A fun, lighthearted and amusing historical romance novella set mostly during a ton masquerade ball in London around 1800 or just before. It's a friends to lovers theme that's beautifully written and witty and I enjoyed it. William and his four friends arrive all dressed as highwaymen. Their nefarious plan? Uniting a shy and awkward William with his best friend Amelia, (dressed as Cleopatra), the women he has always loved, What could go wrong...?

This story fitted nicely into the novella length and I could just picture all the guests at the ball swanning around in their inventive costumes. I thought the historical details were good and I immediately liked the H/h and the support characters. I'll be checking out this author's back list, My thanks go to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in return for my honest opinion.

This was a cute book as long as you took it at surface level. It was a novella and felt very rushed but the characters were entertaining and I did enjoy this book. William is outgoing to his friends but incredibly shy around females especially Lady Amelia. Both characters start off liking each other and so there wasn't a huge plot keeping them apart. But it did take some time and encouragement for William to get over being awkward in front of her enough to woo her to the aisle. I did really like how Lady Amelia enjoyed her first husband and even became friends with him even though he was so much older. It was nice to see the older husband, young debutante in this way. I would buy more for those nights where you want something quick that doesnt involve thought.

Shy and scholarly William has been in love with the now newly-widowed Amelia since they were children. He wanted to make an offer for her when he was still at University but for whatever reason didn't and she married a man old enough to be her grandfather. Now that she's come out of her mourning, he has his chance... assuming his awkwardness and preternatural ability to say just the wrong thing at the wrong time don't get in his way. Maybe dressing up as a dashing highwayman at a costume ball will do the trick?

Beautiful and brilliant Amelia has always loved William. She finds his scholarly bent and love of antiquities charming rather than off-putting, it's why at Lord and Lady Melbourne's masquerade ball in 1794 she decides to dress as Cleopatra. Unfortunately, too many other men get the wrong idea setting the stage for misunderstanding and conflict.

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This is a short read with charming characters which unfortunately suffers from a bit of a pacing problem and a historical easter egg problem.

I really really liked William with his perpetual foot-in-mouth syndrome. He was adorable. And sweet. And I wanted to pet him on the head like the confused puppy that he was. I got hints that William might be on the Autism spectrum but considering that the diagnosis didn't exist in the Late Georgian Period there's no clear way to be certain. I also liked that he was most definitely a beta hero. No alpha posturing and toxic masculinity from him. It was a refreshing change of pace.

I also really loved Amelia. She's fun and intelligent and kind. I loved that she generally got herself out of her predicaments and didn't need a man to save her. She was quick-witted and a lovely foil to the many TSTL heroines who populate regencies. Frankly I wanted more of William and Amelia's story.

Unfortunately while things end happily, the story doesn't feel complete. The whole thing takes place over a single night but there's a lot that goes on. I also spent much of the book trying to pin down the time period since it definitely wasn't typical regency which the cover suggests. It was only in the author's note at the end when I got an actual date. The book suffers from too much name dropping of various highwaymen, prominent historical figures, and places. In fact there's a whole section in the beginning where William and his friends argue over which highwayman they are which goes on for way too long and is way too confusing.

I also felt that the ending was rushed. A secondary conflict was introduced but not resolved (I suspect it will carry over the rest of the series) which led to the feeling of incompleteness.

In all, this is a decent novella with a few rough spots. It's not a bad read. And I really really loved the leads. And for that I give this:

Four stars

This lighthearted prologue to a new series takes place on one unforgettable night. William has loved Amelia from afar for years, but his awkward scholarly character makes it difficult for him to declare his feelings to her. Instead, he regales her with theories on hieroglyphics and artifacts, leaving her frustrated with him. Amelia has known William all her life and understands him better than almost anyone else. Nevertheless, she does expect a declaration but even that seems to be beyond him. That is until he and his friends enter into an unwise wager, and they hold up Amelia's carriage in the middle of the night. The story is witty and romantic but far from complete. Whilst not a cliff-hanger, there is obviously a lot more to come. I enjoyed this short novel and found the characters entertaining. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

William Haddington is in love with Amelia Fellowes and has loved her since they were children. However, she married another, and whilst heartbroken, has maintained a friendship with her. Now that Amelia is widowed, William realises that he must tell her how he feels. Yet, when his friends all find themselves wearing the costume of highwaymen after a ridiculous wager, William decides it is now or never.
William’s shyness was quite endearing and Amelia, incredibly patient. This is a sweet romance between two lovely characters. However, what makes this an interesting story, is the entertaining dialogue between William’s friends, who I hope to read about in future books in this series. I must admit that I found all the different names and the earlier chapters, quite confusing, especially given the brevity of the story. Overall, a light and entertaining read.

"Whatever you do, my friend, do not tell Amelia she's your favorite horse" I think this was my best line in the book. A quick read being a novella but nonetheless a quite confusing one. I didn't empathize with the male lead and felt there was something a little artificial about his artlessness. Amelia on the other hand I liked as I did Lydia.
I also think this is the start of a series and there were therefore a host of other characters introduced which did not do much good for the character development of our leads nor their story.

All in all, a quick painless read

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

The Lord of the Highwaymen: A Historical Romance Novella by Elizabeth Bramwell

True Friendship is rare, but when you have it make sure you guard it. A group of men who have each other’s back are trying to help a nerdy friend tell his true love that he wants to ask her out. However, every time he gets around her, he becomes tongue tied and he spews either intellectual data of which they both are knowledgeable or he just becomes a babbling idiot. Tonight though was going to be different, it was a masque ball and he was going as a Highwaymen and they are always rogue and he was going to adopt that persona! However, the lady friend was going as Cleopatra which she knew he liked that era but so did so many randy like men that were hitting on her at the ball. She was having to fend off men left and right with the help of her friend. Due to a liquor induced mixup the night before his good friends all came dressed up as Highwaymen as well. He was so upset because now how was she to know that it was him that was the rogue. But, his friends had that under control.
The blunders in the adventures of the rogue highway masques men and the bet that sets off the adventure is just too funny. I cant give you anything more because then it would be a spoiler and that I will not do. Just know that this book has its humorous moments. At the beginning I was wondering, but then it kicked into high gear for adventure and excitement from the masque ball to the bet. Just keep reading and you will enjoy the book. I am sure the next books will not disappoint for there will be more Highway adventures I am sure. Its a quick read, but a good one.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and willingly give my thoughts and opinions!

Will his shyness dooms their future ...

What a light this read was, it was just too short.
Like an appetizer to titillate my palate.
Yet I wanted more.
It was too short, I hope the next stories will offer more details, like how Amelia came to marry her late husband, I know why but I would have loved to read the circumstances, what kind of marriage did they have. Why Lydia did refuse Conway, what about the wager, what hidden trick is there, and so on...
This novella was more a than a romance, it is a close friendship story. I adored the relationship between the five friends, how different they were but also so close knitted.
Amelia is so very intriguing, why does she say she is ruined, sure she is widow, left well provided by her late very older spouse. She is the one with her head on her shoulders. Even if Lydia is even more pragmatic.
William is the typical scholar, at ease with any intellectual subject but at loss when it is about humans interaction and flirting. What a muddle he did of his time alone with Amelia.
Together in the end they are so very cute.

All their supportive friends are must-to-know people, they are so full of fun in their disparity.
The highwaymen robbery scene was just surrealist.

4.5 stars as I wanted more!

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing and here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Since this is a novella (less than 100 pages), it’s really hard to write your thoughts because basically the blurb reveals everything.

Amelia is a widow but has strong feeling for William. He’s her friend, they always visit together museums because William loves antiques. He wants to confess her love to her on the ball but he’s not great at flirting.

Later in the night, he and his friends find themselves at the gentleman’s club and agree to a wager. It means that William has to rob people as a highwayman.

His fist victim is Amelia. From them on the story quickly ends.

I know I should expect that with novellas but this one for me was 3.5 stars. William is adorable at flirting but that ending was just too quick. I have so many questions with that wager but I didn’t get the answers I wanted.

This was an enjoyable story, once the confusion with the highwaymen was cleared up. The heroine is a widow who had been in love with her neighbor's son for years. She is intelligent and beautiful, but she had to marry a much older man at her father's command. The heroine is the shy neighbor's son that was her childhood companion and her companion again since her husband passed away. They are not lovers, but they love each other. This story describes how the hero tries to woo her even though she tries to kiss hit at a ball. He doesn't realize that she loves him, he is too focused on why he is not a dashing, flirtatious charming man that he thinks she wants. When she tries to tell him how she feels, he turns it around and sticks his foot in his mouth. The heroine's stepson (who is 20 years older than her) has made a wager with the heroine and his groups of friends. But the way he is described, he wrote the bet in the book to benefit him and make the others lose. But we don't find out about this because this book, no matter how lovely, is basically part one of a 5 part series. Whe it was stand alone for this couple, the book reads as part of a greater whole. It is more of an old fashioned serialized story rather than a stand alone novel. Which is fine, but call it what it is. Because if this I give this book 4.5 stars. There was a continuous story, but with danglers, there was character development and there was very few spelling errors. I reco.mend this story for a nice afternoon read.

William Haddington has always loved Lady Amelia Fellowes, but he’s reasonably shy and his attempt to woo her have been awkward. One night after a masquerade ball he and some friends are dared to be the highwaymen they portray. Amelia has been waiting for him to declare himself and his feeling but it seems they can only talk about history, not their feelings. Amelia‘s carriage is stopped by highwaymen and she soon discovers her sweet William is among them. William behind his mask takes the chance to flirt outrageously and she responds so lovingly. I love the witty banter between the highwayman and the lady as William finds the words of love to tell his lady love. An excellent story I voluntarily read and wrote this review.

William Haddington has always loved his childhood friend, Amelia Fellowes, and was devastated when she married another. Now widowed William is determined to tell her how he feels, but whenever he encounters Amelia, his brain freezes of any flirtations, and instead he spouts dry and boring Egyptian history. What William doesn't realize is that Amelia loves him as well and all she wants is for William to declare himself and propose.

This was a sweet little story that is a very quick read. The author weaves a story of a lost love and a chance to claim happiness once again. I felt bad for poor William, but his friends were hilarious. I can't wait to read all their stories as they all try to win a bet. There wasn't much to Amelia's story, but I did like her spunk during an attempted robbery.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

I saw this book on NetGalley and thought it sounded interesting, so requested it. Being only 97 pages, it was a very quick read. William Haddington has always loved his childhood friend, Amelia, and when she married, he was heartbroken, but stayed close friends with her. Now widowed, and out of mourning, he's realised he can't go on much longer without telling her how he truly feels, and it seems she reciprocates. Lady Amelia Fellowes loves her friend, William, but he's so shy and awkward in telling her how he feels that she doesn't know what to do. When her step-son besmirches her honour, William and his friends masquerade as highwaymen to win a bet, and end up holding up Amelia's carriage. She ends up saving the day when real highwaymen appear, and pronounces her love and affection for William.

I somewhat enjoyed this book, but at the halfway mark - when the highwayman plot appeared - it just became silly and daft. I was rolling my eyes as I read on, and not even the so-so chemistry between Amelia and William could redeem it. All in all, disappointing, but at least not very long.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a short novella that was fun to read. There was a friendship since childhood so this book didn't have the same issue of insta-love that other novellas suffer.
William has loved Amelia since they were kids and now that she is widowed he is going to finally confess his love. William is definitely a beta male unable to flirt and be romantic. Instead falling back on his academic knowledge.
Amelia on the other hand is ready to get her man. The finals chapter shows Amelia to be clever and brave.
I am definitely intrigued by William's friends as they all seem more interesting and hope they have full length novels.

The Honorable William Haddington is a very intelligent man but when it comes to the woman he loves he can't find any sensible words at all. His friends are determined to help him.

Lady Amelia Fellowes has finished mourning for her husband. He was much older than her and told her to find happiness after he was gone. Now is the time to change her bestfriend into a husband.

A fun historical romance with lovely characters. This is obviously the first in a series where the back story will follow through each book because the "bet" wasn't settled.

The Lord of the Highwaymen is a short, sweet, lighthearted Novella. It introduces William and his friends who come together and agree to do a crazy wager. Through this wager, William reconnects to his childhood sweetheart, Amelia.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I didn't love this book. I mean it wasn't terrible but I had more issues with it than not. I think the dialogue was very choppy and awkward. William Haddington tried too hard to make himself seem awkward. There were too many jokes about him being a ladies man when woman didn't bother with him.

I didn't feel the connection with the two main characters. I have read a few other books by this author and really enjoyed them. So I will continue reading them and write this book off as a fluke.

This is book 1 in a new series called Hearts and Highways. It is a prequel, novella that introduces the characters that will be part of this series and the premise that has brought them together.
A wager. 5000 pounds, that they cannot steal as highwaymen 1000 pounds in a months time.
In this novella, William, finds the greatest treasure when they go to rob their first coach. The love of his life, Amelia.
It is short, sweet, cute!
As with all novellas not enough romance, so 4 stars.
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

A cute quick little novella that introduces the characters in this author's new series. It's a sweet story but there are too many characters in such a short story. I'm intrigued just enough to check out the rest of the series though.

This was a perfect first book for a series. It introduces many of the characters we will meet in future novels as well as sets up the thread that will tie all of the books together. I'm not sure if all the stories will be novellas or just this book, but I thought this worked really well as a novella. It could have been longer, but I worry that would have just overcomplicated the story and led to it all being dragged out for too long. I really liked Amelia and William as individual characters and as a couple. Amelia is a strong female character and I loved that she was the one to handle the real highway men; that moment between Amelia and Abershawe also showed that William is protective of Amelia but also trusts her when she indicates she can handle something on her own. Their misunderstanding at the party is perfectly written and makes you feel bad for both of them. I'm so glad Lydia was there to point out to Amelia how she misunderstood what William was trying to say. It was also great getting to see William go from being so confident to losing all of that confidence - getting insight into his train-of-thought did a lot for understanding him as a character. The part involving the wager is a little farfetched, but should make for some interesting/funny moments in later novels. The moments with all the men together make for some pretty funny parts - it was also nice to see how supportive they are of one another. I'm hoping to see at least Amelia and Lydia get involved in helping the guys out - my guess is that they will be better at planning the heists than the men.