Valentina wants to get her family's money back that her father was swindled in dealing with a Lord. She takes a job as a singer and Lord Archer comes along and she loses her job. When ever he does something he is always out to fix it in his own way. He writes music and has been at a stand still with it but Valentina has given him the courage to go at it again. She encourages him and where he has not played for anyone she sings some of his music and the ton loves it. They fall in love while they are working to get her family money back.

This is a beautiful love story of Valentina and Archie, intermingled with a swindle and a discovery of self. Beautifully written with music as a central theme, Sofie Darling writes another wonderful story in the Windermere series. I’m excited for the next book to read more of their adventures and larks!

I received a free copy of this book from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lord Archer Catches a Contessa by Sofie Darling is the second book in the Windermeres in Love series. Viscount Archer visits a music hall and becomes enraptured by one of the performers and must meet her. Miss Valentina Hart is posing as a Contessa to save her family from financial ruin after being swindled by a nobleman. Archie manages to ruin her plans. The two decide to team up to take down the nobleman responsible and get the money back. During the scheme, however, Archie and Valentina feel an irresistible pull toward each other.

This is a fast and fun read. Valentina and Archie are a great match. This is my favorite book of the series so far!

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

Lord Daniel Windermere, Viscount Archer - or Archie to his friends - has a reputation for seeking out pleasure and enjoyment. But, he's hiding a secret, and his talent at the piano is something only those closest to him know but barely understand. So when he spends the evening at the theatre, and discovers the beautiful and breathtaking singer, La Contessa, he's in awe. Miss Valentina Hart may be as far removed from nobility as possible, but she has a raw talent, and Archie is drawn in. Discovering that Valentina is in London to try and recover stolen money, Archie can't help but want to aid Valentina, but will the scheme succeed, or will they lose their hearts in the process?

I really liked the premise of this book. Valentina's father had been swindled out of his savings by a Lord Nestor, and others in her village had suffered too. She wanted to work her way through London society to confront Nestor, and hoped he'd return the money. Working as a singer at a London theatre, she was La Contessa. Meeting Archie was a hindrance, and a blessing in disguise. A hindrance because Archie is enticing, and the feelings he elicited in Valentina aren't helping her keep focused on the task; but a blessing as he and his family have opened their arms to her, and embraced her like one of their own. The muse and tortured artist aspect was great too, and they both aided the other, and brought out their best sides. I loved the scene at the musicale where Archie performs for the first time, and the chemistry between them - and the scene which followed - was definitely spicy! A great story for this fantastic couple.

The book is the 2nd in the Windermere series of books by Sofie Darling. I haven't read the first book in the series but I was very well able to follow the story and it's previously established characters were given due importance, to help us follow their lives till now.

Lord Archer, meets Miss Valentina Hart in the most unlikeliest of places and in instantly captivated by her singing voice. When he learns that she intends to get justice and repayment for the injustice done to her family and many other families, by an aristocrat, he volunteers to help her with it. This whole situation brings than together and helps them recognize the other halves of themselves.

This book is a decent romance containing precisely defined principal characters who have to overcome genuine conflicts. They have to overcome their own prejudices and preconceived notions of who the other person is; this made for an interesting romantic tale containing some steamy scenes.

He was only living half a life until he met her. Lord Archer has always been jovial, well-liked one in the room. Always it’s a ready smile and up for a lark. But was that all he was? No, he had secret depth that was never revealed. His music was his passion and his secret. But when he hears Valentina sing, something stirs in him. Helping her to right her family’s plight from the Lord that swindled them out of their savings, they learn more about each other. And every thing they learn draws them closer like a moth to the flame. This story is beautifully written with many light-hearted moments but filled with an intense passion and growing love. I enjoyed how the Windermere’s rallied around each other as only this family can. Delilah and Juliet’s friendship with Valentina was just as lovely as Archie’s. This family has never stood on the graces of society’s rules and does not bat an eye at the class difference between them. I found myself fully engrossed in Archie & Valentina’s story, feeling all the tingles

The Contessa of His Heart

This is a delightful romance. He is a lord, and she is a Contessa—a Contessa of the theatre, that is. A lord swindled her father, and she wanted revenge. Little did Archie know that when he decided to come to her aid, his life would change forever. She might have been a fake Contessa, but the feelings she had for Archie, and the feelings he had for her were very much real. However, the two were of a different class. Would that make any difference in the end? The “Wild Windermeres” have been known to court scandal. Valentina brought Archie to her cause. Would they bring the swindling lord to justice, and if so, how would they do it? In addition to doling out justice, Valentina discovered a secret Archie was keeping. What was this secret? You must read this delightful romance to find out the answer.

This is the second installment of the Windermeres in Love series. It is a captivating story that caught my attention from the very start and kept my interest all the way through. Valentina's family was swindled by a lord and she is desperate to get the money back to help her father pay his debts. Viscount Archer harbors a secret passion for music, yet cannot find his inspiration. When he meets Valentina, he sees in her the muse he has been missing all along. Archer tells her he will help her with her plan, but they never expected to lose their hearts along the way.
The characters were lovely and well-defined and I enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the story. Archer and Valentina were a great couple and had strong chemistry. A lovely addition to the series! Looking forward to the next one!
This was a delightful read and am grateful for the opportunity to read it!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Love it! This is book 2 in the Windermeres in Love series, but is a standalone. This book is about Archie, Lord Daniel Windermere, Viscount Archer and Miss Valentina Hart, "The Contessa".
Archie plays the piano like a dream and Valentina sings like a dream....can this become their dream?
An adventure, wonderful banter, a love story, and great secondary characters, what could be better?!?! Archie just wants to play piano and compose music, but he's a Viscount, so he can't, right? Will Valentina help Archie see whats in his heart and not what he shows everyone else.
Can't wait for the next book in the series!

Another great book by Sofie Darling. She never disappoints.

I received a free copy of this book for my honest review

I received a copy of this from Netgalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the second book in the Windermere's in Love series; this is about Lord Daniel Windermere, Viscount Archer, generally known as Archie. He is a young bon vivant lord who has a hidden passion, his love of music and composition. He hides behind a facade of charm and humour. After his sister, Amelia's affair and marriage to the Duke of Ripon in book 1, he and his remaining sister and cousin remain in England. They continue to have a reputation of being somewhat scandalous and engaging in larks.

Archie has been in a bit of an artistic rut, not having advanced on a compostion he has been working on since returning from Italy. He feels like he has lost his muse. On one of his weekly outings to a local theater, he notices one of the new performers in the troupe. She is awful in some of her acts and obviously inexperienced and inept, such as when she is a magician's assistance, but obviously beautiful. But she is an outstanding singer and when singing, she stirs Archie and he realizes that he must know more about her, as she may be his new muse.

When he goes backstage, he is caught in a contretemps between her and the manager, and she ends up losing her with the theatre and for that matter a place to sleep as she was staying there as well. Valentina is new to London and only there because her family recently lost all of their savings when her father, an apothacary, and other merchants in her village, were swindled by another Lord who promised them aid in gaining Royal patronage of their services. She had a naive plan to get noticed for her talent so she could gain access to the nobility and confront the swindler.

When hearing her plan and who the lord involved was, Archie decides that he would help her gain her goals. He wants a way to stay close to Valentina, and the lark of swindling the swindler energizes and appeals to him. Valentina is confused and doubtful, but Archie is a force and pulls her along in his wake, as he plans a complex swindle involving Valentina and his family, with her pretending to be an Italian contessa wanting to sell an Arabian racehorse, and Archie running the deal, since the lord in question is an acquaintance of his, known to want to make money and to want to be back in high society, such as that represented by Archie's sister and brother in law, the Duke and Duchess of Ripon.

Valentina doesn't understand or trust Archie, but while being involved in the scheme she finds out about his passion for music and compostion, and realizes there is a deeper, hidden side of Archie, and that draw her to him more. But there is a lot against them, including the fact the fact that she is a middle class woman, far below his class.

This was a short and fun engaging story with a lot of light hearted adventure in the context of the hidden identity and Arabian horse swindle, but with the deeper, steamy and rather sultry love story of Valentina and Archie, and his hidden passions and depth. I enjoyed both sides of the story and the bridging of the social gap, though that does defy belief.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Wow, this was a great story. I loved Archie and Valentina together. What an interesting personality Archie has. A prankster on the outside, but inside a frustrated composer with a heart of gold. And his love for Valentina was present from their first meeting when he agreed to help her. Valentina wasn’t what you would think of either. She wasn’t a simpering Miss complaining about coming from the country. She had a talent for singing, that could have elevated her status. But she only wanted to bring down the nob who stole her family’s money. Along the way they also fell in love which was very nice to watch unfold. Very well written and enjoyable story..

Lord Archer Catches a Contessa by Sofie Darling features Archie, who as a viscount is not able to pursue his love of music as he chooses so he delights in going to reviews at the theatre, where he can listen to a variety of offerings: better than nothing. One night he is there when the most incredible voice reaches his ears: the Contessa. He is irresistibly drawn to this woman, when he discovers she not a Contessa but a local country girl, Valentina, with the voice of an angel. When he hears her story he is determined to do something to help her. Her family, and others, have been defrauded by another noble. He cannot let this stand and comes up with a plan to get their money back. Upon the successful completion of the plan and the successful recovery of their money, he discovers that Valentina has become necessary to his well-being so he sets out to capture her heart and hand.

This is a very unlikely story, although a good one. Archie is a terrific character with hidden depths, more than even he knew. Valentina is gifted with the ability to draw out the best in others. She is a very sympathetic and well-drawn character. The plot is a little different than what one normally finds, but it is a version of nobleman and commoner fall in love. It is a pleasant read, as are all of Darling’s books. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Lord Archer Catches a Contessa by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SofieDarling #LordArcherCatchesAContessa

Viscount Archer would really just love to pursue his music, but can only slip out to a less known music hall to play the piano. When he finds a lady that sings like an angel, it seems a lot is about to change!

"Contessa" Valentina Hart is determined to determined to get revenge on the villain her swindled her family and while singing she meets up with Archer.

As these two work together to find the villains, the music of love begins to play a melody for them!

A VISCOUNT FOR THE CONTESSA
Valentina's dream is to be a singer admired by the swells. Archie, Lord Windermere, has the soul of an artist, but hides his talent behind his devil-may-care smile. Drawn together by their love of music, Archie discovers Valentina's desperation to pay her father's debts. Swindled by a lord, Archie decides to swindle him back. What happens between he and Valentina after the swindle? Their passion is the love of two souls meant to be together. Be still my heart.
Heat level 5
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Lord Daniel Windermere, Viscount Archer, is a gifted musician and composer. He visits the Five Graces every Thursday night seeking inspiration for his music. On this Thursday night, Archie hits the jackpot. He finds his muse in the person of La Contessa, a woman with the voice of an angel. La Contessa is actually Miss Valentina Hart. She is not in London to further her singing career, but to find the nobleman who swindled her father and others in their village and get back their money. Archie wants to help La Contessa, the singer, but he is also certain he can help Valentina catch a crook. He informs her that they must simply out swindle the swindler. Will they succeed? Archie and Valentina have a lovely story with some drama, fun, and a bit of sizzle. As they spend time together planning their pay-back swindle, they become friends and begin to fall in love. One of my favorite scenes is when Valentina discovers Archie’s talent. I think that is where the bond between them becomes complete. This is a beautifully written, fast-paced, engaging story with strong and charming characters and a delightful epilogue. An enjoyable read. I look forward to the next Windermere story.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

For Archie, Viscount Archer, music is everything, rather than his title. Yet he finds himself frustrated when he cannot complete his latest composition. When he meets a Contessa at one of London's less genteel music halls, he soon has to play the role of her knight in shining armour, when she loses her position there. Whilst Miss Valentina Hart, is not really a Contessa, she has an amazing voice and the grit to recover the money lost by her father, to a member of the ton. Soon Archie is involved in retrieving Valentina’s lost money and hopefully winning her heart.
Both Archie and Valentina are delightful characters who support each other creativity. Valentina is instrumental in showing Archie his true worth. I also enjoyed reading about Archie and his sisters – such love and support, interspersed with the realism of how siblings treat each other. Another great book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lord Archer Catches A Contessa is an eye-catching romance that captured my heart. Valentina’s family has been swindled, and she is in London to make the nobleman who took their money give it back. Archie, Viscount Archer, is an uninspired pianist always ready for fun. Archie is captivated by Valentina’s beauty and angelic voice. Archie declares he will assist Valentina in her quest. Neither Archie nor Valentina expected to lose their hearts.

This was an easy-to-read, fast-paced romance. I liked that the character development grew alongside the engaging plot. I loved how Valentina became Archie’s musical muse. I was aggravated at Archie at times, especially towards the end when he made some insulting suggestions to Valentina. However, Archie was too charismatic and charming to stay mad at him for a long! The couple’s chemistry was steamy and passionate. The secondary characters helped the plot unfold.

Lord Archer Catches A Contessa is the second book in the Windermeres In Love series. I loved the first book; Lady Amelia Takes A Lover. I thought this book was a powerful, captivating second novel in the series. My heart always gets involved with Sofie Darling’s characters; she writes sparkling personalities who have flaws and goodness. I recommend this fun, entertaining, passionate journey of Archie and Valentina!


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was able to read an advance copy of Lord Archer Catches a Contessa via NetGalley. Loved the first book in the Windmeres in Love series, so jumped @ the chance to read & review this one.
It seems to me Archie likes most of the perks of being a Viscount, but he’d secretly rather live the life of a musician than a stuffy lord. He is spellbound when he first hears Valentina Hart sing @ his favorite low brow theatre called the Five Graces.
Their first meeting is anything but perfect, but it puts them on a very interesting path. Helping Valentina & her family may start as a lark, but things sure change as they get to know one another better. This is a witty, fun story about finding your person when you least expect it. I can’t get enough of the charming, funny Windmere family!

A heartwarming romance with the love of music threaded throughout the story.
Archie presents an easy going facade to the world but is privately intense about his music.
The “Contessa” becomes his muse and he is able to combine his passion with his personality with her support. Some fun love scenes 😉.
A wonderful addition to the series.

A sweet and fluffy story with nice character's. However I found it difficult to get over the fact that Valentina isn't a contessa but the daughter of an apothecary and a singer. Regardless of how good Lord Archer was in getting back Valentina's family savings it wasn't really addressed how a marriage between the two would have a very detrimental affect this marriage would have not just on Lord Archer but his whole family faced being giving the cut and ostracized from society. So it wasn't very true to the era. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.