Dauntless Hearts

by Lincoln Tuvelais

A spirited young woman. A handsome Irish lieutenant. Has this lonely English girl found her unexpected match?

Rural Northern England, 1812. Kitty Otis longs to fulfill her destiny as a loving wife and mother. But as she cares for her disabled father in the countryside, the dark-haired beauty fears her chances of a proper London come-out are all but gone. So when a brash Irish Lieutenant shows interest, she can’t help being fascinated by him.

Worried his vulgar nature makes him unsuitable, she quits him and journeys to London for her début. But when he pursues her there vowing to mend his manners and proves his love, all that she desires seems possible. Until their families get involved.

With their love forbidden, can Kitty secure the happiness she’s always desired?

Dauntless Hearts is a sweet standalone Regency romance novel. If you like strong-willed female protagonists, rich historical detail, and authentic period language, then you’ll adore this tale by Lincoln Tuvelais.

Buy Dauntless Hearts to be transported to Regency England today!

Genres: Romance, Historical

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2021

About the author

Lincoln Tuvelais, a Texan living in Kuala Lumpur, succumbed to the madness that compels otherwise normal people to write novels. A self-proclaimed nerd, Lincoln embarks on hours of research to ensure she gets the history in her stories right. Lincoln is working on her new novel, which is due to be released 2023. To find out more, visit www.arborvalebooks.com.

Reviews

[Vonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Actually a 2.5-rating**

Hmm, what a difficult conundrum I find myself in. I was willing to rest this book on a solid 3-rating, until, right around the 30-32% this became more a realization this is not a Romance, nor a Historical Romance, but more like a Historical Fiction book, with interweaving of incremental stories of love. And some were not just for the heroine alone.

It is also a bit more of a Women's Fiction, too...as we have 2, count them 2 male MCs the heroine has stories of heartbreak and love with. Let's be more than clear on that. This is Kitty Otis personal journey through love within her lifetime, and how she copes.

There is a reason for the sub-set in the opening title...playing close attention to "heartbreak" and then "true love".

What I mean to say is... sometimes your Soulmate in life is not your HEA companion or partner you end up spending your whole life with. This is where the breaking of a heart, or hearts, occur.

Then comes the message of "true love". What I mean is to ask... what is each reader's personal definition of true love? Or whom would you assume is your Truest Love? Your First Love [who might be an EX]? Or the one you eventually fall in love with, marry, build a home and family with and carry on until eternity?

I see this being touted as more historically accurate than this Author has read in other historical romances like this, except... somewhere along the way... being determined to be so historically accurate replaces the ability, or means, to show or debut overall Romance, and maybe even those romantic elements that attempted to make this book a Historical Romance...and instead turned it into more biographical in Historical Fiction, centering on two love interests for the heroine, Kitty Otis, in different moments of her life.

The summary, or opening premise, would lead a reader to believe that she will eventually get her HEA with this Lieutenant McLaughlin... always nicknamed, Her Irish Giant...but, yeah, one would be emphatically wrong. I do not know if I enjoy being given one HERO MC to look forward to, only to be swindled into a 2nd HERO MC around the later percentage of a 240pg book...when the story already does more "telling" of what is happening than "showing" us an actual story unfolding.

We are even given some letters of correspondence that will often TELL US MORE to the overall journey of Kitty...and her Irish Giant, and the lacking of romance or even romantic intimacy just bobs and weaves at every opportunity. So many more interesting relationships are shown to us with Kitty as the main MC, where she has often more chemistry with her new best friend, Marianne... and then a little orphaned boy, Davey, who comes to work/live at her new home, Dixon Cottage.

I had a difficult time trusting in Kitty's emotions or feelings... especially for her 1st love, her Irish Giant... and then even more so for her 2nd love, Mr. Blanchard [the widower] whom I could never zero in on whether he was pursuing her or not as he could not seem to get over the loss of his first wife. Plus, with Kitty being so in-and-out of love with her Irish Giant... then so dead inside and numb to life after her heart is broken...yeah, tough to see her "moving on" with the Widower Hero, even when I was told this is what was happening by the end.

Uhm, there is an invalid father, but... very little did I see Kitty actually giving "care" to her father, the old Vicar who is now... I think he has what one would call dementia, these days. Or somewhat Sun-downer's or maybe even early-on-set Alzheimer's. They call it "apoplexy" brought on by the unexpected massive deaths of several adult children [scarlet fever] and then his own wife passing... which then just leaves Kitty and her father as their only surviving close family members.

As Kitty remains main MC... we barely see a major portion of chapters given to her first love interest, Lieutenant McLaughlin. It's 85% Kitty Otis's Life.

And then when the 30% mark hits after a series of chapters of just Kitty featured --what she is doing for her daily routine-- we do pick up her "love story" with her Irish Giant, but then... certain scenarios put a constant damper on the moment as outside family members think this Love Match is never going to be a good idea... and it sours a good majority of the book.

This is why this book needs to be re-branded a historical fiction with love stories. We never get a genuine opportunity to watch Kitty be romantic... or someone romancing her. Nor do we ever see an ounce of "wooing". Kitty is always going to house parties, dinners or balls... having "seasons" where she puts herself on display to search for a good husband, then ends up choosing the one guy in the distance you would never assume she'd end up with who was often by her side already.

So close to the end... Kitty and her first love share a letter exchange where they almost/ kind-of- but-not-so-you'd-notice agree to let go of, and forget, one another. They will both MOVE ON in their hearts and in life, it seems. Lieutenant McLaughlin is in Australia, raising horses. And Kitty is back home, satisfied and comfortable at Dixon Cottage-- flip-flopping on whether she should show any interest in a Mr. Blanchard, the Widower, who has shown a somewhat mild interest in her.

It just... these are just possibly love stories seeped in historical, biographical facts, from someone's diaries and then a writer attempted to flesh-them out except... eesh, everything is so choppy and broken into episodic moments in life. There is never a smooth flow of storytelling. Readers are always TOLD and never SHOWN a full-blown scene of much of anything resembling "romance" nor a satisfying or engrossing HEA. Sometimes, we just skip over some moments and move onto the next, at frustrating levels---inexcusable time jumps so we don't have to show much of anything... just TELL enough to catch the audience up to speed.

The summary offers so much promise... but the denseness of historical accuracy overshadows romantic elements and then basically strips them clear off the page until... the last 5-10% of the book is a rushed adjustment to Kitty finally moving on to her 2nd hero and getting engaged to marrying him.

And then at the very last moment, we learn all these really awkward soulmate kind of possibly awe-inspiring moments... Kitty and her husband-->> have children they give namesakes after their first loves [a daughter named after His first wife... and a son, named after her Irish Giant]... and later-on we learn Kitty's first love, Her Irish Giant, had married and produced a daughter who shared her namesake, Kitty, as well... while this would be heartfelt and touching in another story...here? it merely seems moot in the scope of things. It becomes pointless info-dumping and never truly matters... well, at least not to me who had been looking at this book through optics given by the above summary.

I just... when you read this summary, you expect a romance between Kitty and her Irish Giant of a solider... and them getting their HEA. This is a mere fraction of the story...so "mere" it could be minuscule. But, in truth, they both shut the door on their love story and went off and fell in love and ended up married to other people. They even had separate lives, but did keep writing as they always felt like "dear friends"... but yeah, not a romance of the one I was expecting from what was given to readers in the summary.

This is why you need to pay closer attention to the subset of the title... the "heartbreak" and the "true love" because as a reader of Romance, like me, you will think of it ONE WAY... when the Author fathoms it an utterly completely OPPOSITE WAY .

**I received this e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Ashley Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, author Lincoln Tuvelais, and Arborvale Book publishing for giving me an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3 stars
This book was just an average read for me! I was not really invested in the characters nor their outcomes. I had a hard time believing the sincerity of Kitty's feelings for either of the male MCs. I had the feeling I was reading more of an historical fiction with some interwoven glimpses of two romance interests in the MC's life. There was a lot of tell not show of the events and actions of the characters especially in the time jumps that seemed to create a choppy flow of the story. Davey, the orphan boy, was a great character! The reader gets snips of him and his development and growth throughout the book. I liked how kind and caring Kitty was in taking him under her household in order to give him a safe place to live. The romance between Kitty and her "Irish Giant" seemed to have a lot going for it until she meets his family in Ireland. When it is shown his family will not accept the match, their romance seems to fizzle out. Kitty leaves with her family heartbroken, but willing to go on. She entertains more suitors, but never seems to settle on one in particular until she meets a widower that might or might not be over his first wife.
The author did a great job transporting the reader to the time period of the 1800s. Her descriptions of the society, transportation, political and social events, and fashion made the story enjoyable from the historical perspective. Kitty was written as a very out of time woman with all the different ways she tried to bend societal norms and her accomplishments at Dixon cottage. While I enjoy reading about strong women, I had a hard time believing Kitty would not be shunned by her family and community for some of her actions.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Random Regency Chick-Lit

The book's description at a favorite book review site made this seem like it would be a relatively straight-up Regency romance about a ton heroine and an inappropriate Irish hero. Unfortunately, the book did not read like that. It was unclear, in the actual book itself, who the hero was going to be for far too long. The first part of the book, in fact, read more like a Regency chick-lit book. This first part, too, felt very disjointed, with the author going from seemingly random incident to seemingly random incident with little to tie anything together into a semblance of a plot. Passages of time between incidents were often large; much was told rather than shown. Both of these ineffective literary devices made for a poor read. I actually became quite frustrated with the book’s lack of, well, much of anything besides these random scenes not even remotely tied together. The author also attempted what she or he believes to be authentic speech/writing of the time, including dialects. I found this to be stilted and hard to read at times. The first one that threw me was the word “et.” It took contextual clues for me to figure out that meant “eat” or “eating” in a Yorkshire accent. Spare me phonetic dialect speech in writing! I actually DNFed the book rather quickly because it felt like it went nowhere, and even by the 15% mark of the book, I didn't have a clear sense of who the hero was. If you're going to call a book of romance, you need to get the hero and heroine together quickly and often—with no lack of clarity about who the principals are.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Debra Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dauntless Hearts is a gentle, emotionally grounded Regency romance that quietly pulls you into early 19th-century England and keeps you there.

Kitty Otis is a thoughtful and relatable heroine. Living in rural Northern England in 1812, she longs for a simple but meaningful future, marriage, family, and love, yet her life is shaped by duty as she cares for her disabled father. That sense of responsibility gives her character depth and makes her dreams feel fragile and hard-won.

When an Irish lieutenant enters her life, the story introduces a romance that feels both unexpected and sincere. His brash manners and bold personality contrast sharply with Kitty’s careful nature, creating tension that feels true to the time period. Her decision to walk away and journey to London for her debut shows her strength and independence, even when love is at stake.

The London setting adds another layer to the story, especially as the lieutenant follows her with a genuine desire to change and prove himself. What makes this romance compelling is that love alone isn’t enough, family expectations and social boundaries stand firmly in the way, forcing both characters to confront what they are willing to sacrifice.

The novel’s pacing is calm and reflective, with rich historical detail and language that feels authentic without being heavy. At its heart, Dauntless Hearts is about patience, personal growth, and choosing courage when happiness feels just out of reach.

This is a sweet, standalone Regency romance that will appeal to readers who enjoy strong-willed female leads, restrained emotion, and love stories shaped by tradition and duty. A comforting and thoughtful read for fans of classic historical romance.

[Sallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish to thank NetGalley and Arborvale Books and Books Go Social for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This bookset in the 1800’s in England is offered as al romance novel. But, it is more than that and a bit confusing since Kitty Otis has two major loves. The story weaves around her everyday life and those in her family and friends. She meets and becomes infatuated by her “Irish Giant” but when she is invited to his home to meet his family they do not want her there and are rude to her as she is English and not Irish. She realizes that things will not work out. She is heartbroken but still longs for him. Later she meets other suitors more suited to her and leaves the reader directionless. There are a lot of characters and honestly I enjoyed the book more from a period aspect than as a romance one. The descriptions of daily life, transportation and fashion were really interesting to me and the local dialect was very interesting. From that standpoint I would give the book a solid 4 but as a romance I have to go with a 3.

I loved the character developments with her friend and young Davey and wonder at what she is able to achieve with her Dixon cottage and the land around it. Would a woman in that time period have been able to accomplish that? I hope so but am not convinced.

[Katja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitty, the heroine of Dauntless Hearts has lost her mother and her father is ill and has to leave his vicarage. They buy a house that Kitty learns to manage. Her father cannot move in society much if at all due to his condition, but Kitty finds her place in the local society and makes some friends and acquaintances, including Miss Marianne Warden who has a strict father. She also meets Lieutenant McLaughlin who is a giant of a man. Kitty is somewhat prejudiced against him because he made a presumptuous joke at their first chance encounter, and she wants to avoid him. After they have their first proper conversation she finds him intelligent and realizes she is attracted to him but his sense of humor soon becomes an obstacle for her again, as he retaliates when someone insults his Irish ancestry and Kitty finds it crude. Then McLaughlin proves himself useful in a crisis and Kitty likes him again.

I liked a lot of the dialogue and the ways that Kitty manages her acquaintances, including little Davey, Marianne's father and others. There is a lot of rich period detail, like fashion, farming practices, the goings-on of Kitty's household and servants. It's just that I was rooting for McLaughlin and felt rather cheated when Kitty ended up with someone else in the end. Let's say I had expectations that were not met.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a young Englishwoman and her tale of heartbreak, friendship and eventually finding true love.

Kitty Otis has lost her mother and her father is ill and she steps up to assume the role of leader in her home. With her uncle's guidance, she is able to make a prosperous living on her small farm. She falls in love with an Irish lieutenant but when she is heartbroken because of their circumstances, she determines to not risk love again. Eventually, she is able to find a widower who has also experience heartbreak and they are able to find love again.

This book was a bit of a slow read for me. The pace could have been a little faster and it dragged at times. Kitty's friendship with Marianne seemed genuine and the secondary characters in the story helped make the story real and believable.

There is a happy ending and the story is clean and wholesome but I felt a little letdown when the story ended.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romance set in 1812 in Northern England. Kitty was a sensible young woman who
wanted to marry someone she loved and respected. The brash Irishman set her heart
on fire but his behavior, for her, was boorish and she knew that he was unacceptable
in polite English society.


Putting her personal feelings aside she proceeds to London for her debut, meets up
with another young woman and Kitty throws herself into a whirl of entertainment and
meeting new people hoping that her earlier feelings will lessen. When her Irish
Lieutenant in desperation to win her back invites Kitty and her family to his ancestral home,
all hell breaks loose. The family dislikes Kitty intensely, is disparaging and
condescending and is determined to get rid of her by any means possible.

The book apart from the straight forward romance highlighted the animosity which
existed between the Irish and the English, each side not willing to compromise.
This was a Regency setting to the whole story which added to its interest.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dauntless Hearts is a wonderful story I greatly enjoyed reading! Kitty is a serious girl who must take care of her father, who has memory lapses often . She meets Joseph MacLaughlin, and the two fall in love. But when she meets his family, she begins to understand how they could never be together. His mother treats her terribly, and his brothers talk about her in awful and hurtful ways. Since he is Irish, she realizes he will be disliked everywhere in England, just as she will be disliked in Ireland for being English. Joseph decides he will go to Australia, but Kitty knows she could never leave her father. She meets Mr Blanchard, a widower still mourning the loss of his first wife. They become very good friends, and eventually, it develops into a deeper relationship. Great, clean story I loved reading! Highly recommend!

[Agoston K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not sure what to expect of this book, but it was a good surprise.

The story was lovely, a real historical romance, and not some kind of duke-meets-girl kind of novel. The scenery and all the sometimes sweet, sometimes cunning females trying to get around in a world designed for men felt very real. I liked Kitty Otis, and how she is trying to bend the rules of society around her, and I was totally heartbroken over the break-up with her Irish Giant. It was again a nice surprise to find a second, slow-burning romance waiting for her.

Lincoln Tuvelais' prose is engaging, it's hard to put down. I also enjoyed the historical accuracy and the descriptions on the way the intricate judgements of polite society worked.

[Shaylin Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to get into when I first started reading- mainly because it was written more like a Jane Austen type book which I’m not used to. The language too a little bit to follow completely.

Once I got used to it I really enjoyed the book. It had a lot of small stories that all linked together.

I liked the characters and thought their actions were pretty believable. I also enjoyed all the extra historical details this book had about common household chores, how they prepped for a birth, etc.

I was happy with the ending and glad that there was a glimpse into everyone’s futures many years after the happy ever after.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enduring friendships, difficulty of old fashion dating and house parties really gives of glance at an old way of life. Long ago families had a huge impact on relationships. Childbirth was fraught with danger and marriages were not based on love. I often think it would have been a nice era to live. But this book also points out the downsides. I like the more realistic look at that period. The letters back and forth help tell the story of Kitty and her father when he is forced by health issues to sell his position as vicar. I thought the story was well told. I enjoyed the book.

I read the book on NetGalley

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to the striking cover illustration, and the title intrigued me.

This was a charming book, and it felt like the type of book that may be placed in the same category as the classics. It was not an especially easy read, but an enjoyable one. As is often the case with historical fiction, reading it helped me to escape for a little while, and the characters made me smile.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story brings to life Kitty Otis' life and times as she falls in love and the things she goes through in her every day life. It deals with herself and the family and friends that surround her through the years. This story reminds me of a documentary. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Dauntless Hearts. It was a great story by Lincoln Tuvelais in the future. I am giving it five stars.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I love the cover. A cute historical fiction romance drama novel. Recommend

[Sajid Hunxai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

[Kristi]

I don’t want a starred rating to impact the author so I left it off, but I would give what a read 1/5 stars.

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book, despite receiving a free digital copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. In these cases, I work to finish the book and give each story a chance. However, my reading time is currently limited, and when I couldn’t get interested in the story after 60 pages, I lost the motivation to read it. I love historical fiction as a genre, but this novel had a great deal of historical detail with little plot of romance. It was well-researched, although it had a few details (such as a specific weight for the character) that seemed out of place for the early 1800s. My main difficulty with the novel was a lack of plot or character development. It read like the character’s journal detailing what she did each day. By page 60, there was still no big hero or any real conflict. Perhaps this is clearer later. I hate to be harsh towards any book as I know writing can be a long, hard, and vulnerable venture, but I was asked for an honest review.