Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Heirs of the Aristocracy #2
Publication Date: 5/19/20

What a delightfully fun and romantic story. You’ll love each and every one of the characters and you’ll swoon over the romances that lead them to their HEA. We even get double the romance with two couples finding their HEA (as this author often does). This is just a delightfully straight-forward romance with two couples learning to overcome their own issues and find their way to trust and love.

James Burroughs and Emily Grandby have known each other most of their lives, but since he was a fair amount older than her, there wasn’t a romance. He was good friends with her older brother, Tom, and other relatives – they are even related a bit. James was the second son and never had to worry about his father’s fortune – until a year ago when his older, sickly brother succumbed to influenza. James and his father are both bankers and with his father retiring, James is now transferring from Bath to London. On his way, he decides to stop by and visit his friend Tom. When Tom isn’t there, James has a nice visit with Tom’s sister Emily, who offers him a place to stay until he can find a home for himself in London. Little does James know what longings that visit will cause him – and her. Each of them has issues and secrets they’ll need to work through, but the attraction is strong. How will James react when he learns all of Emily’s secrets? Hmmm – you’ll just have to read the book to see.

Gabe Wellingham is the much-loved illegitimate son of the Earl of Trenton. Gabe is very proud of his family, but he wants to use his university degree and not sit back and lead the leisurely life of a gentleman. When he applies for and obtains a position as an archivist at the British Museum in London, he doesn’t tell anyone at the museum who his family is. He wants to make it on his own. When he meets the very prickly Mrs. Frances Longworth, who is the art restorer at the museum, he is intrigued and needs to know more. Mrs. Longworth was supposed to be Mr. Longworth. How did that happen? Gabe pursues, makes overtures, and Frances dances away – until she doesn’t. Both are keeping secrets – some bigger than others – but secrets none-the-less. Will Gabe run for the hills when he learns all of Frances’s secrets? If he doesn’t, what will his parents have to say? You’ll just have to read it to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but I will mention that there are lots of mentions of other family members (who have all been featured in earlier books) and if you aren’t familiar, they may feel confusing. However, don’t worry about them if you don’t know who they are – it won’t detract from your enjoyment of this story at all.

I hope you will enjoy the read as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Barbara’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Heirs of the Aristocracy #1
Publication Date: 2/21/20
Number of Pages: 330

What a delightfully entertaining and romantic romp through early Victorian England this was. It left me with a smile, a giggle, and a heartfelt sigh. It flows smoothly, is well-plotted and the characters are delightful. We get two lovely romances and two HEA’s in one book – how can you beat that? One of my favorite things was getting to visit with Milton Grandby, Earl of Torrington who has been featured in many of this author’s books. Milton was featured in his own book, The Christmas of A Countess, along with his lovely bride Adele. Now, over twenty years later, we get to see their twins marry. How lovely is that? The devious Milton has plans afoot to settle his children and the last of his many godchildren and it was so much fun to see all of his machinations fall right into place.

George Grandby is one and twenty, and unlike most of his peers, he is ready to marry. His parents were older when they married and George doesn’t want that for himself. He has no clue who he will marry – until – one day while riding in the park with his sister, he sees an absolute vision. He stares, open-mouthed and watches her until she is out of sight. That is it for him, he is smitten!

Lady Anne Wellingham, daughter of the Earl of Trenton (My Fair Groom), is just shy of her eighteenth birthday. She’s supposed to be preparing for her first season, but she just isn’t interested. She wants to marry – now – and she wants to have a child. As soon as she sees George Grandby in the park, she knows he is the one for her.

Lady Angelica (Angel) Grandby, twin sister of George Grandby, hasn’t ever seriously given marriage a thought. She has wondered why she hasn’t received any offers during her previous seasons, but never thought much about it – and then she discovered that it was because her father was discouraging them. She knows her father has a man in mind for her to marry, but, well, she’s sure he’s old and, while she’s willing to meet him, she doubts she’ll be interested.

Sir Benjamin (Ben) Fulton has just completed building his observatory in his back yard. When he arrives at the train station to pick up his new telescope, he sees an absolute vision – an angel – and he is intrigued. However, she is the daughter of an earl and he is a lowly Sir – even though he will most likely inherit an earldom from his brother who has sired nothing but girls. When that same angel comes stomping into his observatory accusing him of being a Peeping Tom, that is it for him – he is totally smitten.

This was a totally happy, romantic, and witty read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. There is no page-after-page of angst, no conflict, no villains, just happy, loving people with loving parents finding their own loving relationships. What a welcome change of pace!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.