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The Ashbrooks
The Shameless Flirt
A rogue with a silver tongue, a spinster with an iron heart, and the doorstep baby that brings them together.
Ambrose Ashbrook spends his life hiding. Even his family sees nothing but the roguish façade he hides behind. But when he finds an abandoned infant, all pretense is upended with one look at her dimpled smile. Knowing his sister is better equipped to help the child, Ambrose climbs aboard a carriage bound for the country.
It’s only a day’s journey. An easy distance. Caring for a baby cannot be that difficult…
Mary Hayward despises flirts. One broke her heart, and she won’t allow it to happen again, so being trapped in a public coach with a chatty charmer is the last thing she wants. But when it’s clear the gentleman is struggling to care for his young charge, Mary has no choice but to lend a hand.
If only he would be quiet! A gentleman like him cannot possibly be interested in a plain spinster like herself… Could he?
Ambrose Ashbrook spends his life hiding. Even his family sees nothing but the roguish façade he hides behind. But when he finds an abandoned infant, all pretense is upended with one look at her dimpled smile. Knowing his sister is better equipped to help the child, Ambrose climbs aboard a carriage bound for the country.
It’s only a day’s journey. An easy distance. Caring for a baby cannot be that difficult…
Mary Hayward despises flirts. One broke her heart, and she won’t allow it to happen again, so being trapped in a public coach with a chatty charmer is the last thing she wants. But when it’s clear the gentleman is struggling to care for his young charge, Mary has no choice but to lend a hand.
If only he would be quiet! A gentleman like him cannot possibly be interested in a plain spinster like herself… Could he?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2019
1211 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Nichols
37 books476 followersBorn and raised in Anchorage, M.A. Nichols is a lifelong Alaskan, though she briefly ventured south to get a fancy bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from Utah State University—neither of which had anything to do with why she became an author, but they kept her alive while launching her publishing career.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
February 19, 2019
This is third in a series but can be read on its own. Ambrose wasn't a big part of the other stories so you won't miss a lot of byplay or anything. The other characters are present in this story and form a large part of Ambrose's arc, but this book contains all the details you really need. That said, the other books are good, too, so it's worth reading all three.
What little we see of Ambrose in the other books portrayed him as kind of a jerk but with moments of vulnerability. We get to see both the vulnerability and why it leads to the jerky bits here and I'm glad to say that it holds together (except for the cause, but I'll get to that). I ended up liking him pretty quickly and that was a pleasant surprise. I particularly liked that the catalyst for a lifestyle change was finding someone with a desperate need (in this case, a baby girl (mistakenly) left at his door). I liked that his efforts of caring for the baby weren't played for hijinks and I loved how seriously he took her care. She's a bit of a plot-moppet in that she's an unusually good-natured baby but those happen and it wasn't extreme nor did it feel manipulated.
And I liked Mary, too, though I disliked her care for her family. Mary's exploitation is subtle, but only because Mary is complacent in her own exploitation. Her self-esteem issues are well-grounded and I liked seeing her come out of herself as Ambrose shows her a different view of herself. Nichols does a great job here, too, because you could feel both the steady trauma from her past as well as her attempts to overcome or grow out of it.
And I really liked both of them together. I liked how Ambrose had to step up and display his vulnerability and that he chose to do so with her. I liked his honesty and fundamental kindness. And I liked how they came to understand and respect each other.
Two things dragged this down for me, though. The first is a section around the late-middle when Mary . This is mitigated somewhat by the fact that Mary doesn't do anything manipulative beyond the obvious and that she's still caring and open.
The second is that the heart of Ambrose's insecurities is a rather unlikely case of extreme dyslexia. I've read a number of historical romances where the hero is really smart but can't read because "the words swim on the page" or similar. I know this can be a thing, but it's passingly rare and it just feels manipulative when you get someone smart labeled idiot because he can't put the words together. It just feels too easy on the part of the author to choose something so extreme to hang a trauma/personality on. I think it'd be just as effective to have a milder challenge and you can easily get the same result.
So yeah, both my quibbles aren't that terrible. Still, along with the truly egregious copy-editing this ends up with a solid four stars. I really enjoyed the couple and only had minor problems along the way.
A note about Chaste: Being good Regency-era gentry, sex just wasn't on the agenda for either main character and that worked out very well. There are some decent kisses that were all they needed to be and that was very fine.
What little we see of Ambrose in the other books portrayed him as kind of a jerk but with moments of vulnerability. We get to see both the vulnerability and why it leads to the jerky bits here and I'm glad to say that it holds together (except for the cause, but I'll get to that). I ended up liking him pretty quickly and that was a pleasant surprise. I particularly liked that the catalyst for a lifestyle change was finding someone with a desperate need (in this case, a baby girl (mistakenly) left at his door). I liked that his efforts of caring for the baby weren't played for hijinks and I loved how seriously he took her care. She's a bit of a plot-moppet in that she's an unusually good-natured baby but those happen and it wasn't extreme nor did it feel manipulated.
And I liked Mary, too, though I disliked her care for her family. Mary's exploitation is subtle, but only because Mary is complacent in her own exploitation. Her self-esteem issues are well-grounded and I liked seeing her come out of herself as Ambrose shows her a different view of herself. Nichols does a great job here, too, because you could feel both the steady trauma from her past as well as her attempts to overcome or grow out of it.
And I really liked both of them together. I liked how Ambrose had to step up and display his vulnerability and that he chose to do so with her. I liked his honesty and fundamental kindness. And I liked how they came to understand and respect each other.
Two things dragged this down for me, though. The first is a section around the late-middle when Mary . This is mitigated somewhat by the fact that Mary doesn't do anything manipulative beyond the obvious and that she's still caring and open.
The second is that the heart of Ambrose's insecurities is a rather unlikely case of extreme dyslexia. I've read a number of historical romances where the hero is really smart but can't read because "the words swim on the page" or similar. I know this can be a thing, but it's passingly rare and it just feels manipulative when you get someone smart labeled idiot because he can't put the words together. It just feels too easy on the part of the author to choose something so extreme to hang a trauma/personality on. I think it'd be just as effective to have a milder challenge and you can easily get the same result.
So yeah, both my quibbles aren't that terrible. Still, along with the truly egregious copy-editing this ends up with a solid four stars. I really enjoyed the couple and only had minor problems along the way.
A note about Chaste: Being good Regency-era gentry, sex just wasn't on the agenda for either main character and that worked out very well. There are some decent kisses that were all they needed to be and that was very fine.
February 21, 2019
3.25 stars.
This was a surprisingly sweet read. I enjoyed the completely clean content and the mild enemies to lovers theme. The development of the relationship between the MCs was also very realistic: slow and steady. Historical details really fleshed out this story for me and the secondary characters helped to fully develop the MCs. So why not more stars? I didn't like how repetitive some this story was. This was especially true of some of the h's inner monologue and what she says to the H. I understand that they both had legitimate reasons for being the way they were, but it became annoying as the story progressed. However, I appreciate that the black moment didn't get dragged out forever or lead to the h sacrificing her own happiness for someone else's. I do wish that the epilogue was longer and further into the future. Other than those quibbles, I enjoyed this one.
Safety:
This was a surprisingly sweet read. I enjoyed the completely clean content and the mild enemies to lovers theme. The development of the relationship between the MCs was also very realistic: slow and steady. Historical details really fleshed out this story for me and the secondary characters helped to fully develop the MCs. So why not more stars? I didn't like how repetitive some this story was. This was especially true of some of the h's inner monologue and what she says to the H. I understand that they both had legitimate reasons for being the way they were, but it became annoying as the story progressed. However, I appreciate that the black moment didn't get dragged out forever or lead to the h sacrificing her own happiness for someone else's. I do wish that the epilogue was longer and further into the future. Other than those quibbles, I enjoyed this one.
Safety:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2022
England 1819. Gave this 4 stars.
Ambrose had a mindless gambler & flirt persona. His
cover for being: "a simpleton" in school & dyslexic (in
modern terms). He was mechanically gifted. He found
an infant girl (not his) on his door-step.
Mary was repeatedly called plain-looking by her family.
She saw herself as her family's "spinster servant." The
family pinned their hopes on her beautiful younger sister
who was given a London season.
Ambrose & baby Dottie and Mary met on a public stage
leaving London. Ambrose was new to temporary father-
hood & Mary (even though in a sour mood) came to his
aid. He gave her the moniker "Miss Pert" when she
refused to share her name. He couldn't recall they'd met
at his brother's wedding. She chided him on his "honeyed
words" to women.
MCs began as superficial but inside a few weeks got into
deep convos. She couldn't believe this attractive, seem-
ingly confident, kind man loved her. Both gained confidence.
The MCs did not play games, shared the truth, and despite
some challenges, got their HEA. I rooted for them.
Ambrose had a mindless gambler & flirt persona. His
cover for being: "a simpleton" in school & dyslexic (in
modern terms). He was mechanically gifted. He found
an infant girl (not his) on his door-step.
Mary was repeatedly called plain-looking by her family.
She saw herself as her family's "spinster servant." The
family pinned their hopes on her beautiful younger sister
who was given a London season.
Ambrose & baby Dottie and Mary met on a public stage
leaving London. Ambrose was new to temporary father-
hood & Mary (even though in a sour mood) came to his
aid. He gave her the moniker "Miss Pert" when she
refused to share her name. He couldn't recall they'd met
at his brother's wedding. She chided him on his "honeyed
words" to women.
MCs began as superficial but inside a few weeks got into
deep convos. She couldn't believe this attractive, seem-
ingly confident, kind man loved her. Both gained confidence.
The MCs did not play games, shared the truth, and despite
some challenges, got their HEA. I rooted for them.
November 20, 2019
Nichols is a new to me author and I must say that I loved this book and hope to read more. I know I'm weird but usually a kissing scene is my least favorite part of a romance. I'm more interested in what goes on to get them to that point in their relationship but I felt positively swoony over this one. I loved Ambrose and his persistence to break through Mary's prickly wall of protection. I loved Mary's instant love of Dottie. And I loved Dottie. I missed her when we stopped seeing much of her after their travels.
Mary is something of the Cinderella of the family. She is treated more like a servant than a daughter and really the kindest thing her family ever said to her was that they were grateful to have her so they could rely on her to care for them in their old age. She was continually abused emotionally in such a way that she believed she was incapable of anything but being their caretaker. It wasn't that her parents were mean so much as that they were incredibly selfish marrying one daughter off to the highest bidder and determining the other to be a spinster for their use.
I loved the advice Ambrose received from his sister and her husband that helped him navigate winning Mary over. Mina was able to see Ambrose as no one else in the family seemed to. Ambrose and Mary could see into each other's souls as well. I think a relationship is good when each person thinks they are getting the best end of the deal.
I think the book was well written and the story line was great. Very different from anything else I've read in regency romance. Unfortunately, the book could have used another round of editing but the story was so good that it was easy to overlook that. And that was the only complaint I had.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: a little
*I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily chose to review it.
Mary is something of the Cinderella of the family. She is treated more like a servant than a daughter and really the kindest thing her family ever said to her was that they were grateful to have her so they could rely on her to care for them in their old age. She was continually abused emotionally in such a way that she believed she was incapable of anything but being their caretaker. It wasn't that her parents were mean so much as that they were incredibly selfish marrying one daughter off to the highest bidder and determining the other to be a spinster for their use.
I loved the advice Ambrose received from his sister and her husband that helped him navigate winning Mary over. Mina was able to see Ambrose as no one else in the family seemed to. Ambrose and Mary could see into each other's souls as well. I think a relationship is good when each person thinks they are getting the best end of the deal.
I think the book was well written and the story line was great. Very different from anything else I've read in regency romance. Unfortunately, the book could have used another round of editing but the story was so good that it was easy to overlook that. And that was the only complaint I had.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: a little
*I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily chose to review it.
August 19, 2023
"Do recall, Mr. Ashbrook, that not five minutes ago you claimed my mother looked far too young to have a daughter engaged to be married. You have a silver tongue, sir. And an overabundance of words."
The Shameless Flirt (2019, Nichols Publishing), a standalone Regency romance, is second in the The Ashbrooks series by M. A. Nichols. I enjoy Ms. Nichols' stories, and it was a bit of serendipity that I stumbled upon this book on YouTube. You can bet I subscribed to her channel.
Rating: 5 stars
Narration: 5 stars (link to full audiobook on YouTube below)
Is it clean/chaste? Yes!
Other content issues: a brief fight (not domestic violence)
Christian elements: Christian faith appropriate to the period. Not Christian fiction.
The heroine: Mary, dubbed Miss Pert by the hero, is a prickly, uber-competent, spinster heroine, cruelly disappointed in romance early in her adult life. She's rather a Cinderella figure. Her mother, father, and sister all love her, but Mary is expected to sacrifice too much. I was absolutely convinced that this book was inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, as Mary often made me think of Anne Elliot, but the author was kind enough to reply to my inquiry with a negative.
The hero: Mr. Ashbrook, a bit of a prodigal son figure, is mistrusted by much of his family and viewed as not good for much of anything. While in London, someone leaves a baby at Mr. Ashbrook's door. The man the baby was intended for disavows any involvement with finding a home for the babe. To complicate matters, Mr. Ashbrook has a tendency to give over-generous compliments - not always true. He hides his true self from everyone and actually has an excellent character.
What I liked: Really, I adored this book! The relationship between family members is strong and realistic. I loved the following speech from Mina, who is the heroine in M. A. Nichols' Flame and Ember .
" 'We all have our shortcomings,' said Mina, reaching over to rest her hand on Ambrose's forearm. 'But we love each other. And that means forgiving our pigheaded siblings when they do not behave the way we wish them to. It means supporting them when they are trying their best and giving them kind nudges to help them overcome those flaws. We each need help if we are to improve and should not hold onto past grudges that poison the relationship.' "
This really jumped out at me. What a good picture of how we should behave towards one another.
What I didn’t like: I can't think of a flaw in the writing of the story, so I'll just write about characters I found annoying... Mary's parents both seem to love her, but their willingness for her to be pushed aside over and over again to make way for her more beautiful sister make their parents' love towards Mary seem false. (I hear in church frequently that love is an active verb as opposed to a passive feeling.) But truly, I think this was written really well because I feel confident that this is exactly how the parental characters are intended to be by the author. People are complicated. None of us have all good traits, nor all bad.
Audiobook: The full audiobook , beautifully narrated by Madeleine Brolly is available on YouTube.
The bottom line: This is a lovely clean Regency romance. I highly recommend it.
I look forward to reading more by M. A. Nichols.
Also consider trying: A True Gentleman , also by Nichols, and first in the Ashbrook series.
The Shameless Flirt (2019, Nichols Publishing), a standalone Regency romance, is second in the The Ashbrooks series by M. A. Nichols. I enjoy Ms. Nichols' stories, and it was a bit of serendipity that I stumbled upon this book on YouTube. You can bet I subscribed to her channel.
Rating: 5 stars
Narration: 5 stars (link to full audiobook on YouTube below)
Is it clean/chaste? Yes!
Other content issues: a brief fight (not domestic violence)
Christian elements: Christian faith appropriate to the period. Not Christian fiction.
The heroine: Mary, dubbed Miss Pert by the hero, is a prickly, uber-competent, spinster heroine, cruelly disappointed in romance early in her adult life. She's rather a Cinderella figure. Her mother, father, and sister all love her, but Mary is expected to sacrifice too much. I was absolutely convinced that this book was inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, as Mary often made me think of Anne Elliot, but the author was kind enough to reply to my inquiry with a negative.
The hero: Mr. Ashbrook, a bit of a prodigal son figure, is mistrusted by much of his family and viewed as not good for much of anything. While in London, someone leaves a baby at Mr. Ashbrook's door. The man the baby was intended for disavows any involvement with finding a home for the babe. To complicate matters, Mr. Ashbrook has a tendency to give over-generous compliments - not always true. He hides his true self from everyone and actually has an excellent character.
What I liked: Really, I adored this book! The relationship between family members is strong and realistic. I loved the following speech from Mina, who is the heroine in M. A. Nichols' Flame and Ember .
" 'We all have our shortcomings,' said Mina, reaching over to rest her hand on Ambrose's forearm. 'But we love each other. And that means forgiving our pigheaded siblings when they do not behave the way we wish them to. It means supporting them when they are trying their best and giving them kind nudges to help them overcome those flaws. We each need help if we are to improve and should not hold onto past grudges that poison the relationship.' "
This really jumped out at me. What a good picture of how we should behave towards one another.
What I didn’t like: I can't think of a flaw in the writing of the story, so I'll just write about characters I found annoying... Mary's parents both seem to love her, but their willingness for her to be pushed aside over and over again to make way for her more beautiful sister make their parents' love towards Mary seem false. (I hear in church frequently that love is an active verb as opposed to a passive feeling.) But truly, I think this was written really well because I feel confident that this is exactly how the parental characters are intended to be by the author. People are complicated. None of us have all good traits, nor all bad.
Audiobook: The full audiobook , beautifully narrated by Madeleine Brolly is available on YouTube.
The bottom line: This is a lovely clean Regency romance. I highly recommend it.
I look forward to reading more by M. A. Nichols.
Also consider trying: A True Gentleman , also by Nichols, and first in the Ashbrook series.
May 3, 2019
This is one of the most highly rated HR books that I have ever read, for sure. The only reason that I didn't give it a five is because I only rate books that I find to be really life changing to be fives.
So, though this book certainly didn't change my life, perspectives or anything like that, I can for sure say that this book was so sweet. First of all, the hero is one of the best men I have ever read in romance. Hands down. The heroine is also so sweet, though she can be a bit aloof sometimes to where it is frustrating... Dottie though. So sweet. A very good, easy, sweet read.
Highly, highly, highly recommend.
So, though this book certainly didn't change my life, perspectives or anything like that, I can for sure say that this book was so sweet. First of all, the hero is one of the best men I have ever read in romance. Hands down. The heroine is also so sweet, though she can be a bit aloof sometimes to where it is frustrating... Dottie though. So sweet. A very good, easy, sweet read.
Highly, highly, highly recommend.
April 4, 2020
'Ambrose Ashbrook has spent his life hiding. Even his family see nothing but the roguish facade he has carefully crafted to conceal the secret burdening his heart. But when he finds an abandoned infant, all his pretenses are upended with one look at her dimpled smile. Knowing his sister is far better equipped to deal with the babe, Ambrose strikes out for the country, determined to give her a better future than the foundling homes have to offer.
It is only a day’s journey. An easy distance. Caring for an infant cannot be that difficult…
Mary Hayward cannot abide empty compliments and false flattery. Such things turned her head once and landed her with a shattered heart, and she would never allow that to happen again. So being trapped in a public coach with a gentleman who has an overabundance of both is the last thing Mary wants. But the gentleman is so clearly incapable of caring for his young charge that she had no choice but to step in and lend a hand.
If only the gentleman would stop spouting his flirtatious nonsense! No charming and handsome gentleman could sincerely flatter a plain spinster like herself…Or could he?'
_____________________________________
3.5 stars, rounded up to four stars.
The Shameless Flirt is the third book in M.A. Nichols Regency Love series. It is the first book from this series and this author that I have read before, but it s the third book in the series. I don't feel that not reading the earlier books altered my enjoyment or understanding of this book at all. Even though the previous two books focus on other member's in Ambrose's family, this book can still serve as a stand-alone.
I was a bit disappointed that Dottie, who was such a big part of the book for the first half, faded into rarely being seen and infrequently mentioned. I knew going into this book that the whole purpose of his travels was to bring this baby to his sister's home in order to find her a good home, but then once he had bonded with her and started spending less time with her I was disappointed in him. I know he was purposely trying to keep his distance, but still...it bothered me because then her character felt like merely a plot device.
The treatment Mary's family subjected her to was just awful. And it was all the worse because the don't see any fault in their behavior toward her and that Mary is complacent in their mistreatment. So with being pushed aside and made to feel insignificant her entire life, her incredibly low self-esteem comes as no surprise. I felt terrible for her and sympathized with her. But once we got about 3/4 into the book and she kept dismissing the idea that he or anyone could care for her despite a plethora of evidence and words to the contrary, it got to be a bit annoying. She would twist and turn everything that happened between them to convince herself he was using her poorly and then treat him abismally as a result, which he in no way deserved because he was nothing but kind the entire book. I was losing my patience with her, but, she came round in the end and sense finally prevailed. I wish there had been a bit less dithering in this regard, but overall it was an enjoyable book.
I will continue on to read more in this series. I am curious to see how Ambrose was portrayed in the previous books, to understand why the majority of his family felt justified in treating him so dismissively.
It is only a day’s journey. An easy distance. Caring for an infant cannot be that difficult…
Mary Hayward cannot abide empty compliments and false flattery. Such things turned her head once and landed her with a shattered heart, and she would never allow that to happen again. So being trapped in a public coach with a gentleman who has an overabundance of both is the last thing Mary wants. But the gentleman is so clearly incapable of caring for his young charge that she had no choice but to step in and lend a hand.
If only the gentleman would stop spouting his flirtatious nonsense! No charming and handsome gentleman could sincerely flatter a plain spinster like herself…Or could he?'
_____________________________________
3.5 stars, rounded up to four stars.
The Shameless Flirt is the third book in M.A. Nichols Regency Love series. It is the first book from this series and this author that I have read before, but it s the third book in the series. I don't feel that not reading the earlier books altered my enjoyment or understanding of this book at all. Even though the previous two books focus on other member's in Ambrose's family, this book can still serve as a stand-alone.
I was a bit disappointed that Dottie, who was such a big part of the book for the first half, faded into rarely being seen and infrequently mentioned. I knew going into this book that the whole purpose of his travels was to bring this baby to his sister's home in order to find her a good home, but then once he had bonded with her and started spending less time with her I was disappointed in him. I know he was purposely trying to keep his distance, but still...it bothered me because then her character felt like merely a plot device.
The treatment Mary's family subjected her to was just awful. And it was all the worse because the don't see any fault in their behavior toward her and that Mary is complacent in their mistreatment. So with being pushed aside and made to feel insignificant her entire life, her incredibly low self-esteem comes as no surprise. I felt terrible for her and sympathized with her. But once we got about 3/4 into the book and she kept dismissing the idea that he or anyone could care for her despite a plethora of evidence and words to the contrary, it got to be a bit annoying. She would twist and turn everything that happened between them to convince herself he was using her poorly and then treat him abismally as a result, which he in no way deserved because he was nothing but kind the entire book. I was losing my patience with her, but, she came round in the end and sense finally prevailed. I wish there had been a bit less dithering in this regard, but overall it was an enjoyable book.
I will continue on to read more in this series. I am curious to see how Ambrose was portrayed in the previous books, to understand why the majority of his family felt justified in treating him so dismissively.
August 7, 2022
Such delicious angst!!! Poor Mary, her awful family and “friends” just cold murdered her self esteem. I am so glad to see her get her HEA, and I love Ambrose as well. I always wish for some steam in my romances, but the angst made up for the lack. Only one complaint: (4.5 stars)
April 19, 2020
**Actually, if I could, I would give this 5+Infintiy-stars**
04-18 @ 6PM
I will come back soon with a more eloquently worded review, because this book, and book series, deserves it, but so does M. A. Nichols. Ma'am, I am bowing at your feet, because I don't know HOW or WHY you do this book writin' so perfectly to feed everything I ever needed and didn't know I needed. You are in a highly regarded shortlist of Authors who knock it out of the park with every, single, book - with you, I now have 4, so far. This book is spiritual and astronomical- like outer-space splendiferous ...and I was wrong that I was "Mina Ashbrooke-Kingsley"...I am actually a "Mary Hayward-Ashbrooke" and more than that, my real name IS Mary, so, yeah...irony...but I do have one tiny question before I leave to return with my full review... who the heck did you have in your mind for an "ideal" for Ambrose, because...well, I will tell you why, shortly, because, but I somehow want and need to know but then I don't want my own male ideals to give any cause to be wrong. Eesh...it's a rhetorical question, if you answer me, I might, literally, die...
MORE TO COME...[while I am wiping away these rapidly falling tears...]
04/19 02am
Again, I don't know if I can officially rate this book 5+-stars but it's going there. I have only had this situation happen to me, 3 priors times, where an Author has given me another superb read and then far-surpassed with a genuine 6-star read for me. If I could give it 10-stars, 5-stars each for Mary & Ambrose, I would. I so would.
I needed this book. I really needed a book like this to give me courage and hope. Not simply for the romantic-edge, but for the basic humanity inside of both Mary and Ambrose. I didn't think Nichols could give me another heroine to respect and admire, but she did. Mary isn't simply pieces of me... as my real name is "Mary". I could pull apart Mary for days and still find pieces of her that are glorious; she has such depth and honor and loyalty and...bravery. And just love, purest love imaginable if you dig deep beyond her surface.
She has a scene...where had it been another Author, they would've had Mary cave in. What I am finding I love and adore with Nichols' writing is that hard truths are given and they are never squandered to make a happy moment. Sometimes we need to ruminate in that awkward difficulty and just..."yeah, this moment is bonkers! You were a piece of shit to me and I'm not, nor will I ever, be your best friend!" Mary has an old best friend, Bess, who tries to make peace, but you know what? No, not a doormat anymore! Screw you and don't let the door hit your bum on the way out! I fell in love with Mary right then and there. Plus a few other places, too.
And Ambrose -???? If there ever was to be a male MC who could compete for Mr. Darcy's position in my heart...it would be Ambrose Ashbrooke. From Book 1 to Book 2, Ambrose is in our periphery and he often comes off as a constant flirt and Playboy...a man who charms with the finest beauties of society. Except...wow! Talk. About. Character. Growth. And a Shocking Unexpected Depth! I was here for his journey where Nichols wanted to take me. And I wanted him not only to have the baby girl he found on his doorstep, but I wanted him to have Mary, the only person besides his dear sister, Mina, who can see beyond his vapid facade.
I could never get a solid "read" on Ambrose in Mina's book, and when Tabby's book came... Ambrose seemed a bit of a Player, like he could sneakily steal Tabby from Graham. But with this book...we get an authenticity to Ambrose that completely and utterly floored me. I wanted more. I craved everything he could possibly give me...and Nichols did the best any Author could do. I will continually trust, respect and admire any writer who treats her MCs like Nichols does...as if they were real...as if they were family...as if they were parts of her.
I am almost scared to even eek out an inch of this story but I know I must for someone new who reads this to understand. Unless you have suffered, have sacrificed, have shared an ounce of similar pain...these books will never vibe with you and your mental or emotional capacities. I saw myself in Mina...I saw parts of me in Tabby...but I saw a near replica in Mary, especially with the name.
We open the book so innocently. Young love...so ardent and true. Mary is awaiting her male best friend, Henry. He has requested they meet under a tree...and then...right away, something feels amiss. Henry shows up, happy to see Mary but also happier to share his great news. Mary had been anticipating a confession of love and then a proposal from Henry. Why not? they shared a wonderful kiss or two that seemed relevant and purposeful. Except...Mary's heart breaks, piece by piece, as Henry informs her he loves another... her->or, well, THEIR mutual best friend, Bess. And what is even worse... Henry has invited ALL the families to share in celebration of his love for Bess, his proposal and her acceptance. Now, not only is she utterly humiliated and heartbroken, she has to face everybody with the heartbreak right on her face. Both Henry and Bess cruelly used her "friendship" to circumvent and find happiness with each other while treating her like no better than dirt on their shoes.
Then it is 9yrs later...this floored me because...OMG, Mary! 9yrs of heartbreak and she probably still isn't in love or engaged or married. But the chapter actually is given to Ambrose, who I was nearly dreading being introduced to, but it didn't take long for my mind, my heart and everything else to change. There's a party...after Graham & Tabby's wedding. We get an idea of how Ambrose will remain the one Ashbrooke Bachelor. Marriage and love is not for him. This is not a shocker, but what is a shocker is that for once we are able to see deeper into Ambrose... the real Ambrose, who seems to think his family finds him useless and worthless. Even with Mina supporting him -> seems in school, as a boy, he was called "Addle-brained". Basically, he was called slow or stupid, which is terrible to hear. But to think that a man who is constantly flirting and charming the females of society has an ounce of self-doubt underneath? This becomes more intriguing as we go along.
We actually have 6-whole chapters before Mary & Ambrose actually come to fully - face-to-face - meet one another and it is unforgettable. What I loved was... for Mary we get to witness her SEE Ambrose in action at a party in their town, Bristow. I loved this moment of Mary simply gazing or spying on Ambrose as he openly flirts with another woman. But she coldly turns him away because she feels Ambrose is simply another "Henry"...ready to dupe unsuspecting females with his flirtatious ways and batting eyelids. Actually, to Mary's recollection Ambrose has a smiley-smirk thing he does that makes her roll her eyes and it makes me chuckle to imagine what that must look like in person. The other shocking thing Mary learns is...what it truly means for some folk to be a Spinster Daughter. How Society feels and how her own Mama feels. It's an eye-opening moment, and my heart dropped for Mary to learn her mother might not see her as no more than a servant. Yikes! Since Mary never married -> it leaves her younger sister, Lydia, The Beauty- to have her Season to marry a rich husband. Mary's parents are noted "social climbers", so Mary is really good for nothing to them.
We spend time with Ambrose because when he walks home after a round of boring cards at a club, he comes home to find there is a mysterious basket on his steps...there is a baby girl left with a note of "This is your child" but the name written for is St. James not Ashbrooke. So the poor woman who birthed this babe left it on the wrong steps. Ambrose cuddles this strange baby and takes it, waddled in blankets to the right man, his neighbor...the currently philandering St. James...who is adamant about not being the father and could care less. He actually asks Ambrose to throw the babe in the gutter. And so adorably, Ambrose storms out of the house to then tell the baby, "I'm not going to throw you in the gutter, sweetie"...and here is where I felt my heart crack for Ambrose. And well, for the first time, Ambrose is getting the same smirks and flirtatious manner mirrored back at him that he has been giving to women for the past years or so. It's so dang super-sweet to read, too. Ambrose quickly becomes the father he never knew he could be. I was tickled to read his happenings with...who he starts to call, Dottie, for her two cute dimples in her cheeks. I swear, every scene with Dottie is a melt-your-heart moment.
Ambrose is slowly falling in love with Dottie, but he knows he has to find her a better family who can raise her, so he takes her to a home for abandoned children/babes. The place is too full, so the woman suggests that he simply take the baby to his sister, Mina, who can find a "home" in the country that would be a better fit. The problem being, the longer Ambrose has Dottie in his care and keeping, the more people think she is his by-blow...his daughter from a mistress. Ambrose doesn't seem to care what people think; he truly just wants Dottie to be safe, loved and cared for. But wow...he is not doing too bad of a job taking care of her on his own.
While Ambrose was cuddlin' Dottie, makin' plans to see his sister, Mina... Mary has made her way with her Mama and sister, Lydia, to London. Like Mary has done countless of times for their home in Bristow, she is helping the staff and maids get the new home prepared for Lydia's coming out Season. It is very clear Mary has worked herself to the bone, but also traveled for hours...and she expects to have some personal time to spend in walking around London. But, nah, here is where you truly see how ruthless Mary's Mama is to her. They ONLY have money to take care of and dress spectacularly ONE daughter. And Mary is asked to leave London to save money. Her Mama wants her to take the stagecoach back to Bristow and return home to take care of the place while she and Lydia prance about parties looking for a rich society husband. Sadly, Mary knows what it is like to have monies squandered for ONLY ONE DAUGHTER, so she does her duty and packs her trunk to leave.
By Chapter 6, Ambrose & Mary are now meeting face-to-face...on a stagecoach...on the way back home to Bristow. The stagecoach is packed... and Ambrose carrying Dottie is seated right next to Mary, despondent and wretched, near tears from her Mama's utter betrayal and rejection. Mary recognizes Ambrose - and thinks Dottie is HIS - but Ambrose is unfamiliar with who Mary is.
What happens soon is a massive traumatic trek for BOTH of them from stagecoach to stagecoach to then an on-foot trek to then...Ambrose riding horseback to his sister's to borrow a carriage and then return to pick up Mary & Dottie. I swear this takes up the next 10-chapters but it is so worthwhile to read them going thru all of this mess because what they go thru together is harrowing and causes them to weirdly bond like no other people. But what is amazing to watch unfold...is for Mary, the melting of her emotions for Ambrose & Dottie...to Ambrose, who is slowly allowing Dottie to teach him he can have purpose...someone does need him...he isn't worthless like his family believes.
Ambrose and Mary have such growth and vulnerabilities during these chapters that you begin to love both of them to such a Nth degree. What is even more worthy of them both is...though they are worlds apart they are not so different deep on the inside. Both have been shunned by family for different reasons, so they both feel useless...no purpose...made to feel unwanted, unloved. You desperately want them to LOVE each other, with Dottie sandwiched between them. I swear, it will happen...it subtle but you'll want them all to be together to be a family.
Ambrose is such a gentleman he will not stop until he can escort Mary inside of her home...we're only at chapter 17 with so much more story to go, but here is the thing...I want people to read so I will -somewhat- sum up. What begins is a untethered friendship of two people who want to feel wanted...needed. Ambrose is keeping a secret as is Mary. Readers know BOTH of their secrets but it's once they open their hearts to one another...we all can take a sigh of relief. Ambrose cannot read...which is why they called him stupid in school - he has dyslexia. Mary will confess her heartache with Henry & Bess...people who were said to be her best friends but duped her into using her to bring themselves closer together.
The slow-burn is here and it is steady. It will flourish and falter, but it will still be strong as it burns inside Ambrose. He will get rejected by Mary, but she won't deny feelings are there...so he has hope. And my god does he never give up. More than anything he perseveres and pushes onward and upward. Even the day after full rejection... Ambrose returns to Mary's side and he gives her everything of himself as she has to prepare her home now...for the return of her silly social climbing family as they have FOUND Lydia a husband...so, yeah...this was pure torture for Mary. It also gives her a moment to watch Ambrose in real honest and genuine action to fulfill her needs, showing his deep feelings for her in helping her.
What's beautiful and glorious is Ambrose...and Mina and Simon. I cried heavy tears during a conversation Mina had with Ambrose about what Mary was going through with being made to feel plain, ugly & unwanted... Preach, Sister Mina, Preach...and then dearest Simon had to make me adore him more by supporting Ambrose and guiding him like the gentle soul Mina has made him become. My god...these moments were so damn good...my heart stuttered in beats, my gut clenching in worry...because I had some nasty, fool idea Ambrose would huff off and get pouty...but Nichols never struck that foolish common denominator most writers use...
AMBROSE HAD FAITH and a true, ardent love for Mary...but Mary had deep, deeply cut mental and emotional anguishes he had to bust on through...and they were genuine and real... man, I am feeling chills simply typing this now. AMBROSE NEVER GAVE UP ON MARY. He fought until the last minute...I swear...he knew he had to SHOW Mary she was worth his time...she was beautiful to him and she was lovable.
I have the fourth queued up in my reader...well, here we go folks... is there such a saying 4th-time's the charm?
P.S. Mary is a booknerd. She is reading Sense & Sensibility on the coach with Ambrose to Bristow...and she reads it to him. She tells him she wants Persuasion...and, yeah, this book and this heroine couldn't be more perfect for me...divine...
04-18 @ 6PM
I will come back soon with a more eloquently worded review, because this book, and book series, deserves it, but so does M. A. Nichols. Ma'am, I am bowing at your feet, because I don't know HOW or WHY you do this book writin' so perfectly to feed everything I ever needed and didn't know I needed. You are in a highly regarded shortlist of Authors who knock it out of the park with every, single, book - with you, I now have 4, so far. This book is spiritual and astronomical- like outer-space splendiferous ...and I was wrong that I was "Mina Ashbrooke-Kingsley"...I am actually a "Mary Hayward-Ashbrooke" and more than that, my real name IS Mary, so, yeah...irony...but I do have one tiny question before I leave to return with my full review... who the heck did you have in your mind for an "ideal" for Ambrose, because...well, I will tell you why, shortly, because, but I somehow want and need to know but then I don't want my own male ideals to give any cause to be wrong. Eesh...it's a rhetorical question, if you answer me, I might, literally, die...
MORE TO COME...[while I am wiping away these rapidly falling tears...]
04/19 02am
Again, I don't know if I can officially rate this book 5+-stars but it's going there. I have only had this situation happen to me, 3 priors times, where an Author has given me another superb read and then far-surpassed with a genuine 6-star read for me. If I could give it 10-stars, 5-stars each for Mary & Ambrose, I would. I so would.
I needed this book. I really needed a book like this to give me courage and hope. Not simply for the romantic-edge, but for the basic humanity inside of both Mary and Ambrose. I didn't think Nichols could give me another heroine to respect and admire, but she did. Mary isn't simply pieces of me... as my real name is "Mary". I could pull apart Mary for days and still find pieces of her that are glorious; she has such depth and honor and loyalty and...bravery. And just love, purest love imaginable if you dig deep beyond her surface.
She has a scene...where had it been another Author, they would've had Mary cave in. What I am finding I love and adore with Nichols' writing is that hard truths are given and they are never squandered to make a happy moment. Sometimes we need to ruminate in that awkward difficulty and just..."yeah, this moment is bonkers! You were a piece of shit to me and I'm not, nor will I ever, be your best friend!" Mary has an old best friend, Bess, who tries to make peace, but you know what? No, not a doormat anymore! Screw you and don't let the door hit your bum on the way out! I fell in love with Mary right then and there. Plus a few other places, too.
And Ambrose -???? If there ever was to be a male MC who could compete for Mr. Darcy's position in my heart...it would be Ambrose Ashbrooke. From Book 1 to Book 2, Ambrose is in our periphery and he often comes off as a constant flirt and Playboy...a man who charms with the finest beauties of society. Except...wow! Talk. About. Character. Growth. And a Shocking Unexpected Depth! I was here for his journey where Nichols wanted to take me. And I wanted him not only to have the baby girl he found on his doorstep, but I wanted him to have Mary, the only person besides his dear sister, Mina, who can see beyond his vapid facade.
I could never get a solid "read" on Ambrose in Mina's book, and when Tabby's book came... Ambrose seemed a bit of a Player, like he could sneakily steal Tabby from Graham. But with this book...we get an authenticity to Ambrose that completely and utterly floored me. I wanted more. I craved everything he could possibly give me...and Nichols did the best any Author could do. I will continually trust, respect and admire any writer who treats her MCs like Nichols does...as if they were real...as if they were family...as if they were parts of her.
I am almost scared to even eek out an inch of this story but I know I must for someone new who reads this to understand. Unless you have suffered, have sacrificed, have shared an ounce of similar pain...these books will never vibe with you and your mental or emotional capacities. I saw myself in Mina...I saw parts of me in Tabby...but I saw a near replica in Mary, especially with the name.
We open the book so innocently. Young love...so ardent and true. Mary is awaiting her male best friend, Henry. He has requested they meet under a tree...and then...right away, something feels amiss. Henry shows up, happy to see Mary but also happier to share his great news. Mary had been anticipating a confession of love and then a proposal from Henry. Why not? they shared a wonderful kiss or two that seemed relevant and purposeful. Except...Mary's heart breaks, piece by piece, as Henry informs her he loves another... her->or, well, THEIR mutual best friend, Bess. And what is even worse... Henry has invited ALL the families to share in celebration of his love for Bess, his proposal and her acceptance. Now, not only is she utterly humiliated and heartbroken, she has to face everybody with the heartbreak right on her face. Both Henry and Bess cruelly used her "friendship" to circumvent and find happiness with each other while treating her like no better than dirt on their shoes.
Then it is 9yrs later...this floored me because...OMG, Mary! 9yrs of heartbreak and she probably still isn't in love or engaged or married. But the chapter actually is given to Ambrose, who I was nearly dreading being introduced to, but it didn't take long for my mind, my heart and everything else to change. There's a party...after Graham & Tabby's wedding. We get an idea of how Ambrose will remain the one Ashbrooke Bachelor. Marriage and love is not for him. This is not a shocker, but what is a shocker is that for once we are able to see deeper into Ambrose... the real Ambrose, who seems to think his family finds him useless and worthless. Even with Mina supporting him -> seems in school, as a boy, he was called "Addle-brained". Basically, he was called slow or stupid, which is terrible to hear. But to think that a man who is constantly flirting and charming the females of society has an ounce of self-doubt underneath? This becomes more intriguing as we go along.
We actually have 6-whole chapters before Mary & Ambrose actually come to fully - face-to-face - meet one another and it is unforgettable. What I loved was... for Mary we get to witness her SEE Ambrose in action at a party in their town, Bristow. I loved this moment of Mary simply gazing or spying on Ambrose as he openly flirts with another woman. But she coldly turns him away because she feels Ambrose is simply another "Henry"...ready to dupe unsuspecting females with his flirtatious ways and batting eyelids. Actually, to Mary's recollection Ambrose has a smiley-smirk thing he does that makes her roll her eyes and it makes me chuckle to imagine what that must look like in person. The other shocking thing Mary learns is...what it truly means for some folk to be a Spinster Daughter. How Society feels and how her own Mama feels. It's an eye-opening moment, and my heart dropped for Mary to learn her mother might not see her as no more than a servant. Yikes! Since Mary never married -> it leaves her younger sister, Lydia, The Beauty- to have her Season to marry a rich husband. Mary's parents are noted "social climbers", so Mary is really good for nothing to them.
We spend time with Ambrose because when he walks home after a round of boring cards at a club, he comes home to find there is a mysterious basket on his steps...there is a baby girl left with a note of "This is your child" but the name written for is St. James not Ashbrooke. So the poor woman who birthed this babe left it on the wrong steps. Ambrose cuddles this strange baby and takes it, waddled in blankets to the right man, his neighbor...the currently philandering St. James...who is adamant about not being the father and could care less. He actually asks Ambrose to throw the babe in the gutter. And so adorably, Ambrose storms out of the house to then tell the baby, "I'm not going to throw you in the gutter, sweetie"...and here is where I felt my heart crack for Ambrose. And well, for the first time, Ambrose is getting the same smirks and flirtatious manner mirrored back at him that he has been giving to women for the past years or so. It's so dang super-sweet to read, too. Ambrose quickly becomes the father he never knew he could be. I was tickled to read his happenings with...who he starts to call, Dottie, for her two cute dimples in her cheeks. I swear, every scene with Dottie is a melt-your-heart moment.
Ambrose is slowly falling in love with Dottie, but he knows he has to find her a better family who can raise her, so he takes her to a home for abandoned children/babes. The place is too full, so the woman suggests that he simply take the baby to his sister, Mina, who can find a "home" in the country that would be a better fit. The problem being, the longer Ambrose has Dottie in his care and keeping, the more people think she is his by-blow...his daughter from a mistress. Ambrose doesn't seem to care what people think; he truly just wants Dottie to be safe, loved and cared for. But wow...he is not doing too bad of a job taking care of her on his own.
While Ambrose was cuddlin' Dottie, makin' plans to see his sister, Mina... Mary has made her way with her Mama and sister, Lydia, to London. Like Mary has done countless of times for their home in Bristow, she is helping the staff and maids get the new home prepared for Lydia's coming out Season. It is very clear Mary has worked herself to the bone, but also traveled for hours...and she expects to have some personal time to spend in walking around London. But, nah, here is where you truly see how ruthless Mary's Mama is to her. They ONLY have money to take care of and dress spectacularly ONE daughter. And Mary is asked to leave London to save money. Her Mama wants her to take the stagecoach back to Bristow and return home to take care of the place while she and Lydia prance about parties looking for a rich society husband. Sadly, Mary knows what it is like to have monies squandered for ONLY ONE DAUGHTER, so she does her duty and packs her trunk to leave.
By Chapter 6, Ambrose & Mary are now meeting face-to-face...on a stagecoach...on the way back home to Bristow. The stagecoach is packed... and Ambrose carrying Dottie is seated right next to Mary, despondent and wretched, near tears from her Mama's utter betrayal and rejection. Mary recognizes Ambrose - and thinks Dottie is HIS - but Ambrose is unfamiliar with who Mary is.
What happens soon is a massive traumatic trek for BOTH of them from stagecoach to stagecoach to then an on-foot trek to then...Ambrose riding horseback to his sister's to borrow a carriage and then return to pick up Mary & Dottie. I swear this takes up the next 10-chapters but it is so worthwhile to read them going thru all of this mess because what they go thru together is harrowing and causes them to weirdly bond like no other people. But what is amazing to watch unfold...is for Mary, the melting of her emotions for Ambrose & Dottie...to Ambrose, who is slowly allowing Dottie to teach him he can have purpose...someone does need him...he isn't worthless like his family believes.
Ambrose and Mary have such growth and vulnerabilities during these chapters that you begin to love both of them to such a Nth degree. What is even more worthy of them both is...though they are worlds apart they are not so different deep on the inside. Both have been shunned by family for different reasons, so they both feel useless...no purpose...made to feel unwanted, unloved. You desperately want them to LOVE each other, with Dottie sandwiched between them. I swear, it will happen...it subtle but you'll want them all to be together to be a family.
Ambrose is such a gentleman he will not stop until he can escort Mary inside of her home...we're only at chapter 17 with so much more story to go, but here is the thing...I want people to read so I will -somewhat- sum up. What begins is a untethered friendship of two people who want to feel wanted...needed. Ambrose is keeping a secret as is Mary. Readers know BOTH of their secrets but it's once they open their hearts to one another...we all can take a sigh of relief. Ambrose cannot read...which is why they called him stupid in school - he has dyslexia. Mary will confess her heartache with Henry & Bess...people who were said to be her best friends but duped her into using her to bring themselves closer together.
The slow-burn is here and it is steady. It will flourish and falter, but it will still be strong as it burns inside Ambrose. He will get rejected by Mary, but she won't deny feelings are there...so he has hope. And my god does he never give up. More than anything he perseveres and pushes onward and upward. Even the day after full rejection... Ambrose returns to Mary's side and he gives her everything of himself as she has to prepare her home now...for the return of her silly social climbing family as they have FOUND Lydia a husband...so, yeah...this was pure torture for Mary. It also gives her a moment to watch Ambrose in real honest and genuine action to fulfill her needs, showing his deep feelings for her in helping her.
What's beautiful and glorious is Ambrose...and Mina and Simon. I cried heavy tears during a conversation Mina had with Ambrose about what Mary was going through with being made to feel plain, ugly & unwanted... Preach, Sister Mina, Preach...and then dearest Simon had to make me adore him more by supporting Ambrose and guiding him like the gentle soul Mina has made him become. My god...these moments were so damn good...my heart stuttered in beats, my gut clenching in worry...because I had some nasty, fool idea Ambrose would huff off and get pouty...but Nichols never struck that foolish common denominator most writers use...
AMBROSE HAD FAITH and a true, ardent love for Mary...but Mary had deep, deeply cut mental and emotional anguishes he had to bust on through...and they were genuine and real... man, I am feeling chills simply typing this now. AMBROSE NEVER GAVE UP ON MARY. He fought until the last minute...I swear...he knew he had to SHOW Mary she was worth his time...she was beautiful to him and she was lovable.
I have the fourth queued up in my reader...well, here we go folks... is there such a saying 4th-time's the charm?
P.S. Mary is a booknerd. She is reading Sense & Sensibility on the coach with Ambrose to Bristow...and she reads it to him. She tells him she wants Persuasion...and, yeah, this book and this heroine couldn't be more perfect for me...divine...
August 22, 2024
Two hearts fearsly garded, because of too much hurt being done to them through the years, protected by fake personalities as to not let the world see who they really are, are the state of Ambrose and Mary when they first meet. None of them at all attractive to the other. But with the common care of an abandoned, sweet little girl they set their dislikes aside and begine to see glimpes of something more in each other. But daring to let go of the walls they have build around themselves is frightening but nessesary if they are to find the love and happiness they both long for so much.
This is the third book about the Ashbrook siblings (I'm so glad we didn't get a book abouth the fourth, the oldest brother, since I find it hard to like either him or his wife...) and I love them all, both the books and the siblings. What we see is not always what is really there, but are we willing to look beyond what first meet the eye? That is what this book really teach us. The heart is what matters, not all the outward things that we all tend to judge by, whether we realise that we do it or not, and a good reminder of that is something that is always needed and here it is given in such a sweet and tender way. Not to make the story too sweet there are also more than enough people to dislike for their selfishnes and use of other people for their own statue. And to choose happiness we sometimes have to give up things and relationships that do nothing but hurt us.
Ms Nichols has by now established herself as one of my absolute favorite authers by her beautiful stories written with so much understanding of the human heart.
This is the third book about the Ashbrook siblings (I'm so glad we didn't get a book abouth the fourth, the oldest brother, since I find it hard to like either him or his wife...) and I love them all, both the books and the siblings. What we see is not always what is really there, but are we willing to look beyond what first meet the eye? That is what this book really teach us. The heart is what matters, not all the outward things that we all tend to judge by, whether we realise that we do it or not, and a good reminder of that is something that is always needed and here it is given in such a sweet and tender way. Not to make the story too sweet there are also more than enough people to dislike for their selfishnes and use of other people for their own statue. And to choose happiness we sometimes have to give up things and relationships that do nothing but hurt us.
Ms Nichols has by now established herself as one of my absolute favorite authers by her beautiful stories written with so much understanding of the human heart.
June 6, 2020
Good Romance
I only gave this book a 4 star as it did fall short of my expectations after the superior book 2 A True Gentleman. The author seemed to wrap the ending up rather quickly and with a horrible twist and left me feeling blah. The first half of the book, the plot was very good and then things were rushed and over. It is well written but just took a turn I didn’t care for. I can't truly explain or it would ruin it for those who are getting ready to read it. But I do love the hero and heroine of the story! !!
I only gave this book a 4 star as it did fall short of my expectations after the superior book 2 A True Gentleman. The author seemed to wrap the ending up rather quickly and with a horrible twist and left me feeling blah. The first half of the book, the plot was very good and then things were rushed and over. It is well written but just took a turn I didn’t care for. I can't truly explain or it would ruin it for those who are getting ready to read it. But I do love the hero and heroine of the story! !!
December 19, 2019
Ambrose hides his somewhat low self-esteem behind outrageously flirting with everyone. When he saves a baby from an orphanage and travels to his sister's house with the babe he crosses path with Mary, a lady who despises superficial rakes. Thrown together by accident, they learn to respect each other, and more. I loved the interaction and I adored Ambrose. Very nice read!
June 19, 2021
Ooooohhhh, I am so excited to release Ambrose's story. He may have been a bit of a dork in the previous book, but he's got a sweet soul beneath the bluster. I'm thrilled to have his story be told. And Mary...I have a soft spot for that lady.
April 1, 2020
This book is the third in the series and I really enjoyed it. What I enjoyed the most was the beginning with the baby in the scenes and the interaction between the hero and heroine. I thought that maybe it was going to be a rom/com. I think this author would write a great rom/com. I loved all the quips and banter between the two. And that can be said also of A True Gentleman with Nicholas and Tabby. I will most definitely keep a watch on this author and read more of her books.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
June 20, 2020
I love a good wallflower story. I love a good rogue with hidden depths story. I love a good 'suddenly a parent'story. This ticked a lot of boxes and I devoured it.
I haven't read any others in the series and although the secondary characters obviously have a lot of backstories you really don't need to know them for this, can definitely be read as a standalone.
I love that a lot of the character development came about in (semi) realistic dialogue rather than endless internal monologue as similar stories have done in the past. Plus there are some extremely quotable passages on the nature of vulnerability and self-worth.
I've been in a massive reading slump for months and yet I read this book in a day.
I haven't read any others in the series and although the secondary characters obviously have a lot of backstories you really don't need to know them for this, can definitely be read as a standalone.
I love that a lot of the character development came about in (semi) realistic dialogue rather than endless internal monologue as similar stories have done in the past. Plus there are some extremely quotable passages on the nature of vulnerability and self-worth.
I've been in a massive reading slump for months and yet I read this book in a day.
February 17, 2019
Very well written
For those of us who read, there are important things to look for, good story line, strong, likeable characters, correct grammar and HEA. But even with all of these things, this book delivers on the satisfied feeling that life is good. This book delivers on that promise of all of those elements. It is definitely worth reading and keeping to read again in future.
For those of us who read, there are important things to look for, good story line, strong, likeable characters, correct grammar and HEA. But even with all of these things, this book delivers on the satisfied feeling that life is good. This book delivers on that promise of all of those elements. It is definitely worth reading and keeping to read again in future.
January 29, 2023
I like that this series involves women who are not 10s by society standards. It would be even better if the men were 8s and not 10s, but I still loved it.
February 9, 2019
Not what I expected
This book has echoes of other stories, but it is original. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen, and it was a very pleasant surprise. With well developed characters that are a joy to spend time with, and glimpses of the characters from the previous two books, I completely enjoyed this book, and all in this series.
Clean, with some kissing
This book has echoes of other stories, but it is original. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen, and it was a very pleasant surprise. With well developed characters that are a joy to spend time with, and glimpses of the characters from the previous two books, I completely enjoyed this book, and all in this series.
Clean, with some kissing
June 8, 2020
Sweet, imperfect heroes with growth sends positive, empowering character development.
March 21, 2020
So of course, the first thing you think about this book, because of the title is that this is going to be about some flighty Lady that flirts with everyone but is searching for "a real relationship." WRONG!! The Shamelss Flirt in this case is our hero, Ambrose Ashbrook. He's a character you are going to really like because he's charming, handsome and has a big, big heart that he hides behind with his flirting and demeanor. He also has a brilliant mind but can't read. At this time in history, of course, we didn't know about dyslexia. But that is the secret that Ambrose is hiding. On his way back home from London, he encounters our heroine, Mary Hayward. Another lost soul that has been told all her life that she is less than pretty, will never marry because of her looks and will wind up being a spinster that lives with and takes care of her parents in their old age. She's had her heart broken and now believes that she is destined for the life that has been carved out for her. These two come together over a couple of days of traveling and bond while caring for sweet little Dottie, an infant that Ambrose is "trying to save." Ambrose and Mary recognize the heartache each is suffering and begin a strained friendship of sorts. Will they find their happily ever after or will they go on with the lives that they are expected to live? An enjoyable, sweet read with no steamy scenes other than a couple of kisses. Two venerable characters that you will enjoy reading about and a host of other characters that you will cheer for and boo along the way. Enjoy!
March 22, 2020
I loved this way more than I expected. My heart absolutely went out to these two people. Normally, I'd be annoyed by the constant incessant doubt that Mary has throughout the entire darn book, but instead I loved how Ambrose fought for her against it. They were both broken and found value for themselves in eachother. Absolutely loved it!
April 12, 2021
What a gem of a story! How this couple was thrown together was hilarious and such a unique way to start a relationship. How they grew together was beautiful and so believable. Her family ended up being quite sad, but sometimes not everything ends perfect.
There were so many precious moments that I caught myself placing my hand over my heart. Sigh...
Read it!
There were so many precious moments that I caught myself placing my hand over my heart. Sigh...
Read it!
June 28, 2019
Great book!
This was such a great book and I have enjoyed each of them so far in the series.
The characters lives and their situations really brings you in. Can’t wait to read the next one. Above all this was a clean read.
This was such a great book and I have enjoyed each of them so far in the series.
The characters lives and their situations really brings you in. Can’t wait to read the next one. Above all this was a clean read.
March 19, 2020
A very enjoyable read. The characters were believable. The story was well and cleanly written. Those two were made for each other, and having a baby in the story helped set the tone. I will gladly read another book by this author.
March 24, 2020
Good
A good story. The characters were loveable and endearing. Hope and trust abound in this tale. The romance and humbled beginnings of the main characters called to me and I was in their corner from the start. I love a happy ending.
A good story. The characters were loveable and endearing. Hope and trust abound in this tale. The romance and humbled beginnings of the main characters called to me and I was in their corner from the start. I love a happy ending.
June 21, 2020
FREE today (March 18, 2020) on Amazon.
April 28, 2024
This book is a gem, and I loved it so much! I'm not usually a fan of some of the author's other books, but the writing in this one is fantastic, and the characters are well-crafted. Each character has their own struggles to conquer.
I could really feel Mary's pain whenever she doubted herself and thought she wasn't worthy of love. Ambrose's flirty and charming exterior hides a golden heart. Despite his silliness, his compassion makes him a likable character.
Their journey to find love and happiness kept me hooked. Their ups and downs felt real, and I couldn't wait to see how things turned out for them.
When I finished the book, I felt happy and satisfied. It was full of heartwarming moments and characters I won't forget. It reminded me how powerful stories can be in making you feel things deep down inside.
I could really feel Mary's pain whenever she doubted herself and thought she wasn't worthy of love. Ambrose's flirty and charming exterior hides a golden heart. Despite his silliness, his compassion makes him a likable character.
Their journey to find love and happiness kept me hooked. Their ups and downs felt real, and I couldn't wait to see how things turned out for them.
When I finished the book, I felt happy and satisfied. It was full of heartwarming moments and characters I won't forget. It reminded me how powerful stories can be in making you feel things deep down inside.
April 18, 2019
This series has drawn me in and reading late into the night. I think the H & h were well written. Each had their trails to overcome. They were a good match and I rooted for them. The writing, characters and dialogue were all great. As in each book there's some food for thought either about love, sacrifice, growing as a person, duty, honor without moralizing or being heavy handed. My only wish is the scandal about the baby being the H's wasn't really addressed. It's mentioned but since it's set in Regency period I would've liked to read a solution to this or addressed directly. Since it certainly would affect the h, H and baby's future. I was on pins and needles wondering how's it end!
April 20, 2019
Oh that was fantastic. The only thing that bothered me was the typos that the kindle version I read was littered with. (Okay, so there were maybe 15 altogether, but I notice those sorts of things, its why I started editing.) Regardless, I was on the edge of tears for much of the book, so often it tugged at my heart. Ambrose is my new favorite hero. And the romance between him and Mary was sweet and realistic, not overdone. I was delighted by the honesty of the characters and the realizations each made as they grew together.
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