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The Baronet from Bombay
They made a vow based on the impossible.
But what will they do now that the impossible has happened?
Though they were exact opposites, Gussie Stilwell and Harry Fletcher often played together growing up in Rutland, England. To pass the time one hot summer day, they vowed to marry each other should Harry ever inherit his distant cousin’s baronetcy, sealing their pact with blood.
When he made the Pact, Harry knew he would never inherit Camrose from his cousin. He was third in line behind two robust men, including his brother, after all. But when a series of unthinkable events saddle him with the baronetcy, Harry must return from soldiering in Bombay to take up the mantle. With Gussie’s letters keeping him company on the voyage, he wrestles with the question whether to honor the childhood pact with his best friend, if she was willing, that is…
Gussie is not made for marriage. A fact she has known for years, declaring to anyone who asked that she will never participate in the institution. She made the Pact with Harry safe in the conviction that he would never inherit. They would simply remain best friends, even if Harry stayed in India as a soldier for the rest of his days. But when Harry arrives in England as Sir Harry, a baronet who now must marry, Gussie must decide which vow to keep.
But what will they do now that the impossible has happened?
Though they were exact opposites, Gussie Stilwell and Harry Fletcher often played together growing up in Rutland, England. To pass the time one hot summer day, they vowed to marry each other should Harry ever inherit his distant cousin’s baronetcy, sealing their pact with blood.
When he made the Pact, Harry knew he would never inherit Camrose from his cousin. He was third in line behind two robust men, including his brother, after all. But when a series of unthinkable events saddle him with the baronetcy, Harry must return from soldiering in Bombay to take up the mantle. With Gussie’s letters keeping him company on the voyage, he wrestles with the question whether to honor the childhood pact with his best friend, if she was willing, that is…
Gussie is not made for marriage. A fact she has known for years, declaring to anyone who asked that she will never participate in the institution. She made the Pact with Harry safe in the conviction that he would never inherit. They would simply remain best friends, even if Harry stayed in India as a soldier for the rest of his days. But when Harry arrives in England as Sir Harry, a baronet who now must marry, Gussie must decide which vow to keep.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2022
152 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Panhorst
12 books44 followersAmanda writes clean regency and contemporary romance. She was raised along the Wasatch Front on a hearty diet of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen novels. She firmly believes that the Three Rs: Reading, Riding and wRiting are a great recipe for happiness. Other ingredients include her family of three boys, a fantastic husband, and their pets, Ginny and Darcy, and Flint.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 10, 2022
Different
Admittedly, I don't read a ton of regencies, but I appreciated Gussie as a character. To find an introvert AND a very ordered, logical person who was a woman, is something I haven't seen a lot of. Harry, the easy going, fun guy that he was, presented a nice balance to her.
I don't want to go on and on. I enjoyed it. I appreciated how in-tuned Harry was to Gussie's needs, even if his own personality caused him to charge ahead anyway occasionally. I was glad Harry's mom was willing to try to change her past opinions for the sake of her children, and I was glad Gussie was willing to try to get out of her comfort zone to spend time with Harry's family.
This was a clean read with no swearing and a chaste romance with only kissing.
Overall, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys clean regency romances.
Admittedly, I don't read a ton of regencies, but I appreciated Gussie as a character. To find an introvert AND a very ordered, logical person who was a woman, is something I haven't seen a lot of. Harry, the easy going, fun guy that he was, presented a nice balance to her.
I don't want to go on and on. I enjoyed it. I appreciated how in-tuned Harry was to Gussie's needs, even if his own personality caused him to charge ahead anyway occasionally. I was glad Harry's mom was willing to try to change her past opinions for the sake of her children, and I was glad Gussie was willing to try to get out of her comfort zone to spend time with Harry's family.
This was a clean read with no swearing and a chaste romance with only kissing.
Overall, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys clean regency romances.
June 25, 2022
I liked this story. I liked Gussie's character: introverted, logical, straight forward. It was a nice friends to lovers trope. It was an easy read, perfect for summer vacation.
Read
June 25, 2022This is my first book by Amanda Panhorst, and Gussie's character description was what attracted me to the story. This is the second book of the series and, even though there are some mentions about the events from the previous book, it didn't interfere with my understanding or enjoyment of the book.
The blurb describes the book well. This is a short read and its main focus is Gussie and Harry becoming reacquainted and contemplating marriage to each other. I was not disappointed with Gussie. The author does a great job describing her character and, more importantly, in keeping her consistent. She did not become s social butterfly or have a makeover to attend a grand ball. Her growth is in understanding how people perceive her and making an effort to get out of her comfort zone. Being someone who also appreciates my solitary times, especially after having to socialize with lots of people, I loved the author's insight into how draining it was for Gussie to attend all the social events expected of her.
Although Gussie was my favorite character, Harry was pretty special too. He was a super nice and patient guy. He understood Gussie and didn't want her to change. I especially appreciated him knowing some of her quirks such as fidgeting with her dress when she was nervous and not liking fast movements near her, even though his impulsiveness would make him forget himself at times. They are not perfect characters and I appreciated that they were not afraid of a bit of introspection nor afraid to apologize for any wrongdoing or harsh words. Harry was the perfect counterpart to Gussie's perceived aloofness, and you can see them having a happy marriage based on respect and admiration.
Even though the previous book does not interest me (in terms of plot and characters), I'll be looking for others book by the author and would be interested in reading Rosy's story (Gussie's horse-mad best friend).
The blurb describes the book well. This is a short read and its main focus is Gussie and Harry becoming reacquainted and contemplating marriage to each other. I was not disappointed with Gussie. The author does a great job describing her character and, more importantly, in keeping her consistent. She did not become s social butterfly or have a makeover to attend a grand ball. Her growth is in understanding how people perceive her and making an effort to get out of her comfort zone. Being someone who also appreciates my solitary times, especially after having to socialize with lots of people, I loved the author's insight into how draining it was for Gussie to attend all the social events expected of her.
Although Gussie was my favorite character, Harry was pretty special too. He was a super nice and patient guy. He understood Gussie and didn't want her to change. I especially appreciated him knowing some of her quirks such as fidgeting with her dress when she was nervous and not liking fast movements near her, even though his impulsiveness would make him forget himself at times. They are not perfect characters and I appreciated that they were not afraid of a bit of introspection nor afraid to apologize for any wrongdoing or harsh words. Harry was the perfect counterpart to Gussie's perceived aloofness, and you can see them having a happy marriage based on respect and admiration.
Even though the previous book does not interest me (in terms of plot and characters), I'll be looking for others book by the author and would be interested in reading Rosy's story (Gussie's horse-mad best friend).
March 8, 2023
I liked so much about this book!
- Gussie was an over thinker and an introvert, and she very carefully weighed her decisions and took her life and choices seriously! That was refreshing to see in a FMC.
- he fell first (favorite!)
- friends to lovers
- Harry had some missteps along the way, but he always acknowledged them and apologized for them. You really felt the care he had for Gussie’s well-being.
- the epilogue ;)
That’s kind of where it ended for me though. I’m wondering if a second read is in order for this one at some point, but I just felt like the plot overall was clunky. Nothing really happened the entire book. There was a lot of back and forth and really not much forward movement until the end. There was just something lacking in my opinion. I liked these two main characters so much that I was surprised by how lackluster I felt toward their story, but the pace was just trudging along painfully to the point where I was bored for a lot of it.
- Gussie was an over thinker and an introvert, and she very carefully weighed her decisions and took her life and choices seriously! That was refreshing to see in a FMC.
- he fell first (favorite!)
- friends to lovers
- Harry had some missteps along the way, but he always acknowledged them and apologized for them. You really felt the care he had for Gussie’s well-being.
- the epilogue ;)
That’s kind of where it ended for me though. I’m wondering if a second read is in order for this one at some point, but I just felt like the plot overall was clunky. Nothing really happened the entire book. There was a lot of back and forth and really not much forward movement until the end. There was just something lacking in my opinion. I liked these two main characters so much that I was surprised by how lackluster I felt toward their story, but the pace was just trudging along painfully to the point where I was bored for a lot of it.
September 15, 2022
When a second son is third in line for the minor title of Baronet, he scarely worries about inheriting the title, property, money and responsibilities. However being a boy and a small one delegated to playing with the neighborhood girls, he makes a blood oath to marry his favorite. After he serves in India, he is called home. The worst has happened. His uncle has passed then a sickness came and took his cousin as well as his older brother. Now the title is his.
Understand that for a single young lady to write letters to a single unrelated man (no matter how well she may know him). To do so would be scandalous and would ruin her reputation. Augusta Stilllwell known to her friends as Gussie uses the pen name Gus and writes to her friend. When he returns home she fears he will hold her to the oath they made as children.
Understand that for a single young lady to write letters to a single unrelated man (no matter how well she may know him). To do so would be scandalous and would ruin her reputation. Augusta Stilllwell known to her friends as Gussie uses the pen name Gus and writes to her friend. When he returns home she fears he will hold her to the oath they made as children.
June 22, 2022
I absolutely adored this story. Harry Fletcher is such a jovial character, at ease among company. Gussie Stillwell is the polar opposite, honest to a fault, with a reserved nature that finds no better comfort than in her books. These two are the most unlikely of childhood friends and when a silly pact comes true, will they follow through or free the other from the agreed upon marriage. Do they even want to?
Amanda Panhorst did a fabulous job weaving complex characters with real struggles. All while keeping their friendship and love story alive in the best of ways. I would not hesitate to recommend this delightful read and look forward to more from this fabulous storyteller.
I did receive an ARC for my honest review all opinions are my own and freely given.
Amanda Panhorst did a fabulous job weaving complex characters with real struggles. All while keeping their friendship and love story alive in the best of ways. I would not hesitate to recommend this delightful read and look forward to more from this fabulous storyteller.
I did receive an ARC for my honest review all opinions are my own and freely given.
August 3, 2024
I didn’t like this as well as the next. I do appreciate the attempt at a neurodivergent heroine, though it fell a little bit flat. I think the MMC’s falling in love was very rapid, even by genre standards. There are other books (including a brilliant one by Nicole Van) that demonstrate the growth of friendship and love over long distance letters, but this just didn’t work very well for me. The 18 months later epilogue also seemed a bit drawn out. Anyway…the series has some promise but this one just didn’t work for me.
September 30, 2022
Childhood Friends and Adult Relationships
Augusta loved books, her sisters and her friends, one of which she had a pact with. Harry had lost three family members and was now in command of the title and the estate. It also meant he needed to revisit the childhood pact. Navigating childhood friendships as an adult wouldn't prove easy with many missteps in the process, but it certainly gives one an excellent romance story and happy ending.
Augusta loved books, her sisters and her friends, one of which she had a pact with. Harry had lost three family members and was now in command of the title and the estate. It also meant he needed to revisit the childhood pact. Navigating childhood friendships as an adult wouldn't prove easy with many missteps in the process, but it certainly gives one an excellent romance story and happy ending.
December 1, 2022
The Baronet from Bombay
This was an interesting story. Communication between Gussie and Harry while he was in India-was limited . She used a man’s name while having a servant in London handle receiving , sending their letters. When Harry came home, he was already in love with Gussie and she was with him, but she did not recognize her feelings. More to come, be patient with this story, it will get there.
This was an interesting story. Communication between Gussie and Harry while he was in India-was limited . She used a man’s name while having a servant in London handle receiving , sending their letters. When Harry came home, he was already in love with Gussie and she was with him, but she did not recognize her feelings. More to come, be patient with this story, it will get there.
January 28, 2023
This one was just not quite there for me- I liked the writing and there was nothing wrong with the descriptions and wording and such, I think I just didn’t like Gussie’s personality… she just didn’t jive with me- I tried to relate to her fears and thoughts and different personality traits, but I just couldn’t. I sure like Harry and Rose, and the friendship that the three of them have. and I’m excited to read about her next, but Gussie’s personality just didn’t click with me
September 10, 2022
The most wonderful characters!
How I loved this story of childhood friends who wed after the woman lets go of her fears, and admits to herself Harry, charming Harry, is who she loves. It had a quality of emotion well done and hard to predict how it would come out until the very end.
How I loved this story of childhood friends who wed after the woman lets go of her fears, and admits to herself Harry, charming Harry, is who she loves. It had a quality of emotion well done and hard to predict how it would come out until the very end.
September 17, 2022
Awesome story of falling in love over time
So many circumstances that could not have been foreseen as children yet prophecies anyway. It is a beautiful story of friendship and love. Highly recommended for all readers.
So many circumstances that could not have been foreseen as children yet prophecies anyway. It is a beautiful story of friendship and love. Highly recommended for all readers.
January 14, 2023
Sweet story!
I really enjoyed this book! I admit, I had my doubts about Gussie and her strange ways and mannerisms. But she won me over and I began to root for her and Harry to get together! I have enjoyed reading this series and look forward to the next!
I really enjoyed this book! I admit, I had my doubts about Gussie and her strange ways and mannerisms. But she won me over and I began to root for her and Harry to get together! I have enjoyed reading this series and look forward to the next!
April 13, 2023
What I loved about this book was that I really felt invested in the characters. I really liked them and wanted to know what would happen to them in the end. For a short read, the author does a wonderful job delving deep into the hearts of her characters.
January 21, 2024
I had a harder time getting through this one. The first half was slow and I was a bit bored. Gussie didn’t have much personality and was hard to like. The next one with Rosy has me more excited, she was a much better character.
May 20, 2024
delightfully woven
A slow enchantment weaves thru this book, full of gentle dialogue and growing understanding.
Characters are gently explored and allowed their quaintest foibles with respect.
I loved it, a charming regency that delivers a thoughtful and sweet love story
A slow enchantment weaves thru this book, full of gentle dialogue and growing understanding.
Characters are gently explored and allowed their quaintest foibles with respect.
I loved it, a charming regency that delivers a thoughtful and sweet love story
June 4, 2022
2.5 stars. Eh. Not bad, just not really interesting either. Gussie has some character but Harry has little, and the conversations are just blah.
June 19, 2022
I deeply appreciate this nontrad heroine, an introvert in early 1800! Well done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
Enjoyable, clean romance.
November 8, 2023
3* This was a friends to lovers story. Not a lot happens. I liked the characters, but did not enjoy the conflict part. Gussie was very fortunate to get Harry. He was all in, but she wasn’t there.
August 31, 2024
not my favorite
I have read several of Amanda Panhorst’s books and this was not one of my favorites. The main character was not likable to me and her behavior annoying.
I have read several of Amanda Panhorst’s books and this was not one of my favorites. The main character was not likable to me and her behavior annoying.
November 23, 2024
Confusing leading lady
I don't know, "Gussie" was purported to be cold and antisocial, but I just really never saw it... It made the read less than ideal...
I don't know, "Gussie" was purported to be cold and antisocial, but I just really never saw it... It made the read less than ideal...
October 4, 2022
A different sort of heroine. I liked her!
December 10, 2023
lovely!
Harry & Gussie are a sheer delight. Gussie’s character might be considered to be on the spectrum and I love this. I’ve read some novels where the hero has this challenge, but this is a first for a heroine. Really like how the author explains Gussie’s view of the world.
Harry - OMGosh gotta love him! What a dear, sincere charmer. While he’s fictional. one can’t help but fall in love with him.
They make a lovely pair and I found myself truly rooting for them and somehow even in some doubt, which come on, it always works out, but I seriously doubted for a bit. That’s a great bit of writing to do that!
Harry & Gussie are a sheer delight. Gussie’s character might be considered to be on the spectrum and I love this. I’ve read some novels where the hero has this challenge, but this is a first for a heroine. Really like how the author explains Gussie’s view of the world.
Harry - OMGosh gotta love him! What a dear, sincere charmer. While he’s fictional. one can’t help but fall in love with him.
They make a lovely pair and I found myself truly rooting for them and somehow even in some doubt, which come on, it always works out, but I seriously doubted for a bit. That’s a great bit of writing to do that!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews