Henri de Courtenay, the child of a nobleman, lost everything in the French Revolution. Now, he must hide his true name, working as a tailor’s apprentice, to survive.
Years later, he risks a new life in London, where his knowledge and taste in fashion make him rise to be the darling of the ton.
It seems his fortunes are reversing, and love is in the air. But history wants to repeat itself.
Success has brought him an enemy, and he will have to fight again for the things that matter most.
And what matters most is not the cut of his coat or the knot in his cravat, but the people he has grown to love.
Enjoy love and adventure in this sweet Regency romance.
When she’s not writing stories or thinking up stories or reading other people’s stories, Nina likes to paint and collage pictures, get taken for long walks by her adorable dogs, and cook all things plant-based. She also does other things, like office work, but that’s the boring bit. She lives very happily in rural Cornwall, England with her family.
This story was a delight to read. The characters were well written and very likable, from the hero Henry to the beautiful heiress Tiffany, her companion Laura and family matriarch Mrs. Tandy. There was humor and heart combined with mystery and mayhem that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The villains were suitably slimy, but our hero triumphs in the end. And the heroine is not who you might think. It reminded me of some of my favorite Georgette Heyer novels. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 stars, rounded up.
I received a complimentary ebook for review. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.
I'm definitely in the minority here, but I wasn't loving this one. The writing was objectively decent, much less flowery than some in this genre, but I found it so blasted boring.
Beau Brown is a must read for fans of Regency England. And what’s more this book is squeaky clean, no random rated “X” scenes that I abhor. I found the characters to be delightfully multidimensional, and the dialogue between them was very well done. I felt as if I was back in time having tea with the ton of English society. The story was well paced and engaging. The villain was a dastardly fiend who may or may not get his comeuppance ;) and the angst of not knowing the answers to several mysteries kept me enthralled in the story. I loved the descriptions of fashion in this book. It was refreshing to have a main male character that had a gift for designing clothes without any of the sexual cliches on board. The romance was sweetly done, but still packed plenty of emotional turmoil. I really was not sure how it was going to end. I especially liked how the author left no loose ends for any of the characters. So many of the scenes in this book were full of engaging descriptions that made me smile. I just love England! I can’t wait to read more from this author ( I have the Emma books in my TBR pile already ) and I look forward to her next release
A very charming and heartwarming book! Beau Brown has aspects of Cinderella meets Devil Wears Prada meets Jane Austen. I know this sounds like such an eclectic mix, but it works and is so much fun! Henry is an adorable cinnamon bun that l was routing for the whole time. Even secondary characters make the story more vibrant (hello Mrs. Tandy). Nina Clare’s writing and character development are masterful, and the story line draws you in from the beginning. A very sweet regency romance that I highly recommend! I can’t wait for more! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Out of the blue, a nearly perfect Regency Romance! The characters are perfection: Henry, the dispossessed (several times over) French Viscomte, Laura, the poor young woman, orphaned and trying desperately to help her younger brother. Both land vicariously in the kind home of Mrs. Tandy and her family in London. The Tandy’s are unrefined but wealthy upstarts trying to break into society. But the Tandy’s are unusual in that they are kind, broad minded and charitable. Their household contains many former workhouse and/or released criminals. Tis a beautiful thing to have those issues addressed that reminded me of Arabella by Georgette Heyer, one of my favorite books. It also has a lighthearted approach to the terrible misery of that time for anyone not wealthy and healthy.
Henry has survived by apprenticing as a tailor/dress designer outside Paris. He brings his knowledge of society and couture to the Tandy’s, something they very much need.
We have a lost grandfather and an evil cousin scheming to disinherit Henry. Brother trouble in the form of the young Mr. Tandy, who can’t find where he belongs and goes looking in all the wrong places. Laura has her kind but naive brother Frederick in debtors prison to look after.
Needless to say, all comes right in the end but not without multiple misunderstandings and shady dealings. A lovely story.
This book is perfect if you're in need of good romance with kind characters. There is some sadness at first, but everything works out in the end. I love the mother, was a bit puzzled by the dad (I think he's just of the tough love variety), thought the son was lovable, and the daughter surprisingly strong. I can't say I thought much of Laura unfortunately, though she is set up to be strong, hard working unfortunate love interest. She strikes me as a willing victim happier wallowing in her own misery than accepting help from friends. I understand she thinks she's got an unrequited crush, but I don't think I'd ever leave my friends and stable job just for the sake of avoiding that crush. Regardless, the plot and characters are all very engaging. This is a great, entertaining read.
I want to shelve this as a Retelling, but it's not quite? It's Regency romance + Dickens character eccentricities + a sweet happily ever after that you're glad to see for the characters who receive it. Seeing characters triumph over hardship, be given a chance to for their hard work to pay off, and see characters grow & change, as well as a satisfying comeuppance for the slimy characters made for a really wonderful, sweet read. There was nothing too dark, plenty of dashes of quality fashion details, and secondary characters who mattered as much as the primary ones in terms of giving the story fullness. I loved this, and no surprise since Nina Clare is a perpetual favorite :)
Laura Dymond, an ordinary girl in difficult circumstances, is attacked in an alley. A handsome young Frenchman with a secret in his past comes to her rescue . . . and the twisty-turny plot just keeps getting better from there! I could hardly tear myself away from this Regency romance, reminiscent of Georgette Heyer at her best!
I recommend "Beau Brown" to every romantic who enjoys subtle humor, distinctive and memorable characters, and a tangled plot with a sweetly satisfying resolution.
I have a new favorite author! Beau Brown is orphaned during the French Revolution. His father was Vicomte and his English mother the daughter of a baron,who died when he was a child. He goes to England seeking his mother's family and the story goes from there. I am not doing the story justice. Let me just say it's very well written, the characters are very engaging and this will be one of my books to be read again!
This story has a way of sweeping you up in a delightful world that has the zany characters of Dickens combined with the romantic charms of Austin, wrapped up in a refreshing updated storyline. The first two chapters take a bit to get going, but once the eccentric but lovable Tandy family enters it is an absolutely easy read. I’m a sucker for historical costuming, so the description of Mr.Browns clothing designs greatly added to my enjoyment. I’m also impressed with the historical research the author must have done to get the slang and terms of the period down. All and all I thought the multiple storylines, the fun characterization and the unfolding of romance and conflict were fantastic. Thank you Nina Clare! I received an ARC for a truthful review.
I've read all of Nina Clare's fairytale retellings and I've really like them. But honestly I think she was born to write this genre. This book is exceptional! There is adventure, mystery and romance. It moves quickly and I had a hard time putting it down. This is a great book if you enjoy clean regency romance.
This absorbing story hooked me in the first few pages. The main characters are lovable individuals I enjoyed spending time with, and the plot, while I could predict it, had just the satisfactory ending I require in everything I read. I enjoyed it immensely!
I loved this story of rags to riches with people I learned to care for. People who were kind and not as shallow as the typical English historical novel. Thanks for a great read.
What a wonderful Regency era romance! I have always loved stories set around the time of the French Revolution and this story is a great addition.
The author did a great job of adding the historical context of France and England in this time period without bringing it too much to the forefront.
I love Henry's character, work effort, and desire for family. I love each of the unique characters in the Tandy family. It was always lively and entertaining. I felt like I really knew them.
Most of all, I love Henry's choice in wife. They gave such a sweet romance that unfolds in the midst of the events unfolding around them. I wish the author would write a short story giving more details of their wedding, life together after marriage, or the gowns he makes for her. I want more time with them by the end!