Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Somerset Stories, #4

Release Date: June 27, 2023

Miss Margaret “Meg” Burton-Smythe was thinking that things can’t get much worse when she finds herself on the cold, muddy ground after being thrown from her horse for the first time ever, but it does get worse because who should come to her rescue but the gorgeous son of her neighbor, Ivo Beresford, the middle son of the Earl and Countess of Allendale who are her father’s sworn enemies. But Ivo doesn’t seem to care that their families are basically the 19th-century equivalent of the Montagues and Capulets, nor does he seem to mind that she has a stammer, red hair, and freckles. He outrageously suggests that they become friends and meet each day to ride together! Meg has been lonely since her governess, Miss Adams left to marry, and soon finds herself falling under Ivo’s spell and gaining a bit of courage in the process. She begins standing up to her bully of a father and asserting herself with the servants. She is sure that Ivo only thinks of her as a friend, something that she tries to remind herself of. But it isn’t until Ivo invites her to his home for an impromptu night of dancing, that she realizes how foolish she has been to believe that they could ever have a future together.

When Ivo Beresford returned to England after two years on the continent enjoying his grand tour, he has big plans but falling in love with his treacherous neighbor’s daughter was not one of them! But fall he does and he arrogantly thinks that he can get everyone to put aside years of hatred and just accept that Meg is nothing like her father. But when he invites her to a party at his home, without warning his family, his arrogance might just cost him the love of a lifetime. Can he convince her that what he feels is more than friendship and that nothing, including his dream of building a railroad, means more to him than she does?

This is a well-written, sweet, slow-burning romance that warms the heart and runs concurrently with the previous book. If you have not read the entire series, this book will give you more insight into Ivo’s parent’s love story and gives Meg’s father, the villain in that book, a chance to slightly redeem himself. As to Meg and Ivo, they both do a lot of growing up in this story, but Meg is hands down the star of this book. The book is a no-steam, gentle read, with secret meetings, a heroine who finally finds her voice, sweet kisses, a bit of heartache, startling truths, interfering siblings, stone-clapper bridges, and attempts at being cordial, leading to a very sweet ending and the promise of HEA. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title. Even though I prefer books with some steam, I really loved this book and didn’t miss the love scenes. I do wish the book had ended with a wedding, rather than the promise of one, but hopefully, it means that we will get three weddings in the next book. I am happy to recommend this title and can’t wait for James’ story!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*