This just was not for me. Ny chemistry, just feeling like endless babbling on both of the characters`s ends. Wich is a shame, because it seemed to be going to be interesting.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC. OOOH a scandal AND a duel? What more could you ask for? Simply delicious. I enjoyed this book

Aurelia had a disastrous first season in London when two men are vying for her attention, which leads to a duel and two subsequent marriage proposals. Both of which she refused causing irreparable damage to her reputation. She is now firmly on the shelf at 26.
John Barlicorn, the youngest son of the Earl of Barlyon, left home at 13 due to mistreatment from his parents. He went to London and made a life for himself in it's underbelly. Having read of his father's and brothers' deaths, he sets out to return to his childhood home where another has come forward claiming to be him. This causes much confusion while trying to name the person who is in fact the actual new Earl of Barlyon in which the Countess of Barlyon, and the family attorney, has requested assistance from many who knew John as a boy as well as Aurelia, who has the gift of reading people and situations.
What follows is a truly engrossing story that you will not want to put down.
I found this to be a very engaging and well written story. I will recommend this book to all my fellow Regency Romance fans.
Thank you Kathleen Buckley, The Wild Rose Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Loved this! The plot involves a scandalised and ruined spinster who finds love. The plot of this novel was absolutely gripping.

This book was part detective story and part slow burn romance. I enjoyed both aspects of this book. The characters were very well formed and I was vested in their outcome. I am glad that I read it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I was very interested in this book based on the summary but found it didn't measure to my expectations. The plot dragged and the romance wasn't really there for me either. This was my first novel by this author and will try again.

It was a very playful and relaxing story about 18th century.

First half of the book was like a detective, the second part was a little bit boring, but at the very end it all fell into places. On the other hand, I don’t know why this book is listed under “romance genre”, because there was truly no romance in this book. Is TALKING about weddings count as “romance”? I don’t know. *shrugs* Maybe it was in the 18th when an adult woman couldn’t TALK with an ADULT male without being considered “ruined”. So in the 21st century 100% of women are „ruined“, because they SPEAK with men everywhere. *lol*

So that is why I give 4 stars- romance book without romance. But in general it was quite interesting and good reading. I enjoyed it a lot.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review - all thoughts and opinions are mine


This is a new author for me and I'm so glad I took the chance

A great period piece - thoroughly enjoyed - couldn't put down - loved it

I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is a historical romance where we have a disgraced spinster and the mystery of who the true heir of an earldom is. In the beginning, we get to know the characters, the family dysfunction and then get into the meat of the problem- if a mother doesn't know her own son, how do we know who the real earl is? The first 1/3 to half is purely the mystery, and although there's no obvious or insta love, there's a lot of logical deduction and questioning of both parties, which uncovers the family problems and helps us find our heir. The rest of the book is where the love story truly begins- through a series of flashbacks that start in the beginning of the book we learn who the earl used to be, and how our spinster became to be so. Their past neatly ties them together, and launching him back into society pulls her back in too. There's another smaller, but more importantly mystery they go through, before they can get into the romance. I really liked that the romance didn't overshadow any of the mystery, or sideline it but used it effectively to pull the romance along with it.

I tried very hard with this book. Unfortunately that's the gist of it very hard.. to read. The flow is a stilted tangle that feels extremely antiquated, but not in that Jane Austen way I believe the author was going for. Instead we have characters we dont care about and plot so lost in the words we can barely muddle through t0 find them. I struggled and pushed until chapter five and then threw in the towel. I never formed any attachment or like for anything so bored with the prose that I couldn't possibly move forward and further. I like the premise, from what I gathered of it, but this book needs a serious rewrite to bring it up to modern writing standards. I love historical romance. I devour them by the truck load so I know this is not a genre issue, but rather a writing issue I'm sorry to say. I strongly advise a heavy rewrite with more reader friendly verse as this is certainly going to turn off most readers with the first page or two. I'm sorry for such a harsh review, but I truly feel this must be said. This is definitely one for the drawing board and not the publication board at this point.

This wonderful historical romance is set in Victorian England when a proper scandal can ruin lives. Auriela is a likeable character far from the simpering misses of the beau monde. She caused a great scandal involving two suitors and a duel which caused her to leave London in disgrace. However, years later proved herself invaluable when another potential scandal erupts at the Earl's nearby. Will old scandals and secrets come back to haunt or will there be new ones to deal with? A great period piece that left me wanting to stay up late reading more and wanting more of Bickley world.

This is my fair and honest review, in my own words, in return for this ARC.
Pretty well written story with good characters. To my taste, it could have been a bit more involved.

Aurelia Kennet refuses two offers of marriage, risking her reputation. What will happen to her, now?
Kathleen Buckley gives us a splendid period piece that kept me up all night to learn the fate of Aurelia. You don't want to miss this story!

Eight years ago, Aurelia Kennet sparked a duel and refused both offers of marriage which might have saved her reputation.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Kathleen Buckley is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.