From the moment Bianca hit Hudson with her boots, to Aaron introducing himself with "I am illegitimate", I laughed. And I was reminded why I love Kristi Ann Hunter's books.
And as we bumped into other familiar faces or at least the mention of them, I was also reminded how quickly they become endeared to me. More than just a fun read, Hunter's books are thoughtful and rich in wisdom.

Hudson, Viscount Stildon, grew up in India always knowing he'd one day have to go back to England. When the time comes, however, the journey to becoming a proper viscount while surviving English ton and weather has Hudson almost considering the month-long journey back to India. Almost. Not quite.
Because he's always known England was supposed to be his home, not India. And he does not want to fail the memory of his father. To the point that he will accept the help of his obstinate and quirky neighbour, a shunned stable master and all of his workmen in order to have the proper number needed to learn the waltz.

As Hudson and Bianca seek to think matters into their own hands to design their destinies, they might discover the truths engraved within them goes deeper and has been transforming them before they were even aware.

I am very much looking forward to the next instalment. And if we continue to bump into familiar faces, I would not mind ;-)

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Vying for the Viscount is an exciting start to Kristi Ann Hunter’s latest Hearts on the Heath series. While I admit to not being super into horses, I was pleased the relevant information was conveyed without being confusing or beating me over the head, and provided just as much for the non-horse lover to enjoy.

Hudson, Lord Stildon has recently returned from India, and is mystified by the societal customs in England, something which I could empathize with. I like that it allowed him to be unaffected by the snobbery that many of his class have, and as a result, when he encounters someone who doesn’t fit the mold of society strictures, due to something like illegitimate birth, he doesn’t think less of them for it, and treats them like human beings.

Bianca Snowley is also likable, and dealing with an unpleasant situation in the form of her mean stepmother, evoking comparisons to Cinderella. I rooted for her to gain strength to fight against her, and she does over time.

The romance between the two is a gradual one, first starting as friends trying to help one another, but the tension is well built up, foreshadowing when they finally make the move toward admitting their feelings toward one another.

And while this is a new series and can stand on its own, there are appearances from characters from previous series that will please longtime fans of Hunter’s books. My personal favorite is Hawthorne House’s Trent and his pineapples!

This is another winner for Kristi Ann Hunter, and one I think her fans and new Regency readers alike will adore.

This has to be one of my favorite books this year. This made me laugh in so many places. I love that the author used characters from other series to help the main characters in this story. I loved Hudson and Bianca. These two were very similar and didn’t see it at first. I do hope that we get to know more about Aaron. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

(4.5 stars) - "Home is where the horse is!"

Hudson has recently come home from India, & having lived there nearly all his life, is quite out of his element in England. He needs to make his place in the aristocracy & especially horse racing circles. He could use the social guidance of a savvy wife. Bianca is his horse-obsessed neighbor with a hateful stepmother who wants to be rid of her & is pushing her to marry. The two of them agree to help each other & a sweet friendship is formed.

The story is humorous and thoroughly engaging. The relationship between Hudson & Bianca develops naturally & believably, as their friendship becomes something more. The secondary characters enhance the main characters' story while also building interest for their upcoming books without competing for attention. And the guest appearance of character's from the author's previous series was a welcome surprise. The denouement is exciting with a little suspense thrown in, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying - I can't wait for the next book!

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: overtly Christian, but not heavy-handed or preachy

When the new Lord Stildon returns from India, every lady in the surrounding neighborhood is eager to assess his eligibility for marriage, whereas every gentleman is curious to see what he will do with his grandfather’s stables at Hawksworth. For Bianca Snowley, the latter concern is mostly on her mind as she has long had the privilege of exercising those fine horses every morning. But when Bianca’s stepmother insists that she must marry within the month to make way for her younger and more favored sister, Bianca wonders if she should set her cap for the socially inept Lord Stildon. A marriage of convenience would be especially convenient since the viscount is the owner of her favorite racing mares and stallions. The only trouble is, he’s asked her help to teach him the ways of society…so that he can pay his court to the reigning belle of the neighborhood. Perhaps Bianca would be better off exploring her other options since Lord Stildon sees her only as a friend….

Raised in India his whole life, Hudson finds himself woefully unprepared to enter English society to take his place as a viscount. How many other heirs to a title are incapable of dancing, paying morning calls, and making polite conversation with a woman? When he encounters his lovely, lively, and unconventional neighbor in the Hawksworth stables, he entreats Miss Snowley to help him develop his polite address. An advantageous match with a wealthy horse owner’s daughter presents itself, and Hudson queues up with the other gentlemen in the area to win Lady Rebecca’s interest. But why does he find every encounter with her insipid compared to the lively interaction that he has with Miss Snowley?

This Regency romance plays on the trope of two friends trying to find suitable matches for the other…and falling in love with each other in the process. The Regency setting of horse racing is thoroughly explored although the characters were very comfortable with ignoring Regency norms of behavior for unmarried men and women. Bianca was the typical heroine of modern Regencies, almost a spinster and more interested in masculine pursuits than was acceptable for the time. Hudson was hard to pin down as a character, being both socially inadequate and yet also a charmer every time Bianca observed him chatting up the other ladies. For me, one of the secondary characters–Aaron Whitworth, the master of the stables–stole center stage, and I found myself far more interested in this brooding, illegitimate son of an aristocrat than I was in the self-pitying Hudson.

This Regency was a quick and pleasant read, but it didn’t particularly stand out to me amongst the other titles in this genre. The Christian elements of the story were less explicit than in some of the other titles by this author; however, Hudson does journey toward trusting God throughout his trials. Fans of clean romances will enjoy this story…and I will enjoy knowing if Aaron Whitworth gets his own story in the next book of this series.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The description for Vying for the Viscount was a little vague. Here's what you need to know. Hudson's grandfather is a Viscount. His father fled to India because his brother (Hudson's uncle) threatened to kill any heirs to the title. Hudson was born and lived his entire life in India. Yet he was trained and educated to take over the title one day. His grandfather eventually passes away and Hudson heads back to England to take his rightful place. Yet he thought the transition would be much simpler. Social customs are different, the weather is different...almost everything is different. Except for the horses.

Bianca has always been allowed to kind of do her own things. Her stepmother was always more concerned with her own daughter. But Bianca's father has informed the stepmother that Bianca's younger half-sister should not get married before Bianca. Now her stepmother is set on marrying her off to the one man she can't fathom being married to. Yet she has no other prospects. She's been so uninterested in social things and the idea of a husband that she's let her prospects slip by. Now she's motivated to find a match on her own. She would love to marry for love, but she hopes she can at least marry a man she will respect.

Bianca and Hudson repeatedly encounter one another because Bianca has an agreement with the stable manager to exercise one of the horses at Hudson's estate every day. Bianca loves riding and being able to continue to do so is of huge importance in her choosing a husband. Hudson is so determined to establish and prove himself as a worthy heir to his title, estate, and his grandfather's stable that he sets his sights on a woman who comes with a racehorse stud as part of her dowry. The problem comes in that Hudson does not know how to navigate English society. Bianca chooses to help him even when recognizing early on that she wishes he would set his sights on her.

Bianca's admiration continues to grow with the exposure she has to Hudson. The more opportunities they have to converse the more she realizes her regard for him. He, however, is oblivious. And this made for one of the more difficult parts of the story for me. I connected easily enough to Bianca and her heart. I appreciated her struggles and her heart pining for a man that didn't seem to return her affections. But it was disappointing that Hudson's attention was so thoroughly directed away from Bianca for so long in the book. I was disappointed at how late he realized his feelings. I did appreciate that there wasn't a complete bow put on the entire relationship but rather the expectation of a complete happily ever after.

I will say that my favorite part is the fan-service in tying in characters from Kristi Ann Hunter's prior series. Trent and Adelaide from the Hawthorne House series were present and others from the Haven Manor series were mentioned. I can't say that Bianca and Hudson have my favorite love story from Kristi Ann Hunter, but I did enjoy this book. And more than anything, I can't wait to read Aaron's story next. Vying for the Viscount gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Vying for the Viscount? What did you think? Let me know!

Sigh. This book was just...Sigh... Ok, I loved it. Every inch of it. Kristi Ann Hunter definitely delivered another outstanding read in her latest novel Vying for the Viscount. Set in the Regency period full of lords, ladies, ranks, and all the drama that comes with it, societal expectations and hilarities fill the pages. Hunter sets her readers up for a heady experience centered around a viscount newly arrived from India seeking to salvage the horse racing estate he inherited. As he struggles to figure out the new society he finds himself in, he learns more about family and love than he bargained for.

Hunter is always a delight to read, but this new series promises to be even better than the previous one. I am already itching to read the next instalment. Witty dialogue, remarkable characters, humorous prose, and a riveting plot holds your attention the entire way through. I did not want to put this one down, and I am sure you will feel the same!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I loved this first book in a fantastic new series! I love the stories of friendships that develop into something more, so I greatly enjoyed the romance in this novel. I liked that the author did not rush the romance, but made it believable and enjoyable to read. I also really liked the characters—they are full of spunk and personality and easily likable and relatable. The writing is well done and makes it easy to get immersed into the story. I found myself chuckling on more than more occasion at the banter and internal dialogues of the characters. There are a few interesting twists to the plot that do not make it predictable. I liked the historical setting and was interested in the details of the horses in the story. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this novel and am eagerly anticipating the next one in the series! I highly recommend this novel!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is a great start to a new series from Kristi Ann Hunter. I loved how Bianca and Hudson met--that scene totally cracked me up. While I've read lots of Regency books, the emphasis on horses and racing added a unique element to the story that I really enjoyed. I liked both Bianca and Hudson, although I have to say that Aaron Withworth, who manages Hudson's horses and is a friend to both him and Bianca, was my favorite character. He just stole my heart and I'm thrilled that the second book in the series will be about him. Highly enjoyable story. 4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The first in a new series!
I really appreciate and love the theme of this book. Horses!
Horses are such wonderful animals and my favorite. I've loved horses since I was a little girl.
The plot and the characters are so cool! Who would not love this book! I know I did.
I enjoyed getting to know Miss Bianca and Hunter.
Lots of wonderful Christian messages without being preachy scattered throughout the book made my evening pass rather peacefully.
The way Hunter has described the scenes in this book made me feel like I was there with Bianca and Hunter. I didn't want to leave. Such a good story and one you'll not want to put down until you've finished it.
I highly recommend this book.
My thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review for this book. All opinions are my own.

Bianna & Hudson find themselves looking for marriage but wanting love. Enjoyable read. I had a problem keeping all the "lords" straight but I have a sneaking suspicion it's simply setting the table for the read in the series.

A lovely Regency romance from Kristi Ann Hunter! From a hilariously violent first meeting to a sweet happy ending, Vying for the Viscount is perfect for fans of Julie Klassen and Sally Britton.

From reading other Regency books, I’m pretty familiar with traditions and customs of the era, but I had never truly learned the particulars of them. It was fun and interesting to do so along with Hudson. I’m eagerly awaiting Aaron Whitworth’s story in Winning the Gentleman (releasing April 2021), and I’m excited to read more of Hunter’s funny, relatable stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Vying for the Viscount" is a Christian historical romance set in 1817 in Newmarket, England. Hudson had to deal with the differences between India and England as well as his desire to fit in and impress the owners of the other racing stables. After hearing the rumor that a highly sought after stud will be made available to the man that marries Lady Rebecca, he decided that was the way to gain a respectable wife along with the admiration of others for good horse breeding. Bianca agreed to help him with things like the local dances and social customs. In return, he'd nudge some friends in her direction that were decent men who liked a woman who loves horses. As their friendship grew, it was obvious to everyone how well suited Hudson and Bianca were but Hudson's blind to it because he's so focused on achieving his goal.

The overall tone of the story was lightly humorous. The characters were engaging, caring, and they reacted realistically to events. Hudson and Bianca quickly became good friends due to shared interests and a similar sense of humor. There was some tension since Bianca was being pressured to choose a good match for herself while wishing she could marry Hudson. I appreciated that the courtship of Bianca was not rushed at the end just so that the author could wrap things up with a marriage. There was some praying, and Hudson learned to trust God more. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance.

Strong start to a promising series!

Bianca is an older daughter with a difficult stepmother and a generous and kind father. She wants to marry for love and is also madly in love with horses, especially the ones at the estate next door. When she meets Hudson she unwittingly mistakes him for a horse thief and attacks him with her boot!

Hudson (the Viscount) has been in India his entire life, hiding from his dangerous uncle....simultaneously being educated and trained as a proper Englishman to eventually assume his role as the Viscount. With his parents deceased and his Grandfather recently passed, he arrives in England very naive about everything....but horses.

When Bianca and Hudson realize they both must marry well to live their best lives, they agree to assist each other in finding the best mate. But will they soon discover that what they've been looking for all along has been right in front of them??

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my favorite authors that focuses on this time period. She always impresses me with painting a clear picture of the time while (IMO) providing a modern language feel that doesn't seem contrived. I am hoping there are more books to come!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars
A light-hearted historical romance with a light smattering of Christian faith. I loved all the horse details but did not love the dashes of "romantic heat" that popped up in the story. I did appreciate that it's a lot lower level of "heat" than a number of Hunter's other books! I'd give an average appropriate age rating of 16-18+ on this one.

Bianca and Hudson have a pretty quick bond as he finds her in his stables giving his horses exercise. Then she teaches him a few things to survive in a polite drawing room, especially how to dance. Since Hudson has been in India all his life, he doesn't know about many of society's little things; she starts it out, but other friends have to go through with things like teaching him popular card games. (I'm glad to see that one of his friends, Aaron, will star in the next book.)

The overall tone of the story is a light, humorous one. I would have liked to see the secondary characters a little better developed, because many of them seemed more wooden than anything, but that didn't keep me from liking the leads. There were several characters mentioned from other Hunter novels, but an error hopped out at me: Trent and Adelaide are said to have "married for love" but an entire novel was previously devoted to their marriage of convenience and their awkward attempts to find love. Also a couple anachronistic words like "dad" hopped out at me. Otherwise I like the story and the historical feel of it.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

Vying for the Viscount
by Kristi Ann Hunter
Back of the Book: “For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor. When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he's even more at a loss.
The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley's refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought. Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can't help but be intrigued by the area's newest eligible bachelor.
Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other. As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life. But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?”
Impressions: This was a sweet historical romance. I read this in two nights and fell asleep wondering when the two love birds were going to open their eyes.
Liked: When reading historical fiction, I think there are two different themes I’ve noticed. They are either trying to be historically accurate or they are inspired by the imagination. This book was more imaginative and I enjoyed picturing interactions and scenes.
Disliked: I think that there could have been a darker, sinister interaction with the Uncle. It would create perhaps a more interesting diversion and plot.
Learned: “And why do you care what they think of you? That’s the most finicky beast you will ever ride.”
Quotes:
“I enjoy the evenings too. Everything gets still. It’s like you can hear God breathing.” – When I read this, I was so excited because it put to words how I feel when my kids are finally asleep and I can snuggle up on the couch, do my devotions, and read.
“Lord, help my unbelief. Not my belief in my own capabilities but my belief that you’ve got a plan for me and I should follow it, even if it doesn’t make sense.” – Fiction or not I think this is a prayer many have prayed including myself… and frequently.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

I loved everything about this book....Regency England, horse racing, balls, someone in a new environment, strong women, true gentlemen, the return of some old characters, humor, romance. I didn't want it to end.

I enjoyed getting to know more about Aaron and I can't wait to see what happens with him in the next book. Bianca and Hudson won me over right away. Bianca was willing to help him, even when it went against her own best interests. She made me laugh. "She'd long ago learned that if her responses were sufficiently ridiculous then her stepmother couldn't come up with an intelligent rejoinder, and she refused to speak unless she believed she sounded brilliant" (location 504). Hudson values people and grows to see that reputation isn't everything. There were some despicable, manipulative people as well as a sweet lady with an awesome sense of humor.

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of the best when it comes to Regency Romances. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Vying for the Viscount, by Kristi Ann Hunter, is the beginning of her latest series, Hearts on the Heath. You will encounter Hudson Stilton, as he is traveling from India to England. Hudson will not only acquire a new home, but a new title, the Viscount of Stilton, and a racing empire developed by his grandfather!

When Hunter arrives at his new home and begins to inspect his stables, he is suddenly accosted by an unknown woman. He soon learns that his attacker is actually his neighbor, Bianca Snowley, who daily exercises his horses and mistakenly assumes that he is attempting to steal the horses!

Hunter and Bianca will soon develop a friendship, as Hunter needs help acclimating to this new society and possibly find a bride. The only bump in the road is that Bianca is actually developing an attraction herself to the new viscount!

It is fun to see where Hunter and Bianca end up by the end of this tale!

VYING FOR THE VISCOUNT (Hearts on the Heath) by Kristi Ann Hunter

“Yes, choosing a wife was something he needed to see to - and soon, since he was the only person standing between his uncle and the title he’d wanted all those years ago. But would a wife make settling into a new country easier or more difficult?”
.
This is my first from this author and it will not be my last. Hudson is just at loss when he inherited his grandfather’s title as a viscount. He grew up in India so he has a lot to learn about the English society. Then comes Bianca. Oh Bianca just makes me laugh. She likes horses and is employed to ride one of Hudson’s horses. She is willing to help him learn how to dance. Oh that was hilarious! They come up with an agreement to help each other find a life partner. Their friendship blossomed but they have yet to realize they already have what they are looking for, especially Hudson.

I like both Hudson and Bianca’s characters. They are respectable people but not the most sociable. Their conversations are funny and engaging. They both love horses and riding them. Aaron is such a good friend and I’d like to know what happens to him. His life has so much sadness but so many things to be thankful for. I didn’t expect the Gliddon family but they turn out perfect for the story. They are nice people too!

I just enjoyed this book so much and it was a quick read too! 5 stars


*Thank you #netgalley and @bethanyhouse for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.*

I enjoyed reading this story. I wasn’t happy by how the villain was dispatched but suspect that has more to do with the fact that this is the first book in the series and the author is setting him up to pop up in later books. I look forward to see what happens in the rest of the series as I’m curious to learn what happens to some of the minor characters.

Bianca and Hudson were relatable characters--two people who were lonely until they met each other. They developed a strong friendship with each other throughout the story and also found some good people who made great friends and gave them the support they had been craving.

There was a strong theme that God’s plans for our lives are far superior than ours for ourselves. Both Bianca and Hudson had to realize that they had to trust God to work out His will for their lives.

I liked that the characters were honest about their faith even as they struggled to figure out what it meant to walk with God. They read their Bibles, prayed, attended church and thought about the lessons God wanted to impart to them.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publishers through Just Read Tours and NetGalley; a positive review was not required.