An Inconvenient Beauty is part of the Hawthorn House series of clean romance books. This is the second book in the series that I've read, but I didn't read them in order. It worked out ok though as each book stands on its own. I didn't like this one as much as A Noble Masquerade. It wasn't bad, but there were a few things that I found mildly irritating.

I felt there was too much emphasis on Isabella's beauty. I know it played a big part in the whole plot, but it got old and I wasn't really sure if I liked that it played a big part in the plot. On one hand I feel like the book made superficial beauty too important, but then at times it seemed to be trying to say that beauty wasn't so important. I'm not altogether sure what it was saying to be honest.

Griffith's height and size was also mentioned way too many times. Alright already, we get that he is really tall, has long legs, and is a big guy. We don't need to be reminded constantly. The book also employed the often used romance novel trope of keeping things from the person you love. Just tell him what's going on already! Then there is the whole special license thing. One couple in the book decides against it because he doesn't want to compromise her reputation by getting one, but then at the end of the book the other couple gets one. So does it compromise a lady's reputation or not? It just seemed very contradictory.

Those complaints aside, this was a sweet romance and I liked Griffith a lot. Any woman would be lucky to have a guy like him. I also really liked Isabella's cousin Frederica. I kind of wish the book had been about her instead. I also enjoyed getting a peek at what was going on in the lives of Miranda and Ryland from the other book. I'll probably continue on with the series at some point. I like reading these when I'm in the mood for something light.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book.

I was dying to read this book. If you have read any books by Kristi Ann Hunter, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. There are few authors who can make me laugh out loud, and she is one of them. An Inconvenient Beauty takes place in England in the Regency Era. It is the fourth book in the Hawthorne House series. I have read all four books and can honestly say you need to as well. I was swept away to another place and time and loved every minute of it. This story follows Griffith as he tries to figure out who he should fall in love with.

Being the Duke of Riverton is no easy task. Griffith was thrown into it at an early age, and is so used to being in control he doesn't know how to relax. Looking at everything from a logical standpoint can be a good thing, but does it work that way with love? Griffith has taken all he can think of into consideration when deciding who should be his wife. His family is known to marry for love, and he doesn't want to break that tradition. But he also knows that logic has always pointed him in the right direction before. Why would it be wrong this time?

Following Griffiths logic was such a fun ride. After meeting him in the first Hawthorne House book I couldn't wait to see who captured the elusive Duke. I loved his protectiveness of his family and was excited to see who he would finally fall in love with. I enjoyed the ridiculous situations the characters sometimes found themselves in, and could relate to some of their troubles. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. Hunter is my favorite author in the Regency Era category and I can not wait to read more from her. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

My Review: 8/10

I enjoyed this book. It was not my favorite in the series, but I still found myself frequently chuckling or smiling stupidly as I read. I don't think fans of of this series will be disappointed with the conclusion.

*SPOILERS*

For me, the most important aspect is characters. And there was a lot to love. I liked that the Uncle was not a one dimensional character. He had real problems that caused him to harden and obsess. I liked that Isabella owned up to her responsibility for the mess. I liked the sister-like relationship that she and Freddie shared. I liked the frequent return of characters from the other novels. I loved the way the family worked, like a small, protective army. The idea of those sisters (and sisters-in-law) meeting weekly with their mother for tea and quality time together... it's a small thing, but it points to something larger and something that has always been noticably missing from my life and desperately wanted. Those scenes touched me in a bittersweet way. And I loved the way the family converged in a crisis.

The only thing I didn't really like was the drunken scene between Isabella and Griffith. For some reason, I just didn't buy him being on the roof thatching to begin with (wouldn't he just hire someone?) nor Isabella leaving her cousin unchaperoned in the woods (uh what? People have let their feelings run away with them for a whole lot less. And the last thing her cousin needed was to find herself pregnant with the father killed in battle. She could have chaperoned them discreetly from a significant distant. Poor judgment here). But the drunkenness I just couldn't relate to. I have been drunk before and while I know my experience is not universal, it just seemed overdone. A lack of inhibition, yes. Loose lips, yes. But it just seemed immediate and way too much.

Though I thought the way Griffith kept speaking his thoughts was very funny and well done.

On a similar vein, alcohol has never made me do something I didn't already want to do, nor made me not be able to recognize someone, so I just had a little trouble really buying the opening scene with the boys and the bat guano.

I'm sad that a series whose characters I was so invested in has come to an end. But with each ending comes a new beginning and I am excited for whatever comes next from this author.

I haven’t read all the other books in this series…yet! I read the first book, and even though I have the other’s on my kindle, I just haven’t gotten to reading them. There were a few moments in this book, that I had wished I’d read those others first, but it wasn’t enough to make me feel lost in what was happening in this story.

I felt quite engaged in the story, and found myself talking to the characters as if they could hear me (good thing I was at home when I did that!) It did take me a little bit to feel fully engaged, but that may be because I hadn’t read the other books, and didn’t know the lead character coming into the story.

Griffith is the ideal hero. Strong, confident, thoughtful, patient, a true gentleman. From a young age, he had put some incredible pressures on himself to not only take on the leadership role in his family but also in society. Born into a position of leadership, he took on the mantle and wore it well.

In trying to help her family, and doing what she felt needed to be done, Isabella took on a role that she wasn’t comfortable with, and it ends up making her miserable. She has a good heart and wishes to help, she just goes about it the wrong way.

Both Griffith & Isabella have things to learn, both about themselves and each other. Can they put their trust in God and in each other? Or will pride keep them from discovering true happiness?

Travel back to the Regency period, to parties, and ballrooms bursting with color (and people). I enjoyed reading this engaging story from Kristy Ann Hunter and give it 4-stars.

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

The fourth and final installment of the Hawthorne House series tells Griffith, Duke of Riverton’s story. After watching his siblings’ tumultuous tumbles into love, Griffith determines to find and fall in love with a proper young lady in a logical way. After extensive research, Griffith determines that Frederica St. Claire would make the ideal duchess.

Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem interested in his courtship. To make matters worse, he keeps running into Miss St. Claire’s stunning cousin (beauty was not on his list of attributes—too much competition), Isabella Breckenridge.

Meanwhile, Isabella starts to wonder at the choices she made to save her family. By agreeing to her uncle’s plot, she finds herself drifting away from God with each lie she lives. But since God hasn’t saved her, why shouldn’t she intervene on her family’s behalf?

Readers will love the entire Hawthorne family (even if they have never read the other books in the series). Hunter does a masterful job of bringing Regency England to life. The dialogue between characters sparkles, and the well-rounded characters keep the reader entertained from beginning to end.

I admit it. I came late to the Hawthorne House party. I’ve read the books in this series out of order (which did not take away from any of them at all). But I’ve been looking forward to Griffith’s story as much as those who have known about Kristi Ann Hunter from the beginning of the series.
As a duke, Griffith has learned logic, control, and lack of emotion equal success. Now that his siblings are all happily married, he approaches his search for a wife with those same principles. Yet when he meets Isabella Breckenridge. She is everything he is not looking for—beautiful, mysterious, and popular, especially with the unattached men of society—yet he can’t stop thinking of her when not in her company. And not everything with her is adding up.
There are some humorous moments in An Inconvenient Beauty when Griffith is forced to spend time with Isabella because the woman he has chosen keeps slipping away. As these two characters grow to respect and appreciate the other—and with the help of Griffith’s family—a friendship blossoms. Griffith soon realizes that he can’t manipulate love like he does the rest of his life.
While I’m sad to see the end of this series, Hunter has wrapped it up nicely and tied a gigantic happily-ever-after bow around it for these siblings. And I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for her readers next!

I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole Hawthorne House series. I've been waiting for this fourth book to see who would be good enough for Griffith, the Duke of Riverton, to marry.

It was refreshing that Frederica was not awed enough by a very eligible, pursuing duke to give up true love. I know that times were different back then, with such focus for young ladies to make worthy matches for financial and familial security, but I still felt badly for Isabella. Because of her uncle's intimidation, I had a difficult time connecting with her at first. But, by the time Bella 'visits the trees,' I liked her and could see a little more of the real Miss Breckenridge.

I was a little surprised at the manipulation by Griffith's family. Then again, I've seen close families do all they can to matchmake – with the best of intentions, of course! Obviously, in the fictitious Hawthorne House, it all worked to their advantage and showed Griffith just what they wanted to show him! That the other girls were wrong...and true love is the only right!

The book includes the rest of the family from the first three books: Miranda, Trent, Georgina and their spouses. Though you could probably read this book as a stand-a-lone, it is best if you read the entire series in order.

A satisfying conclusion to the series!

An Inconvenient Beauty
Kristi Ann Hunter


One of the most famous lines in literature is the opening sentence of Gone with the Wind: Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm. I felt that way as I read through Kristi Ann Hunter’s An Inconvenient Beauty; this novel had some problems but I barely acknowledged them as I fell under the spell of its considerable charm. This fourth tale in the Hawthorne House series is sweetly endearing and works just fine as a standalone novel.

Isabella Breckenridge would typically have enjoyed a society debut but her appearance this Season comes with considerable strings attached. Her father’s recent accident has left her family somewhat improverished and has put the ownership of their farm in jeopardy. Her wealthy uncle is willing to help them under the condition that Isabella use her amazing beauty to lure men to her so that he may convince them to vote for the Apothecary Act. She is to grace the ballrooms and parties of the ton, leading any interested young men to believe they have a shot at courting her if they will support her uncle in his parliamentary shenanigans. To sweeten the deal for those who are not taken in by simply a pretty face, he has started a rumor that she is a considerable heiress. The plan is that once the bill is signed, Isabella will return to the countryside with no harm done but a slightly tarnished reputation. This pulled me up short. Maintaining an unblemished reputation is always such an important thing for young ladies in historical romance, so I couldn’t buy the idea that just because Isabella lived in the country, her involvement with her uncle’s scheme would have no effect on her. Added to that, surely her uncle – and by extension, her beloved cousin Fredericka St. Claire – would not escape censure for his actions, especially since they will be staying in town and her uncle will be openly canvassing votes and dangling Isabella’s supposed fortune. But I digress; back to the story.

In the meantime, Griffith Hawthorne, the Duke of Riverton, is applying an orderly and rational approach to bride-hunting and has determined that Fredericka St. Claire, a perpetual wallflower, will make him the perfect wife. His first foray into working himself into Fredericka’s life is a failure. The young lady faints while speaking to him, forcing him to spend time alone in a room with her and her beautiful cousin Isabella while the latter lady ministers to the afflicted former. It’s not an auspicious beginning, especially since Griffith finds himself enchanted by Isabella’s witty intelligence and kindness.

Griffith, however, is made of stern stuff. He perseveres in the face of such adversity, paying a call on Fredericka soon after her fainting fit. His plan for them to take a leisurely stroll together goes awry when she insists on taking her cousin along and then half-way through their walk claims exhaustion and determines that she will wait in a café with her maid while the other two press on to the original destination. Once more Griffith finds himself charmed during his time with Isabella. The two have a lively conversation, he’s entranced by her love of trees and assorted greenery, and Griffith begins to wonder if he really is taking the right approach to looking for a wife.

Any courtship between them looks doomed, though, because of the swarm of men surrounding Isabella. She seems determined not to be rid of them and he is equally determined not to take a wife who dallies with other men’s affection. The reader knows Isabella has begun to return Griffith’s interest and is stricken by guilt regarding her crowd of admirers but is forced to flirt with numerous other suitors while holding Griffith at bay for the sake of her desperate family.

In spite of the eye-roll-inducing plot, when the author concentrates on the romance, we see a delightful couple who are a natural fit for each other. Griffith is stuffy, Isabella makes him forget about that and just enjoy himself. Griffith is a planner, she is far more spontaneous and brings some sparkle and joy to his life as a result. The two clearly fall in love with each other; it’s not just a question of rubbing along well together but it involves that indefinable spark which moves a relationship from simply good into being ‘the one.’

The secondary characters are also charming. The Hawthornes are a close family and it is natural – and wonderful to see Miranda, Georgina, Trent and their spouses make appearances here. I also enjoyed the clever and level-headed Fredericka whose own romance was the cause of the faints and ‘exhaustion’ which helped advance the relationship between our two leads.

Perhaps the most engaging aspect of the book is Ms. Hunter’s lovely prose. She has a lovely way of telling a lighthearted tale which captures both the serious but joyful business of falling in love and the deep, inner struggles people of faith wrestle with as they deal with trying to rise above their own imperfections in an imperfect world. The characters never feel as though they are the mouth pieces for a subtle sermon but rather are relatable in their need to balance practicality and morality while being an integral part of an interesting story.

Few novels are perfect though, and the flaws in this story were sometimes detrimental to my enjoyment of the book. While the author emphasizes the fact that the Hawthorne family is a bit eccentric, the very casual behavior of this group of English aristocrats borders on being too far outside the norm. Much of what they do would have raised many an eyebrow in polite society. One such moment is a scene where Griffith is doing repair work on a tenant’s cottage. The whole episode, in my eyes, perpetuated the rather American myth that ‘book work’ such as running an estate isn’t real work. This simply wouldn’t have been the thought process of a gentleman of the time, in fact in many ways it is the antithesis of it. My other complaint was that Isabella’s uncle’s plan to use her beauty for his political gain was quite ridiculous. It assumed that this rather small pool of eligible men never gossiped among themselves and would have been too stupid to catch on to the scheme. Perhaps I give them too much and too little credit all at once but I think they would have talked and would have been smart enough to catch on to the fact they were being scammed. The plan also assumed they wouldn’t be infuriated when, after casting their votes in order to win Isabella, the lady vanished.

Those flaws aside, An Inconvenient Beauty is a sweet tale of finding love with whom we least expect it. Fans of the series will be pleased with this agreeable conclusion to this captivating quartet and new readers should be impressed enough with the book to seek out those that came before it.

This book was a pleasant surprise! I really enjoy Kristi Ann Hunter's writing, so that wasn't it. What surprised me was that I actually really liked the heroine. I dove into reading it solely because of the author, but instead of finding a pampered, pretty heroine who flaunted her good looks everywhere she went, I found a reserved, humble young woman whose motives were entirely unselfish. Much like the world does upon seeing a pretty face, I judged too hastily, and I am so glad that my judgment was wrong.

Isabella Breckenridge is desperate - not for a husband, as most marriage-minded misses are, but for a way to save her family from destitution. Coming to London was supposed to be simple. She would help her uncle pass a bill, using her pretty face to garner attention, and once that was done, he would help her family get back on their feet. She quickly finds, however, that it's not that simple at all, and her heart becomes entangled irrevocably with her cousin's potential suitor, the Duke of Riverton. Griffin knows he must marry soon, but he wants to marry for love. Thinking he's finally found it in Miss Frederica St. Claire, he is confused when his heart pounds not for her but for her beautiful cousin. Fighting his feelings much like the classic Mr. Darcy, Griffin cannot help his attraction to Isabella. Once he discovers her secret, though, will his love be enough to save her?

Both Griffin and Isabella were delightful characters, each with their little quirks that made them flawed and real to the reader. Griffin is stoic on the outside, acting as if nothing touches him, but inside he wants what the rest of his family has - love, with a woman who loves him in return. It was sweet to read about him fighting his affection for Isabella, because it was a struggle he was clearly not going to win. There were several references to Pride and Prejudice in this book, particularly when he gets down to proposing. His family is a riot throughout the whole book, making me love them even more after reading their books previously. I will say, though, that there is one part of the story I desperately wanted more from - Frederica and her beau, Arthur! Whenever Frederica would go off with Arthur, I wanted to follow them and see what happened. It was really hard to focus back in Isabella and Griffin, when I knew there was some sort of drama happening in the next room, so to speak.

Highly enjoyable book! I would recommend this, and any of Kristi Ann Hunter's other books, to historical romance readers.

An Inconvenient Beauty

by Kristi Ann Hunter

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers



Christian

Pub Date 05 Sep 2017

I am reviewing a copy of An Inconvient Beauty through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

This book transports us back to the early nineteenth century, London England.

Griffith, The Duke of Riverton likes order, logic and control and he applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. He is certain he is meant to be with the elusive Miss Fredericha St. Clare but he keeps running into her beautiful cousin Miss Isabella Brechenridge.

Isabella should be celebrating her society debut, but it is hard with her family in difficult circumstances, and her Uncle will only help if Isabella uses her beauty to assist him in his political ambitions. Isabella is uncomfortable with the agreement and the more she gets to know Griffith the more she wants to be free from the obligations.

Will Griffith and Isabella find their happily ever after? Find out in An Inconvient Beauty,

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

I love Kristi Ann Hunter books and this one is no exception.

I enjoyed Griffith’s thought out plan for pursuing a bride as well as his sisters’ amusement when, surprisingly (duh), things didn’t fall into place as he thought they would. His character shines through when he learns of and responds to hard news.

Isabella and Frederica have a sweet bond that leads them to go to great lengths for each other. The joys and pains of family life are both on display. It made me thankful for my own family that can both tease and support each other.

While you could read this as a stand-alone book, the whole series is wonderful. It helps you get to know the rest of Griffith’s family and their stories. I’d highly recommend them. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Hawthorne House series:

Book 1: A Noble Masquerade

Book 2: An Elegant Facade

Book 3: An Uncommon Courtship

Book 4: An Inconvenient Beauty

I have been waiting for this book to be published since Kristi Ann Hunter’s first book came out. I enjoyed this book very much. Really, I did. I sat and read this book within a few days. It is a good thing that it is Labor Day weekend or I would not have done any of my homework. After reading the last page, I wanted to go and get the first book and reread the series. I have not read the second book, yet, but I will soon.

So back to the book. Griffith’s story was worth waiting for and very good. It did not push into first place against A Noble Masquerade but it was a close race. I liked Isabella as a leading female character. The plot of the story was fun. The one fault I was not a fan of was the description of Griffith. In my opinion he was not a huge guy. Other than that I liked the story. I was sad that it ended. In my own opinion, Kristi Ann Hunter should continue with the Hawthorne House Series. Frederica’s story should be written, at least in a novella, because she needs her happy ending. Oh, and what about Miranda’s baby? Hunter should include that in a short novella.

Off the subject, Bethany House did a good job making the front covers of most of Hunter’s books. The only one I am not a fan of is An Uncommon Courtship but all the rest all very pretty.

So summing up this review, I would recommend this book. It was an excellent way to end this cute series.

"An Inconvenient Beauty" is a Christian historical novel set in 1815 in England. It's the fourth book in the series, but it works as a stand-alone novel. Griffith has spent a year carefully deciding what he wants in a wife. He's decided to chose to love his wife after marrying her rather than risk becoming a bumbling idiot by falling in love before the wedding. The story started with some backstory about his childhood that helps explain his actions. His intended target is in love with someone else, however, and she maneuvers him into spending time with her cousin instead.

Isabella is under orders from her uncle to use her beauty to snare men into wanting to please him to have a chance at her. In return, he has promised to help her poor family out. He's such an untrustworthy man, though, that I never understood why she'd take her chances with him after the first few weeks. As her cousin pointed out, Isabella could select an honorable man that she liked and be honest with him in hopes of an alliance that would help her family long-term. Her cousin rightly pointed out that her response to her suggestion made no sense. Anyway, Griffith has to work to win her by learning what things she likes and figuring out what's holding her back from accepting him. They made a good pair, and courting her helped Griffith to open up to others more.

The Christian theme was about trusting God to work things out rather than trying to control everything thing yourself. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.

I've been eagerly anticipating this one... and it did not disappoint! <3
In the past books we've seen Griffith, Duke of Riverton, wisely guide and protect his family as the head of his household. We saw his goodness, his humor, but also his love for logic. And when in the previous book he admitted he had a plan to gain a wife, I knew Kristi Ann Hunter was anticipating that we might just see the Duke have his world, plans, and control turned upside down.

And disconcerted is definitely a word to describe Griffith in this book. In the beginning, I saw hints here and there of the same Duke I had met in other books, but I admit I was surprised to find out how arrogant he is. To a point that I wanted to shake some since into him some times. However, I guess what caught me completely off guard most of all was that, as the story went on, I understood where he was coming from. Despite being raised in a wonderful resilient family, despite how much he's willing to solve other people's problem, despite his social status, despite the benefits and influence that comes with this status - he's utterly lonely, feeling enforced by his status to live cautiously. How, then, can a Duke, in a society that values appearance and power more than the heart, leave it to faith to help him hold on to the family tradition and find someone who is truly willing to know him for who he is and love him for that alone?

Isabella Breckenridge is an easy character to like from page one. We get to truly know her, know her heart, from the beginning and it's impossible to not want to reach out to her through her predicament. The thing with Isabella, though, is that as much as you help her, at the end of the day you're the one who will end up finding comfort and support. She's a very endearing character and when circumstances make her accidentally lay her guard down around Griffith, doubts start to rise for how long can she keep up the façade around society knowing she just met someone with the same values as her, but who also opens her eyes to more.

Here are two characters who have somewhat taken up complete control of their lives. But will they see in time that their assumptions might be wrong, and then, as difficult as this path seems, sacrificially embrace the hope for true love? In true Kristi Ann Hunter style, be prepared to be enthralled by the regency world and laugh at its quirks, pause with poignant reflections, cheer for the characters' happiness and sigh at the wonderful journey you've just gone through...

Catching you up: Duke Griffith Hawthorne is the last of the siblings (Loudly_Crying_Face_Emoji_grande.png), thus ending the Hawthorne series. (TRAGIC!!!!!) He has been taking care of his brother and sisters for so long that he hasn’t even had time to find love for himself. Now that he is able, he has done extensive research and he has his sights set on…the wrong girl…

Isabella Breckenridge has come to London under false pretenses. She is to help her uncle by attracting as many eligible men as possible so that they might pass a bill through the courts. Everything about her feels this is wrong, but she knows that she must help her family and has not yet learned to trust God to do that for her.

My Thoughts: So, first of all…how does she keep doing this? Kristi is one of the most talented writers because she has the perfect balance of light-heartedness, deep characters, and Godly principles. It’s such a beautiful thing to see!!!

I am exceptionally sad that this series is over. It has been one of my favorite. As Griffith and Isabella’s worlds come colliding together, you will laugh, maybe cry, and most certainly be pulled in from the first page to the last.

The characters just grab on and don’t let go. You can’t shake them even if you wanted to (believe me, you don’t!). If you haven’t read any of Kristi’s books, definitely pick one up. They can be read as a stand alone, but you will appreciate it much more if you are to read them in order for the characters that are introduced in each book carry through to the next.

Now that each of his siblings is happily married, Griffith-- the Duke of Riverton-- decides it's finally time for him to settle down as well. Approaching the courting process with all the planning, reasoning, and control with which approaches everything, Griffith comes to the conclusion that Frederica St. Claire is his most rational choice for a bride. Unfortunately, Miss St. Claire constantly pushes Griffith toward her extraordinarily beautiful and popular cousin, Isabella Breckenridge. Despite their mutual attraction, Griffith and Isabella have reservations about pursuing a relationship with one another. Will Griffith allow himself to follow his heart this time, or will Isabella's secrets keep them apart forever?

Kristi Ann Hunter's An Inconvenient Beauty brings her Hawthorne House series to a masterful conclusion. It's no secret I've been anxiously awaiting this latest installment, and have devoured each of its three predecessors. I might go so far as to say that the series gets better and better with each addition. Full of interesting historical detail, excellently crafted characters, complex plot lines, and yet another swoon-worthy love story, Hunter's latest is practically perfect. Most impressive is her talent in composing a truly engaging set of individual stories. While I definitely binge-read the prior books in the series in preparation for this release, it wouldn't have been necessary. Hunter manages to tell a complete story in each novel, while artfully bringing back older characters in a way that isn't confusing, distracting, or unnecessary. Again, you don't have to read the whole series to enjoy this particular novel... but you should anyway. I'm honestly sad to see such an excellently written series come to an end, and look forward to whatever project comes next!

I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.