With Love, Louisa

Larkhall Letters #3

by Ashtyn Newbold

An innocent letter is only dangerous when it falls into the wrong hands.

Louisa Rosemeyer is a lady with no money, no parents, and, regrettably, no husband. Left with no place to go, she writes a letter to her aunt, Mrs. Irwin, asking for an invitation to live with her. Ever cautious and optimistic, Louisa hopes the trip will bring the new beginning she has been searching for.

After being forced out of his childhood home, Jack Warwick lets Mrs. Irwin's house, happy to be away from his family and their many squabbles. Haunted by his past, he drowns his loneliness in drink, and with it, his better judgment. When a letter arrives at his new house, addressed to the previous occupant, Mrs. Irwin, from her niece, Jack writes an incoherent reply, inviting the young lady to come stay…an event which his drinking causes him to forget.

When the chaos surrounding Louisa’s untimely arrival at Jack’s house causes a scandal, there is only one way to mend her reputation: Marriage. As Jack’s feelings for Louisa grow, he realizes there is only one way to mend himself: To be loved by Louisa. Devastated to be married to a near stranger, and a scoundrel at that, Louisa closes off her heart. She has always planned to marry for love. But she quickly learns that love has plans of its own.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Regency Romance, Clean Romance

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Alisha]

Re-read: If you love this genre, I still think you'll love this book, but on my re-read I didn't get into the way I did a few years ago.


Original review:

A compelling story in the marriage of convenience category, with a dose of "reforming the bad boy" thrown in. (Except he's not really that bad.)
I stayed up way too late reading this one.
The journey towards a marriage of convenience becoming all but imperative to Jack and Louisa is entertaining, but also unlikely and crazy (in the best way). There's lots of potential peril, a marked chemistry between them, and plenty of light-hearted moments and humor to take the edge off the dramatic bits. I found the villains to be rather stock characters that exist for the sole purpose of causing trouble, but fortunately they don't get to monopolize the story.
I did have to laugh at Louisa's de facto guardian and friend Matthew immediately deciding that Jack would be the perfect husband for her, completely brushing aside his unsavory reputation, rumor-laden past, and um, problem with alcohol. Matthew, at least make an attempt to vet this guy! (Just kidding. The plot needed it. I am happy to occasionally give a pass to Regency-love-story-logic when it creates an interesting setup!)

My favorite in the Larkhall Letters series so far, and possibly my favorite Ashtyn Newbold book.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-Read: March 2025
This was so cute omg! It's definitely still my favorite in the series. Jack and Louisa are so cute and adorable and I loved reading about them falling in love. This book is pure joy and exactly what I needed to read right now. (Especially since I got trapped on the subway for an hour with nothing but my kobo.)

There was a decent amount of depth to the story, especially in Jack's character, but the more difficult topics never got in the way of this being mainly a really cute story about two people falling in love. I'm so excited to continue with the series and am anxiously waiting for my hold on the next book to come in.

Original Review
Possibly my favorite in the series yet! This was so unbelievably cute!! I don't have too much to say about this though, so here are some bullet points:

- I wasn't a huge fan of the hero, Jack, at the beginning of the story, but he grew on me and I understand why he was acting the way that he was.
- I enjoyed how this story was different from the previous two. There wasn't any hiding of feelings or anything like that since the main couple was married really early into the story.
- I wish we had gotten more updates about Alice and Bridgette.
- I can't wait to read the next story! I've already read the synopsis, so I know exactly who the couple will be.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashtyn Newbold is one of my favorite Regency authors. Not only does she write beautiful, swoony, and witty romances, but ones with great depth. With Love, Lousia, was no exception.

This was a highly anticipated read for me. Not only was I excited about the marriage of convenience premise with a dash of enemies to lovers, but I’ve loved Louisa’s character ever since meeting her in the other Larkhall Letters books and was eager to finally read her story. I’m so pleased that after the wait that I loved it as much as I hoped I would.

The plot was thoroughly engaging from the first page as we witness the building circumstances that led Louisa to her plight, followed by her navigating the arranged marriage she didn’t ask for. I loved watching her and Jack emerge from the unideal circumstances that brought them together to build something beautiful from the ashes to create the love both wanted.

I adored gentle Lousia from the beginning, but I must admit I didn’t like Jack when I first met him as I highly disapprove of drunk, gambling heroes, and we first meet him at his worst. However, the more I came to know him and about his haunting past, and the more I watched him wrestle with his constant guilt, inability to see his worth, and his fight to become a better man, I greatly sympathized with him and grew to care for him deeply. I became thoroughly invested in his growth and loved watching how Lousia’s love helped him heal and become the man he was always capable of being. It was a beautiful and powerful journey to watch unfold. While Louisa’s sweet, gentle heart provided Jack with a much-needed healing balm, he, in turn, brings out her strength and helps her find her voice, often in hilarious and very flirtatious ways. Both not only experienced fantastic growth but truly brought out the best in one another.

The story had a perfect balance of humor and sweet romance, with great depth as we witnessed our broken hero find redemption and Lousia find the happily ever after she’s always wanted. Their developing romance was very sweet, filled with moments of tenderness, great chemistry, and witty banter. I was enthralled from the first page and enjoyed every moment of this lovely Regency.


I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely in every sense…

All of the characters in this book series are adorable …well, the good ones at least. I love how the author draws you in and makes you fall in love with the story and the characters. Book 4 here I come.

[Leena Aluru · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a disappointment. Very poor story development with 2 dimensional characters. Louisa is immature and Jack comes across as an over grown teen.

I commend writers who try to keep.their plots "clean" which technically means less sex. But, having a poorly developed villain is ridiculous. Why was Evan Whitby so malicious? What did he gain by bullying Jack? No answers at all. Everything just falls pat into place once dear Louisa gets involved.
This is a YA romance, not for mature adults.

Recommended:👎

[Deana White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been a Lady's companion for a now married friend, Louisa leaves Larkhall to stay with family. She soon falls into a frustrating situation. A series of assumptions, misunderstandings and unfortunate events led to the ruination of Louisa and Jack's reputations. Enter: Marriage

I love Ashtyn Newbold's wit and how she uses it in her writing. Sweet Romance.

[Katja Labonté]

Free on Amazon! (28.5.22)

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!!!

This series keeps getting better! I loved this book. I was smiling like a nerd as I finished just now! So many funny parts that I actually laughed out loud about. So many sweet and swoony moments. Jack was a bad guy at first. I wondered how he could be redeemed. Louisa was always wonderful but still got better. She wasn’t ever a stupid or annoying heroine and I loved that about this book. Beauty do love story! Cannot wait for the next book!!!!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun, it was cute, but it was also reaaaally cliché. Like, eye-rolling level of cliché. I preferred the first two in this series.

[Sara Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Newbold, you’re outdoing yourself. Book 3 > book 1 & 2! Jack aka Mr. Chuckles is a little careless… pastimes include murder… and Louisa is an undercover maid who desperately wants to find Narnia…

Read this book if you agree with these three stipulations:
1.) you want to be completely giddy both during and after reading the book.
2.) you find teasing and blushes endearing.
3.) you’re still reading this review. Oops. Now you have to read it.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I just adore this series. This book was probably my least favorite of the three so far, but I still very much enjoyed it. Louisa and Jack were great! Jack was naughty in all the right ways and I loved his flirting.

I think (spoiler alert) they should of gotten married earlier in the story. They didn’t get married until almost halfway through the book. It just felt slow at the beginning which I don’t love in a book. It just wasn’t as swoony as her other books.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh! SO good!!!!!!! Jack and Louisa were such real and adorable characters. The romance: SWOON. I laughed out loud several times. I read it in a day, couldn’t put it down.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great read! Loved the humor which offset the potential darker parts.

[Happy Reading Watching]

♡♡♡♡♡♡

I love sweet romances
Shout out to my public library for having this one available.

[Jennifer Fluegge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author sucks you into the story from the getgo and doesn’t let you go!

[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough but it definitely felt like a bridge to introduce Cassandra and Margaret. The two of them, in their minor roles, were the strongest characters, but Jack and Louisa were cute enough.

[Vonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why these kind of reviews are a bit easier to organize and write to post. Maybe because it's much simpler to find words to make sure people who read reviews know what made this story not-so great. Much harder to find variations of glowing words to showcase why a book just fit so perfectly in your groove while you were reading it.

This Author is a powerhouse storyteller, which makes this even more difficult to summise as, the first two books were 5-star reads, but this one left so much to be desired. Something felt so damn "off" with this book from the on-set. And this is a shame because I was really looking forward to Louisa's story from the last book.

I was not too sure of POV structure, at first. I know Newbold likes to dual-present, but this time I did not read the Summary so I purposefully did not know the Hero's name. I actually thought it could've been Matthew [but now I know he has the 4th book, coming up]. Anyway, when we are intro'd to Jack, Our Hero, it's not so nice. And I don't mean to convey he is reprehensible, but he does something untoward, in an etiquette format, that FOR ME, he could never come back from.

And worse than "coming back" from a sour moment, is when he never acknowledges that what he planned or set-in-motion was detrimental to the Heroine's uh, well pretty much the ENTIRE REST OF HER FUTURE PROSPECTS.

When we meet Louisa, her companion is no longer at Larkhall, having been married off and now in her own home with Husband [Book #2]. Louisa has seen not just 1 [Book #1], but now 2 women in her life who fell in love and married. First her sister, and then her best friend. Now she lives at Larkhall with NO family and no future prospects, so she is writing to a distant family member--an Aunt she has never met but only knows about.

In some appeal, Louisa writes a letter to the last known address and hopes she can find either a lifelong companion situation or maybe employment as a Governess. What ends up happening is... the wrong person gets Louisa's pleaful letter, and it is Jack.

At the time he opens, then reads the letter, Jack is "in his cups", and very deep in them to the point of... whatever he does while drunk, he never recalls the next day. It's often obvious Jack drinks in some inexcusable manner as he is being held accountable for the shocking accidental death of an Uncle--an older brother of his father's.

It occurred during a hunting accident; I am unsure about the exact time framing but it seems this was when Jack was a few years younger [?] and possibly just at the cusp of manhood--being a "man"- by his Uncle & Father's standards as he was brought out with them on his first hunting trip/excursion. Jack not knowing how to shoot a gun, nor how to care for one once it is in his grasp...accidentlly shot, wounded then eventually killed his Uncle because he succumbed to the wound.

So, Jack lives with this dark cloud over his head. Not just in his family, but also in society as Jack is deemed a "cold-blooded murderer". Jack has self-banished himself from his family and no longer lives in the family home, but he does own small property where he now resides...and this is when he takes over the house/estate and pretty much kicks out Mrs. Irwin, who is Louisa's Aunt.

Louisa does not know this but her Aunt is a horrible person. Jack knows this as he has had to deal with her, so while drunk and having binged to the point of excess where he does questionable things--sometimes to other people...he recieves this strange letter for Mrs. Irwin and figures he will write back and respond...setting in motion the horrowshow that will now be Louisa's future prospects.

I simply find this type of "playing around" with someone's life inexcusable to a point. Especially in THIS Era where a woman's worth was dependent on too much, and when Jack does such an easy, simple thing... he catapults Louisa into a forced situation...

Granted, when Louisa reads the response from her Aunt it is not only short, and to the point...but the writing is horrid--like scribbles. But she takes it as an "invitation" to move from one estate to come out to Benneth Abbey [?].

She has no idea to what her life will become. Drunk-Jack wanted to simply put Mrs. Irwin in an uncomfortable situation, a mild tizzy or a big fit where she actually had to show if she was a compassionate human or not [*spoiler* she IS NOT!]. This is ridiculous because Jack knew already how impersonable she would be, possibly unaccepting of some distant niece she has never met nor is fond of.

This is how this couple comes together. But it never feels...absolute or right. Mainly because Jack is often creating situations that put people in jeopardy while drunk/not-sober and then not truly taking a sincere responsibility for.

At one time, since I did not know the Hero/Love Interest name... like I said, I was thinking it would be Matthew for Louisa--as they have been living together for a good few years and he seems to "care for" her, like a sister. And in hindsight, that would've been such a better story to tell, because whoa, Jack never "won" me over, like Newbold's flawed Heroes sometimes do, when they misstep. Jack kept misstepping, and the pile-on of moments he SHOULD apologize for just kept growing.

When Jack does "officially" meet Lousia, it is when he is sober, but I was not too assured he was a great guy in the first place. He had a flirtatious nature about him that was... raunchy, often smarmy. And then there was this sardonic manner in which he used uncomfrotable humor in a situation that wasn't very funny...unironic and just creeped me out about him. For some dumb reason Louisa would find him hilarious and I suppose I, as a reader, was supposed to follow suit but I simply found Jack...seedy and salcious for no reason.

But the life changing set-up Jack forces on Louisa goes from bad to even worse...beause since he has moved into the home Louisa's Aunt used to live in...Mrs. Irwin has had to find OTHER ACCOMDATIONS. But she also took MOST of Jack's working staff in the house. Mainly, there are workers in the house who actually liked and sided with Mrs. Irwin... especially the old housekeper who dislikes Jack, this young uppity drunkard. Maybe she dislikes him even more now because Jack has caused her to have a short-staffed household...

So... guess what happens when Louisa finally arrives??

The housekeeper thinks Louisa is The Help [a lowly Maid], and puts her in some closet-size room, with no food, and basically shuts Louisa down each time she tries to explain the situation and why she is here, and who she actually was to Mrs. Irwin...who she has no idea no longer lives there.

Jack had gone out to gamble, or to a houseparty and got into a fist fight. Oh, yeah, the harsher warning for this book is that Jack gets into not 1, not 2, but several fist fights where he either gets a broken nose or a black eye. All I know is all-too-often Jack's face is covered in blood, raining down his face, and Louisa had to keep washing it off as he would pass out.

It got...frustrating and annoying. I don't know how anyone reading can find this enjoyable or like-able in a Love Interest Hero...

Anyway, Louisa hears Jack come home...on her way to get some food in the kitchen...and she hides in Jack's armoire/closet...because of course she would know right where his master suite was...and then chooses some random room which would be his.

Not only does Jack walk into his own room, but he hears noises in the closet...and screams like a little girl when Louisa comes at him with a fireplace poker. He trips, because he is still drunk and sobering up after having his nose broken for the first time. He is covered in so much blood--his shirt if off, which he used to clean off his face... which makes Louisa assume Jack killed her poor Aunt. But when Jack falls and knocks himself unconscious...Louisa approaches him to tend to his injuries, becuse he is out cold.

This is when things get batshit kookie-ness...because when Louisa has cleaned-up Jack and Jack is awake--coherent enough, they begin to converse. From NOWHERE, the housekeepr wanders in to witness these two... Louisa and Jack--one with just a pair of pants on and one in just a nightgown... and OF COURSE the housekeeper thinks SEX SEX SEX...or "fooling around".

So now without having met her mysterious Aunt, Louisa is given a BAD REPUTATION which the housekeeper takes to Mrs. Irwin. So even before Louisa can secure her prospects...Jack has compromised her...in a very weak and implausible moment...just, ugh...

Louisa was unable to meet her Aunt before the word got out about how "whore-ish" this deplorable young woman was... not even caring that it was her own niece...so, it was pointless to even have Mrs. Irwin BE Louisa's Aunt... because it never matters. The Aunt is gone in the first 10-20% of the book and then is never mentioned again.

What has been mentioned too consitently is how Jack thought he was FUNNY sending off this scribble of a letter to Louisa who was prideful and NEEDING to find purpose in her life...and now she has nothing. Not even a place to live.

He never quite apologizes for starting Louisa off on a bad foot. It always harkens back to their first meet face-to-face in town when Louisa arrived, lost her bonnet and some random handsome Gent picked it off the ground but teased and flirted with her to hand it back. THIS is what Louisa uses as the gauge with Jack... how she was attracted, at first... how handsome Jack was with tusseled hair and perpetual five-o'clock shadow...

I cannot assume he was any better than his typical nights of gambling or partying having possibly gotten as drunk as possible--I'm not so sure he would smell too well, as last night's alcohol would be permeating off his skin as he gradually sobered up.

So... now, Louisa is left with NOTHING and Jack is to blame, so of course he immediately turns to PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE. I am only assuming that Jack, himself thought a Wife would somehow clean-up his reputation and, also, his family had been wishing he would marry soon, too. And this was beyond ridiculous for me to comprehend. I enjoyed the scenes when Louisa outright refused him/rejected him. Except, ugh... meddlesome people kept making Jack look like a nicer guy than was possible.

Especially Matthew who had come along as a "guardian" on Louisa's trip. The fast-friends Matthew and Jack became-??... when Matthew knew abosolute SHIT about what Jack had done to Louisa already...

...yeah, just... it was obvious for a 2nd time, Matthew was attempting to matchmake/marry off yet another female. And, once again, he did not care on iota about who the man was deeper inside--he seems to take propsects at Face-Value. Matthew got ONE LOOK at Jack... sober-enough and clean, maybe...and suddenly he was Husband Material Louisa should not pass on by.

I just... I couldn't...and then people kept "talking to" Louisa in a way that made her fathom she had no other prospects for a viable future except as Jack's wife. And, by this time...when, after umpteen amounts of rejections to his face... Jack tries ONE MORE TIME...and then, of ourse, Louisa's head is turned. She puts forth 3 stipulations in marrying Jack...and this book went into a potential turn I was not going to appreciate.

And the reason I could not was... mainly Jack as The Hero...a potential "love" prospect...but, also::

1) Jack is not nor was he ever made into a great human, with goodness and a compassionate nature. He was often inappropriate and way too flirtatious with Louisa from the time they first met and each time after. His "charm" was shown as disarming, or something... but came off, to me, as not very charming. It made him creepy and smarmy.
2) Jack's penchant for drinking is never given any hope. And what he does after being "in his cups" [more than he needed to be/always drank in excess] never comes to frution the next day as being detrimental to other people...until while drunk, he does harm to Louisa w/o realizing, but this is THE THING...he never suffers consequences when it has been hurting Other People.
3) Jack, apparently, DRINKS IN EXCESS, to such an immerisve degree. It is because of this family secret, which is not such a family secret as Jack is constantly getting into fights and ridiculed among society in this town. But he DOES ridiculously refuse to tell this secret to Louisa??? And, so does the rest of his family--?? It is such a flimsy excuse because if Jack does not tell her then SOMEONE ELSE will...

And, yeah, this happens to be quite publically with yet another fist fight and yet another bruised face and bloodied shirt and craveat. Plus, Jack ruined a special night Louisa had wanted at a ball, houseparty, in a newly purchased gown.

At this point, I was...kind of beyond this couple's marriage and future propsects. Louisa was passive aggressive with Jack, almost like she cared little to none. She wasn't adament Jack tell her anything, except... if the party they were invited to was any indication... Jack cannot be accepted into this Society if he never acknowledges a thing, or tells Louisa. Everywhere thery go, Louisa will be shamed or ashamed because people look at her askew...and she knows... NOTHING of why.

One of Louisa's 3 stipulations was she asked Jack to NO LONGER DRINK. And he every so often will not obey because of very selfish reasons. The first time was the day they married. When Jack took the reigns of the horse carriage that brought them home--??... he caused a near-fatal accident where Louisa fell out, injured her hands and then proceeded to cause her to vomit on his shoes.

Okay, I tried to make some sense of Jack... mainly that he isn't a 30-something Duke or Earl. He is simply a gentleman who owns properties--his family is rich enough, well-off. Jack is also... merely 25yrs old...I think Louisa is maybe between 20-23...so neither of them are seasoned mature adults. I had some hopes Louisa was the more mature of them, but, all too often, Jack's uncomfortable charms WON her over and she fell for him, hook, line and sinker.

I really couldn't buy it anymore, especially when Jack never redeemed himself, for me...or to my standards, inside this book. He did A LOT to ruin Louisa's life he never had to account for...and marrying her seemed...like "punishment" to me. Certainly, making me fathom SHE could ever fall in love WITH HIM!!

I found Jack had nothing to offer. And his excuses were inexcusable. The moment he returns to his childhood home--his family's esate-- because of Louisa pushing him to apologize, and talk-it-out and let bygones be bygones...it is unclear how much time Jack has allowed to pass...without confronting his father.

And at this point I stopped caring about Jack. His "apology scene" to his father...was empty and pointless. Mainly because Jack's Father had NO reaction. It was the reactions of Jack's mother and older sister Cassandra who were the better gauges.

So, yeah, Jack's whole entire reason for being a drunk, useless gentleman...was mired in such emptiness the book doesn't even have an opportunity to gain flight high enough to fall flat on its face. It simply loses air, like a balloon's release, until it lies flat in deflation...on a quiet whimper.

Still, though, Newbold has a proficient way of writing her characters where there a subtle moments, like a second or a beat in music where a "change" could happen... like any minute something could be said or something will happen in a scene to blow your mind. So even at their worst stories from Newbold will still be better than most of this genre.

I will still read the next book, which is Matthew's chance at love, and I will hope for the best. This one just missed the marks, at every single turn and...sometimes it felt like it had plenty of moments where a better option was avaiable to tell the story. But, somehow, an easier route was taken and it simply ruins the unfolding of the entire book...and it even soured me on Louisa, who seemed to be easily tempted by Jack's tomfoolery.

[Diane Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m torn on this one. Forced marriage, or marriage of convenience, is not my favorite trope. The story is sweet, touching, and really very funny, but it all happens too fast. I realize my complaint about book two was it’s too slow. Apparently, pacing is not Miss Newbold’s strength. Or maybe I’m too picky. Louisa reconciles herself to this incredible turn of events in one night. I suppose the idea is that after meeting the horrible great aunt she was supposed to live with marriage to a drunk stranger was a relief? Or that she was so attracted to Jack after seeing him passed out and bleeding she was secretly happy about marrying him? I don’t buy it. Matthew, after being so concerned for Louisa’s reputation back at Larkhall and her safety in traveling, turns her over to a total stranger with no apparent qualms at all. Not even a “how did this happen?” Or “your sister is going to kill me then my sister will kill me again.” I think that conversation needed to be heard. Jacks’s abuse of alcohol is dealt with much too easily as well. Sadly, this plot point hits home for me, so the idea that Louisa marries a man who is probably an alcoholic after knowing him for two days just rubs me raw. I appreciate his attempts to get sober but it’s much too easy. I wish that had been dealt with more realistically. Miss Newbold needs to attend a couple of AA speaker meetings, and a couple of Al-Anon meetings if she’s going to write about alcoholics. The villain is never explained or dealt with. Again, that rubs me raw. There has to be a reason why these two men who used to be drinking buddies suddenly become enemies. Enemies who get away with the abuse because Louisa convinces Jack to turn the other cheek. Okay, good for Jack, but that doesn’t solve the problem of the rumors in the community which has shunned Jack’s entire family. Oh, and Louisa is deathly afraid of…wait for it…butterflies. I can’t even. Even with my complaints about the plot I enjoyed the book. You probably will enjoy it more.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I love this cover. The covers for this whole series are beautiful! I mean, do I want to be the girl in this picture.



Yes I do!

And you know I love a good forced marriage. Really fun read.

Spoilers >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I was here for the the whole synopsis, but some parts really got to me hesitating. The leading man has a problem with drinking and sometimes the heroine forgave him a little too readily for me. I get the whole concept that he was going through a lot and he was trying. It is not like I think she should give up on him. But I felt like, realistically, she wouldn't have fallen for someone so quickly after they drunkenly crashed their carriage. It would take me a bit longer to forgive and then find that person attractive. But the next day he was making the leading lady's heart flutter. I didn't get it. But to each their own.

Despite that, I really did enjoy the story. It was a quick read and I was invested the whole time. And I did love the idea that she stood by his side and they found love. I love it when characters overcome and change to be better. Overall I did really love the book. It just took me a bit longer to love the main guy. Also, I will definitely be reading more of this series!

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 ⭐

I accidentally started in on this book before the first one in the series, then started over when I finally got here. Jack wasn't very favorable in my eyes when I read his introduction the first time, and it wasn't when I read it again for real. But behind a man troubled by alcohol is a man troubled by much more. To hear about what he had been through was sad, but I felt like the plotline that led to this character being as he is was a bit overplayed. And I felt as though it took way too long for him to divulge his secret past to his wife. Again, a story that's plot wasn't really resolved until the last 15 percent of the book.

It was nice to get a bit of an introduction to Jack's sister Cassandra's character before her turn in the next book. And, again, I love Matthew. I'm very interested in the turn their story will take in the next book.

Overall, it wasn't a horrible book, and I did grow to love Jack, as troubled as he was. And Louisa's stubbornness and determination was so nice to see more of, as she had been more of a background character in the previous two books.

It was a mess, but in a good way, almost. Not my favorite of the series, but still a quick read and worth reading to get more of an introduction and introspection into certain characters.

Onto Matthew's story (I hope it doesn't disappoint!)

[Christin · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!

A sweet romance. Something I’ve noticed in Ashtyn’s books is that right when I think “okay but what about…” she actually has the characters address it, rather than the whole book depending on obvious misunderstandings like some classic romance novels. I appreciate having characters that communicate. I also feel like her books are enjoyable and fairly realistic to the times. But: sometimes I felt like Jack’s drinking was just glossed over because of his “charm,” which gave me major like abuser vibes. But I think the author was trying to say once he solved his deeper issues, he wouldn’t need to drink so he wasn’t like a true alcoholic? I dunno? And like he only managed to not drink for like a week and then all was well? Didn’t seem serious enough of a plan to me. Also, why would Matthew think he was a good candidate for a husband if he was a known gambler and womanizer? Those were two of my issues. And, I feel like Cassandra and Matthew are next and I dunno if I am behind that match…I’m sure I can be convinced though. lol

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read of 2023!
🎹
I enjoy Ashtyn’s books and this series has been cute. I wanted to read this book before reading Matthew’s! It was a fun premise, the whole closet meet cute the 2nd time was so funny and original.
🎹
Poor Louisa, she’s desperate to live somewhere unless she comes a servant. She sends a letter to her great aunt and gets a reply! Everything since that reply hasn’t been what it seems.
🎹
To avoid scandal, she marries a man she’s heard awful things of. This book touched heavier topics like prejudice and rumors of society, and also drinking. I don’t think Jack deserved the treatment he did.
🎹
Jack needed to man up and talk to his wife! You knew how it was going to play out at the end.
🎹
Content: excessive drinking, fighting and violence

[James McRay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bottom line, I just didn’t like Jack. And it really had nothing to do with the love interest. Jack has problems, and I just don’t by the “love of a good woman is going to fix me." No. Toxic relationships don’t work now, and I don’t think they worked any better in 1886, or whenever. Yes, Jack has lived through a tragedy, and he blames himself. But to allow that to estrange yourself from your family for five years? Dude, that’s on you. Especially when Louisa does come around and asks, “hey, you ever try just talking honestly to your family about what happened?” And Jack’s answer is, “no, never thought of that.”

I did like Louisa, however, and to her credit she never enabled Jack. She really knew who she was and what she wanted. She was feisty like her sister and friend (heroines of book 1 and 2 in the series), and I can believe she is strong enough to help Jack turn things around, but she really wasn’t going to love him till he did. Good girl.

One final positive note on the book and the series so far, Newbold really knows how to land that all important first kiss for ultimate romantic punch, which if you think about it, is not always easy to do.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Really liked the development of the relationship between Jack and Louisa.
Although the setup for the story was a bit over-the-top, I wasn’t too bothered by it.
The only thing I didn’t care for was the way overcoming alcohol abuse was portrayed. It felt like all that was needed was a good woman to care about, and poof, problem gone. That might just be my personal take on it though.

Overall, quick and enjoyable read.

[Ale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me costó un poco de trabajo encontrarle el ritmo, siento que la autora quiso meter un tema muy delicado con el Alcoholismo de Jack, pero todo quedó muy simple y lo supera solo por qué sí.
No llegué a comprender al 100 por qué o cómo es que este par de idiotas comenzaron a tener sentimientos el uno por el otro, pero disfruté mucho sus coqueteos y juegos.
La declaración de Jack fue algo bellísimo y que amé en su totalidad.
No lo odie, tampoco lo amé, solo me gustó.

[Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashtyn Newbold sure is a talented author!!! I love, love, LOVED this book of hers. I felt so connected to the characters by the end, and enjoyed seeing their development. Jack was so charming and probably my favorite hero so far in the series! The story line felt so original and so unique! (In a good way of course). I'm looking forward to more novels from this author in the future!!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newbold is certainly a great writer of Regency fiction. Nary a dull moment exists in With Love, Louisa. Charming all the way. I read it in KU and recommend it (and this authors books in general) to fans of the genre.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I wasn't surprised by the quick resolution this time - seems to be the author's style. I enjoyed this story. Louisa is a bit of a dork at the beginning , but the predicament works out nicely and the flow and pacing is good.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely read in a series I am thoroughly enjoying. Louisa and Jack’s story was charming and romantic and sweet. Good read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Fell in love with the storyline! Again! Jack and Louisa were ready for this journey! This book was so well written!