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Ramsbury Estate #1
Hothouse Bloom
Noah Tenbey’s body and soul were torn asunder during a cavalry charge at the battle of Waterloo. A year later he’s still suffering. Fearful, his family calls in Dr. James Byrd from London, who not only helps Noah with his injuries, he also brings Noah’s heart back to life. But what life can James, the bastard son of an Earl, and Noah have together when all of society doesn’t see them as they truly are. Will they find a way to keep their love blooming, or will it wither on the vine?
46,220
46,220
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2021
About the author
Hannah Morse
26 books161 followersHannah Morse is an author of contemporary and paranormal romance novels. She lives in New Mexico with her high school sweetheart and too many Chihuahuas. She can be found binging Netflix shows or reading steamy novels when she isn't hard at work writing a happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 16, 2022
Noah Tenby, second son of the Viscount of Ramsbury is a broken shell. Having returned from the Battle of Waterloo with a shattered leg and the knowledge that his lover died fighting beside him, his life at his noble family's home is shrouded in darkness.
He doesn't accept any help and his parents even resort to outright lying to him by ordering in a doctor from London after his mom pretends to come down with something.
Dr James Byrn doesn't mind staying a few weeks in the countryside with a noble family, knowing the income from this job will secure him funds to purchase a shop in London. Especially as the estate includes an old unused hothouse that the Viscount allows James to use for the duration of his stay.
James is also kept in the dark about his true purpose at Ramsbury Manor, but once Noah and James meet, it becomes clear that this will be anything but a smooth enterprise.
Noah is prickly and distant, even more so as James is a gorgeous fellow that reminds him more of the Greek god Apollo than a city physician.
Of course, once the two realize that they do have common grounds, they get to enjoy each other's company pretty quickly.
Gosh, this was sweet.
It took place around 1820 or so, which is even earlier than most Victorian romances. Even though you would assume that being gay is even harder at that early time, I was surprised to see that this story approached romance in a pretty modern way. Contrary to what I expected from that age (and most likely foregoing a certain degree of realism) this book showed beautifully how important it is to have allies. The world would have been a much brigher place, had people actually acted like James' and Noah's families.
This is a very sweet and straightforward romance without much angst and without any (big) obstacles. Don't treat this too much like a historical romance, it's purely a feel good romance for a rainy day, but it does the job exceptionally well.
5 stars!
September 6, 2022
I picked this book up completely on a whim and I'm very happy I did, because it was a lovely and emotional read. The book deals a fair bit with loss, both death of loved ones and the loss of an imagined or planned future, but it also has a wonderful hopefulness to it. Noah is a prickly hedgehog of a main character, depressed and in pain due to his leg injury from the war and memories of what he lost there. Things start to change for him when his family brings a doctor, James, to hopefully get him to accept treatment for once.
I liked that the book made it clear that Noah's journey to recovery, not necessarily from his leg injury but his grieving state of mind, was not fully thanks to James but rather that James made him realize that things had already started to get better. It was a nice way to avoid making it seem like James came along and instantly "fixed" Noah, but also didn't downplay James's importance in that journey.
The romance between Noah and James was lovely, and I was glad to see them get their happy ending. Although things felt a bit bittersweet at times, as historical romances sometimes do, the loving relationship Noah had with his family and James had with his sister also brought a lot of warmth to the book.
I liked that the book made it clear that Noah's journey to recovery, not necessarily from his leg injury but his grieving state of mind, was not fully thanks to James but rather that James made him realize that things had already started to get better. It was a nice way to avoid making it seem like James came along and instantly "fixed" Noah, but also didn't downplay James's importance in that journey.
The romance between Noah and James was lovely, and I was glad to see them get their happy ending. Although things felt a bit bittersweet at times, as historical romances sometimes do, the loving relationship Noah had with his family and James had with his sister also brought a lot of warmth to the book.
January 11, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Hothouse Bloom is the second in the Ramsbury Estate series, but these can be read as standalones, as they are only loosely connected. This was a sweet, though occasionally poorly paced, story about two men making their way in an unkind world.
The pacing in Hothouse Bloom has some mild issues. There were times that the overall story seemed to slow to the point of feeling stagnant. These periods didn’t tend to last long, but as a reader, I found them somewhat frustrating, especially given how smoothly things flowed the rest of the time.
I enjoyed Hothouse Bloom for the most part and appreciated the sweet relationship between James and Noah. Additionally, Noah’s grief read as believable and tragic without becoming suffocatingly sappy. There were some pacing issues, but these didn’t cripple the book and I think fans of historicals will enjoy this one.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Hothouse Bloom is the second in the Ramsbury Estate series, but these can be read as standalones, as they are only loosely connected. This was a sweet, though occasionally poorly paced, story about two men making their way in an unkind world.
The pacing in Hothouse Bloom has some mild issues. There were times that the overall story seemed to slow to the point of feeling stagnant. These periods didn’t tend to last long, but as a reader, I found them somewhat frustrating, especially given how smoothly things flowed the rest of the time.
I enjoyed Hothouse Bloom for the most part and appreciated the sweet relationship between James and Noah. Additionally, Noah’s grief read as believable and tragic without becoming suffocatingly sappy. There were some pacing issues, but these didn’t cripple the book and I think fans of historicals will enjoy this one.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
January 17, 2022
It's a pleasant light drama-free read. It's only got a thin historical setting that isn't very developed. Approach it for light entertainment not depth or accuracy.
While I enjoy the read it doesn't stand up to too much thought, only just finished and had to check the characters names. Herbs and cockstands grow very quickly, James's visit could only have been about a week, the quick attraction and healing not leaving much time for them getting to know each other beyond the situation they're in patient/doctor.
The disabilitating injury seems rather easily helped and Noah's dark mood quickly turns to lovestruck puppy. We hear constantly of his lost love Fenton, which unfortunately just made me think of Fenton from the dog video that went viral some years back. More than once we hear Noah is in too much pain to dress properly.. But then later in the book he has both manservant and a valet. Would someone with a house of servants really be struggling down the stairs? Why not a downstairs room? or an upper room setup for him? Or simply someone helping him?
James's character doesn't entirely add up, his background too underdeveloped to make sense. He's a bastard child, which everyone seems to know, so what about his sister? Half-sister? What is his father's involvement in his life? How has he trained to be a physician? What funds?
I'm guessing freshly grieving brother will soon have his own book.
BUT the families are cute, quirky and accepting. If you can stop yourself questioning things it's a nice little feel-good distraction. Sometimes life needs easy.
While I enjoy the read it doesn't stand up to too much thought, only just finished and had to check the characters names. Herbs and cockstands grow very quickly, James's visit could only have been about a week, the quick attraction and healing not leaving much time for them getting to know each other beyond the situation they're in patient/doctor.
The disabilitating injury seems rather easily helped and Noah's dark mood quickly turns to lovestruck puppy. We hear constantly of his lost love Fenton, which unfortunately just made me think of Fenton from the dog video that went viral some years back. More than once we hear Noah is in too much pain to dress properly.. But then later in the book he has both manservant and a valet. Would someone with a house of servants really be struggling down the stairs? Why not a downstairs room? or an upper room setup for him? Or simply someone helping him?
James's character doesn't entirely add up, his background too underdeveloped to make sense. He's a bastard child, which everyone seems to know, so what about his sister? Half-sister? What is his father's involvement in his life? How has he trained to be a physician? What funds?
I'm guessing freshly grieving brother will soon have his own book.
BUT the families are cute, quirky and accepting. If you can stop yourself questioning things it's a nice little feel-good distraction. Sometimes life needs easy.
December 19, 2021
A wonderfully emotional and sexy story. Hannah has a marvelous way of making the reader feel it all!
December 12, 2024
3.75⭐
Noah's story -- and I do have to admit it's not as silly as the first one and much more readable and likeable, although it's really hard to believe how accepting everyone is towards the main characters being a couple.
It's a sweet, tender love story with two men finding love when they were both convinced it's not in the cards for them.
I liked it. It should've been longer and they should've had more time together, but even so it was a good read.
🟢 Regency era romance
🔵 Doctor/Viscount's son
🟣 Size difference
🟠 Hurt/comfort
🟡 One MMC is disabled (veteran)
🌶️ Some smut, well written; oral, kissing, penetrative; t/b
“You tempt me like no other,” James said, his voice hoarse. “If life were different, I’d want to bind you spread-eagle on a bed and spend hours looking and touching you, and that would be for my pleasure. I’d make yours indescribable. I’d coax every last bit from you until you slept, then do it all again.”
Noah and James start off a bit hostile, since Noah is brooding and grumpy - rightfully so, it's not only that he's been severely injured as a soldier, he's also mourning the loss of the man he'd loved.
James is a young doctor who's a bastard son of an Earl and there are many things about James that just beg for more explanation, but the author doesn't elaborate. There's his terrible childhood, his road to success, his relationship with his very rich father, many things that could've been said about James were left out.
The intimacy was well written; I would've wanted much more, especially since Noah came to London to be with James after only a few days of being with him at the estate, so that was a bit far fetched, but even so, Noah and James make a fine, harmonious couple and the scene I liked most was the wedding one (well, besides the hot sex)
“Visible, but invisible. I suppose that’s what we always are,” he said as the ceremony concluded. “Those that love us best see us, but to the rest of the world we shall merely be good friends.”
I absolutely liked the story, but I would've liked more one-on-one moments with the main characters and I definitely missed meeting Morgan and Davie again.
It looked like the author wanted to give us a gay-friendly setting in the regency era, where the parents wholly accept their sons being gay and these couples can actually live together peacefully, but I think it wasn't as well developed. Too perfect at times and the love stories just lacked something.
It would be a fantastic idea to give Robert, the oldest brother who's about to inherit his father's estate and has much more responsibilities on his shoulders, a man of his own.
But I guess it's not going to happen, considering it's been years since this installment.
Noah's story -- and I do have to admit it's not as silly as the first one and much more readable and likeable, although it's really hard to believe how accepting everyone is towards the main characters being a couple.
It's a sweet, tender love story with two men finding love when they were both convinced it's not in the cards for them.
I liked it. It should've been longer and they should've had more time together, but even so it was a good read.
🟢 Regency era romance
🔵 Doctor/Viscount's son
🟣 Size difference
🟠 Hurt/comfort
🟡 One MMC is disabled (veteran)
🌶️ Some smut, well written; oral, kissing, penetrative; t/b
“You tempt me like no other,” James said, his voice hoarse. “If life were different, I’d want to bind you spread-eagle on a bed and spend hours looking and touching you, and that would be for my pleasure. I’d make yours indescribable. I’d coax every last bit from you until you slept, then do it all again.”
Noah and James start off a bit hostile, since Noah is brooding and grumpy - rightfully so, it's not only that he's been severely injured as a soldier, he's also mourning the loss of the man he'd loved.
James is a young doctor who's a bastard son of an Earl and there are many things about James that just beg for more explanation, but the author doesn't elaborate. There's his terrible childhood, his road to success, his relationship with his very rich father, many things that could've been said about James were left out.
The intimacy was well written; I would've wanted much more, especially since Noah came to London to be with James after only a few days of being with him at the estate, so that was a bit far fetched, but even so, Noah and James make a fine, harmonious couple and the scene I liked most was the wedding one (well, besides the hot sex)
“Visible, but invisible. I suppose that’s what we always are,” he said as the ceremony concluded. “Those that love us best see us, but to the rest of the world we shall merely be good friends.”
I absolutely liked the story, but I would've liked more one-on-one moments with the main characters and I definitely missed meeting Morgan and Davie again.
It looked like the author wanted to give us a gay-friendly setting in the regency era, where the parents wholly accept their sons being gay and these couples can actually live together peacefully, but I think it wasn't as well developed. Too perfect at times and the love stories just lacked something.
It would be a fantastic idea to give Robert, the oldest brother who's about to inherit his father's estate and has much more responsibilities on his shoulders, a man of his own.
But I guess it's not going to happen, considering it's been years since this installment.
September 8, 2022
This was a sweet story about caretaking and grief, and explored some surprisingly complex feelings for such a short book. In particular, I loved Noah’s reflections on how “James hadn’t fixed him, just provided the illumination to let Noah see how much better he was.” I also liked that Noah’s physical disability felt real and wasn’t just an obstacle to be inserted or discarded based on the author’s convenience, which happens in a lot of books with injured soldier MCs.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a hurt/comfort historical.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a hurt/comfort historical.
December 18, 2021
This is a well written historical romance between Noah and James. The author brings all the feels in this emotional story as she brings the two men together. She does a wonderful job pulling you in and kept me glued to the pages right to the end. Loved and recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
December 27, 2021
Besides the pure pleasure when reading historical mm stories there is also the pain, it's painful to know how very careful they had to be, for fear of their lives. They cannot exclaim their love, or celebrate it. But this tale is 90% sweet and romantic, James is a tender, gentle giant hired to be Noah's doctor, to help him heal from his wounds. Noah starts off crabby and private but he is slowly drawn to the good doctors charms. A truly gorgeous read, a little angsty in places but still a very nice read. This follows a previous story involving Noah's brother Morgan, which I had read, but you don't need to have read it first, this is more or less a stand alone although Morgan is mentioned now and then. This is one of those stories that you would REALLY love to hear more of them down the road, we can only hope and pray.
December 29, 2021
Noah got a bad leg injury in the war. He also lost his lover in that war. Some times he's in so much pain he can't move and feels he can never have a future with anyone. Dr. James Byrd comes into his life and helps him control his pain and gives him a reason for a future. I really enjoyed this book.
December 22, 2021
There’s a lot to like in this historical romance: a careful sense of period and characters who seem very much of their moment, yet also incredibly relatable; a lovely amount of chemistry, physical and mental, between Noah and James; just enough angst to keep the story sharp without totally bogging things down; and a really readable prose style. Definitely worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 23, 2021
Wonderfully Romantic
Noah and James are of different social strata; Noah’s a broken solider and nobility, while James is not nobility, but he is a highly regarded doctor. The story of the societally-shunned romance between these was so rich and emotional, I found myself aching and longing right along with them. This was my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last!
Noah and James are of different social strata; Noah’s a broken solider and nobility, while James is not nobility, but he is a highly regarded doctor. The story of the societally-shunned romance between these was so rich and emotional, I found myself aching and longing right along with them. This was my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last!
December 18, 2021
I am always delighted to find an author who can write good historical m/m romance. This is a story of physical and emotional healing for both Noah and James. Noah has been injured at Waterloo and when James is summoned for his medical expertise, these two find they have much more than a doctor/patient relationship. True to historical times, they can't have the ending that James' sister has, but they find their own way. I'd like another book that follows their day to day life together over the long haul. I look forward to more stories from this author.
December 7, 2021
Grab this book today, no drop what you are doing and pick this book up.
I normally have to be in a mood to read Historical Romance, but this was an ARC read I picked up for the author.
Noah and James are fantastic. I was hooked from page one and hated having to put it down to work or eat. A great friend of mine was reading the book at the same time and we chatted about how it was breaking our hearts as we cried along with the characters as the story progressed.
This is a story of the healing power of love. You don’t want to miss it.
I normally have to be in a mood to read Historical Romance, but this was an ARC read I picked up for the author.
Noah and James are fantastic. I was hooked from page one and hated having to put it down to work or eat. A great friend of mine was reading the book at the same time and we chatted about how it was breaking our hearts as we cried along with the characters as the story progressed.
This is a story of the healing power of love. You don’t want to miss it.
January 3, 2025
I don't know where to start with my review. This book was so amazing.
Hannah wrote a love story that made me feel happy and sad. I cried along with Noah and James as they found each other. She has a remarkable skill to pull you into her book from the start. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it.
Noah is a hard-headed ex soldier with a chip on his shoulder and won't let anyone in to help him. James is a physician who can see through the shell and wants to help Noah with more than just the pain he is feeling physically.
From page one, you can't help but love Noah and yet want to throttle him at the same time. His family plots a scheme that leaves his heart and his body healing.
James was just what Noah needed. Breaking through that tough exterior, they find each other and a love that makes you cry and laugh with them through each moment.
Hannah wrote a love story that made me feel happy and sad. I cried along with Noah and James as they found each other. She has a remarkable skill to pull you into her book from the start. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it.
Noah is a hard-headed ex soldier with a chip on his shoulder and won't let anyone in to help him. James is a physician who can see through the shell and wants to help Noah with more than just the pain he is feeling physically.
From page one, you can't help but love Noah and yet want to throttle him at the same time. His family plots a scheme that leaves his heart and his body healing.
James was just what Noah needed. Breaking through that tough exterior, they find each other and a love that makes you cry and laugh with them through each moment.
January 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. No offense to the author or the first book in the series, but this book seemed much deeper, emotional, and moving to me. I loved Noah and could really feel and empathize with his suffering, not only for his own physical trauma, but for not being able to express and share his grief and loss of his male lover. It painted what felt to me like a very realistic and understandable picture of the isolation, jealousy, anger, and pain Noah experienced at not being able to grieve and receive the same sympathies for Fenton as his brother did for his wife. This was such beautiful and empathetic writing. I will definitely look for more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2022
Not only did Noah suffer a grievous injury at Waterloo, he also lost his lover in battle. A year later, his leg still causes him constant pain. His viscount father summon James, a London physician, to his country estate. James recognizes that Noah's wounds aren't only physical. As the therapy sessions bring the two closer together, they long for their professional relationship to become something more. Can a nobleman's son and an impoverished doctor hope for a life together?
This is an emotional story with lovable characters and a strong family support system. Amid pain and tragedy, it offers hope and healing. This is a book to read and read again.
My thanks to the author for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is an emotional story with lovable characters and a strong family support system. Amid pain and tragedy, it offers hope and healing. This is a book to read and read again.
My thanks to the author for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 9, 2022
3.5, cute
April 4, 2022
As James takes care of him there are some up and downs but he’s feeling more confidence. I really loved their romance. It was sweet and sexy, very heartwarming. Full review: https://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews...
January 9, 2022
I liked the first half better than the last half. I think the tipping point was when Noah suddenly changed from a moody grouchy man to a lovesick puppy. I felt that this switch was too fast and didn't really make sense. I would've liked a bit more of a slow burn, more transitional than what was written.
The ending felt too rushed, but at least no time jump epilogues so that's a plus.
The ending felt too rushed, but at least no time jump epilogues so that's a plus.
July 9, 2022
Their love is forbidden, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have it.
I love a hot historical m/m story and this one fit the bill. The writing is good, and the story moves along at a good pace. I felt for each of the characters and wanted to see them get their happy ending. It was satisfying.
James is a physician who wants to heal. He also wants Noah. He’s tender, sweet and ready to be there for Noah. He knows they can’t have the traditional happy ending others have, but is that what they need? Noah has been injured in battle and he’s not only physically wounded, but emotionally as well. He’s hurting and it’s James’s tenderness that just might be the tonic he needs.
I got emotionally wrapped up in this story and I’m glad I read it. I’ll be looking for more from this author. Recommended.
I love a hot historical m/m story and this one fit the bill. The writing is good, and the story moves along at a good pace. I felt for each of the characters and wanted to see them get their happy ending. It was satisfying.
James is a physician who wants to heal. He also wants Noah. He’s tender, sweet and ready to be there for Noah. He knows they can’t have the traditional happy ending others have, but is that what they need? Noah has been injured in battle and he’s not only physically wounded, but emotionally as well. He’s hurting and it’s James’s tenderness that just might be the tonic he needs.
I got emotionally wrapped up in this story and I’m glad I read it. I’ll be looking for more from this author. Recommended.
December 21, 2021
I loved this story. I don't read historical romance very often, but this story sounded so intriguing that I had to pick it up. And I am so glad I did. This is such an emotional and beautiful read. Noah and James are the perfect pair. James was exactly what Noah needed- not just physically because of his injury, but emotionally, too. Very well written and well paced. It's the first book I've read by this author and I would read more of her work. Excellent! 5 stars.
August 29, 2022
Second book in the series, it was longer format than the first. The author had more time to develop her characters and the relationship which was necessary. It was a better story than the first, but still had scenes that read more like a soft-core porn script than a historical romance (sex scene in a green house). Also, the description of the clothing was off (she had a character in a bowler hat in 1817).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
Well, hm. I hate giving bad reviews, but this just was not well written. Relationship is very rushed. I barely believed in James. Noah, thank goodness, had been introduced in another book. A lot of anachronism. A lot of action that would not have happened in this time period (stablemaster clapping young doctor on the back when they have just met). Servants and gentry being too chummy. Just unsettling in places. Too bad, as it was a nice premise for the story.
December 23, 2021
Delightfully done historical romance.
Noah and James's chemistry, jumps off the pages. Finding their own path to love during a time when same sex relationships were next to impossible. Both men may have traveled different paths in life, but they intersect to bring one another necessary healing.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Noah and James's chemistry, jumps off the pages. Finding their own path to love during a time when same sex relationships were next to impossible. Both men may have traveled different paths in life, but they intersect to bring one another necessary healing.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
July 7, 2024
Overall a perfectly fine little story but could have used finer proofreading
February 20, 2022
3.75 rounded up. Didn't find this story quite as engaging as some of the other historical M/M books I've read. Kind of like a modern day story trying to be historical.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews