A Return to Hawthorne House

Hawthorne House

by Kristi Ann Hunter

Always a Lady

Despite the fact that her daughter is not cooperating, Caroline, Duchess of Riverton is determined to ensure every one of her children marries someone they love as much as she loved their late father. William, the widowered Earl of Blackstone, is delighted to have his days of escorting daughters approaching an end. The last thing he expects is to find himself drawn to a woman who is just starting such a journey. Are they each too set in their ways to grasp this chance to have a second love?

The Lady’s Maid

When Lydia Smith began her career as a parlor maid, she knew love and marriage wasn’t likely in her future. Dreaming about the boy next door as she dusted seemed harmless until he started working as the new valet under the same roof. When Finch needs her help with a special project, will it give them a chance to defy expectations and find love or ruin their happiness forever?

BONUS - PRINT ONLY - A Lady of Esteem

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Christian, Romance, Novella, Regency, Fiction

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2022

About the author

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is an RWA Golden Heart contest winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed both of these novellas. I liked the 're-introduction' of characters that had been in the background for the most part of the 'Hawthorne House' series, and enjoyed seeing glimpses of both Lady Miranda and Lord Trent.
I also loved the idea set forth on both novellas, but especially the second that God can choose to bless us in unexpected ways, simply because He's God. It was a good reminder for me to not question when good things happen for me when I don't think I deserve them. Isn't that exactly what grace is all about?

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two novellas

Always a Lady 4 stars
London 1811
Charming! The Duchess of Riverton is so focused on securing matches for her two daughters that she has a difficult time believing there could be a second chance at love for herself.

Favorite line: "A gentleman should never be so rude as to interrupt a lady reading a good novel."

The Lady's Maid 3 stars
London 1812
This novella wasn't as engaging as the first one.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hawthorne House series will ALWAYS be a favorite of mine! I think about it often…

So anytime Kristi takes us BACK to that world I get a little misty eyed. And this collection was the perfect little snack to fall back into a world I always hate to leave.

I’m so glad to have it in physical format so it can sit happily next to the rest of the series!

I LOVED all of the stories and I can’t wait to dive back into the pages when I am wanting a beloved friend.

5/5 stars

[Marilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is aptly titled because reading it was, in fact, like returning to the Hawthorne House series.

I have read every book Kristi Ann Hunter has written and though I have enjoyed her latest few series, none captured me like the Hawthorne House books.

These novellas were like returning home and had all the wit and humor and romance I have come to love in Kristi's books. I especially enjoyed Always a Lady and A Lady of Esteem which I have also previously read.

If you enjoyed the Hawthorne House series, you are definitely going to want to pick this one up and take a trip back. 4.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

[Olde American Spirit (Shannon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's kind of sad to be at the end of my time with the Hawthorne fam! This book is has two novellas that give us the story of how Caroline (the Mom) becomes Lady Blackstone that we've fallen in love with previously - starting with the prequel and throughout the four books of each Hawthorne sibling (Miranda, Georgina, Trent, & Griffith).

The second novella included in this books gives us the sweet story of two staff members.

I enjoyed both and highly highly recommend this entire series!

Believable, flawed characters, great adventures, sparkly Regency era fun and nonsense, and incredible faith!

Stay tuned for a more in-depth monthly book review and whether I recommend it as a truly CLEAN READ worth your time on my Cozy Bookish YouTube channel. 💙☕📚

[Jasmine (Jazzie) [Jesus Loves You!!] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc!!

[MJSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great novella collection! It’s been a while since I read Hawthorne House series so I’ll need to re-visit them after having read these prequel novellas. In "Always a Lady", Caroline the duchess became a woman and not just the mother of the four fabulous Hawthorne siblings I’ve met previously and it was a delight to see this side of her persona. Her dedication to her children, her passionate and clever nature, and her willingness to defy convention made her quite endearing. William’s own dedication to his daughters, his persistent pursuit of Caroline, and his patient tenderness made him an excellent hero. Their banter and antics within the Regency high society were hilarious and so much fun.
"The Lady's Maid" focused on Finch, Lord Trent's valet, and Lydia, the head parlor maid at Lord Trent's new residence. Lydia and Finch had the conventional childhood-friends-becoming-more theme nestled in a very unconventional household with unconventional schemes and solutions. Their blossoming romance was sweet and tender. And we also got a lovely glimpse into Lord Trent's romantic and cleverly scheming heart.

If you’re looking for a quick, delightful Regency read, this novella collection is perfect for you.

[Joy Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook for the two new novellas and really enjoyed it in that format. It was a quick listen. I absolutely loved the novella for Caroline and William. It was great to get their love story. Lydia and Finch’s story was cute.

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to come! This was pretty good. Liked the first story better than the second, but overall, I just want to reread the main series. :)

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is two novellas. The time is concurrent with a couple of books in the series and that was a little distracting as I kept trying to remember details from the other books but it had been too long since I read them. I do love the humorous dialogue this author writes and definitely had some laugh out loud moments in the first one. The second one was way different and moved a little slow but the end made hanging in worth it.

[Trixi · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't go wrong with Kristi Ann Hunter! If you've enjoyed her Hawthorne House book series, you will love revisiting these characters.

Charming, engaging, fun, and I especially loved "Always a Lady".

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of 3 novellas. The first I about the Hawthorne siblings' mother and how she married Lord Blackstone. The second is my personal favorite and is about the love story of Miss Amelia and the Marquis. The final one is probably the most realistic and very sweet story of a maid and a valet. Each is a quick read and quite engaging. Perfect if you're short on time but want a full story.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet return to the Hawtorne house characters. It was great to see Caroline and her second husband's courtship. I was a little surprised by the second novella length story since it focused on servants in Amelia/lord Trent's household but it was sweet. Quick, sweet read for a brief return to beloved characters

[Beth | Faithfully Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positively delightful! What a wonderful opportunity to revisit the Hawthorne family and all their friends. Excellent Regency romance with witty characters and inspiring faith threads. I highly recommend this collection and the associated series and every book I've read written by Ms. Kristi Ann Hunter!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

I LOVED this book! I've always wondered how Lord and Lady Blackstone got together. Now, Kristi Ann Hunter finally tells that wonderful story. We also get to see Finch and Lydia! I was so excited to read the story of that unique couple.

[Rhonda (IG: growing_faith.reads)]

Always A Lady is set in 1811 London and is a quick-moving story with no faith but no spice.

The Lady’s Maid is set in 1812 London and is a slow-moving, rather boring story but it has no spice and also has a good message about trusting God that He gives good gifts.

[María Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 Lovely 😍!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two novellas were a fun and quick listen! I really enjoyed being back in the Hawthorne House series. It was so nice to see how the relationship developed between the Duchess of Riverton and the Earl of Blackstone since they have appeared in the other books. Knowing their backstory was fun. And I really enjoyed the second novella, too, which covered Finch and Lydia's relationship beginnings. They appear as a married couple in one of my favorite Hawthorn House books, so it was nice to see how things actually came together for them.

I listened to the audio book and enjoyed it, however, I was not fond of Trent's voice. But that was a small thing, overall.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

STUNNING COVER, ENJOYABLE READ

ALWAYS A LADY (novella 1)
4☆ Quality writing w/
romance and drama between Caroline and William. I liked that they were both widowed and parents navigating life unexpectedly alone, in their 40s; nice to experience romance from an older perspective.
Favorite Quote:
"“Dear Lord, if you get me out of this, I will promise to never do anything so foolish again,” she mumbled as she lowered to her knees and crawled beneath the desk."

THE LADIES MAID (novella 2)
4☆= Very good👍

19-year-old maid, Lydia Smith has grown up next to Finch Scott and pined over him for years, but now as valet to Lord Trent he is moving in and she is forced to confront her feelings daily.
This was a sweet, Regency era romance amongst servants, and rather uniquely designed to force them to confront their feelings. I enjoyed this novella as well and returning to the these characters makes me want to read the main books again.
QUOTABLE:
"With a deep breath and a prayer for strength, he went in search of a head of springy blonde curls."

"...not every obstacle in life must be conquered on your own. Sometimes God puts people in our lives who have the abilities and resources needed to overcome the problem.”

I purchased this eBook from Amazon. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

11/14 and 15/2022

[Jessica McAvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a lady
Engaging. The older people love stories are a fun change from the usual story. My favorite part was when Caroline sneaks into Williams‘s house after he told her the previous night that he was giving up pursuing the relationship. As soon as he sees her in his study, she says “I don’t know why I’m here.“ William responds “I don’t know that I care.“ Such a cute, honest response.

Caroline married the love of her life, John. They had four kids. She has been working the past two years to help her eldest daughter, Miranda, get married. However, Miranda is independent and insist to her mother that she is not interested in anyone. Miranda insist on a love match like her parents. William is also a widower, but he has successfully married off his two oldest daughters and his youngest daughter has a suitor. Initially, Caroline is pushing Miranda to go after the same man as Williams’s younger daughter. It becomes clear that that man has eyes for Cressida. In the process, William has noticed Caroline. He asked her to dance and finds her company engaging. Caroline initially is worried this is a ploy to distract her from the young suitor. She ask him whether he is just looking for companionship. He explains that for the first time the idea of being alone is less appealing than being where he was currently. She asks “are you afraid of an empty home then? “He responds “I think perhaps I’m more afraid that I might embrace an empty life.“Caroline feels she needs to focus on finding Miranda a companion. Miranda and CRESSIDA begin working together to arrange outings where Caroline and William will be together. Their courtship is going well until one dinner party when the hostess mentions that William had told his friends he was excited for a quiet country life moving forward. Caroline was taken aback realizing William was thinking he could settle down, but if he wanted to be with her, they still had years of London seasons to help her daughters get married. She tells William of her concern and he confirms he hadn’t thought of that. However, he still wants to Court. Caroline is angry and breaks up with him. They are both really sad. Miranda intervenes by questioning her mother on why Caroline is not pursuing the relationship. She writes to her siblings and soon Trent shows up to a escort Caroline to a ball that Miranda will not attend. Caroline is not happy but goes to the ball. William was worn by his daughter that Caroline would be at the ball. William asked her to dance And she initially refuses saying the first dance is her son’s. However, Trent fakes an ankle injury. The first dance doesn’t go well as Caroline is being avoidant and not engaging him in conversation. For the second dance, the song is abruptly changed to a walls. William looks over to the musicians and sees Trent with a satisfied look on his face. William pulls Caroline into a waltz and confesses his feelings. He promises her that he will let her whole family move in with him or he will move in with them if it means he can be with Caroline. He promises his support. He explains, “you and I both know how to make things work when we encounter an unexpected bad turn. Why can’t we make things work for an unexpected good turn?” They get married and the book ends with Caroline taking Georgina to her first social event. William and Caroline live together in his house and Caroline travels to her son‘s estate to be the chaperone.

The Lady’s Maid

Liked it. Good flow. This story had lots of typos in Kindle though. Pretty bold move to have your valet and maid pick out home decor under the guise that they are redecorating, and then convert your stable to a residence for them without them ever having courted. He is an aristocratic so I guess I can see the hubris. What I can’t identify with is the bizarre response Lydia has to finding out that her employer will allow their relationship. She struggled to trust God because He was giving her something good? That was not developed enough to make sense to me. It seems like the story was forcing some kind of drama.

Lydia has had a crush on her neighbor’s son for a long time. Now he is Lord Trent new valet, and moving into the same residence. Initially she avoids him. Finch seems to be unaware of her attention. Lord Trent then assigns his valet to decorate the rooms he uses most in the new home. Finch is at a loss as this is far outside anything he ever expected to be assigned as a valet. Lord Trent suggests he consult with Lydia, the maid. He seems hesitant of that given how intimate a project that would be. However after he realizes how much help he needs and the housekeeper refuses to aid him given her busy schedule he asks Lydia for help. She has been trying to avoid him so she can get over him. But now it is impossible. She decides they just need to pick out what they like since Lord Trent has given absolutely no guidance. They finish that project and then Finch asks to spend their breaks together. Lydia agrees trying to hold onto whatever happiness she has in life. One day they both admit their affection and that they can’t do anything about it. Lydia tries to go back to avoiding him, but now every part of the house has a memory from when they were planning the redecorations or spending time together on break. She resolves to find a new position. The housekeeper says that Lord Trent was excited at the prospect of being novel and having a married valet. Finch decides he will leave to be a fisherman so he can have a family. Before he can act on his new plan, Lord Trent shows Finch the new bedroom which doesn’t match what he and Lydia had selected. Then, Lord Trent says he is the son of a love match and has a soft spot for them. He shows them the converted stables which now match the furnishings they picked out for his bedroom. Lydia arrives and Finch proposes. She accepts, both happy they get everything they want: the job and the family.

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Return to Hawthorne House
A Hawthorne House Novella Collection
By Kristi Ann Hunter

A Return to Hawthorne House is a collection of shorter stories mostly set before A Noble Masquerade. There are three stories Always a Lady, The Lady's Maid, and A Lady of Esteem (which is only in the print edition, not the digital edition). I read the digital edition, as that is what I preordered (I had previously obtained A Lady of Esteem).

Always a Lady finds Miranda in the midst of her Season, but she isn't catching the eyes of any gentlemen; rather, her mother is. Specifically, the Earl of Blackstone has singled her out. But is the Earl looking for another chance at love? Or is he sabotaging Miranda's chances so his own daughter will win the hand of the Season's most eligible bachelor?

This is the lovely story that was only hinted at throughout the Hawthorne House series as Miranda, Georgina, Trent, and Griffith all search for love, as their parents did.

In The Lady’s Maid, Trent takes over the home that Amelia Stalwood had called home. The servants were more like family than servants, and they are taking Trent into their fold. One of the servants, Lydia Smith had been Amalia's companion and a parlor maid and was content with her work. But when Trent's valet turns out to be the one man Lydia had feelings for, she's not sure she'll be able to stay. When Finch is ordered to work closely with Lydia, all the feelings and dreams that she's been hiding for years could come true or ruin everything.

But working for the Hawthornes could provide unexpected surprises - after all, they all believe in love matches, not marriages of convenience. Could this trickle down to their servants? Or are some boundaries uncrossable?

A Lady of Esteem is Amalia's story - a forgotten ward raised by servants and her chance at finding true love. This story takes place between Always a Lady and The Lady's Maid and before A Noble Masquerade. There are some interesting mistakes in regard to Amalia and her status as a ward. Her friendships with servants throughout the Ton have resulted in a unique insight into the various homes of the elite of society. If you get the digital version of A Return to Hawthorne House, you need to get A Lady of Esteem if you have not previously purchased it (it explains a few points in A Noble Masquerade and An Elegant Facade).

This is a delightful collection that anyone who enjoyed the Hawthorne House books won't want to miss.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary review copy from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
While I’ve enjoyed most of what Kristi Ann Hunter has written, the Hawthorne family continues to have a soft spot in my heart, especially as it’s her first series, as well as the one through which I discovered her. And I love that she’s gone back to write stories fans were asking for connected to that series.

“Always a Lady”
Caroline, the matriarch of the Hawthornes, and her romance with William, Earl of Blackstone, is delightful. I’ve always liked how Caroline walked that line between being a proper society lady and mother, while also encouraging her children to marry for love (which was only starting to become more common at the time the series is set). And the fact that she also deeply loved the late Duke, which is not something you often see in historicals with widowed heroines, is nice. And I love that she and William meeting while escorting their respective daughters during the Season made for a great rivalry/flirtation setup that beautifully transitioned to something deeper, as Caroline learned to put herself first in something for once.

“The Lady’s Maid”
This is another unique story, as you don’t often see historical romances between servants. I like that the focus was about the proximity between Lydia and Finch, and them confronting those feelings, with the reality of their situations touched on, but not in an overly bleak manner. And given the way I was reminded of how it ties to Trent’s story, I love how he ended up playing a role in helping them find their happy ending!

This is a delightful collection of stories that adds more to the world of Hawthorne House and its characters, and can also serve as a fun intro if you want to start with something shorter before diving into the other, longer works.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
"Do you commonly quote Shakespeare to your dancing partners?"

Is it enough to say that I absolutely loved this second-chance, later-in-life romance with all of my heart? Having previously read the entire original collection it was nice to know that Caroline, Duchess of Riverton's desires for her children came to fruition in a myriad of ways, in spite of (and maybe because of) her unforeseen change in course with William, the dashing Earl of Blackstone, whose love relentlessly pursued her in witty, winsome, and wildly attractive ways.

"As long as I know you are ready to walk with me, we can go at whatever pace you wish." - Always a Lady

"Why don't we start with you telling me who you are since I don't believe for a moment that you work for me.

When a lovely young innocent meets a reformed rogue (while hanging upside down off his library ladder) interesting things are bound to happen . . . . and they do. There's just one little missing detail, Anthony Pendleton, Marquis of Raebourne, failed to learn her name!

Embarrassed beyond words (quite literally) Amelia Stalwood flees the situation without divulging that valuable commodity . . . . only to find herself on the doorstep of one Lady Miranda Hawthorne who has delightfully managed to fit the pieces of the puzzle together; thus, the sweetest of stories commences between a man who is more than his mistakes and the woman who loves him. - A Lady of Esteem

"Sometimes God puts people in our lives who have the abilities and resources needed to overcome the problem. . . . . . Do not reject a blessing simply because it was given instead of earned."

Can a kind and generous aristocrat have more up his sleeve than Lydia and Finch give him credit for? Absolutely! Readers will love spending more time with Lord Trent Hawthorne and two of his household staff who find themselves in a bit of a quandary. . . . . . they "like" each other a lot! - The Lady's Maid

An outstanding spin-off collection from a much beloved series!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO happy that Kristi gave us these new novellas giving the backstory on two couples from the Hawthorne House world.

Both of these novellas are as engaging and fun as the books in the series. Make me want to reread the whole series now. I love this world so much!

Loved getting inside Lady Blackstone's head and seeing how her mind works and why she does what she does. Such a class, sophisticated woman who seems to always know what to say and do. I really enjoyed seeing her a bit off kilter and how love surprised her so. Also so fun to see Miranda and Trent scheming for her happiness. I am glad this one was a novella because a whole book of Caroline trying to put others above her own happiness could get old. Luckily, this was shorter and those conflicts were quickly resolved. Also loved getting to know Lord Blackstone and seeing into his world as well.

I loved Finch and Lydia's story!! I have wondered about how they got together and how their unusal situation came to be. I love Lord Trent so seeing him in this story so much was a joy. Love the climax and the surprising twists. Lydia and Finch just belong together. Their love is so sweet and their friendship is lovely. It was fun to see into the world of Lord Trent's townhouse in the beginnings of the transition into his life there. His book is one of my favorite in the series and I love remembering how these characters continue their journeys later in the series. A great tribute to love, friendship, and embracing the unexpected.

Lovely novellas both! Again, so happy to be back in the Hawthorne House world! :)

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Kristi Ann Hunter books! I especially love the Hawthornes, so I was very excited about this book. I read the kindle version which includes 2 novellas.

Always a Lady
This is the story of the matriarch of the family, Caroline, finding love a second time after being widowed for so long. I really enjoyed this story. Great humor as always and I just loved getting to know William more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Lady’s Maid
This is the story of Finch and Lydia servants in Lord Trent’s house. They are in Lord Trent’s story “An Uncommon Courtship” but this is how they began. A great backstory for these two.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Overall I really enjoyed both of these stories. Please note these are prequels. I loved them both, especially the first one and definitely recommend!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sweet novellas that add some extra insight and sweetness to the series!

“Always a Lady” 4.5⭐️ I loved this one! The title is so fitting 😊 Lady Blackstone had such an important role in the other books, and it was adorable to see how she and Lord Blackstone came to be! Getting to see some more of Miranda before she met Ryland was also fun!

“The Ladies Maid” 4 ⭐️ I actually started this one, but put it off a bit, because it didn’t intrigue me. But AFTER reading about Lydia in the other books (I kind of went out of order), I was curious! I’m not sure why it’s called “Ladies Maid” because she’s not in that role, but that’s not the most important thing. This was a very cute story, and I enjoyed getting to know Lydia and Finch better 😊 it also shed more light into how Lord Trent came to have a married valet (mentioned previously in “An Uncommon Courtship”. I definitely recommend reading this one after reading the other books in the series.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though all these stories technically take place before the first full novel of the Hawthorne House series, they are definitely richer for having read the series first. It's a lovely collection for anyone who wants another taste of the wonderful characters we met in the books.

Always a Lady: It's always been clear that Caroline knows all the rules to being a lady, but this story makes it plain she also knows when and how to break them. I enjoyed seeing more of her spunk, and I think Miranda takes after her more than either of them would admit.

The Lady’s Maid: I always had the feeling in An Uncommon Courtship that there was more to the story of Trent's staff than was included in the book--I mean, a married valet and housemaid is pretty unusual! So this story just makes so much sense and fills in gaps in Lord Trent's unusual household.

[Sarah Beth G. (a.neverending.tbr) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for older main characters in this genre so I loved Caroline and William’s story. Because widows have more freedom during this era, you get some great alone moments with the best tension. I loved the kisses, banter and flirting between these two and just the story in general. It has been awhile since I read the other books in this series so I didn’t have a lot of memory from Caroline but I loved her children’s stories and hers didn’t disappoint.

The Lady’s Maid portion of this novella was also a sweet love story from the point of view of the staff in Lord Trent’s house. It was short and simple but also a good story. I haven’t read Amelia’s book so I may have had more connection to Lydia and Finch if I had read that one.

Content Notes: Kisses

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely charming collection of novellas set at the beginning of the author’s ‘Hawthorne House’ world. These stories are so good I’ve been inspired to reread all the books in the series…soon!

‘A Return to Hawthorne House‘ is intriguing and playful and with enough swoonable banter to keep your fainting couch actively engaged. And I love the variety Hunter provides — a lovely combination of upstairs/downstairs — and even one ‘mature’ romance which made for an engrossing read. The characters are delightful, the dialogue witty, the angst gentle but still impactful and each happily ever after is blissfully satisfying. I’m reminded of how much I loved this series and I’m eager to get started on my rereads.

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/11/28/a...

[Rebecca Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

lighthearted and satisfying

Having read others from Kristi’s Hawthorne House series, it was nice to read some “prequels” to some of the novels in the set. These are two stories of side characters in the other novels that you wanted to get to know better and now you can. They work as stand alone stories also so you can get started on them even if this is your first foray into the worlds that Kristi Ann Hunter creates. They are romance and regency as per her genre and delightful reads that intrigue you and also satisfy. Kristi has done it again, and I cannot wait for future writings!