this series, (shame it has to end) but all good things do so. This can be a standalone book but it is better read as a series so that you really see what happens by following the lives of the main characters. Very well written and indeed a romcom in every sense of the word. I am giving this 5 stars and am looking forward to the next book that Kate gives us.
Thank you for letting me have this early copy to read and enjoy.
Thank you for letting me have this early copy to read and enjoy.
April 28, 2023
Falling for Another Darcy:
🥰👶🏽🥺👶🏽🥰
"You are enough."
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
So I've been absolutely HOOKED on this series, and I'm sad to see it end.
But what a finale this book was!
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
After getting married, Emma and Sebastian are ready to add a child to their little family.
How hard could it be?
As it turns out to be difficult for the two of them to conceive, they seek the help of professionals.
Will they get their baby?
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
I loved Odette as a character!
She was so sweet, and the ending in regards to her was so lovely!
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
This book touched my heart in so many ways.
I'm so glad that I decided to dive blindly into this series!
It's been such a delight to read!
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
🥰👶🏽🥺👶🏽🥰
"You are enough."
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
So I've been absolutely HOOKED on this series, and I'm sad to see it end.
But what a finale this book was!
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
After getting married, Emma and Sebastian are ready to add a child to their little family.
How hard could it be?
As it turns out to be difficult for the two of them to conceive, they seek the help of professionals.
Will they get their baby?
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
I loved Odette as a character!
She was so sweet, and the ending in regards to her was so lovely!
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
This book touched my heart in so many ways.
I'm so glad that I decided to dive blindly into this series!
It's been such a delight to read!
🥰👶🏽🥰👶🏽🥰
June 19, 2023
9This book was such an emotional read for me. The 3rd book in the Love Manor series is poignant, heart touching and thoughtful. I would call it a dramedy for there is some comedy, but also more drama than the other 2 books. Emma and Sebastián's pathway to parenthood is a rough one....it reminded me of my own in some ways.....their love and devotion to each other through these tough times was touching. Sebastián is truly a hero with a heart of gold and Emma is funny, witty, authentic and someone I could really relate to. You can see their marriage isn't perfect...because whose is....but they come through their trials with a stronger love. Highly recommend this book and this series:)
May 3, 2021
After reading the previous two books in the series, I was looking forward to finding out what Emma and Sebastian's HEA looked like. This book gives us just that, a chance to follow along as they try to start a family.
That journey, however, isn't all sunshine and roses, just like it's not for many couples in real life. This time the subject matter is more serious and, while the humour is definitely more toned-down than in the previous books, it is still a beautiful, well-written story (with a happily ever after, of course, so don't worry!) and a lovely end to a delightful series.
That journey, however, isn't all sunshine and roses, just like it's not for many couples in real life. This time the subject matter is more serious and, while the humour is definitely more toned-down than in the previous books, it is still a beautiful, well-written story (with a happily ever after, of course, so don't worry!) and a lovely end to a delightful series.
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