An Unconventional Countess by Jenni Fletcher

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Regency Belles of Bath, #1

Release Date: February 1, 2020 (ebook)

Captain Samuel Delaney is in limbo, stuck on land until the matter of his inheritance is settled. He is getting bored and restless, which is the only reason he agreed to accompany his old friend Ralph Hoxley to Belles of Bath – a bakery, so Ralph could flirt with the shopgirl. Ralph tells him he needs Samuel to distract the “other” girl.

The “other girl” is Annabelle Fortini, the owner of the shop and she is not happy about Ralph’s interest in her assistant Henrietta – nor is she too happy about Henrietta’s return interest. Henrietta is young and Anna is all too aware of how aristocrats view shopgirls – so regardless of how handsome the man sent to flirt and distract her is, she will not back down.

Samuel is fascinated by Anna and for the first time in months is enjoying himself. She makes her opinion of the nobility clear and he thinks they will never see each other again, much to his disappointment. But when they meet again a few days later and he enlists his grandmother – the very formidable Baroness Jarrow to help, nothing between them will ever be the same again!

This was a very well written, sweet story with a very interesting and entertaining plot. It is set in Bath and features a very opinionated, independent woman and a charming beta hero. There is no real villain and the story does have a bit of a “Pride and Prejudice” feel, but it is a very entertaining story with mild love scenes, wonderful characters, biscuits, deception, secrets and a lovely HEA. Personally, I found Anna to be a little annoying – thus the 4.5 stars _ but I did love the story and I would happily recommend it. And I will definitely be awaiting the next book in the series!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*