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The Ladies of the Aristocracy
The Lady of a Grump
He's a grouch. She's the reason.
Having said her farewells to her son when he departed for his Grand Tour of Europe, Patience Grayson, the newly widowed Marchioness of Billingsley, heads for the country. She intends to spend at least a year living by herself in the Grayson family estate in Shropshire.
If only her traveling coach could make it that far. When a wheel breaks, it does so in a most inconvenient location.
Saddled with an earldom left nearly bankrupt by his late father’s gambling and drinking, Max Higgins, Earl of Greenley, hasn’t had a good day for over twenty years—not since the woman he was supposed to marry threw him over for another. Ever since, his bitterness has him known throughout the peerage as the Earl of Grump. Although he found another to be his countess, the poor woman died giving birth to his heir, some say to escape his surly moods.
Max’s solitude in his Staffordshire country manor house is about to be shattered when the cause of his grumpiness invades his home—and his bedchamber—on a late winter night.
Will life ever be the same?
If only her traveling coach could make it that far. When a wheel breaks, it does so in a most inconvenient location.
Saddled with an earldom left nearly bankrupt by his late father’s gambling and drinking, Max Higgins, Earl of Greenley, hasn’t had a good day for over twenty years—not since the woman he was supposed to marry threw him over for another. Ever since, his bitterness has him known throughout the peerage as the Earl of Grump. Although he found another to be his countess, the poor woman died giving birth to his heir, some say to escape his surly moods.
Max’s solitude in his Staffordshire country manor house is about to be shattered when the cause of his grumpiness invades his home—and his bedchamber—on a late winter night.
Will life ever be the same?
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2022
About the author
Linda Rae Sande
92 books430 followersA self-described nerd and lover of science, Linda Rae spent many years as a published technical writer specializing in 3D graphics workstations, software and 3D animation (her movie credits include SHREK and SHREK 2). An interest in genealogy led to years of research on the Regency era and a desire to write fiction based in that time.
A fan of action-adventure movies, she can frequently be found at the local cinema. Although she no longer has any fish, she follows the San Jose Sharks. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming. More information about her books can be found at www.lindaraesande.com.
A fan of action-adventure movies, she can frequently be found at the local cinema. Although she no longer has any fish, she follows the San Jose Sharks. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming. More information about her books can be found at www.lindaraesande.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 17, 2025
⭐⭐
2 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Widow heroine.
Older main characters 45+.👍👍👏
Not set in London.
Second chance romance.
➖ What I disliked:
Underwhelming.
Lackluster and cringey steam/sex scenes.
Flat and bland main characters.
Lackluster and unconvincing romance and chemistry.
A unrealistically naive/ignorant/willfully ignorant widowed heroine that has/had been married for a long time and has a son… acts like she knows very little about a man's body among other things.
Formulaic.
OTT.
Rushed even for a novella.
Disjointed and jumbled.
(The book is too short to add another romance/romantic couple to it.)
The OTT physique of the hero/unrealistic physique of the hero.👎🤦♀️
(The hero is big and muscular and has a muscled physique and very chiseled abs/very defined six pack… the hero is 45+ and a pampered aristocrat… how and why would a man like that have such a physique?🤔🙄 He is not a prizefighter or anything like that and the only sporty/athletic thing he does is ride his horses… that does Not in any way get you a physique anywhere near how the hero is described in the book.🙄
Some/many men in their 40’s have a muscled physique Now in modern times/contemporary times but they have to work even harder at getting that kind physique when in their 40’s ...than a 20 something man does and it is really hard work for a 20 something man to get a very muscled physique and chiseled abs/very defined six pack… SO it is so very unrealistic for this hero to look like that…. YES it is fantasy and fiction but it is SO very unrealistic and OTT it is laughable and very eye-roll inducing.😂🙄😒 not to mention very formulaic.😴
Too much of the relationship and attraction between the main characters was based on the physical and there was way too little emotional development… and even for a novella this romance and intimacy etc. is too rushed.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice about the hero.
(Hero= tall, muscular/chiseled, handsome.)
👎👎The cover is NOT representative at all!
The main characters are both 45+…. the models on the cover look more like they are in their late 20’s…. especially the female model.
The voice actor does a terrible voice for the hero in this audio-book/book… he sounds like he is at least 85 years old… not a man in his 40’s.😬😑👎
2 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Widow heroine.
Older main characters 45+.👍👍👏
Not set in London.
Second chance romance.
➖ What I disliked:
Underwhelming.
Lackluster and cringey steam/sex scenes.
Flat and bland main characters.
Lackluster and unconvincing romance and chemistry.
A unrealistically naive/ignorant/willfully ignorant widowed heroine that has/had been married for a long time and has a son… acts like she knows very little about a man's body among other things.
Formulaic.
OTT.
Rushed even for a novella.
Disjointed and jumbled.
(The book is too short to add another romance/romantic couple to it.)
The OTT physique of the hero/unrealistic physique of the hero.👎🤦♀️
(The hero is big and muscular and has a muscled physique and very chiseled abs/very defined six pack… the hero is 45+ and a pampered aristocrat… how and why would a man like that have such a physique?🤔🙄 He is not a prizefighter or anything like that and the only sporty/athletic thing he does is ride his horses… that does Not in any way get you a physique anywhere near how the hero is described in the book.🙄
Some/many men in their 40’s have a muscled physique Now in modern times/contemporary times but they have to work even harder at getting that kind physique when in their 40’s ...than a 20 something man does and it is really hard work for a 20 something man to get a very muscled physique and chiseled abs/very defined six pack… SO it is so very unrealistic for this hero to look like that…. YES it is fantasy and fiction but it is SO very unrealistic and OTT it is laughable and very eye-roll inducing.😂🙄😒 not to mention very formulaic.😴
Too much of the relationship and attraction between the main characters was based on the physical and there was way too little emotional development… and even for a novella this romance and intimacy etc. is too rushed.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice about the hero.
(Hero= tall, muscular/chiseled, handsome.)
👎👎The cover is NOT representative at all!
The main characters are both 45+…. the models on the cover look more like they are in their late 20’s…. especially the female model.
The voice actor does a terrible voice for the hero in this audio-book/book… he sounds like he is at least 85 years old… not a man in his 40’s.😬😑👎
August 19, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Beyond the Aristocracy
Publication Date: 9/6/22
Period: Regency
As always, Linda Rae Sande has provided us with a delightfully entertaining, witty, and romantic book with not one but TWO romances. I loved all of the intertwined characters from both the aristocracy and the working classes – and – I loved that it was sort of taming the shrew in reverse.
Over twenty years before this story takes place, Patience and Maxwell had a history. They were in love and she had accepted his proposal. Unfortunately for them, her father had never told her she was already betrothed – to a much older, wealthier, and higher titled man. When Patience went to break it off with the normally sunny and happy Maxwell, things did not go well. Max took it to mean that Patience was throwing him over. Almost immediately the sunny, happy Max turned into the sullen, grumpy, unhappy Max and he remained that way.
Twenty years later, Patience is a happy widow. She detested her husband and feels a tad (NOT) guilty for not mourning her husband’s passing. To give herself some relief from the ton’s scrutiny during her required mourning period, she decides to travel to the country estate. It is cold and the roads are rutted and icy, so it isn’t a huge surprise when there is a loud crack and the coach comes to a stop with a broken wheel. As fate would have it, the mishap happened right at the entrance to Max’s estate and Patience has no choice but to seek refuge there until the wheel can be repaired/replaced.
Maxwell has been a widower for many, many years and lives practically as a recluse on his country estate. His sour, grumpy demeanor keeps visitors away and has driven most of his staff away as well. Luckily, he pays twice as much as other employers in the area, so he has enough servants to keep the estate running well. None of those servants seem to be about on that cold winter evening to answer the loud, persistent knocking on his door. He’s stunned, and open-mouthed when he wrenches the door open to find Patience on the threshold requesting asylum.
I love Patience and Max’s journey to reconciliation and romance. Neither had ever stopped loving the other and that love quickly came to the fore. Watching grumpy Max become romantic, and loving Max was a wonderful thing!
The second romance involved Patience’s coach driver and a maid at Patience’s country estate. Jeffrey had admired Janet for a number of years and had always planned to ask her to become his wife. He just had to save up enough money for a ring for her. Finally, the ring is safely in his pocket and he can’t wait to get back to the estate to ask her. Only, to his great surprise, she is now working at the estate where their coach just broke down. How could she not have told him? What now? How can they marry and work at two different estates? Their journey is a lovely, romantic read as well.
I love that we always get two romances in each of this writer’s books. The writing is excellent, the characters are always engaging, and the stories suck you right in. I can definitely recommend this read and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Beyond the Aristocracy
Publication Date: 9/6/22
Period: Regency
As always, Linda Rae Sande has provided us with a delightfully entertaining, witty, and romantic book with not one but TWO romances. I loved all of the intertwined characters from both the aristocracy and the working classes – and – I loved that it was sort of taming the shrew in reverse.
Over twenty years before this story takes place, Patience and Maxwell had a history. They were in love and she had accepted his proposal. Unfortunately for them, her father had never told her she was already betrothed – to a much older, wealthier, and higher titled man. When Patience went to break it off with the normally sunny and happy Maxwell, things did not go well. Max took it to mean that Patience was throwing him over. Almost immediately the sunny, happy Max turned into the sullen, grumpy, unhappy Max and he remained that way.
Twenty years later, Patience is a happy widow. She detested her husband and feels a tad (NOT) guilty for not mourning her husband’s passing. To give herself some relief from the ton’s scrutiny during her required mourning period, she decides to travel to the country estate. It is cold and the roads are rutted and icy, so it isn’t a huge surprise when there is a loud crack and the coach comes to a stop with a broken wheel. As fate would have it, the mishap happened right at the entrance to Max’s estate and Patience has no choice but to seek refuge there until the wheel can be repaired/replaced.
Maxwell has been a widower for many, many years and lives practically as a recluse on his country estate. His sour, grumpy demeanor keeps visitors away and has driven most of his staff away as well. Luckily, he pays twice as much as other employers in the area, so he has enough servants to keep the estate running well. None of those servants seem to be about on that cold winter evening to answer the loud, persistent knocking on his door. He’s stunned, and open-mouthed when he wrenches the door open to find Patience on the threshold requesting asylum.
I love Patience and Max’s journey to reconciliation and romance. Neither had ever stopped loving the other and that love quickly came to the fore. Watching grumpy Max become romantic, and loving Max was a wonderful thing!
The second romance involved Patience’s coach driver and a maid at Patience’s country estate. Jeffrey had admired Janet for a number of years and had always planned to ask her to become his wife. He just had to save up enough money for a ring for her. Finally, the ring is safely in his pocket and he can’t wait to get back to the estate to ask her. Only, to his great surprise, she is now working at the estate where their coach just broke down. How could she not have told him? What now? How can they marry and work at two different estates? Their journey is a lovely, romantic read as well.
I love that we always get two romances in each of this writer’s books. The writing is excellent, the characters are always engaging, and the stories suck you right in. I can definitely recommend this read and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 30, 2022
☸️ The Lady of a Grump 💍
The Ladies of the Aristocracy
✒️ Linda Rae Sande
https://www.facebook.com/LindaRaeSand...
Release Date 09/06/2022
Publisher Twisted Teacup Publishing
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B91BL2Z3/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
He's a grouch. She's the reason.
Having said her farewells to her son when he departed for his Grand Tour of Europe, Patience Grayson, the newly widowed Marchioness of Billingsley, heads for the country. She intends to spend at least a year living by herself in the Grayson family estate in Shropshire.
If only her traveling coach could make it that far. When a wheel breaks, it does so in a most inconvenient location.
Saddled with an earldom left nearly bankrupt by his late father’s gambling and drinking, Max Higgins, Earl of Greenley, hasn’t had a good day for over twenty years—not since the woman he was supposed to marry threw him over for another. Ever since, his bitterness has him known throughout the peerage as the Earl of Grump. Although he found another to be his countess, the poor woman died giving birth to his heir, some say to escape his surly moods.
Max’s solitude in his Staffordshire country manor house is about to be shattered when the cause of his grumpiness invades his home—and his bedchamber—on a late winter night.
Will life ever be the same?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
☸️ The Lady of a Grump 💍
The Ladies of the Aristocracy
✒️ Linda Rae Sande
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Can love survive distance or past history…
I will repeat myself again, but I do love this author’s work. She always find a way to narrate two romances in one book, even in a novella.
So we have Patience who had to give up the man she loved to marry for duty and Max, the wounded beast who was left to mourn his first love, until they rekindle their relationship after more than two decades of estrangement.
But love is still there, buried with their dreams awaiting the right time and the lighter to bring back to life what has been.
And what a reunion it is!
Jeffrey and Janet are commoners employed previously by Patience’s late husband, until recently as Janet sought a new post, better paid when Jeffrey has been saving for a few years now in order to be able to propose, but he thought they would be living under the same roof, not apart in two different estates.
Love here too is not a problem, more is the distance between their assigned posts if they were to marry.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ch5PeB...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
The Ladies of the Aristocracy
✒️ Linda Rae Sande
https://www.facebook.com/LindaRaeSand...
Release Date 09/06/2022
Publisher Twisted Teacup Publishing
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B91BL2Z3/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
He's a grouch. She's the reason.
Having said her farewells to her son when he departed for his Grand Tour of Europe, Patience Grayson, the newly widowed Marchioness of Billingsley, heads for the country. She intends to spend at least a year living by herself in the Grayson family estate in Shropshire.
If only her traveling coach could make it that far. When a wheel breaks, it does so in a most inconvenient location.
Saddled with an earldom left nearly bankrupt by his late father’s gambling and drinking, Max Higgins, Earl of Greenley, hasn’t had a good day for over twenty years—not since the woman he was supposed to marry threw him over for another. Ever since, his bitterness has him known throughout the peerage as the Earl of Grump. Although he found another to be his countess, the poor woman died giving birth to his heir, some say to escape his surly moods.
Max’s solitude in his Staffordshire country manor house is about to be shattered when the cause of his grumpiness invades his home—and his bedchamber—on a late winter night.
Will life ever be the same?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
☸️ The Lady of a Grump 💍
The Ladies of the Aristocracy
✒️ Linda Rae Sande
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Can love survive distance or past history…
I will repeat myself again, but I do love this author’s work. She always find a way to narrate two romances in one book, even in a novella.
So we have Patience who had to give up the man she loved to marry for duty and Max, the wounded beast who was left to mourn his first love, until they rekindle their relationship after more than two decades of estrangement.
But love is still there, buried with their dreams awaiting the right time and the lighter to bring back to life what has been.
And what a reunion it is!
Jeffrey and Janet are commoners employed previously by Patience’s late husband, until recently as Janet sought a new post, better paid when Jeffrey has been saving for a few years now in order to be able to propose, but he thought they would be living under the same roof, not apart in two different estates.
Love here too is not a problem, more is the distance between their assigned posts if they were to marry.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ch5PeB...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
August 22, 2022
A Must Read!
This was such a cute second chances story. It is filled with many a really funny moment, some serious ones and also a bit of heat.
As usual, we have two romances running side by side and I love this concept and the way Linda Rae Sande handles it.
This was a quick read but it is also a full story and one to be enjoyed. It satisfied and entertained me.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and my voluntary review is recorded above.
This was such a cute second chances story. It is filled with many a really funny moment, some serious ones and also a bit of heat.
As usual, we have two romances running side by side and I love this concept and the way Linda Rae Sande handles it.
This was a quick read but it is also a full story and one to be enjoyed. It satisfied and entertained me.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and my voluntary review is recorded above.
August 23, 2022
A very, very cute novella with older characters, at last!!! I always enjoy the stories in which the characters are not the average debutante and young lord, because I can relate to them, even if second chance is not my favorite trope. I loved the characters of this magnificent novella, especially the grumpy lord, and I laughed and smiled quite a lot at his antics. The right amount of steam was the icing on the cake!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 24, 2022
A delightful steamy novella. A wonderful second chance romance between Patience and Max. The Earl of Grump soon becomes the Earl of Love when his first love comes back to him when circumstances allow. There are two romances in this story so twice as much to enjoy.
August 17, 2022
After so many years .. The Grump get his Sunshine back. Can he come back from being The Grump. I enjoyed the story and the secondary story as well. Her stories are so intricate I usually read them in one sitting.. The story was steamier than her usual books. That maybe because its shorter. Don't be too quick to skip the scenes (I usually do), their pillow talk is important to the book as over 50% of the book happens in the bedroom. I recieved a free copy so that I can tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.
August 26, 2022
Highly entertaining, I found this second chance romance hilarious as Lady Patience and the Earl of Greenley blithely ignore all the rules of society and find common ground on an icy winter's night. Thinking to take time out at the Billingsley estate until her time of mourning for her dastardly husband is over, Patience takes matters into her own hands when her coach loses a wheel at the gate to her erstwhile sweetheart's driveway. Max has buried himself in work at his estate, scaring the staff with his bad tempers and ungracious demands, but he pays them well, so there are compensations. Discovering the only woman he has ever loved standing on his doorstep in the middle of a winter's night, his temporary shock doesn't last long and he immediately reverts to form. Only, Patience knows that she is the unwitting cause of his temper but she knows better than to give into his foul mood. As Max and Patience once again revive the spark that has never really been extinguished, surprise reverberates through the Earl's household as the long-suffering servants adjust to unheard-of circumstances. The novel is a standalone and comes to a delightful and happy conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
August 24, 2022
A Fantastic start to the first in The Ladies of the Aristocracy series and it does not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoy when a book grips you right from the start and takes you on a sigh worthy journey as in The Lady of a Grump. Linda Rae Sande has written a second chance at love story, she's filled it with remarkable emotions, unforgettable characters that are well thought out and each and everyone comes across clearly as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale, sizzling passion, fun and witty banter and a strong plot brims. With setting descriptions and action sequences are wonderfully vivid which brings this read together perfectly and will keep you reading to the end.
January 28, 2025
MY RATING GUIDE: 5 Stars. I found TLOAG a short yet delightfully fun romance. A perfect palate cleanser, de-stressor or before bed treat. This exactly fit my mood.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Dec 1837 ~
Patience Grayson, the Marchioness of Billingsley, has spent the past 2 decades trapped in a loveless marriage to a man 20yrs older and a bevy of mistresses. Recently widowed, Patience has decided to retire to Shropshire, where the Billingsley country estate resides, and spend her mourning year reacquainting herself with the area while painting, gardening and walking outdoors, discarding her widow’s weeds without fanfare.
Max Higgins, the 7th Earl of Greeley, has focused his adult years rebuilding the earldom his thoughtless father wasted away. Twenty years ago the young lady he courted and won was given to another. Although Higgins did marry someone else and his wife quickly produced an heir, her subsequent death began the many lonely and bitter years that followed with nothing but work to fill his days. The sudden appearance of a broken coach at the end of his lane with occupants in need of shelter disrupt his routine, produce the most surprising and lasting results.
Comments ~
1) THE LADY OF A GRUMP is a short novella which stands alone quite well. It features the 2nd Chance romance of a seasoned lady, recently widowed & her “1st but lost love” and a secondary romance between 2 household servants (so, both an above and a below stairs romance which I enjoyed).
2) I found TLOAG light in tone & quite sexy in parts yet with a sense of loving gentleness & fun that had me enjoying the closeness.
3) I liked the FMC. She has endured a marriage with a particularly calloused, careless, unhonorable husband yet she hasdn’t become bitter through the years. Upon running across another man with the potential to discredit her value as a woman, she stands her ground. I liked her. She finally has the power to make a positive difference and uses it with thoughtful finesse.
4) I listened to the audiobook version which was masterly performed by Michael Troughton.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Slang and possible strong language (I actually don’t recall).
VIOLENCE - None.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Several detailed intimacy scenes that yet seemed loving and sweet.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Dec 1837 ~
Patience Grayson, the Marchioness of Billingsley, has spent the past 2 decades trapped in a loveless marriage to a man 20yrs older and a bevy of mistresses. Recently widowed, Patience has decided to retire to Shropshire, where the Billingsley country estate resides, and spend her mourning year reacquainting herself with the area while painting, gardening and walking outdoors, discarding her widow’s weeds without fanfare.
Max Higgins, the 7th Earl of Greeley, has focused his adult years rebuilding the earldom his thoughtless father wasted away. Twenty years ago the young lady he courted and won was given to another. Although Higgins did marry someone else and his wife quickly produced an heir, her subsequent death began the many lonely and bitter years that followed with nothing but work to fill his days. The sudden appearance of a broken coach at the end of his lane with occupants in need of shelter disrupt his routine, produce the most surprising and lasting results.
Comments ~
1) THE LADY OF A GRUMP is a short novella which stands alone quite well. It features the 2nd Chance romance of a seasoned lady, recently widowed & her “1st but lost love” and a secondary romance between 2 household servants (so, both an above and a below stairs romance which I enjoyed).
2) I found TLOAG light in tone & quite sexy in parts yet with a sense of loving gentleness & fun that had me enjoying the closeness.
3) I liked the FMC. She has endured a marriage with a particularly calloused, careless, unhonorable husband yet she hasdn’t become bitter through the years. Upon running across another man with the potential to discredit her value as a woman, she stands her ground. I liked her. She finally has the power to make a positive difference and uses it with thoughtful finesse.
4) I listened to the audiobook version which was masterly performed by Michael Troughton.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Slang and possible strong language (I actually don’t recall).
VIOLENCE - None.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Several detailed intimacy scenes that yet seemed loving and sweet.
August 28, 2022
Another delightful book by Linda Rae Sande, with her trademark of two couples finding their happy ever after.
August 26, 2022
Well, Max certainly knows how to hold a grudge. But after many years, Max and Patience finally have the chance to discuss what kept them apart. How convenient that her coach has a malfunction just as she was passing his drive. 😏
The secondary romance between two servants was quite sweet.
I much enjoyed this quick read.
I read a free advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.
The secondary romance between two servants was quite sweet.
I much enjoyed this quick read.
I read a free advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.
August 17, 2022
A Grump for certain!
A delightfully naughty novella from Regency Era story craftsman Linda Rae Sande. Our Hero and our Heroine were once in love but prevented from marrying each other. They both did marry, had children but lost their spouses. One fateful night a carriage accident brings them together and the plot quickly proceeds.
A wonderful read. Very highly recommended!
A delightfully naughty novella from Regency Era story craftsman Linda Rae Sande. Our Hero and our Heroine were once in love but prevented from marrying each other. They both did marry, had children but lost their spouses. One fateful night a carriage accident brings them together and the plot quickly proceeds.
A wonderful read. Very highly recommended!
November 21, 2023
Totally not up my alley.
Concept fun, execution unmatched.
This was meant to be tongue-in-cheek funny I guess, but it's hard convincing me that a couple who had not seen each other in 2 decades, just by chance start poking around his "prick" her "v" without any prior conversation any emotional envolvement...
And this story was way too short to add another romantic couple into it. We should have just got more of an emotional journey of our main protagonists, instead.
And I can't get behind male narrtors doing female voices...no matter how silly it meant to be.
A few funny one-liners by Max saved it from a 1☆
Audiobook
Concept fun, execution unmatched.
This was meant to be tongue-in-cheek funny I guess, but it's hard convincing me that a couple who had not seen each other in 2 decades, just by chance start poking around his "prick" her "v" without any prior conversation any emotional envolvement...
And this story was way too short to add another romantic couple into it. We should have just got more of an emotional journey of our main protagonists, instead.
And I can't get behind male narrtors doing female voices...no matter how silly it meant to be.
A few funny one-liners by Max saved it from a 1☆
Audiobook
January 20, 2025
In London, Lady Patience Billingsley sends her beloved son, Thomas, the Marquess on his ground tour and realizes that she can finally relax at Grayson Park. Patience tells Thomas to make sure that he writes to her there. At Higgins House in Staffordshire, Maxwell Higgins, seventh Earl of Greenley, tried to hide his harsh temperament from the world, especially from his lost beloved, Patience. When, suddenly, Maxwell hears a loud knock on his door. Maxwell wonders who would bother him in his solitude, so he is utterly surprised when he sees Patience is in dire straits at his door, needing shelter. Maxwell, being a gentleman, can’t turn Patience away but decides, since she hurt him, he won’t let her into his heart again. As Patience stays though, Maxwell begins an affair with her, but can’t imagine his life without her and neither can his staff. Still, Maxwell isn’t willing to lose his heart again when so much is at stake.
When a novella is written very well, you hardly miss a full-length novel and know that the tale leaves you wonderfully satisfied, no matter the length. This book does that easily enough that you aren’t questioning everyone else and their story. That is what I really enjoy about this novel and admire when the authors pull it off effortlessly. Ms. Linda Rae Sandes does it with such ease and also writes such charming, charismatic characters that they even become a part of you too! Patience might be a widow, but it isn’t hard to associate with her. While Maxwell, the surly hero, isn’t so untouchable that you don’t want to know him but find the softness that he keeps carefully hidden. Will I read more? Of course, I will and if all the stories entice me, so I won’t delay either! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
When a novella is written very well, you hardly miss a full-length novel and know that the tale leaves you wonderfully satisfied, no matter the length. This book does that easily enough that you aren’t questioning everyone else and their story. That is what I really enjoy about this novel and admire when the authors pull it off effortlessly. Ms. Linda Rae Sandes does it with such ease and also writes such charming, charismatic characters that they even become a part of you too! Patience might be a widow, but it isn’t hard to associate with her. While Maxwell, the surly hero, isn’t so untouchable that you don’t want to know him but find the softness that he keeps carefully hidden. Will I read more? Of course, I will and if all the stories entice me, so I won’t delay either! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
September 7, 2022
Humorous, steamy second chance romance
Having only read a few of Ms. Sande’s books, I usually get confused with so many characters from former books and their liaisons within their aristocratic friends. But, in this book there are two very distinct couples: the aristocratic Patience and Max and secondly, Jeffrey, the coach driver for Lady Billingsley and Janet, her former maid and now maid for Max. Loved it! It also was not that long which made it perfect.
After years of being in an unhappy marriage, Patience, Lady Billingsley is finally free. Her husband died. As her son is off on his Grand Tour of Europe, Patience decides to go to their country home even though it is winter and very cold. On their ride to Grayson Park in Shropshire, they break a wheel necessitating their stopping in the middle of the night. Her driver and she go to the Earl of Greenley’s home to seek shelter. Maxwell, the Earl of Grump was once in love with Patience and almost betrothed. Oh. My. Word. Best part of the story follows. While this drama occurs, we also have Jeffrey and Janet finding themselves in the same house for the first time in a long while. Will our couples reconcile their differences and make nice? Of course they do, but oh the winding journey to get to their HEA makes for lots of entertainment. Highly recommend this book which I volunteered to read for the author. She provided an ARC.
Having only read a few of Ms. Sande’s books, I usually get confused with so many characters from former books and their liaisons within their aristocratic friends. But, in this book there are two very distinct couples: the aristocratic Patience and Max and secondly, Jeffrey, the coach driver for Lady Billingsley and Janet, her former maid and now maid for Max. Loved it! It also was not that long which made it perfect.
After years of being in an unhappy marriage, Patience, Lady Billingsley is finally free. Her husband died. As her son is off on his Grand Tour of Europe, Patience decides to go to their country home even though it is winter and very cold. On their ride to Grayson Park in Shropshire, they break a wheel necessitating their stopping in the middle of the night. Her driver and she go to the Earl of Greenley’s home to seek shelter. Maxwell, the Earl of Grump was once in love with Patience and almost betrothed. Oh. My. Word. Best part of the story follows. While this drama occurs, we also have Jeffrey and Janet finding themselves in the same house for the first time in a long while. Will our couples reconcile their differences and make nice? Of course they do, but oh the winding journey to get to their HEA makes for lots of entertainment. Highly recommend this book which I volunteered to read for the author. She provided an ARC.
October 6, 2024
A steamy story. I can see this could be a ‘marmite’ story as we would say in England - you either like it or do not. The story is unusual as there is both the nobilities love story and the side story of servants. It does stretch the imagination room a little, would Patience have slept in Max’s room so easily, would she even have been travelling just with the driver? The usual issues of a lady needing help to dress, hair etc, just did not seem to arise, and I am sure Max would have heard she was widowed without having to read the Times. One of her estates is only a few miles away so I am sure the servants and his tenants would have heard, and the Butler would have made him aware his neighbour had died of a tenant had not mentioned it. On that note did Patience and husband not visit it while he was in his, yet no interaction despite their sons apparently getting on with each other. Odd, and also in how he seems to manage his servants. But, for all that I enjoyed the story, which is after all the purpose of a book, when in another
book I may have found it grated. So for me 4 stars but why others may not like it - hence my ‘marmite’ comment.
book I may have found it grated. So for me 4 stars but why others may not like it - hence my ‘marmite’ comment.
August 29, 2023
I listened to the audiobook of this on Spotify. I enjoyed this steamy second chance story between a grumpy Earl and the one that got away.
Max (the Earl) is a widower who has sent his son off to college. Even before his wife's passing he was always considered a grump, and people tended to stay away from him. Years ago, he had loved another woman, but after being rejected in favor of another man, he becomes sullen and cross. Imagine his surprise when his first love knocks on his door in the middle of a cold wintry night.
Patience is a recent widow and after seeing her son off as he gallivants around the globe, she decides to travel to the country to wait out his return. When her carriage wheel breaks, she finds that they have stopped in front of Max's estate. Seeking shelter and warmth from the outside elements, she knocks on his door not knowing how she will be received.
I liked the narrator, but when he narrated Max's lines, it brought to my mind Ebenezer Scrooge, and it kind of threw me off because I didn't think Max was that old lol.
Max (the Earl) is a widower who has sent his son off to college. Even before his wife's passing he was always considered a grump, and people tended to stay away from him. Years ago, he had loved another woman, but after being rejected in favor of another man, he becomes sullen and cross. Imagine his surprise when his first love knocks on his door in the middle of a cold wintry night.
Patience is a recent widow and after seeing her son off as he gallivants around the globe, she decides to travel to the country to wait out his return. When her carriage wheel breaks, she finds that they have stopped in front of Max's estate. Seeking shelter and warmth from the outside elements, she knocks on his door not knowing how she will be received.
I liked the narrator, but when he narrated Max's lines, it brought to my mind Ebenezer Scrooge, and it kind of threw me off because I didn't think Max was that old lol.
June 17, 2025
Patience has just sent her only son on his tour of Europe and probably won't see him for nearly two years, so decided to head to the country estate to see out her year of mourning for her despised husband.
On the way her carriage wheel breaks and she forced to seek refuge at the house of Max, known as the Earl of Grump. Max was let down by his first love Patience, and although he loved his late wife he never quite forgot his first love, this has increasingly made him less than happy. But when he answers the door one snowy night to find Patience of all people asking for refuge, he finds he can't say no, and invites her to share his bedchamber as it's the only one warm enough to sleep in.
An enjoyable read,but given I've just read The Gossip of an Earl the main plot line is very similar. So a little disappointing.
On the way her carriage wheel breaks and she forced to seek refuge at the house of Max, known as the Earl of Grump. Max was let down by his first love Patience, and although he loved his late wife he never quite forgot his first love, this has increasingly made him less than happy. But when he answers the door one snowy night to find Patience of all people asking for refuge, he finds he can't say no, and invites her to share his bedchamber as it's the only one warm enough to sleep in.
An enjoyable read,but given I've just read The Gossip of an Earl the main plot line is very similar. So a little disappointing.
September 14, 2022
4.5 stars
Max is a grumpy older man not too old but has a grown son. His wife died after his birth and Max just became Lord Grump.
Patience Wed the wrong man she didn’t fight for the love she should have. Bore her husband one son and he who knows how many with his mistresses! He flaunted them in her face. Awful man.
Patience carriage breaks down at Max’s estate they immediately recognize each other and the reunion is sweet and immediate.
But is Max willing to be the happy man that he was? Can they reconcile their differences from the two people crazy on Love years ago?
The chemistry and laughter is amazing! Go Lord Grump.
Max is a grumpy older man not too old but has a grown son. His wife died after his birth and Max just became Lord Grump.
Patience Wed the wrong man she didn’t fight for the love she should have. Bore her husband one son and he who knows how many with his mistresses! He flaunted them in her face. Awful man.
Patience carriage breaks down at Max’s estate they immediately recognize each other and the reunion is sweet and immediate.
But is Max willing to be the happy man that he was? Can they reconcile their differences from the two people crazy on Love years ago?
The chemistry and laughter is amazing! Go Lord Grump.
October 5, 2022
This is the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it. It was a very cute easy read. In general, second chance romances make me sad but this one didn't because it focused more on the present than on the past. Had this been a longer story, lots of time would have been spent focusing on guilt, anger and despair. Happily, there was very little of that negative stuff here.
Max and Patience were a great couple and their relationship was filled with love and humor. There was also plenty of steam as these two didn't waste a bit of time getting reacquainted!
Max and Patience were a great couple and their relationship was filled with love and humor. There was also plenty of steam as these two didn't waste a bit of time getting reacquainted!
July 10, 2024
Oh my gosh this book was ridiculously terrible. The only reason I finished it was because it was surprisingly short. (3hrs 24min) The worst part was the narrators voice didn’t match the age of the characters. Imagine the voice of the old rooster from the movie Chicken Run. He was a grumpy old rooster. That was the voice of the grumpy Max. Yet he was supposed to be 47, not 87. I also don’t think I’ve read such ridiculous sex scenes they were laughable. So dumb.
(Also to note, it was a free audio book which was the only reason I picked it up).
(Also to note, it was a free audio book which was the only reason I picked it up).
January 8, 2024
The MMC is definitely the king of grump and the narrator of the audiobook made him sounds like a grand-dad. So very not swoon worthy material.
It's a short story but I got lost with too many characters which didn't help to know who we were talking about. Also it limited a proper development for the reunion of the main couple. They barely reconnect and bang. I would have need more talking and unpacking of their past.
It's a short story but I got lost with too many characters which didn't help to know who we were talking about. Also it limited a proper development for the reunion of the main couple. They barely reconnect and bang. I would have need more talking and unpacking of their past.
July 31, 2024
I love a good regency romance. Of course I snatched this one up. Grumpy sunshine is a fun trope. But sometimes on audio it can go awry...
A widower falls for a grumpy lord something or other.
The male narrator sounded like my grandpa. Listening to this was disturbing in a lot of ways due to that. So. Effing. Nasty. Perhaps this could be ok in print? This was 80 year old man all over a "wanton widow". 🤢
⭐
A widower falls for a grumpy lord something or other.
The male narrator sounded like my grandpa. Listening to this was disturbing in a lot of ways due to that. So. Effing. Nasty. Perhaps this could be ok in print? This was 80 year old man all over a "wanton widow". 🤢
⭐
September 29, 2024
Rather Ridiculous
This was a novella with really good reviews. I just found the plot a bit silly. The hero had loved his wife but was still embittered from losing his first love. They reunite as they are both now widowers and immediately go to bed and have sex and are back in love. The hero goes from years of being really grumpy to happy and smiley. All a bit bizarre really. I liked the characters, but it was a silly story. 😁
This was a novella with really good reviews. I just found the plot a bit silly. The hero had loved his wife but was still embittered from losing his first love. They reunite as they are both now widowers and immediately go to bed and have sex and are back in love. The hero goes from years of being really grumpy to happy and smiley. All a bit bizarre really. I liked the characters, but it was a silly story. 😁
October 1, 2024
Delightful
I do enjoy romances with older characters, and this one is a wonderfully heartwarming tale of rediscovered and rekindled love.
The jump between Patience’s arrival and their mutual recognition, and then going to his bedchamber, was too quick; it needs a chapter to develop the revival of their love after 20 years.
Still, I loved the story & highly recommend it to readers.
I do enjoy romances with older characters, and this one is a wonderfully heartwarming tale of rediscovered and rekindled love.
The jump between Patience’s arrival and their mutual recognition, and then going to his bedchamber, was too quick; it needs a chapter to develop the revival of their love after 20 years.
Still, I loved the story & highly recommend it to readers.
February 23, 2025
I went into this for a fun silly time, and that’s what I got, but it was also one of those books that was better than it had any right to be. It’s so short, yet I was genuinely invested in the main couple (and the side couple, honestly!) and thrilled by their development. I’m a sucker for a second chance romance, and this delivered nicely. I think I picked it up during a stuff-your-ereader day, but I’m definitely going to have to seek out the other books in this (standalone) series.
October 14, 2023
Twas cute. Twas short. Twas a little gross but definitely endearing under the circumstances. The audiobook makes the male MC sound so much older than he is but it was fun to listen to the grumpy part of his character come through in his actions and thoughts. Recommended for those readers who enjoy a good horse analogy with their romance.
December 13, 2023
This is a fun, entertaining, quick read. Patience and Max are interesting, fun, captivating characters. They captured my attention from the start and held it until the very end. I enjoyed their romance and the path they took to get to their HEA. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
May 5, 2025
Got the audiobook as a freebie because it was short and it was giving Bridgerton vibes. Unfortunately, the only reason I finished this was because it was short. First, the narrator sounded like a grandfather and did not fit any of the characters making it especially weird in the spice scenes. Second, Patience’s naivety was unrealistic considering she was a widow with an adult son. She literally said “what are those?” about the man’s abs and poked his body because she’s never seen a man’s body parts before. Ayayai…not for me.
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