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

Approaching her thirtieth birthday, Dorothea Hart has resigned herself to life as the spinster aunt, to be pitied by those who see her. Longing for her own family, she makes do by caring for her nieces and nephews, many of whom she helped deliver, but she does allow herself the indulgence of watching the 'Mighty Oak' fight. For Griffin Oake, he made his fortune in prize fights, and has amassed a number of inns, but no respectability yet. Hoping that by banking with the Harts, he'll be able to find someone who can help his daughter become the perfect society miss. He sees how Dorothea is treated by her family, and wants better for her, but would a second marriage be any different to his first, or have the scars of the past run too deep?

After seeing Dorothea in the previous books, I always wanted more for her as she was happy in her life until Dexter brought her room to make the family more respectable. Everything she did was for the family, and she wasn't allowed to do anything for herself, lest it bring the family name into disgrace. Only Devon really saw how she felt, but even so, he couldn't do much to help. I liked that Thea was strong, and she didn't let Griffin, or Mrs Ellis, run all over her. She understood that Rowena needed a softer touch, someone to help her, but not force her to change. I wish Thea and Griffin had spoken about their pasts a lot earlier, but I can understand why they didn't, particularly Griffin. This book has ended the series perfectly, and I loved the epilogue scene of the whole family!

I really liked this one! Marriage-of-convenience is one of my favorite tropes, and I loved the way The Prizefighter's Hart executed it. SO MUCH FUN! Dorothea and Griffin were adorable and I especially loved the relationship between Dorothea and Rowena. Something about found family in historical settings just gets me. I'd recommend this!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Prizefighter’s Hart is the fourth book in the Headstrong Harts series and focuses on Dorothea Hart, a thirty-year-old spinster who finds herself in a compromising situation with widower and prizefighter Griffin Oake. Griffin knows he will never be accepted into polite society, but he agrees to marry Dorothea in the hopes that she will help his daughter become a proper lady. Dorothea recognizes that this is not a love match, but hopes that something can develop from it.

The book features a step-daughter who is a hellion, a husband that goes out of his way to avoid her and the mystery of what happened to Griffin's first wife. Dorothea was an excellent character. She is a strong, intelligent woman, who has the uncanny ability to make everyone in her company feel comfortable. I loved the relationship that Dorothea was able to forge with Rowena. At times I did not care for Griffin, but overall I enjoyed their romance. The book features well-developed characters, that are intriguing and capture the reader's interest. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written historical romance.

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing book wish I could read it again will visit the author again. It was such an amazing book ang brought me back in The Victorian Era England

The Prizefighter’s Hart, by Emily Royal. Ladies hear me. Go out and get this book! I am in such awe over this unbelievable, well written love story. I have so many good words floating around in my head that I can’t express how much this book has touched my imagination.
I also have to tell you how much this awesome story has brought some warmth and a contented smile to my face.
All I can say is just wow. Wow, what an awesome book! Although you can’t see me, I wanted to let you know that I’m shaking my head. It’s the raw passion of love, regret. The need to make one happy and do everything and anything to make that one you love happy and it’s also the desperation of the need to be tupped.
That has me shaking my head. It’s true! “Believe me”. Sorry, I had to put that in there. “Giggle, giggle”.
I had to throw some humor in their somewhere. Back to serious mode, I know that’s what you love. This book is so emotional and heart warming, I simply couldn’t get enough of it. I really didn’t want it to end. “Seriously”.
Two people who were looking for the same thing, but with different intentions, forced together. Little did they know that they would go on a journey like no other, but at the end it’s the love of family that provides them the anchor that they needed to survive. Ugh! Such a tragic, but loving story this was. Thea and Griffin were amazing, I mean whew!
I will confess that their romance was pretty good. Their passion and heated moments in bed were ok, although I would have liked the writer to give more details to the scenes, a lot more. Perhaps elaborate on how Griffin is taking Thea as he brings her to pleasurable ecstasy. Maybe while he’s in his lustful climatic state, he whisper to her some very illicit naught dialogue. After that, I think the words would burn right off the sheets!
Maybe the burning might be you or me. I don’t know, but something would burning with the naughty words I’m imagining in my head. There’s no eco effect there. You know what I mean?! Back to the story.
Wow! Just wow! I know that I already said those words, but how many times that it took Griff and Thea to find each other mentally, physically and emotionally after they married was the best part of the book. I was praying and hoping that Thea wouldn’t turn away forever or her big bully of a brother Dexter put a bullet through Griff’s head. I don’t mean to use those dramatic words, but if you read Dexter and Maggie’s story you would understand Dexter and his inability to being such an Ogre.
I loved Dorthea’s common sense on many important decisions. She wasn’t the one to swoon like some helpless lady. Thea has a stern, stiff back, but when it came to her family she was different. I think a certain little person helped bring Thea around. Griffin was all man for Thea. He stomps and prowls around Thea like a Panther ready to mount his prey. He has nothing but one objective and that is to claim Thea as his, many times over. But it’s the many troubles of his daughter Rowena the Griff needs to address first and boy little Rowena is a trickster. There other adversaries in this book that had me hoping that Griff would give them a good beat down. I truly did love this book.
The start of the book was a little slow, but after the second chapter it picked up and from there it was full steam ahead. The story is an easy page turner that I know you readers will enjoy. The book has wonderful characters and some that will have you wanting to strangle them yourselves. I give this book two snaps and a, “ Oh Miss Ellis, your fired”! Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

Fabulous cover that drew me in! A compromised spinster a prizefighter and a 14 yo daughter. A recipe for disaster or a happy family. Taken for granted by her family and placed firmly on the shelf, Meggie is forced in a marriage with the object of her fantasies. Except the realitly of it comes with a distant husband, a house being run by an incompetent angry old woman, and a 14 yo running wild. Meggie is nothing if not determined to have her dream so she sets to slowly putting her world together She wants a dream not this nightmare Beautiful written, intense characters great story.

The Prizefighter and the Spinster

Two people find themselves thrust together by circumstance. He is a prizefighter in need of serious refinement. She is a spinster who never thought she would get a family of her own. Could they find love together? I often found myself irritated with “the Mighty Oak.” Indeed, he was hurt by a woman in the past, but that did not need to dictate his actions in the present. I thought that Thea put up with a great deal from him; she deserved a medal. Her patience with her stepdaughter was also wonderful. Before Griffin and Thea could find happiness, secrets must be revealed, demons must be wrestled into submission, and the past must be laid to rest.

Love makes us put up with a great deal, and the reward is often worthwhile in the end. Perhaps, there is hope for Griffin. If you like romance, where the hero is a stubborn fool who must be redeemed, you might enjoy this tale. Despite my frustration with Griffin, I did enjoy the story.

Another wonderful addition to the Hart series. Dorothea, plain spinster daughter, is compromised and forced into a marriage of convenience with Griffin "The Mighty" Oake, a prizefighter that she has secretly been enamored of for quite some time. She is shuttled off to the country where Griffin's daughter causes mischief and strife for Dorothea. The characters were intriguing and the story engrossing. Wonderful read!
Thank you Emily Royal, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

This is the fourth book of the Headstrong Harts series. I have not had the opportunity to read the previous books, but would love to do so since I enjoyed this one so much. Griffin and Dorothea marry out of convenience, so their union is definitely not a love match. She is a spinster who was caught in a compromising situation with a prizefighter and widower, Griffin. Griffin marries Dorothea in hopes that she will help him tame his hellion daughter, Rowena. I liked the way that Dorothea didn't let Rowena's poor behavior scare her away, but instead she was able to see past that behavior and forge a real relationship with her. She also had her work cut out for her in trying to chip away at the walls that Griffin built up around his heart
The characters were well-developed and I enjoyed their dialogue and interactions. The story flowed well and kept my interest all the way through. If you're looking for an engaging, witty, and entertaining regency, then I think you should definitely give this a try. I think it was an enjoyable book, and I am looking forward to continuing the series.

I received a complimentary advanced reader's copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I love it when historical romances move away from typical lord and lady romance. Griffin has made something of himself and Thea is the woman he needs in his life. I wish he had been more open with her about his previous marriage. It would have better prepared her.

I absolutely hated Thea's family. They are the subject of the previous books in the series and I haven't read the early instalments. Thea's family used her and her brother was very high handed. He dismissed Griffin even though he and his family were not born to wealth either. She deserved far better and I'm glad she got her happy ever after.

This was an entertaining read. It had it's flaws but at it's heart was a couple I couldn't help but root for.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

From the first page to the last you will spellbound by The Prizefighter's Hart. Emily Royal has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, great dialogue and with a strong plot that bring this read together perfectly! Ahhh...the game of love can be a tangled web for Thea and Griffin paved with a daughter that is a handful who causes mischief wherever she goes. As Thea and Griffin fight their insecurities and memories of the past they travel on a journey filled with drama, hope, amazing passion, and finding the secret to a happy ever after.

I enjoyed this story. It was well written and flowed very smoothly. The characters were intriguing and I am now going to read the rest of the series. I was fully able to enjoy and follow this story without reading the previous books of the series! I love the covers of Dragonblade Publishing and this one is no exception. I will likely be adding to this review once I finish the series.

Right at the beginning, I have to disclaim that I am quite a novice in the realm of historical romances. I started dipping my toes into this area only this year. However, the regency era is one of my favorites, probably because I grew up reading Jane Austen. And this story is obviously inspired by Jane Austen's novels.

The main character Dorothea (Thea) is a 30yo spinster living with her brother and his family and basically doing them a nanny. But she, although according to social norms in that era is way beyond a typical “marriage age”, still dreams about a family on her own. Oh, and she has a huge secret crush on this very famous prize-fighter Griffin (along with like half of the town) who nowadays tries to make his way into London high society. They accidentally meet and after one simple misunderstanding her reputation is kind of ruined because of him and they must marry. The original plan was that despite them being married she will be only a governess for his teenage daughter from the previous marriage. Yeah, sure.

Firstly, characters. I really liked Thea. In the beginning, she was a very quiet, sort of resigned woman that thought that her “best years” were beyond her and there was nothing exciting waiting for her in life anymore. And she was almost fine with it even if a little sad about the fact. But she could stand up for herself in her own way and wasn’t at all a pushover and I really liked that. Griffin was this big bulky brute who couldn’t deal with emotions and on top of that, he was totally a fish out of water in high society because of his humble upbringing so he was always a little bit anxious. I really liked the dynamic between these two most of the time. It was funny and cute (and occasionally, just a little bit steamy) even despite a lot of miscommunications. Yes, quite a portion of the plot is based on miscommunication (trigger warning, I guess :-D). Most of it made sense, though. Part of it was rooted in insecurities of the main characters that were understandable (she was allegedly old and not so pretty; he was the guy who would rather do fighting than talking so there’s that), the other part was due to the big mystery that drove the plot. And that’s the part that drove me a little bit crazy at the end. Because I don’t mind misunderstanding, even miscommunication doesn’t bother me if it fits characters, but this “big mystery” was dragging for too long in my opinion. If it got resolved like hundred pages earlier, I would probably like it better. As it was, it was just too much of an unnecessary drama and in parts maybe even too over the top unnecessary drama. And the ending felt a little bit rushed because of it. The writing style didn’t help it much either. The author tried hard to emulate the style of said Austen’s novels and here and there it felt like too much. It didn’t sit so well with me. I like my historical romances, regardless of the historical period they are set in, to be written in more simple language. Otherwise, it usually feels like trying too hard and it takes me out of the story. But that is just a preference thing, I guess.

Anyway, I enjoyed the story overall. Even though technically, this is 4th book in the companion series, and we got glimpses of protagonists of previous books (Thea’s siblings), it didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. It easily could be a stand-alone novel. However, said side characters are all funny and interesting so I probably will read the rest of the series in the future.

I want to thank Netgalley for the digital copy of this book for review.

Dorothea is a 30-year-old spinster who has resigned to be the "spinster aunt". She is incredibly good with children, they love her, and she wants to someday have some of her own. She has seen from afar the famous prizefighter know as the Mighty Oak - a single father to a teenaged daughter. Having gained a fortune fighting, he is invited to the ton's latest parties but never actually accepted. He needs someone, preferably a lady, to introduce his daughter to eligible men and help her navigate the ton's shaky seas.
I liked how Dorothea and Griffin's relationship evolved. It was a slow burn where Dorothea did most of the work. Griffin was really closed off to emotion and was almost mean sometimes.
The relationship between Dorothea and Rowena (the teenaged daughter) was a little more difficult, but it also progressed.

I really enjoyed this marriage of convenience story. Dorothea and Griffin are an interesting couple. We have the bad boy fighter and the prim spinster, so it makes for good banter and sexual tension. Definitely have some steamy scenes. I also liked the interactions with Dorothea and Griffin's daughter Rowena. I just really liked their relationship. Overall, really enjoyable story. Will have to read more from this author.

Just loving this series and the story of Thea and "The Mighty Oak" and she thought of him "Hercules.. who wrestled with death and conquered Titans." He was truly magnificent.

Of course he would never notice her, an unattractive spinster.. until fate throws them together!
Griffin needed a chaperone for his daughter Rowena, and she appeared to need a life outside of taking care of her all those around her.

I have to say, I really did not like Thea's brother saying disparaging remarks about her when he found them in a compromising situation. ALthough it was not what it seemed.

Although there was a marriage of convenience, it was wonderful to see the relationship between Rowena and Thea grow and the journey to happy ever after..

A heartwarming story for Thea at last. Thea is the oldest in the family and had to wait the longest for her dreams to come true. Her brother did not appreciate her heart and giving nature. Certainly Griffin was the man she desired but he stumbled over his past and took way too long to understand their relationship.
Griffin’s daughter Rowena was a sparkly character adding to the mix of emotions. A satisfying addition to the Hart series but can easily be read in its own.

4 stars

I enjoyed this more than book 3. The hero is a bit macho but then you'd expect that with a prize fighter. Thea deserved a family and a HEA, a sensible and pragmatic heroine, who was able to build a relationship with Griffin's daughter and sort out his estate and servants.

Some over the top passion towards the end of the book.

i voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own..

I didn’t know Emily Royal’s work before, but I really liked her writing, so I’ll definitely start reading her books from now on. The trope here is “compromised” and so Griffin and Dorothea find themselves in a compromising position and they are forced to marry. Sweet Thea is a spinster who lives with his brother and basically cares for his children and was already infatuated with Griffin, a renown prizefighter whom she enjoyed looking at during his fights. Griffin, on the contrary, is just looking for someone who can teach manners to his young daughter and is not interested in a “real” marriage after his bad experience with his first wife. I really liked both characters very very much. Griffin is rude and uncouth, but with a kind heart. I liked the fact that the author didn’t magically make him change and become more refined in a short span of time, but that he remained himself during the book, even if he was able to show his love for Thea at the end. I think this was very realistic. And I enjoyed reading his thoughts, his views on Polite Society and of its strange (for a man like him) workings. It made me smile and even laugh quite often.
I loved Thea, even if she was too resigned to being neglected and used (though loved) by his brother at the beginning of the book. But she is the typical woman of her age, raised to be a wife and a mother, so she was miserable because she did not have a family of her own. I loved the passionate moments of this book, but I loved the building sexual tension between the hero and heroin even more. I couldn’t put this book down until the end!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When prizefighter Griffin Oake unintentionally compromises Dorothea Hart at her thirtieth birthday celebration, they marry to avoid scandal. Will they have a marriage of convenience only, or is it possible for them to have the happy home and family? Thea has admired Griffin from afar for some time. I love the way Thea jumps right in to taking care of the home and estate. Her approach to Rowena is brilliant. She slowly and subtly draws her in. It’s not as easy to break through Griffin’s walls, but she keeps trying. When the truth about his tragic story comes late in the story, things begin to fall into place. There is some trouble from an old enemy and some hard secrets to reveal. This is a poignant story. The characters tug at your heart. The road to their HEA is rough, scattered with sadness, danger, and secrets, but determination and love clear the way. The epilogue brings it all to a wonderfully ending. A great read! I recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.