Miss Newbury's List
by Megan Walker
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Pub Date Feb 07 2023 | Archive Date Feb 21 2023
Shadow Mountain Publishing | Shadow Mountain
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Description
Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a romantic connection between two hearts, but Rosalind becoming a duchess will elevate her family’s status to dizzying heights. And the duke is a kind man who will care for Rosalind, even if he doesn’t love her.
She only has three weeks before her life changes forever, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her days. As a child, Ros was inspired by her adventurous Aunt Alice and created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, Ros has done none of them.
She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir.
Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.
With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.
Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a...
Description
Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a romantic connection between two hearts, but Rosalind becoming a duchess will elevate her family’s status to dizzying heights. And the duke is a kind man who will care for Rosalind, even if he doesn’t love her.
She only has three weeks before her life changes forever, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her days. As a child, Ros was inspired by her adventurous Aunt Alice and created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, Ros has done none of them.
She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir.
Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.
With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.
Advance Praise
"Walker dazzles readers with a wonderfully surprising Regency romance about self-discovery and following one's dreams to new beginnings. The fresh premise is an immediate hit, and the exquisitely paced plotline strikes a satisfying balance between pursuit and reflection for its delightful characters. The chemistry between the always proper Rosalind and Charlie positively glows with yearning. It is a resounding success for Walker, whose talent for emotional intricacy and smart wit elevate the standard of excellence in the genre."
—Booklist, starred review
"Rosalind's clear affections for her loved ones contrast with her feelings of dread about the increasing social restrictions she faces. Her sense of duty inspires her. And Charlie, an outcast because of his unconventional choices, ignites her curiosity. His gentlemanly concern for Rosalind's safety; his empathy about her reluctance to become a duchess; and his teasing encouragement to unearth the truer facets of herself result in a warm, playful connection. Their romance is both daring and restrained. Miss Newbury's List is a gentle, moving romance novel that's inspired by kindred companionship and crossroad reckonings."
—Foreword Reviews
"Delightful Regency. Walker's latest sparkles with sweet romantic moments as Rose defies societal and familiar expectations in the name of love. This is a treat."
—Publishers Weekly
"Walker dazzles readers with a wonderfully surprising Regency romance about self-discovery and following one's dreams to new beginnings. The fresh premise is an immediate hit, and the exquisitely...
Advance Praise
"Walker dazzles readers with a wonderfully surprising Regency romance about self-discovery and following one's dreams to new beginnings. The fresh premise is an immediate hit, and the exquisitely paced plotline strikes a satisfying balance between pursuit and reflection for its delightful characters. The chemistry between the always proper Rosalind and Charlie positively glows with yearning. It is a resounding success for Walker, whose talent for emotional intricacy and smart wit elevate the standard of excellence in the genre."
—Booklist, starred review
"Rosalind's clear affections for her loved ones contrast with her feelings of dread about the increasing social restrictions she faces. Her sense of duty inspires her. And Charlie, an outcast because of his unconventional choices, ignites her curiosity. His gentlemanly concern for Rosalind's safety; his empathy about her reluctance to become a duchess; and his teasing encouragement to unearth the truer facets of herself result in a warm, playful connection. Their romance is both daring and restrained. Miss Newbury's List is a gentle, moving romance novel that's inspired by kindred companionship and crossroad reckonings."
—Foreword Reviews
"Delightful Regency. Walker's latest sparkles with sweet romantic moments as Rose defies societal and familiar expectations in the name of love. This is a treat."
—Publishers Weekly
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781639930524 |
PRICE | $15.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 320 |
Additional Information
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781639930524 |
PRICE | $15.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 320 |
Featured Reviews
Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker is a wonderful historical fiction that is a part of the charming Proper Romance series. I loved it!
I have always enjoyed every one of the Proper Romance novels, and this one did not disappoint. This is another English Regency romance novel that engages, entertains, and leaves one with a smile on their face throughout.
I love the threads of historical fiction, mystery, and even a few surprises, that were added to the gentle and slow-burn romance. I also love how Ms. Walker gives the main female character, Rosalind, is given a personality with strengths, hopes, desires, interests, imperfections, and has a mind of her own. I like how through this story, she is also looking within herself to find her sense of identity and future at the same time as finding happiness and romance. This isn’t just a traditional 1820s English romance, it is so much more.
I liked the full cast of characters and the cute concept of completing this list before her marriage. I won’t spoil this for others, but let’s just say that she surprises herself as the boxes are being checked…it is just too cute.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/7/23.
Rosalind (ros) and Charlie made the perfect duo in this book. I loved how our heroine took control of her life, even in proper regency romance England. I love that she had a list of things to do before she got married, not a list of qualities to look for in a man. This was such a good twist on that. I had a list of qualities and was far to focused on that instead of living. I could have done so much more living instead.
Thank you to netgalley for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.We
I love Charlie!!! What a great character. He is flawed yet perfect for Rosalind. He helps her discover her true self and what she really wants out of life. The list idea is brilliant. I loved seeing how Rosalind and Charlie completed each item on the list. Such a fun and romantic book. I would highly recommend!
I luckily got an ARC copy of this book and I decided to let it jump to the top of my TBR. I am so glad I did. This was such a sweet story of love conquering all and that family always comes first.
Miss Newbury is engaged to be married to a powerful handsome and wealthy Duke. She should be excited, but all she can think about is a list she made years ago that contains 10 things she wants to do before she married. Now time is running out and she must complete her list before it is too late. In comes the dashing Mr. Charles Winston, reforming cousin of her best friend/ neighbor Ms. Eliza Ollerton. Together can they finish the list before her wedding day?
This book releases in February and is now up for preorder. I definitely recommend this one!
#MissNewburysList #netgalley
I really loved this book! It was romantic, funny (it made me laugh out loud at parts), suspenseful, and beautifully written. Descriptive without being flowery or distracting. I love the characters that Megan Walker created. Lovely book that I recommend to any lovers of historical romances.
**I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. While I am grateful for the early access, my opinions and words here are my own--as always.**
Miss Newbury's List was so good. I could create lots of hyperbole here to describe the complete satisfaction I had while reading it and at the last sentence, but I won't. Just know this was an enjoyable historical fiction with a good dose of romantic attraction and tension.
Rosalind is the eldest daughter of a gentleman and lady who obediently agrees to marry the duke her father has arranged for her to marry. The alliance would elevate her family's social standing, ensure her safety and security, open doors of opportunity for her brothers careers and marital matches as they came of age, and allow her to wield heavy influence in society her whole life. Without a season in London to find love on her own, skipping the middle madness of the season's marriage mart to go directly to the desired end seemed an obvious best choice.
Perhaps obvious is not always best. Rosalind had more she wanted to do with life before becoming an almost all-powerful duchess of duties to all but herself. Inspired by an idea shared at the wedding of a beloved aunt by the beloved aunt, Rosalind creates a list of ten things to do before she marries. She thought she'd have plenty of time to do those things. But the aforementioned shortcut to the marriage wiped out all the time she had planned on. Time to get down to business. Time to rope a friend, Liza, and her visiting cousin, Charlie, into the adventure.
Ready, set, go!
I always feel a bit guilty when I inhale a book so quickly when I know took the author a long time to write the drafts and suffer through all the edits. But glory it was good.
This was so much fun. I was super tempted at the 60% point to read the end to reassure myself this was worth the emotional investment. But I didn't. I kept reading.
The ending was nicely done. I'm not sharing anything here. Just...thank you, Megan, for making it happen as it did. I loved every character that was introduced and the way they gave insight into other characters and prior plot points.
Seriously, I have high praise for the crafting of it, the characters, the settings, pacing, and conflict.
As usual, there was a supporting character not given much page time, but just enough that I was curious about their background and future. I've already asked the author to please write their story ASAP.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to rereading Rosalind's story more than once.
Stop it this book was so cute! Megan Walker wrote one of my top two favorite Regency romances ever so to say I was excited for a new book is a huge understatement! I am so happy to say I was not in any way disappointed. I absolutely devoured this one and enjoyed every moment. Charlie was so so so utterly swoony and sweet Rosalind - so much respect for her heart! I can't wait for everyone to read this one! Congrats to the author on knocking another one right out of the park!
Review with photo with be posted to IG closer to pub date.
A solid 3 1/2 stars.
Rosalind is engaged to be married to a duke, much to her family's delight and advantage.
After finding an old list she wrote when she was only 12, inspired by an aunt who was bold, she decides to do everything on that list with her best friend Liza's help.
Liza's cousin Charlie is staying with the family after getting in trouble boxing, and he gets involved in helping Rosalind accomplish the items on said list.
I think I would have liked it better if Rosalind would have updated her list instead of stubbornly following everything she'd written as a child. It would have been more meaningful.
It has some funny scenes and tender moments, and kept me interested until the end.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
No surprise, this new Megan Walker regency romance is fantastic! Megan is an engaging and entertaining writer and this novel does not disappoint!
Rosalind Newbury must do what is best for her family. And what is best is marrying a neighboring duke to unite their families. She does not love him, but she does love her family. Remembering her aunt's advise from year prior, she finds a list of ten adventures to complete before she marries. She gets her neighbor and best friend, Eliza, to help in her endeavors, but that also includes her friends wayward cousin, Charlie.
Charlie Winston, is running away from his family and duty. He does not want the responsibility that has been given to him following the death of his brother. There is no way he can live up to his brother's example. Charlie finds himself at his cousins home, who is trying to reform him, and meets the beautiful and alluring Miss Newbury.
Intrigued by her and her list of adventures, he agrees to help finish the list before her wedding day.
This is a sweet story of a young woman, trying to do her family proud, but feeling lost. A true feeling for many of us today, trying to be something we are not, trying to fit in, or just trying to fill our souls.
Rosalind is to marry a Duke, but remembers a list of things she made when she was 12 to do before she is married. She determined to complete that list. Ros is full of life and spunk, and feels the completion of this list will make her complete and ready to move forward with the life her parents want for her.
But sometimes our lives go down different paths, and experiences change us, as happens with Ros. Her excitement for life and adventure introduce her to new ideas, but can it all work out?
This is sweet, clean, and a good book on realizing what is truly important in life and of trusting family, because you never know...
This book was so great. I love Megan Walker's historical proper romances. They are well written with great Characters. I love the plot with Miss. Newberry trying to finish her list before she has to get married and in the process falls in love. If you love historical romances then you will love this book.
You know the Christmas movie Elf, when Buddy is shouting "I'M IN LOVE, I'M IN LOVE AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT?!" I feel like this is the perfect way to describe how much I loved this book. I adored Rosalind and Charlie, I love seeing their relationship grow and change. It was fabulous!
This book is a breath of nostalgia. Anyone who ever wrote a bucket list as a child can relate to Miss Newbury and her list of things she wants to do or accomplish before she gets married.
With her wedding date looming, Rosalind Franklin frantically for a list of things she wants to do before she becomes a duchess including learning how to swim and witnessing a scandal...
When I saw Megan Walker had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it as soon as possible. I couldn't have been more delighted with the story and the hours I spent within its pages. It's a beautiful story of redemption and self discovery wrapped up in a sweet love story!
I flew through this book in one day and was not disappointed!! Miss Newbury’s List is a sweet romance with vibrant characters and a steady plot that captivated me through the whole book. Character development is something that I often find missing or shallow in many historical romances, but this book does not fall into that category. The characters are not perfect saints, and show realistic personalities making Ros and Charlie perfect compliments for each other. This book is light enough to read after a long day, but also has depth and lots of heart and even some action! Highly recommend, will be keeping my eye on this author.
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!
Such a sweet story. I loved this whole thing. The characters, the story and the writing. It was all very good. I couldn't predict what would happen. Charlie was such an amazing leading man. I just loved his need to help her with her list. This is a proper romance with some sweet kisses. I loved the growing love between them. You could feel it and see it unfold.
What a beautifully written love story. I love the idea of a bucket list before she weds. This story had me laughing, crying, and quickly turning pages to find out what was next. I Definitely recommend this one.
Miss Newbury's List was such a sweet read! I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it! The Romance between Rosalind and Charlie is beautifully written and felt real. It's amazing what a silly list could do! All the silly and sweet moments that they have together make up for a wonderful story, a heart skipping romance, and a brilliant book!
Thanks to Netgally and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advanced copy of this marvelous read.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4582145019
This was a lovely book! I loved the concept of the list and it was so fun to read about Rosalind accomplishing each goal. The romance was so sweet! Also this is kind of random but I love all of the characters’ names haha Megan Walker is an amazing author who knows how to write the cutest scenes and compelling characters! Rosalind’s relationships with her family were so endearing. There were also so many scenes that made me laugh. If you loved Lakeshire Park like I did, definitely put this at the top of your list!
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. I was kot required to post a positive review.
This utterly delightful! I feel Walker hit it out of the park with Lakeshire Park and her second novel is much the same Automatically making her an auto-buy author for eternity.
📝
Megan really packs a punch (pun intended) into my Proper Romance expectations. There’s a swoony hero, funny moments, such good clean chemistry that is completely satisfying, full story that was unpredictable. A few times I thought I’d need to throw my phone from reading the w-arc if things didn’t go how I wanted it too. And someone definitely needed to be punched! (@prone to read is rubbing off on me). 😂
📝
While having a list to cross off before Rosalind weds may be juvenile, she really is at the beginning of the book. She’s happy to follow through for her family which is commendable but by the end, she’s a young women who knows her own mind.
📝
I appreciated some “new” scenes in a Regency like placing the watercolor painting and eating the cheesecake.
📝
Thank you to the publisher Shadow Mountain and Net Galley for the e-arc. This book releases FEBRUARY 2023 and seems so long! I will definitely be buying the paperback. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
“Puglisists were not men of good standing, they were desperate men from the working class who risked their lives fighting for money and a moment of fame, not gentlemen with dimples in their cheeks and eyes that brightened when they smiled.”
When Rosalind Newbury was young, her aunt encouraged her to make a list of things she wanted to do before she married. With her marriage approaching, Ros began to feel uneasy, as though there was something missing or maybe she’s not quite ready to make this leap. So she resolves to finish The List. The only problem? Her best friend is occupied with entertaining her infuriating puglisist cousin for the summer and when the first thing Ros attempts to cross off her list nearly results in her drowning, she knows there’s no way she can do this alone.
So she recruits the infuriating puglists cousin (Charlie Winston) to help her, instead. Only Charlie is not the arrogant rake that first impressions seemed to suggest.
I loved every minute of this story. With my long TBR sometimes I lose sight of why I read and books become, ‘just another one to get off the list’. With “Miss Newbury’s List,” I made the deliberate decision to savor the act of reading and not just the act of pressing ‘read’ on Goodreads.
The result? You cannot imagine my dismay at how quickly the halfway mark descended upon me.
This story was an utter delight. There’s something about how Megan Walker writes relationship dynamics that just really *works*. Whether it’s between siblings, cousins, friends or family, the tensions and push and pull of their relationships were so tangible and ‘real’.
Charlie is the very definition of ‘looks like he could kill you, is a cinnamon roll,” (iykyk), and I absolutely adore the friendship that developed between him and Rosalind. I loved how they were able to be silly with each other one moment, and have deep, hard conversations the next. I’m sure I spent half the book grinning to myself. If Rosalind isn’t smitten with this puglisist, I sure am.
If you're looking for your next “cozy read,” this is it.
I was so wonderfully give this book from NetGalley for an honest review!
Oh My Freaking Word. This is everything. We have banter, charm, the regency era stuff, the gown, the romance. I loved it all. The writing was amazing and the plot was amazing. The main character, Rosalind, is so much fun and very relatable. I could connect with her and her family was so sweet. I loved Liza and Charlie had me sobbing over how sweet he was. Charlie is what ever women should look for in a husband- he funny, sweet, and cares about what Rosalind wanted. I loved everything about this book and read it so much quicker than I have been reading.
#MissNewburyslist #netgalley
This is my all time favorite book, the plot was so engaging and the characters were rich! I drew out my reading of this book because I didn't want it to end. I'm a major fan of Megan Walker and I'll read anything that she writes, she truly has a gift! I fell in love from the very first page until the end, I wish I could give this 10 stars!
This book was amazing and deserves all the stars! It was funny, charming and just so sweet. I wasn’t sure if this could top Lakeshire Park but I think it just might have. The chemistry between the characters just flew off the page. Megan Walker has quickly become an auto buy author for me and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this book.
Delightful! I had high expectations after reading Lakeshire Park by this author, and I was not disappointed! I loved Ros and Charlie’s story. Charlie has such a good heart. And the friendships and family ties throughout the book were almost as good as the romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this book! The review is entirely my own opinions.
"Miss Newbury's List" by Megan Walker follows Rosalind Newbury in her final weeks before she marries a duke 10 years her senior. It is her duty to do so to elevate her family's status in society. But, how can she marry a man that she doesn't know? How can she marry so soon when she hasn't even begun to live? She finds a wish list that she's created since childhood and is determined to complete the list and live a little before taking on responsibilities as a duchess. She enlists her best friend Liza and Liza's cousin Charlie, who happens to be a boxer, to help her complete the list. As their adventure progresses, sparks fly between her and Charlie which causes her to ponder if she should put her duty to her family or her happiness first.
-This book was a delightful and quick read. It was so easy to get caught up in the shenanigans of the characters and journey along with them on this adventure. I did find that I struggled a bit with the characters maturity, they seemed so young to be taking on such major responsibilities, but I know that is how it was in that era. The supporting characters were exactly that. This story was about Rosalind and Charlie, and as lead characters, they held their own.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit of Regency with clean romance!
3.75 stars
This book started out slowly and was hard for me to get into because the characters didn't draw me in. It picked up about halfway through and I really enjoyed the last quarter of the book.
Megan Walker is such an awesome and entertaining writer! This story includes lots of wit, humor and swoon worthy romance. It took me a little bit at the beginning to get very invested in the characters. If this is the case for you please don’t give up! The more you come to know Ros and Charlie the more you will come to love them and root for their success!
I liked that the plot was unpredictable with some major twists and surprises! There was suspense and even danger. If you enjoy A Proper Romance this is a don’t miss read. Thanks to #NetGalley and #ShadowMountain for an advance review copy. Most of all thank you to Megan Walker for your great imagination in providing such entertaining stories. If you haven’t read it you will want read Lakeshire Park as well.
Megan Walker does it again!
Such a sweet love story! Miss Newbury’s List was a story I thought would be predictable - but I didn’t anticipate things happening the way they did! I loved getting caught up in Rosalind’s world and falling for Charlie right along with her. The romance in this book is sweet and satisfying, and will be right up there with Lakeshire Park for me.
Read it for the:
-humor
-sweet romance with great chemistry
-entertaining and original plot
I was late to work because of this book. I do not regret it.
I was drawn in by the tone of the novel. Walker’s writing style is refreshing, as she balances light-hearted moments with comedic situations, yearning, and angst -yet never sacrificing the romantic elements. This made her characters come alive and off the pages for me. I was pleasantly surprised by how the plot played out by the end, and it was difficult to keep the grin off my face.
Charlie and Rosalind were layered characters. Both with seemingly different outlooks on life and how your choices shape it, Charlie and Rosalind grow as people as the story progresses. Their romance was sweet, yet lacked no chemistry. I really liked that their relationship was paced and grew stronger organically. They were strangers with different opinions, to friends, and then something more. And I was all for it.
Charlie was an ideal hero. Estranged from his family and living a life that revolved around boxing, he comes off as irresponsible at first to Rosalind. But Walker works wonders again in creating a leading man that was noble, loyal, and swoon-worthy. Did I mention he’s a Boxer? Well, he is, so bonus.
Rosalind really grew on me. She was determined to provide her family with the best possible life they could have, even if that meant she marry a Duke she barely knew. She was selfless, but not a pushover. She was also witty and fun. Without spoiling too much, I will only say I was rooting for her and am so happy Megan Walker brought a fresh take to the engagement storyline.
Lovable side characters, a ‘things-to-do before marriage’ list, solid writing, and sweet romance, this is not one to pass up. I highly recommend.
Final Rating: 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for proving me with a complimentary e-book version of Miss Newbury’s List. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A beautiful regency romance, a masterpiece! Who wouldn't fall in love with Charlie and Rosalind?! Rosalind is about to marry a duke and feels the desperate need to complete a childhood list of things to do before she says I do. Charlie a man torn between what he needs to do and fleeing from it, finds a new friend in Rosalind and so much more! Highly recommend this story, your heart will will go pitter patter!!
So Rosalind is set to make an impressive match and marry a duke, thus elevating her whole family. Before she does, she has a list of things she wants to cross off a school girl list. Along for the ride are her friend Liza and Liza's cousin Charlie. Now I have to say, I didn't care for Ros or Liza through a good chunk of the book. I was like, these girls think they should be getting married? They seemed incredibly young and sheltered, afraid to do anything remotely unladylike, and stubborn in the worst way. I didn't think they should be contemplating matrimony for a good while. A game of pall mall was thrilling for heavens sakes. So Rosalind's growth through the story is really what this book is about. Yes, of course there's a love interest, it's a regency romance, but by the end, Ros has gotten to know herself and her wants and desires. When she stands up for herself, it's believable, and I felt like she had earned it. Charlie meanwhile is always likeable. First person narratives aren't usually my favorite unless it's a mystery. I like seeing the hero's perspective too, but in this it works, because Ros is the one who needs to grow and have the character progression. Oftentimes in this genre, the plots are, girl finds duke and gets engaged. This starts off there and then examines whether it's all the crack. Good premise, good execution, all around good stuff here. Somewhere between a 4 and a 4.5 for me. I received an ARC from Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for review.
Divine. Delightful. Romantic. Funny. Sweet. Lovely.
Just some of the words I’d use to describe @meganwalkers newest book! I adored every page! The love interest’s banter and tension were so good, and the side characters a delight. Did I already say delight? Well I’m doubling down on my delight! I couldn’t put it down and would definitely recommend to any Regency romance fans!
What an amazing fun exciting book to read. .. just a little different twist , and I couldn’t put it down ..
loved the characters and the story line. I could feel as if I was right there with them , doing the wish list ..
great book
4.5 STARS
This was such a comfort read! I purposely took my time at certain parts just to make the story last. I love first-person POV from the heroine's perspective, especially in regencies, and I loved the flow of this book.
The list did seem a bit silly at times, but I just laughed those bits off. Charlie and the tension between him and Rosaline were perfect. And the ending. *sigh*
Highly recommend for fans of clean regency romance!
*I received a complimentary e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
4 Stars!! Such a sweet historical romance with a friends to lovers spin. I loved the main characters, Rosalind/Ros and Charlie, and their families. Ros is engaged to a Duke and before she marries wants to do things on a sort of pre-marriage bucket list. She ropes her friend, Liza, and Liza’s cousin Charlie into helping. The one that had me laughing was the eating as many sweets in one sitting as she wants. That’s something I would have done and I loved that scene - so funny. A clean read with no ‘sexy times’, plenty of adventure, fights, attempted murder, blackmail and wrapped up with an HEA ending. Definitely worth reading.
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
MISS NEWBURY’S LIST by MEGAN WALKER is an absolute delight, full of great characters, with a lovely story, and set in the English Regency period. This is the first novel I have read by this author and it most definitely will not be the last.
The beautiful Rosalind Newbury has caught the eye of an earl and has become engaged to the Duke of Marlow, who she has only met twice, and has made her parents and brother Benjamin ecstatically happy as they will gain status in society with her marriage.
Rosalind, encouraged by the list her aunt Alice worked through before she was married, makes her own list from one to ten which she encourages her best friend and neighbour Liza Ollerton and her battered cousin, Charlie Winston, to help her work through. She feels it is necessary to complete the list before she settles down as a married woman. Being an accomplished young lady, and in her preparations to succeed as a duchess, she acknowledges, “I’d been so focused on my accomplishments that I had forgotten my dreams”. She says that she has never felt so alive in her life as she is now as she pursues the dreams she has written in her list. She feels she is becoming wholly herself for the first time in her life, although she is concerned about all the lies she is telling her family.
Charlie Winston is a broken man after the death of his older brother. He soon gets caught up in Rosalind’s list and helps her to get over her fears.
Benjamin, Ros’s younger brother, is another delightful character. …..
I highly recommend Miss Newbury’s List as a most enjoyable historical romance novel
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
This book was great, I really enjoyed every last word. Rosalind is to marry a Duke but but first she wants to complete a list of things she wants to do before she is married. Charlie (who isn't the duke) helps her complete her list. Their friendship is just so cute. I will probably add this to my list of books to re-read. I enjoyed that much.
Loved loved this book! So sweet and just a delightful read. I love Ros and Charlie’s friendship - would read this again and again.
WOW. This book was another smash hit by Megan Walker! This book has EVERYTHING I love in a regency romance! I devoured this book. I loved the idea of completing the bucket list, I haven’t seen this done in a regency romance before! I will definitely be writing this book again soon!
Is being a duchess worth the cost?
That is the question Rosalind needs to answer and she is sure the answer is yes. With the marriage her social standing is elevated along with that of her family. She will have power, influence, wealth and security. Her family will gain power and influence. Everything will be as she and her family have ever wanted and love was never part of that equation. Only she is unsettled about the marriage that is fast approaching. Remembering her Aunt Alice and how she made a list of things to accomplish and experience before she was wed, Rosalind writes her own list and sets out to complete with the help of her friend Liza and Liza’s cousin Charles. With only three weeks until the wedding Rosalind is unsure if she can complete it or if it will bring the peace and acceptance of her future that she desires. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.
If you love the Proper Romance collection of books or clean love stories, run and get this book. It was such a fun and engaging read!
Rosalind has a list of things she wants to do before she gets married, some seemingly impossible in the three weeks left before her wedding to a duke she barely knows. She thinks completing this list will make her feel ready to sacrifice herself on the family altar for a title. ...But that's all before she meets Charlie, her dearest friend's wayward cousin. He rescues her from drowning and helps her with her list, all while challenging her to realize that completing the list will never make her ready to marry a man she does not love.
Charlie and Rosalind were such fun characters with amazing chemistry and sweet friendship. I loved how they encouraged each other to face their fears and failures. I also loved that the author included Liza, Rosalind's best friend, in the story as an important character and confidant. Often women in romances don't have close female friends, and I love that this story was the exact opposite of that. The end hints that Liza's story will be coming soon, and I will absolutely pre-order that as soon as I see it available.
I loved this book and had such a fun time reading it. I will definitely recommend to friends and anyone who loves a fun, clean romance.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Miss Newbury has made a match to be envious of, before having even her first season. The problem is: she barely knows his intended, the Duke of Marlow, and she is missing the feeling of excitement that such a match would provoke.
She is sure that if only she completes this list of dreams she had before the marriage, she will finally make peace and become a glowing bride. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, and her cousin Charles, and slowly makes progress towards completing items on it.
It is heavily focused on the growing relationship between the main characters - no complains about it here. In some regency romances I've read - and I read quite a bit of them - I miss seeing the main couple having enough meaningful interactions to make me believe they are actually in love and not just infatuated with each other. That was not the case with this book, as you can easily see the sentiment growing between each other with each interaction. They are both likable characters, as are both their families, and very honest with their feelings. I can see where they were coming from when processing their feelings, and sympathize with their struggles. I could not dislike even the duke, who we actually don't see a whole lot.
If you like Regency romance, I would definitely recommend this book. Just make sure you start with time during a free day - I am super tired at work having spend the whole night reading...
I received an arc from NG and the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.
Had a great time reading this book! The characters and their personalities are just awesome. The bucket list concept was something new I read in a regency romance so I was hooked instantly. The chemistry our leads had was great. Congrats to the author for a great book!
Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker has everything I could have ever wanted in a proper romance book! Engaging scenes, heart melting moments, a little humor, and all the regency details that make the time period so interesting.
The author has this amazing ability to pull you into the story and make you want to continue reading until the very last page. From the moment I started reading, I knew I was going to fall in love with this story. Her characters have such depth and you can't help but feel every emotion the character is feeling. The love story between Rosalind and Charlie is so sweet and heartwarming. To be honest I didn't think there would ever be a couple that I would hold in such high regard as Amelia and Peter in Lakeshire Park. However, Megan Walker does it again and I love Rosalind and Charlie just as much!
Rosalind Newbury has agreed to marry the Duke of Marlow, a man she barely knows, in hopes of pleasing her family and elevating their status. When she unearths a childhood wish list, she makes it her mission to complete it with only three weeks to spare before her wedding. She enlists the help of her best friend Liza and Charlie (Liza's cousin).
Rosalind is such a kind and utterly selfless woman. She loves her family deeply, but her decision to marry has clearly left her unsettled. I felt incredibly bad for what Rosalind was going through. She was so deeply unhappy with her decision and I can see why she chose to focus on something other than her wedding. Charlie is the perfect man for Rosalind. He is so charming, adventurous, and kind. Though he has troubles of his own, he helps Rosalind to complete her list. They forge an unlikely friendship and a deep connection through their shared experiences. I loved their banter and teasing manner towards one another as well as their ability to share a vulnerable side of themselves. Rosalind and Charlie's story felt realistic and their connection genuine. And I can't help thinking about all of the sweet and swoony scenarios these two were put into!
Reading a book like this reminds me of why I feel in love with the whole proper romance genre in the the first place. I could go on and on, but really there aren't enough of words to describe how much I adored this book. It put the biggest smile on my face and made my heart happy.
I feel incredibly lucky to have had a chance to read this book. Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for my advanced readers copy of Miss Newbury's List in exchange for my honest review.
"Miss Newbury's List" started with a fun, unique premise: Rosalind Newbury is betrothed to a duke she barely knows, duty-bound to help advance her family's standing by bringing a title and noble connections with her marriage. Even though she feels like she should be happy, Ros can't help but remember the advice of her Aunt Alice: make a list of things to accomplish before she gets married and leaves behind her comfortable, normal life to one lived under the constant scrutiny expected for a duchess. She enlists the help of her best friend Liza, and Liza's disgraced cousin Charlie to help her finish her list of ten items. Things get complicated quickly, and even her best intentions go awry in pursuit of completing the list before the wedding.
A solid entry in the Regency romance genre, with a sweet romance suitable for all ages. It was entertaining and well-written, with engaging characters and an interesting premise. I did find that it dragged a bit through the middle, but not enough for me to stop reading. A solid effort, and a good recommendation for fans of Regency romance.
I loved this book the entire way through! This book follows Rosalind as she is preparing to marry a Duke, but first she must complete her “list”she created as a young girl. Partnered up with her best friend, Liza, and Charlie, Liza’s handsome cousin Ros plans to accomplish everything on her list before her wedding date. There were some really fun, playful scenes between Ros and Charlie and fun adventures throughout the whole book! If you love a good regency romance this should definitely move to the top of your list!
A sweet, well imagined tale of finding love when it seemed like the future was already mapped out…
Rosalind believes she is content with her engagement to a duke she barely knows— after all, it will assist her family immeasurably in society. But to help settle her feelings, she hunts down an old list she made as a child. Ten things she meant to do before she married. Ten things to reassure her that she’s lived her own life and enjoyed her own freedom.
When she tries to enlist the help of her neighbor and friend Eliza, she meets Eliza’s cousin Charlie— a young man with a troubled past and uncertain future who nonetheless shows glimpses of being a gentleman. Charlie, Eliza, and Rosalind form an uneasy trio as they check off items on Rosalind’s list.
Sometimes silly, sometimes sweet, the items on the list seem to draw Charlie and Ros closer and closer… even as Ros’ wedding day approaches.
This was a fun and very readable book. I think Megan Walker has a gift for describing scenes in a way that’s very easy to visualize, so that the pages fly by! First person narration is not my favorite, but this was a nice story.
Get ready to not want to put this book down. Finally a refreshing regency romance with a new story and plenty of swoon moments. The witty banter between Charlie and Rosalind will have you laughing out loud eithout meaning to. Such a beautiful story about discovering one's self, uncovering the best in people, and learing to follow your heart. I already want to read this again and what ever the author writes next!
Miss, Newbury's List by Megan Walker follows Rose as she embarks on one last adventure before marriage to a duke. She is trapped in an engagement she isn't sure she wants, she dreams instead of freedom and living in harmony with someone she loves.
Her adventure, alongside a best friend, allows her to do things she was never allowed to do, and boy are her reactions to get to do these things so heartwarming. I was constantly awwing. We later get to meet the best friend, Lia's cousin, Charlie....and the sparks FLY. They pierced into my heart, not lying.
Everything about them is just so CUTE and lovely. So darn jealous of them...and they aren't even REAL. UGH
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Meghan Walker and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this advanced copy.
This was a delightfully different story where Miss Newbury has a bucket list to complete before she is to marry a Duke that will benefit her family. She has a good friend who lives in the neighboring estate and her neighbors cousin. Together they complete the list of things to do before she is married.
This story was beautifully written with an aspect of fun that is sometimes missing. This is not a typical Regency as we are not going through the season and she is already engaged.
The bucket list itself is creative and daring and definitely written when she was much younger.
The story leads to an ending that is unexpected and yet expected, but it is hard to know how it is going to get there with the strictures and rules of society.
Megan Walker's follow up to Lakeshire Park is refreshing and new. She can find a story in a way that has not been told and it is delightful; I highly recommend this and plan to buy it at my first opportunity.
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.
It was worth the wait for another great read from the author of Lakeshire Park. The premise didn't grab me at the first, but the characters did. Rose is engaged to be married and thinks completing her bucket list before she gives her life away to her husband will allow her to start married life feeling fulfilled. My worldview approaches happiness and fulfillment differently and kept me from fully engaging with the plot. Although the HEA was fully expected, I didn't know how it would be reached, and I enjoyed the process of discovery and how consistent the characters were with themselves and the period while surprising the reader. It was nice to see Rose and Charlie choose character over their personal feelings and actually be respectful and even submissive to the rules of propriety. I was invested in their relationship and enjoyed the journey.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Well if this isn't just a delightful historical romance romp! I stumbled upon this one during a random visit to NetGalley and that cover just hooked me. I mean, how stinking beautiful is that?! It’s beyond gorgeous, and if my magpie brain hasn’t snagged on it I might have missed out on a truly lovely adventure and romance between Rosalind and Charlie.
As always huge thanks to my pals at NetGalley for the arc, thoughts below are my own!
I’ve read a lot of historical romances in the last two years, and so far I’ve found few that have melded wit, swoons, heart and a great plot together while torturing my heart the right amount. Well friends I am happy to say that Miss Newbury’s List hit all those points and more for me!
Rosalind is engaged. To a Duke. To a Duke that really wants a small plot of land her family is in possession of. She’s agreed to wed to not only appease this Duke but by marriage ensure her family becomes titled and is set up for many future generations. There’s only one slight problem: she’s having major second thoughts. With a small flashback to favourite Aunt Alice and the titular list, Rosalind (Miss Newbury if you’re proper) is resolute. She’s going to complete all the things her heart desires before the inevitable: her upcoming marriage.
We pretty quickly meet Charlie, a ragamuffin if ever there was one, and soon these two are forced together to work through this list. There are so many great moments throughout this book. There’s daring rescues (from Ros AND Charlie). There is caretaking. There is some extremely hot knuckle grazing hand holds. The hero gets clocked in the face by an expert punch thrown by the heroine. There is binge eating, and then regretting your life choices. There’s that letter. And there is the deep heart smashing joy of finding the love of your life through it all.
I was expecting more of a stressful AF love triangle, with the set up of her already being betrothed, but happily I can report this one is a low angst, low spice (just kissing), love story that lived up to its gorgeous cover. Great for fans of Anne Gracie, Sabrina Jeffries and Amanda Quick, Miss Newbury’s List is bound to hit you in the feels and have you cheering along as Ros and Charlie complete her list and find each other along the way.
Be sure to grab your copy of Miss Newbury’s List wherever you get your books, when it hits stores February 7th 2023.
4.5/5
Ahh! I so enjoyed this book! Rosalind was a little silly and perhaps naïve. But she was fun! And I LOVED Charlie. He was such a good character! I loved watching him fall in love with her even before she realized her own feelings. I appreciated how they were both able to work through their challenges together and help one another. Just so sweet and so fun! I loved it!
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and all opinions are my own*
This book immediately gave me Jane Austen vibes with some Anne of Green Gables type hijinx thrown in. It was a delightful, sweet story. Now I’m hoping for a book about that couple at the end!! 😉
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I never get tired of the Proper Romance collection by Shadow Mountain Publishing. Each story is unique and reminds me of the absolute pleasure it is to read stories that our beloved Jane Austen would be proud of.
I loved this story of unexpected love.
Rosalind thinks she knows what she wants in life and is committed to doing what will bring her family happiness and honor. But when she enlists the help of her friend and her friend's cousin to help her complete a list of tasks she is determined to complete before her marriage to a Duke, Rosalind discovers that maybe, just maybe, what she really wants from life is to love and be loved.
I think what I loved most about this story was Rosalind's family. I loved her commitment to her family and her relationship with Ben but mostly I loved how they rallied together in the end.
I enjoyed the relationship between Ros and Charlie and how they seemed to bring out the best in each other. To be with someone who you can be completely and truly yourself with is beautiful. I loved the changes in Charlie and how raw and honest he was about himself.
The story was engaging and fun. The characters were endearing and loveable.
Megan Walker has delivered another Regency must read with this one!
I think my expectations were too high going into this book.
Let's be honest, I always have pretty high expectations when I read a regency/period romance.
Because I've read SO many, I'm not usually easy to please.
basically, it had some swoon worthy and lovely moments but nothing that really inspired me.
I can see why a lot of people will love this, but it just fell a little flat for me.
WHAT I LIKED:
-The atmosphere and setting were lovely and well written
-The main characters were lovable and fun.
-It started out strong and I was hooked by the 3rd chapter
-The romance moments were sweet and adorably tender.
-LOVE a good masquerade ball moment.
THESE QUOTES:
"I'm not as good as you.... I'm a mess."
"The sacrifice of integrity for liberation."
"...It is the attempt, the strokes we did not mean to make, that leave us with unexpected beauty."
WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:
(These will seem very vague, but I can't go into details without spoiling it)
-The characters were lovely but didn't have enough depth for me.
-There was a dramatic moment towards the end of the book that I felt was thrown in simply for dramatics.
-There was a super cheesy moment for me that I didn't like.
-I felt like there were some missed opportunities.
-The resolution to conflict at the end felt rushed and one sided? this one is harder to explain. haha!
-There's a moment towards the end that is supposed to be huge turning point and I'm sorry, but it fell so flat. I think this is what really disappointed me.
This comes out February 2023 and if you generally like regency romance, you'll probably like this one.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Characters - 8
Atmosphere/Setting - 9
Writing Style - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 7
Logic/Relationships - 7
Enjoyment – 8
Total: 44
Divided by 7 = 6.2 (3 stars)
1.1-2.2 *
2.3-4.5 **
4.6-6.9 ***
7.0-8.9 ****
9.0-10 *****
**Review will be published February 2nd, 2023 on my site and socials**
BEAUTIFUL.
Oh this is one of my favorite regencies of the year!! Just add it to the list now because it is faaaabulous. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.
I tend to struggle if the main character is in a relationship, but somehow Walker plotted this out in the best way possible. I was easily drawn in the right directions. The Duke can GO.
But Charlie? HE CAN STAY. I am smitten with that man. He was utterly adorable, sweet and kind. I loved the addition of pugilists as part of the plot and how committed he was to helping Ros complete her list. All of the antics they got up to just brought a smile to my face. And there’s a BALL. We all know those are my kryptonite.
There was even some intense action!? I was GLUED to my screen, holding my breath waiting for the next moment everything would be okay. I can’t get over how well this story was told. Everything unfolded at the right pace with the scenes lined up exactly as I hoped. Even that ENDING, with her family?! It was such a unique breath of fresh air to the genre where the family members are sometimes the worst. The support and love that Ros was surrounded by definitely brought some tears to my eyes.
READ IT. LOVE IT.
Overall audience notes:
Regency Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: knife violence, loss of a sibling (off screen, recounted), grief
Megan Walker is magic! I had previously read Lakeshire Park, loved it, and was eagerly awaiting another book. Miss Newbury's List did not disappoint! I was immediately sucked in to the story and couldn't put it down. The writing is superb and flows so well. I really appreciated that there is NO choppy conversation, repetitive phrases, unbelievable dialogue, or frustrating miscommunications. The story is touching and sweet. It is of course a clean book, but has all the right chemistry and feels. If I could ask for anything in the future from Megan, it would maybe be a dual point of view book because I was dying to know what was going on in Charlie's head. All in all, I 100% recommend this book to all lovers of regency romance!
This was such a delightful, charming book. I absolutely loved her first novel, Lakeshire Park, so was eagerly awaiting the release of her second novel. It did not disappoint! While it’s hard to top Lakeshire Park, I really enjoyed Miss Newbury’s list. Charlie and Rosalind were SO fun! I loved how the friendship developed in the beginning and than later into love towards the end. The banter and playfulness between the two characters made this book. And the ending was so very swoon worthy! Not to mention the author demonstrates so well just how flawed and not perfect people can be. Shadow mountain is becoming one of my favorite publishers for their proper romance books. They have some of the best regency romances that are guaranteed to be sweet and clean reads that still make you feel all the emotional feels. Thanks to netgalley for the early Arc. Was thrilled to get to read and review this one!
I am a mom of 3 young children and I stayed up till 5am to finish this book and I don't regret it one bit. It was absolutely perfect and wonderful in every way.
Miss Newberry A.K.A. Ros (love that nickname) is engaged to be married to a Duke who will bring a name and status to her family. Ros is resigned to her fate but desires to finish a bucket list of sorts before she gets married. She enlists her friend and her friends cousin Charlie (a boxer estranged from his family for a time) to help her complete the list. Charlie is stubborn and cocky at first but he becomes utterly charming and helpful by the end. Walker wrote the most beautiful slow burn romance into this book and I believe I will read it often. So many sweet moments... I loved the scene at the cliffs of the sea and also the picnic of sweets. It was all so witty and Ros and Charlie really complement each other well. Loved the resolution to this book. I expect this one to fly off the shelves. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
If historical romance is a favourite genre, this book is for you! This book was funny and charming. Sure to draw you in.
Rosalind Newbury is engaged to be married to the Duke of Morrow. In less than 2 weeks her life will chance forever. She remembers her Aunt giving Rosalind advice at her wedding to make a list of things she's always wanted to do and do them - before she marries. So Rosalind decides now is time and finds her list from years ago, discovering that all of them are things she still want to complete. She convinces her best friend to help her, but she's in charge of watching a trouble making cousin, Charlie, so he happens to come along on the adventures. As they make their way through Rosalind's list, she starts doubting her marriage, and obligation to her family, particularly as she gets to know Charlie better and understand that he may just be misunderstood. A real friendship, and romance, is starting and Rosalind has to decide what she really wants.
#indigoemployee
I had a lot of hopes and expectations for Miss Newbury's List because I LOVED Megan Walker's first book, and let me tell you, she did not disappoint!
This story felt so fresh and original! Not only did this book offer us a beautiful slow-burn romance between Rosalind and Charlie, but we also got a story of Rosalind learning to live out her dreams and finding herself before marriage. And Charlie is THE sweetest and is also working through so many things in his life. Charlie is working to overcome his past while Roz is taking hold of her future! This book was very real and relatable!
I loved the friendship that blossomed between Roz and Charlie and then how it turned to love! Again, very real and heartfelt! I also loved the adventure and suspense at the end of this book! Very gripping and well written!
This book was like the sweetest warm hug and I enjoyed it immensely from beginning to end!
Megan Walker is a wonderful writer, someone I always recommend to my friends just beginning their foray into regency romance. I thought Charles and Ros made a great couple and loved the way they were characterized. Many moments were simply swoon-worthy! I know I will be recommending this book to many of my friends in the coming months.
4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this book. I didn't get into quite as quickly as I liked, but Miss Walker's writing is engaging, and it was a fun premise. I was also curious how things were going to be arranged in a satisfactory way. Well done, Miss Walker!
A light, predictable historic romance. The story was sweet, though Ros at times felt a little naive, even considering her somewhat sheltered upbringing. It was a quick, enjoyable read. I particularly liked the refreshing (though quite possibly anachronistic) support of her family.
This was SUCH a delightful book! The premise is so fun - that Ros wants to complete a "bucket list" of things she wants to accomplish before her arranged marriage to a virtual stranger.
I loved everything about it - the list, Ros and her personality, the chemistry between Ros and Charlie, and the adventures they have while working on the list. It kept me turning pages the whole time!
I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves clean Regency romances!
Thank you to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Megan Walker for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!
With marriage to a duke she hardly knows looming in the very near future, Rosalind Newbury rediscovers a list she made as a child that she wants to fulfill before she marries. She enlists her friend Liza to help her and ends up with a second helper—Liza’s cousin Charlie.
Rosalind and Charlie are wonderful, engaging characters, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve from strangers to friends and more. I also enjoyed seeing Rosalind grow more independent and realize what she wanted from life. Although the ending is somewhat easy to guess early on, the author did a great job of keeping my interest and giving a bit of a twist to the ending.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean and wholesome Regency stories. I’m looking forward to more from this talented author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
There are few things better than cozying up to a regency romance on a sunny Sunday afternoon. As a long-time fan of Megan Walker, I was excited to read her newest book while sipping a sweet, sweet beverage and lounging in a hammock and friends, this one did NOT DISAPPOINT. Excellent characters, swoon-worthy romance, the right amount of intrigue to keep you invested page after page. Megan writes romances that make you wish for things you can never have, like being born 200 years earlier to a modest household that neighbors the land of a hot, rich Duke. Overall well worth the read, and can't wait for what she puts out next!
:: Miss Newbury's List ::
By Megan Walker
.
Thank you to Megan Walker and Netgalley for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was absolutely delightful! The characters were so enjoyable and had so much depth. I loved Ros's journey as she figures out what is missing in her life.
Charlie was such a hunk! And I loved that all he wanted to do was help Ros accomplish her list. But along the way realized he needs something to change in his life too.
The chemistry between them was slow burning, suttle, but undeniable. And I was wrecked with torment anticipating how their HEA would come about.
Make sure this book is on your list!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Romance: kisses
Miss Newbury’s List is a total triumph! Rosalind is a bold, secretly adventurous young lady who is forced into an engagement with a duke…but her heart wants to follow a different path.
Things I love:
- Charlie! We love a tall dark and handsome hero…especially one with a heart.
- Rosalind. Anyone who tries to find themselves in a world that restricts them constantly is a heroine in my eyes.
- The prose. Megan Walker is a terrific storyteller. This book is beautifully written.
- Depiction of the value of family.
Needs improvement:
- Nothing. 5 stars.
5 stars
I will definitely be reading this one again and soon!
The "bucket list" device in this novel worked so well. I was a tad nervous how some situations would pan out but I should have known better with Megan Walker at the helm. Over and over, I found my heart warmed and I was so pleased how things were resolved.
Ros and Charlie are both so loveable. The book is 1st person POV and it helped me connect to Ros instantly. It took me a bit to warm up to Charlie as a love interest, even though I loved him right away as a friend for Ros. Also, if you like strong and loyal friends, then you will love Liza (Charlie's cousin and Ros's best friend).
This book has swoony kissing scenes that are sweet and indulgent.
*loved how pugilism was incorporated
*had some adventure! nice bonus!
*Ben (Ros's brother) - is awesome and he needs a book!!
*Chemistry between the MCs was perfect
*her list - it is just so good and ties in with big picture themes
*lovely self-discovery for both MCs
I'm sure I could go on and on, but I'd rather be re-reading the book.
Anyone who likes historical romance should read this book. So good!
Ever since reading Lakeshire Park Megan Walker has been on my list of autoread authors because it was the first time I got Edenbrooke vibes from another book. So getting the chance to read the eARC (thank you NetGalley!) literally made my month! And I am happy to report that the fabulous Megan has done it again 🙌💗
Things I absolutely adored:
💗 the idea that you can live your dreams no matter what stage of life you’re in
💗 the list 😂 such a fun unique idea!
💗 Charlie obviously 🫠 I’m such a sucker for those regency roguish gentlemen
💗 the boxing - it’s just hot 🔥
💗 the pond scene - reminiscent of my favorite regency scenes of men in wet white shirts 😂
💗 the tension is just 🤌
What I wished for more of:
🖤 a stronger villain aspect - he was devious but I wanted him to be worse 😂
🖤 deeper love triangle angst, although I still think it was done very well 🤌
Overall it was perfect for regency romance fans especially fans of Jane Austen, Anne of Green Gables, Edenbrooke, and Blackmoore! Definitely recommend this to someone craving a fantastic regency romance adventure 🙌
This book was simply lovely! I absolutely adored everything about it. The romance was effortless, the humor was light and flirtatious, the actual plot was unique and engaging! I loved each and every character in this story! Charlie was perfection and I loved his personality, the humor he brought, and his personal growth just made me adore him even more. Charlie’s letter at the end of this book was the sweetest thing and I was tearing up and also so touched by his words. It was just the best! I love how Rosalind really found herself while checking items off of her list and came to a place where she knew what she wanted. I really appreciated how it all unfolded and how she was allowed to realize her feelings in her own time, and make her decisions without pressure or expectations. The conclusion was everything I wanted it to be and I was hanging on every word! This love story was so perfect and it’s going to be one of my favorite reads of the year.
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the use of old english was well done. The plot was exciting to follow and did not always go where I expected. Between the plot not develop quite how I was expecting and the exciting adventures of the characters, this book was fun to read and had me throughly enthralled right to the end. It was the first book I have read from this author and I am excited to read more by her.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me early access to this book and to give my honest review. This is not a paid review.
Miss Newbury's List
(Proper Romance Regency)
Pub Date: Feb. 7. 2023
368 pages
If you enjoy....
◇Fast Paced Reads
◇A Sweet Female Lead
◇ Well written stories
◇Closed Door Romance
◇BEAUTIFUL Book Covers
I recommend looking into this one!
Enjoyed the characters and the story. It was sweet and a good time. I read it in one seating. 📚❤️
Keep a look out for this Miss Newbury's List next year! ♡
Thank You to Netgalley & Shadow Mountain publishing for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Book Synopsis:
" England, 1820
Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a romantic connection between two hearts, but Rosalind becoming a duchess will elevate her family's status to dizzying heights. And the duke is a kind man who will care for Rosalind, even if he doesn't love her.
She only has three weeks before her life changes forever, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her days. As a child, Ros was inspired by her adventurous Aunt Alice and created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, Ros has done none of them.
She is determined to tackle each item, though she'll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father's heir.
Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.
With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family's future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman."
With her wedding to a Duke she barely knows looming, Rosalind Newbury is desperate to complete a list of ten things she wants to do before marrying. She’s convinced this will give her a sense of fulfillment and confidence that will carry her through to the next stage of life.
Ros enlists the help of Liza (her neighbor/best friend), and Liza’s cousin Charlie. The list keeps bringing Ros and Charlie together in ways that draw them closer and reveal more about each other’s true character and desires in life.
While the main premise is fairly unique and fun, there weren’t many surprises in the plot or resolution. However, the sweet character interactions definitely made up for that. As a result, it was easy to root for their HEA.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an ARC.
A gentle romance with a sweet plot of a pre-wedding bucket list. I LOVED Lakeshire Park so just had to read another book by Megan. This one didn’t have quite the same charm as her first for me, but it was still well-written and nostalgic.
I love books that take me to a happy place, and Miss Newbury's List certainly did that.
The heroine achieved the most coveted prize of the marriage mart - a betrothal to a Duke but did not experience a London season. So she decided to live life a little for the few weeks remaining before her wedding, simple, innocent things like learning to swim or filling herself with cake. While doing that, she met the hero.
They had no expectations of each other, their connection developed slowly but surely, and it was a delight to read.
Another great book by this author! I'm looking forward to reading her next one.
BTW, I got curious about the duke, despite his obliging bad behavior (lol). I hope he gets a book of his own and redeems himself.
This is the kind of story that is like a nice warm blanket in the winter. Something comforting and comfortable that you just want to snuggle up in. I absolutely adored this story from the first to last page. You’d never guess this is only the second book by Megan Walker, it’s that well written.
You can’t help but be transported to wherever Megan takes you, and l love the journey you take while in the pages of her books. She has this way of writing that I personally love because it just pulls you into the story and won’t let you go until you finish.
Ros and Charlie were lovable, relatable, and realistic main characters that made me want to join in on all the fun. I relate to Ros on a number of levels and several parts had me laughing out loud because they are just so realistic. Now I just need Liza’s story, Ben’s story, and Eloise’s story!
And another aspect of this story that I love, which might seem weird to some, is the lack of an “in your face” bad guy. Yes, one existed, but it wasn’t made completely obvious which I really enjoyed. And then, when the true colors came out, I felt very satisfied with how the “villain” was revealed.
Overall, I loved this book, and will gladly recommending it to anyone and everyone. It’s absolutely perfect for historical fiction romance readers who want a fun and new adventure to go on.
There was not one chapter in this book that I did not enjoy. The characters, the premise, the chemistry, and the wonderful banter/humor kept me invested and smiling throughout the whole story. I knew before I was even halfway through that this was going to be a favorite that I will reread in the future. Perfect recommendation for fans of closed door regency romances! Thanks to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Miss Newbury’s List was such a delightful read! I absolutely love Regency, and this one had some of the favorite Regency settings but was also unique with scenes that aren’t usually seen in this type of novel.
Rosalind has a bucket list that she is determined to finish before her marriage of convenience to a Duke. Enlisting the help of her friend Liza and Liza’s cousin Charlie made for some great memorable moments. I was laughing and smiling at the way they went about checking off all the things she wanted to accomplish.
Charlie was such a fantastic hero, and I loved how he really SAW Rosalind and understood her more than anyone else in her life. He cared about her, but I was glad he still respected that she was engaged even if he didn’t agree about it. I thought the plot was all handled very tastefully and kept me guessing at how it would all work out.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys regency or proper romance novels.
A marriage bucket list! Miss Newbury has barely lived life and wants to live a little before she makes an advantageous marriage for her family by marrying a titled man that she barely knows. Enter Rosalind’s best friend Liza and her cousin, Charlie to help her finish her list. The romantic tension builds between Charlie and Rosalind so nicely with some great conversations and sweet moments. I truly didn’t see how all would be well which makes for a great read that is unpredictable. Things got crazy at the end and we get that swoony HEA that we love in this genre.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher.
Romantic Content: Kisses
A sweet regency. Megan Walker is new to me, for sure will be looking for more of her books. If you like Regency romance, then I highly recommend it.
I loved this sweet story! I don’t read very much historical romance, but every time I do, I’m utterly enraptured! Miss Newbury’s list was no exception.
Rosalind is set to marry a Duke, a marriage of convenience. But before she does, there is a list of things she would like to complete. Who better to help her than her best childhood friend Liza? What she doesn’t expect is Liza’s cousin Charlie.
Charlie, oh, Charlie. He was so perfect for Rosalind. He really saw and appreciated the real Rosalind and the romantic tension between the two was palpable. Loved how author Megan Walker kept me guessing and swooning until the very end.
Utterly delightful read!
Megan Walker has done it again. She intrigued me in the beginning with Ros and captured me with Charlie! I loved the story with all its excitement and surprises, but most especially I loved joining in on Rosalind's adventure of finding herself. I would love to hear how the author came up with the story idea because I loved the idea of a premarital bucket list so very much. Strong character development and excellent chemistry lead me to highly recommend this book as well as the author.
Clean romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions expressed are my own.
Megan Walker is very quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. This book is just perfection. I laughed, cried, grimaced, groaned, and got angry.
'How DARE he say that???'
'How could he DO that???'
'LOL! I can't believe that happened!'
See? You need to read it to know what I mean by all of that!
I'm honestly not sure what else to say here. This book is perfection. End of story.
*Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this. All opinions are my own.*
Ros was getting married - soon - to a Duke she doesn't know well at all. She isn't quite ready, but is sure once she finishes all the things on her list she will be ready. She enlists the help of her best friend and her best friend's cousin to help her accomplish the list. From hanging a piece of her art in a public place to learning to swim, the list of adventures is bound to be fun.
Each adventure draws Ros closer to Charlie, who is not the duke she is marrying in just a few weeks.
I enjoyed this book! It was funny and tender, with hard choices to be made for both Ros and Charlie. Is duty or love more important?
What can you say about a perfect, feel-good book? Miss Newbury's List was exactly that for me. I loved it! I thought both Rosalind and Charlie were fantastic. I loved the progression of their friendship and I loved how much they both grew. The ways that they showed how much they cared for each other were absolutely swoony. The painting! The sweets!
Liza was a charming side character, as was Ben. The story was satisfying and I love love love how Ros's family stood up for her. I wasn't sure if they would or not, but oh, did they! I love a strong family dynamic in my books.
Megan Walker is another author who just gets better. Considering that I loved Lakeshire Park just as much, she's become an auto-buy. Miss Newbury's List releases in February, and I can't wait to have the paperback in my hands!
**Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the review copy. All opinions are my own.*
In the tale Miss Newbury’s List, by Megan Walker, you will see Rosalind Newbury and two of her friends seek to complete a list of actions her marriage to the Duke of Marlow. You will not believe the situations she finds herself in before the end of this tale!
Lovely story and quality writing. I had high expectations after hearing the hype and this was good. Thank you proper romance for the ARC, all opinions are my own
This book is a fun and sweet story about Rosalind who is betrothed to a duke. She has only met him a couple of times, as the betrothal was brokered between her father and the duke. She is happy with the whole situation, except that when the wedding is looming ahead she remembers something her aunt told her years before about how she made a list of things she wanted to do before she got married. Rosalind decides to make her own list of things she wants to do before she marries, and so the fun begins. This is a fun story with all the funny escapades that occur while she tries to do everything on her list. Her best friend Liza, Liza's cousin Charlie, and her brother Ben are all involved in the various things she does to complete her list. I quickly figured out where the story was going, but I enjoyed the hilarious antics and would definitely recommend this book . A clean read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are voluntary and unbiased and are entirely my own.
My Favorite moments:
-Boxing lessons
-The Opera
-Being rescued from wedding planning
-Buying goods for a picnic
-The Masquerade
-His Letter
-Meeting Charlie’s mother and sister
Rosalind has become engaged to a Duke, but as the wedding nears she starts to feel unsettled. She realizes that she has missed out on so much that she could have experienced. She never experienced a season in London. Her fiancé is a man she has hardly interacted with, yet she has agreed to the marriage so that her family can have the benefits of a title.
I love how Rosalind is brave enough to go and do her before marriage bucket list. As she accomplishes the things on her list she starts to learn more about herself while experiencing life. She gets herself into some interesting situations and all because she is so determined to finish her list.
Charlie is a fantastic character. He is the kind of character that has a mysterious past and makes you love him more as you learn more about him. This book is written from Rosalind’s perspective and the whole time I was just wanting to get into Charlie’s head.
I love the way that Rosalind and Charlie banter. The chemistry and tension between the two at times so strong.
I give this Book 5/5 stars. I loved this book, I didn’t want to put it down. There were times when I laughed out loud and it had its fill of swoony moments. I will definitely be reading this one again!
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the arc. All opinions are my own.
Loved, loved, loved! Miss Newbury's List is everything I adore in a regency romance—fantastic banter, humor, lovable and sympathetic characters. I was a huge fan of Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker, so I'm happy to have loved this one just as much. The perfect read for a summer day!
I adored this book!! I loved the whole story, and the strong family theme. The romance was next level, and I found myself quite swoony at the masquerade. 😍 The list was so fun, and I loved Charlie’s devotion to help her finish it! He was so thoughtful, despite his rugged fighting side. I won’t give any spoilers (but I want to!), so I will just tell you that if you like humor, family, love, friendship, a little quarreling, devotion, and some serious swooning- read this one!!!
I really enjoyed this book, the writing was well done, the premise was fun, yet believable for the time period. Ros and Charlie were so cute and I loved how it wasn't just insta-love for either of them. Their love was very unexpected for both of them. Ros was content in her decision to marry the duke and the last thing Charlie was thinking of was marriage. Ros had her list from childhood and coerced Charlie into helping her. They had some hiccups along the way but finished everything. I liked how they grew as story progressed. Charlie seeing where he had failed with his family and owning up to it by going back home. And Ros by not just accepting what she thought was the best for the family. The earl was a little crazy, and maybe that part seemed a bit extreme. And the ending was a little frustrating as most 'misunderstandings' are but it ended well and I would read this story again. Content is clean and I would recommend to my friends.
I received a copy from the publisher, via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As you might know, since I say it often, ‘Lakeshire Park’ by Megan Walker is my favorite book of all time! As you may also know, Megan Walker writes beautiful books! So you may guess that ‘Miss Newbury’s List’ is fantastic! Well let me tell you that you have guessed right!!!!
‘Miss Newbury’s List’ by Megan Walker is an absolute dream! This book takes you on the most deliciously wonderful adventure and I couldn’t put this book down! There are lovely friendships, lovable characters, laugh out loud scenes, swoony moments, a heart touching love story, with a sprinkle of fun and a dash of suspense.
Rosalind Newbury has secured the most excellent marriage agreement with a Duke! She once made a wish list of dreams she wanted to accomplish before she married someday. She has three weeks before she marries and 3 weeks to fulfill her wishes. Meanwhile, Charlie steps into her life! Charlie and Liza (her best friend) are along for the wonderful adventure and ride that fulfilling Miss Newbury’s list brings! This was such a clever and unique storyline that took me on the most enjoyable Regency adventure!
Charlie is a little mysterious with a tainted past. He is also a wise flirty tease, who is fun, kind, dashing and adventurous. He is now a member of my favorite heroes club. Rosalind is a beauty who is bold, selfless, adventurous, and adorable!
🤍My favorite part of this story is the beautiful redemptive story line that touched my heart deeply and made me cry! It also inspired me!
🤍I loved the friendships and family relationships in this story plus the adventure!
🤍So many memorable moments including a cliff, a picnic, a painting and a letter!
🤍A little bit of enemies to friends to more with sizzling kisses, wonderful witty banter, and romantic tension. I love Charlie and Ros!
This is truly another masterpiece by Megan Walker! This book touched my heart, made me laugh, and made me cry. It is one of those stories that touches your heart deeply and a piece of it stays with you. I highly recommend this wonderful book!
Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an arc copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content:some violence, kisses only
This book was everything!! Megan's writing is absolutely masterful and Ros and Charlie's love story is everything you could ever want out of a regency romance! Sweet and tender and emotional and funny and swoony and absolutely enchanting! Definitely a new favorite of all time!
This was a fun and enjoyable read. I thought the premise of the "bucket list" was unique and interesting. I also really enjoyed Charlie and Ros together. My favorite scene was probably the picnic scene! I did think parts of the ending were a bit dramatic, and some parts that felt a bit off/awkward, but overall I enjoyed this book! I think fans of regency romance will enjoy it as well.
I'd recommend this book for a good escape read. There's an improbable romance becuase of a situation (but as a reader we all cross our fingers for the impossible!), endearing Hero and heroine, some fun antics and two people coming into themselves more and growing together. The romance was sweet, endearing and the characters were likeable. Me personally thought a couple times hmm, maybe a bit fantastical with how the love story was able to have a turn about. I also did wonder about consequences of an Earl who made a some mishciel for the H. That was just me. Not neccessary for the story to be complete. but I did wonder. However, still overall a fun story and I still felt like I got to step back in time so really take that little caveat with a grain of salt, The ending was very much a happy *sigh* and "awww" . I will for sure read another Megan Walker book. The story flows and the dialgue/banter was enjoyable.
I read "Miss Newbury's List" because I absolutely loved Megan Walker's other book, "Lakeshire Park."
"Miss Newbury's List" was a very different experience for me than "Lakeshire Park" was. While I almost instantly loved Amelia and Peter in "Lakeshire Park," Rosalind and Charlie took me a while to warm up to. While they're wonderful characters, their dynamic is very different. I especially loved them during the second half of the book.
"Miss Newbury's List" is the story of Rosalind, who is engaged to a duke she barely knows and is sacrificing everything to bring a title into her family. Not long before the wedding, her closest friend Liza has a cousin temporarily move in with them.
Charlie, Liza's cousin, is the opposite of the duke. His family has cut him off, his reputation is somewhat scandalous due to his hobby of boxing, and he's blunt and honest. But is that what Rosalind really wants?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading whatever Megan Writes next!
Come on. It doesn't get much cuter than this. I loved Walker's previous novel and was excited for this one - and it did not disappoint! I loved the tension, the push and pull, and the romance. It's why I read these, they are so fun!
MISS NEWBURY’S LIST
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ MUST READ for lovers of regency romance!
🍭 clean, sweet romance perfect for Valentine’s Day
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! The premise is so charming. I loved taking the journey with Miss Newbury as she completed all the items on her list. The romance is so sweet. I was smiling the entire time! I can’t wait for this to come out in February so I can add it to my library. Megan Walker is fast becoming a favorite author!
Thank you to NetGallley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the eARC.
*Will publish this review on 02/06/2023 to https://instagram.com/hayleys_book_anthology?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Reminded me of similar books with similar lists. Was still an enjoyable read with interesting characters. I did get to the end and was surprised the main character had two other brothers, since they weren't mentioned.much. I also felt like we never got to learn much about the parents either, especially the dad.
It’s a lovely period romance. The lead couple is charming and there’s chemistry between them. Both Rosalind and Charlie evolve throughout the novel, and it’s nice to see how they complement each other. There is also the curious addition of boxing to the plot which is something I had never seen in a novel of these characteristics. It was a light and pleasant reading, with comic moments, drama, tension and pure romance.
From the first few pages when Rosalind is frantically looking for her list, I was completely hooked on this story! It made me laugh over the antics caused by following the list, and swoon as Rosalind fell in love for the first time.
I loved Rosalind’s character arc as she checked items off her list. What started out as an effort to feel complete before marriage became a way to learn about herself, and I thought that was so well written. Charlie is also a wonderful character, and I enjoyed seeing him grow throughout the story.
It was interesting to learn more about boxing and what it was like during this time period. I thought it was a unique aspect to the story, which was fun!
By the end of the book, I felt like I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen. I loved how everything played out! There was one aspect of the ending that I especially loved, but I won’t mention it here because I don’t want to spoil anything. It was so well done!
I am eagerly looking forward to more books by Megan Walker!
5/5 stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Megan Walker must weave some sort of magic into her books. There is a classic and pure voice that is 100% her. I can’t place my finger what that is, but this book had all the same wonderful feelings of Lakeshire Park, while still being uniquely its own story. I was captivated from the beginning and loved every moment of the literary journey.
Miss Rosalind Newbury is a female character after my own heart. She is constantly striving to please her family and make them proud, but deep inside is a women ahead of her time, with a fierce independence and wildness that she manages to mostly keep buried, until she meets Charlie.
Ros is engaged to a Duke she hardly knows. She believes she is doing the right thing, but something is building inside her that is burning to break free.
Following in her aunts footsteps the younger Ros creates a list of things she wants to accomplish before she gets married and believes finishing it will put her heart at ease. So she pulls her best friend Eliza and her cousin Charlie into helping her.
The ensuing friendship and love that blossoms between her and the troubled Charlie was the epitome of well written character and romance development. Charlie is running from his past, his family, and a future he never wanted. Ros gives him purpose again. They made each other better and in turn helped set each other free.
I could go on and on with all the moments that I loved between the two of them, but for the sake of word count let’s just say, this book is a must read. As I walked the streets of England I was so grateful to have this story to curl up with in the evenings and bring alive all the history around me. It was heart melting and beautiful.
Have you ever put off reading a book because you were worried about the emotions you might feel before you got to the end of the book?
Yup. That was me - and this book.
BUT it was so worth it. Megan has a way with words. And emotions. Man, my heart was racing and pounding there at the end! (Who needs exercise when your adrenaline gets going with a good book?!)
Ros is engaged - to a DUKE! The dream of every regency girl. She has a problem though. Ros wants to be as happy and fulfilled as her aunt was when she married and the way to achieve that is to make a LIST! The list is everything she wants to accomplish before marriage. In order to complete the list in a short amount of time, Ros needs help. Enter the BFF, Liza, and her cousin Charlie.
Charlie is a lost boy. He's had some experiences and emotions he doesn't quite know how to handle. Between the 3 of them, they hope to have every item on the list crossed off before the big day. As we accompany them on their journey, we get to witness the fears, the dreams, the emotions, and the love that they must confront, overcome, and embrace.
Make sure to add this book to your list! You won't want to miss crossing off that final item!
Wow this was not what i expected it was so much more, well written story. Everyone should have a before i get married list.This book is a great read.
I'm in love with this book, and that's all you need to know.
Set in England in 1820 Miss Newbury's List tells us about Rosalind Newbury who is going to marry the Duke of Marlow, a man ten years her senior. She met him only a few times and barely knew him, but still agreed to marry the Duke because that's what her family wants. Then Ros rediscovers her childhood wish list and decides to do those ten things before her marriage.
Ros's best friend Liza Ollerton comes back from London (after finishing her Season) with her cousin Charles Winston, a gentleman turned rugged boxer. The two of them start helping Rosalind to check everything off her list before her wedding.
I like the atmosphere of regency/period romance, and this one was such a nice read. My favorite thing about this historical romance is probably the characters. All of them had strong character development during the story and turned out to be completely different people at the end of the book. Also, the chemistry between Ros and Charlie was just the chef's kiss. It's a slow-burn and friends-to-lovers book, and those are literally some of my favorite tropes in romance.
Overall, Miss Newbury's List was everything I was looking for. I added it to my favorites list and I'm definitely going to reread it. Also, can't wait to read something else by Megan Walker, because it was my first book by this author.
When I read Megan’s first proper romance, I fell in LOVE with her writing & simply wanted to keep reading to find out what happened! Well, it was the same with Miss Newbury’s List! It was phenomenally written & I found myself swooning over Charlie & I absolutely LOVED Rosalind! By far one of the BEST Proper Romance heroines I’ve read to date and I immediately connected with her!
I high recommend if you love unconventional love stories that will keep you swooning the whole way through!
A historical romance set in Ashford, England in 1820. Rosalind Newbury is preparing to marry a Duke. Rosalind barely knows the Duke of Marlow but has agreed to the marriage to please her family. Before she marries Rosalind has a list of things she wants to achieve. Her best friend Liza Ollerton has promised to help Rosalind with the list. Rosalind loses her list and Liza’s disgraced cousin Charles Winston finds it.
Charles wants to help Rosalind and Liza with the list and the three of them set out to tick off the items on the list. I loved the way the story unfolded as they went through the list and Rosalind started having feelings for Charles. I liked the way the characters were developed and interacted.
I can’t wait another second before talking about this absolute GEM that I read this weekend with @goodeyreads. It was perfection and I adored every second. You definitely want to preorder this wonderful story.
Here’s a few reasons why:
☕️ it is so heartwarming and will tug all your
heartstrings
☕️ it is ever so swoony
☕️ family comes first
☕️ friendship and sibling bonds
☕️ hilarious moments and mishaps
and so many more reasons. Miss Newbury’s List publishes on February 2, 2023!
What a lovely book this was. Historical Romance is a genre that is very close to my heart.
The book is centered around a young girl at the age of twenty, who had been matched with a Duke without ever entering a season. A pairing that was beneficial to both, her family and the Duke himself.
She makes a list of all the things she wants to do before settling in as a married women, things that were true to her character, the real her. Like eating as many sweets as she can in one sitting or swimming - how scandalous! She lives next door to her best friend, who she asks for help with her list.
She meets her best friend's cousin at the house, a handsome young man with a face full of scars and bruises. She learns that he has been written off by his family for not wanting to step up to his duty as the new heir, and would rather partake in pugilism (boxing).
Instead of her best friend, he agrees to help her with her list. But instead of the list fulfilling her as she thought it would, she learns that there is something else, someone else, who her life belongs to.
The story unfolds in a wonderful romance. A lady and a gentleman who change for the better, a supportive family, a loving best friend and a whole lot of introspection.
It is a beautiful story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the tension and pure beauty historical romances create!
Girls need to go after what they want! A lesson that happiness is not brought by mere status.
I loved this book! Megan has such a unique way in crafting stories and this was just incredible. I loved the characters and the buildup. It was great!
I am a big fan of Shadow Mountain, two of my favourite books from the past year were published by them, and Arlem Hawks recommended this book. The book was well edited and formatted, which is nice as it seems like lately there has been a decline in the attention given to the small details that make reading a book easier.
Maybe it was the setting, or the premise, but this book didn't really connect for me until about halfway through. (Maybe it was the bucket list idea? That is never really my cup of tea.) I would encourage anyone struggling to engage to keep going as there are some great scenes, character growth and just some good old fashion fun if you stick it out.
Charlie was fun and likeable and provided a great foil to the POV character Ros, or Rosalind.
Big focus on choice and how you can control your journey even when the odds are against you.
This falls into a 3.5 rating for me, simply because it took so long for me to get invested.
I have already submitted it to my mom's book club as a future option - they love a closed-door romance!
Thank you to Ms. Walker, Shadow Mountain and #NetGalley for the ARC. My review is all my own.
I loved this book! I thought the storyline was creative and unique. Miss Newbury has made a list of things she would like to accomplish before marrying, back when she was 12 years old. She was inspired by her Aunt Alice, who did the same thing. Now Miss Newbury is about to get married and realizes she hasn't completed her list. There is a lot of great emotion and surprises in this story. It was hard to put the book down. I really liked Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker, but this one is even better.
Okay, but I adored this book 🥹 I intentionally made it last as long as I could because it was such a lovely read. Full of witty banter and a heartwarming romance, Miss Newbury’s List is a call to live life with adventure, to be brave when we have the most to lose, and to choose love, even when the path it leads us on isn’t what others envision it being. Loved this book and would highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Miss Newbury’s List. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a requested copy for review. All opinions are my own.
Having enjoyed Lakeshire Park, I was eager to read Walker’s latest. This is just as sweet and as easy a read. While unrealistic, I did enjoy seeing the relationship grow between Ros and Charlie. The themes of love, family, and choosing happiness were very clear. There was some good banter between Ros and Charlie too.
Overall, super sweet, romantic, and an easy read.
3.5 stars
Megan Walker is great at writing sweet, heartfelt stories! The whole time, I kept wondering how things were going to work out between Rosalind and Charlie and it was so satisfying to watch both of them change and grow throughout the course of the book.
Charming yet a story with emotions, concerns, and actions that gave it a wonderful depth. Full of innocence yet wonderfully romantic. I appreciated that this novel avoided tropes, surprised me, was funny, and demanded it’s characters to mature and grow.
My only critique is that sometimes the descriptions and conversation style had a modern enough tone to it that, while it was still well written, it would distract me a bit and pull me out of the story as I pondered why what I had just read felt slightly incongruous. Otherwise I could have given it a true 5 star rating instead of 4.5.
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
“You weren’t thinking. You were dreaming.”
How do I feel about this book? It’s complicated. Mostly, it like an early draft that’s almost really great but isn’t quite polished. Hopefully Miss Walker can go back and tweak it a little bit, because I felt there was a really beautiful book hiding under some flaws.
I’ll start with the characters. Our heroine, Ros, is sweet and adventurous (most of the time). She also reads as very, very young. Our hero, Charlie, is much easier to love. And maybe that’s because this is written in first person POV from Ros’s perspective. Everything Charlie says is adorable and swoon worthy, and that makes it even worse that we never get his POV. There is a fun cast of side characters, especially Liza. There are hints to her fate but I would very much like to read a book all about her.
The writing is alright, but it almost feels like a YA book. I’m not sure if that’s the first person POV (not my favorite), the heroine’s immaturity, or the unpolished writing. A few of the sentences didn’t quite have typos but felt off somehow. I did read an ARC of this however and it might be shined up in later versions.
There were some plot holes (to me at least), so beware of spoilers ahead:
<spoiler>Her brother fought Charlie over her honor, when she could have proved they were telling the truth by just showing him the vomit on the ground two feet away? Couldn’t he smell it? They went all the way to his grandparents and she never got to see the one building Charlie ever designed? Her mom is so sweet at the end but never noticed how completely miserable her daughter was the entire time? Her dad is so supportive when she breaks her engagement but literally wouldn’t sell the land to the Duke and pushed him into the marriage? </spoiler>
Overall I really enjoyed this. It’s light, it’s sweet, and a few of the scenes were very emotional. I would go back to and recommend this author, but I think the book could be better.
Tropes: Rake, list to complete, friends to lovers, healing back to health
CW: Mild violence, death of family member
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley. Opinions are all my own.
I thought this was a great new regency romance. The characters are fun to get to know and their arcs were really fun to follow. It was a great mix of friendship, high social stakes, danger and love to keep the pages turning!
Absolutely wonderful! There are surprises around every chapter and beautiful character building throughout the book. I particularly enjoyed the relationship growth of not only the main character and her love interest (which I enjoyed very much) but if the character and her loyalty to her family, particularly her brother.
This a very sweet and heartfelt Regency story. I had read the author’s previous book and enjoyed it, and this one was equally enjoyable. Rosalind wants to accomplish a list of adventures she created as a child before she enters into an arranged marriage, and a friend and the friend’s disgraced cousin help her. The arranged marriage becomes less and less appealing as the trio work together. The story is well written and the characters likeable. The setting is nicely done and the dialogue very natural and believable.
I don’t even know where to start with this story, but I loved it and ate through the pages! I just couldn’t get enough of Rosalind’s story and had to know what would happen next.
She is such a likable protagonist. She begins feeling unsettled and decides she needs to complete an old list of items to feel ready for her upcoming arranged marriage. Enter Charlie, and things quickly escalate. He was such a swoony hero! There were so many toe-curling moments, and I loved every minute of Rosalind’s journey to find herself.
This was one of the best proper romances I’ve read in some time, and I highly recommend you drop what you’re doing and grab a copy of this amazing story!
**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was full of witty banter, great characters, and sweet romance. The male lead character was everything you could hope for in a great Regency romance story.
I absolutely loved the author's book Lakeshire Park (a must read), and I wasn't sure how she could ever write a book as good as that one. I think Lakeshire Park is still my favorite, but I did really enjoy this one as well.
Ros has a list of things she wants to accomplish before her wedding, and her friend's cousin Charlie commits to helping her finish them all. They both discover more about who they are and what they desire in life while they work on this list together.
I would give this book 4.5 stars so I'm rounding up to 5.
This is the second book by Megan Walker that I have read, and she is a new favorite author of mine. The story is set in 1820 England. Rosalind Newbury created a list of adventures at an early age, that she wanted to accomplish before she married at the inspiration of her aunt. Time is winding down until the date of her marriage to a duke. She should be excited about the impending marriage; however, she hardly knows him. She remembers her list created long ago and thinks that might be just what she needs to add excitement to the impending nuptials and get her ready for her new life as a wife and duchess. Rosalind enlists her best friend Liza and her wayward, but handsome cousin Charlie. Let the adventures begin.
Thank you Shadow Mountain Pub for the gifted book
This was absolutely adorable and completely swoony!! Megan Walker’s Lakeshire Park was one of my favorite books I read last year so I was SO excited to receive an early copy of this beautiful book!
Rosalind Newbury is set to marry a Duke, a match that will be incredibly beneficial to her family. She’s happy to do this duty to help raise their standing, but before marriage wants to complete a list of goals made in childhood. Enter Charlie - her neighbor and closest friend’s prodigal son type cousin who is visiting the country to escape a bit of scandal.
I loved the dynamic between Rosalind and Charlie. They are two people who begin to see in each other more than just what’s on the surface. Charlie helps draw out from Rosalind the hopes and dreams she has stuffed down inside of her in the name of duty. Rosalind helps challenge Charlie to face his past and strive to believe in the type of man he can truly be.
It’s such a sweet romance and I really appreciated that I didn’t quite know how the conflict was going to be handled. This is a chaste romance, but has so much passion and tension! The balance is so so good!
Rosalind Newbury has accepted the Duke of Marlow, not because she loves him but because she believes the match will be best for her family's interests. While she has willingly accepted the match, her curious and mischievous nature are giving her pause. To come to terms with her choice, Ros decides to complete a list of ten things to do before she marries that she created a decade ago at her aunt’s wedding. As she works to complete each item, she enlists the help of her best friend Liza and Liza’s troubled cousin Charlie. As Ros and Charlie spend time together, an attraction grows.
This was a very cute, well-paced, historical novel. Both Ros and Charlie are likeable characters with good chemistry. Even if all the situations in the novel were not completely believable and the resolution felt a bit rushed, the story was very enjoyable. I highly recommend this one to readers seeking a clean, gentle historical. 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advanced readers copy of this novel.
#MissNewburyslist #Netgalley
The beginning was a little slow for me but once it picked up I couldn’t put the book down! Such a delightful read. Full of all the emotions and we’ll written. The tension built perfectly! Rosalind and Charlie were great main characters but I absolutely loved Liza!! She was perfect! Everything I want in a secondary character and I want her to have her own story. I was literally laughing out loud at all her comments during the opera scene.
Loved this book to the end. Definitely one I would reread.
#MissNewburysList #NetGalley
Rosalind Newbury or Ros as her family and friends call her, is engaged to the Duke of Marlow, a man ten years older than her. Before her marriage, Rosalind is determined to check off a list of things, she wants to accomplish before her marriage. The list was made when she was younger, and Ros believes she needs to checkmoff each item in order to be happy in her marriage. Ros decides she wants her best friend Liza to help her with her list, but isn't expecting her friends cousin to be there.
The cousin, Charles Winston, is staying with family and trying to stay out of trouble, despite sneaking off each morning, to practice his pugilist ways. When Liza and Charlie, help her check each item off Ros feels lighter, and more like herself.
This book was one that I enjoyed, I hope to see more books by this author.
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Miss Newbury’s List is an instant favorite. The plot was beautiful and the underlying message of it were so memorable. An easy read and an easy 5 stars. If you like Regency novels, this is a must read!
Without hesitation I have to say I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book.
From the start of the book, I was hooked. "Miss Newbury's List" by Megan Walker has the sort of writing that makes you want to keep reading. When I first started the book, I meant to read only the first chapter, and instead read the first three. There is a playfulness to the writing that sometimes reminds me of Jane Austen’s “Emma,” and there’s a good use of suspense between chapters that reminds me of Georgette Heyer. I would love to see this book as a film.
Somehow, the love interest manages to check all the boxes—sexy bad boy, sensitive guy who listens, protector, friend. I loved Charlie. And I loved and related to Rosalind. I felt like I knew Rosalind’s brother, Ben, and her bestie, Liza… like they could be my own brother and my own bestie.
When I first read the title of this book—“Miss Newbury’s List”—I assumed it would be yet another book of someone trying to find love based on a list of things they wanted in a mate. I was pleasantly surprised to find that’s not the plot at all, and in fact, the premise of this book (and this list) is like no other story I’ve read before.
I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley.
This book was amazing! I may have shed some tears. There were so many eye opening moments and conversations. It really love those deep moments in books! I love a good Ball scene. This book gave me all the heart eyes! I absolutely recommend this book! All the stars for sure!!
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!
This book! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Read this if you like…
-friends to more
-protective little brother
-duty vs desire
-wholesome, sweet romance
Some of my favorite scenes (SPOILER-ISH)
-the first meeting
-boxing lessons
-The Picnic Situation (oh my word, Charlie is the BEST! This whole event beginning in town, ending the next day proves it)
-the masquerade
I will definitely be rereading this with my mom when it comes out and I’ll probably bug all my girlfriends until they read it too. ☺️
Publisher Synopsis: Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a romantic connection between two hearts, but Rosalind becoming a duchess will elevate her family’s status to dizzying heights. And the duke is a kind man who will care for Rosalind, even if he doesn’t love her.
She only has three weeks before her life changes forever, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her days. As a child, Ros was inspired by her adventurous Aunt Alice and created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, Ros has done none of them.
She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir.
Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.
This was a wonderful book. I have included from the beginning and became a willing participant in crossing the next thing off the list. Walker paints Ros's emotions throughout the book in a colorful array. I really appreciate how her family rallies behind her and in creating her list and following through with it, she finds herself.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.
I was really drawn into the book at the beginning--mainly because I liked Charlie so much!--but midway through, my interest started to wane. I didn't connect with Rosalind as much as I'd hope; I think if the book had alternated between her POV and Charlie's (which would have given me a little less time in Ros's head), I probably would have liked it better. I really liked seeing Charlie and Ros together; it was the scenes when they were apart that dragged a little for me. I don't necessarily think there was anything wrong with Ros or the way her character was written, so I know my experience will be way different from other readers who will totally click with her. The romance is adorable--like I said, I really liked seeing Ros and Charlie together. There are some seriously amazing lines in this book--the flirting is so cute! 3.5 stars for me, but I know other readers will adore the whole thing.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Rosalind Newbury is all set to marry Duke of Marlow which will set her for life, but she’s unsettled about it, and keeps telling herself that she’s just nervous, and who wouldn’t be? She’s marrying a Duke! Her definition of success is marrying well, she is doing it for herself, her family, her brother Ben, and her future children. Success. Increase. Comfort.
Mr. Winston shows up in her life and upsets that illusion from the beginning. Rosalind has made a list of things that she would like to complete before she is married, it’s a list similar to what her aunt Alice did before she married. Charlie has seen Rosalind’s list and he is determined to help her accomplish it before the Duke comes into town. But as they go through the list, Rosalind is forced to admit that her interest in Charlie may be more than just getting the items on her list checked off. Even her friend, Liza asks her if she likes Charlie more than it is acceptable.
I was a little slow to warm up to Miss Newbury’s List, I liked the concept of a list to complete before you married only to realize what it is that you really wanted, and that person had been helping you from the beginning to get to the finished line. Charlie was my favorite character, he didn’t detract from being who he was and I think that in the end helped Rosalind a more solid character.
My gratitude to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.
This was absolutely delightful. This is a book I will purchase for my collection. Megan Walker did a beautiful job with this story. The love story between the hero and heroine was beautiful. I would definitely recommend this book.
This book was super enjoyable. I love Regency and the plot was a little slow going but the atmosphere created in the book was wonderful. I also loved the main characters and found once the story got going and worked on Rosalind’s Bucket List, the whole story was so fun. This story does have an HEA but I kept hoping it would have alittle more depth/go another way to get to the ending rather than the way it happened. It just seemed a bit out of place and randomly dramatic to me. Otherwise, this book is clean, sweet, and has a nice slow burn with friends to lovers trope. It’s sure to be one you’ll love.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Miss Newbury’s List is a charming, sweet-natured romance about two social outcasts finding true love together. It’s got a couple of flaws but still provides a fun afternoon’s entertainment.
Rosalind – Ros - Newbury is set to be married to Benjamin, the Duke of Marlow, a loveless arranged marriage which will at least improve her family’s social position. She has only met him twice. Ros is determined to be honorable and make her family proud, yet she feels as if she’s being rushed into adulthood and hasn’t had the chance to grasp the full breadth of her life. She’s reminded of a list she made when she was younger, of all of the things she wanted to do before she got married. Quickly, Ros decides the best way to shed her uncertainty is to complete the items on the list, which will at least prove she has lived.
Ros enlists her best friend, Liza Ollerton, in this mission. Liza’s cousin, Charlie, also finds himself entangled in the scheme as he’s on the scene when Ros sneaks into the Ollerton family manse after being snubbed at the front door. They team up to help Ros complete her list.
Charlie is dealing with his own problems. He rebelled against order and rules and left the family seat to become a boxer in London under an assumed name, but has returned to the country to try to get back into his family’s good graces and prove he’s matured. He and Ros immediately have much in common, and soon find themselves with a developing friendship that is poised to turn into something more. But will Ros pick duty or love?
In the end, Miss Newbury’s List is a nice, sweet and romantic ride. The research is quite solid, and Walker does a great job in building gentle tension here. Charlie and Ros are likable people, though Ros’ behavior sometimes comes off as (understandably, as she’s spent her entire life being sheltered in the hope of appealing to the Duke) childish. The fact that the list she’s trying to complete has not changed since she was a child says too many unfortunate things about her. Nonetheless, the general process of fulfilling all of those bucket list items is interesting and well-handled, and reveals pieces of Ros.
Liza is actually a much more interesting character, with her rebellions and mischief. I hope there’s another book to come about her. But Miss Newbury’s List still makes the reader smile, even if they end up rolling their eyes now and again.
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This book was perfection! Imperfectly perfect characters, a beautiful story line of redemption, and the strong love of family!
Rosalind wants to accomplish ten things before she is tied down to the life of a Duchess, married to a man she barely knows. As she works her way through her list, she learns about life and love and friendship, and I guarantee that you will smile throughout this entire book!
I received an eARC of this book through #netgalley. All enthusiastic opinions are my very own!
4.5 stars
This was a fun read and something of an adventure as we watched Rosalind go about fulfilling her 10 things on the list. I wondered a little why she didn't update them to fit her current desires instead of her childhood choices but perhaps that was the only way for her to feel like she accomplished what her aunt challenged her to do. Charlie was sweet even if he is a little wild. I was glad to see his growth over the course of the book. Reconciliations are always good. But really my favorite character might actually be Ben, Rosalind's brother. He seems to be the only family member that can really see her feelings and tries to help her acknowledge them. Her mom tries once but seriously, she is kind of a worst nightmare in wedding planning. I wanted Rosalind to actually stand up to her. There was nothing wrong with that lace.
I loved that Charlie and Rosalind were so good at helping each other even when it required a bit of pushing. Enjoyable read.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received a complimentary ARC through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
What a fun loving romance! Before Rosalind marries a Duke, she decides to fulfill a bucket list she wrote when she was younger, but she must accomplished it in a matter of weeks. While going about accomplishing her list she meets Charlie and from the moment she meets him her life takes a different turn of events and make all her dreams come true.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found the story quite refreshing and delightful and most of the characters are straight forward and ready to lend Rosalind a hand in fulfilling her list. While fulfilling Rosalind's list, both Rosalind and Charlie encourage each other to face their fears and challenges and in doing so not only become fast friends but end up falling in love. There is a bit of trouble once Rosalind and Charlie realize what is happening, but with their family help all there trouble is disappears.
I hope there is an addition to this story.
I want to thank Shadow Mountain Publishing, Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful romance.
I’ve heard of having a bucket list, but not a pre-wedding one. Rosalind Newbury feels like she’s never really lived life and, based upon the list she made years ago, she wants to complete it. Rosalind recruits Charlie and Liza to help her check off the items before she marries the duke she barely knows.
The story of love and redemption never grows old for me. We see Charlie transform from a reckless man who seems intent upon destroying himself to a man who is willing to take risks and go on crazy outings to help Rosalind find joy. I loved seeing the honest conversations that they have as Rosalind and Charlie challenge each other to grow, restore relationships, and go for love.
My favorite character was Charlie. At first he seems to not care about anything, but as time goes by we realize why he fights and keeps everyone at a distance. He is a deeply caring young man and Rosalind brings out the best in him. My favorite quote is the one that she shares, “This incredible man whose broken heart had healed into something more beautiful with its imperfections than in its original form.”
I recommend reading this clean historical romance. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more books by Ms. Walker.
I received a digital review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Overall I enjoyed the story. The romance between Rosalind and Charlie was fun. I felt the chemistry building between them. I just feel like I need to take one star for the ending wrapping up too cleanly. If Charlie were wounded as badly as described, there’s simply no way he’d be in a position to twirl her around romantically. I still enjoyed the book, but I didn’t like the resolution completely.
3 1/2 stars
There was a lot to like about this story. The premise wasn’t particularly unique (there are plenty of stories where people want to complete their bucket list before a major event like marriage), but it made for an entertaining read. I wasn’t as drawn to Rosalind as I wanted-perhaps because she came across as somewhat immature, but that immaturity did lead to some funny moments as she tried to complete her list. I really liked Charlie.
Rosalind Newbury is a fearless person, but carefully. She knows what she wants, and she will get it. Her list, she will finish it; there wasn't another option.
What she didn't plan on, however, is the way Charlie Winston would affect her. She needed his help to finish her list, but he wouldn't allow it.
That is, until he saw in her the unhappiness she held and the belief that finishing her list would make her happy.
He needed to prover her wrong.
And he did.
Not in the way Rosalind expected.
But in a much better way.
Megan Walker is an artist, and she is one of the most talented ones I've ever known.
Thank you Megan! For your friendship and willingness to share your story with us.
The book starts off slow, I wish the heroine was smarter than she was depicted, her bucket list was everything! But the hero.. incredible! I held on till the end hoping that heroine will eventually grow out of her childish list and see the light…and she does!!
Dissatisfied with her sheltered life designed to make her a duke’s wife, Rosalind Newbury finds her childhood bucket list and tries to finish it before her wedding. Her best friend’s cousin Charles Winston has been cut off for boxing and while he is with his family he gets pseudo-blackmailed into helping Ros with her list.
It’s a slow burn without much romantic tension to go along with how Charles and Ros grow closer. The middle dragged for and the 1820 setting didn’t come alive for me at all. It’s a gentle story with good character growth, but the stakes weren’t high for most of the story, and then the drama with Marlow at the end was too far out of left field.
I absolutely loved Megan Walker’s last novel, so I really wanted to get my hands on this one—and it did not disappoint!!! I loved each of the characters, and the story was really fun and interesting (think checking off a bucket list, but during the Regency era. Fun, right?) If you are looking for a clean, easy romance read, this is the book for you!
This was my first read from Megan Walker and I loved it! Rosalind is so personable and likeable, with big dreams that need bravery to accomplish. Charlie is charming, engaging, and unorthodox. The banter between them and the mischievousness of their prospective characters keep the story refreshing and so much fun. Entirely worth the read and I will be coming back for more!
Rated PG
—clean romance
—no language
—no gore, torture, or adult themes
I received this ebook free from NetGalley. My opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Miss Newbury's List is like a cup of warm hot cocoa, sweet and oh-so satisfying. Ever since reading Ms. Walker's debut novel Lakeshire Park, I've been (im)patiently awaiting her next novel. And let me tell you, MBL did not disappoint. A romantic, Regency-era take on the popular "bucket list" trope, I adored every word of this story!
Rosalind (Ros) Newbury loves her family, and so when the opportunity arises for her to marry a duke (a man who she hardly knows and is ten years her senior), she agrees to the match, if only to add to her family's legacy. Before Ros weds, though, she finds a list she made in childhood of her hopes and dreams and decides to check a few items off her list.
Enter Charlie Winston. Her best friend's cousin and a wayward gentleman turned rugged boxer, he agrees to help Ros in her cause. It was so fun to see them check off items on the list. Some items were silly and made me laugh, while others were more meaningful and made me smile. It was enjoyable to watch Ros and Charlie cross items off the list, and to see each of them grow individually and as a pair.
I loved this book's unique plot, the realistically flawed characters, the unexpected reveals, and of course the swoon-worthy romance. Ms. Walker has a way with words, and she has created a beautiful story. MNL has happily found a place on my favorites shelf. Fans of Julianne Donaldson and Joanna Barker, and readers who enjoy historical fiction and Regency romance will love Miss Newbury's List. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
(This review will be posted widely upon book release on 2/2023.)
So charming and sweet. And funny! It was such a joy to watch Ros and Charlie fall in love.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I loved the sincerity of these characters and their unfailing desire to do what is right. It was fascinating to watch their perception of what is right change through the story and to see them change for the better. The premise for the story was fresh and delightfully entertaining!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
Have you ever made a rainy day list? Or a bucket list? I had one once. I found it the other day and realized I had done almost all of them, considering it was a list of dates. :) After reading Miss Newbury's List, I am thinking it may be time to make another one.
The day comes where Ros decides she needs to check off some of those items on her own list she made as a young girl. Dreams she wanted to accomplish before she was wed. After one of the tasks goes awry and she is saved by Charlie, her best friends cousin, she gains some much needed help and an unlikely ally.
Charlie is still dealing with his new position in life after the death of his brother, and hasn't been taking it well. But Ros and her list gives him the extra push he needs to see more.
As the two work together, with the help of her brother and best friend, Ros has to find her voice and courage to not only complete her list, but to take a leap and see what her heart has been trying to say.
I loved Ros and her determination to dream. I often think I don't dream enough. This sparked ideas for me. Often times we find that it takes something large or looming to make changes in our lives. But sometimes that change can be the beginning of us achieving our dreams. I want to be like Ros and Charlie who take the life they have been dealt and together find a new way forward. I loved it all.
Megan Walker curated such a beautiful story that teaches one to take a chance to do something daring.
“You—and that list of yours—are the reason we are here. I do not think I believe in fate, but meeting you feels so inspired, I almost wonder if such a thing exists.” ~ Charlie
Rosalind Newbury is going to be married, to a Duke! Her marriage will bring the family a title, her brothers will have more opportunities and possibilities than ever before. But she isn’t quite ready for marriage just yet, she feels as if she hasn’t lived enough life to be settled. Rosalind realizes she needs to find her list, the list she composed in her youth, of things to complete before she is married. It is filled with things to experience and accomplish. Some seem so very juvenile in hindsight, but she is determined to check off every last item. And who better to help her than her dearest friend Liza. Only Liza is occupied with her own family’s needs, her cousin, a very troubled Charles Winston. A prodigal son. Surprisingly, it is Charlie that takes up the mantle to help her complete her task.
Miss Newbury’s List is wonderful story of learning to live life to the fullest, embracing your fears and facing them head on, of realizing your dreams and reaching for them, of finding a person who believes in you and encourages you to reach your full potential.
There are so many things to love about this book. The pond, a boxing lesson, the opera, buried treasure, the picnic, masquerade ball and the best brother any girl could ever wish for. Ben is just the sweetest! The first almost kiss will have you swooning and then screaming and then shaking your fists!
This story will definitely have you checking all the boxes off your list of makings of a great story. And I believe this is one of the happiest “happily ever afters” EVER!
Thank you Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own!
@authormeganwalker #missnewburyslist #properromance #cleanromance #historicalfiction #historicalromance #netgalley #arcreview #bookstagram
🌱 Y'all remember Lakeshire Park?? It was one of the first few regency novels I read back in the day when the genre was new to me (2021 😂). I was already hooked by then, but I really enjoyed that one and have been waiting for another book by @authormeganwalker ever since!!
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🌱 So you can imagine my excitement when I got an ARC copy from @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub !!!! I couldn't wait to start it, and oohh it reminded me why I love regency romance!
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🌱 This had some Otherwise Engaged vibes, without feeling like a retelling by any means. Sometimes it felt a bit contemporary for a regency, but I didn't care. I enjoyed every single page. The chemistry was palpable 🔥
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🌱 One thing that really stood out to me about this one is the familial relationships. They can feel really cold in these novels, but they were so loving, warm, and genuine in this one, and I appreciated the change.
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🌱 There was no objectionable content - similar to most regency novels.
We find kissing and lots of chemistry/tension. And no profanity.
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🌱 Put this on your list asap - it will be published in February!
This is a review for Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker that will be released on February 7, 2023, and I am reviewing it for NetGalley. This is the first book that I have read by this author, but I can promise you it will not be the last. I chose this book because it is set in the Regency Era, and I am so glad I did. Regency romance is one of my favorite genres to read, but sometimes the stories can kind of be boring because they tend to be the same which doesn't excite me too much, but this story was NOT like that at all!!! This was a book that I snuggled up to with a cup of coffee on a cold day, and I was drawn in from the beginning! It brought me back to all the reasons I enjoy that genre so much! So it is safe to say, I loved story!
The story takes place in 1820 in England, and where we are introduced to the main character, Rosalind Newbury, who is engaged to be married to the Duke of Marlow, a man she had met twice in her life, but whom she was getting ready to spend the rest of her days with. She sees the marriage as a way to elevate her family's status, and therefore she believes it is her duty to go through with it.
The wedding is scheduled to take place in three weeks, but before she marries, she remembers that she made a list of 10 life goals when she was 12, a list that was inspired by her Aunt Alice who was an adventurous woman of that time, which she wanted to accomplish before her wedding day. She hid that list a long time ago, so she goes in search of it, and eventually finds it.
Rosalind is determined to complete that list before she walks down the aisle, because some of the items on the list such as learning to swim, eating as many sweets as her stomach can stand in one sitting, will not be allowed for a duchess. Rosalind decides to enlist her best friend Liza, who in turn invites her cousin, Charlie, who is staying with Liza's family. Charlie is staying with Liza because he has been cut off by his family, fortune and all, and uses his love of boxing as a way to process all he is dealing with...but despite all his troubles, Charlie jumps at the chance when invited to join Liza by helping Rosalind complete her list as a welcomed distraction.
As the threesome works on completing the list, their friendships deepen, not only between Rosalind & Liza, but between Rosalind and Charlie. One of the first items on the list is for one of Rosalind's paintings to be displayed in a place where many people can admire it, so Charlie sets up a scheme to make that happen at the famous Opera house, where many famous artists paintings are displayed. But to hang a painting at the Opera house, you must be famous, which Rosalind isn't, but that doesn't stop Charlie from helping his new friend accomplish her goal.
One night while escorting Rosalind & Liza to the opera, Charlie gets an idea in his head to secretly exchange one of Rosalind's paintings for one of the famous paintings hanging on the wall in the Opera house. He convinces the girls to help him do this, and they almost get caught, but they end up being able to cross this off Rosalind's list.
As they continue their adventure of fulfilling the list, Charlie and Rosalind open up to each other about their lives, hopes and dreams, which draws their friendship even closer, and both begin to question where their lives are headed, but you will have to read the story to find out what happens to Rosalind and Charlie, and if Rosalind is able to fulfill her list before her wedding day.
After reading the last page, I thought to myself, I really enjoyed this book! It was just a fun and sweet read, but unpredictable. It was interesting, held my attention greatly, the characters blended so well together, and I just really loved it. As I said before, reading it made me remember why I love this genre so much. So it gets 5 out of 5 stars for me, and I look forward to reading more from Megan Walker!!!
I was a little worried about this book because I had heard so many good things about it, but it was just as great as others had said! Miss Newbury’s List is the first book that I have read by Megan Walker. I know, I need to read her other book but it is on my TBR. Miss Newbury’s List was just a wonderful historical romance with relatable and engaging characters!
Rosalind just wanted to complete her list before she married the duke. She was searching for her last semblance of herself and her happiness before she accepted the fact that her life would have to change after becoming a duke’s wife. Rosalind was definitely a complicated character, however I still loved her and her growth. She was trying so hard to be happy and accept her future and yet she was still looking for more. Rosalind had to learn that to trust her family and her feelings. Rosalind had to figure out if she was willing to take a risk even if it might change her whole life.
Charlie was just wonderful! I adored him from the start. He was a wounded hero who was just trying to get by. Charlie was running from his problems, but he had a good heart. Charlie had to learn to face his fears. He had to learn to let his family in and be a man that they could be proud of. Charlie had to work through much, but it was sweet to read about his growth throughout the book. Rosalind really challenged him to be better.
Rosalind and Charlie were just so cute together! They challenged each other and pushed each other to be better versions of themselves. They were able to be themselves around each other with no fear about society. However Rosalind and Charlie had to work through their demons and Rosalind’s engagement before they could even consider falling for each other. I did like how they had an easy connection and how they really seemed to care for each other first as friends.
Oh my goodness, I did not know how Charlie and Rosalind were going to end up together. There were just so many things working against them, but I loved reading their story. I also adored the side characters. The siblings and cousin relationship was just wonderful and I hope that Ben and Liza get their own books!
Miss Newbury’s List was a lovely book and I would definitely recommend it! It is a sweet, clean, historical romance.
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.
This book reminds me a bit of some of my favorite stories, not even in the same genre, and so I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rosalind wants to complete an old bucket list before she marries the Duke. You can see where this is going to go. And it goes pretty much how expected, but the journey is so delightful. The characters are properly loveable and annoying respectively.
I did want to just tell Ros to open her mouth and have her say. She’s perfectly comfortable doing crazy things on her list, but meek in other ways. So she’s normal. Hahahaha. Charlie is impossible not to adore, which I promptly did. Like completely. He was the best kind of person to have on an adventure! I do hope Ben is going to get a story!
The first part was a little slow, but I also wasn’t able to read it in big chunks of time. The last half flew by and I felt incredibly satisfied with the HEA. I reread it so that is an obvious sign of contentment.
Everything I’ve read by @authormeganwalker is fantastic. So make your own list of what to read and be sure to add this book. It checks off all the feels and give that gorgeous cover a look!
I received a copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rosalind Newbury is engaged to be married to a duke, which is a huge deal for the elevation of her family's status as well as her own comfortable future. She's a bit anxious though, worrying over her failure to complete an old wish list of things she vowed to do before getting married. Ros manages to rope her best friend Liza into helping her with the list, entangling Liza's scoundrel of a cousin in the adventure as well. As they check items off Rosalind's list, she starts to realize that maybe she wants more from life than banal comforts...
This story was SO cute and I loved it! It's a fast read, well-paced with a handful of laughs as well as more emotional moments. The characters are fantastic, even the more minor ones like Charlie's sister and Rosalind's maid. I wholeheartedly recommend this sweet historical romance, and I will happily read anything else Megan Walker brings to life on a page!
Thank you to Megan Walker, Shadow Mountain, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I loved this story. The relationship between Ros and Charlie was great. You could feel the tension and heartache between them. This is definitely a book I will reread in the future, and would recommend it to anyone who loves sweet romance.
Miss Newbury’s List is about as sweet as it gets! If you like your historical romances wholesome with the feel of a Hallmark film (but set in Regency times), this pure romance is for you. It’s like Bridgerton without the explicit content and an easy, enjoyable read from start to finish.
The story is fun (using the bucket list angle to connect the two main characters, Ros and Charlie), the characters are likable, and the romance is swoon-worthy.
Ros does feel a bit younger than 20, so this should also appeal to teen readers and adults.
I enjoyed reading Megan Walker’s new book, and I recommend it to readers looking for something sweet and satisfying.
Adaptation Recommendation:
Miss Newbury’s List would be a delightful period drama movie – made for streaming.
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 (rounded up for Goodreads)
Romance Rating: 4
(Note: I will be posting my review to my next book reviews roundup post at silverpetticoatreview.com.)
Disclosure: I received a digital copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Did I stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing this book? Absolutely yes. And I have no regrets. This story was incredible. 🥹🤍 I was swept away from the very beginning and knew I was going to fall in love with Charlie the second Rosalind met him.
The themes of redemption and freedom to choose one’s own path were done so well. The conflicts were unique for a Regency romance and I really enjoyed that.
The slow burn cooked me like a perfect Sunday roast and I was undone by the alcove scene 😮💨🥲 Iykyk
If you like:
- character A has a list of things to accomplish and character b helps them finish it trope (that’s a thing right? 😂)
- forbidden love
- a sort of forced proximity
- a handsome, rugged, but gentle underdog hero
- a strong FMC who follows her dreams
- very likable side characters
- strong familial bonds
- redemption and forgiveness
- unconditional love
- Swoony kiss scenes 🥰
- a fair bit of action and adventure 🥳
I love this story and I absolutely will be rereading it in the new year. 😍
So so good! I loved this story about Rosalind!
Rosalind is engaged to a Duke for the same of earning her family a title and securing their future. But she’s not happy. She believes the reason for her unhappiness is that she just hasn’t lived enough yet, so she’s out to accomplish a small list of tasks before the end of her engagement. What she didn’t expect was to meet Charlie along the way.
This story is the ultimate forbidden romance. The kind where your brain says “there is literally no way for these two people yo end up together.” But watching their relationship blossom was so rewarding!
If you enjoy regency romance, this isn’t one to miss!
Ros and Charlie, Charlie and Ros. Two kindred spirits that find that they want more out if life than what life is giving them.
Charlie second guesses himself and his position and is meandering through life without a goal or a purpose (other than to box his way through his problems).
Ros has it all, literally. But does she want it? Sure, or maybe not…… indecision is a foul thing. Especially when it is your heart and your family’s future in play.
Can Charlie do what needs to be done, to become the man he was truly meant to be?
Can Ros live her life HER way, does she choose Duty or her heart?
Megan Walker outdid herself with this amazing book. It is now another favorite for me.
*I received a copy of this book as an ARC reviewer, but a positive review wasn’t required. All thoughts are solely what I personally thought of this beautiful book.
**Contains Spoilers**
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining; a comfort read
1820, England
Rosalind Newbury is engaged to marry a duke even without having a season. Her family sees it as an opportunity to increase their reach. Rosalind agrees to make her family happy. As the wedding date gets closer, she cannot help but feel suffocated and uncomfortable. She barely knows the duke and hasn’t had a chance to live life the way she wanted.
Rosalind digs out a list from her childhood and is determined to complete it before the wedding. She thinks it’ll make her ready for the marriage. She seeks help from her dearest friend Liza. But Liza’s cousin Charlie also joins the gang. After all, a gentleman-turned-wayward boxer needs something to keep him entertained.
As Ros ticks off each item on the list, she realizes more about her suppressed self. But with the wedding fast approaching, can she make a decision that’s right for her and her family? Is there a place for love and happy ever after?
The story comes from Rosalind’s first-person POV.
What I Like:
This is a straightforward historical romance. It was rather a relief to read something simple and sweet. This is a clean romance, too (not that I mind some steam).
The pacing is steady. I could finish the book in two days and didn’t have to speed-read either.
The characters are neither too deep nor shallow. They have the right amount of depth to keep the whole thing light and easy on the mind.
Rosalind, Charlie, Liza, and Ben are easy to like. They have their flaws but are loving, witty, and family-oriented. Ros can be a little childish, but she isn’t even eighteen, so that’s understandable.
The banter between Ros and Charlie is fun to read. Some of it is silly, while some of their conversations are thoughtful and heartwarming.
The secondary characters are also sweet and warm. They don’t get much space, but I can see the potential to turn this into a standalone series. There definitely is a track ready for the next book.
It has HEA, which is always welcome (with exceptions). We know what will happen. It’s the how that matters, and this was entertaining pretty much throughout.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
I’ll put these in spoilers as these issues can be easily edited in the final manuscript (the release is two months away).
The climax and resolution were too simple and flat. A little more tension would have made the ending much better.
Though the book is from Rosalind’s perspective, it was still jarring to see her mother accept her decision (or the change of her decision) and even support it. A scene earlier in the book to link to this change will make the transition smoother.
Rosalind’s father and the duke have very limited roles. A scene between Rosalind and her father would also make the climax more believable.
We don’t see the duke until toward the end. By then, we already have our loyalties towards another character. The duke has to be live in action early in the book to build a case. It seems unfair that this happens to him (and a couple of dialogues don’t justify it enough).
Rosalind doesn’t even think of updating her list. It seems odd that she’d only want to tick off something she wrote as a child. Maybe have her ponder over the items a little more, delete a couple, and add them back again.
To summarize, Miss Newbury's List is a sweet regency romance with pretty likable characters and lighthearted banter. It works great as a breather or a comfort read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#MissNewburysList #NetGalley
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I have removed the spoilers from my blog post and hid them on Goodreads and Storygraph.
Miss Newbury's List is a great book. I enjoyed how Rosalind and Charlie meet. I laughed out loud at some of the ways the three friends complete things on Rosalind's list. I am always wary of when the main character is engaged and falls in love with someone else but this was written very well. I loved the way the family members reacted to Charlie's change and Rosalind's news. Well written and beautiful.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rosalind is engaged to be married to the Duke of Marlowe. She only has three weeks to finish the things on 'THE LIST' before she gets married. She is trying to get her best friend and neighbour, Liza, to help her. Unfortunately, Liza is entrusted with keeping her visiting cousin, Charlie, from trouble. Charlie is sent to the country to rusticate as he was involved in an altercation with a peer. He is also a pugilist. Ros will also need to apply to Charlie for help if Liza is to help her. Would Ros be able to finish all the items on the list before the wedding and learn what it means to follow her heart?
Ros and Charlie were super sweet together. It was fantastic to see how they slowly fell for each other. The banters were a lot of fun, too.
Ms Walker wrote this book solely from Ros's point of view. She has a lovely writing style; easy to read and rich in historical details. The central theme of the book is about satisfying familial expectations. Ros accepted the Duke of Marlowe's marriage offer because her family wanted a title. The Duke wanted the marriage because of a piece of land that was part of her dowry. Charlie went a bit wild and ran off to London when his brother, the heir, died. Instead of living up to his family's expectations, he did the opposite and became a pugilist.
I thought the author did very well in laying out the story. There wasn't anything particularly scandalous on the list by today's standards (learn how to swim, change someone's life, etc.), but the adventures were fun to read.
I simply loved the chemistry between Ros and Charlie. Ros started not really liking Charlie since she thought he was a troublemaker. Charlie is a really decent guy who somehow lost his way. Ros helped him find his way again; in return, he gave her the courage to be true to herself. A lovely story all around. I had a sappy smile by the end of the book. One of the main reasons I read would be escapism, and this book offers escapism at its best. I'll be looking out for this author's other works.
Steam factor: Nil. Kisses only.
In a nutshell, Ros is engaged to be married to a man she doesn't know well enough to know if she'd like to marry him or not but he's got a title and that seems like a good enough reason to get married. But before she says I do, Ros has a list of things to complete; things that might make her life feel more fulfilled before she becomes an old married woman. Some of the things are silly, some commonplace, and some might just change her life...
The first half was okay, but verged more on the silly side and wasn't very compelling. The writing also seemed less polished and more cringey. Just around 50% of the way through is where it picked up steam and I started to really enjoy it. The story and the romance, I think, lend itself much more to a YA audience than an adult one. The Proper Romance label never really has very inappropriate content but this one as a whole package felt YA, maybe because Ros and Charlie seem (and are, I guess) pretty young. That being said, the romance/kissing scenes were maybe a little more spicy than in some of this series, just an a heads up for those familiar with this label.
From the publisher: Before Rosalind weds, she wants to experience ten things. Meeting Charlie wasn’t on her list.
Miss Newbury’s List by Megan Walker is a clean romance set in the Regency period from Shadow Mountain Publishing’s Proper Romance line. A happily ever after is assured, and behavior will be more or less appropriate to the times.
The story is narrated by Rosalind, who has agreed to marry a duke in order to bring a title to her family. He is marrying her to recover a plot of land sold to her family years ago. They have literally no feelings for one another – good or bad.
Years ago, inspired by her aunt’s wedding, Rosalind made a list of ten things to do before she marries. Although the wedding is fast approaching, she has done none of them. So she enlists her best friend Liza and Liza’s ne’er-do-well cousin to help her to truly enjoy her final days before becoming a duchess. But participating in a set of adventures with an attractive man is not necessarily the safest way to arrive successfully at one’s wedding day to a groom one does not love.
Previously I read Walker’s book Lakeshire Park, and the author’s writing has matured since that book. There is humor (like her best friend’s footman refusing to allow Rosalind into their home) and genuine feeling between characters. It is neither a series of misunderstandings nor refusal to have frank conversations that keeps the lovers apart, but the genuine obstacle of being already engaged. I do still think Walker’s stories could benefit from being written in third person instead of first.
This book has an absolutely gorgeous cover. There is a whole host of side characters, including the disappointed duke, who could receive books of their own if the author decides to make this the first in a series. I definitely consider Megan Walker a Regency romance author to watch.
I read an advance reader copy of Miss Newbury’s List from Netgalley. The book is scheduled to be published on February 7, and the Galesburg Public Library will own it. We also own Walker’s book Lakeshire Park.
Rosalind Newbury is about to marry the Duke of Marlow which will insure her family a title in exchange for the parcel of land the Duke would gain and her, of course. She has made a list of things to do before she marries. The list was made when she was 12…Enter Charles Winston…her neighbor and best friend, Liz Ollerton’s cousin…a bit of a rogue, rough around the edges. The further she gets into fulfilling this list, the more tempestuous the shenanigans!
This story begs for these two to be together. I didn’t know how they would get there, the journey was a bit treacherous with an added dose of scandal but in the end this book earns a sigh and a smile.
This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.
"I did not believe him, but I wanted to. I wanted to prove I was as brave as he thought I was. I wanted to be the woman Charlie saw when he looked at me."
Rosalind has a list of items she has resolved to finish before she marries—an event that is a mere three weeks away, and to a duke. Her resolve wavers until she enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, and her roguish pugilist cousin, Charlie. Together they start checking items of Rosalind's list, and with each item completed, Charlie takes a piece of Rosalind's heart. When it comes to duty or love, which will win out?
This book was beautiful, and I loved almost every second of it. I may or may not have read this book in a single day because I was so enthralled by this story and these characters. Megan Walker is a master at crafting beautiful, heartfelt romance that is entrancing and utterly delightful.
Ros is a fun heroine, and I appreciated so many parts of her personality. Her determination to complete her list, her devotion to her family, and her sweet friendship and connection with Liza were all things that made her feel real. Her developing relationship with Charlie was absolutely everything you want from a swoony Regency romance.
Charlie. All the heart eyes for Charlie. He is the embodiment of the "gentle giant" and I loved him so much. I would be lying if I said he wasn't my favorite character. He was just such a lovely person, and I felt like we got to see so much of his personality through Ros's eyes, and he just had a depth to him that made me feel as though he could walk into a room and I'd immediately recognize him and we would be friends.
Beyond the romance, though, was woven this beautiful tapestry of family and what it means to be there for the people you love. The strength of love and connection that can be found in a family that cares for each other is incredible. Forgiveness and hope are built into the foundation of this story, and it made the entire book feel light and good and leaves you feeling better than you were before.
The only thing I wanted more of from this book was for the antagonists to be more . . . antagonistic. The big "twist" at the end fell a little flat for me, and it felt like some strings were tied up too quickly. That being said, this disappointment really is only a speck in the ocean of all the things I LOVED about this book.
Also, the kissing scenes were absolutely worth the wait. Megan Walker definitely knows how to write the perfect amount of swoon into her books.
4.33 stars—I would absolutely recommend this book if you are a Regency romance fan.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the complimentary digital copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In Miss Newbury's List, Megan Walker has crafted a beautiful tale of Regency romance, childhood dreams, true friendship, family loyalty, and even a bit of adventure. The book synopsis appealed to my Jane Austen sensibilities and delivered on that appeal from beginning to end. I became completely engrossed in the atmosphere of the English countryside setting and fully invested in the relationship between Rosalind and Charlie that develops slowly through their quest to complete Rosalind's list. Miss Newbury's List is an absolutely delightful and charming historical romance. I am grateful to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an advance copy ahead of publication. I highly recommend this lovely novel for fans of historical romance and Austen inspired novels.
Megan Walker has done it again! Miss Newbury's List is a Proper Romance book not to be missed when it releases on February 7th! I stayed up way too late reading this phenomenal book! The chemistry between Rosalind and Charlie was very well written. I mean, that's what to expect when reading a romance by Megan. This book had so many elements of Megan's writing that I LOVE! The banter between her two characters in her books is one of my favorite things about her writing.
Rosalind has a list of things she'd like to accomplish before she gets married to a Duke. With only 3 weeks until the big day Ros enlists the help of her friend Liz and her cousin Charlie to help her out.
I absolutely loved Charlie the moment Rosalind met him! He was such a fun mysterious character with a tainted past and you can't help loving him!
I loved that this wasn't just a romance story. It's a story about redemption and choosing your own path in life.
I loved the friendships and family relationships that were put into this amazing story!
I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. What's not to love about a Proper Romance book?! Another 5 ⭐️ read for me!
If you like:
-action and adventure
-swoon worthy romances
-strong female leads
-strong family bonds
-forced proximity
Then read this book, please! ❤️
The story line of this book was so unique- I loved the whole bucket list idea.
There was lots of humor and plenty of unexpected twists. I also enjoyed learning a few historical facts I didn’t know- it was well researched.
I felt like a big theme I. This book was how a family should stick together and be loving, supportive and loyal to each other. It was refreshing to see in a regency book- usually the families are awful to each other.
I loved the book and would recommend it!
Be still my heart...? This was a confusingly good time? Here: was is great? Not so much. Did I have a great time reading it? Absolutely. This is a lovely story of unlikely allies growing into cautious lovers (PG love all around) as they both struggle with knowing themselves, their worth, and their place in the world. Ros and Charlie are entirely loveable down to their (likely historically inaccurate) lack of propriety and reluctance to accept what's staring them in the face. I loved watching them realize their feelings and sitting back with a sigh and a quasi parental "finally!" when they worked it all out (it's clean historical romance, it's not a spoiler that there's a happy ending). If you are looking for a cozy clean romance between an unlikely pair, Walker's book is the perfect choice.
**Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the eARC**
This was such a sweet surprise and a great way to end my 2022 reading year!
Megan Walker is back with another book full of fun banter, and heart filled moments that got better with each turn of the page.
This is a book that is about defying familial expectations/legacy, making lists and following your heart. Its full of friendship and sibling bonds but mostly it’s about learning how to navigate that sticky road between pleasing family and making sure you’re not sacrificing what makes you brave and special. It’s flirtatious and has unique plot points that give it a fun premise to build on.
At first I wasn’t sure about the fulfillment of a list made at 12 years of age…I don’t even want to read my Facebook posts from high school… BUT it was surprisingly sweet and lead to a lot of fun and romantic moments where our main couple gets to know and tease one another.
One scene after another slowly cemented my enjoyment of this couple and the finish was just really sweet and completely satisfying and put a smile on my face!
I hope we get more books with some of the side characters! A wonderful story about the power of second chances, and finding the person you don’t have to put walls up around.
WOW! This book is PHENOMENAL! It is sweet, romantic, endearing, full of heart, witty, heart-wrenching, full of love, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Miss Newbury's List", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this beautiful story!
Megan Walker is such a fantastic author! Her writing style is visceral, vivid, detailed, descriptive, full of emotion, and her passion for storytelling and the world she has created is so clear. From the very first page, as the reader, I felt pulled into the story and so pulling for the main characters to find happiness and love.
Rosalind is engaged to the Duke of Marlow, a match which, on paper, seems perfect. However, beneath that exterior, Rosalind understandably has many doubts and fears about her upcoming marriage, as she barely knows the man and wonders what his true intentions are. She is inspired by her Aunt Alice to create a list of things she wants to do before she is wed, and sets her mind to completing that list! With the help of her friend Liza, who is like a sister to her, and Liza's cousin Charlie, Rosalind begins to check items off of that list. Never could she have imagined how this will change her life in more ways than she could have expected, and how she will come to find the happiness she knows in her heart that she truly longs to have.
(Possible Spoilers!):
OH MY GOSH! Rosalind and Charlie are simply perfect together. They bring out the best and challenge one another, and are able to truly understand each other in such a powerful and stunning way. Both are so strong, brave, caring, and truly have hearts of gold. Their journey to happily-ever-after is full of adventure, hope, heart, and moments that will have you on the edge of your seat holding your breath, and I hope we see these two again in a future novel. Moreover, I would love to see Liza and Ben again too!
If you enjoy Regency Romance, I highly recommend this book! I may have stayed up until 4am to finish it, and OH MY GOODNESS, I simply can't wait to read what Ms. Walker writes next!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the e-ARC of this book, and to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a physical ARC as well, it is incredible! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Miss Newberry’s List” was a delightful regency read. I loved the idea of a list for Rosalind to accomplish before marrying her intended. What was meant to help her live a little and provide a few adventures ended up with Ros discovering herself and love in Charlie. I recommend this novel to any clean, regency romance lovers who want to enjoy a fun, lighthearted love story.
This was a sweet, fun regency romance. However, it wasn’t enough to completely capture my attention. I found as I read that I didn’t really care for any of the characters, and there were moments in the plot, or something someone would say or do, that just didn’t work for me. I do think plenty of regency romance lovers will enjoy this book, so I’d say give it a try.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an e-arc!
I can't believe how completely captivated I was from the very beginning! This story is exquisite! Ros's list is brilliant and such a fun prise for a book. Charlie is such a fantastic flawed hero! His character arc is so much fun to follow with him on his journey! But what is truly captivating is their joint character arc and how they grow and heal each other! Truly stunningly beautiful! Well done!
I received a copy of the book for review purposes, but all thoughts are my own and I was not required or even pressed to give a good review.
Miss Newbury’s List is an utterly lovely read from start to finish. Megan Walker manages to write within the regency romance genre in such a unique way - it reads both exactly like what you crave when picking up a regency romance and like an imaginative new angle on regency romance. I have no idea how she manages this, but I absolutely love the end result!
Miss Rosalind Newbury is a compelling protagonist. Her quest for self-knowledge and lapses in self-understanding are relatable. I think each of us, at some point in young adulthood, have a bit of a crisis of identity, a “Who am I really and can I live as the person I am?” moment. Rosalind is so sure she knows what she wants - and just like in reality, life checks in to let her know that she’s still learning what she wants and needs. Her journey to find herself more fully (via her titular list) makes it easy to invest in the book!
Rosalind’s relationships are heartwarming. While certainly not perfect, her relationships with her parents and her present brother, Ben, are full of love and kindness and a clear commitment to each other. Her relationship with her best friend, Liza, carries all the love, exasperation, understanding, insight, and frustration of real-life friendships, and it is absolutely endearing,
Of course, one cannot review a regency romance without mentioning the romantic hero. Walker does the contrary meet-cute moment so well, and Charlie and Rosalind’s first encounter is exactly that. Charlie was a refreshingly different regency hero - he’s much different than the stereotypical hero and Walker writes him so well. His struggles and challenges are relatable to a modern reader, and his flaws the redeemable sort that make a hero so compelling to read.
Solid 5 stars from me! I’ll definitely be recommend this book to fans of the regency genre!
Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
“This did not feel like a near-scandal anymore, nor mere friendship. It felt comfortable. Too comfortable. And I wanted it to be real.”
Rosalind Newbury is marrying a Duke in mere weeks and has one thing in mind. She must complete her list of ten items she wishes to do before she marries. With the help of her friend, Liza, and Liza’s cousin, Charlie, Rosalind sets out to do just that. Some items are easy. Others more difficult. Each give her a sense of freedom and change her. But will the biggest change bring heartache or joy?
I loved Miss Newbury’s List! The idea of a bucket list before getting married is such a fun idea. The items on Rosalind’s list range from completely crazy to personal and heartwarming. Having a daring and adventurous Charlie help in completing the list only makes it more fun.
The relationship between Charlie and Rosalind is my favorite. I loved their banter and the looks that they would give each other. Rosalind learning to trust Charlie more and more makes for great moments between them and for the reader.
My only complaint is not having enough time with these two. I loved the book and it wrapped up nicely but having Rosalind and Charlie as real life friends would be so fun! Adventures and laughter would abound!
I adore Megan Walker’s work so I was excited to read Miss Newbury’s List. It did not disappoint! If you love a forbidden love, making dreams come true and swoony moments, this is the book for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the advance e-book. These opinions are my own.
Absolute perfection! Ugh, Charlie Winston is perfection. Ben is the perfect brother. Liza is the bestest of friends. Rosalind is the best of daughters. Mr and Mrs Newbury are the best of parents. Charles family is the best of the best. The Duke of Marlow is the worst of the worst. Such a fun, unique Regency romance. Will definitely be screaming about this one from the roof tops! The slow burn was almost painful, but had the best payoff at the end. Megan Walker is a mastermind!
Thank you to Shadow mountain for allowing me to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and unbiased.
Miss Newbury's List is a captivating, enchanting and breathtaking Regency story about family, true love, following one's heart, redemption and honour. Oh, how I loved its sweet romance, lively adventures, flawed characters and escapism! Author Megan Walker deftly paints beautiful literal and figurative landscapes with words.
Rosalind Newbury is betrothed to the Duke of Marlow, a man she scarcely knows. The marriage would ensure financial security for her family and land for the duke. And she is unhappy. Inspired by her aunt Alice she draws up a list of ten things to do before marrying so she discovers her true self. Her list is varied and interesting and she shares it with her dearest friend Lizzy. Meeting Lizzy's cousin Charlie turns her world inside out. The two grow as individuals first (he is not proud of his past) and then together. But what of the duke?
Categorized as appropriate for all readers, this novel is refreshingly wholesome, perfect for my mom and young nieces and anyone who seeks charming romance.
My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this utterly delightful book. Pure joy!
What a delightful, touching, witty romance. I loved every chapter, every character interaction, literally everything about this book. The concept of Rosalind's list set up the perfect plot; there were lots of opportunities for her to spend time with Charlie, lots of tension, and the pacing was quick enough to continually capture my attention.
The romance really shines through in this book. Even though Rosalind is engaged to a duke, you can see her journey in figuring out what she really wants, especially as she spends more time with Charlie. He is the perfect rough-and-tough Regency guy with a cute soft spot, and their conversations melted me into a puddle.
I also loved how this book wasn't super predictable. It went in directions I did not expect, and I was STRESSED at the end. But it has a beautiful ending that made me feel all warm and fuzzy. This is definitely one of my favorite regency romances now.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5
Thank you, Shadow Mountain, for the arc!
Trigger/Content Warnings: kisses, fighting violence, near drowning
I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Newbuy's tale, even if most of the time I was wondering how on earth she was getting away with the things she was doing. The situations and characters kept me laughing. The author kept me guessing about how everything would eventually work out. The situation seemed impossible. There are some supporting characters that clearly need their own stories. Ben, Miss Newbury's brother, and Liza, her best friend, come to mind. I am delighted to find a new author that I enjoy and look forward to more!
Such a delightful read! I loved this author's debut novel and was so excited when this books was announced. I was happy to get an early copy to read and I dove right in and loved it!
I love watching characters grow and learn and become better than they were. Even if it isn't a big change, I love seeing them overcome an obstacle or become better at something they didn't necessarily know they were needing to grow at.
Rosalind loves her family deeply and is marrying the Duke of Marlow soon. She wants to be like her aunt and accomplish the items on a list before she marries. She takes matters into her hands and sets out to do just that. Some of the items she has no idea how she will manage them but she's determined. She thinks it will help her. And it does. But not necessarily how she imagined it would.
I loved the great connection of family and friendship throughout this book. Ros has the love of many, even if she doesn't quite see it at first. They are so supportive of her and want her to be happy. It was fun to watch her navigate relationships, her list and the big list of wedding to do before the big day. Sometimes her antics had me chuckling and sometimes she had me holding my breath in anticipation of what was about to happen.
Liza, Charlie and Ben make for great conspiratorial companions. Even if they don't always know they are part of her schemes and plans. I loved watching the dynamics between all of these characters.
There is a sweet romance that builds throughout the book. And I love how the combination of the list, the friendships and the romance, Ros comes to a great realization. The ending left me very happy. As did the middle and beginning! All of it was wonderful! I can't wait to share it with all of my friends when it becomes available!!!
Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril but nothing overly graphic. Some kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Miss Newbury’s List by Megan Walker
It’s early in the year but I can already tell this book is going to make the favorites list. This story is beautiful and heartfelt, filled with joy, sorrow and working through your past to come out a better person.
Rosalind has a list of things she wants to accomplish before she weds. It’s been tucked away for years and it isn’t until two weeks before her wedding to a man she barely knows that she pulls it out. Talk about a procrastinator 🤣. In her defense she was waiting for her best friend to come home.
When she flees to said friend’s house, Liza’s, to enlist her help she is met with resistance from the butler, only to learn that the family is hiding Liza’s cousin, the black sheep of the family. If Rosalind’s wants her friend’s help, she must first convince the cousin, Charlie to tag along.
Rosalind and Charlie are two souls cut from the same cloth. They each want a life of adventure and fulfillment. Their chemistry on the page is palpable and you can’t help but root for them.
Miss Newbury’s List plays out so well. Walker’s writing will hold you captive, make you swoon, giggle, and sigh. It’s a historical romance you will want to read again and again.
Read if you like:
🥊 awkward meet cutes
🥊 adventure
🥊 swoony almost kisses
🥊 the best kind of pining
🥊 strong familial ties
🥊 relatable characters
Content: fist fights, attempted kidnapping, a main character is stabbed, kisses
An entertaining sweet regency romance, friends to lovers, with likable characters and lighthearted banter. Slow-burn romance that's worth the wait.
Englan 1820. Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her time. As a child, Ros created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day... Meeting Charlie wasn’t on her list.
The romance builds throughout the book, a combination of the list, the friendship, and the romance. They each want a life of adventure and fulfillment. The writing is captivating and will have you giggling and swooning.
Ros and Charlie are a very unlikely pair, I loved watching them realize their feelings as they both struggle with knowing themselves, and their place in the world. The character growth was wonderful to see throughout the book.
.action and adventure
.forced proximity
.family bond
.forgiveness and redemption
.swoony kiss scenes
Recommended for fans of closed-door regency romances. clean-some kisses but nothing further.
#MissNewburylist #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Miss Newbury’s List is another sweet Regency romance from Megan Walker. It utilizes some familiar tropes, and does them in a way that I really enjoyed. For one, after a couple recent/upcoming releases I felt misused the list concept as a framing device or character builder, I liked how the titular list Miss Newbury creates was applied here. It helps create the blueprint for Ros and Charlie’s boundary-pushing romance in a cool way.
I’m also just happy for a duke as the villain, instead of the hero (although that archetype is much less archetype in chaste romance circles). I did foreshadow the rather nefarious turn he took, but I like that it created complex, high stakes for Liza to work through.
As for Ros, I admire her dedication to trying to do the honorable thing and fulfill what her family wants, even if her own desires don’t entirely align. I also admire her desire to do something a bit daring and live life for once before being resigned to her new life as a proper duchess.
I also love that, while her family are generally proper society people who are interested in social and financial betterment, they do genuinely love their kids and are willing to take a hit to their social standing for the sake of their happiness. Given how awful the Duke turned out to be, I’m glad Ros didn’t also have tyrannical parents.
Charlie is a wonderful hero, and I love how organically his and Ros’ relationship developed from their initial meeting and through their various adventures as he helped her fulfill different tasks on her list. I like how well they complement each other in their respective desires: her wanting to experience life, and him wanting to reform and change, as well as prove his own worth of his familial legacy.
This is an enjoyable read that provides a delightful spin on familiar tropes. I would recommend it to fans of chaste/no-sex historical romance.
I really enjoyed this story. It was fast paced, sweet and fun with a dramatic twist at the end!
Rosalind was 12 years old when she made her list of 10 things she wants to do before she gets married. Over the years the list was forgotten, but it’s now 3 weeks till her wedding with a Duke, a man she’s only met twice. She enlist the help of her best friend and her best friend’s cousin to secretly check off the things on her list. Should be simple, right? Learn how to swim, run away for the day, change someone’s life…
This book was really fun to read. Rosalind has a bit of a rebellious spirit that gets her in some crazy situations. Mysterious Charlie is right there with her, sometimes leading the way on these wild adventures.
I loved Rosalind’s story of choosing love over duty. And I always love when there’s a supportive family!! Charlie was a great MMC. He’s hiding from his past and his future. I loved his journey of accepting forgiveness and stepping up to new roles in his life. These two have a sweet, heart warming love story.
There were a few times I found myself wondering if young woman in regency times really would have acted this way. Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t… It was still an entertaining read!
This is a clean romance.
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own
The Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a fun read that hit all the right places. There is witty dialogue, a puzzling mystery, and a budding romance with just the right amount of tension. I enjoyed watching Ginny and Jack's relationship change and grow, and I loved that Jack wasn't too serious. Overall a great read!
I am a mix of emotions after finishing this book, in the best way possible. It’s not often that a book can lead me to tears and boy did I cry. Happy tears, of course. Charlie and Ros (Rosalind) were so entirely adorable that I couldn’t even handle it.
This is going on my list of favorite books. Top book of the year, absolutely. Just…gah. So absolutely perfect and raw and sweet that I am planning to read through my favorite bits again to experience those emotions a second time through , even though I now know what happens.
As a reader, I always wonder what goes through an authors mind when writing a novel. How can you give the characters depth, while still successfully taking a reader through a journey full of positivity and growth without being a total downer? It seems like a very specific formula that takes a lot of skill and heart and people, Megan Walker blew it out of the water with this one. I am so in love with everything she wrote and the characters. 😍😍😍 All of them. I’m just praying there will be more to come. There’s a certain brother who needs a story of his own and I’m hoping he ends up with this specific someone that I cannot name. 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Favorite scenes because I can’t not share them.
Anything with Charlie in it!!! Just 😍.
The alcove and then the eye contact following it the next day
The morning Ros tagged along with Ben
The family’s study scene
Eloise and everything that came out of her mouth
The completed list
The empowering quotes
Basically, the entire book
This was like sooo good. Absolutely fabulous!!
Let me just start off saying that I adored this book. Such a creative concept that characters were so much fun. This book takes us on an adventure as Rosalind decides she needs to complete a bucket list before marrying a duke (who she barely knows, but will be good for her family). When her best friend's cousin comes on the scene, he agrees to help her finish up this list before the wedding. The list is so much fun and I loved watching all the items be checked off. I enjoyed watching the characters juggle the emotions of family duty and personal desires. Truly a fun read. Clean and in the end leaves you feeling wonderful. I don't normally do 5 stars on a romance, but it was such a joy that this one gets the full 5.
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book gave me all the feels and more! It was so emotional, with complex characters and an engaging plot that had me reading it into the wee hours of the morning. It quickly became clear it would be ranked at the top of my reading for this year, if only because I was in the middle of happy tears when it ended. Now you may be thinking that this might not be the read for you if only because of the lack of spice, and maybe that's true. However, I can tell you that I barely missed the spice amidst the longing glances, sexual tension, and the almost-kissing that occurs several time throughout the story. Sometimes it's the edging of a slow burn that keeps me reading and wanting to see how it turns out in the end. If you're new to the Proper Romance collection, this is an excellent place to dive in and experience what a great spice-free romance can be. Definitely one of my favorite reads within that collection to date, and I have read many.
Rosalind Newbury traded her future happiness for her family's security and prospects by agreeing to marry the duke. Having only met him a few times, she certainly didn't love him and couldn't say if she ever would. Never having a London season secured her hand with his, and now she only has a few weeks to complete her pre-marriage bucket list of sorts. But a future duchess certainly can't be caught doing many of the things on her list, like learning to swim or hanging her art in a public place, and trying to complete it without the help of her best friend will be near impossible. The trouble is that her friend returned home from the season accompanied by her wayward cousin, Charles Winston, a boxing hobbyist in the midst of his own little rebellion. He decides to help them, and soon the trio check off each item on the list. All the while Charles and Rosalind are growing closer...as is Rosalind's wedding. Will Rosalind be able to forsake her family's plans for her future for the one thing the duke could never give her - love?
I laughed, I sighed, I held my breath...the emotions that ran through me were all over the place as I read this story. Rosalind was so brave and confident in herself, while also trying to desperately hold onto her dignity, knowing who she would become upon marriage. Charlie was the perfect companion for her, seeing as how he didn't care what anyone else thought of him and just wanted to escape his own future as his family's heir. The moments between them were heartfelt and soul-catching. The author did an amazing job showing their character growth through each chapter, and by the time things came to a head towards the end of the book, it was clear to me that both Rosalind and Charlie were not going to be able to stay away from each other. Although Charlie, wonderful man that he is, was willing to sacrifice his own happiness to keep her safe, and that was really the moment I fell in love with him. There were lots of little moments before then, where you see Rosalind slowly lose pieces of her heart to him. But when he allows her to decide her future, even if it didn't include him, I was just bawling in front of my ereader. I also loved the two main side characters, Rosalind's brother Ben and her friend Liza, who added hilarious commentary and showed a family dynamic that made everything feel so real. I wanted to read it all over again as soon as I had finished.
This was my first book by this author but certainly will not be my last! I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable read.
I know a lot of people who wrote a list of traits they'd like to have in a future partner, but I like Miss Newbury's idea of a list of things she wants to do before becoming a spouse better. Rosalind is such a loveable, quirky character and I loved reading her journey of finding out what she really wanted in life and being brave enough to go after it. I had my doubts about the possibility of a Happily Ever After, but I found the ending 100% satisfying.
What a lovely, lovely book this is. I loved it. Rosalind was wonderful. Her list was so fun and the reasons behind it were tender. And Charlie, I wanted him on every page. Liza was also great. There was also a character that was introduced near the end of the book that I enjoyed immensely. There were very sweet and very romantic moments I thoroughly enjoyed. I smiled a lot, laughed a lot and even shed a couple tears while reading. The author did a wonderful job with the relationships of the characters. Ros’s brother Ben and Liza were perfect examples of this.
I would happily read another book from this author.
A good majority of us make lists every day. But how many of us can say we made a list of things to do or experience before we get married?
Synopsis:
Rosalind Newbury has accepted a marriage proposal from the Duke of Marlow. While she was a child, she made a list of ten things to do before getting married. Before she starts, she enlists the help from her very best friend Liza. Tagging along with Liza, is her cousin, Charlie, who is a down on his luck boxer who needs to fix his reputation.
As the three of them work together to finish the list, a friendship blossoms between Charlie and Rosalind. Soon Rosalind is wondering if she is making the right choice in marrying the Duke of Marlow. If she follows her heart, will she be risking her family's future? And can she stand to do that?
You'll love this book if you like:
* Life changing experiences
* Sweet unexpected FORBIDDEN romance
* Female Main Character who isn't afraid to be who she is
* A shirtless handsome man
I could not put this book down. I absolutely loved every second of it. The story had an original quality to it. I've never read anything like it before. The turning point towards the end had me feeling many emotions while everything was figured out. Another top read for me and it's only January! Highly recommend it!
An adorable read! I enjoyed this a lot.
This regency romance fits solidly in the comfort romance category. It's got enough angst to keep the plot moving, but it's not to tense that you'll get really stressed out. There's more turmoil and conflict than a lot of proper romances I've read.
There were a lot of silly parts where the characters really acted like teens or young adults. I enjoyed these parts because I love seeing characters have moments of real joy and connection.
Absolutely LOVED this book. Roz and Charlie and Liza and Ben are just a dream, a perfect dream. Watching each of these characters grow and learn as Roz works through her list, with the help of Charlie, was wonderful. I absolutely need a front row seat to Liza's story in the future. Megan Walker, you've done it again! You have a fan in me for life!
Thank you to Netgalley, Shadow Mountain, and the author for my complimentary copy of this book. All opinions here are my own.
#BookRevew: MISS NEWBURY'S LIST by Megan Walker
Rosalind (Ros) was engaged to marry a duke. A union that would be beneficial for her family. Despite the busyness of the wedding preparations, she felt unsettled. But she was determined to do everything in her list before the wedding.
Ros was a likeable character so her list seemed silly to me at the beginning. Then she met Charlie. Charlie seemed dangerous so I didn’t want him for Ros. Well, they became friends. Then Charlie surprised me. He had really good words for Ros to ponder upon. They have good chemistry and conversations. As Ros checked off her list, the mood changed in the book. I didn’t know how the story would end, but I enjoyed the second half of the book. I also appreciate Liza’s friendship and support of Ros.
The romance was sweet but what stood out to me the most was the family bond. The family’s study scene was unexpected but a favorite. Some regency books have disturbing family stories. Though it seemed to be similar for Charlie and Ros, it turned out their family loved them so much. Their happiness and safety were of utmost importance. Their circumstances were different, but because of that love, forgiveness was easy. All the sacrifices were worth it. All the changes were welcome.
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: 07 Feb 2023
Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rosalind Newbury is engaged to marry a duke. An opportunity that will make her family reach new heights. But before she marries, she’s determined to complete a bucket list from her childhood. She thinks this will better prepare her for marriage.
With her nearest friend Liza and the addition of Charlie, Liza’s cousin, Rosalind sets out to accomplish the items of her list. But as items are ticked off, Rosalind begins to understand more about the life she hasn’t lived. Can she make a decision that is right for her and her family?
I loved Charlie and Rosalind’s friendship from the beginning. They each had something to teach one another when it came to life. They both were flawed characters who grew and changed as the book progressed but remained themselves to the then. I had my doubts about a bucket list made as a 12-year-old but it was exactly what adult Rosalind needed.
I absolutely loved the fact that both Charlie and Rosalind put forward their sense of duty towards their family over their own feeling and were rewarded at the end for their sacrifice. It was an absolute joy to read this book!
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.**
I don't always pick up regency romances but when I saw the early reviews coming back for this one I picked it up and my goodness I am SO glad I did!
This book was a complete delight! I so enjoyed going on an adventure with Ros, Charlie and Liza. I was worried the list aspect could have gotten boring but it never did, Megan Walker put together the perfect list and the perfect circumstances surrounding the list to make it fun and compulsively readable!
I also really enjoyed that this book was sweet (no steam at all) but had all the good tension you want in a romance!
Without spoiling anything, something in particular happened during the resolution of the book that I haven't necessarily seen in another book and I LOVED how that played out! I will absolutely be reading more Megan Walker in the future!
This was a sweet historical romance and I fell in love with Charlie. I loved his character and the growth and understanding we get from his past to his improvements. I just had a slight problem with Rosalind. She seems like a very dutiful daughter and she is willingly marrying a Duke. I felt like her behavior to fulfill her list before she is married was reckless. She does finally admit that she doesn’t want to marry the Duke (but was it because she met Charlie?). I don’t know. I still enjoyed the story and I’m happy with the HEA.
Lovely Regency era proper romance. Miss Rosalind Newbury is engaged to marry a Duke. She is 18 and never had a season as the marriage is arranged by her father. With only three weeks left to the wedding Ros wants to experience a few new things. She remembers and finds a list she created years before of Ten Things To Do before she marries. Some are easy and others a little more of a challenge. She knows her best friend Liza will help her accomplish the tasks. Liza is willing but along with her comes Charlie her cousin. Charlie is sweet and provoking. He is cut off from his parents at the moment for not falling in line when he became the unexpected heir to his father. He is gentleman but not titled.
The threesome is fun as is much of their innocent adventures. Of course as the wedding looms closer Rosalind must reckon with her feelings toward Charles compared to the advantages the Duke can bring to her family. And does she really have any choice? I enjoyed the story and the main characters. The counting down to the wedding brings an urgency to check off the list but also to the developing feelings. At times I wish Charlie wasn’t so much a gentleman. Secondary characters add to the story but don’t have much depth. I didn’t know which side her parents would come down on when Rosalind makes up her mind.
This is a clean romance with only a few kisses. And is appropriate for any romance reader. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Yes - read it.
Publishers description provides almost too much information. However, it was still a nice read. Characters you root for, a few unexpected twists and HEA ending.
I liked that if I set it aside for a few days, I didn't have to wonder to myself "now what was happening here?" Very easy to pick right back and get into the story again.
I received an ARC to help me prepare my honest review.
Absolutely magical. Charlie...swoon! That man is everything you could want in regency and in a book boyfriend. The writing is phenomenal and engaging. I was hooked from the very beginning!! I thought I loved her first book, but somehow she outdid herself.
VERDICT Walker (Lakeshire Park) creates a winning champion in Charlie, who grows from a tempestuous man to one of restraint without losing his mischievousness. The easy friendship and slow-burning chemistry between Charlie and Ros will warm readers’ hearts.
The full review was originally published in Library Journal, January 2023, v. 148, no. 1, p. 80. Or see the full review online at Library Journal.
Miss Newbury's 'before marriage' List was such a clever premise for a story.
I liked the background info given on why Ros was so set on finishing this list before getting married. I think it's relatable to all reader types to want to do certain things before a major life change-like a marriage. I liked that the list covered a wide variety of to-do's. It kept the pages turning and held my interest with what item would be crossed off next.
I loved the side characters. Liza was delightful (please tell me she is getting a story ASAP!). I loved Ros' brother and of course Charlie entering into this book was laugh out loud funny.
I loved the banter, the challenges and the romance was swoony...just like I like it. I really liked watching the familial relationships progress and grow. Character ARCs abound in this book with so many. I liked how it showed the historical expectations around marriage and that it was more of a duty than a whirlwind romance - or lack thereof.
I will tell you I did not see how this story was going to end with a HEA, but I should never expect anything less from this author :) She knows what us readers want in an ending and I soaked up every single word!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Oh what a fun story by Megan Walker and wonderful addition to the Proper Romance series. The idea of the list before marriage is such a great idea! While this book is from the Regency era I feel all young ladies even of current age, could do this before they get married. I really enjoyed the characters and found them to be fun and relatable. I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and how it was all in Rosalind’s point of view. I loved the humor and effortless flow of the story as we embark on the 3 week journey to mark off all of the items on Rosalind’s list.
Multiple times during the story I did wonder how the book was going to end, that was one of the great parts that kept the pages turning. I also, kept asking myself if I were in her position would I choose Love or Duty?
Today I give you another sweet historical romance by @authormeganwalker! I absolutely adore Lakeshire Park so I was eager to pick this one up!
Miss Newbury's List follows a young lady who desires to finish a list of things she wanted to accomplish before she got married. With three weeks left before she must wed a Duke out of marriage of convenience for her family, she is determined to check each box, fulfilling her childhood bucket list. But while doing so, she meets her best friends' cousin who ruins her carefully made plans.
Read if you like...
🥰 A swoony hunk of a hero
💓A girl who longs for adventure
🥊Boxing
👫 Brother and sister bonding
🍰 Sweets
🤩 Close proximity
🖌️Painting
♥️Charlie ( a hero so nice, I listed him twice)
I think the vast majority of historical romance readers who like sweet romance will love this book. I however struggled a bit. I think the writing was fine but I didn't enjoy some of the main plot points.
I'm not a fan of people who are engaged to someone else while pining for another man. Even though this character didn't know the Duke, she still waited almost right up until her wedding to break it off. I just don't like those tropes. Feels like cheating.
I also didn't care for a heroine who decided to do a bucket list 3 weeks before her wedding when she wrote it when she was 12. Just seemed a little out of place. And her decision making along with it made her not likeable.
Love the bother and sister bonding. Her brother is so cute and funny. Loved watching them together.
Charlie is one fantastic hero. I loved his overall character growth, personality, and swooniness. He was my favorite part of the book. Watching him grow through his grief was heartbreaking and realistic. I could totally see him acting that way because of his brother.
I wished the ending wrapped up better especially for her family. Things just seemed to just end...I guess I expected more push back from her family?
Overall it's a sweet read but not so much for me. I like this author a lot and will continue to read her books.
3.5 stars
This book releases Feb. 7th! Excited to see what Megan writes next. Thank you @shadowmountainpub for the early copy! All thoughts and words are my own.
*Romance-kisses
#properromance #meganwalker
#shadowmountain #missnewburyslist #earlycopy
#arcreads #pubday #friendstolovers #bucketlist #februaryrelease #2023reads #januarytbr #lovestories
'Miss Newbury's List' is a unique book that touches on issues of family, loss and self-worth in a charming and often humorous way. I enjoyed that the author gave the reader enough time to have the main characters unfold and grow. Although I couldn't see how it could be accomplished the ending of this book was one of the most heartwarming and satisfying affirmations I'd read in a long time. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking for more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
"I have traveled a long way to be exactly where I want to be."
This book! I adore this book! I adore it so much that I will reread and reread and reread it as a comfort read. I have read it twice so far and I am not ashamed to read it 100 times. It has everything I love in a book. Everything!!!! Yes I realize I am a certified "book gusher." I gush about books that I love and honestly it's a lot of them. Yet this one... people...this one is like the Darcy walk in the field at sunrise. This one is like Elizabeth Bennett holding her breath as he walks nearer. This one is the moment the audience catches their breath when Elizabeth says "your hands are cold." And *sigh* this one is the moment you know you need to watch Pride and Prejudice again for the thousandth time.
Miss Newbury's List does not follow Pride and Prejudice's guideline. Nooo it just has the feeling! The moment you find the lasting feeling of a book friend. Ugh it's pure sunshine and bliss.
My hope is when you pick this one up, you'll love it as much as I do.
I loved her journey of discovering herself and changing her life through her list. I loved how her friendship with him grew and blossomed. It felt real and deep and meaningful. The way love is supposed to be. Friendship and love and helping each other be a better person. I love the forgiveness in the book of both self and others.
What a sweet story! It was so gentle in nature, so endearing. Rosalind is a character that grows on you with every turn of the page. She is determined but in a quiet way. I loved her desire for adventure, the bucket list and the journey it took her on. The personal growth that led her to knowing herself better was a satisfying one with a lovely ending.
This is a super slow burn romance- actually more like a friendship for most of the book. In fact, Charlie isn't even a friend at first but obviously that changes. Once Charlie decides to help Rosalind with her list, he's all in. I loved how he encouraged, supported and provided opportunities for Rosalind to accomplish her goals. It was just all so very sweet. If you love regency novels, don't miss this one!
Content: mild peril, sweet ending kiss
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this Regency romance. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I liked her writing style. Sometimes I get tired of first person point of view, but I enjoyed it in this story. I found the concept of this story unique - a young lady in the Regency era with a bucket list of items to complete before she is tied down in marriage to a duke. Miss Newbury ropes her best friend into helping her, and her friend’s cousin Charlie as well, though unintentionally. And then the fun begins as they check items off her list. Also I don’t remember the last time I read a book with the forbidden romance trope, and I really enjoyed it. I also liked how Rosalind and Charlie’s relationship started out as friendship, and they helped each other face fears and wrestle through tough decisions. This laid a strong foundation to their relationship. This really was a fun book, and the ending was truly perfect! Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my review copy.
Very cute! Megan Walker is becoming one of my favorites of the newer Proper Romance authors. Solid books with charming leads with genuine chemistry.
A sweet regency. Megan Walker is new to me, for sure will be looking for more of her books. If you like Regency romance, then I highly recommend it.
Miss Newbury’s List by Megan Walker is a sweet clean regency romance. I was really excited to get an ARC of this book because I absolutely adored Megan’s earlier novel Lakeshire Park. While this book was a cute story it didn’t quite measure up for me.
Rosalind Newbury is engaged to a duke that she barely knows. She decides that is she could just complete a bucket list, that she made when she is 12 years old, she would then be ready to marry the duke. Little did she know that meeting Charlie would change everything.
I liked the idea of completing a bucket list, but the things on the list were a little silly and sometimes a little boring. I loved Charlie as the hero of the story. He was sweet and supportive and very swoon worthy. I didn’t care for the heroine of the story Ros. She was immature and didn’t seem to care about anyone else as long as she got what she wanted.
Overall the story was fun to read and I enjoyed it. I especially liked the last 3rd of the book when things started picking up and moving at a faster pace. It is a book I would recommend to regency lovers.
Miss Newbury’s list was written well enough that if you enjoy regency romance (in particular ones that focus on the bucket list trope), I would feel comfortable recommending this to you for a sweet, cozy read.
But this book unfortunately stops right there at being only marginally interesting.
Rosalind, who is engaged to a Duke, has given herself a list of things she wants to accomplish before getting married. On her quest to fulfill the list, she meets the cousin of her lifelong best friend and neighbor (how has she never met him before??) Rosalind twists the arms of Liza and Charlie to help her with the list and she falls in love with Charlie along the way.
I will try and be succinct with the reasons I didn’t care for this book because I don’t want to drag it through the mud…
1. I found the bucket list to be tediously boring. So boring in fact that if I hadn’t been reading this for netgalley, I would have not finished it.
2. The relationships between everyone were very weakly written.
A. Rosalind’s mother was demanding, uncaring, and petty. Rosalind was never honest with her. But suddenly in the end her mother changes to a completely different person and becomes very caring and is completely accepting of Rosalind calling off the wedding??? This woman yelled at the dress maker over the lace being the wrong shade of white!
B. We are constantly told that Rosalind and Liza are so close and did so much together growing up but honestly they seem like acquaintances. Same goes for Rosalind and her brother Benjamin…we are TOLD over and over how close they are but there was never any evidence SHOWN on the page.
C. And finally the romance between Rosalind and Charlie was way too quick to be believable. And honestly the whole time I felt like she was cheating on her fiancé which felt weird for a book published by Shadow Mountain.
3. Lastly, the pacing of the book was uneven. The first 2/3 of the book was super slow. Seriously snail’s pace. Then all of the sudden some crazy action gets thrown in and everything goes full throttle to the ending.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for the advanced reader’s copy of this book. I truly love most of your Proper Romances but unfortunately this one was a bit of a miss for me.
I'll start off by saying that I adore Lakeshire Park and this was a most anticipated release. I've really enjoyed Megan's writing before including her indie releases and I know that I will eagerly try anything she publishes in the future.
I may have had too high of expectations because this one didn't hit the mark for me. It was a like and not the adore I was hoping for. One of the things I had a hard time with was how long the love triangle-that-wasn't lasted. It's not my cup of tea in any novel and I find myself wanting to give the character a good thump on the head to get it together. Mostly though, I struggled with Ros's immaturity and lack of character arc.
What I did like: Charlie! Whenever there's a yummy and loyal hero, I want to wrap him in a hug and get his own POV. His character is really well written even through Ros's initially disgruntled eyes. Megan has a quality to her sentencing and how she strings them together to give beauty and enjoyment to the reader. So while the main character has her flaws, the rest of the story kept me engaged through to the ending.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Miss Newbury’s List by Megan Walker is a sweet regency romance that follows Rosalind (Ros) as she completes her “bucket list” before getting married.
Ros is engaged to a duke that she hardly knows. She loves her family, and they have always wanted a title in the family. So when the opportunity arose to marry a duke, Ros could not turn it down. She wants to add to her family legacy and isn’t too bothered with not being in love. However, before she gets married she needs to complete her list. When her aunt Alice got married, she told Ros that she made a list of 10 things she wanted to accomplish and she made sure she did them before she was married. Ros of course made a list and then put it away until she was getting married.
With her marriage to the duke getting closer she decides to check some things off her list. She tries to bring in her best friend, Liza but runs into Charles Winston. Charlie is her best friend’s cousin who has been cut off from his family due to his poor choices. He ends up helping Ros accomplish items on her list. Some items were simple and fun, while others were more meaningful. I loved watching Charlie and Ros form a friendship and get to know each other as they crossed items off her list.
I loved the characters in this story and the friendships they had. It was fun to get to know Ros as Charlie got to know her by checking things off of her list. Her best friend, Liza, and brother, Ben, were also great characters who helped Ros on her adventures. There is great banter between all of the characters and memorable moments.
If you love a sweet, swoony, regency romance this book is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Absolutely adored Miss Newbury’s List! A deliciously perfect read on a cold winter’s day. It’s a unique friends to more story with witty humor, swoonworthy romance, and a love letter that will leave you sighing. I loved the premise of the book, a heroine with a bucket list of items she wants to accomplish before she marries. And of course, a handsome companion to help her fulfill each goal. It’s definitely a book clean, regency romance fans will savor.
At the age of 12, Miss Rosalind Newbury was inspired by her aunt to create a list of 10 things she wanted to accomplish before she marries. The items range from writing down her childhood memories to hanging her painting in a public setting to running away for a day. Now eight years later, she tries to enlist her dearest friend Liza to help her accomplish each goal on her list before her upcoming marriage to a duke. Instead, she captures the attention of Liza’s mischievous cousin Charlie.
Charlie’s been temporarily disinherited for his fighting and unwillingness to accept his family responsibilities. While at first Rosalind is irritated by him, Charlie ends up rescuing her and she finds herself in his debt. She begins to see a new side to him as he sets out to help her accomplish her list. With each activity, they grow ever closer together. Unfortunately, as their friendship begins blossoms into something more, there’s Ros’ engagement between them. Will they succeed in crossing off all the items on the list and what happens when marriage to the duke doesn’t seem as appealing as it once was?
Loved Charlie and Ros! I enjoyed all those achingly romantic moments between them like the picnic scene, the cliff by the sea, the alcove at the dance, and of course the letter. The witty banter between them was so entertaining and I relished all their adventures together. I enjoyed the growth they experienced throughout the story as they inspire each other to become better. The last few chapters had me on pins and needles and I could not put it down. Also loved Liza and Ros’ brother Ben. I’m hoping we’ll hear more about them in the future.
This is definitely a well written, romantic story I’ll be rereading. Highly recommend! I received an advanced compimentary copy from the publisher. All opinons are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Rosalind is set to marry a duke—the ultimate wish fulfillment of every regency girl. Though she feels unsettled, she believes this is due to not completing a bucket list written as a young girl. If she can successfully accomplish this list, she will be ready to become a duchess. What she finds instead is a self awareness that changes her perspective.
This is a sweet, and at times silly story. Though there is an inordinate amount of lip chewing, I found the characters enjoyable. The quick pace and vivid detail make for an absorbing read. I was sucked right in. This is a lovely addition to the proper romance line which will be sure to delight its fans.
Rosalind (Ros) was engaged to marry a duke to help advance her family's circumstances, but she didn't feel at all ready so she comes up with a list of things to do before she marries in three, short weeks.
Then she meets Charlie, the cousin of her best friend Liz, and they become friends as they help Ros to complete her list only she ends up falling in love with Charlie. As the wedding draws closer, Ros has to decide whether to follow her heart or do her duty to her family.
The lesson of this book is that life is short and you should do the things which make you happiest, so I was glad to see the support of Ros' family after hearing her decision. It is also a sweet romance that anyone can read and it would be a great introduction book to the genre for this reason.
My honest review is given in exchange for receiving a free ARC of the book from Netgalley.