loved this book. Jennifer is such a great story teller. loved these characters the enemies to lovers and misguided notions. who doesn't love a house party where anything can happen

Enthralling levels of tension, passion, and intrigue.

“You’re so warm,” she observed. “Burning,” he said quietly. “For you.”

A short and swoony romance with plenty of angst, a bit of steam, and a touch of spice. I like that the FMC was progressive for her time period and knew her own mind the redemption arc of the MMCs character was perfect. He was a good character to start but he was determined to make the world better for his people and his lady which is why I fell madly in love with him. There wasn’t a lot of spice but the chemistry was hot and clandestine affairs hotter so I have no complaints.

🌶️🌶️
Characters: 💙💙💙💙💙
Historical Romance: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, secret affair, family secrets
Third Person, Past Tense, Dual POV

This was my first Jennifer Haymore book. I love a house party setting. It gives the characters more opportunity to flirt and get to know each other. I also liked Georgiana and adored Theo, the misunderstood hero paying for the sins of his father. The pacing of the book was a bit slow. It wasn’t until the last quarter of the book until there were any real obstacles or tension, which was then solved relatively quickly. So the book was a bit slow, then rushed. Overall, enjoyable and would recommend for some light fun reading.

ARC received from NetGalley

Georgina Milford has a large dowry but no title. After avoiding fortune hunters for the season she gladly accepts her friend Charlotte’s invitation to a friend’s house party. Her parents want her to marry well but they have one mortal enemy the Duke of Desborough who would not be welcomed on the list. Of course at the house party the Duke is in attendance at the invitation of Charlotte’s husband Finn. But it is the new Duke, Theo St. Clair, who is trying to improve his family's name after his father spent a lifetime causing ruin. The house party is fun with picnics, hunts, games and flirting. And Theo St. Clair and Georgiana seem to be running into each other everywhere.

This is delightfully fun. Theo comes off haughty but he is very frustrated that he can’t be seen for himself and not his father’s reputation. Georgiana’s father is quick to complain and proclaim every slight of his family as they live on neighboring properties. I love when Georgiana realizes she has judged him unfairly. And giving him a chance means stolen kisses and getting a bit steamy. The setting at a house party relaxes some of the rules of chaperones giving them more time together. They are playful and fun and I like that though she is inexperienced she is bold and independent. I didn’t love the predictable breakup moment but of course love is going to win.

This is not listed as a sequel but Charlotte and Finn were the main characters of Earl’s Rush In (May 2023). I enjoyed that book as well and liked them being part of this story.

Where to start? This review contains small, but relevant spoilers.

The moment I picked this book up, I knew I would fall in love with it. From the introduction of the Duke with his gorgeous appearance and his attitude unlike his father's that our main character, was going to fall for him despite her hardest efforts not too! This was a delight to read, so much that I read the book within a day, I was hooked! There's so much in this book that I can give credit to Jennifer Haymore, the attention to detail of the scenery and timeline, along with the relationships and events that happen within this two week stay. I thoroughly enjoyed how easily and smoothly the words flowed and chapters too, it wasn't jumped about, it was just perfect and the ending! We cannot forget that the ending was so pleasant, and I would love to read a continuation. I'm not familiar with Jennifer's work, but now I am and I will happily read her other books.

We start off learning that Georgiana has been struggling to find a spouse, they all want her for her fortune which her father made and was not born into. However, in the first chapter we find that Georgiana was talking with an old friend when she found herself in a slight predicament where her dress became caught in a bush. To save the day, our Duke finds himself lending his own carriage which Georgiana does not like.

After the terrible ordeal, Georgiana is invited to a two week party at a Lord's country home only to find herself there, with the wretched Duke himself, nicknamed the Duke of Despots. However, after numerous situations that Georgiana finds herself in, she soon warms up to the Duke and finds herself quite attracted to him.

It was a perfect fluffy and cozy romance. I had a great time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Enemies to lovers done well.

Georgiana and Theo are neighbors and their families are enemies. She is from a rich, cit family. He is the son of a ruthless, terrible duke. His father's halo seems to follow him.

Over a house party Georgianas impression of Theo changes slowly and steadily and she realizes that the son cannot be painted with the same brush as the father. Theo is trying to change all the damage his father has done, but is facing a very uphill battle.

They declare their love, but Theo gives up their future (temporarily), to give Georgiana everything she deserves, him, his love, and her family.

This was a well written book. The characters were developed and the walls came down slowly and realistically.

I am over the moon about this book. The characters were fantastic. Hands down to Theo and Georgiana for carrying this book to the highest form of respect under the historical romance category. The plot was truly brilliant. The creative ideas and characters are simply marvelous.
When the father rushed into the house and Shook Georgina by the shoulders. I literally could feel his rage through the dialogue and the characters actions. Ladies Theo was flawless. The man carried is personality with the highest regard of grace. After reading the story I think that Theo is the one who has grown the most.
I loved that Georgianna carried herself like a lady should during her time. Her willingness to not give up on the thing that is true to her was the highlight of the book. The stolen moments of romance and that blossoms is so beautiful. I can only say the writing is outstanding and very talented. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Georgiana and Theo's story! I just loved watching these two together! I just loved all the bantering between these two.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Intimate Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Almost immediately (chapter 1, or 1% of the story)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, ten months later

Should I read in order?
You can read this alone! I believe it’s a stand alone...

Basic plot:
Georgiana is used to fighting off fortune hunters, but when her family’s worst enemy shows up at the 2 week house party she’s attending, she’s not sure she can make it through...

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- country estate setting
- house party!
- enemies to lovers (on the heroine’s side)
- rival families
- forbidden love vibes
- class difference – duke hero and merchant’s daughter heroine
- fashion loving/creating heroine
- interesting facts woven in – like lawn bowling licenses!
- a bit of a possessive hero – he gets a bit jealous for the heroine
- some euphemism banter in the bedroom
- very light epistolary (some letters written)
- medium steam – 3-ish full scenes

My thoughts:
Oh my gawd. I adored this book so SO much. This is my second by Haymore, and I very much liked the other book I read by her. So I will officially be stalking all her other releases!

This book is so dang sweet. And just all the things I adore in romance. The entire middle of this story is like Haymore poured romance catnip all over me. I was smiling and swooning and kicking my feet in the air.

I did find Georgiana’s blind following of her parents a bit annoying in the beginning of this book. But she’s been respected and loved by them (maybe a bit oppressively) and it’s understandable. It took me about half the book to REALLY warm up to her and then I loved her. I loved how she was able to vocalize her boundaries (even to her parents eventually) and maneuver society situations with fortune hunters. I loved her fall for Theo.

But Theo. Theo! Theo stole my heart. I adore heroes like him. Heroes that have deep feelings they keep hidden inside. Heroes who harbor a romantic heart. Heroes that when they fall, they fall with EVERYTHING in them. I loved him so, so much.

There were so many adorable scenes in this story. I highlighted like half the book (you can see in my quotes section hahaha). The scenes where he starts to fall for her, and gets playful and a bit flirty at the house party. (And my gosh I have been loving house party games lately in HR! So, so fun!) And the way he starts to fall, and gets all obsessed, a bit jealous and basically loses his mind for her.

The way he hears her moaning in her room and busts in to remove the threat.

The way he whispers that he’s filled with lust in her ears in a crowd of people.

Just melting this whole book….

I ended up really loving the ending too. Theo is just such a GOOD person. I enjoyed the way it worked out. The way he was wanting to give her everything and worked so hard to do that. He really is the best. Love love love.

This isn’t like a “oh, good book” four stars—it’s more like a “through what sorcery this book getting four stars from me??” four stars.

Because it had some potent (but probably idiosyncratic) pet peeves of mine. It had:
✨ low stakes “enemies” between feuding families
✨ some ‘I love them too much to be with them’ non-drama, and
✨ that couple that is always my least favourite in the series, the grumpy/grumpy Anthony Bridgerton and Kate couple. Just on a personal level, you couldn’t pay me to go on a double date with a couple this emotionally unintelligent—borderline belligerent—so why am I reading their book, you know? 😂

So where’s my one-two star rant review? Even one of these pet peeves would be a DNFable offense.

One part of it is just this author and how she puts together a romance plot. Because no one writes on-page falling in love like this. The sheer number of scenes where these two interact was almost gratuitous. Flirty-flirty heart eyes, hand touches, and conversations galore. And I loved every minute of it.

And the other part of it was how the story took all my pet peeves and… problematized them? Lame-o “enemies” because your families are feuding is dumb—and that was the point. “I love you too much to be with you" is such a cop-out—again, the point. And grumpy grump couples need their hearts to grow a few sizes before they can really be together—thank you, lovely character arcs in here.

So yeah, somehow I ended up really enjoying this? And it makes me even more excited to continue exploring this author's backlist.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How (Not) to Hate a Duke by Jennifer Haymore is a newly published book. I have read books by Jennifer Haymore before and I enjoyed them. I was looking forward to this book when I was given a copy from Netgalley. The book was not a simple love story, they were twists and turns.

Georgiana Milford and Theo St Clair knew each other but their families were mortal enemies. It was at a house party where they were thrown together for several days. They came to spend time together and found out, they didn't really hate each other. The house party lasted long enough for them to fall in love and they decided to marry, but nothing ever goes simply and Georgiana's family becomes involved.

Theo as the seventh Duke of Desborough realizes throughout this process that he needs to become a better man and take care of his land and his tenants. It is through that growth that he realizes that he does need Georgiana and is willing to fight for her. However it might be too late.

How (Not) to Hate a Duke by Jennifer Haymore is a good read. The characters, while impetuous, really did care about their family and making life better for other people. And Georgiana and Theo were in love.

As always, Jennifer Haymore writes a MMC that I adore. Oh Theo, how he created a haughty demeanour to protect himself because he just wanted to prove himself. To show that he was a better man than his father, but how frustrated he was because Georgiana’s father and the rest of the village wouldn’t give him even the sliver of a chance.

I really enjoyed the strength of Georgiana’s character. How when Theo mentions wanting to be judged on his one merits, she realizes that she has been treating him unjustly and gives him a chance. And later on in the novel when confronted by her parents at the house party she stands up for the person she knows Theo to be and doesn’t waver.

This being said the third act breakup kind of broke me while reading it. Leading up to it I was so proud of Georgiana for her choice. And then with the further revelation by her parents and how Theo too was confronted, how his response had Georgiana making a decision I wish hadn’t have had to happen. I get that it necessitated Theo to action, but I wish it wouldn’t have hurt so much to read it. (Was I too invested in the story, yes. Am I always with Jennifer Haymore’s writing? Also, yes.)

I also loved seeing Charlotte and Finn from the previous story and how, having both known Theo they were supporters of him and staunch allies. It just made me love them even more. (And now I want to reread their book!)

3.5 stars

The only problem with this book was the pacing. The characters were fine, the plot was a little light, but fine, but the whole thing just felt incredibly long and drawn out.

It's an OK read, but I liked the last book I read by this author better, so I will definitely try others.

-- very very enemies to "OH, I understand you now" lovers
-- romance between the heirs of long feuding families
-- healing and mending the mistakes of the past
-- forced proximity over multiple continuous days

TWs - abusive landlord/boss (past), abusive parent (past)

-- ty to the author, the publisher and @turnthepagetours for an advanced copy!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! I loved this book! Will definitely be recommending it to my friends.

Historical romance is always better when you have a delightful pair of enemies-to-lovers, and Georgina and Theo so perfectly despised one other. They both have reasons for disliking the other, but deep down, the reasons aren’t all that different. Both are held back by reluctance — she doesn’t want to marry for the sake of marriage, he doesn’t want to take on all the responsibilities of being a duke. Both have their own issues to work through, along with sorting out their feelings for one another, and it was a joy watching them push past their struggles to their eventual HEA. ⁣
⁣
This was a perfect balance of witty banter, tension, will-they-or-won’t-they, and swoony romance. This was my first book by this author and I’m delighted to see that she has quite an expansive backlist, which I will now happily devour. Definitely pick this one if you’re a fan of:⁣
⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ Regency romance⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ HEA’s⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ Reluctant heroes ⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ Realistically flawed characters⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ Internal struggles ⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ Witty banter⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ Swoony romance with a bit of heat ⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣➽ Enemies-to-lovers

I found myself quite charmed by Georgiana and Theo's story. I must admit that it took me a bit to hit my stride with this book and begin to feel a connection to these characters but getting over that small bump was well worth it. The banter is witty and the sparks abundant and fiery as these two clash and circle each other. Altogether a fun read with lots of heart.

3.75 rounded up.

A fun quick read that was perfect after seeing all the Bridgerton trailers. The tension and build up for these star-crossed lovers was very sweet.

I loved the character of Theo, Duke of Desborough, he was trying so hard to improve the lives of his tenants, after his father’s ruinous ways had destroyed all he touched. It must have been very frustrating to have everyone think he was like his father. I couldn’t understand Georgiana’s thinking, she was something of a free spirit, yet she allowed her parents to prejudice her against Theo, someone she didn’t really know. I did enjoy the descriptions of the house party games and the way that Theo and Georgiana got to know each other. I found this to be an entertaining read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.