𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

The Galehart family have many children and not much money. So when a well heeled distant relative suggests a match to a London solicitor, Mr Galehart jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately, twin daughters Ruth and Ruby are less impressed. Ruth is quiet and biddable, so is chosen as bride. However, Ruth has a sweetheart and is heartbroken. Her biddable nature also makes her unwilling to challenge her parents.  Ruby is desperate to spare her beloved twin, so concocts a plan to take her place at the altar. She hadn't considered the possible fallout from this fraud. Nor had she anticipated the consequences of the truth being revealed, just when she was coming to love her "husband" This is a sweet novella and well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review

Scarlett Margrave lives a quiet and confined life, as the daughter of a widowed, puritanical parson. Attending a local assembly, she meets the aristocratic Earl of Worthe. He and his companions insist that they have met her twin! When she approaches her father, he is dismissive. However, the pull of connection leads her to flee to London.  Scarlett's joy of newly found family is blasted by the appearance of Reverend Margrave. Despite his claims to piety and respectability, he is quite prepared to lie and cheat in order to drag Scarlett back to the Parsonage. Will she be denied both romantic love and the embrace of a loving family? Very enjoyable. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Goodreads review

  Mary Danforth has resigned herself to spinsterhood. Since childhood, her health has been too fragile to allow her to join in the active lives of her many siblings.  Mary excels at writing sweet, romantic notes to assist her brothers' courtships. She is happy for her siblings, but their success is bittersweet. Doctors have advised Mary to be extremely cautious with her health as another illness may be fatal. While caution is keeping her alive, she wonders if it is worth missing out on so much. The introduction of Captain Hayes, allows Mary to dream of love and a future, but can dreams become reality. Mary is a well drawn and believable character. You yearn with her as she is left behind as her siblings find love. An enjoyable novella. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Amazon review Goodreads review

Adelaide Booker is working as a housemaid, but a visiting aristocrat is about to turn her life upside down.  She finds herself pulled from the life she has made for herself, into the world of the first circles.  This is a really enjoyable read, which effortlessly captures the awkwardness of trying to fit into the alien world of Society. Finding no acceptance amongst the servants and tenants who see her as above herself. A brother who adores her, but honestly has no idea how to be a good brother.  An aunt who seems to only see just how much effort will be needed to make a lady out of a housemaid. The lofty aristocratic uncle who seems to resent her existence. Can Adelaide start to feel like she belongs? Is she destined to find love? Definitely recommend!. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review Goodreads review

The Prodigal is an introduction to the world of the Richmond family and a prequel to the Rags to Richmonds regency romance series.  The story begins with James Richmond, the heir to the Tipton earldom, coming home after an enthusiastic celebration of his university graduation.  When summoned to the Earl's study, the heir fears a scolding. However, the interview reveals shocking details of his origins. We then go back to 1794 and meet the Richmond family.  The old Earl Tipton, who is determined to retain the distinction of rank and nobility.  Charles, typical oldest son, all duty and honour.  Damian, a malevolent rake, who enjoys causing any trouble possible.  And finally Robert, youngest son. He is idealistic, in love with Susan, a weaver's daughter and with little patience for his family expectations of a society marriage.  The events that follow, turn the Richmond family upside down.  Amy D'Orazio and Jessie Lewis are wonderful JAFF writers and ...

In Rachel Rowan’s Entitled Love novellas, elements of regency romance such as elegant homes and clever conversation between beautiful, aristocratic people, are interwoven into modern, spicy romantic comedies. In book 5, Unwrapped, we meet William Augustus Henry Shilstone the Second, a.k.a. Biffy. He is part of a dissolute group of playboys. Biffy is famous for his affability and his parties, where excess is expected! Also introduced is Jules Orton, cynical and sarcastic little sister of the Honourable Jay Orton, ex-playboy.  They come from an unhappy family, characterised by a bullying licentious father and a bitter, distant mother.  Jules has an understandably jaundiced view of love and fidelity (or lack thereof)! Biffy/Will is at a Christmas party at Castle Deveron, Scotland the solely to see Felicity Pennington, who has unknowingly bewitched him for eight years. Jules was due to meet her best friend, Felicity at the party, then travel with her to spend Christmas in Kent. Fe...

I adored Rachel Rowan’s Entitled Love series of novellas, so I was eager to read her novel, set in the same world. Ms Rowan doesn’t disappoint! The aristocratic Blackton and Banberry-Thompson families have had a centuries-long friendship, living on adjoining estates. The current generation spent summers together, ranging over the woods and fields. Last year, that friendship ended. Hugo Blackton, Viscount, playboy and disappointment to his father, the Earl, attended the engagement party of Cassandra Banberry-Thompson. His behaviour resulted in the breaking of Cassandra’s engagement (much to her relief) and the breaking of Amy Banberry-Thompson’s heart. Amy had been in love with Hugo for years. However, she was under no illusions that he would pay any attention to her. Until he did. At the party, he whispered words of admiration in her ear and kissed her soundly. Amy was elated, until she heard Hugo’s cronies sniggering. He had done it for a bet! A year later. The Earl is fed up with Hug...

Laura, the artist, and Natalie, the actor, were inseparable best friends. Despite living in a shabby apartment, they supported each other through thick and thin, sharing their victories and setbacks as they fought for success in their respective fields. Then suddenly, Natalie was gone, her life changed by success and an unexpected inheritance of both fortune and title. Laura is left behind, still struggling and feeling bereft. Attending Natalie’s swanky birthday party, Laura is mortified to be twice mistaken as a waitress. At least the second person to make that mistake, was stoned. Tom was also gorgeous, charming and a viscount. The instant sexual chemistry between Laura and Tom leads to an incendiary kiss. Laura struggles to forget the kiss, as does Tom. Their paths cross again in Scotland. Natalie has given Laura a job as artist in residence at Deveron Castle. Lord Tom Brewerly, had been heir to Deveron for twenty eight years. But when the Marquess, dies the entire inheritance goes ...

In Rachel Rowan’s Entitled Love novellas, elements of regency romance such as elegant homes and clever conversation between beautiful, aristocratic people, are interwoven into modern, spicy romantic comedies. In book 3, Untouched, we meet the beautiful and intelligent, Sophia Clements. However, she is socially awkward (possibly neurodiverse) has no friends and has never had a boyfriend. She masks this by being distant and glacial. When a colleague from America, asks to meet up, she has hopes of romance.  A sarcastic comment from the Honourable Jay Orton, inspires Sophia to seek lessons in how to have a boyfriend. Rather shockingly, she approaches Jay. He is a rather jaded, dissolute playboy who needs a large amount of money, quickly. So when Sophia offers £45,000 for lessons on holding hands, kissing, and all the way up to full intercourse, he rapidly agrees! With a start like that, this story could have been grim. Instead, the book is delightful.  Jay is kind and rapidly beco...

Lydia has long been in love with her childhood friend Jacob Lewis. They grow up and take their places in the world. Lydia runs the household for her widower father, a vicar and tutors local children. Jacob accepts a commission in the army, embracing the perils and pleasures of the world. At four and twenty, Lydia is a confirmed spinster, having turned down suitors as she waited for Jacob to finally notice her. A week after her father’s sudden death, Jacob returns and offers marriage. Saddened that Jacob seems to offer his protection but not love, Lydia accepts, as the alternative is a life in service. They have only hours together before Jacob returns to his barracks. There he receives orders to the continent and ultimately, to Waterloo. Settled at the Lewis family estate, Lydia faces a traumatic event, causing her to flee and hide under an assumed name until Jacob returns. Jacob never receives her letter explaining how to find her. When Jacob returns from Waterloo, it is three years b...

Lady Adelina Halifax, heiress, wild child and scandal, hides a great deal of pain behind her bad behaviour. In turns, neglected by her aristocratic parents, abused by the regime at her dreadful boarding school and then orphaned. Never believing herself worthy of love, she settles for getting attention in any way possible. She wants a suitor, but definitely not Lord Burns! He is a close friend of her guardian, always there, always gentlemanly, seemingly always present when Adelina embarrasses herself. Like a boring elder brother. Will Adelina learn to appreciate him? And if she does, will he want her? I have to say that I struggled with this. Adelina is probably a very accurate portrait of the sort of self destructive behaviour, damaged people can display, but wow, was she hard work! Lord Burns expression of unrequited love was so dramatic! Too much torment, inability to breath and bursting into tears! That said, the book has many redeeming features and well drawn characters. An honoura...

Lord Julian Belfry is the second son of a marquess.  Unfortunately, choosing to own a rather vulgar theatre has lead to scandal.  When his father orders him to sell it, he chooses to cut himself off from his family, rather than submit.   In the following years he has worked hard to make the theatre successful and now he wants it to be respectable. When he meets Lady Emily Turner, he is impressed by her ability to retain a reputation for respectability, despite scandals in her own family. Julian suggests a marriage of convenience and explains that her respectability is an asset that he values. Essentially, her job will great a gloss of respectability over him and his business. Emily has spent her life bending to her mother’s opinion and duty to the family. Her reward is a dowry gambled away by her father and a suitor who is blackmailing her father. Julian’s offer has to be an improvement. Marriage to Julian gives her freedom from her family, but the cause of “respectabilit...

Charlotte Mayweather, illegitimate daughter of Emily, is left orphaned when her mother dies in Bedlam. Emily’s sister is Ursula, Lady Cotterhugh. Lord John and Lady Ursula Cotterhugh welcome Charlotte to their home, Drymote. She has a happy life until Ursula dies, followed a few years later by John. While grieving the loss of her beloved Uncle, she life becomes unrecognisable. The new Lord Cotterhugh, Albert is miserly, unpleasant and resentful of Charlotte’s presence as a poor relation. He even begrudges her having a flower from the garden. When Edward, the heir of Drymote arrives, his rakish, charming persona seems to confirm the scandalous reputation that preceded him. However, Edward has a great deal more about his than that, together with a burden of demons from his past. The story of Charlotte and Edward’s growing closeness plays out against a gothic background of vengeance, fear, betrayal and paranoia. A pleasing read. The characters are well drawn and you are kept guessing righ...

A whistle stop tour through the highs and lows of Regency England. The author touches on the harsh penal system, the poverty and hunger faced by so many. Such a background was the catalyst for radical thinking and action.  Unfortunately, the state and particularly the monarchy were keen to keep the status quo, ensuring brutal repression. The behaviour of the monarchy and particularly the Prince Regent, made them deeply unpopular with the country. Not that they seemed to care. The personal lives of the Royal family, were frequently scandalous. Prinny, the Prince Regent seemed to aim for excess in all areas of his life. We are also given vignettes on the lives of the notorious or celebrated (often the same person). The author combines a witty and sardonic turn of phrase, with beautifully chosen quotes.   When talking about Byron, the first celebrity to get fanmail she writes “Byron’s wife Annabella Milbanke coined the phrase ‘Byromaniacs’for those women who obsessed over her hus...

Viscount Sutherfeld is so concerned about the effect of London Society on his daughters' behaviour, that he relocates the family to an isolated estate in the North. Eldest daughter, Isabel finds life at Rothfield Park tedious. She has to calm her sister Jane, who is convinced that the estate is haunted.  Even more vexing is the announcement that she is to marry a stuffy Colonel. Isabel is independent, intelligent and stroppy! Her parents seek a tutor to give her lessons in propriety and deportment.  Following an argument with the Viscountess, she goes for a reckless gallop through the forest. After she is thrown from her horse, she returns to the house to find a changed atmosphere. Jane has been sent away, the servants shun her and her parents refuse to acknowledge her. Isabel is determined not to succumb to parental pressure. Life is lonely for Isabel, so the arrival of Dougal Weston is an improvement. She doesn’t want a tutor, so having already encouraged several governesses...

Lady Francine, orphaned daughter of a Duke, is being pressured to marry by her unpleasant Aunt Prudence. Francine is just a few weeks from her majority and has no wish to marry. Her fortune means marriage is unnecessary and she wants her independence. When Aunt Prudence starts introducing thoroughly unpleasant suitors and neglecting her duty as a chaperone, Francine knows she must find a way out. She asks Lord Blakely, a notorious rake, to pretend to be her betrothed. He takes some convincing but money and the offer of a sexual liaison, seal the deal. Blakely is plagued by burdens of responsibility and a frightening secret. What starts out as a business arrangement, flares to a steamy education in debauchery. The book details their growing relationship, set against a background of wicked relatives and savage murders in London. For the most part, the steamy sections are well done. There is a ménage à trois, which I found uncomfortable reading, particularly when I didn’t know how far the...

Miss Honora Gregory, daughter of Viscount Greene had been looking forward to her first Season in London. However, several years of difficulties on his estate, left Lord Greene with no money for a Season. Honora’s aunt, Lady Langdon “kindly” offers to take Honora with her to London, but only as a companion. She is a self centred woman, who seems to take great delight in emphasising to Society that Honora is only a companion. Honora meets Lord Crampton, who she finds rude, arrogant and prideful. Robert Crampton is a merchant’s son, who became an Earl due to being the last surviving male in the family.  Unfortunately, his lack of education and previous status have made him anxious about being accepted by the ton. A service to a Duke’s family raises his profile but then it seems to go to his head. Honora has several interactions with Lord Crampton. In her first, she gives him a good set down. As time goes on her blunt honesty gives Robert the push to reflect on his behaviour and try to...

On a foggy All Hallows Eve, Ira and his young colleagues are sent home early so that they can find their way to their homes. Crossing a bridge on his route, he hears a disembodied voice. Already unsettled by the eery effect of the fog, he is startled by the appearance of a black shape. When the shape is revealed to be terrified, desperate woman, Ira wants to help her. So when she jumps into the river, he follows her and brings her to safety. The story she reveals is disturbing. Even more so when it becomes obvious that she is telling the absolute truth. This novella is a compelling Halloween story. The author excels in depicting the eeriness of the fog, the feeling of menace and the sense of being watched. Short, but gripping. I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review

The book follows parallel stories of two characters. In Victorian London, Dr Borthwick develops his practice as a successful accoucheur. Catering to both the desperately poor and increasingly wealthy clients. Unfortunately, Dr Preston, a well established, though less capable accoucheur views Dr Borthwick as a threat. He will use dirty tricks to remove that threat. In Victorian Alnwick, a woman is found on the moor during a thunderstorm. She has no clothes, no money, no name and no memory. She is taken in by the Elliott family. Mary Elliott nurses the woman back to health, giving her the name Joanna. Once recovered, Joanna must work on the farm to repay her debt. Unfortunately, it is run down and the house is a hovel. The living conditions are vile, as is the predatory John Elliott. Joanna is dirty, malnourished, ragged and vulnerable. When Mary goes into labour, Joanna assists. She has midwifery skills and knowledge but no idea where the knowledge came from. She begins to act as midwif...

Jules Knowlton, poet and newly appointed Cambridge professor attends a writer’s retreat. He is drawn to the only other poet in attendance. Leila Owen, is a beautiful Anglo-Indian lady, with a rare gift for poetry. What starts as friendship rapidly becomes something more. Unfortunately, Leila’s father is returning from India after five years and is likely to push for an arranged marriage to help his career in the East India company. When the retreat ends the couple try to find a way for Jules to be accepted as a suitor. However, their plans don’t go quite as planned! This is a lovely story with an unusual couple. It is funny, whimsical and well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review