The Arranged Marriage

Jera's Jamboree

A Regency novel in the tradition of Georgette Heyer but with the author's own style, which is impressive. Perpetua is a wonderful lead character who is brave and strong and makes the family that she comes from seem like selfish fools. I cannot say too much about the plot, because it would spoil the novel but this is possibly the best novel I have read since I read all of the Georgette Heyer novels, and that is the highest praise possible, if you have read Georgette Heyer as she is the queen of Regency romance. I loved this novel and it is highly recommended.

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/241712/review/675144

by NetGalley review

Thank you to NetGalley for enabling review copies of The Arranged Marriage and The Rake. Gillian Hawser is a new author for me and I’ll certainly look out for books written by her in the future. The books are in the regency romance genre and are written in a unique traditional yet modern way. They are good clean tales of romance with many twists and turns on the way. At some points, I found myself laughing out loud. Definitely excellent reads for fans of this genre.

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/241712/review/269090

by NetGalley review

This was a sweet story, with some quite lovely writing. There is generally good character development and I really enjoyed reading about the various ensembled background characters and their various roles and relationships. The dialogue was lovely, with colourful set ups and descriptions of various situations and characters; I found it quite fun and a joy to read. I enjoyed how Petty, being so cowed by her absolutely deplorable mother, grew and developed confidence out of the shadow of her family, and how Edward came to appreciate her. I feel sad for the relationship between the Duke and his horrible wife, and it is sad that it sounds like he spent his youth and marriage loving her, and being disappointed by her as she sounds only to love herself, and everyone else's role is to either uplift her, reflect upon her, or cater to her. Mrs. Lumley seems very colourful and quite a lovely mother figure to Petty, and Edward too, and it felt as though she and Edward's grandfather hit it off too - a secondary romance in the air?

This was a very enjoyable read for me, with a sweetness, warmth, and sense of humour I enjoyed.

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/241712/review/852643

by NetGalley review

An enjoyable read, more of a road trip book. Petty's parents are keen to marry her off so that they can get more money for the estates. Her mother is a piece of work. She tries to argue but gets coerced into the wedding. Edward is as much of a victim and doesn't understand how Petty doesn't communicate with him. After the wedding Petty flees and ends up in Bath. Her family and husband are worried and try and find her.

It's a clean romance with lots of interesting characters. I think it's definitely worth a read.

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/241712/review/416034

by NetGalley review

I thoroughly enjoyed this- so much so I devoured it in a day. Lady Petty’s character grew on me enormously from being rather feeble to finding her strength and bravery. Yes, bits of it are unrealistic, or she was incredibly lucky to not come to harm as she roved about England in the 1800s as an unaccompanied noble woman, but it was a great and interesting story. Wouldn’t mind being married off to Lord Milton myself!

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/241712/review/805493

by NetGalley review

I adored this historical romance. And it was so refreshing to have a heroine who wasn't drop dead gorgeous with flaming violet eyes (or other nonsense I always read in other romance books).
The heroine is quiet,, sensible and intelligent,
who doesnt make outrageous decisions for the plot to move ridiculously forward. I enjoyed this book very much. This book reminded me of The quality of Mary Balogh, so if you enjoy her works. Then definitely consider this one. You wont be sorry.

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/publisher/title/241712/reviews

by NetGalley review

Such a fun story. I love a good romance and this was just a wonderful one. I just cannot wait to read more from this author.

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/241712/review/692769

by NetGalley review