I enjoyed this story with all its little twists along the way. I couldn't predict how the happily ever after would come about. I got a good way into the story and wondered to myself where the author was going to take the story line. I knew something had to happen but I had no idea what. I'm always intrigued when I can't predict the story.

I don't usually care for books written in first person but this totally worked for me. I was dying to know what was going on in Gregory's head but as a reader I didn't know anymore than Margaret did and most of her thoughts were her own interpretation and not reality so we got to be just as confused as she was.

I liked the main characters though I thought Margaret's promise to herself to be ridiculous. That would be because I can't fathom the idea of a marriage of convenience so to aspire to one is beyond me. I enjoyed the banter between characters through out the book. I was surprised that this is a debut novel. I thought it well written and a fun premise.

My one disappointment which has nothing to do with the story is that I would have loved the cover to have the lake on it. The cover is lovely but the lake was so important to Margaret I just think it would have been great on the cover.

Sex: talk of mistresses (no details), kisses,
Language: no
Violence: one incident
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily choose to review it.

This was a fun story. It read more modern to me in dialogue than the typical Regency romance, but it was fun. Margaret is a foolish young woman who thinks that if she marries a man she could never love, then her heart can't be broken again. That she is foolish and misjudges people is quickly apparent, as she is constantly misjudging Lord Williams. And then she has to keep reminding herself of her ill opinions when Williams' actions demonstrate otherwise.
I found myself laughing and looking forward to what happened next. Good cast of supporting characters.

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

I really liked this period romance. There was great character development, and the story flowed smoothly.

Wow. This book is special. Although, I will admit- it took a while to pull me in, the sneaky thing. By 35% I was more than a little intrigued. By 50% I was all in, refusing to get up until reading the last sentence. The author's writing style was very comfortable and well-paced, with descriptions vivid enough for me to picture each scene, but without being overdone and prosy.

Parts of the story felt familiar - Lord Williams reminds me more than a little of Matthew Macfadyen's Mr. Darcy. Aloof yet principled, intelligent, reserved... and also skilled at quickly erecting barriers to protect the heart. Similarly there were bits of Elizabeth Bennet in our heroine, Margaret Brinton. Margaret has a fierce tongue and quick wit, and also leans toward prejudice as a means of self-defense (which sounds funny but is totally true). She's been wounded before and fears repeating that pain.

While there were sparks of familiarity throughout the story, the plot was pleasantly unique with a couple "wait, what?!" curve balls thrown in. How could it not be, when our first scene takes place in a Regency-era speed-dating house party? Brilliant. And it only improves from there. I will say that it took a while for me to fully appreciate the first person voice, mainly because I so wanted to get into Lord Williams' head at certain points to hear HIS side of the story! The overall tone reminded me a lot of Amelia Peabody (Elizabeth Peters) or Jan Hahn. Love those brilliantly matter-of-fact female voices.

My only wish was that we might have enjoyed a lengthier epilogue. The ending felt somewhat abrupt. Not unfinished or incomplete, but more like .. untapped. I would like to hear more of the story -- visit this world again, perhaps with the main characters acting as peripheral characters in a future novel? I would purchase that in a heartbeat.

I feel privileged to have enjoyed an ARC of this story and already have plans to purchase the print edition when it releases. This book has well-earned its place on my shelf of favorites.

Blush factor: non-existent. Language: squeaky clean. This title is appropriate for all ages.

Margaret Brinton had been in love, but her affianced was not interested in a loyal relationship, so she broke it off. Since her heart was broken, she was now interested in a marriage of convenience. Invited to a house party, she desires to find a husband, but not one she is in love with. At the house party, she meets Mr. Northam, who is somewhat of a rake, but she feels, he would suit her just fine, as love has nothing to do with it. She also meets Lord Williams, the cousin of Mr. Northam, who annoys her and insults her. After leaving the house party, unsuccessful in her pursuit of a marriage of convenience, she returns home and her father informs her he has accepted an offer of marriage in her behalf, to no other than Lord Williams. With no encouragement from her, why would he offer marriage to her?

I really enjoyed reading this – who couldn’t love Lord Williams? I love it when one of the main characters is such a good guy! The funny bets and challenges between Margaret her brother cracked me up! Mr. Lundell was an unexpected, pleasant surprise. And what can you say about a donkey with a newspaper hat? This was a well written book with an interesting plot and lots of witty banter. I love it when the main character is such a good guy! There are twists and turns and surprises – a slow dance to come to a HEA, but it was totally worth it!
I received an advanced copy from #NetGalley; the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Great book, especially for fans of Jane Austen. Well-written, although a little slow at times. The brother and sister humor is fun. A little more background about the animosity between cousins would have been helpful. Perhaps only a line of three is needed. I recommend this book to all those who love a Jane Austen romance.

I loved this story. The strongest thing about it was something I have been searching for for ages: one point of view. I loved that this story was only told through the eyes of Margaret. Add Lord Williams arrogance and occasional coldness and you have understandable suspicion, frustration and a need to protect oneself. This made the story, the characters' emotions and actions, make sense in a way that many similar novels fall short.

Some of the scenes had me laughing out loud and some had me cringing - as was intended, I'm sure. I love characters that are willing to change, that grow over time. And I love an author that allows her characters to make mistakes and be better for them.

I definitely picked up some Jane Austen vibes, and they were well done. Yet the story was still its own.

It's always so exciting to discover a new author, but a little disappointing when they are not just new to you, and you don't have a collection of previously published works waiting to be enjoyed. I can't wait for more from this author!

Regency romance with a nod to Austen.

Although there were times it felt this book strayed a little from the time period (to my knowledge, matchmaking parties were not so obvious/named as such!), it is still an enjoyable and entertaining read.

I loved the hints at Austen's Pride and Prejudice throughout; the lake scenes, the haughtiness of the male protagonist, etc.

Margaret is stubborn, much like Lizzy Bennett. However unlike Lizzy, Margaret is determined NOT to marry for love. I feel like this point could have been made far more succinctly by showing exactly what happened with the broken engagement in the present, rather than through flashbacks.

An entertaining if not completely factually accurate novel, with enough nods to Austen to send you straight to your well worn copy of Pride and Prejudice after.

After calling off her engagement when she realized the true character of the man she was to marry, Margaret Brinton has decided the best path for her is to marry someone she will never love--that way she'll have safety and security and not have to risk her heart again. When she attends a matchmaking house party, she meets Mr. Northam, a rake who will suit her purposes perfectly. However, his cousin, arrogant Lord Williams, intentionally undermines her chances, and when Margaret returns home, she finds that her father has agreed to her engagement to Lord Williams! Margaret is adamant about not marrying him, and yet, as Lord Williams visits her family's home, she finds that maybe she misjudged him and might be the type of man she could love--which makes him precisely the wrong sort of man for her.

Fun story! Margaret cracked me up--she was totally blunt with Lord Williams and said things that would have had society matrons fainting right and left if they had heard. I loved it, how she didn't pretend with Lord Williams but said what she really thought. The plot was unique and kept me reading, wanting to figure out what Lord Williams' true intentions were and why he had rushed off to arrange an engagement to Margaret. Good addition to the Proper Romance line!

4 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much!! It was an adventure that I didn’t want to end. The tension between Gregory and Margaret was palpable! It gave me the chills! I can’t wait to reread it and go for the ride again. Such a great romance ❤️ #netgalley #promised