You are my friend.
My confidante.
My lover.
But most of all, you are the other half of my soul.


I am not usually a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope but this made my heart melt. I love how it's not cringe-y and cheesy and both are such relatable and endearing characters. Their relationship is so intimate and stress-free (haha! hey, compared to dark romance or enemy to lovers. this is so peaceful.) It's so heartwarming it feels like a hug. Very easy read I finished this in one sitting! I am now going back and reading the previous books as well as wait for the upcoming books in this series.

Phin doesn’t have funds to care for the Botanical gardens which are an integral part of the Marrywell Matchmaking Festival. His solution is to find an heiress, perhaps at this year’s festival. After five years, Leah returns to Marrywell as companion to a wealthy young lady hoping to find a match. Phin and Leah were childhood friends. Maybe Leah could help him win Miss Selkirk’s hand? How can Leah help him marry someone else when she has always loved him? This is a wonderful story with engaging characters. Phin and Leah make an awesome couple. There are some problems to solve, a deceitful stepmother and conniving employer, humor, a bit of sizzle, and an enjoyable festival. Another enjoyable journey to the Marrywell Matchmaking Festival.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review
TRIGGER ALERT: Abusive family circle.
-Somewhat predictable, it is still an enjoyable read.
-Genevieve is totally naïve to the worlds of gardening (which got a LMAO from me), money and love. Mrs. Dunhill is a somewhat participant in deception but still get her HEA with Mr. Bilson. Even if it's P&L's story, it wouldn't have been too much to add a bit of their story too. Mrs. Selkirk is the baddest of them all, except for Leah's mother. She doesn't mind crushing people to benefit her wants and needs. Wait till Captain Selkirk hears about this!
-Phineas holds a lot of guilt concerning his grandfather. As the hero of our story, I thought he was a bit flaky - Good thing he had his grandmother and Tom to help him out. Leah aspired for love for ~20 years and she finally gets her wishes to come true. Making peace with family is always difficult. Many times, in Burke's books, the bedroom scenes are not appropriate or at the wrong time. Like this one, he wanted to marry Genevieve but sleeps with Leah - because she's desperate for love.
-Many repeats that could have cut the page count a bit. For instance, Leah thinks about Phineas at least 6 times by 6%. This time, there is no skin colors but we do have hair colors throughout.
-There's a mystery or two mixed in the romances of the festival and it looks (from what I remember) that all loose knots were taken care of at the end. No surprises there, but like I said, it's a bit predictable.
-"What kind of boy kissed a girl and forgot about it...?" Every boy! And probably every girl too.
-The pace was really slow but still interesting. We were missing the chemistry between Phineas and Leah though. I always like to see other couples from the series and this one is no exception.

Phineas Radford is in dire straits trying to keep his botanical gardens in tip top shape for the Marrywell Matchmaking Festival. Problem is, his father left the estate deeply in debt and Phin has been trying to economize so that he could keep up with the garden's maintenance, but he was failing badly. His only option was to marry an heiress. Miss Leah Webster left her unhappy childhood Marrywell 7 years ago to become a companion for a baron's wife. Now she's back in Marrywell as a new companion for a young woman looking to marry. She never forgot her dearest friend Phin and the one she's loved for as long as she could remember. When he begins to show interest in Genevieve, Leah's heart is breaking all over again. How can she endure watching the man she loves marry another?

This was a sweet story with a slow burn romance. I didn't find Phin to be very *swoon-worthy*, but more just accepting of his fate. Once he realizes he loves Leah, he did step up, but it was near the end of the book and almost too late. Of course, I knew that Mrs. Selkirk was the villain in the story and pretty much had figured out what she had done. Leah was much more likeable and I'm glad she blossomed even more once she and Phin talked about everything and she shared her ideas for making the gardens profitable. I love this series and am looking forward to reading the next book.
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I normally love Darcy Burke but this book fell a bit flat for me. FMC Leah left the idyllic town of Marrywell after a difficult childhood, leaving behind her best friend (and the subject of her secret love), MMC Phinneas ("Phin"). Leah has returned as a companion to an alleged heiress (Genevieve) who seeks a match at the annual marriage festival and because she longs to see Phin again. Phin in the meantime has fallen into dire financial straits and has determined there is nothing else for him to do but marry an heiress so Genevieve's arrival seems most fortuitous. Leah is of course hurt but hides it in the name of demonstrating her love by allowing Phin to marry Genevieve. But the duo's reconnection also brings in old/new emotions and the desire for a different sort of HEA.

Phin is a very bland MMC. He seems content to be rather buffeted around by life and it is hard to buy his sudden realization that he both loves and desires Leah when he was set on marrying her employer only a couple hours before he declares his desire for Leah (which he does only after learning that Genevieve has decided she does not want to marry him at all). While he is portrayed as a horticulturalist versus a businessman, it doesn't take a ton of business savvy to see that allowing access to his beloved gardens for free would likely be a better solution than marrying a stranger for funds. Leah is more likable than Phin, but again doesn't come across as a strong character, though she is admittedly more in sync with the actual times than are many of the more feisty FMCs I have previously enjoyed. The inheritance plot line was obvious, and her family issues seem far too easily resolved. I also felt for poor Genevieve, whose fairly crappy hand in life was summarily dismissed.

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because I know Ms. Burke is normally much better. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

I want to put this book on my keeper shelf. So I read it again and I am going to put on my keeper shelf.
This review may contain spoilers.
The heroinei this story is about 25 years old. When she was 18, she moved away to become a lady's companion. She has not been home for seven years. The heroine adored the lady who hired her. The lady treated her as a daughter and the heroine loved her back. When the lady died about a year ago, the heroine's position changed to become the lady's niece's companion. The niece was in her first Season, but expected to marry. The niece was nice, but her mother was not. And she was always mean and demeaning to the heroine.
The heroine had to get a job when she turned 18. Her father was married to a women when the heroine's mother had her. He forced his wife to accept he heroine and raise her as their child. The heroine suffered years of physical and verbal abuse.
The village the heroine is from is the basis of a series of books. The name of the village is Marrywell and the town leaders play on that name, think "marry well", and there is a matchmaking festival every spring that lasts a week. There are assembles, teas, garden parties, balls and so many entertainments. The town advertises that if you come for the festival and you are single, you will find a partner and leave the village married. And the festival is not for just the aristocracy, all levels of society mingle there, trying to find their future spouse. The books in the series have been thoughtful and fun.
The heroine meets up with her childhood friend on the first day back. He is the same age as her and on her last day in the village, they kissed. But the hero was too young to marry according to his parents. His family runs the Marrywell Botanical Gardens, and in addition to a maze and gardens for parties, there is a beer hall where people can try different beers all day long. They haven't seen each other in seven years and both feel the stirrings of attraction., but there is a small snag. The heroine is a working lady and the hero needs to marry an heiress.
This book was great! I liked the age gap and the personality of the main characters. I hated the villian and encouraged the supporting characters to help the main characters. I give this book 5 stars and recommend reading.

Darcy Burke brings another delightful romance. Fun, unique setting with interesting characters and a story line that keeps you interested from start to finish. Don't miss this one

Lady's companion Leah returns to her hometown for Marrywell’s annual May Day Matchmaking Festival. When she meets up with Phineas, her first love, the spark between them is still there. But he needs to marry an heiress to save his estate from bankruptcy. Can Phineas and Leah find a way to be together?

This clever and captivating Regency romance has all the feels. Leah and Phineas are clearly meant to be together, but social forces conspire against them. An emotional subplot deals with Leah's heartbreaking estrangement from her family. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

3.5 stars

I absolutely adore Darcy Burke's style of writing! This is the third book in the Lords in Love series and the second of Burke's contributions. We return to the town of Marrywell and their annual matchmaking festival the year after Sophie and Law's advantageous match. Leah is back in town after fleeing her abusive home life seven years ago. She had become the companion of a widowed baroness until her death last year. The baronesses family offered to continue her companion job until her daughter is able to make a match. Leah agrees to attend the matchmaking festival and help find Genevieve a husband even if it means confronting her past.

Phin is struggling to keep the botanical gardens manicured and running. His father gambled away all of the family money and he needs to come up with a quick solution before the stone literally falls down around him. His last resort is to marry an heiress and luckily it's time for the matchmaking festival. Phin is stopped in his tracks when he runs into his childhood best friend, Leah, whom he hasn't seen in seven years. She agrees to help him make a match with Genevieve even if they won't suit in the long term. Memories have a way of bringing back past feelings and turning friends into something more.

Although Darcy's books are usually a huge hit with me, this one the hero fell a little flat. It was a slow burn, friends to lovers. I tend to love a much more authoritative hero and that was not Phin. He was kind of wishy washy right up to the 70 percent mark. I think this was just a case of the tropes not aligning with the reader. It was really nice to be able to peek into the lives of Law and Sophie again. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing what other matches are going to take place.

Thank you to NetGalley, Darcy Burke, and Zealous Quill Press for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
#netgalley #zealousquillpress #lordsinlove #romancingtheheiress

This book was an enjoyable read, but it was a bit bland.

The romance wasn't spectacular. I wouldn't say this was a slow burn so much as there was no romance until the very end. There was neither desire nor spark nor passion. The plot made sense, but the conflicts didn't feel as dire as they should have because emotions weren't very flushed out in this novel. The writing wasn't bad, it just wasn't exemplary. And with romance novels, that is typical.

Ultimately, I think this was a book suitable for persons that are interested in historical romance and not necessarily looking for romantic suspense or passion filled writing.

This was a beautiful friends-to-lovers romance with just a touch of spice. While I did like the main couple, Phin’s character is somewhat clueless. The story was rather predictable, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment in reading it. It was a light, fluffy story, and I read it in one sitting. The portrayal of female friendship between Leah and Sadie is particularly delightful, and it was nice to revisit Sadie and Law from book one. I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.

Love is in the air at the Marrywell Mayday Matchmaking Festival. She left with a broken heart but had to escape abuse and came back with hope for the future. He missed her but now has to face a financial dilemma. Only true love will bring the right people together. Inspiring read about facing one’s past and misfortune with dignity and courage.

I received an ARc of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

I’d like to thank the author, the publisher Zealous Quill Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Romancing The Heiress” by Darcy Bruke is the third installment of the “Lords in Love' '-series and tells the story of Leah and Phin. Leah and Phin had been friends since they were small children, spending most of their time in the botanic garden of Phin’s family. Early on, Leah developed a crush on her childhood friend which over the years turned into deep affection. Due to her love staying unrequited and family problems making living in Marrywell unbearable, Leah moved to London to be a companion to a rich Lady. Almost a decade later, Leah returns to attend the May Day Matchmaking Festival with her new employer and a spark of hope that this time around Phin might return her feelings.
Five years ago, Phin inherited the estate, botanic gardens as well as the debts of his father. Afraid that his money troubles might frighten the citizens of Marrywell and affect the already dragging business, Phin keeps his worries to himself. Out of desperation for financial aid, he starts considering looking for a wife with a large dowry at this year’s May Day Matchmaking Festival. So, it’s only convenient when his childhood friend Leah accompanies a rich heiress to Marrywell’s yearly festivities. All his problems seemed solved, weren’t it for these strange feelings that started bubbling up between him and Leah. And when they share a secret kiss, the prospect of marrying anyone but Leah becomes more and more unbearable.

It’s been a while since I read such a sweet friends-to-lovers-romance as “Romancing The Heiress”. Though one does not spend a very long time with Leah and Phin, one can’t help but to care for them. Leah is a kind hearted and strong female character who decided early on that she wanted to stand on her own two feet. The supposed rejection by Phin was hard on her, even though she does not show it. And while Leah only hides her feelings, Phin hides all his problems pretending they don’t exist, despite the fact his world is crashing down on him. Only when they reveal their hidden sides to each other, their estranged friendship rekindles and sparks start flying.

I very much enjoyed the setting of Marrywell and the May Day Matchmaking Festival. The book is such a pleasant read for summer and spring with all the descriptions of parks, plants and balls. The idea of a festival of matchmaking is unique and definitely fun to read, from the hopes for love of the candidates to the announcement of the May King and Queen aka the most successful match. If I had the chance, I’d definitely attend.

I loved how the novel tackled the theme of estrangement whether it be between friends or family. Although this novel is fun and lighthearted, it very depicts the struggles and loss of becoming estranged with people you were once close to. In particular, Leah deals with this experience and I enjoyed watching how she overcame the loneliness and sense of loss.

The main reason why I rated this novel 4 instead of 5 stars is that the plot is very predictable and one could see everything coming. This isn’t really much a flaw, but more a personal preference. I do like having unexpected things happening and a touch of angst getting the tension up. None of these were present here. From page one on you know what will happen, you recognise every twist and turn ahead and it’s pretty much smooth sailing. Particularly, if like me you have read quite a bit of historical romances and are used to the tropes and overall structure of the stories. Just a touch of surprise would have set the cherry on top.

Overall, a sweet and fun novel perfect for spring and summer. A great novel for fans of the friends-to-lovers-trope and English countryside. I’d definitely pick up another book by the authors and can’t wait to read more about Lords in love.

Forced to leave the man she secretly loved behind when she became a companion, Leah returns home again. She realizes she has nothing to offer Phin as he needs to marry an heiress. After spending time together, Phin comes to realize he can not have anyone else. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Zealous Quill Press for my honest review.

Leah left Marrywell because of family problems and became a companion to an older lady. When the older lady passed away, she became a companion to the lady's young niece, Genevieve. Now they are hack in Marrywell to find a husband for Genevieve at the annual matchmaking festival.
Leah is happy to see her old friend, Phin, who owns the botanical gardens in Marrywell. She has secretly been in love with him for quite some time. Phin sees Genevieve's dowry as a way to restore the gardens.
There are a few twists and surprises in the story which make for a very exciting read.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and these are my opinions. A 5-star read.

This is the story of Leah and Phin, who grew up together in the small town Marrywell. Leah didn’t have a happy childhood so she left and hasn’t returned in 7 years to become the companion of an elderly lady. Now she is in the employ of another lady who wants her daughter Genevieve married to a titled man. Since Marrywell hosts an annual May Day matchmaking festival, Leah returns to the small town with the whole ensemble. Phin in the meantime inherited the botanical gardens from his father, but struggles with maintaining it due to a lack of funds. So his solution is to marry an heiress and Genevieve catches his eye.
I felt the story was quite predictable and lacked pace and chemistry. Phin didn’t come across as a strong, independent man who knows what he wants and takes action. He was often doubting himself, wondering what he would do or how he felt. He could clearly see that Leah’s her employer was a nasty woman, but still thought she “found happiness as a companion” and was confused when she made a snarky comment after another man payed attention to her. He seemed oblivious to her feelings and I found that quite weak. Leah was also quite passive, forever waiting for Phin to answer her feelings, since she’s been in love with him since they were little children. So they both dances around each other, all the while trying to save the botanical gardens. Those gardens seemed more important to Phin than his own happiness or that of his wife, because he was willing to marry any woman with funds. If he had a family or was a landowner with tenants who depended on him for their livelihood, it would have made sense, but not to keep up gardens for the benefit of the neighborhood.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I struggled with book 1, but I like the author and hoped since there wouldn’t be much set up in book 3 that the pacing would be better.
Leah Webster has returned to Marrywell as a paid companion to get her charge married and to see the boy she left behind. Phineas Radford is on the verge of bankruptcy because of his father’s gambling and needs to marry for money to keep the town’s botanical gardens open.

Of course Phin never considered his old friend and of course Leah is jealous when he settles on her employer. Genevieve wasn’t a villain and the actual villain was clear a thousand miles away. I liked Phin even in the first book, but I just wish Phin had realized Leah was the woman for him BEFORE he knew Genevieve would probably say no.

Romancing the Heiress is the third book in the Lords in Love Series. In this book, Leah and Phil are childhood friends who have been out of touch for many years. Phin owns the botanical gardens, an essential part of Marrywell’s Matchmaking Festival. He is under great strain to maintain the gardens thanks to his profligate deceased father. Leah left Marrywell and escaped a bad family situation by becoming companion to an elderly woman. Her charge passed away, so Leah became companion to her employer’s great niece. She has returned to Marrywell as her new charge is participating in the festival.

This is a very sweet story that deals with estrangement and loss of different kinds. The couple is endearing although Phin is a bit thick at times. The story was pretty predictable but was handled in a fun and sweet manner, which made it enjoyable. I am liking this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zealous Quill Press for the ARC. All opinions are solely my own.

A fun sweet friends to lover's story which was enjoyable although it did take Phin a while to make his mind up. The other thing to be noted is the plot is very predictable and I spotted very early on how this one was going to be resolved. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The male love interest was a waste of space and I did not buy that he had no idea he was in love with Leah. I also didn’t love that there was no transition btn just friends and completely besotted. He just went there and it was jarring to see.