The hero never did it for me. The trope of mom and daughters intended has been done before and better elsewhere.

If the first two of my most recent NetGalley romances (A Gentleman Ought to Know and How to Court a Covert Lady) made me want to try writing my own to do better, this one makes me happy to sit back and be a reader. The synopsis immediately grabbed my attention, and I know Sophie Jordan has a good reputation. I was very glad to find out that The Countess met my expectations of a well-written and engaging romance. I give it four out of five stars.

“The Cold Countess,” Lady Gertrude (Tru, to her friends), is known for being as cool as a cucumber and as prim and proper as the highest of society matrons. She’s the complete antithesis of her estranged husband, who is a philandering pig. The Earl of Chatham only remembered he had a daughter when he read about her coming out for her societal debut in the newspaper. In order to capitalize upon his good fortune, he finds her a suitor that can keep him swimming in money. Wanting her daughter to choose her own husband, Tru is determined to find a way out of the courtship that would keep her husband at bay. However, when Tru meets Jasper Thorne, a building magnate looking to make his way into society, her attraction to him shocks her, and she’s even more surprised when she finds that it’s mutual. She can’t have her first affair with the man who’s supposed to be courting her daughter – can she? The scandal would rock the ton if they were found out. Suddenly, the Cold Countess finds that, on all levels, she is feeling the heat.

When I first saw The Countess on NetGalley, I was instantly intrigued. The idea of a mother falling for her daughter’s suitor was totally new to me, and I loved that idea for a plot. Even better was the fact that the mother was still married, so I knew the complications would produce an entertaining read. The idea isn’t implausible; girls were married very young and could have had their first children by the time they were 17 or 18 (possibly even younger). Their marriages were often contrived to produce an advantage for both families, as found in this novel, so I don’t think it was implausible that a husband would have been a good bit older than his bride.

I liked both Tru’s and Jasper’s characters. She was fiercely protective of her daughter, not wanting her to suffer the same fate that she did with her husband. Given the sort of character her husband turned out to be, I’m fully supportive of that and would have been supportive even if her husband was a good sort. Women did not have much of a choice in anything during this time, and Tru’s determination to give her daughter one is admirable.

Jasper Thorne was a man looking to give his daughter a chance in high society, and he had to marry well to do that. I admired his determination and dedication to his daughter but wondered – after seeing examples of some of these “fine” lords – why he’d want to involve his daughter in the haute ton. I suppose you weren’t listened to unless you were titled. I also liked that because Jasper was not of the “upper classes,” he could afford to speak more plainly and be a little more playful than others.

Let’s get to the steam: the connection between Jasper and Tru was really well done. On both of their parts, there was so much discomfort along with the attraction because they knew it was wrong for many reasons. I really respected that as I found those feelings to be very realistic. The attraction was resisted for so long but finally given in to, and I like that they tried. I don’t condone cheating, so I’m not saying they should have given in to it, but it did seem inevitable. There was very palpable tension between the two – sexual and otherwise – which really made me want to keep reading and chasing down the story.

I won’t spoil the ending for you – you’ll have to read it for yourself – but I think you will be satisfied with it. I was. I found The Countess to be a very enjoyable read and will be looking forward to the next in the series. The characters and their stories are what make this book, and I think you’ll enjoy them.

High concept series? Wealthy women living in abject misery for decades in their horrible marriages. The men are emotionally and physically abusive, elderly only wanting a young wife, emotionally abusive living apart, bodily damaged and violently high on laudanum (opium) when beating his wife. In most cases their families basically sold them to these aristocratic men as young girls of eighteen. Now, it's Tru's daughter's turn. She's eighteen and in her first Season on the marriage mart. Suddenly, her father takes an interest in finding her a wealthy husband to support him too. He's chosen Jasper, a wealthy self-made man who grew up poor in an inn and now owns a string of them. One night he and True meet and he propositions her. She refuses without knowing who he is. When she finds out this is the man meant for her daughter, she is devastated. Even worse, they are attracted to each other. Jasper, described as arrogant and smirking , lets her stew in anguish for days over the situation. One comment from him could have eased her mind. Further in the book his character suddenly does an about-face and he's the kind one. I liked having a somewhat older woman (37) and slightly younger man (33) scenario, but the pile-up of misery upon misery, upon misery, with some brutality thrown in was too much for me. I didn't enjoy it.

Gertrude is stuck in a loveless marriage where her husband feels entitled to anything and everything he wants solely because of his title. He considers their eldest child, Cordelia, useless because she is a woman. He decides that her only use would be to help the family so he could amass a fortune. He tells Gertrude that he has chosen a husband for their daughter, whom he barely knows because they live in separate households. Gertrude fears that they will be ill-suited and that her daughter will be shackled in a loveless marriage as she is. Tru is shocked when she realizes that the man who propositioned her the night she attended a seance with her friends is the man her husband has chosen to be their daughter's intended. This was an intriguing story of scandal, love and women's limited choices in Regency London.

This was a steamy historical romance! The story centers around Lady Gertrude Chatham, also known as Tru, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage with a husband who only sees their daughter as a means to climb the social ladder. Tru desires a better life for her daughter, hoping she will marry for love and respect. When she meets Jasper Thorne, who is engaged to her daughter, she finds herself tempted by him, despite the forbidden nature of their relationship. I enjoyed the mature characters and fresh perspective on the genre. The use of multiple perspectives allows readers to get a glimpse into the lives of the secondary characters and set up their own stories for future books in the series. Overall, a great read for fans of historical romance!

Tru was married just as everyone other young female in Ton society was, only to be tricked as soon as vows and dowry were exchanged. Her husband’s personality changed, she walked in on him with a housekeeper on their honeymoon, and he moved out of their home shortly after. She has been living alone raising their two children ever since…until their daughter joined the new debutantes. Her awful father saw an opportunity to make a financial gain by selling her to the deepest pockets. A chance encounter sees Tru meeting the man her husband has picked for their daughter, only he has eyes for Tru not Delia! This begins an awkward dance between the two of them; Pru keeping to her proper upbringing and trying to resist what could only be a brief affair and Jasper knowing he needs a wife and mother to his daughter but unable to keep away from Tru.

I’ll be honest, I almost quit this book at the 50% mark. I just could not get into the plot or the characters, the multiple POV was confusing, and I didn’t really like the whole ‘Stacy’s mom’ vibe. I don’t have a problem with it, so maybe it was just not convincing for me. But I pushed through and the story did end of getting a bit better. I was disappointed that there were only a few kisses and one sex scene. Tru’s husband was awful, like truly awful! She is a much better person than most to put up with him and NOT seek happiness outside the marriage. Gosh, even Tru’s mom was horrible to her. Poor Tru desperately needed some love and attention sent in her direction! I also wish we would have meet Jasper’s daughter, maybe that would have made him seem more like a widowed/dad vibe and less honey teenager.

I am curious to see how this will flow into the next book in the series as we saw some major developments regarding the other ladies. I will probably read the next in the series just out of sheer curiosity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: highway robbery, gun violence, cheating, toxic relationship, emotional and physically abusive marriage (on page), kidnapping, death, absent parent, death of spouse (past)

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical romance
-forbidden romance
-house party

This was very much a story about Tru demanding something from her life after resigning herself to living a scandal free life taking care of her children and making her husband's life easy despite his abandonment of his family duties. But then he comes back determined to marry off their only daughter without a care for her feelings.

Enter Jasper, a rake who is looking for a wife. But all of his plans come to a screeching halt when he meets Tru. Determined to be with her, he agrees to continue to court her daughter just to be with her. This one was a bit bonkers, but sometimes the marriage isn't salvageable and it's empowering to have the hot younger guy be a bit obsessed with you.

Steam: 3

Loved the characters and setting of this one. Romantic and fun! The hero is the suitor of the heroines daughter, which of course, causes lots of drama! The first in a new series. Will definitely read more by this author.

thank you to net galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you @netgalley and @sosophiejordan for an ARC copy, I could not be more thrilled to read this. Here’s what we’ve got: An older woman (she’s 37), a younger man (he’s 33), and a really intensely scandalous setup. Tru is married to an absolute piece of shit, she has two children, and her marriage is as loveless and sexless as I’ve ever seen portrayed in a romance novel. Jasper is a widower who is rich af and a hotel magnate, a self made man with a daughter, so he needs a wife. Tru’s own daughter Delia is 18, and her piece of shit husband wants to marry her off to the highest bidder to pay off his whoring, gambling, and food debts.

Tru and Jasper lock eyes across the room at a séance and have an emotionally charged and sexy conversation, and Tru Feels Things for the first time in what might be forever.

Dirtbag Husband wants to introduce Delia to Delia’s proposed husband to be and it’s none other than Jasper. Tru is scandalized, but Jasper is obsessed with her, and will do whatever it takes to stay in Tru’s orbit, WHATEVER IT TAKES.

I binge watched Daisy Jones & The Six and a book with mutual unrequited intense pining was exactly the thing I wanted — no no, NEEDED, at this pivotal moment in my brain. I cannot say more about how this works out, I do not want to spoil. It’s a Shakespearean mess — Jasper is supposed to be courting Delia but Delia doesn’t want Jasper at all, she does want to take a break from Marriage Roulette. Jasper doesn’t want Delia, he wants Tru but can’t say anything, and Tru is Feeling Feels left and right but has a reputation to maintain as the Cold Countess while secretly drowning in fire — this is the best kind of agony, really, so thanks for this. Delightful angst.

And also delightful comedy - I did laugh really hard at the resolution because nobody deserved it more than Husband from Hell.

There was a lot going on in this book setting the stage for a new series, too much actually that I got bored quickly in all of the side character noise and skipped to the final chapters. (Spoilers because I don’t have the capacity atm to restrain myself) I liked the premise but is every shitty husband in this series going to be a ridiculous abusive villain who gets conveniently knocked off so these women can get their HEAs?? I didn’t have an issue with the unhappily married woman finding love, but I have read some creative ways of getting out of a marriage at the time that I hope is explored in future installments. I was also hoping for more steam??? When you have an older woman romance and there’s not a decent reward it’s such a missed opportunity in historical romance. It wasn’t enough for me to go back and read the entire book from beginning to end.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance reader copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this book! Sophie Jordan brings a raw and fresh new take to the historical romance genre with the first book in her The Scandalous Ladies of London series! Jordan's writing is smart, accessible, well paced, and richly embellished. I found this story to have a level of uniqueness that felt real and relatable, especially when it comes to a historical romance. I love that Jordan takes the idea of a group of women who are close to each other and builds this series around them, they might not always get along with each other, they might sometimes challenge each other, but they all have an understanding of each other that is built around an understanding of the societal circles they all have to navigate.

This first novel is The Countess, and the central focus is between Tru, a married woman, and Jasper, a rich hotel owner who is suppose to court her marriageable daughter. This novel highlights the solicitous relationships the exist behind closed doors of the aristocracy. Please be aware, this novel features cheating, and domestic abuse. Jordan has crafted this world, inspired by the real house wives, and beautifully weaves themes of drama, money, and jealousy beautifully into a regency world. I love that this novel has the driving forces of a forbidden romance and an age gap. I love that Jasper is so taken with Tru he will do anything to have her. I love that Tru learns her value and choses to fight for her happiness. I really enjoyed seeing Tru be the strong mother bear when it comes to her daughter, and I love that Jasper sees this and his respect of true grows so strong. I love that we see women learning to help each other out in this novel and not just trying to tear them down. This novel is romance at times, sensual at times, the chemistry between Tru and Jasper is rich an evocative, and when it comes to super explicit interactions it is on the light side (only really one), but I don't feel like I was missing anything. Jordan does a really wonderful job of building their intimacy and trust with each other through stolen touches and passionate kisses that I was able to fully embrace their romance and was constantly guessing how things would eventually play out in their favor.

I just really adored this novel, I found it to be so interesting, I loved all of the characters and I am left so excited to see where this series grows! If you love Sophie Jordan, I think you will find a rich and unique novel that suits her voice so beautifully. If you have never read Jordan before, do yourself a favor and pick this one up, I don't think you will be disappointed!

The Scandalous Ladies of London is a thrilling and provocative read that will leave you on the edge of your seat. With sharp writing and a blissfully salacious plot, this book is an adrenaline-soaked delight that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. I devoured it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away until I reached the perfect last page. This is precisely what I adore about romance novels - the ability to transport me to another world and keep me captivated until the very end.

This book took a while to get going (it’s definitely setting up the whole series), so it’s a bit more fragmented than ideal. However, I’m willing to forgive that because things do really come together. There are tons of characters, fake dating, and lots of intrigue to keep readers engaged. I heard it described as giving a “Real Housewives” vibe and I have to agree. There’s some scandal and a broader cast than usually gets focus in a romance, but a lot more depth than a proper reality show.

Good-for-you-girl energy for “The Scandalous Ladies of London: The Countess” by Sophie Jordan!!

Gertrude aka Tru, the Countess of Chatham, lives for her family and friends, however follows social rules for her neglectful, scoundrel of a husband. She does put her foot down when her husband becomes a marriage minded papa!

Tru deserves better, full stop! The meet-cute is a confidence booster even though she is faithful and the interested party is pulling out all the stops to get her. Who he turns out to be brings the drama and the heat!

There is a dark romance tone to this book which I find is different from other historical romance books. It is serious, there is desperation for saving one’s life, yet there is love and hope on the other side of the street. I find the darker tone makes this book unique, and there is a very dramatic ending for a deserved beginning!

If you enjoy reading about women choosing better relationships with those who would fight for you, not with those who fight only when others remind you of what you got, then I highly recommend this book!!

Thank you to Net Galley, Avon, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This book had such a interesting perspective in a historical romance. Very rarely do you see an already married woman get herself otherwise involved. Plus the whole fake courting of her daughter - so unique. Some moments felt a little flat but the concept overall was great

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine, as well as some scenes from Valencia and Cordelia (the heroine’s friend and daughter)
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue? Yes, 11 months later

Should I read in order?
This is the first book of Jordan’s new series, The Scandalous Ladies of London

Basic plot:
Tru is trapped in an unsatisfying marriage. The only thing that she lives for are her children, but her can’t stop seeing her daughter’s suitor in the wrong light.

Give this a try if you want:
- Late Regency (1821)
- Both mains are parents
- Class difference – heroine is a countess and hero is a working class hotel owner
- Taboo – heroine is married when she meets the hero (view spoiler)
- (view spoiler)
- Instalust
- Working class hero – he owns various inns and hotels
- Lower steam – I believe there’s only 1 full scene

Ages:
- Heroine is 37, hero is 33

My thoughts:
So, I do love the idea behind this one. I enjoy the thought of a group of established women finding their HEAs. These are women in their 30s and not new debutantes. Many are parents of young adults. It felt like a totally new read from my usual plot set ups.

But this one ended up not working for me. Basically, the hero felt rather skeevy to me and I never grew to love him. I felt bad for Tru and thought she deserved better. Also the steam was a bit disappointing in this one, but I do think it fit what was happening in the plot.

Tru was blindsided early on in her marriage to discover that her husband was not the man she believed she married. As a result, she has lived for years loyal to a man who has never shown her the same courtesy. After having a tense encounter with an unknown man, she starts to reconsider her stance on taking a lover. Things get more complicated when her unknown man turns out to be Jasper, the man her husband has chosen to wed their daughter!

This book has me questioning why we don’t have more books with mothers willing to protect their daughters' right to choose their husband? Tru is determined to protect her daughter from the fate of a loveless marriage. I feel like often in historicals mothers just side with their husbands. I know there are many reasons for this, but I loved Jordan’s approach in this book! What mother wouldn’t attempt to protect her daughter from unhappiness and a fate of “that’s just the way things are''?

Now, it’s difficult to write a mother who falls for the man courting her daughter, but believe me when I say Jordan makes this okay. Unfortunately, that kind of makes the book a slow burn, but I loved every second, so I am more than okay with it! I did find fault with Jasper's tact as he kept Tru in the dark far longer than I would have liked, but again. This book checked a lot of boxes for me and had some eerily relatable characters. I predict this whole series will be epic. A group of women in crappy marriages finding happiness? I am here for it!

Lady Gertrude is in a loveless marriage. Her husband lives in a different house in London. It's time for her daughter to make her debut and her husband decides to sell her to the highest bidder. Tru is determined Delia have a better marriage than she has had to endure.
Jasper Thorne has come to London to seek a wife to raise his daughter in society. He meets Tru at a seance and follow her outside. Jasper has deep pockets and Tru's husband want him to marry her daughter!

This was a fabulous book by one of my favorite authors. Ms Jordan writes a witty and fun tale of London's ladies trying to outshine the other doing whatever it takes. This book was about Lady Gertrude who is a Countess is launching her daughter in the marriage mart. It is the one thing that Tru knows is how to use her well connected friends who are the leaders in society.
Jasper Thorne needs a bride and he decides on one debutante who fits the bill. He cares less about romance and more into be accepted in the ton's eyes. When he meets a woman who catches his eye, his body responds with attraction and something else. He can't believe this woman is the mother of the girl he is courting. Sparks fly between him and the on so beautiful Countess which an affair can be ruin in the ton's eyes.
Tru and Jasper try to keep their romance under wraps, but fate as other plans. Jasper wants forever and more than one night in Tru's loving arms for a happy ever after.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

WhT I appreciated about this story of The Countess is the spotlight it places on the realities of the position of women in this time period. Tru is trapped in a marriage to a horrible man. Her belief in her own high moral code is all that keeps her from an affair with newcomer Jasper Thorne.

Quite melodramatic throughout, but undeniably a compelling read.