Gambling swindler pretends to be a viscount in order to blackmail his fake fiancee. A year ago, Honoria won the money in a card game that Oscar needed to pay off his violent creditor and runs off. Oscar tracks her down in her tiny country village and pretends to be the man that she’s betrothed to until he can convince her to give him the money. There’s all sorts of chaos and drama because Honoria’s family is quirky and meddlesome and Oscar’s not-family is not convinced of his identity and wants to get rid of him. But Oscar and Honoria spend more time together and are very much attracted to each other, and maybe Oscar is actually a good guy underneath all of the swindling behavior. Things get messier when it seems that someone is out to endanger Oscar’s life and Honoria is trying her best to protect him and get rid of him. Aside from all the chaos are the little clues that maybe Oscar might actually have a connection to the family that he’s pretending to be a part of, which I always love to see.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book
4.5 stars rounded up. In addition to the romance, which I felt like was executed very well, I really enjoyed the plot. Because it was actually a very interesting plot, it felt like the mystery of the “real Vandemere” was wrapped up too quickly. I wish the reader could have experienced the revelations from the MMC’s POV.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, Harper Collins Publishers, and Vivienne Lorret for providing this advance readers copy of the book. I'm providing my honest review.

When you stupefy men just by entering a room you can see your life unfolding before your eyes. A trinket on some man's arm, a trophy wife, a life of boredom. Being the daughter of an acting family has shown Honoria that a life on her own terms is possible. She just has to finance it. Scandalous things must be perpetrated, a fortune and steady source of income obtained. Gambling and adventure become the way and happens to put her in the crosshairs of Oscar Flint who becomes her nemesis and partner in crime. Oscar is a master gambler with an edge that allows him to win big. He has to keep moving to keep his head attached. Always running a con. Pretending to be Honoria's long betrothed Viscount gets him in with the long-lost Viscounts family and forces Honoria to help him play the game. The Viscounts family is a strange grouping of widows.

Lots of adventure, action, and romance make an enjoyable read. Likeable characters kept me invested till the happy ending. I do have one con, the ending was a bit of a hard twist to follow and came out of nowhere, I hadn't guessed it.

#TheTroublewithInventingaViscount #TheLiars'Club #NetGalley #VivienneLorret #Avon #HarperCollinsPublishers #historicalromance #romance

Tropes: enemies to lovers; MMC has a dark past; secret identities; pretend betrothal
Steam level: 3

3.25 stars. I really went back and forth on this one, as I usually like this author and I normally love the "conman meets his match" trope. I even re-read the last third or so just to see if I'd missed something. But this just didn't quite come together for me. For the first 60% or so the pacing seemed uneven, and although the MC's had good chemistry in the steamy scenes, their emotional connection and the proceedings just seemed off. Maybe I'm comparing this book too much to recent HR's I've read recently that use the "conman" trope; I'm not sure. Then the last third or so of the plot sped along, but not everything made sense, becoming unnecessarily convoluted and rushed. I knew what the conclusion would be for a while and wished the suspenseful elements, as well as a new character, had been introduced earlier. Another nitpick: as in the previous book, I wasn't crazy about how the MFC ended up looking rather TSTL. There were chances to give her a touch more depth and make her more grounded, beyond the grief she held for her twin. Admittedly, there was a broad cast of characters the author was juggling (I wondered why the MC's from the last book made occasional appearance in the first half, only to disappear).

There is humor here, just as in the last book, which I enjoyed.

Overall: the steam and wit work, but this often reminded me of a rather frenetic stage play that needed a bit more focus.

4 Stars! Great book. Didn’t end the way I thought it would. This is the 2nd book in ‘The Liar’s Club’ and can be read as a standalone. I never read book one & still enjoyed this book. The main characters are Honoria Hartley and Oscar Flint/Lord Vandemere and they were great for one another. I liked both of them. I really enjoyed their witty banter and the dual point’s of view.
A lot of things I thought would happen, didn’t, and a lot of things I didn’t see coming, did happen. I still have unanswered questions that left me a bit confused & the book could drag on a bit at times but I just skimmed through them, easy. Anyway, other than that, it was a really great read! You won’t see stuff coming.
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

This book is ridiculous in the best possible way. If you love historical romances that have a healthy dose of romcom shenanigans and explicit content, you will love The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount.

Honoria Hartley is desperate not to get married, so when her mother suggests it might be time for her to head to London for a season, she claims she cannot possibly go, because her long lost fiance, the viscount of a neighboring estate, is writing her love letters, and she intends to marry him when he comes home. The trick is, there is no fiance. The letters are fake, and Honoria's plan is to be an engaged spinster forever.

That is until the handsome and rakish Oscar Flintridge shows up at her door claiming to be the long lost viscount and ready to blackmail her into marriage.

This story is as tender as it is funny. The cast of characters are surprising and loveable Oscar and Honoria have incredible chemistry, and their care for each other grows despite the games they play to one up each other.

Vivienne Lorret is masterful at crafting spicy scenes. There's a picnic scene in this book that, while not explicit, will absolutely make you blush. Don't even get me started on the castle scene.

This book is perfect for fans of Martha Waters Regency Vows series. Thank you to Avon Books for providing a digital ARC of this book for me to review.

Thanks you to Avon & Harper Voyage for providing me with an ebook arc in exchange for my honest review!
This second book in the Liars Club follows Honoria, Verity's sister, in her journey of defying societal expectations while simultaneously falling in love with someone who sees right through her acting. Oscar is used to living on the run since his skills in gambling do not make him a well liked man. He jumps at the chance to get back at the woman who out gambled him in order to secure a future for himself. What he didn't know was that he'd also be falling head first in love. Being the only two who know each others secrets, Honoria and Oscar try to outwit and best one another. How long can their ruse of a fake engagement last before the stack of cards falls?

This book was such a fun read. With Honoria's confidence and outlandish ideas, it had me laughing and eager to see what the outcome was. The banter between the two main characters was very entertaining and reading how they slowly went from wanting to destroy each other to protecting each other had my cheeks hurting from smiling so much. I can't wait for the next sister's story.

Vivienne Lorret is one of my favorite authors and this series takes on one of my favorite tropes - the invented fiancé. This one was really fun - I loved getting to know Honoria and Oscar. The ending did feel a little bit rushed, but maybe I just wanted more from our MCs. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

This was so entertaining. There was so much chemistry between these characters and I thought they were just as engaging on their own. Honoria differs from the usual wallflower heroine. She is headstrong, confident, and not afraid to flirt her way out of a situation. Oscar is ungentlemanly in the best way and I liked that, because she was an actress and he was a thief and a gambler, they were able to see right through each other in a way that brought them closer.

This was humorous, delightful, and very romantic. I loved watching these two chip away at each other's walls.

Honoria is determined never to marry, so she needs money to support her single future. Her alter ego meets up with Flint, and sparks fly. After a while, he shows up at her home in his alter ego, Viscount Vandemere. The stakes in their game against each other go higher and higher as secrets are revealed and feelings begin to be caught. These two are electric together, and their banter is perfect.

I've always enjoyed reading Vivienne Lorret's historical romance books because they're so funny and have amazing characters! I loved book one in this series(all of them are standalones) - It Had To Be A Duke and I was really looking forward to reading this one! There's nothing I like more than seeing a lie turn into reality in these stories 😆

Honoria Hartley has been engaged since birth to Viscount Vandemere but noone really knows much about him or where he is. Honoria is willing to keep up this ruse as it gives her the freedom to live the life she wants without being tied down in an actual marriage. So, imagine her surprise when an actual person shows up at her family's doorstep claiming that he is the viscount 😂
Honoria and Oscar had met each other briefly at the gaming tables in Paris a year ago where Honoria ended up winning the prize money that he'd had his eyes on. And that brings him more trouble than he'd anticipated so now he's back in England pretending to be a viscount to hide out for some time while needling Honoria at the same time as she can't reveal his secret without bringing more scandal to her family.

The story was so humorous and interesting! Honoria was different from the usual shy wallflowers as she's very confident in herself - I really admired that about her! She's headstrong and willing to go toe to toe with Oscar who knows how to charm and exasperate her at the same time😂 The chemistry between them was off the charts - definitely my favorite thing about this romance! I also loved the Hartley family - they were just as loving, funny and chaotic as they were in book one! The subplot regarding Vandemere's identity was also pretty interesting and I loved how it was wrapped up in the end. I hope we get to see more of the Hartley family in the upcoming books(I think Thea's story would be amazing!😂)

This story was rather complex but still very entertaining. Honoria was fearful of marriage and children, so she insisted on clinging to a betrothal contract with a man that she was unlikely ever to meet. Viscount Vandemere, who had been born halfway around the world, had probably died in childhood. As long as Vandemere's whereabouts were unknown, Honoria was completely safe. Unfortunately for Honoria, her world got turned upside down with the arrival of Oscar Flint.
Oscar was a gambler and a con man. He was currently in hiding trying to avoid a dangerous man from his past. Stepping into the role of the missing Vandemere was a stroke of luck. Taunting the viscount's betrothed was a delight. Becoming Vandemere was a brilliant opportunity for a man like him except for the fact that everyone, including Honoria, wanted to make his death a reality.
This story had lots of humorous conversation and many quirky characters. The plot was complicated, and I don't think I caught all of the details in the single read that I did. I have read the previous book "It Had to be a Duke" which appears to run concurrently. Honoria's crazy eccentric family appears in both; however, you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. Most importantly, this story came to a happy ending despite the fact that it occasionally made my head spin. I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

This story was another testament to Viv's effortless writing and her ability to create whimsical yet endearing characters that will absolutely pull you into their story. Despite their selfish natures, Oscar and Honoria are both intrigued by each other when they first meet. Oscar is a bit of a dubious character when he's first introduced, but as the story moves on, we get to see his character depth as he simply longs for a place to belong. And as they both spend so much time trying to out-maneuver each other, neither is able to recognize and least-of-all stop falling for each other.

I loved seeing Oscar's vulnerable side as he realizes he cares about more than himself, while Honoria slowly allows herself to open up to another person. I admit I really did not understand the ending bit where Oscar's identity is finally explained--there were twins involved and possibly more forgery?--and I just wish the middle of the story had moved along faster to leave more room for the resolution at the end. Also there was a lot less action to drive the story forward than I usually prefer, but overall I did enjoy this one🖤

Tropes: hate-to-love-you, arranged marriage, charming hero, fierce heroine, hidden past, mistaken identity, second chance romance, meet-cute, mystery-to-solve, found family, SLOW BURN, steamy🔥

For years Honoria Hartley has used her betrothal to Manford Fairfax, Viscount Vandemere to keep suitors at bay. Engaged to a missing Viscount has given her a freedom that most young women can’t even imagine, a freedom that she has no intention of giving up. Which means she needs a way to support herself, lucky for her, she is an exceptional card player and clever with disguises, thanks to her theater-loving family. But while visiting Paris, it would seem she has hustled the wrong man and gave away a bit too much information about herself, but as time passed, she thought that her narrow escape from him was ancient history, that is until he showed up at her parents’ home claiming to be her long-lost fiancé! Soon begins a game between sharps, each with their own agenda and a fierce desire to win. Too bad the rules changed mid-game and soon the love she never wanted became the only thing that matters.

Oscar Flint has lived the life of a grifter, he barely remembers his father, but swore to his mother on her deathbed that he would find him. He along with Ignatius Cardew, a friend of his mother, have been searching for him ever since. But a chance meeting in Paris with Honoria disguised as “Signor Cesario” will change his life forever. She cheated him out the winnings he needed to settle a debt incurred to Miguel Ladron, a dangerous man by Ignatius, that loss turned the attention of said dangerous man from Ignatius to Oscar. Which caused him the need to disappear, lucky for him, he found someone who told him the story of the long-lost viscount and his association with a certain swindler. Now all he has to do is convince everyone that he is the lost Viscount and lay low until Ladron gives up his pursuit of Oscar and then he can resume the search for his father, assuming he lives though this ruse. But he never anticipated that the attraction he felt for Honoria in Paris would last, or that he would long to be the man to finally win her heart. With nothing to offer what chance does he have? Good thing he is a gambling man…

Another well-written, lighthearted addition to the Liar’s Club series, this installment features the lovely middle sister Honoria and Oscar, the handsome gambler she bested in Paris. These two are clearly meant to be, it is obvious, from their first encounter, yet they have no intention of admitting that to anyone – especially themselves! This book has lies, secrets, deception, blackmail, a truly nasty villain, wonderful secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, a bit of angst, a lot of laughs, and some surprising twists and turns that will lead them to their HEA. I do wish there had been an epilogue, or at least an ending that cleaned up the loose ends. Overall, I enjoyed this story and would happily recommend it to my fellow historical romance fans. This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

This was book 2 of the Liar's club series. I loved book one and was looking forward to reading book 2. Book 2 can be read as a stand alone.
I did like the main characters of Honoria and Oscar. I thought both were smart, charming and loving. They were both troubled souls who recognized the hurt in each other and were able to help heal each other.
But I thought there were too many characters and too many storylines. I was having trouble keeping all the people straight. So as a result I was a little frustrated with the book and it started to drag on.
3⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

While I was hoping for a bit more Remington Steele than this ending up being, this book was a quick and fun historical romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. The general premise (conman impersonating a made-up betrothed) was fun and the main reason I picked up this book and it did not disappoint. Add in the vivacity of Honoria, the eclectic fun of her family, the snark and wit of Oscar, and the general madcap fun of the cast of characters and this book is a surefire way to enjoy a read. Both Oscar and Honoria had enough complexities and layers to make them full characters and give them space to breathe and grow on the page. Occasionally it felt like homages to previous books (that I haven't read) trampled through a bit too often, but it didn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the book. I can't wait to read the next one and see what trouble the next Lorret heroine and hero get into (I'm guessing the youngest sister is up next).

There is nothing like a betrothal contract to a long lost viscount to keep one blissfully unattached, as Honoria Hartley has thoroughly enjoyed. That is until said viscount shows up who she knows is in fact the gambling rogue Honoria fleeced while under an assumed identity a year prior. So with mutual destructive blackmail in hand both Honoria and the viscount pretender Oscar Flint face off in a battle of 'will they or won't they' with a side of melt in your mouth (biscuit-y) chemistry!

I adore Vivienne Lorret's writing. Her characters, the plots, the spice! After falling head over heels in fictional love with the previous novel in this series, I was so looking forward to Honoria's story and it did not disappoint! Honoria was a FMC I really wanted to champion. How she wanted to be seen beyond the surface value her beauty had instilled in all of her suitors and how Oscar met her in disguise and continued to see her when they met again a year later. I loved the way he saw her, her strengths and traumas. I cackled at all the times she was thinking of murdering him and how inventive she was in all the ways she was trying to shake him.

Oh Oscar, how I love a gambling roguish hero. Those glimpses of his past and how much it effected his every action made me wish to hug that young boy who did whatever he needed to do to survive. And how being left by his father and the loss of his mother later on continued to haunt him and his actions. I truly enjoyed his driving forces and how they changed from trying to blackmail the money back in order to save him from the debt he had taken on for a friend to wanting to find the true viscount for the dowager who had lost so much. His heart was always trying to keep others safe over himself.

And I cannot forget to mention how much I loved the dramatics of the Hartley family in everything they did. There was so much joy with their interactions and I loved the sibling teasing between Honoria and Thea so much! And I enjoyed seeing Verity and Longhurst again. That 'Where. Is. My. Wife' scene was everything.

Gosh I love a Lorret heroine! Honoria may have been my favorite yet. She was so strong, wasn’t going to take anyone’s crap including the MMC, Oscar.
For years Honoria has been telling everyone that she is betrothed to a viscount. However, that viscount hasn’t been seen, like ever. And that’s just fine with Honoria because she doesn’t want to get married so she will just live her life the way she wants.
Enter Oscar who is a thief and a gambler and a scoundrel. His words not mine. After his very brevity meeting with Honoria he can’t get her out of his mind and really she got him into a mess and she will have to get him out of it. So he pretends to be her viscount. What could go wrong? Everything, everything goes wrong.
So is Truman next?! I’m going Truman!

This was a really entertaining historical romance. It’s book 2 in the series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone (though I definitely recommend book 1!) There are some heavier topics discussed though, so please check CW’s.

I enjoyed the hidden identity mystery subplot in addition to the romance. It’s clear where things are headed, but I still liked seeing all the pieces come together. The Hartley family was absolutely hilarious and I laughed so hard at their interactions and antics. It was the playful banter and sizzling chemistry between Honoria and Oscar though that stole the show. Their slow burn enemies to lovers evolution was so satisfying and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these two headstrong and stubborn idiots fall for each other. lol

I appreciated that there wasn’t a third act breakup, but I did feel that the ending was quite rushed. The resolution to the Ladrón subplot felt anticlimactic and a lot of information is dumped on readers in the final chapters. Overall, this was a great addition to the series though and I’m looking forward to more!

CW: mentions of past scandal, gambling, death of parent (past), death of sibling/twin (past), grief, parental abandonment (past), poverty, prostitution (secondary character, past), cheating ex, life threatening situations, fighting

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

This is the second book in the series but, can be read as a standalone.
First of all, let me say that this is such a fun read with lots of chemistry between Honoria and Oscar.
The plot is a wonderfully entertaining enemies-to-lovers with lots of banter and laugh out loud moments.
Honoria's family is funny and quirky and there are lots of other interesting secondary characters in the story.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.