Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Miss Newbury's List

Rate this book
England, 1820

Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a romantic connection between two hearts, but Rosalind becoming a duchess will elevate her family’s status to dizzying heights. And the duke is a kind man who will care for Rosalind, even if he doesn’t love her.

She only has three weeks before her life changes forever, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her days. As a child, Ros was inspired by her adventurous Aunt Alice and created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, Ros has done none of them.

She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir.

Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.

With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.

368 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2023

223 people are currently reading
8494 people want to read

About the author

Megan Walker

6 books960 followers
Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn't leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,853 (34%)
4 stars
2,150 (40%)
3 stars
1,099 (20%)
2 stars
175 (3%)
1 star
29 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,143 reviews
Profile Image for Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus).
Author 23 books727 followers
December 7, 2022
Publication Date: 07th Feb 2023

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Entertaining; a comfort read

1820, England

Rosalind Newbury is engaged to marry a duke even without having a season. Her family sees it as an opportunity to increase their reach. Rosalind agrees to make her family happy. As the wedding date gets closer, she cannot help but feel suffocated and uncomfortable. She barely knows the duke and hasn’t had a chance to live life the way she wanted.

Rosalind digs out a list from her childhood and is determined to complete it before the wedding. She thinks it’ll make her ready for the marriage. She seeks help from her dearest friend Liza. But Liza’s cousin Charlie also joins the gang. After all, a gentleman-turned-wayward boxer needs something to keep him entertained.

As Ros ticks off each item on the list, she realizes more about her suppressed self. But with the wedding fast approaching, can she make a decision that’s right for her and her family? Is there a place for love and happy ever after?

The story comes from Rosalind’s first-person POV.

What I Like:

This is a straightforward historical romance. It was rather a relief to read something simple and sweet. This is a clean romance, too (not that I mind some steam).

The pacing is steady. I could finish the book in two days and didn’t have to speed-read either.
The characters are neither too deep nor shallow. They have the right amount of depth to keep the whole thing light and easy on the mind.

Rosalind, Charlie, Liza, and Ben are easy to like. They have their flaws but are loving, witty, and family-oriented. Ros can be a little childish, but she isn’t even eighteen, so that’s understandable.

The banter between Ros and Charlie is fun to read. Some of it is silly, while some of their conversations are thoughtful and heartwarming.

The secondary characters are also sweet and warm. They don’t get much space, but I can see the potential to turn this into a standalone series. There definitely is a track ready for the next book.

It has HEA, which is always welcome (with exceptions). We know what will happen. It’s the how that matters, and this was entertaining pretty much throughout.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

I’ll put these in spoilers as these issues can be easily edited in the final manuscript (the release is two months away).


To summarize, Miss Newbury's List is a sweet regency romance with pretty likable characters and lighthearted banter. It works great as a breather or a comfort read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#MissNewburysList #NetGalley
Profile Image for Tiffany.
Author 8 books499 followers
February 18, 2023
Miss Newbury's List is like a cup of warm hot cocoa, sweet and oh-so satisfying. Ever since reading Ms. Walker's debut novel Lakeshire Park, I've been (im)patiently awaiting her next novel. And let me tell you, MBL did not disappoint. A romantic, Regency-era take on the popular "bucket list" trope, I adored every word of this story!

Rosalind (Ros) Newbury loves her family, and so when the opportunity arises for her to marry a duke (a man who she hardly knows and is ten years her senior), she agrees to the match, if only to add to her family's legacy. Before Ros weds, though, she finds a list she made in childhood of her hopes and dreams and decides to check a few items off her list.

Enter Charlie Winston. Her best friend's cousin and a wayward gentleman turned rugged boxer, he agrees to help Ros in her cause. It was so fun to see them check off items on the list. Some items were silly and made me laugh, while others were more meaningful and made me smile. It was enjoyable to watch Ros and Charlie cross items off the list, and to see each of them grow individually and as a pair.

I loved this book's unique plot, the realistically flawed characters, the unexpected reveals, and of course the swoon-worthy romance. Ms. Walker has a way with words, and she has created a beautiful story. MNL has happily found a place on my favorites shelf. Fans of Julianne Donaldson and Joanna Barker, and readers who enjoy historical fiction and Regency romance will love Miss Newbury's List. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

(This review will be posted widely upon book release on 2/2023.)
Profile Image for Jovana (NovelOnMyMind).
240 reviews207 followers
August 15, 2022
He had saved my life, and for that, I was eternally grateful. But why him? Why now? Why couldn’t Liza have brought home an amiable cousin with an affinity for adventure? I’d have even settled for hairbrained.

Themes & vibes:

• proper regency romance
• slowburn
• bucket lists
• single POV
• friends-to-lovers


It's been so long since I’ve read a historical romance. I really started to miss them, so when I got a chance to read an early copy of Miss Newbury's List, I just couldn't pass on it.

And it delivered. This book was exactly what I was looking for. It had great characters, sweet romance and s bucket list that made everything more fun.

If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Edelweiss+ for providing me with an ARC of Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Abhilasha.
293 reviews27 followers
one-day
May 2, 2025
I'm shocked that my clairvoyance didn't work, or maybe I jinxed it 🤷‍♀️

I DNF'd it with a heavy heart because it's been weeks since I started this and I'm still on the 6th chapter. I'm reading it at a snail's pace, which isn't like me.

I'm having a hard time connecting with it, so I'm just gonna put this aside for now and will go back to it in the far-off future.

But for now,


pre-read
This book sounds so stinking cute. I know I'll gobble it like a fucking plate of fries.
Profile Image for Marilee .
1,454 reviews237 followers
February 11, 2023
I love the premise behind this unique regency romance! Ros is entering into a marriage of convenience to a duke and before the wedding, she wants to fulfill items on a bucket list of sorts that she made as a young girl. She enlists her best friend to help her and eventually convinces Charlie, her friend's cousin, to help her with her list as well.

Ros' attempts to complete her list kept the plot moving at a good pace with some forced proximity, great banter, and memorable scenes. Charlie, though a little lost himself, is an almost too-good-to-be-true hero and I loved that he had a character arc of his own. I loved their vulnerability, their support and encouragement of each other, and all their conversations in the grove. And the scene where she comes across Charlie giving pointers to her brother Ben? Swoon!!!!

I don't want to spoil anything, but I would have loved to see Ros fight more for her HEA at the end! (don't worry, there IS a HEA). She grew so much during the book and learned so many things about herself - besides falling in love with a swoony hero! - I would have loved to see her put all that newfound courage to stand up for herself. The ending also felt just a little rushed and some of the timing didn't make sense, but it is hard to care about those things when Charlie writes the love letter to end all love letters. Like, melt my heart into a puddle kind of letter! His love for and belief in Ros is so endearing and sigh-worthy.

This was a sweet, slow-burn romance with some unexpected plot twists and some fabulous side characters that I truly hope get their own stories someday! Megan Walker will always be an auto-read author for me. 4.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Caitlin Miller.
Author 4 books315 followers
September 26, 2022
Okay, but I adored this book 🥹 I intentionally made it last as long as I could because it was such a lovely read. Full of witty banter and a heartwarming romance, Miss Newbury’s List is a call to live life with adventure, to be brave when we have the most to lose, and to choose love, even when the path it leads us on isn’t what others envision it being. Loved this book and would highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Miss Newbury’s List. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
Profile Image for Mira ♡(Hiatus (◕ᴗ◕✿) ♪♫).
47 reviews23 followers
November 24, 2025
“Perfection means having an expected outcome. Perfect lines, perfect colors, perfect brushstrokes. But perfection is unachievable. Indeed, it is the attempt, the strokes we did not mean to make, that leave us with an unexpected beauty.”

Rosalind Newbury is a charming young lady who's off to be married to the duke. But before her her wedding, she'd like to perform one final feat for herself— to go off on adventures, crossing things off her checklist just like her aunt before her marriage. But she's not doing it alone as she tags along her friend (more like sister), Liza and her cousin, Charlie for the last adventure before her life gives in to strict rules, propriety and the ways of a duchess.

I think this's gonna be part of my annual reread tradition. Truly a heartwarming story about family and friendship...and the romance was truly one to yearn and swoon for!!!

I love Ros soo much! I love how she stays strong throughout the story and wishes for nothing but her family's happiness! And her brother Ben, is truly soo charming— funny and serious and everything in between! Charlie is such a heartbeat ...OMG I cannot talk about the yearning *teary eyed*...it was all perfection! And Liza—oh how I desire to have a friend like you!

This's the most flimsy review I've written but I don't care because I don't have time (and I'm running a fever) *teary eyed again*...but I seriously want you all to read this, this holiday season! A perfect transition book between autumn and winter<333... Happy Reading!
Profile Image for allison christine.
395 reviews
February 6, 2023
Excuse me while I gush a little (read: a lot).

I ADORED this book!

Rosalind Newbury is headstrong and loving and determined to make the most of her life. She cares deeply about her family and fulfilling her duty. I related to her so much and loved the way she interacted with the world and her family and Liza and Charlie.

And Charlie. Wonderful, charming, troubled Charlie swoops in to show her that there's more to life than the responsibility she feels. The way he gently pushes her out of her comfort zone and makes her feel more alive than ever was so beautiful. The way their relationship developed from annoyance to partnership to friends to something more was so seamless and natural and I loved every single second.

This story was such a breath of fresh air. The storyline was so unique and compelling and it had me laughing and swooning and gasping and emotional and everything in between. I adored the themes of family and grace and forgiveness and unconditional love and support and the way they shone through in both Ros and Charlie. Watching them both learn to trust themselves and take responsibility for their happiness was amazing.

Megan’s writing style is so beautiful and atmospheric and emotional and witty and lends itself so well to these types of stories. I felt so immersed in this story and the minds of these characters that everything felt so real and I never wanted to stop reading.

I've read this book THREE TIMES since I was first approved for the ARC in July, and it has never failed to fill my heart every time I open it. And I even annotated it and tabbed all of my favorite lines and moments, something I only do with very few, very special books!

Ros and Charlie and this story have such a special place in my heart right next to Peter and Amelia. If you are a regency romance reader or even want to get started in the genre, PLEASE do yourself a favor and pick up this absolute masterpiece!!
Profile Image for Heather Wood.
Author 7 books251 followers
August 14, 2022
It was worth the wait for another great read from the author of Lakeshire Park. The premise didn't grab me at the first, but the characters did. Rose is engaged to be married and thinks completing her bucket list before she gives her life away to her husband will allow her to start married life feeling fulfilled. My worldview approaches happiness and fulfillment differently and kept me from fully engaging with the plot. Although the HEA was fully expected, I didn't know how it would be reached, and I enjoyed the process of discovery and how consistent the characters were with themselves and the period while surprising the reader. It was nice to see Rose and Charlie choose character over their personal feelings and actually be respectful and even submissive to the rules of propriety. I was invested in their relationship and enjoyed the journey.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Cait | GoodeyReads.
2,766 reviews652 followers
February 5, 2023
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for an eARC.

BEAUTIFUL.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

Oh this is one of my favorite regencies of the year!! Just add it to the list now because it is faaaabulous. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

I tend to struggle if the main character is in a relationship, but somehow Walker plotted this out in the best way possible. I was easily drawn in the right directions. The Duke can GO.

But Charlie? HE CAN STAY. I am smitten with that man. He was utterly adorable, sweet and kind. I loved the addition of pugilists as part of the plot and how committed he was to helping Ros complete her list. All of the antics they got up to just brought a smile to my face. And there’s a BALL. We all know those are my kryptonite.

There was even some intense action!? I was GLUED to my screen, holding my breath waiting for the next moment everything would be okay. I can’t get over how well this story was told. Everything unfolded at the right pace with the scenes lined up exactly as I hoped. Even that ENDING, with her family?! It was such a unique breath of fresh air to the genre where the family members are sometimes the worst. The support and love that Ros was surrounded by definitely brought some tears to my eyes.

READ IT. LOVE IT.

Overall audience notes:
- Regency Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: knife violence, loss of a sibling (off screen, recounted), grief
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,439 reviews98 followers
February 8, 2023
5 beautiful stars! Megan Walker has done it again. She wrote a proper romance that made me so happy. And has a side note I think she has the most beautiful covers.
The story was built around a strong female protagonist and an interesting misunderstood male. The romance was a slow burn with little special moments that make this one so special. It had my favorite things. Such as, clean romance, honorable men and heartfelt moments with a HEA.
I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Thanks Shadow Mountain via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Serena Miles.
1,460 reviews68 followers
April 12, 2024
4.25 estrellas
Al principio me costó un poco engancharme, pero después ha sido un no parar de leer. Me ha encantado la historia de Ross y Charlie, se va cociendo a fuego lento y es tierna y emotiva. La verdad es que necesitaba un libro así.
Profile Image for Lauren (thebookscript).
927 reviews665 followers
January 18, 2023
This was such a sweet surprise and a great way to end my 2022 reading year!

Megan Walker is back with another book full of fun banter, and heart filled moments that got better with each turn of the page.

This is a book that is about defying familial expectations/legacy, making lists and following your heart. Its full of friendship and sibling bonds but mostly it’s about learning how to navigate that sticky road between pleasing family and making sure you’re not sacrificing what makes you brave and special. It’s flirtatious and has unique plot points that give it a fun premise to build on.

At first I wasn’t sure about the fulfillment of a list made at 12 years of age…I don’t even want to read my Facebook posts from college…BUT it was surprisingly sweet and lead to a lot of fun and romantic moments where our main couple gets to know and tease one another.

One scene after another slowly cemented my enjoyment of this couple and the finish was just really sweet and completely satisfying and put a smile on my face!

I hope we get more books with some of the side characters! A wonderful story about the power of second chances, and finding the person you don’t have to put walls up around.
Profile Image for Océano de libros.
857 reviews96 followers
January 13, 2024
Rosalind Newbury está a punto de casarse con un duque y obtener así beneficios para su familia, pero antes de la boda quiere completar una lista de sueños y junto a su amiga Liza y al primo de esta llamado Charlie intentará hacer todo antes de que su nueva posición se lo impida.

Lo que no espera Ros es que al ir tachando cosas de su lista, sus deseos empiecen a cambiar y ya no pueda darle lo que desea a su familia.

Rosalind Newbury es una joven sensata que acepta con agrado su compromiso con un duque, no podría pedir más. Piensa que el amor vendrá después y que el enlace traerá beneficios para toda su familia. Pero el hallazgo de una lista de sueños de su adolescencia la llevará a querer cumplirlos antes de que sea duquesa, una lista que su tía le recomendó que hiciera en ese momento, puesto que más tarde se podría arrepentir. Así que Ros convencerá a su amiga Liza y al primo de esta, Charles Winston, para que la ayuden a cumplirlos.

Poco a poco la joven irá tachando cosas de la lista y también dándose cuenta de qué es lo que desea verdaderamente y además conocerá al rebelde Charles y entre ellos empezará una sincera amistad.

Charles Winston es un hombre marcado por la pérdida de su hermano y se refugia en el deporte del boxeo, rechazado por su familia, se refugia en la casa de sus tíos y es cuando conoce a la señorita Newbury que a veces lo sacará de quicio y otras querrá formar parte de esa tarea y así conocer más a esa joven que lo atrae.
Sigue en: https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
Profile Image for ☆ Susana ☆ .
590 reviews355 followers
October 6, 2023
Adoro un buen romance histórico, cuando doy con uno es un gusto leerlo despacito, disfrutándolo y justo eso me he encontrado con este libro. Una historia preciosa con una trama original y con una pareja que te va enganchando a la vez que ellos se van enamorando. Una delicia.

La historia tiene unos toques de humor divinos, los protagonistas son adorablemente imperfectos y eso los hace súper especiales, hay secundarios que se merecen, sin duda, su propia historia y hay algún que otro giro y revelaciones inesperadas que hacen que no puedas soltarlo.

La narrativa de la autora es una maravilla. Ha creado una historia preciosa, sin necesidad de crear conflictos absurdos ni metiendo descripciones innecesarias. Va directa al grano, con una narración ligera y adictiva y muy dulce. Me ha encantado. Lo recomiendo 100%.

De esta autora tengo pendiente también Lakeshire Park desde hace un montón y que, visto lo mucho que he disfrutado de este, no tardará en caer.
Profile Image for Pepa.
1,042 reviews288 followers
October 25, 2024
3'5 ⭐
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2024/...
Me ha gustado mucho el estilo de la autora y, sobre todo, el rigor histórico, tanto en vocabulario como en comportamiento de los personajes.
Una relación que fluye pausadamente. Una historia bonita y tierna, bien contada (quizás si en vez de audición hubiera sido lectura, mi puntuación sería diferente.
El crecimiento personal de Rosalind es el eje central de la historia.
Bravo por el estilo, pero le han faltado más momentos álgidos que rompieran con una lectura algo plana. Todo fluye sin sobresaltos hasta un final que sorprende por el giro en el comportamiento de ciertos personajes secundarios
No descarto escuchar algo más de la autora
Profile Image for Emily (biblioblondes).
237 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2023
I feel at a loss for words.
I don’t know what to say! So this review will either be very short or very long… 😂

I’m simply IN LOVE with Miss Newbury’s List!
Just wow! It was heart-touching, beautiful, romantic, nostalgic, comforting…
Megan Walker has a way with her words that just feel like a hug for the soul! Maybe that doesn’t make sense but it’s hard to describe the feeling.

I loved Rosalind. She was a fantastic MC! I was rooting for her so much and seeing her grow throughout this story was so rewarding. I loved her determination with her list. Her fearlessness and bravery. It was applause worthy.

Her relationship with her family, was so beautiful. Truly. There’s a scene near the end with her family that literally brought me to tears. I was so emotional reading it. There is just nothing like the unconditional love of family.

Ros’s brother Ben and her best friend Liza were great supporting characters! I loved them!
Ben was a complete sweetheart. I may have loved him a little extra because my own brother’s name is Ben and it reminded me of him.
Liza was just a really great friend to Rosalind. I liked seeing her become just a little more fearless by the end of the book too!

Who’s left? Oh that’s right!
CHARLIE WINSTON!!!!!!!
Are you kidding me??
I 😍 stinking 😭 LOVE 😍him!!! 🫠
His and Ros’s relationship was just 😘🤌🏻
Amazing. Flawless. Heart BURSTING!
Watching their friendship bloom into romance was incredible. So many scenes between them will live rent free in my head for a long time to come.

You have to read this. You have to experience the list and Charlie! Trust me.

Extra Things I Loved:
The swimming incident 🏊🏻‍♀️
Lesson in the grove 🌳 🥊
The opera 🖼
The picnic and all the cheesecakes 🍰
Burying treasures
THE CLIFF SCENE 🌊
The masquerade!
THE ALCOVE 🔥😍😍
Mouthing “Good Morning”
The carriage ride back home… (iykyk)
The family meeting 🥹
THE LETTER 😭💙💙
THE ENTIRE END & EPILOGUE!!!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the ARC. All thoughts are my own and completely genuine.*
Profile Image for Melynne (mels_booknook).
639 reviews24 followers
February 9, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! It was so different and fun! It kept me constantly guessing and I had no idea how it would all work out. I loved the end and how it wrapped up. I loved Charlie and his willingness to help Rosalind. He was such a great character. Both of them had things to work through which made them more real. I loved the list and having them do all of it together. And that twist near the end! I did NOT see that coming and it made me love the book even more. I highly recommend this one! It is definitely a new favorite!
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,887 reviews240 followers
January 11, 2023
Such a delightful read! I loved this author's debut novel and was so excited when this books was announced. I was happy to get an early copy to read and I dove right in and loved it!

I love watching characters grow and learn and become better than they were. Even if it isn't a big change, I love seeing them overcome an obstacle or become better at something they didn't necessarily know they were needing to grow at.

Rosalind loves her family deeply and is marrying the Duke of Marlow soon. She wants to be like her aunt and accomplish the items on a list before she marries. She takes matters into her hands and sets out to do just that. Some of the items she has no idea how she will manage them but she's determined. She thinks it will help her. And it does. But not necessarily how she imagined it would.

I loved the great connection of family and friendship throughout this book. Ros has the love of many, even if she doesn't quite see it at first. They are so supportive of her and want her to be happy. It was fun to watch her navigate relationships, her list and the big list of wedding to do before the big day. Sometimes her antics had me chuckling and sometimes she had me holding my breath in anticipation of what was about to happen.

Liza, Charlie and Ben make for great conspiratorial companions. Even if they don't always know they are part of her schemes and plans. I loved watching the dynamics between all of these characters.

There is a sweet romance that builds throughout the book. And I love how the combination of the list, the friendships and the romance, Ros comes to a great realization. The ending left me very happy. As did the middle and beginning! All of it was wonderful! I can't wait to share it with all of my friends when it becomes available!!!

Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril but nothing overly graphic. Some kisses but nothing further.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Rachel (rachelee.reads).
389 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2022
Thank you to Megan Walker and Netgalley for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was absolutely delightful!  The characters were so enjoyable and had so much depth. I loved Ros's journey as she figures out what is missing in her life.

Charlie was such a hunk! And I loved that all he wanted to do was help Ros accomplish her list. But along the way realized he needs something to change in his life too.

The chemistry between them was slow burning, suttle, but undeniable. And I was wrecked with torment anticipating how their HEA would come about.

Make sure this book is on your list!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Romance: kisses
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,542 reviews267 followers
July 21, 2022
Such a sweet story. I loved this whole thing. The characters, the story and the writing. It was all very good. I couldn't predict what would happen. Charlie was such an amazing leading man. I just loved his need to help her with her list. This is a proper romance with some sweet kisses. I loved the growing love between them. You could feel it and see it unfold.
Profile Image for Shea.
214 reviews52 followers
July 8, 2024
This was a sweet story that I really enjoyed! Rosalind is preparing to marry a duke, but she has a bucket list of items she wants to accomplish before doing so. When her best friend’s cousin comes to town, he agrees to help Rosalind with checking the items off her list. Rosalind develops feelings for him, but doesn’t want to disappoint her family.

This was a sweet story with low stakes. Predictable, but still interesting.

Content cleanliness: kissing, nothing explicit or sensual described
Profile Image for Genres and Journals *Tia*.
1,260 reviews360 followers
January 29, 2023
Miss Newbury’s list was written well enough that if you enjoy regency romance (in particular ones that focus on the bucket list trope), I would feel comfortable recommending this to you for a sweet, cozy read.

But this book unfortunately stops right there at being only marginally interesting.

Rosalind, who is engaged to a Duke, has given herself a list of things she wants to accomplish before getting married. On her quest to fulfill the list, she meets the cousin of her lifelong best friend and neighbor (how has she never met him before??) Rosalind twists the arms of Liza and Charlie to help her with the list and she falls in love with Charlie along the way.

I will try and be succinct with the reasons I didn’t care for this book because I don’t want to drag it through the mud…

1. I found the bucket list to be tediously boring.

2. The relationships between everyone were very weakly written.
A. Rosalind’s mother was demanding, uncaring, and petty. Rosalind was never honest with her. But suddenly in the end her mother changes to a completely different person and becomes very caring and is completely accepting of Rosalind calling off the wedding??? This woman yelled at the dress maker over the lace being the wrong shade of white!
B. We are constantly told that Rosalind and Liza are so close and did so much together growing up but honestly they seem like acquaintances. Same goes for Rosalind and her brother Benjamin…we are TOLD over and over how close they are but there was never any evidence SHOWN on the page.
C. And finally the romance between Rosalind and Charlie was way too quick to be believable. And honestly the whole time I felt like she was cheating on her fiancé which felt weird for a book published by Shadow Mountain.

3. Lastly, the pacing of the book was uneven. The first 2/3 of the book was super slow. Seriously snail’s pace. Then all of the sudden some crazy action gets thrown in and everything goes full throttle to the ending.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for the advanced reader’s copy of this book. I truly love most of your Proper Romances but unfortunately this one was a bit of a miss for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sydney.
470 reviews161 followers
February 18, 2023
This book was such a delight! I really enjoyed the characters and the little adventures they got up to trying to mark things off of Rosalinds list. Though some were a little silly (as the list was written by a child), it was fun to follow Rosalind, Charlie, and Liza on their quest. There was a good mix of heartfelt and fun moments, and the romance was very sweet and developed organically. Because Rosalind was engaged to another man, there were sometimes where I was afraid it may cross a line, but it never did and it made Charlie that much more a gentleman in my eyes. There were just a few times where I thought to myself “Would a man really say this?” but it didn’t truly bother me; it’s more an observation. I can definitely see myself reading this again when I need a lighthearted little pick-me-up.☺️
Profile Image for Christina.
799 reviews33 followers
February 17, 2023
I don’t even know where to start with this story, but I loved it and ate through the pages! I just couldn’t get enough of Rosalind’s story and had to know what would happen next.

She is such a likable protagonist. She begins feeling unsettled and decides she needs to complete an old list of items to feel ready for her upcoming arranged marriage. Enter Charlie, and things quickly escalate. He was so much a swoony hero! There were so many toe-curling moments, and I loved every minute of Rosalind’s journey to find herself.

This was one of the best proper romances I’ve read in some time, and I highly recommend you drop what you’re doing and grab a copy of this amazing story!

**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Dab.
489 reviews370 followers
August 5, 2024
Megan Walker is the Ali Hazelwood of historical romance. Historically accurate, of course, so unlike in AH books, no spice. (That’s stuff for married people, you pervs!)

What I mean is, these books are all enjoyable, but also very much alike. There’s a handsome guy who falls first, and a girl who doesn’t like him because of reasons.
There’s slow burn, low angst and no ow drama. There are also loving siblings, supportive parents and everything you need in a comfort read.

All in all maybe not a masterpiece, but light and sweet. Highcliffe House was my favorite from this author, but I enjoyed this one too.
Profile Image for Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective).
1,434 reviews86 followers
February 5, 2023
I read this book in one afternoon. Yep, all 309 glorious pages filled with chemistry, banter, wit, charm, adventure, and a character arc that we could all benefit from. Miss Newbury's List was not just a story about a girl trying to check off items off a list before her wedding day. It was about finding out who she was as a person, and who she wanted to be going forward. With a delightful (and fun) brother, a dear friend, and a swoony Mr. Charles Winston helping her out, I could not turn the pages fast enough to accompany Rosalind on her journey.

Walker reminds readers that there's more than meets the eye with our dashing hero. On the outside he has a reputation, but on the inside....well it seems only a Miss Newbury can uncover the secrets of what is hidden there. And uncover them she does. Their chemistry is going to have you grabbing for your fans. So many times I found myself needed to cool down......I don't want to spoil anything, and yes the author keeps it clean for sure, but wow! This is chemistry at its' finest.

But chemistry aside, I found myself cheering for young Rosalind. She wanted to do right by her family, and in doing so was really giving up her own happiness. Although fiction, I can imagine back in that time period there were several young ladies who did the same. For us modern women, it's easy to cheer on the heroine to stand up for herself and fight for true love. Honestly, the way Walker wrote her character was spot on. You see Rosalind's thoughts going back and forth over doing what's right for her or what's right for her family. And though she may have had the internal battle, she made sure her parents never saw it. But that didn't stop her from having adventures and boy did I enjoy reading them!

Walker has earned a spot on my favorites list, and Miss Newbury has earned a spot on my top reads list, and rightly so. This is a book I can see myself rereading when I need a pick me up, when I'm in a reading slump, when I'm sick, when it's raining, when it's sunny....you get the drift. This delightfully fun and charming read is one I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Melissa’s Bookshelf.
2,534 reviews175 followers
February 2, 2023
Absolutely adored Miss Newbury’s List! A deliciously perfect read on a cold winter’s day. It’s a unique friends to more story with witty humor, swoonworthy romance, and a love letter that will leave you sighing. I loved the premise of the book, a heroine with a bucket list of items she wants to accomplish before she marries. And of course, a handsome companion to help her fulfill each goal. It’s definitely a book clean, regency romance fans will savor.

At the age of 12, Miss Rosalind Newbury was inspired by her aunt to create a list of 10 things she wanted to accomplish before she marries. The items range from writing down her childhood memories to hanging her painting in a public setting to running away for a day. Now eight years later, she tries to enlist her dearest friend Liza to help her accomplish each goal on her list before her upcoming marriage to a duke. Instead, she captures the attention of Liza’s mischievous cousin Charlie.

Charlie’s been temporarily disinherited for his fighting and unwillingness to accept his family responsibilities. While at first Rosalind is irritated by him, Charlie ends up rescuing her and she finds herself in his debt. She begins to see a new side to him as he sets out to help her accomplish her list. With each activity, they grow ever closer together. Unfortunately, as their friendship blossoms into something more, there’s Ros’ engagement between them. Will they succeed in crossing off all the items on the list and what happens when marriage to the duke doesn’t seem as appealing as it once was?

Loved Charlie and Ros! I enjoyed all those achingly romantic moments between them like the picnic scene, the cliff by the sea, the alcove at the dance, and of course the letter. The witty banter between them was so entertaining and I relished all their adventures together. I enjoyed the growth they experienced throughout the story as they inspire each other to become better. The last few chapters had me on pins and needles and I could not put it down. Also loved Liza and Ros’ brother Ben. I’m hoping we’ll hear more about them in the future.

This is definitely a well written, romantic story I’ll be rereading. Highly recommend! I received an advanced compimentary copy from the publisher. All opinons are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Profile Image for Kaye.
4,337 reviews71 followers
January 20, 2023
Lovely Regency era proper romance. Miss Rosalind Newbury is engaged to marry a Duke. She is 18 and never had a season as the marriage is arranged by her father. With only three weeks left to the wedding Ros wants to experience a few new things. She remembers and finds a list she created years before of Ten Things To Do before she marries. Some are easy and others a little more of a challenge. She knows her best friend Liza will help her accomplish the tasks. Liza is willing but along with her comes Charlie her cousin. Charlie is sweet and provoking. He is cut off from his parents at the moment for not falling in line when he became the unexpected heir to his father. He is gentleman but not titled.

The threesome is fun as is much of their innocent adventures. Of course as the wedding looms closer Rosalind must reckon with her feelings toward Charles compared to the advantages the Duke can bring to her family. And does she really have any choice? I enjoyed the story and the main characters. The counting down to the wedding brings an urgency to check off the list but also to the developing feelings. At times I wish Charlie wasn’t so much a gentleman. Secondary characters add to the story but don’t have much depth. I didn’t know which side her parents would come down on when Rosalind makes up her mind.

This is a clean romance with only a few kisses. And is appropriate for any romance reader. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sarah Monzon.
Author 27 books749 followers
August 16, 2022
A gentle romance with a sweet plot of a pre-wedding bucket list. I LOVED Lakeshire Park so just had to read another book by Megan. This one didn’t have quite the same charm as her first for me, but it was still well-written and nostalgic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,143 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.