“Look Before You Leap” by Virginia Heath
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
🤓🤓🤓🤓

I REALLY enjoyed this! It reminded me of the League of Extraordinary Women series and I’ll definitely be reading more from this series. This is technically book #2, but I did fine coming in blind. I love a regency romance with a feminist lean and this WAS IT!!! Spicy, but not too over the top. Funny banter. It even warmed me to the grumpy/sunshine trope, which is usually a no go for me.

Second book in the Miss Prentice's Protégées series. Historical romance that works as a stand-alone.

Farm-raised Lottie Travers, surrounded by brothers during childhood, joins Miss Prentice's Protégées training program to expand her limited options. After two failed governess positions, she becomes a lady's companion tasked with collecting gossip. Comfortable with both men and horses from her upbringing, she regularly exchanges sharp words with Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount of Wennington. During a house party filled with marriage-minded debutantes, Guy gravitates toward Lottie as both a refuge and someone who increasingly catches his attention. He finds her directness refreshing compared to the calculated approaches of the other women pursuing him.

This historical romance effectively mixes humor and heat while taking readers beyond typical ballroom settings to explore farm life. The ending caused me some concern, but the elderly characters proved surprisingly strategic.

Guy's efforts to help a farmer by researching agricultural problems showcased his competence as a landowner, regardless of his romantic motivations. A successful read overall.

I received this book from NetGalley for review.

This was an enjoyable Regency romp in the countryside. Lottie was my favorite as we both love riding horses. The story did take a while to get going and Guy's mother and aunt conspiring to get him a wife was odd but it worked. Overall a good read with a bit of spice.

“Look Before You Leap” was a little bit ridiculous and a little bit cute. I’ve read a number of Virginia Heath’s regency era romances and while many are swoon worthy, I felt that this one was a bit too elaborate. I love meddling mothers, spirited FMCs, Mr. Darcy-esq men, but the writing did not take me into the time period. I thought there was a lot of modern day terminology that slunk its way into the writing that made it harder to immerse myself. I also felt that the while I want an FMC to go against the grain of society (the Elizabeth Bennett’s of literature.) It felt like some of Lottie’s ways were a bit outrageous.

I would have loved for the author to have dived deeper into the effect that Lottie had on Guy by having his mother and aunt notice more. I think it would have made the meddling seem more effective.

I've enjoyed many of virginia heath's books at this point - i think as far as historical romances go, she always takes a bit more time to build up the world, the individual characters, and the relationships - which means its not quite as bingeable as a bridgerton, persay, where characters fall into nonspecific tropes. but her books are always worthwhile, and I always love her heroines - which for me is a big must in a historical romance!

Lighthearted romp, and I am eager to read some of the others in the series. A great book when you want to relax and sink into a story. Love the characters.

Heat Factor: One scene towards the end

Character Chemistry: Instinctive acrimony → tentative friendship → you betrayed me and I can never trust you → everyone knows we’re in love except for us

Plot: Lady’s companion irritates grumpy lord while elderly relatives meddle

Overall: Le sigh

I should have bailed on this one in chapter one, when I learned that this book features an impetuous heroine whose lack of inhibition is primarily revealed by her horse-riding prowess. Never mind that as the daughter of an impoverished gentleman farmer—who the text clearly states has struggled financially for the majority of the heroine’s life—she would not have access to the kind of spirited and hard-to-control horses she loves to race. But generic verisimilitude overrides quibbles about accuracy when it comes to impetuous historical heroines, so ride like the wind she must.

For the record, I generally do not enjoy books about heroines like this.

Someone who does enjoy the dynamic of the impetuous heroine and the staid hero with overt grumpy and sunshine overtones would probably enjoy this one. It hits the expected beats, the conflict is well balanced between emotional angst and external forces, the relationship ends up in a sweet place (that does not consist of the sunshine one doing all the emotional labor for the grump), and the grand gesture is appropriately grand. But I was mostly low-key irritated.

I thought the relationship dynamic was too all over the place, especially in the first half. I found the meddling relatives too meddlesome and irritating. Friendship dynamics that were supposed to be read as positive and supportive raised red flags.

I will even cop to the pettiest of petty complaints. Ok, so the heroine is hired as a lady’s companion to an extremely crotchetty old lady (who is also kind? Maybe? I’m not sure how we’re meant to read her character, to be honest). The butler, who has been serving said old lady for 20-some years is an ally to the heroine, and does a lot of insubordinate eye-rolling. (Now it’s time for the petty.) At one point, he says to the heroine, after a ridiculous demand from their employer, “Ours is not to reason why, ours is just to do…” Now, since I was an English major in college, I immediately filled in the end of that line with “or die.” And then I looked up when “The Charge of the Light Brigade” was written, and it was 1854, so the butler is not actually quoting Tennyson. Later, the butler uses the same line again, though instead of ending with the ellipses, he says, “…ours is just to do, eh?” Now, obviously, authors can make anachronistic references (and frequently do, sometimes to great effect), but this whole thing was just weird to me, and completely pulled me out of the story. Should I be appending the unspoken “or die”? And if so, what does that tell us about the relationship between the crotchetty old lady and her servants? How does that square with the way the butler gently mocks her? How does that square with the way she interferes in the romantic relationship of the protagonists?

As you can see, this tiny detail just sent me on a whole spiral, which is, perhaps, less about the specific detail, and more about the lack of tightness about the character work. But maybe I’m just a grumpy storm cloud who does not want an impetuous ball of sunshine to bring me rainbows. Hmph.


I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

I'm not a huge fan of enemies to lovers when the protagonists are genuinely rude to each other constantly. This was a lot of arguing and in my opinion, took too long to reach any sort of understanding between the characters. The pacing of this book felt off and we didn't get enough interaction between Lottie and Guy. I also wasn't 100% Guy truly loved Lottie, or if he was just in lust with her.

Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is about a free spirited former governess named Lottie who is now employed as a lady’s companion because she can’t hold a job in 1820s England. She is very untypical for a “lady.” She likes to ride horses, talk back to men, wear pants, etc. Her family is struggling and in need of money, so she does her best to remain employed to the spitfire of a Lady while her Lady’s turnover rate is sky high. Her employers nephew is also a viscount who is single at almost 30 and whose family is very meddling. They decide to throw him a birthday surprise, inviting 15 eligible debutantes and their families to his estate without his knowledge. Despite Lottie’s position as a lady’s maid and helping her employers family plan a week of matchmaking events, she starts falling for the viscount. You can imagine how this goes.

The first 1/3 of this book dragged on and I wanted to DNF it. After that point, the story picked up, was really funny, and quick to get through. The ending completely redeemed anything that the beginning lacked so it’s earning 4 stars from me. The MMC was annoying at several points in the story though, like get over yourself. But I did really like him at other points. Note to the author: But, seriously, the story could’ve been condensed and made into a more powerful read overall.

Thank you to Netgalley, Virginia Heath, and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Look Before You Leap is available now.

Love, love, love everything about this book! Virginia Heath is a favorite because her use of humor in her writing is always on point. Lottie and Guy are such opposites but just perfect for each other as a grumpy sunshine couple. Throw in a meddling cantankerous Aunt and guilt-welding, grandchild hungry momma and it’s the near perfect book. Lottie is failed governess turned companion and comfortable with her struggles with decorum. Guy is a responsible realistic and has no need of a menacing farmers daughter. And what a fun ride (literally) she takes him on. This was such a fun story to read with just the right amount of angst and heartbreak. Sheer perfection.

I almost didn’t finish this book. I really tried to like it, but I just couldn’t get invested in the love story between Lottie and Guy. The chemistry felt shallow at best. Guy wasn’t the strongest male lead—in fact, he came across as a bit whiny. What was likely intended to be brooding instead felt irritating.

On the other hand, I loved Lottie. Her confidence and refusal to conform to society’s expectations were refreshing. She was unapologetically herself throughout the entire book, which made me root for her even more. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but feel she deserved better than Guy.

The plot itself seemed to hinge on his family’s matchmaking schemes, which quickly became repetitive. By the halfway point, the story dragged and never really regained momentum.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was so much fun and witty for a historical period romance. It definitely gives a modern day spin & gotta love a good story line! Lottie and Guy were perfect for each other with so much good sexual tension underneath! all the barbs they kept throwing at each other. Guy with anll his mixed signals & fighting those feelings that were oh so clear under the surface! Lottie had so many people in her corner and I loved how there was such a family dynamic. A perfect summer read for history buffs and those alike.

A funny and wacky story about a marriage shy lord, Guy and his aunt’s unconventional companion, Lottie.

I enjoyed this grumpy vs sunshine, slow burn plot with hilarious characters and scenes. Both main characters were easy to fall in love with and the ensemble of ‘eccentric’ supporting characters was a delight.

I love the wit, sarcasm and backbone of the FMC and the banter between her and Guy.

Historical romance lovers will enjoy this.

Charming, playful, and passionate!

Look Before You Leap is a heartwarming, enticing tale that sweeps you away to 1820 and into the life of Lottie Travers, a young woman who, after her love for riding has lost her several previous positions, takes on the role of companion to Lady Frinton, only to find herself near her home in Kent and face-to-face with the dashingly handsome Viscount of Wennington, Lord Guy Harrowby, whose mother and aunt are determined to have wed shortly after his thirtieth birthday.

The prose is sweet and light. The characters are loyal, supportive, and engaging. And the plot is an entertaining tale full of family, friendship, societal expectations, tricky situations, tender moments, desire, trust, and steamy romance.

Overall, Look Before You Leap is a swoon-worthy, uplifting, delightful read by Heath that I devoured from start to finish, and is a wonderful addition to the Miss Pretence’s Protégées series.

⭐ (Story) 5
⭐ (Narrator) 5
🌶️ 1
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 27, 29
📚 Tropes/Themes: just once, viscount x lady's companion, grumpy/sunshine, snarky banter, badass FMC, forbidden romance, forced proximity, regency romance, he falls first, soulmates
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
🎙️ Single narration (Eva Feiler, Shane East)
⏰ Approx 8 hours
🛍️ Available: Now

💬 Oh man, I loved everything about this book. So I was approved for the ebook ARC, but in an effort to catch up on my ARCS I actually listened to the audiobook.... And I swear that made this story a 1000x better.

The narrators did an incredible job 👏🏼👏🏼. Ava filer and Shane East were the ones who narrated the first book also and I loved them in that one so it was a pleasant surprise to hear them read this book as well. The voices that they did!!! especially for Guy's aunt!!! was the best thing ever. They really did an outstanding job of bringing this book to life.

I genuinely think this is one of the best grumpy/sunshine romances I have read, EVER. Like Guy is just so. freaking. grumpy

And I think I like this one better than the first, which is difficult because I really loved the first one too. This one is just so freaking funny 😂😂 The snark and banter between Guy and Lottie is brilliant. I love how she never gives him an inch and gives everything right back to him. And then at the end when they're declaring their love for each other? The way I was cackling hahahaha.

And not just the relationship between the MCs but his aunt especially had me CRACKING UP. I want to be her when I grow up.

And really just the whole premise of the story too is ridiculously hilarious..... All the debutants they're trying to win his favor or ruin him into a marriage 😂😂

Now I need the next book which is hopefully Kitty's? 🤞🏼🤞🏼

I'll always, always be excited for a new Virginia Heath novel. This one, much like its previous installment, was witty and fun to read! I often found myself having to put down my ereader to properly laugh at jokes. The romance between the characters was well balanced since it was both lighthearted (with all of the yearning and pining imaginable) and it gave me a real sense that they saw each other as equals despite their differences in social classes. As always, I do happen to be a sucker for animals in romance novels and I did really enjoy their mutual love of horses. In short: if Virginia Heath is writing it, I'm reading it.

Book Title: Look Before You Leap (Miss Prentice’s Protegees Book 2)
Author(s): Virginia Heath
Publisher(s): St. Martin’s Griffin/Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group

🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I quickly read the first book in the Miss Prentice’s Protegees series prior to starting Look Before You Leap, and it turns out I didn’t actually need to but I’m glad I did! This is one of those interconnected series where the characters do crossover slightly, but our main focus is on our current MC’s story. We are introduced to Lottie in All's Fair in Love and War, but we really dive into her character here since the focus is on her and Lord Guy *swoon* 🥰

🤩 𝚃͏𝚑͏𝚎͏ 𝙱͏𝚎͏𝚜͏𝚝͏ 𝙱͏𝚒͏𝚝͏𝚜͏: First off, I am in love with Virginia Heath’s writing style and the way she constructs her characters. Lottie is a total baddy with lots of sarcasm and sass, especially for the Regency period. And Lord Guy? My heart! Especially at the end where he goes the extra mile made me SO dang happy that I even cried a bit. There is also excellent humor throughout the entire storyline and Heath had me LOLing constantly. The romance itself is very electric, and their chemistry was total chef’s kiss. 👨🏼‍🍳💋 This also includes a fab set of secondary characters, and I am so curious who the author will focus on next!

🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: Eva Feiler & Shane East are back from book 1 and narrate Lottie and Lord Guy respectively. It was a little odd having them for a separate set of characters, but I can’t deny how much I love their narration. They did such an incredible job of not only bringing our MCs to life, but all of the other characters as well that eventually it didn’t feel strange to me, and I loved every minute of the audio.

💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Look Before You Leap is a hilarious and ultimately heartwarming romance with just a touch of open door spiciness, and I am kicking myself for only just now finally reading this author (her Merriwell Sisters series has been on my TBR since it started in 2021). If you are a fan of Regency romances with quirky characters that have a ton of heart, look no further! And absolutely unnecessary to read in order unless you want to. 😉

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🏇🏼🏹😂💘

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌶️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Virginia Heath for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Look Before You Leap coming out June 24, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It took me a while to get in the mood to read this. I enjoyed the first book, but this one didn’t do it for me. I felt a little bored with the characters. I’ve read a lot of books in this genre, so it’s mostly me. I’ll check out other books by this author.

I liked Guy. He seemed like a sensible guy, and is helpful and kind. Lottie was just chaos, but in a nice way. The debs just ugh....

Overall this book was okay, a little humorous and little fiesta.

#netgalley #LookBeforeYouLeap

What a sllloooowww burn romance. This may just not be my genre but nothing interesting happened until the last 30% of the book. I did enjoy the characters themselves and the ending enough but ehhhh. I was hoping for more action throughout the book.