Review - - Look Before You Leap

Look Before You Leap

by Virginia Heath

Miss Prentice's Protegees - Book 2

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Reviewed by Santa

Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount Wennington, was publicly humiliated by a failed and reckless romantic gesture. Despite this, his mother clings to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and swiftly approaching thirty, Guy's work is his life. In desperation, his mother blindsides Guy with a weeklong house party at his estate filled with annoying debutantes, all competing to be his wife.

After failing as a governess, Lottie Travers is struggling as a lady’s companion. Raised in an all-male household, she’s developed habits that get her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings of how to be a lady, she climbs trees better than she embroiders and can’t resist riding horses astride, in breeches. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for all.

Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one who catches Guy’s eye—though he tries to deny it. For Lottie, succeeding in her new role proves difficult when the Wennington estate is filled with horses, and a spark ignites between her and the grumpy lord. Will they remain stuck in their ways, or learn that they may just be the perfect match?

Santa Says:

Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath instantly became one of my favorite books of 2025. I’ve never read a Virginia Heath book that I didn’t like and this is a five star keeper. The dialog is witty and the banter sublime. This is a master class in writing with main characters who could not be more different in temperament and attitude.

Lottie Travers is a failed governess and, as a last resort, agrees to be a companion to a very exacting woman. She knows she can be successful if she curbs her hoyden ways like sneaking out to the stables in old boots and breeches riding through the park at breakneck speeds careening into some daft though handsome man. Her sunny disposition gives her the confidence to face any circumstance.

She must also mind her tongue and remember all the things she learned at the finishing school her father sent her to. Miss Prentice’s School For Young Ladies prided itself on getting young ladies ready for employment in the best households. She crosses her fingers and promises not to engage in any rough riding as a new companion to Lady Frinton. They set off to the wilds of Scotland when they learn that the grand dame is needed in Kent to help put together her nephew’s 30th birthday party.

Lord Guy Harrowby was in a reach to get home to his estate in Kent. He wasn’t in a rush to be hassled by his mother to have a big bash for his 30th birthday in order to secure a wife. His mother was desperate for grandchildren and for her son to shed his curmudgeon armor and return to his joyful self again. Guy is hesitant especially after embarrassing himself publicly following a disastrous proposal. He convinces his mother to make it a small gathering. Unbeknownst to him she enlists the help of her half-sister who comes to Kent with her new companion.

Not only must he contend with his Aunt, a house full of debutants and guests but the companion is none other than the tornado who knocked him on his arse in Hyde Park. Lottie is none too pleased to see him either but she needs this job in order to send money to her father’s struggling farm. They face off time and time again but under their hostility is a simmering attraction that they fight against. His grumpiness is no match for her sunshine.

This slow burn romance is a delight to watch unfold. There are delightful discoveries to be had. I could not put this book down and finished it in one day. I cannot wait for the next heroine from Miss Prescott’s School to get an equally satisfying HEA!

Review - - All's Fair in Love and War

All's Fair in Love and War: A Novel

by Virginia Heath

Miss Prentice's Protegees - Book 1

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: May 28, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

In the first installment of a Regency romp of a series, a governess who believes in cultivating joy in her charges clashes with the children’s uncle who hired her, only to find herself falling in love.

When Harry Kincaid’s flighty older sister decides to join her husband on an Egyptian expedition, Harry, a former naval captain, is left in the lurch, minding her three unruly children and giant, mad dog. But Harry has a busy career at the Admiralty that requires all his attention, and he has no clue how to manage the little rascals or when his sister is coming back. In desperation, he goes to Miss Prentice’s School for Young Ladies prepared to pay whatever it takes to hire an emergency governess quick sharp to ensure everything in his formerly ordered house is run shipshape again.

Thanks to her miserable, strict upbringing, fledgling governess Georgie Rowe does not subscribe to the ethos that children should be seen and not heard. She believes childhood should be everything hers wasn’t—filled with laughter, adventure, and discovery. Thankfully, the three Pendleton children she has been tasked with looking after are already delightfully bohemian and instantly embrace her unconventional educational approach. Their staid, stickler-for-the-rules uncle, however, is another matter entirely.

Georgie and Harry continue to butt heads over their differences, but with time it seems that in this case, their attraction is undeniable—and all is indeed fair in love and war.

PJ's Thoughts:

I was thoroughly charmed by this first book in Virginia Heath's new historical romcom series. I love a slow-burn, adversaries-to-lovers, opposites-attract story. Throw in witty banter, high energy kids, a goofy lummox of a dog, and a couple perfectly matched - even if they are the last ones to figure that out - and I was more than eager to hitch a ride.

I love the balance of humor and emotion in Heath's books, facets that are on full display in this one. The characters are well developed, with complex layers, even the children. I enjoyed how the children are used to slowly unveil those layers, helping Harry and Georgie both begin to see that there is more to one another than first impressions may have indicated. I found myself laughing out loud many times during the story while also appreciating the depth of feelings that float to the surface, especially as the time nears for life-changing decisions to be made...and Harry makes a right mess of it.

As for the grand gesture? Well that elicited both laughter and tears (happy ones), a fitting conclusion for this couple, their extended family, and Georgie's best friend, who I hope we'll be seeing much more of in the next book of this series.

Review - - Never Wager with a Wallflower

Never Wager with a Wallflower

by Virginia Heath

The Merriwell Sisters - Book 3

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: November 7, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is a selfless academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.

For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hall in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams―and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago.

While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble―and learn to love thy neighbor?

PJ's Thoughts:

As soon as Galahad Sinclair hit the pages of the second book of this series he captured my interest. By the end of that book I knew I wanted more of him and was over the moon when I discovered he would be paired with Venus "Vee" Merriwell in Never Wager with a Wallflower. I could hardly wait for these two adversaries to discover what we readers already knew. They were made for each other. Now, they just needed to lower their guards long enough to open their hearts - and minds - to that undeniable fact. 

Both Gal and Vee carried a lot of emotional baggage from their childhoods into their roller coaster relationship, impacting each of them in different ways. I have to admit, I was Team Gal pretty much 80% of the book. It was only in the final 20% that I began to warm up to Venus. She did eventually win me over though so I'm glad I didn't give up on her. I do appreciate satisfying character growth. She's a complex character who protects herself with seemingly impenetrable, self-righteous walls when confronted with a man she unconsciously senses has the power to break through to her wounded heart. Watching Vee and Gal both evolve over the course of their journey was satisfying and heart-tugging. 

The ensemble of secondary characters bring humor, conflict, and texture to the overall story. While the extended families once again have significant roles, it's three of the young orphans in this book who stand out for me, capturing my affection with their antics while also creating opportunities to delve more deeply into Gal's and Vee's priorities, vulnerabilities, prejudices, and emotional wounds, opening the door to understanding, forgiveness, growth, and love. 

If you enjoy an enemies-to-lovers, historical rom-com with a slow-burn romance, significant emotional depth, meddling family, character growth, humor, and happy endings, give this one a try. It's the last book of a trilogy but can be read as a standalone, though I think it's more enjoyable to experience the evolution of all the characters by reading the three books in order. 

Click the title to read my review of book one, Never Fall for Your Fiancee and book two, Never Rescue a Rogue. 

Tour Review & Giveaway - - Never Rescue a Rogue

Never Rescue a Rogue

by Virginia Heath

The Merriwell Sisters - Book 2

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: November 8, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest. Everyone believes that the two of them are meant to be together, but Diana and Giles know that their constant pithy barbs come from a shared disdain―not a hidden attraction. Diana loves the freedom of working at the newspaper too much to give it up for marriage, and Giles is happily married to his bachelor lifestyle. But they do have one thing in common―the secrets they can’t risk escaping. 

When Giles’ father, the curmudgeonly Duke of Harpenden unexpectedly turns up his toes, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes crawling out of the woodwork who knows the true circumstances of his only son's birth. As the threat of blackmail becomes real, Giles must uncover the truth of his parentage first, or else he and all those who depend upon him will be ruined―and dogged bloodhound Diana is his best hope at sniffing out the truth. As Giles and Diana dive into his family’s past, the attraction that the two of them insisted wasn’t there proves impossible to ignore. Soon, the future of the Sinclair estate isn’t the only thing on the line…

PJ's Thoughts:

This book was an absolute delight. I adored both Giles and Diana, staunch frenemies with their pithy comments, charmingly insulting nicknames, and witty banter. They challenge one another at every turn while below the surface, unwanted feelings swirl. Everyone around them knows they're a perfect match. The question is when - or if - the two of them will ever clue into that fact.

Giles and Diana are one of my favorite types of pairings. He's the best friend of her new brother-in-law, an unrepentant, flirtatious, mischievous ducal heir giving the appearance of having not a care in the world while protecting hidden depths behind the persona that he presents to the outside world. She's the witty, sarcastic, ferociously independent daughter of a Clerkenwell forger, forced to make her own way in the world and rightly suspicious of most men. Both characters are well developed and layered, engaging my emotions, and my support. They made me laugh out loud while also tugging at my heart. Neither is interested in marriage. Both find themselves reluctantly falling for the other. But there are obstacles - big obstacles - blocking the path to a happy ending. They'll have to work together first to solve a potentially life-altering mystery while circumventing meddling family, a cheeky butler, and thwarting a devious threat from the past. It's a blend of mystery, adventure, and romance wrapped in a fun, heartfelt, satisfying journey that kept me grinning, sighing, gasping, and snickering all the way to the end, cheering them on to vanquish the villain and embrace their love without losing themselves in the process. These two are great on their own...even better together. 

This is the second book in Virginia Heath's The Merriwell Sisters trilogy. You could begin with this one and not be confused but because of the continuing cast of characters and their evolution over the course of the two books, I'm glad I began with book one, Never Fall for Your Fiancée. Click to read my review. 

Next up will be youngest sister, Vee's book. She really shines as a secondary character in Never Rescue a Rogue. After witnessing her growth in this second book, I'm even more eager to discover what Heath has in store for her. I'm hoping that a new character introduced in this book will have a role in her story. I felt a frisson. 

Tour Giveaway: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio – When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty-five books and three Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiaheathwrites

Tour Review - - Never Fall for Your Fiancée

Never Fall for Your Fiancée

by Virginia Heath

The Merriwell Sisters - Book 1

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: November 9, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.

The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, ever wants is a wife. Unfortunately for him, his mother is determined to find him one, even from across the other side of the ocean. So Hugh invents a fake fiancée to keep his mother’s matchmaking ways at bay. But when Hugh learns his interfering mother is on a ship bound for England, he realizes his complicated, convoluted but convenient ruse is about to implode. Until he collides with a beautiful woman, who might just be the miracle he needs.

Minerva Merriwell has had to struggle to support herself and her two younger sisters ever since their feckless father abandoned them. Work as a woodcut engraver is few and far between, and the Merriwell sisters are nearly penniless. So when Hugh asks Minerva to pose as his fiancée while his mother is visiting, she knows that while the scheme sounds ludicrous, the offer is too good to pass up.

Once Minerva and her sisters arrive at Hugh's estate, of course nothing goes according to his meticulous plan. As hilarity and miscommunication ensue while everyone tries to keep their tangled stories straight, Hugh and Minerva’s fake engagement starts to turn into a real romance. But can they trust each other when their relationship started with a lie? The first book in the Merriwell Sisters series, Never Fall for Your Fiancée is a hilarious, sparkling historical romantic comedy from Virginia Heath.

PJ's Thoughts:

Never Fall for Your Fiancée is the book I didn't see coming from Virginia Heath and exactly the one I needed. I've enjoyed her historical romances with their adventure, depth of emotion, and well-developed characters. This newest novel has all three plus the added layer of impeccably-timed romantic comedy. I laughed and grinned my way through the entire book. It's so much fun.

Fake engagement is one of my favorite tropes and, boy howdy, do Minerva and Hugh find themselves in quite the romantic pickle with theirs. The twists and turns (not to mention their changing fictitious relationship details) keep them on their toes, especially when they have to deal with Hugh's mother's many attempts to trip them up which creates some hilarious scenes. That hilarity is well balanced, though, with a sweetly evolving emotional attachment between Hugh and Minerva. I really enjoyed these two together.

Hugh's best friend Giles, Minerva's sisters, and Hugh's opinionated, long-time butler all bring more humor, and emotion, to the process. I can't wait to discover what Heath has planned for Minerva's sisters and am hopeful we'll see both Giles and Hugh's butler in the books to come.

If you enjoy historical romance, laugh-out-loud comedy, pitch-perfect banter, main characters who tug at your heartstrings, and an ensemble secondary cast that is pure gold, don't miss Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath. It's one of my favorite books this year and going straight to my comfort read keeper shelf to revisit whenever I need an emotional boost. I loved it!

Review - - How Not to Chaperon a Lady

How Not to Chaperon a Lady

by Virginia Heath

The Talk of the Beau Monde - Book 3

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Release Date: September 28, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

His childhood nemesis…

…is the woman he can’t resist!

Chaperoning Charity Brookes while she’s on a singing tour should be easy for Griffith Philpot—he’s spent his whole life sparring with her over her flighty ways! But as he discovers that she’s much more than the impetuous girl he thought he knew, a passion ignites between them… Sharing a steamy kiss leaves him torn—he’s supposed to be responsible for guarding her virtue!

PJ's Thoughts:

The final book in Heath's The Talk of the Beau Monde trilogy pairs youngest Brookes sister, Charity with her long-time nemesis, Griffith Philpot, older brother of Charity's best friend. I've enjoyed Charity's growth arc over the course of this series. She showed glimpses of hidden layers in the second book, The Marquess Next Door that made me think there might be more to her than readers had been shown. In this third book, Heath begins to unravel Charity's layers, allowing us to see the layers that make her a more complete, and complex, character than she had seemed. It was enjoyable to watch her evolve.

Griff, on the other hand, seemed stuck in a rut, both in the way he lived his life and his opinions of Charity. Even when things began to warm between them, he still treated her with condescension and disdain. I wanted to see more advancement of their communication and understanding, more of an equal footing between them. Griff does eventually come around but not before many hurtful things are said and done. It takes a monumental grovel to make amends and it takes pretty much the entire book to get there. 

I was satisfied with the conclusion of this story, and I did enjoy reading it, but I didn't love it the way I did books one and two. Still, I do enthusiastically recommend this trilogy and if you enjoy an angst-filled, enemies-to-lovers romance, with plenty of snappy dialogue and friction, give How Not to Chaperon a Lady a try. 

~~~~~

Charity is an up and coming opera singer. Do you enjoy opera? 

Do you like a lot of angst in your romances or do you prefer more light-hearted stories?

Birthday Giveaway #28:

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 30 will receive a Kindle copy of The Marquess Next Door by Virginia Heath, my favorite book of the trilogy. 

*Open to anyone who has the ability to receive a Kindle book from Amazon U.S.

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Tour Review & Giveaway - - The Marquess Next Door

The Marquess Next Door

by Virginia Heath

The Talk of the Beau Monde - Book 2

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

A dashing new neighbor…

 Temptation on her doorstep!

To avoid an unwanted suitor at a ball, Hope Brookes asks another gentleman to rescue her. He obliges—with a surprisingly passionate kiss! He's revealed as her sinfully handsome new neighbor, Lucius, Marquess of Thundersley, and they forge a friendship over their balconies. It’s refreshing that Lucius is more interested in her writer dreams than her looks, so why can’t she stop thinking about that kiss?

PJ's Thoughts: 

I've been looking forward to Hope's story since meeting her in her sister's book, The Viscount's Unconventional Lady. (And, let me tell you, this is one very unconventional Regency family!) She immediately captured my attention with her love of gothic fiction, determination to be a published novelist, pithy set-downs of men who can't see beyond her impressive bosom, and feelings of not living up to the talents and accomplishments of the rest of her family. I immediately wanted to be her friend and that feeling only intensified as I read her story.

Luke is one of my favorite heroes this year. I loved his kindness, his humor, his protective nature (maybe not quite so protective but reasons are explained and understandable) and his respect for Hope's intelligence and career dreams. I loved the friendship they formed (those late night balcony-to-balcony conversations - sigh), the chemistry that sizzled between them, the desire he held in control and the consent that was always foremost in their interactions. I was firmly in Hope's corner when the major "black moment" misunderstanding occurred but, considering past events in his life, I understood why he reacted as he did. Didn't like it, but understood it, appreciated his full acceptance of the blame when he finally figured out what he had done, and love, love, loved the consequences for the  person responsible for orchestrating that black moment. What a visual! 😊

Virginia Heath has become one of my favorite historical romance authors. I adore her fully-formed characters, sparkling banter, effervescent humor, depth of emotion, and willingness to explore difficult topics (discussed freely today) while keeping them historically accurate. I especially appreciated how she handled the painful and difficult past of Luke's mother, what had happened to her in the past, and the present-day impact on both Maria and Luke, with sensitivity and truth. 

The Marquess Next Door stands well on its own though I also loved oldest sister Faith's story in The Viscount's Unconventional Lady and highly recommend that as well (link to my review). Meanwhile, youngest sister, Charity, showed surprising, and well-hidden, depths in book two that have me eager for her turn to find love in book three, How Not to Chaperon a Lady. That one is scheduled to be released September 28th. 

CW: Postpartum depression, attempted suicide (off page - discussed after the fact)

Have you read Virginia Heath's Harlequin Historical Romances yet?

Do you have favorite HH authors?

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Despite that, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_

Tour Review & Giveaway - - The Viscount's Unconventional Lady

The Viscount's Unconventional Lady

by Virginia Heath

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Release Date: February 1, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

The notorious viscount

And the most gossiped-about lady…After years as a diplomat in the Napoleonic Wars, Lord Eastwood is reluctant to return to London society. His scandalous divorce has made him infamous, not to mention cantankerous! To halt the rumor mill, he should marry a quiet noblewoman—instead it’s bold, vibrant artist Faith Brookes who’s caught his attention. They are the least suitable match, so why is he like a moth to a flame?

PJ's Thoughts:

Are you reading Virginia Heath? I discovered her Harlequin Historical Romances in 2019 and have been happily gobbling them up ever since. 

The Viscount's Unconventional Lady is her newest book and, like others of hers that I've read, proved remarkably difficult to put down. Faith and Piers are immensely sympathetic and likeable characters in whom I quickly became invested. I enjoyed their slow-burn evolution from adversaries who each (erroneously) pre-judge the other to a tentative friendship, mutual respect, desire, and, eventually, love. Their journey is filled with witty banter, genuine affection, unexpected revelations, and triumph over those who have wronged them. Heath imbues them both with vividly depicted layers that bring them to life, leaving the reader feeling as though these are actual people rather than characters in a book. Contributing to that feeling is the fact that both Faith and Piers have careers to which they are dedicated, she as an artist attempting to step out from her famous father's shadow and he as a "dull and boring" diplomat (his description) whose job is anything but inconsequential. I enjoyed the specific details Heath included that offered insight into the intricacies of their lives and careers. 

The secondary characters who surround the main couple are anything but boring wallpaper. In fact, Piers' young niece steals every scene she's in, Faith's flamboyantly artistic parents are larger than life, and her equally intriguing younger sisters appear to be destined for books of their own. 

The Viscount's Unconventional Lady launches a new series so if you're new to Virginia Heath's historical romances, this book would be a great place to start. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Viscounts-Unconventional-Mills-Historical-Monde-ebook/dp/B08CKHQJPM

US - https://www.amazon.com/Viscounts-Unconventional-Mills-Historical-Monde-ebook/dp/B08CKHQJPM

When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Despite that, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links – http://viewbook.at/talkofthebeaumonde1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_

Giveaway to Win 2 x e-copies of The Viscount’s Unconventional Lady (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Review - - The Scoundrel's Bartered Bride

The Scoundrel's Bartered Bride

by Virginia Heath

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Release Date: July 1, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

Marriage…
To the highest bidder
Lady Lydia Barton cannot seem to avoid Owen Wolfe since he’s returned after being wrongly transported for stealing her family’s jewels! But Lydia has more pressing problems, like her impending arranged marriage. Until Owen makes her father a counteroffer for her hand. Is Owen purely after her society connections, or dare Lydia hope that the charming stable boy she once loved is still within her ruthless, wealthy new husband?

PJ's Thoughts:

I love a good enemies to lovers story. When the enemies were once young lovers, then separated with each believing they'd been betrayed by the other, and brought back together years later for a second chance? Well, that's even better!

One of the things I most enjoy about Virginia Heath's writing is her ability to develop characters. Once again, she fills this book with well-rounded characters who leap from the pages and elicit emotion, both good and bad. I warmed to Owen quickly, probably because it's immediately apparent that he was the wronged party in the events of the past but also because he's just a really good guy. Lydia was another story. But that's okay. It gave her good opportunity for growth as Heath slowly guided these two in their journey of discovery and, by the end, I was firmly in her corner. 

I liked that Heath gave Owen and Lydia time to gradually come to know one another as adults, while rediscovering the qualities they had admired when younger, and opening their eyes to what could be in the future...if they're willing to face the truth, and risk their hearts. I grew impatient with Lydia several times but as the truth of her family, and her life, was unveiled I began to understand her actions better - she was dealt one horrific hand when it comes to families - and I cheered at the way she dispensed justice in the end. 

I adored Owen's business partner and his family. What a wonderful group of secondary characters who bring comic relief and offer pivotal advice to both Owen and Lydia. I can't imagine this book without them.

Once again, Virginia Heath has written a character-driven, historical romance with plenty of conflict, humor, heart, and a sigh-worthy happy ending, that kept me eagerly turning pages from start to finish.