Kristi Ann Hunter had such a talent for writing lovable, believable, endearing characters! The witty banter between friends of differing social standing is the best! I was so happy that Aaron Witworth got his own story. And I love Sophia - she is a spit fire determined lady who has a hard time keeping her words in. Such a great counterpart to the quiet, closed off Aaron. This book is a wonderful story about overcoming your past, forgetting your perceived short comings, and throwing yourself into your future full of faith. I love that Kristi puts the Bible in her stories, and shows her characters faith and trust in God. It’s a great reminder!

Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clean historical romance Christian fiction. Kristi’s books are best enjoyed in order, as all the characters are interconnected and make appearances in the other books. But they can also be read as stand alones, there will just be spoilers such as who ends up with who etc.

Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way biased.

For those who have been long-time Kristi Ann Hunter fans, Aaron’s story has arrived!! We first met him in A Defense of Honor, and he had a larger role in Vying for the Viscount, so I was thrilled he finally gets the leading role in Winning the Gentleman.

And oh, boy does he have a time of it! It starts with a wager and a fired jockey then takes you to a circus and the hiring of a new jockey…a very memorable one.
Despite his illegitimacy, Aaron is a gentleman through and through. While he prefers to avoid them, he understands the workings of the ton and the repercussions of the impetuous decisions of some of his friends. He is also a man of his word when it comes to agreements.

When he meets Sophia, he’s both suspicious and entranced. The woman can talk (which just adds Hunter’s characteristic humor), but she also knows her horses (more so than many of the men who own them).

The romance between Aaron and Sophia is set at the perfect pace, their somewhat opposite personalities made for some delightful (and a few frustrating) scenes, some fictional friends from previous books make cameos, and the history of horse racing in Newmarket is well-researched. Hunter once again delivers an enjoyable regency romance that is hard to put down.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Aaron Whitworth has long accepted his place in society as the illegitimate -but acknowledged- son of a Marquis. Educated alongside the aristocracy, he's made lifelong friends (whom he sometimes wrongly assumes he shouldn't ask anything of). He's also earned a great deal of respect along the way, but he still carries some pretty serious burdens emotionally that perhaps he shouldn't.

Sophia Fitzroy and her twin brother Jonas's situation has been precarious since their father died. When he has an accident that renders him unable to sit or stand for long periods of time, their dreams of a riding school are put aside to find a means of survival. When Aaron is in need of a jockey, he unwittingly hires Sophia and serious hijinks (and love, of course!) follow.

This is the second book in the author's Hearts on the Heath series, and a solid offering.

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

After reading about him in two different series, I am thrilled to finally learn more about Aaron. He is a unique person. He's illegitimate and uses that as a cloak at times to protect himself. Other times he brandishes it like a sword. Just when he thinks he has found his place in the world that he can control and understand, things get turned on their head. In desperate need of a jockey, he hires the trainer of a circus performer, not realizing that the circus performer IS the trainer...and it's a woman.

I loved that Sophia and her brother were always there for each other. Jonas is wise and has a funny sense of humor. He always brightened things up when he appeared in the story and I hope we'll see him again in future books.

Characters from the Hawthorne House series and the Haven in the Manor series were prominent in this book and I loved it. Aaron has some wonderful friends and it was amazing seeing them come around him in support, disregarding what society might think.

I have loved EVERY Kristi Ann Hunter book I've read and this was no exception. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I remember first meeting Aaron in the Haven Manor series. I remember wishing even back then for Aaron to have his own book, yet by the time we made it to his story, I could barely remember his involvement in that series. Of course, he was a prominent character in the prior book of this series, Hearts on the Heath as he is the caretaker and manager of Hudson's stables. He also manages his friend Oliver's stables. So I was familiar with him and most of his backstory before starting Winning the Gentleman. What wasn't known was his emotions or how he processes information and experiences.

Sophia was a complete unknown. She and her brother lost their parents a few years back. Her father was a horse trainer, and all Sophia has ever wanted to do is to train others the way her father taught her. Unfortunately, she and her brother were too young to take over the riding school when he passed. They ended up with jobs in the traveling circus when her brother was injured and could no longer ride. Sophia tricks Aaron into hiring her as a jockey for Oliver's racehorses, thinking he's hiring her brother.



I loved how Aaron was too honorable to back out of his deal with Sophia when the truth was known. I loved how he had to work through his history with his father. I loved the budding relationship he has with his half-brother (who I would love to read more about). I loved Sophia's determination to prove herself and do what no other woman (at that time) had done or would consider doing. And of course, I enjoyed the building relationship between Aaron and Sophia.

Unfortunately, this is one of those times when I let a bit too much time go by between reading the book and reviewing it. So I know I had much more put-together thoughts concerning the storyline and conflict. But this is the life of a mom of 3 kiddos 5 and under. Thankfully, I highlighted a good bit so that sparked my memory, and I can include some of my favorite quotes.

Favorite quotes:
-If there was one thing he’d learned in his years on the edge of society, it was that the appearance of confidence was almost as good as possessing it.

-He’d thought he and the Almighty had a decent agreement. Aaron didn’t ask God for miracles, and the Deity didn’t make Aaron’s life any more difficult than it already was. Somewhere along the way, that deal had faltered.

-Next time he saw Kit, he was definitely going to frown at her.

You really need the context for that one, but it made me laugh so I had to include it.

-...angry people rarely thought logically when declaring a verdict.

-If he had nothing to ask for, was his life really lacking? He’d always seen himself as having less because he couldn’t claim life the way his friends did. Yet he had everything he’d ever wanted, everything he’d ever been willing to allow in.

-What did it mean when you got everything you wanted but you still weren’t happy?

Winning the Gentleman was a fast, enjoyable read. It has been one of the few books that have kept my attention since having Baby Boy. I loved the characters' personal challenges to overcome. Aaron has to figure out what he really thinks of himself and what he deserves. Sophia has to battle the cultural norms for what a woman's place is, and I loved how determined she was to see her dreams come true. Winning the Gentleman gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Winning the Gentleman? What did you think? Let me know!

"Winning the Gentleman" is a Christian historical romance set in 1817 in Newmarket, England. It's the second book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, though characters from her previous novels do appear in this story.

The main characters were interesting, complex, and reacted realistically to events. Aaron felt like he couldn't marry due to his "illegitimate" (though grudgingly acknowledged by his father) status making his social position questionable. He wanted to be a man of his word, though, so backed Sophia even though she tricked him into a contract making her a jockey. She didn't really want to be a jockey, just make enough of a name for herself that women would want to hire her to teach them advanced riding (dressage). Both come to appreciate the other person's strengths and grow as people. Aaron's friends help him to realize that he's made his own place in society.

There was some praying, and Sophia learned to trust God more with her future plans. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance.

This is the second installment in the Hearts on the Heath series and this book was ever bit as good as the first book. This series is so uplifting and amazing, a must read. Aaron Whitworth was introduced to us in the first book of this series and so I couldn’t wait to read his story in this book.

The story takes place in Newmarket, England in 1817. Stable manager Aaron Whitworth must find a jockey so he can enter the next horse race. But then Sophia Fitzroy a well-known horseback rider and trainer arrives and gives Aaron a run for his money. Aaron is not your typical hero and he struggles with the relationships in his life, and Sophia seems to push him out of his comfort zone, and at the same time she supports him, which is a huge self-esteem builder for Aaron. As the story unfolds you will be flying through the pages. This story has all the feels and you will find yourself cheering for Aaron to find his path and for Sophia making the most of her life.

The twists at the end of the story was my absolute favorite part. Readers of regency romance will absolutely love this story, this is a phenomenal story. Thank you Kristi Ann Hunter for this fantastic series, I loved it.

I really enjoyed this book! Once again, we enter the world of horses in the early nineteenth century England, continuing with several characters from the first novel in this series. I liked learning more about Aaron and seeing him get his own story! It is great to read how Sophia pushes him to come out of his shell and brings out his personality a bit more and more. I liked seeing their relationship develop in a realistic manner and how the author gave them time to grow individually before strengthening their romantic relationship. It was great to read about some of the characters from Kristi’s other series! I loved seeing them all together in several scenes. The spiritual themes of finding identity in Christ and resting in His perfect plan are relatable and wonderfully woven in the story. I’m excited to read the next book and look forward to more great reads by this author! Highly recommended!

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

I receiced an ARC from the publisher and an voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

While I really enjoyed the first in the series, I found myself rather underwhelmed by Winning the Gentleman. There are elements to enjoy, like the tie-ins to prior books, and I love how she has subtly created a little universe of characters for her readers, so when a recurring character pops up, it’s a pleasant surprise. However, even though this is the second of a series and many books deep into the “Hunterverse” (as I call it), these Easter eggs are just that, and you aren’t required to have read her backlist beforehand.

And while I admit some of the horse stuff did go over my head, I did appreciate the attention to detail in that area, especially when she informs the reader right away of the historical inspiration for Sophia’s work as a horse jockey.

Aaron and Sophia suffer from the fate that has befallen many romance couples in that they are well-written characters, but they don’t “fit” together. I admired Sophia for persevering in her profession in spite of men not taking her seriously, and Aaron has obstacles to overcome thanks to his illegitimate birth. But while they make sense in theory as outsiders, I just never really felt a “spark.” They didn’t have much to bring them together other than a love of horses, so I just didn’t feel like it would matter if they got together or not.

And while it was nice to “see” some familiar faces, we also get a whole host of new characters that I didn’t feel were incorporated well into the story. And the way they were addressed wasn’t consistent, making it seem like there were twice as many as there were.

While this is not my favorite book by Kristi Ann Hunter, I did still enjoy this one. And I’m most definitely in the minority among the early reviewers, so I’d encourage you to take my opinions with a grain of salt and check out all opinions on the book.

Having ridden horses since I was little, I always enjoy the inclusion of horseback riding history in historical romance novels! Many people assume that women were quite content to sit "aside" in a sidesaddle, never wear trousers to be more comfortable, and allow the men to have all the fun in racing their prize horses. I loved that Kristi Ann Hunter took this opportunity to set the record straight. We not only learn more about the obstacles women faced if they wanted to succeed in the racing business, but also that even just riding horses in general came with its own set of struggles. The hero is an illegitimate son, facing his own societal hurdles, and so we also learn about how that sort of things was handled in society. I liked how the author didn't gloss over that distinction in life, not just from the perspective of fitting in, but also from the internal struggles the hero battled every day, not knowing where he fit in. Very eye opening and much appreciated.

Aaron Whitworth has grown up knowing many struggles - being illegitimate was just the first and most well known of them all. Not wanting to take handouts from his father, he has made a living as a stable manager, and he keeps his circle of friends small so as not to taint others with his presence. He knows who he is and, most importantly, what he is to society, and nothing he will ever do can change that. The most important things to him are his job, his friends, and his horses, and there is absolutely no room for a meddling woman. Enter Sophia Fitzroy, who threatens to upend all of that. He thought she was the male jockey he hired, but when she shows up very much a female, he is fit to be tied. Now he must decide if her dreams and livelihood are worth more than his reputation. Can he jeopardize everything he has worked for to bring her happiness? As they get to know each other, that becomes a harder question to answer.

I adored Sophia, with her babbling nervousness and her perseverance in spite of the treatment she received from others. She had to overcome so much ridicule and abuse to get where she did, and Aaron certainly didn't make it easy for her. Sophia's parents had died, leaving her and her twin brother on their own, trying to make ends meet. They moved from Ireland to escape one bad job, only to move into another that resulted in Sophia's brother to become seriously injured. With her skills in riding, she could be really successful, if not for the fact that she was a woman. Once she saw an opportunity to work for Aaron, she jumped at it, and only later realized the consequences of her actions, not only on herself, but also on him. She endeared herself to me quickly, as she very conscious of her actions from that point on and often put others before herself. Aaron was an enigma, rarely speaking and very sparse with his praise towards Sophia. I was frustrated that he didn't make more of an effort to be kind, although I understood why he kept his distance. As the book progressed, he became more and more endearing to me, and the lengths he went to make Sophia happy brought tears to my eyes. Their journey was long and difficult, but in the end, it was well worth the effort.

This was the second book in the series, and so now I need to go back and read the first. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be a fantastic read!

Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter is the second book in her Hearts on the Heath series, but is also a stand alone novel. The story introduces our chatty heroine, Sophia Fitzroy, who is a circus performer turned horse jockey from Ireland, and Aaron Whitworth, our very complicated quiet hero who runs a horse stable. Their interaction together is priceless. I smiled, reflected on God’s goodness, and my heart was touched as I read their story.

The secondary characters brought depth to the novel in their interaction with the main characters. I recognized many from other novels by Hunter. After I finished reading I could not help but wonder when I will see them again, and if they will be in the third book in this series.

This story brought me joy! Kristi Hunter magically weaves romance, humor, friendship and horsemanship into an amazing Regency story while gently reminding us that our God is a God who loves to redeem things. This is a theme that I always need to remember.

I can highly recommend Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter.
I was given the book through the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

#BookReview: WINNING THE GENTLEMAN by Kristi Ann Hunter

I was interested in Aaron Whitworth’s story from book one of the Heart and Heath series. I am glad that this second book is about him. He is the illegitimate son of a Marquis so his life is different and he is not well accepted in society. He likes to rely on himself and doesn't really ask favors from his close friends. Well, until he meets Sophia. I admire how she handles her horse as well as her confidence. It’s so funny how the Lord puts together two people who are polar opposites. One is comfortable with very few words and the other can talk a mile a minute. Their witty conversations are fun or should I say interactions since Aaron barely says anything.

I enjoyed Sophia and Jonas’ relationship and how they had split their father’s legacy. It seems fitting to their individual personality. I’m delighted that Aaron and Lord Rigsby are closer now. It seems like he has a plan but to be revealed in upcoming books.

It had a really good start, dragged on a little bit but the pace picked up again somewhere in the middle. I like the second half of the book better. So many insightful and inspiring words and more exciting events. So keep on reading. But most of all, I enjoyed the development in their faith in God. Sophia and Aaron’s journey led them to discover their purpose in life and what it means to pursue your goal. 4 stars

Thank you to @bethanyhouse and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I've been eagerly awaiting this book since finishing the first in the series because I really enjoyed Aaron as a side character. Seeing the world from his perspective and meeting Sophia was an enjoyable journey and a great insight into the challenges that women faced entering a man's sport. I really enjoyed the characters and loved seeing how the two of them learned and matured throughout the story. The pacing seemed slow, especially the last 25% of the book, and there is also a large cast of characters that I found somewhat difficult to keep track of at times despite the fact that I've read the previous story in this series as well as the books with crossover characters. All that said, the sweet conclusion was satisfying for the reader and very enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley for a free arc of this book! All opinions are my own.

I normally enjoy Kristi Ann Hunter's Recency romances (especially the series "Hawthorne House"), but I was slightly disappointed by "Winning the Gentleman".

Aaron Whitworth is a rather successful stable manager, but when his friend Oliver accepts a thoughtless bet on a race, and that Aaron's missing a jockey for this race, his reputation is in danger. He manages to hire a horse trainer from a traveling circus (he does it a bit randomly, if I may say so) but doesn't realise she's a girl. Sophia jumps at the opportunity of being a jockey, not caring that she deceived Mr Whitworth nor for all the problems she creates along the way.

As a horse rider, I have to appreciate the accuracy of all the horse-related details: they were perfectly on point. It was also very interesting to discover a bit more about the horse-racing world of the early 19th century.

However, surprisingly, I did not appreciate the romance at all. Perhaps it is because I didn't get attached to the characters—even found them annoying at times—, or it is that even after finishing the book, I don't see how two such personalities were compatible. There was no spark between them, no reason to be together—except their love of horses, and maybe the fact they both didn't fit in society—that brought them together. But even half the time they were together, it was more of a professional relationship, they didn't even share much of their inner thoughts and feelings or lives with each other (at least not in the dialogues)—we still don't know what happens to Aaron's mother, or any detail about the riding school Sophia is always thinking about. When they kissed for the first time, I felt it awkward... So the romance wasn't the strongest point of the book.

What doesn't help is that I got confused with all the secondary characters: Rowley; Aaron's father; Oliver, his future brother-in-law, and father-in-law; Graham; Brianca; Rebecca; Harriett; Trent; Adelaide (and I might have missed some)...plus when they get referred to by their surnames and/or titles, I feel there are twice as many characters! I wish they had been introduced more progressively for those who haven't read the previous books. At times, I even found some dialogues confusing too, and had to read them twice.

So overall, it wasn't a really fluid read - I had to re-read some sentences, stop to check who is who, etc. so I feel the book didn't reach its potential. Some things also didn't make much sense to me (e.g. Aaron not avenging Sophia after her second race, Sophia putting so much meaning into standing on her horse,...). However, the presence of horses and of Trent & Adelaide were the highlight of this book!

*I received an eARC and this is my honest opinion*

I liked reading books that are based on a true story. This one is loosely based on a woman who was a jockey when it was not popular to be. While it is common in books for men to be surprised when a women wants to do something outside society's dictates, I found this story to be a good look at one woman's struggle to fight for doing what she was good at.

I am absolutely loving this series. Book one was delightful and book two was even better. Can't wait to read the rest of the stories about these fascinating characters.

I did not officially read this to review on my blog. but we will be adding it to our church library!

If you like the slight enemy's that possibly could become more tropes and witty banter than this book is for you.
Though this book is apart of a series it can be read as a stand alone.

We start with Aaron Whitworth finding himself in need of a jockey and stumbles upon a traveling circles where he witnesses an act with a women who moves gracefully on a horse. So like any man in a period piece he assumes that the trainer for this horse is male and decided to hire him.

Sophia Fitzroy knows that being a women and working with horses isn't common. So when she decides to take the job to be a jockey she knows she has to prove herself to those that doubt her, including the man who hired her.

A story that starts with lies, actually reveals some truths for both Aaron and Sophia. Dreams become within reach and perceptions of others get shattered. This sweet historical romance shows how we should not judge one another based on status and to trust one another. It also teaches the lessons of trusting in Gods plans and timing. While this book has reference to God and scripture it doesn't heavily rely on it. I feel that anyone can read this book no matter your beliefs.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I loved the humor and flow of the story. The romance that builds sees realistic and not far fetched,

I am so glad to finally have Aaron's story, after meeting him four books ago and getting to know him better in the previous book! Since he is the illegitimate yet acknowledged son of an aristocrat, he doesn't quite fit in anywhere; he's always on the fringes, a position that I think a lot of people can relate to. But he is a great guy. Definitely has some hang-ups and issues to work through, but I thoroughly enjoyed his story.

I got quite a kick out of Sophia's inability to stop talking, but she has much more to recommend her as well: she's brave, fun, and not afraid to acknowledge when she needs help. The supporting cast was wonderful as well, with lots of old friends from previous books. Makes me want to start rereading Hunter's books from the beginning!

As usual, I loved the humor of Hunter's novel, balanced beautifully with an engaging story full of heart. I can't wait for her next book! I'm hoping it will be about the eccentric Harriet and/or good-hearted Lord Rigsby . . .

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

4 stars ✨

Okay first of all - the cameos!! I loved seeing so many familiar faces from previous Hunter works. It may be a tad confusing to whoever hasn't read those book yet, but it made my heart happy coming across each character!

What a fun equestrian story! We have a circus rider turned jockey who is *gasps* a woman - what a scandal that causes in Newmarket. Sophia and Aaron were so fun to watch together. My one teeny complaint is that their story together doesn't start until at least a quarter of the way into the book, due to set ups and backstory and all that, and then they've already come to an emotional climax halfway through... leaving the reader (ahem... me) feeling like there isn't a point to keep going (you definitely should - there's more coming your way!).

But Aaron... I didn't know what to think of him first. He's awkward (adorably so). He's a man of frustratingly few words (poor Sophia, rambling on to fill silence Aaron so desperately craves!). And he's not, under any conditions, allowing a woman jockey his horse (okay, that may be reconsidered...possibly).

All in all, a delightful romp in a coming-out-of-regency era. (oh, the addition of the bicycle! It's so fun seeing characters from her Hawethorne series changing with the times!) Definitely recommend reading - be prepared to laugh. A lot.

Bet Aaron Whitworth didn't see that coming!

There is something endearing about a character who compartmentalizes their life... I think it shows vulnerability as well as the capability to love, but with boundaries. Still, compartmentalization also shows pride. And pride precedes the fall :x or maybe the loss of someone you hold dear. Good thing Aaron is surrounded by people who truly love him and won't let him lose a precious gift. That ending was angsty, though. And I can only be compensated for it with a book about Lord Rigsby :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Sophie was unique and refreshing heroin. And the perfect match for Aaron!