This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed the book. It was a sweet, pretty clean ( just a few kisses) and interesting read.


It gives a glimpse of life at the court of George III, known as the mad King. It is a world full of glamour on the outside, but full of intereige, betrayal, gossip on the inside. Aribella tries to navigate this world as a lady in waiting, but at the same time he worries about her father and her home and the feeling she has for he handsome prince.


Prince layton has his own reasons for being at court, but didn’t account on meeting Aribella.

If you like gentle romance in the style of Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen you'll like this book. It's the story of Lady Aribella daughter of the Duke of Sumter and Prince Layton Wilhelm of Oldenburg. She's an only child and her fathers estate and title will go to a distant cousin when he dies. Her recently deceased mother was a Lady In Waiting to Queen Charlotte and Aribella has been summoned to court to serve the Queen. Prince Layton is the youngest of 8 brothers, and a naval officer. Oldenburg has been threatened by pirates and the French Navy and he needs the help of the British Navy to protect is small country.

These two meet at court and are instantly attracted to each other. But there are numerous complications, Queen Charlotte is anxious to conceal the severity of her husband George III illness (he suffered severe bouts of raving and violent attacks), her ner-do-well son and the heir George (known as Prinny aka Prince Regent) that only like wine, women and play, the youngest daughters that have grown up in isolation from the profligate court and only want to find a handsome man to court them and marry them so they can escape. Aribella quickly becomes a trusted friend of the Queen, but the Queen is selfish and asks Aribella to help her two daughters Mary and Elizabeth with attracting Prince Layton. The Queen also asks her to tamp down gossip in the court about the mental health of the King and only talk about his "good" days. Prince Layton carefully navigates the court and the two Princesses, trying to give no encouragement or false hopes. It's a bit of a comedy of manners, in that there are strict rules of courtship in high society, so it's difficult if not impossible for a couple to be alone. Prince Layton is frustrated in his efforts to gain the assistance and support of the British Navy, but finally succeeds in getting 3 ships to sail with him back home after he hears of the treat of the French declaring war on Oldenburg. Aribella returns home and discovers that her father is not well. She has to decide if she will accept the marriage proposal of Lord Bartholomew, her relative and the heir to the estate.

Will duty to family and country prevail, or will true love win at the end of the day? Read this to find out.

I received a ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.