Cover Image: The Sprinter

The Sprinter

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Member Reviews

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

When her father died, Miss Grace Yardley soon found that she and her mother were relegated to the run down dower house, with only one servant to help them. The new Viscount Barlow would rather wash his hands of his relatives, and cares nothing about their living conditions. Grace worries for her mother's health, and needs a miracle to help her. So when the letter arrives from Lady Heathway, stating she will launch Grace into society, Grace is overjoyed, but can she leave her mother, even if she is in the care of a dedicated nurse, and the Queen's own physician?

This was an enjoyable book. I liked George, and how he helped his aunt even though he knew it was never a 'small favour'. He was clearly drawn to Grace from the moment he spotted her in the dower house, though he hadn't really given any thought to settling down and marrying just yet. I did appreciate how much he wanted to stop the word from spreading about the 'Sprinter', even though he though Grace was daft for trying to climb down the drainpipe to 'save' her mam from the 'wicked' nurse. Lady Barlow was annoying at first, but she really grew over the course of the book, and it's not her fault that her late husband had pandered to her so much during their marriage. Though not my favourite of the series, this was still a lovely addition to the series, and I look forward to the next one.

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Kate archer had amazing books! Her characters are always so fun to follow along the incredible stories she creates. Funny, interesting, romantic... a little bit of everything that makes a great book !

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Clean Regency Romance with Humor

Grace was torn. She wants to be in London, but she wants to take care of her mother, a woman who complains a great deal. When Grace receives a letter from her mother about imagined woes, Grace decides to climb down a drainpipe to go see her. The worst gossip in London sees her, and Grace becomes known, throughout the ton as “the Sprinter.” Could her reputation be salvaged? Mayhem and adventure ensue. The gossiper must be silenced, and Grace’s sponsor and her friends come up with a plan. In the meantime, Grace’s vexing viscount is giving the lady unwanted advice. What will it take for him to admit that he is falling for Grace, hook, line, and sinker? The advice he is giving grace is not telling her how he feels. She thinks that he is telling her that the attention he pays her means nothing when in fact, he is jealous of the other men paying her attention. Can these two find a meeting of the minds? If you like clean Regency romance with mischief and wit, you might enjoy this story.

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A great addition to this series from Kate Archer. Grace is Viscounts daughter fallen on hard times. George is the much called-upon nephew of her dragon of a sponsor. Together they will navigate Graces introduction to the Ton while trying to overcome multiple misunderstandings on their way to HEA. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Thank you Kate Archer, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

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A great light-hearted read. The book is part of a series where women of high society sponsor young women in hopes of marrying well. This story follows Grace, who is one of the young women, and George, who is the nephew of one of the matrons..

This was too cute, it would be perfect for a teen book club. You really get the feel of this universe Archer creates. The characters are so animated, and even take the time out to flesh out the secondary and tertiary characters. I could easily see this book as pert of a cartoon series, and I mean that in the best of ways.

(VERY light spoiler)
P.S. Can we get a story with Mr Jacobs ASAP. I love a reformed bad guy.

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👀The cover attracted me ✔️
📚The plot intrigued me ✔️
❤️The characters kept me. ✔️
🖋I can’t wait for the next book! ✔️

That pretty much sums up my feelings on this book ~ Kate Archer definitely knows how to write creative, unique, and fun stories with characters that capture your heart!

📚I received a review copy of this book from the publisher Dragonblade Publishing and this is my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity. 🦄

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a few of the ton that don't have daughters find daughters that have no one to help them come out and make them into their daughters and launch eligible girls in need of assistance. Grace Yardley is a daughter of a baron who's father died and left her and her mother with not a lot of money.. Lady Heathway decides that grace is going to be her project/daughter. She takes her nephew to help get grace. I wish there would have been a little more showing how the couple came together and the attraction between them it was good though I just reviewed The Sprinter by Kate Archer. #TheSprinter #NetGalley
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this checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah. Love me some of this.

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The Sprinter abounds with fantastic situations, laughable events and serious competitions. Second in the series of Worthy Young Ladies, it is Lady Heathway’s turn to ‘bring out’ a young lady as she would a daughter. George, Viscount Gresham, is Lady Heathway’s nephew who seems to always be correcting and advising Grace Yardley, Lady Heathway’s protégé. Grace becomes enmeshed in a ‘joke’ on her by Mr. Jacobs, naming her The Sprinter, after he and several friends see her climbing down a waterpipe outside her bedroom in the middle of the night.

Although a stand-alone, having read the first in the series, helped a bit to understand the reason Lady Heathway is determined to outdo the Countess of Mendleton from the first book, “The Meddler.” As a society of ‘older’ ladies, each wants to do better than the previous lady in their search for a ‘daughter’ who can be launched into society with the sponsor getting all kinds of recognition.

This is such an enjoyable, light-hearted read that kind of makes fun of itself with the crazy happenings throughout the book. The romance is sweet, clean and fun.

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I totally adored Lady Heathway's character. She was kind, forthright, and very firm in dealing with others. She always knew what she wanted and never let anyone or anything stand in her way. I laughed out loud at some of her interactions with her butler. Lady Heathway has decided to sponsor Miss Grace Yardley, and even Grace's mother is unable to stop her or find a way to join her daughter in London.
Her nephew, George Wade, Viscount Gresham surprises even himself when he finds reasons to stop by Lady Heathway's house to make sure things are going well for Grace.
The whole cast of characters were wonderful. I highly recommend this book for your enjoyment.

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The Sprinter by Kate Archer is the second in this story about a group of ton ladies who never had daughters and missed that experience. They got together and decided that there were many young women of quality that lacked the means for a come out, so they would provide it, each by "adopting" one of these unfortunates. Their first foray had been successful so now it was time for Penelope Prescott, Marchioness of Heathway, to find her own "daughter." She selected Miss Grace Yardley, who upon receipt of the letter, quickly responded in the negative. She had her mother to think of and the poor lady was not doing well enough for Grace to even consider leaving her. Of course, Lady Heathway would not be discourage by this and got into her carriage, drafted her nephew to accompany her, and left to fetch the young lady herself. No one denied Lady Heathway anything she wanted.

This was a cute story, due in no small part for Lady Heathway's personality. She is the lady we al aspire to be. Forthright, kindly, but firm, and always available, she did right by Grace, and by her mother and never looked back to assess her behavior. Her nephew just rolled his eyes, while instructing his staff to no longer share his whereabouts with her or her staff, even if he was at home. It was an amusing story about behavior that is not well thought out and the consequences thereof. It is also about the absolute power of the ton in this time period, and also about their relatively short collective memory. It was a good book.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Sprinter by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #katearcher #thesprinter

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This is the second installment of the delightful series, A Series of Worthy Young Ladies. The premise of the series makes this a fun and charming read - six matrons of society, mourning the fact of not having any daughters of their own, who come together and combine their connections and resources to help launch young ladies into society. In this story, Lady Heathway gets her opportunity to choose a young lady to sponsor, and the lucky girl is Grace. She is the daughter of a viscount, who is now deceased, and living in the dowager house with her ill mother. When Lady Heathway extends an invitation to her to sponsor her London season, she has no choice but to decline in order to stay and take care of her ailing mother. Lady Heathway will not accept no for an answer and calls upon her nephew George for his assistance in "convincing" Grace to accept. This fun and light read had me completely captivated and engrossed in George and Grace's story and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and grow. A thoroughly enchanting story that I am glad to have had the opportunity to read. Looking forward to the next one!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

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A sweet & charming tale. What starts as a simple meeting of attraction quickly descends into misunderstandings and a veritable comedy of errors. Never have I read a couple more blind to each others truth. The story flows quite charmingly in its plot line. The ladies of the Society are the same forces of nature that we met in the first book of this series. Though intimidating in nature they truly do have hearts of gold behind their efforts. Despite certain element of selfishness in their motives, they really do take these girls on as daughters. Everything is done in love and with the best of intentions. I thoroughly enjoyed the lighthearted nature of this story. Archer writes characters you easily love.

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A hilarious Regency romance with many laugh-out-loud moments, this book had me in stitches at times. When The Society of Sponsoring Ladies pick on Miss Grace Yardley as their next project to launch into society, she really did not know what she was in for. Neither did Viscount Gresham when his aunt asked for one little favor. Used to his aunt's machinations, George feels it is his duty to warn Grace about the pitfalls ahead of her. Unfortunately, she does not see things that way. Between Lady Heathway, her own mother, and George, Grace feels herself being pulled apart and when her mother sends a wailing missive about her deteriorating health, Grace feels she has no alternative but to go to her rescue, thus earning her the unwanted nickname, The Sprinter. Fortunately, George comes to his senses and despite the misunderstandings that have plagued the couple, the novel comes to a happy and cheerful conclusion, but not without the beleaguered butler getting in one last fainting spell. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

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I have read the first book and while each can be read on it's own having read the first did enhance this one in my opinion. The humour was great making me laugh out loud and the secondary character's (the lady's and the butler) almost take over the story they are so funny. Looking forward to the next story. Highly recommended clean humours fun read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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4 stars

A cute quirky story. Our heroine's mother has taken to her bed and needs a lot of help. Our hero's aunt is hoping to sponsor a young debutante for the season so virtually kidnaps her to London. George, the hero, is concerned that Grace wil let his aunt down and embarass her. There's a member of the ton who takes against Grace and unfortunately sees her trying to flee the house via a drain pipe. This is becuase of the very eccentric butler. I enjoyed it but there is quite a few misunderstanding. and I probably won't rush off to read the rest of the series.

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

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Miss Grace Yardley and her mother have been relegated to the Dower house after the new heir took the title. It's been a huge shock for her pampered mother.

Lady Heathway always wanted a daughter. She and a few of her friends, who also wanted daughters have decided to sponsor worthy young ladies for a season. They are a fearsome bunch and will ride rough shot over any who stand in they way of their dreams.

George Wade, Viscount Gresham wants to stay well away from his aunt's plans. That's so not going to happen.

This is a very amusing historical romance. Our characters have obviously never heard the saying, " to assume is to make an ass out of you and me". Sometimes people mis-understand what is actually being said.

A sweet, lighthearted story that is part of a lovely series. The competition between the Ladies who are sponsoring our young heroines can get quite fierce. Each have very different characters and expectations. Each book could be read on it's own, but is better when read in order.

Great fun.

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This book is full of charm, wit and humor. The Society of Sponsoring. Ladies is at it again.
Lady Heathway has found her "daughter." Grace Barlow and her mother Lady Barlow where kicked out of their home by the new heir. Living in the ramshackled Dowager house, nothing could be more dim. Lady Barlow needs constant care, or so she thinks. Grace refuses Lady Heathway's offer in order to take care of her mother. Lady Heathway does not take "No" for an answer. Dragging her nephew George, Viscount Gresham along, Lady Heathway does not waste any time going to the village to pick up Grace. Returning to London, George thinks Grace needs to wait until her second season to find a husband. Grace finds his comments offensive. A letter from her mother sends Grace climbing out her bedroom window to return to see her. Mr. Jacobs sees her climbing out of the window and shot at by the neurotic butler, Ranston. Mr. Jacobs starts calling Grace "the Sprinter." George blunders his way trying to keep Grace for himself. He needs to make up his mind when Grace is tricked and sprints again. George comes to the rescue. You never know what will happen next.
A clean romance with laugh out loud moments!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

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Six highly placed matrons mourn their lack of daughters until they devise a scheme to launch eligible girls in need of assistance.
Lady Heathway, one of the matrons has a lovely young lady to sponsor into society, a Miss Grace Yardley.
George Wade, Viscount Gresham and nephew to Lady Heathway, is well-used to his aunt calling upon him for "small" favors.
Great characters,  funny. Is sure to put a smile on your face.
ThIs is book #2, I have not read #1, but now I must

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A Funny Romantic Adventure

I really enjoyed Grace and George’s story. A clean romantic read with lots of fun along the way.
Grace was sponsored for a season by Lady Heathway who is part of the ‘Society of Sponsoring Ladies’ and had asked her nephew George (Lord Gresham) to accompany her to pick up Grace from her ailing mother. At first Grace got on well with George and had formed a tendre for him until she realised he was trying to stop her in his own way of finding a suitor leading to marriage on her first season. George had come to the conclusion that Grace did not like him, he had decided to try to put off the men who were attracted to her for the season so she could have a second season and maybe find that she would then like him.
Climbing down the drainpipe one evening, trying to get home to her ailing mother which was witnessed by quite a few people one of which then nicknamed her ‘The Sprinter’, she found the ‘Society of Sponsoring Ladies’ closing rank to make the rumours of an elopement disappear.
George eventually realising he could lose her to another man, found he was in love with her and wanted to be the man who she would marry followed her to her mother’s on her second attempt to get home and declared himself.
A lovely romantic adventure with ups and downs along the way ending with a happy ever after and I must mention the butler Mr Ranston, a really funny character who gave the story added fun. If you love clean romantic stories this is a definite read for you.

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