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The Prestons #3
The Charmer Without a Cause
Everyone knows that a happy marriage begins with a lot of money and one good lie…
When Benjamin Preston falls in love with Lady Lydia Deveraux at first sight, his family thinks this is the start of yet another of his failed courtships. Benjamin is almost as surprised as they are when Lydia encourages his attention and even agrees to marry him. His family suspects she is after his newly-inherited ten thousand pounds, but Benjamin holds out hope that at last he has found his true love.
Lydia can’t help finding Benjamin attractive. After all, he is handsome, kind, and compassionate. But her heart belongs to Ireland - and to an Irish rebel who died for the cause of freedom. Now Lydia is determined to marry for wealth and political influence so she can help free Ireland from Britain’s rule.
Even if that means trapping Benjamin in a loveless marriage.
As their courtship progresses, Lydia and Benjamin find themselves caught in a web of lies, plots, and unquenchable lust. The only question is: can they help Ireland without breaking each other’s hearts?
This latest installment of The Prestons from award-winning author Katherine Grant works as a standalone or a continuation of the series.
When Benjamin Preston falls in love with Lady Lydia Deveraux at first sight, his family thinks this is the start of yet another of his failed courtships. Benjamin is almost as surprised as they are when Lydia encourages his attention and even agrees to marry him. His family suspects she is after his newly-inherited ten thousand pounds, but Benjamin holds out hope that at last he has found his true love.
Lydia can’t help finding Benjamin attractive. After all, he is handsome, kind, and compassionate. But her heart belongs to Ireland - and to an Irish rebel who died for the cause of freedom. Now Lydia is determined to marry for wealth and political influence so she can help free Ireland from Britain’s rule.
Even if that means trapping Benjamin in a loveless marriage.
As their courtship progresses, Lydia and Benjamin find themselves caught in a web of lies, plots, and unquenchable lust. The only question is: can they help Ireland without breaking each other’s hearts?
This latest installment of The Prestons from award-winning author Katherine Grant works as a standalone or a continuation of the series.
- GenresHistorical Romance
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 9, 2023
8 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Grant
20 books447 followersKatherine Grant writes Regency Romance novels for the modern reader. Her writing has been recognized by Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, the Romance Slam Jam Emma Awards, and Shelf Unbound Indie Book Awards. If you love ballgowns, secret kisses, and social commentary, a book hangover is coming your way.
Katherine also hosts the weekly Historical Romance Sampler podcast! Find out more at www.katherinegrantromance.com
Katherine also hosts the weekly Historical Romance Sampler podcast! Find out more at www.katherinegrantromance.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
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June 15, 20245 stars
There were so many things I loved!
1. I loved how earnest and authentic and transparent Benjamin was.
2. I loved the fact he didn’t allow his disappointment at Lydia’s deception to overshadow his love. He was able to capably work through the mess of his feelings instead of succumbing to the emotional constipation and irrational, wishy washy, petulant wavering we see so commonly in heroes.
3. I loved the strength of Lydia’s convictions and the fact she used them and her knowledge to convince others and garner support.
4. I loved the deep delve into the political complexities of the era, and the depiction of how those complexities were hashed out in the parliamentary arena.
5. I loved that Lydia was taller than Benjamin but he didn’t allow her height or her intellect to make him feel inadequate. Instead he was enthralled by them.
Lovely, lovely, lovely addition to my March reads and TBR!
There were so many things I loved!
1. I loved how earnest and authentic and transparent Benjamin was.
2. I loved the fact he didn’t allow his disappointment at Lydia’s deception to overshadow his love. He was able to capably work through the mess of his feelings instead of succumbing to the emotional constipation and irrational, wishy washy, petulant wavering we see so commonly in heroes.
3. I loved the strength of Lydia’s convictions and the fact she used them and her knowledge to convince others and garner support.
4. I loved the deep delve into the political complexities of the era, and the depiction of how those complexities were hashed out in the parliamentary arena.
5. I loved that Lydia was taller than Benjamin but he didn’t allow her height or her intellect to make him feel inadequate. Instead he was enthralled by them.
Lovely, lovely, lovely addition to my March reads and TBR!
March 23, 2025
I don't even know where to begin. History repeats itself. This book was written in 2023 but the parallels with the plight of the Irish people in the 1800's and the Palestinian people of today is stark. It's just so sad that we have not learned or done better 200 years later.
I was so CAPTIVATED by this story and these two multi-layered people just wanting to do right. The stakes were so high. I felt like I was right there in the middle of their marriage. I was just wanted them to make it. Katherine Grant is such a great storyteller. I feel like I'm a better person (I hope) for having read it.
I was so CAPTIVATED by this story and these two multi-layered people just wanting to do right. The stakes were so high. I felt like I was right there in the middle of their marriage. I was just wanted them to make it. Katherine Grant is such a great storyteller. I feel like I'm a better person (I hope) for having read it.
March 28, 2024
I guess I like regency era romance novels now??? I guess I’m going to read this whole series?! This was so good!
March 9, 2023
Note: I received an early copy of this version to review
A wonderful addition to the Preston's series - I loved this story! The characters are so interesting and I enjoyed the dynamics of Lydia having a cause she was fighting for. The two have great chemistry and I really enjoyed the new and interesting take on an imbalance in love at the start of the marriage. I can highly recommend it!
A wonderful addition to the Preston's series - I loved this story! The characters are so interesting and I enjoyed the dynamics of Lydia having a cause she was fighting for. The two have great chemistry and I really enjoyed the new and interesting take on an imbalance in love at the start of the marriage. I can highly recommend it!
March 19, 2023
Genre: historical romance
England, 1817, Ireland 1820
Benjamin Preston is a man who gives his heart easily and fully. Lydia Devereaux guards hers closely after her former Irish Catholic lover was arrested and transported for disobeying the Insurrection Act - by being out after dark and suspected of causing unrest in against the English monarchy. Lydia agrees to marry Benjamin for his money - and honestly, for the passionate attraction they share - but she knows she won't ever give him her heart. She's determined to win Benjamin to her cause, though, whatever the cost.
What an excellent romance and dive into Irish history during the regency era. Grant spends a lot of time researching, and it's clear in the way she blends the politics and family ties to her plot and her romance.
Benjamin has such a big heart and big feelings. He's wonderfully soft and sweet, but will stand his own ground when betrayed. Lydia isn't so much closed-off as she simply doesn't understand the variety of ways one can experience love. She's shocked at the passion she can feel for Benjamin as her husband, because she's linked her devotion to Irish independence to her love of the late-Seamus. Even as Benjamin pours his heart in her cause as well, Lydia [understandably] selfishly holds to her first true love.
I really enjoyed this one, and it makes me want to go back and read the other books in Grant's Prestons series, as I love passionate revolutionary thinkers. (I've read a few of Grant's other books, but for some reason not the ones in this series.)
England, 1817, Ireland 1820
Benjamin Preston is a man who gives his heart easily and fully. Lydia Devereaux guards hers closely after her former Irish Catholic lover was arrested and transported for disobeying the Insurrection Act - by being out after dark and suspected of causing unrest in against the English monarchy. Lydia agrees to marry Benjamin for his money - and honestly, for the passionate attraction they share - but she knows she won't ever give him her heart. She's determined to win Benjamin to her cause, though, whatever the cost.
What an excellent romance and dive into Irish history during the regency era. Grant spends a lot of time researching, and it's clear in the way she blends the politics and family ties to her plot and her romance.
Benjamin has such a big heart and big feelings. He's wonderfully soft and sweet, but will stand his own ground when betrayed. Lydia isn't so much closed-off as she simply doesn't understand the variety of ways one can experience love. She's shocked at the passion she can feel for Benjamin as her husband, because she's linked her devotion to Irish independence to her love of the late-Seamus. Even as Benjamin pours his heart in her cause as well, Lydia [understandably] selfishly holds to her first true love.
I really enjoyed this one, and it makes me want to go back and read the other books in Grant's Prestons series, as I love passionate revolutionary thinkers. (I've read a few of Grant's other books, but for some reason not the ones in this series.)
March 6, 2023
4 1/2 stars. This is a very compelling book and often reads more like historical fiction than your typical HR. It's the third in the series, but works fine as a standalone.
What stands out most to me is how well the narrative flows and the characterization works without coming across as forced. Benjamin is what you would call a "cinnamon roll" hero, a true romantic in love with love. I liked that he's not your typical cookie cutter MMC. Lydia's outer and inner personas draw him in completely. For her part, Lydia keeps aspects of herself hidden from him, and everyone else, marrying him with an ulterior motive that is nearly an obsession. Benjamin's family has money plus they're politically connected (and considered very liberal for the time), and she is in dire need of funds in order to continue the work her now-deceased lover was unable to. Her lover had been part of the rebellion in Ireland, and she fell in love with him as she fell in love with the history and the people while she lived there.
The love scenes are steamy without feeling perfunctory and the angst seems very organic. You want Lydia to break away from the past, to give herself a chance to love Benjamin, but her desire to further Ireland's plans toward liberation are not only dangerous but wrapped up in strong feelings of guilt involving her late lover's death. Benjamin has a code of ethics and morals, plus a sense of realism, despite his romanticism. There's a strong push-pull between their mutual lust and friendship and the obligations they have to friends and family.
The only reason for not bumping this up to 5 stars was I felt that the ballroom scene at the end and the consequences the MC's faced for it were rather unrealistic. I'm one of those who doesn't mind if some history is bent for dramatic purposes, but too much will bug me.
However, I would still strongly recommend this book. It's my favorite by this author so far, and you can feel the passion for the subject matter in her writing.
I read and advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.
What stands out most to me is how well the narrative flows and the characterization works without coming across as forced. Benjamin is what you would call a "cinnamon roll" hero, a true romantic in love with love. I liked that he's not your typical cookie cutter MMC. Lydia's outer and inner personas draw him in completely. For her part, Lydia keeps aspects of herself hidden from him, and everyone else, marrying him with an ulterior motive that is nearly an obsession. Benjamin's family has money plus they're politically connected (and considered very liberal for the time), and she is in dire need of funds in order to continue the work her now-deceased lover was unable to. Her lover had been part of the rebellion in Ireland, and she fell in love with him as she fell in love with the history and the people while she lived there.
The love scenes are steamy without feeling perfunctory and the angst seems very organic. You want Lydia to break away from the past, to give herself a chance to love Benjamin, but her desire to further Ireland's plans toward liberation are not only dangerous but wrapped up in strong feelings of guilt involving her late lover's death. Benjamin has a code of ethics and morals, plus a sense of realism, despite his romanticism. There's a strong push-pull between their mutual lust and friendship and the obligations they have to friends and family.
The only reason for not bumping this up to 5 stars was I felt that the ballroom scene at the end and the consequences the MC's faced for it were rather unrealistic. I'm one of those who doesn't mind if some history is bent for dramatic purposes, but too much will bug me.
However, I would still strongly recommend this book. It's my favorite by this author so far, and you can feel the passion for the subject matter in her writing.
I read and advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.
March 2, 2023
This book needs to come with a warning label: read at your own risk, because you will cry, sigh, and get uncomfortably turned on. So maybe don't read it on a plane ride, like I did?
In this third-ish entry in the Prestons series (have you read books 0-2? If not, what are you waiting for?), we follow the charming yet naive Benjamin, who falls in love the way that my husband sneezes—suddenly, unexpectedly, and very, very hard. But despite his unwavering belief in true love, he still hasn't found the one.
Until Lydia comes along.
Lydia's got an agenda, which I won't reveal here, but from the blurb, it obviously has something to do with helping Ireland. I found it difficult to relate to her at first, in part because she comes off as very naive and selfish, and because as someone who falls in love easily, I felt for Benjamin. Like, really really felt for him, to the point of choking up a few times during the book. Why couldn't this heartless woman just love him already!
But as we learn more about her past—and as she begins to look to the *future* instead of that past—we start to see how maybe, just maybe she could deserve a man like Benjamin. And by the end, after many adventures and collaborative efforts, I was cheering for them wholeheartedly.
So that's the bit about the romance. Katherine also takes us deep into the history of the time period, not shying away from addressing the terrible hardships and injustices that the Irish had to endure. She deftly weaves in some very big questions around ethics and morality, about what one's responsibility is towards such large, difficult problems. Honestly, it felt very relevant to modern times. So if you're a fan of history and philosophy and also Courtney Milan—because she's probably the closest comp author I've read—this book is for you!
Also, I mentioned reading books 0-2 above. You don't have to. You can start with this one. But you really should check out the others.
In this third-ish entry in the Prestons series (have you read books 0-2? If not, what are you waiting for?), we follow the charming yet naive Benjamin, who falls in love the way that my husband sneezes—suddenly, unexpectedly, and very, very hard. But despite his unwavering belief in true love, he still hasn't found the one.
Until Lydia comes along.
Lydia's got an agenda, which I won't reveal here, but from the blurb, it obviously has something to do with helping Ireland. I found it difficult to relate to her at first, in part because she comes off as very naive and selfish, and because as someone who falls in love easily, I felt for Benjamin. Like, really really felt for him, to the point of choking up a few times during the book. Why couldn't this heartless woman just love him already!
But as we learn more about her past—and as she begins to look to the *future* instead of that past—we start to see how maybe, just maybe she could deserve a man like Benjamin. And by the end, after many adventures and collaborative efforts, I was cheering for them wholeheartedly.
So that's the bit about the romance. Katherine also takes us deep into the history of the time period, not shying away from addressing the terrible hardships and injustices that the Irish had to endure. She deftly weaves in some very big questions around ethics and morality, about what one's responsibility is towards such large, difficult problems. Honestly, it felt very relevant to modern times. So if you're a fan of history and philosophy and also Courtney Milan—because she's probably the closest comp author I've read—this book is for you!
Also, I mentioned reading books 0-2 above. You don't have to. You can start with this one. But you really should check out the others.
March 9, 2023
It should come as no surprise to anyone reading this review that we love romance novels. Part of what we love are the tried and true "tropes" of the genre, and we always appreciate reading new takes on old favorites. This book does that exceptionally well, with fortune hunting Lydia out to capture the hand of Benjamin Preston.
You see, Benjamin has just inherited a significant amount of money. Lydia, as an upper-class woman, is money-adjacent, but she has to access it through the intermediary of a man. Benjamin falls for her at first sight, and he's both delighted and a bit surprised that she seems interested in him, too. He realizes Lydia might have financial motivations, but when she reveals that they're for a noble cause - a Free Ireland! - he is relieved. His unconventional background has made him particularly susceptible to "causes," so he's actually pleased that his wife has a Cause already, and all he has to do is support it.
But it turns out that her cause, while noble, is also related to her lost first love. While Lydia has to decide whether she can learn to love again, Benjamin has to decide whether he can love the actual woman he's married rather than the idealized goddess he fell for.
We learned a ton about Irish history during the Regency and were surprised, charmed, and relieved by the use of romance tropes. Also we give major points for Parliament hookups. (We are not kidding: this was amazing in so many ways!)
If you like your romance steamy with a side of politics, you should definitely pick this one up.
28-Word Summaries:
Meg: Lydia needs money for a free Ireland (and her lost love)! Benjamin’s got money, and he’s fine with a free Ireland… but not so much the lost love.
Laine: Seamus didn't quite say it, but he definitely loved Ireland and Lydia. Benjamin has loved a lot of people, but true love just hits different, right? Right, Lydia?
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
You see, Benjamin has just inherited a significant amount of money. Lydia, as an upper-class woman, is money-adjacent, but she has to access it through the intermediary of a man. Benjamin falls for her at first sight, and he's both delighted and a bit surprised that she seems interested in him, too. He realizes Lydia might have financial motivations, but when she reveals that they're for a noble cause - a Free Ireland! - he is relieved. His unconventional background has made him particularly susceptible to "causes," so he's actually pleased that his wife has a Cause already, and all he has to do is support it.
But it turns out that her cause, while noble, is also related to her lost first love. While Lydia has to decide whether she can learn to love again, Benjamin has to decide whether he can love the actual woman he's married rather than the idealized goddess he fell for.
We learned a ton about Irish history during the Regency and were surprised, charmed, and relieved by the use of romance tropes. Also we give major points for Parliament hookups. (We are not kidding: this was amazing in so many ways!)
If you like your romance steamy with a side of politics, you should definitely pick this one up.
28-Word Summaries:
Meg: Lydia needs money for a free Ireland (and her lost love)! Benjamin’s got money, and he’s fine with a free Ireland… but not so much the lost love.
Laine: Seamus didn't quite say it, but he definitely loved Ireland and Lydia. Benjamin has loved a lot of people, but true love just hits different, right? Right, Lydia?
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
November 6, 2023
Thank you to Grant for sending us a copy of this novel. This is the latest in her Prestons series, and trust me when I say I would have read and reviewed this without the gift.
This is Benjamin Preston’s story. He is the brother of the heroines in the first two books in this series. (There’s also a prequel novella featuring their parents.)
Benjamin falls in love easily and often. He is kind, sensitive, earnest, and a bit aimless.
This is also Lady Lydia’s story. Lydia is smart, opinionated, caring, and dedicated to the cause of Ireland.
To avoid any spoilers I’ll keep the summary brief.
Lydia insists she has already given away her heart. Her love, a fierce defender of Ireland too, died at sea being transported. She’s come to London to marry well for Ireland and Ireland only.
Benjamin is determined to avoid another heartbreak. He falls for Lydia immediately. They marry early in the book. Which is one of our favorite plot styles. We love watching couples navigate marriage. This couple is also navigating political intrigue, deep physical desires, hurt feelings, and truth.
Ooooooo the angst here, I’m talking Sherry Thomas level angst people! There are very sad moments in this story but the devotion, joy, and heat leap off the page too.
Like Grant’s other books, instead of compromising their principles, these characters learn about the realities of their principles (including the realities of their positions in society) and how to best act on them.
I really loved Lydia’s character development.
Read the author’s note!! This was my first book featuring the relationship with Ireland during this time and I thought it was a great theme.
This is Benjamin Preston’s story. He is the brother of the heroines in the first two books in this series. (There’s also a prequel novella featuring their parents.)
Benjamin falls in love easily and often. He is kind, sensitive, earnest, and a bit aimless.
This is also Lady Lydia’s story. Lydia is smart, opinionated, caring, and dedicated to the cause of Ireland.
To avoid any spoilers I’ll keep the summary brief.
Lydia insists she has already given away her heart. Her love, a fierce defender of Ireland too, died at sea being transported. She’s come to London to marry well for Ireland and Ireland only.
Benjamin is determined to avoid another heartbreak. He falls for Lydia immediately. They marry early in the book. Which is one of our favorite plot styles. We love watching couples navigate marriage. This couple is also navigating political intrigue, deep physical desires, hurt feelings, and truth.
Ooooooo the angst here, I’m talking Sherry Thomas level angst people! There are very sad moments in this story but the devotion, joy, and heat leap off the page too.
Like Grant’s other books, instead of compromising their principles, these characters learn about the realities of their principles (including the realities of their positions in society) and how to best act on them.
I really loved Lydia’s character development.
Read the author’s note!! This was my first book featuring the relationship with Ireland during this time and I thought it was a great theme.
March 8, 2023
First of all, I want to say that this book captivated me so much that I couldn’t put it down and I read it well into the night. It’s a gorgeous read, with an interesting plot and extremely well fleshed-out characters. But I’ve also felt quite conflicted about some of it. The biggest stumbling-block? Lydia, the heroine. I hated her, for her lies, for what she was doing to sweet Benjamin, and I’m not sure I forgave her at the end. Well, yes, I understood her reasons, but I hated her all the same. And I could have thrown my Kindle against the wall at the umpteenth time she mentioned her lost lover, except that I wanted to see when and how she would realize that she loved Benjamin instead! And young, sweet, naïve Benjamin… He surely didn’t deserve to be treated like that, but he irritated me a little for his foolishness, for his desire to found this great love… Or maybe I’m just too cynical and he was right to put his heart out there, to risk heartbreak. Love story aside (and it was a GREAT love story), I found the political side of the plot very intriguing and I was happy to meet the Preston family again. I love when authors do their research and Katherine is always accurate and finds the best topics! Five stars undoubtedly!
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.
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March 20, 2024Heat Factor: There’s some hanky-panky
Character Chemistry: Benjamin is in love, but Lydia isn’t so sure. Does friendship plus attraction plus mutual goals equal love?
Plot: Lydia is determined to fight for Irish independence, but she needs money to do so. She therefore encourages Benjamin’s interest.
Overall: Grant takes chances with her books, and I like that.
In some ways, this romance follows very standard beats: a young idealist has come into a fortune. Someone who is being not quite honest hunts that fortune and enters into what is meant to be a loveless marriage. But when you get to the details…I have to say, this book did things I’ve never seen in a romance.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
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Character Chemistry: Benjamin is in love, but Lydia isn’t so sure. Does friendship plus attraction plus mutual goals equal love?
Plot: Lydia is determined to fight for Irish independence, but she needs money to do so. She therefore encourages Benjamin’s interest.
Overall: Grant takes chances with her books, and I like that.
In some ways, this romance follows very standard beats: a young idealist has come into a fortune. Someone who is being not quite honest hunts that fortune and enters into what is meant to be a loveless marriage. But when you get to the details…I have to say, this book did things I’ve never seen in a romance.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
March 24, 2025
This book certainly tugged at my heartstrings! I fell head over heels for Benjamin Preston, young, impressionable, newly in possession of ten thousand pounds he doesn't know what to do with. Benjamin falls in love easily, so he's helpless when Lady Lydia Devereaux decides to enchant him. Lydia wants those ten thousand pounds to serve the cause of gaining Irish independence, so she marries Benjamin even though it makes her feel she's betraying her only love, Seamus. As Benjamin gets drawn into Lydia's cause, Lydia comes to realize the risks of her commitments--and the cost of breaking her husband's heart.
I admit I worried for these two; Lydia, full of pride and resolution, refuses to bend from her commitment to getting what she wants, but realizes she's hurt Benjamin with her manipulations. I appreciated how she grew from being focused on her own wishes to being able to feel compassion and empathy for others. Grant deftly weaves a love story between flawed characters well aware of the imperfect world they live in, and the thread of social justice adds strength and depth to the story. This series is wonderful!
I admit I worried for these two; Lydia, full of pride and resolution, refuses to bend from her commitment to getting what she wants, but realizes she's hurt Benjamin with her manipulations. I appreciated how she grew from being focused on her own wishes to being able to feel compassion and empathy for others. Grant deftly weaves a love story between flawed characters well aware of the imperfect world they live in, and the thread of social justice adds strength and depth to the story. This series is wonderful!
March 11, 2023
💸ARC Review☘️
Katherine Grant always manages to surprise me with her plot and her original take on character development.
The first half of the book reads almost like historical fiction, there’s great focus on the historical setting.
I’d say this is a marriage of convenience, but our hero is in love and thinks the heroine is in love too. But she’s still (or thinks she is) in love with her dead lover. Her intention is to marry a peer with money that she can use to her cause: the Irish independence.
The hero is happy his wife is spirited and has a cause but when he finds out her heart has been forever lost to another, he loses faith in his ability to be loved.
We have our heroine grovelling at the end, while figuring out her complex feelings wrt her husband, her dead lover and her cause.
Thank you to the author for my ARC 💗
Katherine Grant always manages to surprise me with her plot and her original take on character development.
The first half of the book reads almost like historical fiction, there’s great focus on the historical setting.
I’d say this is a marriage of convenience, but our hero is in love and thinks the heroine is in love too. But she’s still (or thinks she is) in love with her dead lover. Her intention is to marry a peer with money that she can use to her cause: the Irish independence.
The hero is happy his wife is spirited and has a cause but when he finds out her heart has been forever lost to another, he loses faith in his ability to be loved.
We have our heroine grovelling at the end, while figuring out her complex feelings wrt her husband, her dead lover and her cause.
Thank you to the author for my ARC 💗
March 10, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a charming book, with a fun twist on the main character tropes. The male main character is in love with love, but hasn't been able to find the person or cause to commit to, while the female main character is marrying for a purpose (irish independence) and not for love. The fact that they are able to find love with each other, and a greater purpose, is very heartwarming.
However, I did find the characters slightly immature, making it harder for me to care about their emotional struggles.
overall, i'd be happy to read more from this author
Note: i received an ARC of this book so that i could review it
This was a charming book, with a fun twist on the main character tropes. The male main character is in love with love, but hasn't been able to find the person or cause to commit to, while the female main character is marrying for a purpose (irish independence) and not for love. The fact that they are able to find love with each other, and a greater purpose, is very heartwarming.
However, I did find the characters slightly immature, making it harder for me to care about their emotional struggles.
overall, i'd be happy to read more from this author
Note: i received an ARC of this book so that i could review it
April 9, 2025
The Charmer Without a Cause by Katherine Grant is the fourth book in her Regency Romance series The Prestons. It brings together a sensitive hero (Benjamin Preston) and a passionate heroine (Lady Lydia Deveraux) in a marriage that Benjamin thinks is a love match, but Lydia thinks is a marriage of convenience.
This steamy romance brings together strong characters in a fascinating historical setting. I don’t usually jump into a series at book four, but this one stands very well on its own. However, now I have to go back and read books 1-3!
See my full review at Reading World
This steamy romance brings together strong characters in a fascinating historical setting. I don’t usually jump into a series at book four, but this one stands very well on its own. However, now I have to go back and read books 1-3!
See my full review at Reading World
March 13, 2023
Does the end justify the means?
Lydia lost her lover to deportation from Ireland after he was arrested for being outside at night. She feels immense guilt because he was with her before his arrest and vows the remain true to their love. She has assumed his leadership of the Irishmen fighting without violence for the Catholic emancipation, the revocation of the Insurrection Act and Irish independence. She marries Benjamin to have access to his inheritance to finance the struggle.
Is there any hope for Benjamin who has fallen in love with his beautiful wife?
Lydia lost her lover to deportation from Ireland after he was arrested for being outside at night. She feels immense guilt because he was with her before his arrest and vows the remain true to their love. She has assumed his leadership of the Irishmen fighting without violence for the Catholic emancipation, the revocation of the Insurrection Act and Irish independence. She marries Benjamin to have access to his inheritance to finance the struggle.
Is there any hope for Benjamin who has fallen in love with his beautiful wife?
May 8, 2023
Rating: 3.5/5.0
“The Charmer Without a Cause” is a well-researched novel which encompasses the plight of the Catholics in Ireland in the 1800’s.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“The Charmer Without a Cause” is a well-researched novel which encompasses the plight of the Catholics in Ireland in the 1800’s.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 10, 2025
I started this book as soon as I finished the last one because I’m absolutely devouring this series. I love how the historical events are portrayed with such accuracy, it’s clear that a lot of research went into it. It’s also showing me a side of history I wasn’t familiar with, which makes it even more fascinating. My favorite of all of them.
March 18, 2023
The third book in the Prestons series. Benjamin Preston and Lady Lydia Deveraux will have their ups and downs as they work toward a happy ending. I enjoyed reading their story, and look forward to reading more in the series. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2024
Katherine Grant writes such strong, character driven romances! You feel immensely for these people and their imperfections. Throw in highly readable progressive politics and debates of the Regency era and I'm in love.
April 17, 2025
Fabulous love story!
I loved this book. Such well-rounded characters. The research was meticulous. The story was unique. The sweet hero stole my heart, and I cheered for the feisty heroine. Highly recommended.
I loved this book. Such well-rounded characters. The research was meticulous. The story was unique. The sweet hero stole my heart, and I cheered for the feisty heroine. Highly recommended.
March 17, 2023
Another great story in The Prestons series. I enjoyed the romance between Benjamin and Lydia, wonderful attraction and journey to love.
August 19, 2023
I love how progressive the characters are. Most novels of this genre display the heroine as someone who is seeking to be married to guarantee their livelihood. Here, one of our protagonists has something else guiding her heart and motivations. I’m glad that we have a strong, female lead and not one that is helpless. The writing is strong. Great word choices. Good flow to the plot. Pacing was fair and it always kept my interest. The author assumes their readers are smart, which I appreciate.
April 17, 2024
A historical romance featuring a fortune hunting heroine, a sweet beta hero, and a quest to make a difference in the world.
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