Cover Image: To Love the Brooding Baron

To Love the Brooding Baron

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

“You have always had my love. . . From the first day I met you. . . [m]y heart knew then that I needed you in my life.”

* Ahh there’s a whole world that goes on inside Henry’s head!
* And Arabella is delightfully mischievous
* The Shakespeare is too good 😂
* Please can we stop with these daily encounters that turn into scorching touches and glances 🥵 (jk, don’t stop hehe)

If you can’t tell, I loved this book! The story was amazing and the characters were delightful.

Arabella is so spunky. She’s so full of life, funny, and gets into so many scrapes. I love how she knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it!

Henry is truly such a sweetie. My heart felt for him throughout the entire story! He had so much to carry and I’m so glad that he ended up with Arabella to help him carry it!

This story deals with lunacy and mental health issues that weren’t often addressed in this time. I loved how these characters had heartaches and struggles but they didn’t give up!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A lot deeper then I expected. This is like a beauty and the beast story but so much more. This is deeper and more in-depth then I expected. I really liked both of these characters and enjoyed this romance. There were some really nice swoon moments between these two. He was so in love with her it was so cute! The author does such a good job letting us know how much he wants her without going over board. This story has talk of insanity and incudes talk of the famous Bedlam hospital and the corruption there. I would still let my 12 year old read this.

Was this review helpful?

There’s something scandalous about Lord Northcutt’s family. He dares not encourage a woman’s interest in him. Arabella Latham likes him. They can match each other in quoting Shakespeare, and she longs to set him free from his brooding nature.
Includes a frightful look at the treatment of mental illness in the Regency era.
I did not realize this was part of a series. Reading the first book first may have helped me get into this one faster.

Was this review helpful?

"To Love the Brooding Baron" by Jentry Flint is a delightful Regency romance that introduces us to Arabella Latham, a spirited young woman whose passion for life is matched only by her love for Shakespeare. When she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Lord Henry Northcott, known as "The Brooding Baron," their differences seem insurmountable. Yet, as their unlikely bond deepens, Arabella becomes determined to break through the walls Henry has built around himself.

Readers will not be disappointed with this novel that shows, yet again, that Jentry Flint is a master of her craft!

Was this review helpful?

I honestly loved this book so much I bought the first in the series to read it also. This book just comes alive. It was such a neat experience to watch the main characters grow and find each other, and even themselves. I cannot say enough good things about this series. I actually liked "To love the Brooding Baron" better, but they were both wonderful. Very clean novel. Very good character development. I cannot wait for the next in the series!! (fingers crossed there will be one)

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a heartbreaking and yet heartwarming book. The character and the story were everything. To Love the Brooding Baron is the sequel to Games in the Ballroom by Jentry Flint.
Oh my goodness, the characters had my heart. They were trying to navigate so many different things. I fell in love with them both and I wanted to see how they would work out the obstacles that stood before them. Arabella and Henry were perfect for each other as they balanced each other out.
I felt so bad for Henry. He was struggling. And he was trying to figure out how to care for his family. Arabella was so sweet and I loved her spunk. They had both suffered different losses and were trying to navigate life. It was interesting to learn more about them and see them open up to each other. I love how Arabella challenged Henry. And how Henry helped keep Arabella rooted.
The plot was so engaging. There was so much going on and I wanted to learn more about Henry and Arabella. The scandal of Henry’s family kept me reading. The romance was sweet and it was the perfect amount as Arabella tried to get to know Henry better. Grumpy/sunshine is one of my favorite tropes. The side characters were wonderful. This was more of a haunting read but I loved it. Also the bits of Shakespeare woven into the dialogue was so fun.
To Love the Brooding Baron is definitely a must read! The book was lovely and I am so excited for the books to come. I would totally recommend it. However there are some content warnings to be aware of. To Love the Broding Baron is a historical romance.

Content Warnings:
Mental illness/asylum, implied abuse, parental death (suicidal)

Book Highlights:
Shakespeare
grumpy/sunshine
Mother/daughter relationship
Brother’s friend
Stubborn heroine
Protective hero

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a good book! I am a new fan of Jentry Flints books so I was excited to read this first one. It didn’t disappoint, I loved the storyline and the characters! Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. The hero and heroine were both so enjoyable to read about how they both fell in love and their love for Shakespeare. Very well written.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this read, I didn't have any idea how this was going to end, or evolve. Wow! The author deals with a dark subject here, and yet, as it was often swept under the rug, families were ashamed. Mental health.
There was more here, and when the facts unfold, I was totally surprised!
Will the attraction felt by Arabella and Henry be fulfilled? What about Sarah? Will she ever have a life, oh I do hope for more by this author, and more in this series!
Come and learn how to drive a buggy, and iron a billiards table! Enjoy!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Shadow Mountain, and was not required to give a positive review.

Was this review helpful?

A grumpy, broody MMC with a secret voice in his head that makes him think he’s going insane? Yes, most definitely I’ll take that!

I really enjoyed this book, and maybe it’s because it ticked a lot of trope boxes I like and also because of the Gothic vibes, but I will definitely check out more by this author.

Arabella- who loves to quote Shakespeare by the way, so that’s kind of fun- fall in love with her older brother’s broody friend the Baron Northcott aka Henry. We learn early on that Henry’s family has an insane (literally) past. He believes he is succumbing to madness like others in his family and does not with to put Arabella at risk by being with her (because he loves her that much— swoon 😍). I just love a tortured male lead with trauma who overcomes it all. There’s quite a few surprising reveals and some lovely friendships and familial bonds. I do recommend others to check this newer author out!

Highlights:
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Gothic vibes (reminded me of Jane Eyre)
-Brother’s best friend
-Clean romance

Was this review helpful?

This book, while interesting, was really hard for me. It is quite dark. And I tend to prefer light and fluffy. But if you like angst and drama and intrigue then this may be perfect for you. I think the Baron is more than brooding. He really needed a good therapist. Mental health in this time period was very scary. And though I'm no expert, I believe things that happened in this book actually happened in real life. It is terrifying. It is also a good case study on how children are scarred by the sins of their elders. I was left with the hope that Henry would be okay but his sister is likely far more scarred. Personally, I think the aunt should be in Bedlam. And not the new one. She deserves the old one. Let her live the reality of that. Arabella (and her mother) are the 'light' in this story. I craved scenes with her to lighten up the tense darkness surrounding Henry.

I wanted to learn more about the truth of his mother. The reader only gets a little about her and I was left wondering what was true. And I also wanted to know what happened with Olivia and Emerson while they were away. Too many unfinished points to satisfy me.

Potential triggers: mental illness/asylum, parent's suicide, abuse
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Was this review helpful?

I would actually give this 4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this story and the author is a wonderful writer. Started out a little slow and I was trying to remember details from the first book, but then I was hooked and I knew there was a mystery to solve. This book had heavier themes dealing with mental health and asylums, but I thought the author did a great job bringing this subject to light. The romance was sweet and looking forward to a next book in the series.

Was this review helpful?

I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions as I read this book, at times lighthearted and fun, only to be drug down into a heaviness of heart as the book dealt with mental health and the institutions of the time period. It’s heartbreaking to see how they were treated and sad that some of the aristocrasy paid to be rid of unwanted or embarrassing family members by putting them away. Thank goodness for people like Dr. Stafford who really cared for their patients and went to great lengths to help them. Henry, the Brooding Baron, had a very difficult childhood, with family secrets threatening to destroy him, but is helped by Arabella and her free spirit who believes in the good in him. I loved the Shakespeare game they played and enjoyed reading all the quotes. I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book!! Such a beautiful story! I loved the opposites attract romance between Arabella and the Brooding Baron!

Was this review helpful?

I wasn't able to get into the first book in this series, but somehow this one- wow! The characters are really what make this book shine. When you're really into clean historical romance, the heroes and heroines of different books can start to blur together after a while, as do the supporting characters (mother of heroine, best male friend of hero etc.). However, these characters were refreshingly different, without being wildly 'out there' with actions or mannerisms incongruous with the time period. I really did like Arabella, even though her antics frustrated me at times- I sometimes felt like she was the single driving force behind the action and suspense in the plot! You can tell she has a heart of gold and I loved her interactions with her friends and family. Her mother was also well-rounded and I did think her approach to marriage was very sensible. The brief scenes where we got to meet Sarah were lovely, I hope she appears in future books too! And of course saving the best to last- Henry Northcott. I'm in awe of how Jentry Flint has crafted his character, I felt most connected to him of all the characters and really felt for him.

My only negatives of this book are the title and cover, I think they give the impression of a lighthearted humorous read- not that these elements aren't present in the book, but there are much deeper heavier topics threaded throughout that the author tackled really well.
Overall a lovely unique story, would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC of this book.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this story! I live a good brooding hero with a heart of gold and this one delivered! The plot had layers beyond just a developing romance and the characters were fun and added pops of humor to keep this story from getting heavy. Arabella and Henry had sizzling chemistry! They were like literal magnets being pulled together and I loved every minute of it! The conclusion of this story had a bit of danger and kept me turning pages! I absolutely loved happy ending and was really satisfied with how this one ended!

Was this review helpful?

#ToLovetheBroodingBaron #NetGalley

This book can be read as a stand-alone novel, but it is part of a series. The first book in the series is titled Games In the Ballroom.
Henry is known as the brooding baron he comes from a broken family with secrets they hide from the ton. Henry, as a secret of his
own, he has fallen in love with his friends sister Arbella. Henry is scared of his past and has decided not to marry. Arbella is
strong-willed and does things in her own way, quoting Shakespeare at random moments. I loved the romance and the historical
sides of the story. This book is not a light one it is filled with heaviness and mental health issues, and it is very well written.

Was this review helpful?

London, England 1815

Arabella wants to find her spark, a love match, like her parents did before her. It’s not common among the ton but…she has fallen in love with Henry who is known as the brooding Baron. She is full of spunk, and life and gets what she wants and I liked her as a character. Henry is conflicted because of his family’s past and he has decided to not marry, but Arabella has other ideas. All of the characters were engaging and enjoyable!
.
To Love the Brooding Baron has a somewhat dark theme because of the mental health but I felt it was kept light, I really liked that Arabella would often use Shakespeare to communicate, it’s something I haven’t seen in a fiction book before but it didn’t diminish my genuine enjoyment of this story. Recommended\|!

My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.

Was this review helpful?

The long-awaited follow up to Jentry Flint's "Games in a Ballroom", "To Love the Brooding Baron" is an entertaining Regency romance. This tale features Arabella, the sister of Emerson Latham, and she's cleverly quoting Shakespeare left and right. Joining her in the unique quotation game is Lord Henry Northcott, Emerson's friend.

This book has a more serious tone than the first installment. There are plenty of lighthearted moments; the oblivious Lord Digby is amusing comic relief. However, the treatment of the mentally ill is an important theme. Even sane people, frequently women, were institutionalized back then merely because they were inconvenient. Northcott's tragic backstory initially defines him.

Characters are interesting and well-drawn. Flint's prose is lovely, and this story is clean. The author has done extensive research on the Bard's work and it shows. In the ARC copy, "Bedlam" is used exclusively. This is the familiar term for Bethlem. There is a surprising twist this reader didn't see coming. "To Love the Brooding Baron" stands alone. I prefer to read series in order though, and I read "Games in a Ballroom" first. Does Bradbury change his mind? Hopefully we won't have to wait two years to find out. 4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC of this engaging tale.

Was this review helpful?

I throughly enjoyed this book. I loved the unexpected twists and turns of the story. While I suspected something was wrong with Lord Henry Northcott's family, I was pleasantly surprised at the twist. I absolutely loved the love story of Arabella and Henry. I would recommend this story to all fellow readers!

Was this review helpful?