When starting this book I didn’t realize it was so closely tied into the author’s first book, The Earl’s Betrothal. It has been so long since I read that book, that the story was a bit foggy in my brain, but these characters, Kit and Elizabeth, must have had fairly large parts in it. I remember Elizabeth but didn’t remember Kit at all.

Since this book overlaps some of the other book, the story felt like it started off a bit slow. Elizabeth, is also a very quiet, subdued character in the beginning, so it took me a while to really get into the story. Kit and Aunt Margaret do make up for the lack of vibrancy in Elizabeth, though.

About halfway through, the story picked up and we also get to know Elizabeth more which is when I started to enjoy the interaction and chemistry between her and Kit.

All in all, it was a sweet story and I look forward to reading more by this author. There are a few characters mentioned in this book, that I wonder if she will write stories for them in the future. :-)

This book was received as an ARC from Covenant Communications in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kit and Elizabeth reminded me of another adaptation of Cinderella, the live action Disney movie especially when the prince's name is Mr.Kit and the prelude is very similar to Cinderella. Kit and Elizabeth tells the story of Lady Elizabeth Spaulding when her father left her and her mother to a life of poverty, but thanks to meeting Lady Walmsley and her rescuing Elizabeth from this life, she is destined to become the woman that she is meant to be and all goes well until Lady Walmsley introduces Elizabeth to Kit, the Earl of Cantwell and now Elizabeth is left with a choice, never forgetting where she came from or leaving that poverty life behind and start anew with Mr. Kit. I was smiling ear to ear after finishing this book that it left a warm feeling inside. I really hope our community will get the same feeling and enjoy this book as much as I do.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I was looking forward to reading this book based on reading previous books with these characters. The cover is beautifully done and very appealing as well. I admit that it was awhile ago that I had read the book previous to this one so it took a minute to remember what was going on. It was slightly helpful and also a little confusing, rehashing the occurrences of the previous book in the first several chapters of this book.
It was nice to get to know the characters Kit and Elizabeth better and to read their story. I enjoy historical fiction for many reasons and I think Karen Tuft writes the genre relatively well. However, there were a few times though that I wondered if what was written was accurate, like how many times Kit and Elizabeth were alone in outings, carriages, sheds, etc. I guessed it was because she was considered old enough they could be alone, or even in the country it wouldn't have been considered as bad. But out in society at times she had a chaperone and others times not. If Elizabeth was truly concerned about gossip and the like, she would have been sure to be proper at all times.
In this time period marriages, titles, etc. were looked at differently then now. Life was certainly about how you appeared and acted rather than how you felt or what you wanted to do. I can see how Elizabeth would feel, both trying to be dutiful to her position in society and trying to earn her parent's love. It was nice that she was saved by Lady Walmsley and Kit, to help her discover that she had the power to make her own choices and to figure out who she truly is and wanted to be. She finally found a family at the end and I was happy for her.

However, I did knot like Kit as much as I hoped I would or wanted to. He was extremely gracious and giving with his time to help Anthony, Amelia, Lady Walmsley and Elizabeth, but then we would complain about it later. He was funny and charming when with Elizabeth and then on his own he would say he'd rather be anywhere but there and say it was only out of duty to Lady Walmsley that he was helping at all. He acted, but his heart wasn't in it and that made me feel bad for Elizabeth. If someone were to help me, I'd want them to be genuine about it. There were so many times Kit mentioned he rather be anywhere else, even after having spent a good deal amount of time with her and I thought his heart was changing. Lizzie went from two people telling her what to do and making decisions for her, only for Kit to take over the job. He was trying to help her get out of a rut and a bad place emotionally, etc, and sometimes we need someone to kick us into gear, but he repeatedly put her in situations and made her do things that maybe she wasn't ready for and he didn't listen to her. He thought he knew what was best for her and made decisions for her- that was the WHOLE ISSUE with her parents. Why is his tactic any better than theirs? Change can take a very long time and healing from emotional abuse and pain can take a lifetime and is not instantaneous. Their relationship did not feel equal, but more like a mentor teaching a student. Somehow they fell in love but it didn't seem that real to me or one that I could really sigh with happiness over.

Overall the story had some nice storylines and great supporting characters. I like to see growth and development happening with the characters and that happened as well. It's always a good story when you're cheering the characters on. I would have loved to enjoy this story more and rate it higher, but unfortunately, I just couldn't enjoy the hero and of the story and being one of the main characters, that was a big deal.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.

A clean Regency romance novel with more pages than necessary but a nice story. I appreciated that Kit pushed Elizabeth out of her shell and guided her to learning who she really was.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a clean recency era romance with main characters, Kit an Earl, and Elizabeth a daughter of a duke. This book brings attention to the fact that a male heir was so important during this time period and a females job was to marry well. Elizabeth learns to be herself in the course of this novel with the help of Kit. The writing was excellent although a few points and phrases were repeated more than I thought necessary. I liked this story perspective and the unique relationship that kit and Elizabeth were able to build. I am hopeful there will be another book or two to explore the lives of Lady Alex, or the Duke of Alyesham as there are additional stories to be told. Great novel and will definitely read more by this author.

Romance, clean; period; series, but stand alone read
Kit's story and Elizabeth's was such a sweet, gentle, heartfelt read. Kit's gradual realization of his feelings, Elizabeth's awkward, hurting heart, that gradually opens and becomes HER was a hard, sweet, honest and lovely read. Anyone who loves gentle period romance will love Kit's heart, and how they fall and gradually get to know each other. Lovely fall.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.

"Kit and Elizabeth" is a historical romance set in 1812 and 1813 in England. The main characters were likable, engaging people. Elizabeth was so used to doing what she was told to do (in hopes of gaining her parents approval and love) that she had to learn how to make her own decisions and figure out what she liked and disliked. She also had to realize that not everything was her fault since her parents blamed her for everything, including their own poor decisions.

Kit is a man of action, but he got better at listening to people's concerns by the end. However, I wasn't comfortable with how he pushed Elizabeth to do things she wasn't ready to do yet. Since her parents bullied her, it didn't seem nice that the well-meaning people in her life also bullied her at first. On the other hand, Kit never asked her to do something dangerous or refused to listen to her concerns (unless the concern was what people would think of her). By the end, they were good at listening to each other and building each other up.

The time period was more of a backdrop than a well-researched part of the story. Elizabeth and Kit went off by themselves (with no chaperone) on multiple occasions. Elizabeth showed herself in mixed company when soaking wet in thin gowns but was more concerned about not looking her best rather than how indecent it was. The author also didn't seem to know much about saddles based on how she described Elizabeth riding in front of Kit. But there was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this clean Regency romance.

This was such a sad and touching story. Most struggle with the desire to please someone or everyone and Elizabeth personified that so well. Not everything was perfect but it was full of encouragement and support. The character that I liked the least was in fact Kit. While he was for the most part great, his character wasn't as consistent. It felt as if the author forced him to be more difficult than his character would have been. Still a great read and one that will be reread again soon.

A delightful book that will capture your heart more and more with each turn of the page. I loved it!

Elizabeth has been abused and neglected by her parents since birth. Desperate to please them, it is miraculous when she finally finds the strength to go against their wishes, even if it is to help someone else rather than herself.
Thankfully Lady Walmsley is there to walk beside Elizabeth on her journey of healing, as she learns to recognise that what she experienced WAS abuse, rather than some twisted version of parental love. As she emerges from her shell, Elizabeth comes to realize that she is worthy of being loved simply because she is herself. That it was not she who failed her parents, but rather her parents who failed her.
A thought provoking, touching story of an abused young woman who becomes a survivor rather than a victim, and the friends who help her along the way.
Well worth the read.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A truly beautiful story of trust, forgiveness, courage, understanding and love. This author is new to me and this book can very confidently stand alone, but it’s clear that Kit and Elizabeth lives in a world previously created by the author, and I can’t wait to go back and read the secondary and minor characters’ stories.

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

Lady Elizabeth has suffered her whole life from emotional abuse and neglect from her parents. Despite constantly trying, she can never please them. Through choices she made because of her good heart, her father makes horrific choices and she is left to carry the consequences. Lady Walmsley decides to rescue her and enlists Kit to help her. Kit is the perfect person for this because of his positive attitude and fun personality. Lady Elizabeth learns how to love herself finally, and it is a joy to read her do so. This is just a lovely book, I found myself quietly crying so many times while reading it.

The setting is the early 1800's in England. Lady Elizabeth Spaulding is daughter of the Duke and Dutchess of Marwood. Elizabeth spent her life trying to please her controlling and harsh parents. It was at times sad and painful to read the verbal abuse she received from her parents. Her father chose who she was to marry and both failed. Her father abandons both Elizabeth and her mother and Lady Walmsley saves Elizabeth by bringing her to her home to live.
Author Karen Tuft is a very talented writer. Her portrayal of each character in the story was amazing. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the eARC

The Lady Elizabeth is facing a quandary. She was been a dutiful, obedient daughter from the day she was born. She also knows that she has been a disappointment to her parents - one for being a girl, and secondly for failing to get betrothed even after an understanding with a family has been forged. That the young man died in battle is beside the point for her father. There is a younger brother and you just switch allegiances and feelings. It did not bode well for Elizabeth.

Lady Walmsley widowed and childless takes the young Elizabeth under her wing when Elizabeth's father first absconds to the continent to escape his debtors and then subsequently dies there. Elizabeth's mother basically couldn't care less what happens to her daughter and her callousness is appalling. The story is harsh and emotional, but that it ends well is the saving grace.

I would not say that characterization is typical but marriage and benefits of a financial nature is the only view taken by Elizabeth's parents and it may have been one common amongst the aristocracy of the time. The story is descriptive and depicts the morale and behaviour of the period.

Kit and Elizabeth by Karen Tuft, 296 pages.
Covenant Communications, 2019. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Still unwed at the age of twenty-one, Lady Elizabeth is practically a spinster according to society and a failure according to her father. Doing everything she can to be the ideal daughter of a duke and duchess, Elizabeth is surprised by the animosity of her parents in regard to her single status. The reason is finally revealed, shattering the life Elizabeth has known and putting her future into question.
I enjoyed reading Tuft’s book because she wrote in such a way to make me fall in love with the characters. With such characters, I wanted to see them succeed and overcome their challenges. Tuft makes Elizabeth’s problems feel relevant and relatable, and I loved watching Elizabeth’s evolution over the course of her character arc. I also recognize that this book was very cheesy -- so much so that I might have actually rolled my eyes at it a couple of times. Nevertheless, it was an overall-good read with a pronounced lesson on individual worth.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a well written story. It drew me in from the start. I love the beautiful imagery portrayed by the author. Karen Tuft is such a talented writer. She captivates her audience and creates such interesting and vivid characters.

My favorite part of this character driven story was how much the characters developed through the pages. Tuft put Elizabeth in such heartbreaking circumstances that just felt very real. I loved seeing Elizabeth grow in both her self confidence and her self worth.

I love a good historical romance, and this has to be one of my favorites. There were so many ups and downs that it keeps you guessing! I love how I just couldn’t wait to see what would happen.

Thank you so much to Karen Tuft, Covenant Communications, and NetGalley for allowing me to review this title.

I really liked this one. Elizabeth is such a fun character as she learns for herself who she is. Kit is fun without being hindered by the all too common “dumb male” theme. It’s a good read from start to finish with enough tie ins to past books to be enjoyable without it being necessary for you to have read them. Well done!

With the beautiful cover and a setting in Regency England, this novel interested me from the start. This is my first book by Karen Tuft, but with her talent for creating captivating and vividly-drawn characters and fascinating plots, I’m sure it won’t be my last. The characters came alive on the page, and I had no trouble envisioning them in my mind. Kit is a compassionate and endearing hero, and Elizabeth’s predicaments were so poignant and heart-breaking that she needed his rescuing. I enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve and the growth in Elizabeth’s confidence and self-worth.

This is a well-written story with great character growth and development. Spots of humor and light-heartedness brightened the sometimes-somber tones of the tale. The tender messages of hope, courage, and overcoming fear were seamlessly woven throughout and added wonderful dimension to it. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the Covenant Communicatons/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. Truly. A purely delightful regency tale rife with tragedies and self-discovery. Elizabeth has lived the life expected and dictated by her harsh, controlling parents. She has been the perfect daughter, until she defies them and sets of a chain reaction of events. In the aftermath, Lady Walmsley decides to step in and help Elizabeth, along with the assistance of Kit. I liked Kit from the git-go. His easy-going nature is exactly what Elizabeth needs as she struggles to find herself. His patience and creative approaches to drawing out Lizzie left me smiling many times. There are definite moments of raw emotions, but they make the moments of joy and victory all the more exquisite. The author did an excellent job of introducing the characters and allowing me to get to know them beyond a superficial telling. If you enjoy clean, sweet regency romances, you will be captivated by Kit and Elizabeth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love Tuft's books and this is no exception! These are stand-alone books but previous characters are mentioned (it makes me want to go back and reread them!)

Elizabeth had direction and a purpose for her life, but when the man she was intended for and she isn't the one getting married, what is she to do? Poor Lady Elizabeth, try as she might, can't please her parents. It was painful to read about the verbal abuse she received from her parents.

So happy that Aunt Margaret and Kit rescued Elizabeth. With Kit's prompting she breaks free from being the perfect daughter of a duke and tries to be daring.

This book had fresh regency elements, semi-predictable plot and enjoyable characters. It was a little long in a few places. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.