Wilhelmina and Bram are not an opposites attract story, except in the social hierarchy. They’re both intelligent (logically and emotionally), they’re both witty, they’re both attractive, and most importantly, neither one of them ever wants to get married. But they become fast friends (who like to kiss each other), and he winds up helping her keep her new stepmother’s matchmaking efforts at bay.

If that plot sounds a little crazy and a lot fun, that’s because it is. I really loved this book. Bram’s found family, the friends that he grew up with in the boys’ home, add to the hilarity and the heart of this book. I loved every scene with the five of them together, because Megan Frampton really captures how friends act with each other so well. And the way they adopt Wilhelmina into the fold and respect her as an equal was really lovely.

For her part, Wilhelmina was a great lead. I loved how she never doubted who she was or what she wanted in life. Her desire to be respected as an astronomer will strike a chord with anyone who has ever been told they can’t do what they love for an arbitrary reason. And though we want her to declare her love as soon as we realized Bram has fallen first, her hesitance to give up her independence truly made sense.

I have basically no complaints about this book, other than that the language sometimes felt a bit too modern. Bram and his friends also occasionally came across almost too progressive for men of the time, but I loved them for it, so I can let it slide.

I’m genuinely really excited for the rest of this series, and I can’t wait to find out with of the guys is up next!

Astronomer Wilhelmina is months away from coming into an inheritance that will allow her to lead an independent life. Her new stepmother is eager for her to wed. Barrister Bram agrees to fake a courtship. The relationship leads to passion—but is Mina willing to submit to the bonds of marriage?

This steamy historical romance is smart, witty, and full of fun. The main characters are well-developed with plenty of chemistry. I look forward to the rest of the books in this new series.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Megan Frampton is introducing a new series, School for Scoundrels. The series will be about 5 orphans, Bram, Theo, Fenton, Simeon, and Benedict who grow up together in the School for Scoundrels. All are now successful businessmen in their own way. This story is about Bram. He is a barrister, striving to become a Judge.
This story starts with a very cute meet. Bram sees a young woman standing on the railing of a bridge. He of course thinks that she is going to jump and decides to rescue her. He grabs her and pulls her back, causing them both to fall to the ground,with her landing on top of him. A true hero. Of course, Wilhelmina was not going to jump, she was just looking at the stars. She is a female astronomer. After much debating back and forth (he being a barrister and she being a bluestocking) as to what was happening, Bram escorted Wilhelmina home and the beginning of a relationship was started.
The rest of the book proceeds from there. Their growing relationship starts out as friends, for neither wants to marry. But as they get to know each other, finding out what they have in common and debating what they don't agree on, they develope strong feelings for each other.
This at first was cute. But after a while, it did become a little too much. Also with it being the first book in a new series, you had the introduction of all the characters from the orphanage. Their backgrounds and personalities are set up for future books. So there was a lot to keep track of.
Not my favorite book by Megan Frampton, but I think this series will be very interesting.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

If you think we won't like a frothy, funny historical romance between an introverted bluestocking astronomer and an argumentative barrister who also happens to be a virgin - then you don't know us. This is a low-angst, medium heat, high fun novel and we blew through it!

Wilhelmina is 7 months away from receiving her inheritance, and then she and her spinster aunt can move to a cottage in the country where she can buy a telescope and stargaze to her heart's content. Unfortunately, her father has just married a woman even younger than Wilhelmina who's also a successful matchmaker. She bids on Bram in the equivalent of a date auction, not knowing that Bram and Wilhelmina shared a light flirtation and kiss. Bram decides that he'll help Wilhelmina avoid marriage... unfortunately it turns out that he may want to marry her even more than she wants to remain unwed.

Hijinks and debates ensue, and that wicked stepmother turns out to have a few welcome shades of gray. Although it's a quick, fun read, that doesn't mean there aren't deeper moments to consider. Megan Frampton is turning into one of our must-read authors, and this book just made that resolution even firmer.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Imagine you are 7 months away from inheriting a trust from your mother. Your father comes home with a new wife that is younger than you and wants you out of her house. This is the predicament that Wilhemina faces. Her step-mother bids on a bachelor at an auction in an effort to make her more desirable on the marriage mart. Bram Townsend was fostered/raised by a judge and his wife. He does not know who his family was. But he volunteers to raise money for the children’s charity. They start spending time together and it is a match made in reality tv (or whatever was the reality tv version in 1850).

I can’t believe I’ve never read a Megan Frampton book, but this is my first one and I have to say I was just delighted. Wilhelmina, bookish spinster and happily on the shelf is a budding astronomer who one night falls (literally) into the arms of the handsome and oh so sweet barrister Bram.
Neither of them want to get married for various reasons, but through a series of circumstances Bram ends up both helping( Wilhelmina’s new, younger!! stepmother Althea thinks that Bram paying attention to Wilhelmina will attract more men) and hindering Wilhelmina marriage prospects.
This is the 1st book in a new series and like most first books it introduces us to a whole series of characters that will be the MCs of their own books. Sometimes the introduction of so many characters is annoying, but Ms. Frampton weaves them into the storyline so well that the scenes with Bram and his friends were some of my favorite (love that they had a men’s book club). I also appreciate that the author didn’t fall into the trap of making Althea into the stereotypical evil stepmother and gold digging younger woman. This is a very low angst story which is a nice change from the tortured hero/damsel in distress trope. I will definitely look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #HerLessonsinPersuasion by Megan Frampton in exchange for an honest review.

This was the sweetest nerdy romance I've read in a while. I loved how Bram reminded Wilhelmina that he saw HER repeatedly. It was what she needed most to hear. The relationship between Bram and his found brothers is so sweet and loving that I immediately fell in love with all of them and can't wait for their books. I am 100% sold out for this series. Wilhelmina is like so many wallflowers that the wallflower in you will relate to her on several levels (especially as she sees that maybe she needs to widen her view) even if you aren't an astronomer. The nerd in you will love watching these two fall hopelessly in love with each other in their very own nerdy way. Let Wilhelmina and Bram help you see love in the stars.

Lady Wilhelmina Bettesford is more interested in independence than finding a husband; however, this amateur astronomer's younger stepmother has different plans in mind: buying barrister Bram Townsend in a charity auction and suggesting a fake courtship to boost Wilhelmina's popularity.

This is the first book in the new School for Scoundrels series, which will focus on Bram and his group of friends who are all orphans that have made successes of themselves.
I enjoyed the twist of Bram being purchased for charity. I thought these characters paired well together and I liked getting to see more of their personalities as the book developed. Bram was such a loyal and lovable beta hero, and I liked that Wilhelmina had strong opinions but was willing to admit when she didn't give things (like the opera or fiction novels) a fair chance. The end was a little over-the-top for me, but I was entertained enough by the rest of the book to round this one from 3.5 to 4 stars.

This was a delightful romance that made my heart soar to the stars.
Mina and Bram were two nerds in love and I completely fell for their romance. They were just so compatible and their banter was fantastic. I definitely highlighted some!
I liked how Frampton set up the fake dating plot. It's the heroine's stepmom that sets the fake dating in motion and I thought that was really clever and different.
The characters are a lot of fun, especially Bram. Bram is a cinnamon roll that I can't wait to eat! I just adored him.
The pacing does slow down a bit around midway through but it does pick back up again.
This was a fun historical romance and I can't wait to read about Bram's bookish friends.

First in a new series from Megan Frampton. Lady Wilhelmina Bettesford has no desire to marry. She is six months away from receiving her inheritance that will let her live independently. Her father returns early from his country estate with a new wife, who is five years younger than Mina. They are insistent that it is time for her to wed. Mr. Bram Townsend is a barrister who meets Mina one night when she is star gazing. They see each other again at a charity event. Mina’s step mother thinks having Bram show an interest in courting Mina will encourage others to seek her out as well.

The fake dating trope gives them cover to get to know each other better. I especially enjoyed Bram’s friends, boys who grew up with him in an orphanage. I assume future books will be about them. Each are introduced in this book and they encourage Bram’s pursuit of Mina. This is a slow burn romance and surprisingly both are virgins. There is of course stolen moment for kissing and some heat. But passion is lower than typical for an Avon historical romance.

Another fun thing is between each chapter there is a person who is on Lady Wilhelmina’s list of people not to marry. I found some of them hilarious. There is a lot of humor in this story. There is also some modern influence like a charity date auction where there is bidding on a bachelor for a night at the opera. Over all a fun, sweet romp with no big angst. I will look for future books in the School for Scoundrels series. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and sweet start to the series with an astronomer heroine and a lawyer hero. This was my first Megan Frampton book and I loved her humor and the dynamics she created among her cast of characters. I did find some parts of the story slow because while the stakes were definitely there, they didn't feeling high or urgent enough for me. And while their group antics were great, I often had a difficult time discerning between Bram's four friends. I know each of them will get their own book, however, so I'm sure that will become clearer as the series progresses.

Overall and enjoyable Historical Romance that veterans and newcomers to the genre can both enjoy.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Historical romance. Victorian England. Book 1 of the School for Scoundrels series. Bram and Wilhelmina have an awkward first meeting when he thinks he’s rescuing her from jumping off a bridge, but really, she was just trying to have a better look at the stars. It’s all banter and witty remarks between these two throughout the whole book. They meet again when Bram is being auctioned off to escort someone to the opera with funds going to the boys’ orphanage where he grew up. Wilhelmina’s new stepmother is anxious to get her married off, even though Wilhelmina has no interest in marrying at all and would rather focus on being an astronomer. However, she slowly starts to realize that some of the pursuits that she always avoided because they were popular (going to the opera, reading fiction) are actually enjoyable, and she slowly starts to shift her position on these items. As Bram and Wilhelmina spend more time together, he realizes that he’s in love with her, but is unwilling to declare his intentions since he knows that her goal is to never marry. Slow build to a wonderful and open partnership here and a great found family/friend group with Bram and his other orphan friends. Looking forward to seeing the other men of the group find their own stories.

While this story had what felt like a slow start, Bram and Wilhelmina's fake relationship was filled with found family, friendship and a steamy ending. Both main characters are certain that marriage isn't for them. But when her family decides she needs a push, Bram is convinced to pretend to court her to bring her more attention. His attention is the only one that she wants. For readers who love that "I only like you" and who like a fake relationship, but mostly who love a solid group of friends to carry through the series, you need this one.

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

Knowing that she only needs to wait six month until her 25th birthday, and her independence, Lady Wilhelmina Bettesford is shocked when her father returns home from their country estate, with a new wife in tow. A wife who just happens to be 5 years younger than Wilhelmina, and is set on getting her married off by the end of the season. Wilhelmina is definitely not interested, but when the man roped into helping her find a husband turns out to be the one who 'rescued' her from the bridge in the dead of night, and who she kissed. Bram Townsend knows his place in society, and he has no interest in joining 'Polite Society'. But Bram wishes to be a judge one day, and his friends explain that being seen by the right people may be his way in.

Well this is my first Frampton book, but definitely not by last. The premise of the series is about a group of friends who were all raised at the Devenaugh Home for Destitute Boys (what they call the School for Scoundrels), and have found family together. Bram is a barrister, and cares about righting injustice in the world. He is drawn to Wilhelmina, and wants to help her evade marriage - which she definitely does not want - until she comes into her inheritance. However, as they spend more time together, it's clear they are made for each other, and Bram wants to marry her, but will not force her. I loved the debating scenes, particularly when all of the 'scoundrels' became involved and brought the whole family together. A great start to the series, and one I can't wait to continue.

Another great love story by Megan Frampton. I enjoyed the banter between the couple and the steamy romance.

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There were parts of this book that I liked but there were also some weak points that brings this down in my mind. The biggest one being that a tighter edit and shorter book would have made this stronger. This is a low stakes book where the only real obstacle is that neither wants to marry. There is insta lust but unlike most books this is made up for by the fact that that Bram and Wilhelmina actually do spend a lot of time and really do get to know one another.
Bram was an orphan and doesn't know who his parents are but the other boys did become his family and know he is working as a barrister.
Wilhelmina wants to be an astronomer and move to the country with her aunt in 6 months when she recieves her inheritance.
When her father shows up married (to a woman younger than Wilhelmina) they insist on marrying her off. They intend to do this by having Bram fake an interest in her to convince other men to also be interested even though he is just an orphan barrister which didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.
The parts about the debates were weak and annoying and the parts that should have been cut out.
Bram's friends were fun as well.
3.5 stars.

Her Lessons in Persuasion was a fun and sweet read that was fake-dating forward with plenty of delightful background characters in addition to a strong central couple.

United in their desire to never marry, Wilhelmina and Bram are, as far as they're concerned, a good pair for a fake dating scheme that will hopefully get Wilhelmina's new stepmother (more on her in a bit) off her back and give Bram a chance to shake hands with the people who might be able to help make him a judge. But obviously, these things never go to plan, and it's not long before both of them realize that there might be more feelings involved than they planned for. Watching their love grow was definitely the best part of this book, and Wilhelmina and Bram's exchanges were all great, ranging from teasing to tender. I really enjoyed Wilhelmina's love of astronomy, and the fact that it informed multiple parts of her plotline. And I equally loved Bram's desire for justice AND willingness to support Wilhelmina's dreams, even before romance was a guaranteed outcome.

The supporting cast was also fab, with Bram's friends and Wilhelmina's aunt particularly standing out. I can't wait to see each of the School for Scoundrel's boys get their own love story, because the snippets we got of them here were so much fun. They were meddling and loving of Bram in equal turns - a true brotherhood.

The main thing that bothered me about this book though, was Alethea, Wilhelmina's much-younger stepmother. I expected there to be a reason why she was 19 - an ick factor, a gold-digging plot, literally anything - but there never was. She was basically just a little annoying and uncomfortably young, the latter of which really didn't add anything to the story. I could have done without that particular facet of the story, since it ended up largely being a distraction from the far better central romance.

All in all, though, an enjoyable read and a great start to a new series!

4/5

For when you're vibing with... Fake dating, nerds in love, baby boy baby boy, and VIRGIN HEROES!!!

Wilhelmina is not particularly interested in finding a husband. At twenty-four, she's largely given up on it, instead compiling a list of the men she would not be interested in marrying (this list does include Ivan the Terrible, it is quite funny). Her new stepmother (19) has other ideas, instead insisting that Wilhelmina hits the town and looks for a man, which is why barrister Bram Townsend seems so convenient. He and Wilhelmina did share a pretty great kiss that time she accidentally fell on him, and he is up for a fake courtship...

Megan Frampton's books are great to read in the midst of an angsty period of your life, or between overwhelmingly heavy books. They're light, they're breezy, and they have enough story and romance to make you feel like you're investing in something, versus just moving your eyes across the page in order to pass the time. Her Lessons in Persuasion is no different. To me, this is the kind of book you could call a historical romcom and actually mean it.

Quick Takes:
--Both the hero and the heroine are virgins in this one, which I fucking loved. Bram may not know what he's doing, but he's researched it! Thoroughly! And he will apply that research! Frampton writes good sex, and I could've stood to see a bit more of it, but I do appreciate the virgin-on-virgin action here.

--Bram's backstory is actually pretty great, and an excellent setup for a series, bravo. I'll be interested to see a cluster of heroes who don't come from extreme privilege--Bram being a self-made hero and a complete nerd could've been hard to pull off, as I think we have this idea of the working class hero as like.... the rough and tumble, Derek Craven type. But she pulled it off really well here.

--I actually loved Alethea, Wilhelmina's young, excessively girly stepmother. At parts, I will say that I worried about Wilhelmina verging into Not Like Other Girls territory, but Frampton held her back. I mean, it's also a bit different when the girly girl you're not a fan of is boinking your dad. I can allow for some issues there.

--I appreciated the interclass conflict being present but not overwrought. It's a fact of life that neither Wilhelmina nor Bram seem particularly shocked by, and it makes sense to me that these two characters, both of which don't necessarily adhere to the stereotypes of their respective classes, would find each other.

--Supportive male friendships! A hero who's in a book club and DEFENDS HIS OPINIONS STRONGLY!!!

Is this fluffier than what I would typically opt for? Probably, yes. But it's very satisfying, very romantic, and just kind of... a lovely break from the constant dramarama of life and fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Her Lessons in Persuasion is the first book in the new School for Scoundrels series by Megan Frampton. Wilhelmina is approaching spinsterhood and counting down the days (only six months left!) before she can claim her inheritance and move with her aunt to the countryside. She's passionate about astronomy and doesn't want to be controlled by a husband. One night after sneaking out to observe the stars she falls, quite literally, into a meet cute with Bram, an orphaned barrister. The scene where they meet had me cackling. It was unique to any other meeting in a historical. Mina's much younger stepmother is trying to push her into a match. They agree to enter into a fake relationship until the six months is up and she can claim her inheritance.

Bram grew up in a home for destitute boys and made some lifelong friends along the way. The school was aptly nicknamed, The School for Scoundrels. Bram worked hard to make something of himself and become a successful barrister. He and his three best friends since childhood meet up to discuss books and give each other advice. Frampton really excelled at creating all the secondary characters. Bram's friends had great personalities. I am so excited to read their stories. The house staff and even Dipper (Mina's dog) were excellent additions. It was a thoroughly entertaining read. These characters just felt like they were made for each other.

Tropes included: virgin hero, virgin heroine, bachelor auction, bluestocking heroine, class difference, bookish hero, fake relationship, reverse grumpy sunshine, dominant heroine

Thank you to Megan Frampton, NetGalley, and Avon Harper Voyager for a copy of this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

2.5 stars

I don't think I have ever gone on such a journey with a book and unfortunately, I don't mean that in a great way.

For me, the first half of this book was absolutely chef's kiss! We had great banter, found family, inventive conflicts, and sizzling tension. I loved the fact that the hero had a book club with all of his friends with every man had such distinct and fun personalities. We had such a great setup for this romance (and for later installments of the series).

Then we reached the 50% mark.

I don't know what happened, but the second half of this book felt absolutely nothing like the first. We got the same internal conflict for both characters just being repeated over and over again, a lengthy plotline about a debate that began in a fun way and then was driven into the ground, and virtually no character development. The only thing that really stood out to me in the latter half of the book was the one sex scene; everything else, I was just trying to push through to the end.

Considering that the first half was easily a 5 star and the second half veered towards a 1, I'm ultimately going to have to go right down the middle on this one with a 2.5. I'm still interested to read the next installment of this series because I really love the set-up with our group of scoundrels, but this one just really fumbled the bag for me.


Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.