If You'll Have Me - Review

If You'll Have Me

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: February 3, 2026 by Shadow Mountain Publishing

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A lady desperately seeking freedom. A prosperous younger man. An unexpected connection.

Anna Atwood returns to Breckenridge, where she spent one blissful summer as a young woman. This time, though, she comes to the quaint town as a penniless spinster with a single hope: to build a life free from the constraints her father’s death put on her and free from the persistent suitor Mr. Green, whose plans for marriage are Anna’s worst nightmare. When she runs into David Tate, the boy she knew from that memorable summer, she finds he has grown into a confident and striking man. As they rekindle their friendship, David offers her warmth and protection in the moment she needs it most—when Mr. Green appears in town and threatens to destroy Anna’s carefully laid plans.

David Tate remembers Anna as the spirited woman who once brought light into his dark childhood. Now a man of means, he has a promising future, if he can withstand the powerful Lord Murphy—a man whose menacing hold on the town he owns is surpassed only by his relentless hold on David’s life. When David meets Anna again, he realizes he has a chance to save her from Mr. Green’s schemes, even if it means putting David in danger of Lord Murphy’s wrath and revealing David’s deepest secrets.

In a moment of desperation, David and Anna agree to a proposal of convenience to provide the safety they both need. But as their attraction ignites, the looming dangers from Lord Murphy and Mr. Green threaten to destroy their budding happiness.

Esther Hatch is an auto-read author for me. I have loved every book I've read by her. And this one was no different.

Anna and her mother are in trouble. Her father passed and her relations have decided that they will no longer support Anna and her mother. But they just need a little over a year for Anna to be able to access her inheritance. Anna convinces her mother to return to Breckenridge where they spent one summer when Anna was seventeen. Some friends they made have a cottage that Anna and her mother can stay at, but only for two weeks because they have already rented it. Anna's only other option is to marry a man who is twice her age and as sleazy as they come.

However, their first day back, Anna runs into David who used to follow Anna around that summer. David is three years younger than Anna which isn't typical in historical fiction. David kept his family a secret from Anna back then. His father is Lord Murphy and is quite abusive. As adults, David and his sister Julia are mostly left alone at the family's country estate due to the sacrifice of their older brother, Griffin. David has been in love with Anna since he was fourteen. He had no idea if he would ever see her again though.

When the awful man pursuing Anna's hand shows up to a dinner, David takes matters into his own hands and declares that Anna can't marry Mr. Green because she is engaged to him. The two intend to call off their engagement in time because David has no plans to ever marry. This was a little confusing to me. He was obviously enamored with Anna from the start. So why go through so much trouble to "enjoy their engagement" when that would only leave him with the inevitable broken heart in the end. Yet I suppose he was just so thankful to get to have these moments with Anna that he never dreamed he would actually get.

The aspects involving Lord Murphy felt alittle unrealistic. A little too dramatic. But real life can definitely be stranger than fiction.And I appreciated this book touching on the idea of a member of the peerage being abusive. Obviously, that part could have been real.

Anna and David were such a great couple. And my heart broke for David and his siblings. I am interested to see if Esther Hatch will pursue stories for the side characters, Julia especially, but Griffin also.

Favorite quotes:

-"You see, if I were to fall from this branch right now—” I grabbed her arm. “Please don’t. David would be extremely disappointed in me if I allowed that.” “But if it were to happen—” I tightened my hold. “It won’t.” She narrowed one eye at me as if she simply wanted to finish her sentence. “The point is, I wouldn’t be sad for the climb, even if I fell. Even if I were in pain for days afterward.” ... “Here’s to the climb, then.”

-I’d thought losing my father had been excruciating, but having a father like mine— even if I’d had to lose him— had made my life a paradise compared to David’s.

If You'll Have Me is a semi-marriage of convenience--which is one of my favorite tropes. I rooted for Anna and David. I really liked that Anna was the one to be vulnerable first. As someone who was terrified of that in my life, I can respect it in others. If You'll Have Me gets 4 Stars. Have you read If You'll Have Me? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for If You'll Have Me

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

If You'll Have Me

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: February 3, 2026 by Shadow Mountain Publishing

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A lady desperately seeking freedom. A prosperous younger man. An unexpected connection.

Anna Atwood returns to Breckenridge, where she spent one blissful summer as a young woman. This time, though, she comes to the quaint town as a penniless spinster with a single hope: to build a life free from the constraints her father’s death put on her and free from the persistent suitor Mr. Green, whose plans for marriage are Anna’s worst nightmare. When she runs into David Tate, the boy she knew from that memorable summer, she finds he has grown into a confident and striking man. As they rekindle their friendship, David offers her warmth and protection in the moment she needs it most—when Mr. Green appears in town and threatens to destroy Anna’s carefully laid plans.

David Tate remembers Anna as the spirited woman who once brought light into his dark childhood. Now a man of means, he has a promising future, if he can withstand the powerful Lord Murphy—a man whose menacing hold on the town he owns is surpassed only by his relentless hold on David’s life. When David meets Anna again, he realizes he has a chance to save her from Mr. Green’s schemes, even if it means putting David in danger of Lord Murphy’s wrath and revealing David’s deepest secrets.

In a moment of desperation, David and Anna agree to a proposal of convenience to provide the safety they both need. But as their attraction ignites, the looming dangers from Lord Murphy and Mr. Green threaten to destroy their budding happiness.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

There Goes the Groom - Review

There Goes the Groom (A Romance of Rank, # 1.5)

By: Esther Hatch

Publication: April 15, 2024 by Arbory Press

234 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Catching a husband has never been so complicated.

Matthew Harrison has only one task in life: to marry money. After failing miserably in London, his family takes matters into their own hands by arranging his marriage to the wealthy Lucy Bateman. But when he meets Lucy for the first time, his resolve to save his family from ruin crumbles. Lucy looks to be nothing more than a child, and he cannot fathom going through with the union. Without a thought for the consequences of his actions, he runs away.

Lucy Bateman didn’t like the idea of an arranged marriage, but she agreed in order to save her sister from suffering the same fate. However, when she played a trick on her groom-to-be by sending her younger sister to meet him in her place, he fled without a word. Now, three years later, Lucy stumbles upon her long-lost fiance working as a cart driver. Fate has given her a second chance and this time there will be no tricks… other than pretending to be someone else entirely in order to convince him to come home and marry her.

The description of There Goes the Groom tells you pretty much everything you need to know. Matthew's family needs him to marry for money to save their family. Lucy's family wants her to marry into a title. An arranged marriage isn't what either of them wants, but Lucy agrees so that her sister will be able to choose her own husband one day. Matthew agrees against his better judgment. Yet, when Matthew meets his betrothed, he is struck by how young she is. And nothing is going to entice him to marry a child. He thus runs away. 

Lucy wanted to get the measure of her husband-to-be and that's why she sent her younger sister to pretend to be her. Yet she didn't expect him to flee. The fact that he did says a lot about him, but it's been three years, and she hasn't broken the engagement. I'm not 100% sure why, but Lucy has been living with Matthew's parents since he disappeared. So Lucy stumbles upon him one day while shopping with his mother. She doesn't introduce herself. But she does concoct another scheme. This time, she will go undercover and get to know Matthew herself. 

Stories like this are fun to read about when I don't take them too seriously. Yet, I have a hard time believing them to be realistic at all. When the show Catfish was popular, nearly all the couples on the show couldn't get over the fact that the other person lied to them repeatedly about who they were. Even when they were told that the person was being real and their pictures were the only thing that was fake. Trust, once broken, is hard to build back up. And relationships that start out with deception don't tend to stand very well in the end. But I try not to think too deeply about books like this, and instead, enjoy the journey. 

Favorite quotes:

-What was it about accents that made him want to mimic them?

-"Don't wonder where your work comes from. Just be grateful you have it."

-"Tis a strange thing to be very different from one's parents. What will make them happy could have made me very unhappy. And yet, I was still willing to do it when I didn't think I had another choice."

-"My husband didn't understand subtlety. So I knew I was going to have to tell him outright I was interested in him, or kiss him. He wouldn't have understood anything less." "Really?" Lucy smiled as Mrs. Tucker, with her mob cap and no-nonsense precision, ladled their breakfasts into the bowls. "Which of those did you decide to do?" Mrs. Tucker smiled with a twinkle in her eye. "Both, naturally."

There Goes the Groom was a fast book for me. Changing genres and book length often helps me stay out of a reading slump. And I needed a change from the romantacy genre. I can't take a book like this too seriously. And it isn't meant to be. It's just a fun story to entertain you. I liked the characters. But I don't analyze books like this too closely. There Goes the Groom gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read There Goes the Groom? What did you think? Let me know!

A Proper Facade - Review

A Proper Facade (Proper Scandal, # 4)

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: August 20, 2024 by Covenant Communications

248 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Mercy Rothschild has always been granted an unusually long tether by her parents, who have never pushed her to marry until she’s ready. She assumes that when the right man comes along, she will marry for love. However, even her long-suffering parents have their limits. As she embarks on her third Season, they begin to pressure her to find a match. And the Duke of Harrington is the perfect candidate.

Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, follows the rules of the ton meticulously. When he determines that Mercy is the ideal candidate for a wife, he marches dutifully toward her along the courtship path. Desperate to extricate herself from Harrington’s advances, Mercy concludes that there is only one course of action: she must push her intended into the arms of another woman. But when Mercy becomes acquainted with the man behind the proper facade, her plans come crashing down as she realizes that stiff and proper Harrington might be the very man she’s been waiting for. If only she hadn’t been so successful in her plot to thwart her chances with him.

I have been awaiting another Esther Hatch book for what feels like years. In truth back in September, I read a novella she released in 2023. So it hasn't been that long. But for this series, Proper Scandals, the last release was back in 2021. And I wasn't sure there would be any other books in the series. I never saw anywhere that stated how many books were expected. She did seem to indicate in her author's note that A Proper Facade would be the last book in this series.

Mercy has witnessed love. Her parents were a love match. Her elder sister had a love match even to the point of marrying slightly below her rank. And she has always expected to have a love match. Her parents always gave her the impression that she could take as long as she wanted to find her match. But for some reason, this season her parents have begun to push her towards marriage. She is resistant, to say the least.

Nicholas's family has a history of philandering. His grandfather and great-grandfather were known to be philanderers. But Nicholas's father worked extra hard to turn the family name around. Nicholas once disappointed his father before he died, and now he works extra hard to remain above reproach to make up for it. 

I kept wondering if I'd read Mercy's sister's story in a previous book. Mercy talked about her sister and her love match in a way that made me feel like I should remember reading about it. At first, I thought I was misremembering A Proper Scandal, but then I thought I might have been getting confused with Promised by Leah Garriott. But then I realized that Rosiland's story hasn't been written that I'm aware of. 

Mercy always imagined when her time came that the man of her dreams would sneak her into some hidden alcoves to steal a few kisses because he couldn't help himself. She imagined passion. She basically romanticized her expectations to the point of being a little unrealistic. Sure those things could have happened, but she could just as easily be taken advantage of. Nicholas once acted outside the bounds of society in the name of love, and he only ended up with shame and regret over the experience. He is determined to treat Mercy and her reputation with the utmost respect. And thus he can come off as unfeeling or uninterested in her as a person. These two had a little bit to work out.

A few years ago, I felt like I could not read a book with a romance without one partner sacrificing themselves to the point of hurting both parties in the name of saving or helping their loved one. I got so annoyed with this trend. Self-sacrificing is good when it isn't misguided or easily overcome with a simple conversation. I felt A Proper Facade heading down that path for a bit and worried this course of action would reduce my overall enjoyment of the book that I had been appreciating. Thankfully, I wasn't forced to endure this for too long. 

Favorite quotes:

-"There is no room for enjoyment in perfection."

-"Am I certain I love you? No, but I'm certain you are the only woman I'm going to love for the rest of my life."

That quote continues for quite a while, but I felt like the rest was spoilers so I decided not to include it.

-"I'll play your game today. And then, when you are ready, I hope you will join me in being serious."

A Proper Facade was a good ending to this series. Although, I'm sad to see it go and could easily find a few side characters that I wouldn't mind having a story about. A Proper Facade gets 4 Stars. Mercy and Nicholas didn't have a typical romance, and I liked that they didn't rush into the "I love yous". Have you read A Proper Facade? What did you think? Let me know!

Top Ten Favorite Books in a Series

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Favorite Books in a Series

1. A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 2) by Sarah J Maas
2. Return to Satterwaithe Court (Somerset Stories, # 3) by Mimi Matthews
3. The Belle of Bellgrave Square (Belles on London, # 2) by Mimi Matthews
4. A Proper Scoundrel (Proper Scandals, # 3) by Esther Hatch *current on sale
5. Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, # 5) by Sarah J Maas
6. Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas
7. The Kiss of Deception (Remnant Chronicles, # 1) by Mary E Pearson
8. Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson, # 7) by Darynda Jones
9. The Trouble with Twelfth Grave (Charley Davidson, # 12) by Darynda Jones
10. Morning Star (Red Rising, # 3) by Pierce Brown
11. Blood of My Blood (I Hunt Killers, # 3) by Barry Lyga
12. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, # 3) by Richelle Mead
13. Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, # 6) by Richelle Mead
14. The Dead-Tossed Waves (The Forst of Hand and Teeth, # 2) by Carrie Ryan
15. Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassins, # 3) by Robin LaFevers
16. Slammed (Slammed, # 1) by Colleen Hoover
17. Hopeless (Hopeless, # 1) by Colleen Hoover

Which books are your favorites from your favorite series? Let me know!

For Letter or Worse - Review

For Letter or Worse

By: Esther Hatch

Publication: March 23, 2023 by Bowker

110 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Every word in his letter spells mortification. There was only one reason young Harrison Chase moved away from his idyllic country upbringing to the long dark hours of working in a London factory—he was bound and determined to make his fortune and deserve a chance to court Christine Stone. But as years passed and his dream of making a fortune came closer into view, he realized there were a lot more important things in life than young, unrequited love. In the middle of his charge to reverse the Corn Laws, and make food affordable to workers struggling to feed their families, his housekeeper helpfully mails a letter she finds languishing amongst his things. Not just any letter—a six-year-old love letter to Christine. With no other choice, he rushes back to his childhood home on Christine’s family estate. If he can’t get his hands on that letter before she does, Christine will discover what a pitiful and pretentious fool he had been. Only, he hadn’t counted on the mail being delayed. Now, Harrison must decide which is worse—waiting with Christine as he not-so-slowly falls back in love with her, or returning to London without the letter, knowing once she reads it, he will never be able to visit her or look her in the eye again.

This book was previously published as part of the Timeless Victorian Romance Collection A Note of Change , under the title "Waiting for the Post."

Harry left home years ago to make money. He wanted to marry his childhood friend and neighbor, Christine. But as the son of a steward, he had nothing to offer her. He needed to make his fortune to be worthy of her hand and have something to offer her. While he was away, he did just that. He did make his fortune, but he also discovered a cause worth fighting for, and whether nobly or stupidly, he sacrificed all for the cause. Every penny he earned, he promised to those in position to repeal the corn laws. The worst part about that is the corn laws will likely cause Christine's family's estate to suffer. So he stuffs his feelings and tries to forget her. A letter he wrote to Christine years ago, but never sent, accidentally gets posted, and he freaks out. He travels straight home in hopes of intercepting it.

Christine is exactly as Harry remembers her, and being close to her brings all his buried but never forgotten memories and emotions back to the surface. Christine was heartbroken with the way Harry left without a word all those years ago. Her friend is home, and she hopes to confide in him that she's planning on taking a position as a governess. Christine is waiting on the very letter from her potential future employer to arrive. And thus, Christine and Harry begin to meet daily and wait on the post to arrive together.

This was such a sweet romance. I didn't want to stop reading, and I did read it really quickly. The passion that Harry wrote to Christine was palpable. And how she could respond in any way besides reciprocation would be impossible. Yet Harry is essentially in the same position as he was all those years ago. He is still penniless because even though he did make quite a lot of money, he plans to give it all away.

Esther Hatch has done it again. Really well written. I loved the characters. Harry was so stinking honorable. And Christine was truly charming. For Letter or Worse gets 4 Stars. Have you read For Letter or Worse? What did you think? Let me know!

The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed - Review

The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed (A Romance of Rank, # 2)

By: Esther Hatch

Publication: December 30th 2022

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--If there is one woman Samson Rutherford, Earl of Riverton, can’t abide, it is his meddling sister. He has spent his whole life being a pawn in her plans and tricks, but when one of her schemes leaves him dressed in women’s clothing, he has finally had enough. He cannot beat her at her games, or even say no to her, his only option to save his sanity and pride is to run away--and fortunately, his solicitor knows just the place…

Florence Wallace wasn’t born to be a governess, but with her family’s fall from grace, she has become one. A good one. However, when the chance arises to stay at her uncle’s home so she can care for his horticulture project while he is absent, she jumps at the chance. Leaving her position, she plans to gather her sisters together so they can be a family again--even if it is only for a little while.

But the last thing Florence expected to find upon her arrival was her childhood friend. Samson has sequestered himself at the cottage and claims to have been invited to watch over her uncle’s business while he is away. But Florence insists that’s what she’s been asked to do. The quiet retreat is what they both need, but who will get to stay?

Not Samson, because he has never gotten the better of a woman, not since… well, not since Florence let him kiss her years ago…

Come to think of it, perhaps it is time for Samson to win after all.

Samson is surrounded by bossy women. He has nothing but sisters. I can't remember how many. And specifically, he has a twin sister, Dru, who seems set on making his life miserable. He has never been able to say no to Dru, but she seems to have turned her pranks into spiteful attacks over the recent past. He doesn't know what sparked the change in their relationship, but he knows one thing: he has got to get away and get some peace for a while. I truly felt bad for him.

Catherine grew up with Samson, Dru, and her best friend, Meg (one of Samson's sisters). While participating in a play that Dru put on, Samson once kissed Catherine, and everything changed for her after that. She couldn't see him the same anymore. When Catherine's parents lost their fortune, she thought Samson might offer for her, but he never did. She is still trying to recover from her heartbreak. But to make matters worse, her parents sacrificed herself and her two sisters to save face in front of their peers as much as possible. Catherine views this time at her uncle's cottage as an opportunity to reconnect with her sisters, who have been apart for some time.

I struggled to believe that Samson and Catherine could possibly have come to the idea that sharing the cottage wouldn't have repercussions. Society's strict rules would have demanded either they marry or Catherine's reputation would have been ruined. These two knew that. And yet they proceeded to walk a path they knew didn't have a good ending. I always struggle with characters pursuing the easy path based on desires and not reason. I mean, I don't want them to be unfeeling, and of course, we all struggle with doing the right thing sometimes. But I want to read about characters with strong moral standards. Samson and Catherine didn't do anything truly scandalous or wrong.

Favorite quotes:

-"Better to be a prat of my own choosing than have someone make a prat out of me."

-He forfeited, because he always would prefer to let the other person win.

That last quote reminds me of my husband.

In the end, I felt sorry for how Dru treated Samson, and I understood his need to escape and become his own man. I felt sorry for how Catherine's parents treated her and her siblings. I wanted a little bit more backbone from Samson and Catherine both when he came to their choice of putting themselves in a compromising situation. I want to read more of Dru's story and more of Catherine's sisters. I still want Victoria's story as well. I hate to report that even with all of that want, The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed has been my least favorite Esther Hatch book. I'm giving it 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed? What did you think? Let me know!

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases Q1/Q2 2023

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases Q1/Q2 2023

1. Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
2. These Infinite Threads (Woven Kingdoms, # 2) by Tahereh Mafi
3. Isha, Unscripted by Sajni Patel
4. The Last Chance Cowboy (Colorado Cowboy, # 5) by Jody Hedlund
5. The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon
6. Painting the Summer (Return to Inglewood, # 1) by Sally Britton
7. Return to Satterthwaite Court (Somerset Stories, # 3) by Mimi Matthews
8. Happy Place by Emily Henry
9. Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
10. There Goes the Groom by Esther Hatch

Which books are you most anticipating for the first half of 2023? Let me know!

Can't Wait for There Goes the Groom

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

There Goes the Groom (A Romance of Rank, # 1.5)

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: May 1, 2023

109 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Catching a husband has never been so complicated.

Matthew Harrison has only one task in life: to marry money. After failing miserably in London, his family takes matters into their own hands by arranging his marriage to the wealthy Lucy Bateman. But when he meets Lucy for the first time, his resolve to save his family from ruin crumbles. Lucy looks to be nothing more than a child, and he cannot fathom going through with the union. Without a thought for the consequences of his actions, he runs away.

Lucy Bateman didn’t like the idea of an arranged marriage, but she agreed in order to save her sister from suffering the same fate. However, when she played a trick on her groom-to-be by sending her younger sister to meet him in her place, he fled without a word. Now, three years later, Lucy stumbles upon her long-lost fiance working as a cart driver. Fate has given her a second chance and this time there will be no tricks… other than pretending to be someone else entirely in order to convince him to come home and marry her.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed (A Romance of Rank, # 2)

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: December 30th 2022

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--If there is one woman Samson Rutherford, Earl of Riverton, can’t abide, it is his meddling sister. He has spent his whole life being a pawn in her plans and tricks, but when one of her schemes leaves him dressed in women’s clothing, he has finally had enough. He cannot beat her at her games, or even say no to her, his only option to save his sanity and pride is to run away--and fortunately, his solicitor knows just the place…

Florence Wallace wasn’t born to be a governess, but with her family’s fall from grace, she has become one. A good one. However, when the chance arises to stay at her uncle’s home so she can care for his horticulture project while he is absent, she jumps at the chance. Leaving her position, she plans to gather her sisters together so they can be a family again--even if it is only for a little while.

But the last thing Florence expected to find upon her arrival was her childhood friend. Samson has sequestered himself at the cottage and claims to have been invited to watch over her uncle’s business while he is away. But Florence insists that’s what she’s been asked to do. The quiet retreat is what they both need, but who will get to stay?

Not Samson, because he has never gotten the better of a woman, not since… well, not since Florence let him kiss her years ago…

Come to think of it, perhaps it is time for Samson to win after all.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Manor for Sale, Baron Included - Review

Manor for Sale, Baron Included (A Romance of Rank, # 1)

By: Esther Hatch

Publication: February 25th 2021

247 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--She has everything Lord Farnsworth wants, including his manor.

Lord Farnsworth would rather rot in debtor’s prison than sell the one place that feels like home to him—his mother’s manor. That is, until he meets the woman who wants to buy it. Sally Duncan is beautiful, intelligent, and as rich as a baron—a rich baron, not a cash-strapped one like Lord Farnsworth. She’s the solution to every one of his financial problems and is bewitching to boot. All he needs to do is sell her his beloved manor and then charm her to the altar, and the manor will be his again. Simple, right?

But nothing is simple when Sally starts tearing apart his ancestral home and renovating it in a way no one would consider tasteful. She is wreaking havoc on everything, but he cannot give up on owning his mother’s estate again, nor can he imagine anyone but Sally as his wife.

And so he sticks with his plan.

What a horrible mistake.

I have really become a fan of Esther Hatch. I didn't remember until going back to re-read some of my reviews from 2021 that A Proper Scoundrel made me laugh. That was one of the best things about Manor for Sale, Baron Included. I mean who sells a house and a Baron comes along with it. What's really happening is that Lord Farnsworth just can't bear to let go of the home where he spent the most time with his mother. But the finances he inherited from his father have him in the red and something has got to go. He hatches a scheme to sell the manor and get the lady who buys it to agree to marry him so that he can once again possess the home.

Bless her! Who wouldn't be upset when buying a home and the former owner just won't leave. Sally has her mind set on one thing. She wants to establish a home where her sister Victoria can flourish, unlike the stuffy townhome they all lived in back in London. Victoria is in a wheelchair, so the home Sally purchased will need some renovations to make it accessible for Victoria. Only the former owner just won't go away. Sally taunts him with the changes she plans to make and the two exchange a series of funny gifts.

Johnathan was intrigued by Sally upon their first meeting. Of course, Sally had something that he wanted--his house--but more than that he caught a glimpse of someone he might share his life with. And he goes about pursuing her and that end with fervor. Sally doesn't even see Johnathan as anything but a nuisance until she witnesses his interactions with her sister. And even then, he's still not consciously on her radar romantically. It takes some winning over for her to see otherwise.

This book was funny, but it was deeper and more complex than I expected. Each character has a developed backstory that lends depth to them. Sally is independent. She was chosen by her grandfather to be his heir, a decision her father didn't understand. She wasn't a boy. She doesn't want to be in a position of having her husband disappointed if she only provides daughters instead of heirs. And she wants to see her sister settled and taken care of. Johnathan grew up in a family where his parents were mostly separated after he was born. And he essentially only saw his mother in the winter of each year. He has inherited the barony but it's bleeding money, and he needs to find a way to lower the rent for his tenant farmers, not raise it.

My favorite quotes mostly revolved around the squirrel (IYKYK), but I'll only include two of those:

-And he still hadn't been offered any tea. He had brought her a perfectly good squirrel; the least she could do was offer him some tea.

-The squirrel had been a mistake. Never bring a young woman a squirrel. Young ladies liked flowers and sweetmeats, not wild game.

Manor for Sale, Baron Included was exactly what I've come to expect from Esther Hatch. Delicious. I loved the well-developed characters--even the secondary characters. I rooted for the relationship. I devoured the pages. I laughed and smiled like a lunatic. And I can't wait for more. Manor for Sale, Baron Included gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Manor for Sale, Baron Included? What did you think? Let me know!

A Proper Scoundrel - Review

A Proper Scoundrel (A Proper Scandal, # 3)

By: Esther Hatch

Publication: May 10th 2021 by Covenant Communications

256 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

Source: Personal Kindle Library (birthday present)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions—and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.

Esther Hatch has become a favorite author of mine. Each of her stories have jumped off the page, and the characters and storylines have hooked me from early on. I have truly struggled with read in 2021, but A Proper Scoundrel hooked me immediately. I do think being familiar with Lord Bryant from the previous two books did help.

I was wondering how in the world Esther Hatch would take a notorious scoundrel and rake and turn him into the leading male of any story. But she did a wonderful job of creating a believable backstory with reason and motivation for his actions.

Diana is the sister of Nate from A Proper Scandal. She's already scandalous on her own as a woman both owning and running her own railroad company. I loved Esther Hatch's play on the opening line from Pride and Prejudice: "As everyone knows, a single woman in possession of a railroad company must be in want of a husband." Diana had the confidence needed to be a proper match for Lord Bryant.

I loved the build between these two, and I don't want to get into too much of the specifics due to spoilers. I will say that this is the 3rd book in a row I have read that has used the fake relationship trope, and I have loved every one of them. The banter between these two was so enjoyable.

Favorite quotes:

-"When I win, I will be sure to let you know."

A missed opportunity not to refer to this later, IMO.

-Half the time, I'm not sure what is real and what is pretend.

-He smiled. She was becoming almost tired of his smile and the way it sucked in everyone around him. She wished he would be rid of it for a day and allow her to not dwell on whom else he had been smiling at.

-"But when he dropped his burden in the pond, he became happy for what he could be happy for--that he no longer had a burden. He didn't mourn the things he couldn't change." ..."He didn't want to lose his burden. It was only after it had slipped in that he rejoiced it was gone."

-You couldn't love a dragon, nor could you get close to one, but you wouldn't wish it to become a fish.

-She would not trust her heart if her head didn't agree with it.

-"Since the moment I saw you, I've been on a train hurtling down a track that always leads to you."

Diana and Lord Bryant made such a good story. I was happy with the background and explanation for his scoundrel ways. I could easily root for both of these characters. And I can't wait to read more from Esther Hatch. A Proper Scoundrel gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Proper Scoundrel? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for A Proper Scoundrel

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

A Proper Scoundrel

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: May 10th 2021 by Covenant Communications

256 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions—and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Most Anticipated Books of Q1/Q2 2021

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Most Anticipated Books of Q1/Q2 2021.

1. A Court of Silve Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 4) by Sarah J Maas
2. A Good Day for Chardonnay (Sunshine Vicram, # 2) by Darynda Jones
3. Beguiled (Betwixt & Between, # 3) by Darynda Jones
4. The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
5. Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis
6. Winning the Gentleman (Hearts of the Heath, # 2) by Kristi Ann Hunter
7. Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
8. Sunkissed by Kasie West
9. A Proper Scoundrel by Esther Hatch
10. The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash, # 3) by Jennifer L Armentrout

Which books are you most looking forward to in the first half of 2021? Let me know!