I would like to thank netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved the idea, just not well executed.

Could Their Fake Betrothal Become Real?

Amelia is an enterprising lady. She is running a whiskey distillery at a time when women did not own businesses. She was doing it in secret. Richard Discovers her secret, and the two decide to help one another with a fake engagement. She would help distribute his wine, and he would help ward off an unwanted suitor. What happens when they fall in love? They live worlds apart. Do they stand a chance? If you like stories with enterprising, independent, and strong women, you might enjoy this historical romance like I did.

This is the second book of the series, Enterprising Women, and my first book by this author. Amelia is a very savvy businesswoman, but all that is hidden under the mask that she shows society. Now that her father is ill, he wants to see her married and well protected. Richard come to Amelia's help, and poses as her fake fiance and she in turn helps him with his business. But as they spend more time together, fake starts to become all too real and they start developing feelings for each other.
This was an enjoyable read with interesting characters, and although I have not read the first book, I had no trouble reading as a standalone. I enjoyed following Amelia and Richard's journey, and I look forward to reading more of this series.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This is a charming story. The story goes into great detail surrounding Amelia and Richard starting their own business. To me The romance is a slow burn. The book is a page turner. The characters are entertaining with their dialogue and their actions. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book, and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 2 of the Enterprising Women series from Peri Maxwell, and is the story of Richard Ferrand, the brother of Julia, the dead first wife of Lord Oliver Hawkins (book 1), and Amelia Chitester, the daughter of a local baron.

While her parents have the typical expectations of her as a wealthy daughter from a good family, to wed well to secure her future, Amelia has distinctly different ideas. Her father is ill and when he dies, with no male heir, her beloved family estate of Oakfield and his barony will be inherited by a cousin, and Amelia would be at the cousin's mercy. Unless she takes matters into her own hand. Amelia has a very unconventional, but marketable talent - she has learned to distill liquor and has been secretly making Norfolk's finest white whiskey for the past couple of years, under the guise of Eamon Brewer. She is within reach of attaining her goal, with some aid by an investment group she was introduced to by Thea Hawkins, which is to expand her enterprise and produced aged whisky to market.

Her business allows her to help the economy of her family estate's tenants by buying their produce, employing their eldest children, and earn her income independently so she does not have to wed... but it is a scandalous endeavour that she must keep secret. So she continues the guise of being an eligible young society miss, while rebuffing suitors. Except one suitor has her in his targets, and between her parents actions and his persistence, she is afraid of being caught in the matrimonial web.

Richard Ferrand, a successful Quebec timber baron, in partnership with his brother in law, Oliver Hawkins, had recently inherited a languishing vinyard and winery in France. To take charge of his inheritance, he travelled to France, and in his travels, goes to Thetford to reconnect with his family, Oliver and Simon. He still misses his dead sister Julia, and a bit conflicted about her loss, and Oliver's new family and happiness, and his past history with Thea. But he does value being a part of that family and Thea accepts him with open arms, especially in light of how terrible her own family history has been. As was proven in the last book, blood does not guarantee family love and loyalty.

Amelia and Richard first meet when he arrives, looking for Oliver and Thea's estate. Amelia is forced to entertain her unwanted suitor when he imposes himself as a guest on her family, and uses the excuse of guiding Richard to his destination to avoid and unwanted proposal. Richard sees through to her situation, and is amused and intrigued by her. As their families socialize, as part of a house party hosted by the Chitesters to aid in their efforts to settle Amelia's future through matrimony, Richard finds out about Amelia's enterprise, and they agree to enact a ruse of being betrothed to protect her from the matchmaking mechanisms of her parents, and her unwanted suitors. They figure it would work out well, breaking off the betrothal later on, allowing Amelia to live life as a spinster, hopefully financially independent if her whisky is successful, and Richard would return to Quebec, and manage his vinyard from afar.

What they did not realize was how much they would come to like each other, and unstated was how much both of them ended up wanting a future together.

Richard Ferrand was actually a pretty notable character in that he did not actually appear, but was mentioned quite frequently and appeared to be a large influence on Oliver in book 1. I found that interesting as you get a sense of knowing him already before he even appears. Also another character that has a large influence, but does not actually appear is Julia, the dead wife of Oliver and sister of Richard. She is a persistent ghostly presence that exists through both books, influencing a lot of thoughts and behaviours of both Richard and Oliver (past and present), and she exists as a bit of tension in this book between the two brothers. Richard seems to carry some resentment that Oliver has moved on and found a new family and new happiness, and seems to have some distress in himself at the idea of leaving Quebec and Julia behind. That felt sad. But on saying that, death and it's influence seems to be a persistent theme here too as Amelia reflects on her relationships with her parents. The current baroness, whom she sees as her mother is actually her step mother, and I see their relationship is a bit of a reflection of how Thea is with Simon. The baroness and her matchmaking for Amelia is a reflection of what she think's Amelia's mother would have wanted and acts based on that. Amelia's father is ailing and weakening and many of her actions and enterprises appear to be in anticipation of his death and trying to find independence for herself and security for their tenants.

But yes, while death is a persistent presence for me, it is not in an dark or overly heavy and brooding way, and this is still a romance with an HEA. These are two people who appear to have differing social statures and other barriers - he is in trade, and she is a baron's daughter (despite being secretly in trade). He is not British or part of Society, and if they marry would likely take her away from Thetford to Quebec. But Richard knows about Amelia's enterprise and appears to appreciate her strength, intelligence, and independence, despite making a few false moves. The lies involved in their ruse become a source of guilt and stress for the both of them, with neither of them liking the lies to their families, but also with both of them wanting the lies to be real, and for them to forge a future together... except their goals seem so very disparate - after all, he wants to go back to Quebec and his mills, and she cannot envision giving up her independence, or leaving Thetford.

This does not have the brooding heartbreak of the first book. But it has very likeable and engaging characters, and relationships, beyond that of the two MCs. I really liked the continued storylines of Thea/Oliver/Simon, and their relationships with Richard, and the further development of Drake's character.

4 stars out of 5

In Victorian England, Amelia Chitester runs a whiskey distillery in secret on property she bought under the name of Eamon Brewer. Property formerly part of her father's estate. Richard Ferrand is the brother-in-law of her neighbor, partners in the lumber business in Canada. Richard inherited a vineyard in France.
Amelia and Richard meet and have an understanding. A need for a fake engagement, but a profitable business partnership in the business of whiskey and wine. Except as each week passes after the bands are read, opportunities and feelings change. At times complicated and confusing.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

When Richard Ferrand returned to Thetford to visit his family, the last thing he thought would happen is that he would need to rescue Amelia Chitester, from a persistent suitor.
Amelia is determined that she will be successful with her whisky making business, but when her gravely ill father insists, she marry, she needs an alternative plan. So together Amelia and Richard come up with a plan. He needs a British distributor for his newly acquired French wine, and she needs a fake fiancé to take her off the marriage market. Their plan seems perfect and all they must do is wait. However, the more time they spend together, the more they realise that their ‘pretend’ relationship seems to be very real.
I am very pleased to find another author to follow. The romance between Richard and Amelia grew gradually as did the characters and their ability to see beyond their expectations for their lives. In finding each other, they realise that whilst they could be separated by distance, they could find a way to overcome all obstacles, to have a future together.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It was so great to see how Amelia and her business were doing after getting introduced to her in the first book. I liked the little bit we got to see of her in the first book and liked her even more as I got to know her in this book. I especially liked that she was a strong independent woman but was also willing to accept help when she really needed it (even though sometimes it took a while for her to realize she needed the help). Richard could be a little overbearing in his attempts to help her, but he did mean well - and it gave Amelia the chance to show him that she wasn't going to bend to his every demand. I liked Richard and seeing him go from feeling like an outsider to a part of the family. One of the later scenes between Richard and Oliver was one of my favorites because it actually allowed two male characters to talk about feelings (not something we always get to see in romance novels). Of course you know the fake engagement will lead to true love, but as with many romance stories it's the journey not the destination that makes for a good book. Peri Maxwell does a great job of allowing the characters to change and grow throughout the book so that their ending feels well earned by both of them. Of course I want to know more about Fletcher - there's definitely a good story there.

Richard Thetford has come to visit his family and seek advice on the turn his life has taken. Our hero is a hardworking man with a soft heart.
Amelia Chitester has been hiding her business woman self behind the mask of a society miss. Unfortunately that is getting more difficult as her parents start pushing her to get married. Our heroine works very hard and has no intention of stopping for anyone.
This historical romance gives us unusual characters in sometimes emotional, and other times amusing situations. This is the second book in a very interesting series, but you can easily read it on its own. I can't wait to read more of this series to learn what happens to some of the secondary characters.
Lots of fun.

I enjoyed this romance and the interesting characters, each of whom had their own problems to solve. Amelia knows that if she is to have financial independence once her ailing father is gone, she has to make provision for her future on her own terms. Instead of taking the easy way out, she builds a distillery and in the process, she finds a way to benefit her father's tenants and the village as a whole. With a potential autocratic suitor breathing down her neck, she is relieved when her neighbor's brother arrives on the scene, and in Richard Ferrand, she finds not only a like-minded partner but also a man who is willing to fake an engagement, if it meant keeping the wolves at bay. Unfortunately, their plan goes awry and what was meant to be a cover to allow Amelia to get her product to London, becomes a reality. The problem is that Amelia and Richard live on opposite sides of the globe, and ultimately they both suffer from the fall-out. Between good friends and a necessary jolt of reality, both Amelia and Richard come to accept that which is most important in their lives. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

An interesting read where titles are not the be all and end all for a change. Due to Amelia being an only child she is going to loose her home when her father dies and instead of choosing to marry as most do to protect themselves she starts a business so she can be self supportive. The only draw back to this is she does lie to everyone even her family which was a negative to this story as was Richard's dalliance on the ship as this didn't make him seem much of a gentleman but all is redeemed when they meet. It is a very low key romance with proximity being the main reason they fall in love. It was an enjoyable read however from an author I'm not familiar with. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What tangled web … but an engaging read. She is very able and skillful and has her future planned. He provides support for her plans and protection against catty and ungracious guests. Overall, there are many likeable and admirable characters. Even the catty one turns out not too bad. I love a happy ending. I thoroughly enjoy the limericks.

I received an ARc from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

I enjoyed His Spirited Lady by Peri Maxwell. While the second book in a series, it can be read as a standalone with little issue. The MMC, Richard Thetford, has come to visit his former BIL - now a Duke - and the MMC's nephew, as well as meet the Duke's new wife and daughter. Soon after arriving, he meets FMC, Amelia Chitester, who uses the need to help Richard find the Duke's estate as an excuse to not be alone with her accompanying suitor. Amelia has a secret - she is creating whiskey at a distillery that is technically property all her own. Richard learns of this secret while exploring distribution of the wine from his newly inherited French vineyard.

Talked into having a house party, Amelia suggests a fake courtship to Richard. He turns her down flat - until he arrives at the house party to find in attendance a woman with whom he shared a kiss or two on the ocean crossing to England. Thus the fake courtship/betrothal is on - as is Richard and Amelia's journey to love.

His Spirited Lady is definitely worth a read, but I did have some issues with it. Richard's determination to steer clear of the woman he kissed is not exactly respect-inducing, especially as he reveals he thought her of a low reputation - and apparently therefore open to a dalliance? Yet he also does not deny a kiss or two occurred, which is enough to ruin a young woman's reputation in this time period. Not exactly hero behavior. For her part, Amelia is not honest with Richard as her feelings begin to change, and she does little to make it seem like she wants the courtship to be real, at least externally, I am also not loving her willingness to lie to everyone, including the parents who love her dearly, It was refreshing when she actually told the truth.

I also didn't feel the level of chemistry between Amelia and Richard that I have felt between other book couples. The book is slow to show physicality, and there is not a sense of overwhelming passion.

3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

Do not wait to read this book! Words of warning: Be prepared to not be able to put it down, and have tissues handy. You will not be disappointed!