Very vague references are made to the author’s first book, A Gentleman’s Promise, but this is very much a stand-alone. Our two leads are off on an adventure dealing with awful family members and French spies after having met under unconventional circumstances. Both go through much emotional development as the story progresses, but I feel the heroine’s transformation was much too abrupt. She went from a sheltered miss to a too knowing minx in a very short amount of time, though I appreciate her discovery of confidence and self-worth.

There were some vague references to the hero’s past amorous dalliances, but he’s an army officer and in no way impinge on his character. It’s still considered a clean romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

After the hero and heroine meet somewhat unconventionally, they start out on an adventure that takes many twists and turns. They have to run from danger and decide to stick together. The history stays true to the time period and there is a romance of course. The hero was a hero and the heroine matured as the story went along.
If you like history, adventure with a clean romance thrown in you will really enjoy this book. I recommend it to everyone.

I received this book from the publisher through netgalley and the opinion is freely given and my own.
Thanks, great book.

An Officer’s Vow is a lovely Regency marriage of convenience story. Nate was making his way home to from the war front when his horse spooked and threw him, causing him to land on his injured leg. When he regains consciousness he finds a beautiful woman at his side. A gentleman simply can’t leave a woman alone on the road and he agrees to assist her get where she is going. Lottie is running away from a cruel cousin and as her situation is revealed Nate is drawn into her life and proposes marriage as the best way to protect her. Of course, they come to have feelings for each other, but don’t dare reveal them. Then there is the Duke whose words seem to be in sympathy with Lottie’s situation. What is his real goal when he suggests a change of residency and a hastier marriage? Is Lottie truly safe from the wicked cousin? Do you actually expect this reader to reveal the answers and deprive you of a most enjoyable read? I loved the tension in the story and the fact that readers weren’t subjected to the idiocies of the Ton like so many period pieces. I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book. Highly recommend.

This book wasn't for me, but if you are looking for a clean and well written historical romance you may give this one a go. I like more bite and passion in my historical romances, so while I wasn't a fan of this one specifically, I can recognize it was very well written. And props for using time appropiate words and language.

This was a cute book. It had suspense, some romance, and mystery.
The characters were well written and relatable.
I did find that it dragged a bit. I found myself skipping pages a bit.
Other than that, I enjoyed it.

A woman escaping a forced marriage (and worse) meets an injured soldier, and with him, is involved in an exciting adventure working to expose a French spy ring.

Having previously lived a very closeted life, I enjoyed seeing Lottie's awakening self confidence over the course of the book. She has an increasingly active role in their work to uncover the traitors. As well, the hero Nate was also a rounded character, having fought and been injured on the Continent, he suffers night terrors and guilt that he survived when so many others didn't.

The story moves along quickly and I enjoyed the growing relationship between Lottie and Nate. A good read.

I was gifted a free copy of this book by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

I enjoyed this book. It's the second one I've read from this author and imo better than the first. Her stories are a little different from the norm and her characters (hero/heroine) are interesting. I especially liked Nate's friend and the Duke and I wouldn't be surprised if they turn up again in other books. I would definitely recommend this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A man word is his bond and Major Crawford being a gentleman and an officer, promise to aid Miss Benham in any way he can, giving her his word which is a promise he intended to keep no matter. Now she is faced with looming danger and he is hard-pressed to find a solution to her problems.

Heat Factor: Not too steamy, but a lot of tension
Character Chemistry: Starts out pretty innocently and then gradually intensifies
Plot: Young heiress escapes a machinating cousin with the help of young, wounded officer.
Overall: It’s a straight up stress-reliever. Fall right in and enjoy the ride.

I did feel a little guilty reviewing this one--first, it has a feel-good, classic regency vibe that I know Erin would enjoy. But second--the hero’s first description is of his aquiline, Wellington-esque nose. Erin’s a sucker for an aquiline nose. However, I’ve had two very stressful weeks, and before long I could tell this was going to be the type of romance novel that just takes the edge off.

Despite the adventurous plot, the story unfolds at a nice gradual pace. There are certainly some early moments where you feel a little fizzle of “oh dear, what terrible luck!” and then before long you’re going to need to take a break to fold laundry. (Anyone else do that when the plot gets too tense?) It’s just right.

The lovebirds (and the plot) start out a little predictable, but around the halfway point you’ll start to change your mind. The plot really does thicken slowly, with just these little threads of “hmm, that seems off..” and then before you know it there’s a rollicking adventure underfoot.

But honestly, the best way I can describe this book is as a delicious, well-written escape. The author does an amazing job of adding layers of mystery and interconnectedness--you don’t know you’re getting to know complex secondary characters, she just kind of crafts something dynamic and engaging that gets under your skin and sticks in the back of your mind when you’re supposed to be, say, an adult with responsibilities.

Major Nate Crawford injured in the Peninsular Campaign, believes he has nothing to look forward to. Lottie Benham has become desperate, and so has run away from what was her home but is now her cousin's home. Luckily these two meet and the Major vows to protect Lottie, but then the adventure begins.
Thankfully for me there was enough adventure and only some romance in this story. An enjoyable read which kept my interest to the conclusion. It can certainly be read as a standalone novel.

Standard regency romance, with an engagement of convenience, mixed up with uncovering treasonous plot to incite rebellion. The two main characters, Nate and Lottie, are the standard honourable but uptight and silent hero, and a meek heroine who finds her voice through her adventures.

The book was too long for me, and the will they/won’t they plot device dragged on for far too long. The whole book could do with a lot more editing., there was too much extraneous description, and even the spy/espionage sub plot went on too long, with too many audiences with the Duke of Wheatley..

I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the flawed characters of Hampson's romance.The story of a soldier coming home not in the perfect condition resonates across the years and impacts those who love them.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Likable characters, a challenging situation, a little mystery, and romance are all combined by author Penny Hampson to create a book that had me turning pages well past my bedtime. A chance meeting in the middle of a road leads to London and crossing paths with some rather unsavory people. I especially enjoy clever women who are brave and resourceful. And Lottie Benham fits this description, while also being a damsel in distress. Major Nate Crawford was everything an officer and gentleman should be while coming to the aid of lady, with the addition of a sense of humor, plus a willingness to be vulnerable and accept assistance from Lottie. Two other favorite characters in this story were Charles Crawford, Nate's father, and Francis Heslop, Nate's friend with connections. I would be delighted to learn that there were books coming about those two!

Major Nate Crawford had been seriously injured in the Peninsular campaign against Napoleon Bonaparte and was returning home. His injured leg was incredibly painful and took all that he had in him to grit through the pain. When a distraction in his path caused his horse to throw him, further injuring his leg, he relied on the help of the young woman, who had been the cause of the distraction, to assist him. He soon learned that Lottie Benham was running away from her evil cousin, Jonah who was determined to have her committed to an asylum or worse to a brothel so he could get his hands on her inheritance. Major Crawford was determined to protect Lottie from danger so they came to an agreement that they would pose as a married couple for the rest of the journey.

Lottie was an innocent woman who had been sheltered from society by her controlling father. She now began to taste the freedom she desired and Major Crawford was helping her to gain that freedom. But, the more time she spent with him, the more she saw him as a man she admired and could come to love, if only he could see her more than a young woman needing protection. Was it possible for more?

This book is full of intrigue, suspense, romance and finally love. There are dark forces at play threatening to destroy any happiness that can be had but they are no match for love and admiration. This is a rather clean story with limited foul language and no overt descriptive sex scenes but there is plenty of innuendo, especially around the brothel scenes.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

An Officer's Vow by Penny Hampson. BooksGoSocial, 2019.

Lottie needs protection from her disreputable guardian. Nathanial is a returning, slightly damaged war hero who needs to be needed. There is a spy element. We like and admire the hero and his father, the heroine and her former governess. The story entertains, and is not badly written, but with most elements of its plot familiar features of historical romances, is difficult to distinguish from other, very similar stores.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of An Officer’s Vow via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of An Officer's Vow.

I really enjoyed this novel. (I hate spoilers, so some of this will be vague.) I envied the sense of duty Major Crawford felt--tsking responsibility to protect Lottie from the dangers of her own blood and the possible horrible future that her cousin had intended for her. I loved that Crawford was also a flawed man, both physically and emotionally--with a war injured leg and as a hardened soldier. Coach traveled adventures were some of my favorite parts of this book. I also liked the deception of secondary characters and the main characters' uncertainty about their emotions and handling of specific situations. I will very likely read from this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penny Hampson for the ARC!

Lottie Benham is a damsel in distress and Major Nate Crawford comes to her aid and becomes her saviour. This was such a thrilling story to read, for an historical romance it's so full of angst and danger as the characters set out together on an exciting adventure, whilst traveling the length and breadth of the country. What started out as a plan of escape and self preservation for Lottie, it quickly becomes a dangerous mission to protect the nation.
I really enjoyed the writing style of this author which made this book a pleasure to read. Nate is such a chivalrous man, he was such an easy character to like, Lottie is a strong but often stubborn young woman that I liked once we got to know more about her as the story moved along. There are some very pulse racing scenes as they come to face their nemesis and plenty of romantic suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more stories from them in the future.

Major Crawford is on his way home, thinking about how boring his future will be when Lottie falls in his path upsetting him from the horse. That is the beginning of them helping each other. Lottie is running away from her cousin and Nate is willing to help. Their adventures take them traveling from one place to another. Lottie gets kidnapped and the adventure keeps going. They help the Duke of Wheatley and he helps them. You won't want to put it down.

This was a great book yes it does have a Lady needing help and a handsome officer vowing to help, but that is far from the story this book contains, be ready for a few twists. Lottie is running from her home and cousin Jonah, she has never really been anywhere and doesn't know how it will turn out but she does know she must go. Nate Crawford recently return to England from the war with Napoleon due to an injury is blue deviled when he suddenly is thrown for his horse, that is how he meets Lottie and offers his help getting her away to safety. Upon reaching a town Nate is very weak from his fall and they must get a room he tells the innkeeper that they are married to protect Lottie. Unknown to him a friend is also staying at the inn and on hearing Nate's name mentions he believes he knows him but not of any marriage thus starts the continue lie upon lie Nate's friend Francis works for a powerful Duke, who has his fingers in many pies, this is were the story takes a different turn, not that Nate and Lottie have any idea they are being set=up. I would love to tell you more but then I would ruin the story, buy this book you will be very happy you did.
I received this book free and wanted to give an honest review.

Good historical fiction with clean romance. This was an easy, light, enjoyable read. I liked the characters of Nate and Lottie, who need each other for different reasons. Will they survive their adventures and still need each other? I have not read the first book in this series but will put it on my list. Thanks to BooksGoSocial and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.