Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

Tropes: Diverse characters, age-gap, friend of brother, she falls first, historical romance, class difference, working class hero

I was introduced to Addy Du Lac a few years ago when I read her novel, A Season With The Duke. A Season With The Duke is a book I return to often (Confession: sometimes I read certain passages of this book just for the cathartic release it gives). Her most recent book will be released later this month (Sept. 19, 2025), and I was privileged to read it as an ARC. Miss Hawthorne's Unlikely Husband is the third book in her series, The Troublemakers Trilogy. The books follow the loves, misfortunes and adventures of three young ladies who met in an English boarding school. The girls are from diverse backgrounds and suffer some level of ostracization. They band together loyally but Elodia, the daughter of a viscount, is the group’s fearless and fiery protector. Books 1 and 2 feature Ada and Regina, and while it is not necessary to have read the prior stories, some of the action is referenced and reading the other books will make for a more cohesive experience. Richard Thornfield has been acquainted with Elodia as one of his sister’s closest friends for nearly a decade; he considers her to be an engaging, beautiful and witty young lady in a brotherly way, of course! Elodia’s feelings for Richard are far from sisterly, from the moment she looked into his beautiful eyes she was in love with him. Now that both Richard and Elodia are expected to make advantageous matches, Elodia is determined to approach Richard with a memento from his past and the hope that they will start a future together. For many multifaceted, self-sabotaging and even noble reasons, Richard does not respond to Elodia’s proposal favorably. Elodia is understandably devastated, but Richard eventually comes to understand that he has rebuffed one of his life’s greatest treasures. However, a slithering former mistress, their age-gap, poor self-esteem, a diabolical uncle and a disapproving father (Elodia’s) conspire to hinder his efforts to regain his place in Elodia’s life-plans. Ms. Du Lac has again crafted an emotionally rich book with resilient, engaging characters grappling with societal expectations, brazen villains and troubles of the heart. I totally enjoyed this author’s diverse and fresh voice. I can see myself reading this book over and over again!
Favorite Lines:
He couldn't decide which was more embarrassing to him, her candor or his response.
Throughout every word they'd spoken, every dance, every game, every smile and jest, she had been loving him and quietly hoping.
It should have been a relief to hear those words. Instead they filled him with something like sadness and pride.
As if that swine in a dress was more worthy of him than a true lady of the peerage.
Was he proud of her or terrified?
You are a rarity. Not every man will have the courage to pursue you.
That indefatigable determination to take up space and make demands.
He had been in some kind of berserker rage fueled by years of insult and pain.
It felt as though my heart, my whole body came awake for you.
I want you to know that I love you as you are, for all that you are. Even when you are stupid.

What happens when an Anglo-Caribbean viscount’s daughter handpicks an Anglo-Chinese merchant’s son as her prince charming...

Elodia & Richard
She fell for him, her friend’s brother, at first sight when she was but 15. Over the years he was always kind and attentive, she idolised him, and now, at 23, she finally gathers the courage to tell him how she feels – only to be firmly rebuffed...
He’s an island; always on the fringes, always looking over his shoulder, envied by some, snubbed by others. With his two best friends and his little sister happily settled, the idea of marriage becomes rather appealing – if only his mistress would retract her claws.

There’s a lot of bigotry, class divide, misplaced entitlement and jealousy. Combine that with a 10 year age-gap, meddling friends, body issues, aloneness, roots, doubt, honour and a marriage with a bumpy start – and, while not always pretty, it makes for a riveting read!

The rejection was heartbreaking, I really felt for Ellie even though she’s strong and brave. I won’t reveal the other thing rubbing salt in her wounded heart; just know it’s an emotional ride. The fun thing is everybody saw that she had a crush on Richard; only he didn’t. The fact their distance unexpectedly pains him, shocks him into realising his feelings. Cue a bit of soul-searching, a big aha-moment, and things move fairly quickly afterwards, but it’s not all roses and rainbows... The steam, however, is most delicious!

Throughout the story you know the other shoe is bound to drop, you just never know when. It’s not a big mystery, but the slow build-up is enthrallingly twisty. I loved all the colourful multicultural detail, the flavours, the way these two see each other, and how all three couples from this series come full circle in the epilogue.
I happily devoured this book, and I highly recommend this entire series if you’re looking for engaging, swoonworthy, grand romances with a different point of view!

I love this series soooo much! And I was waiting for Eli and Richard's story since the first one. The wait was worthy! This is my favorite book and touches on so many important topics that I was pleasantly surprised that were included on the story. I laughed and cried and felt every feeling 🥰🖤

I enjoyed reading this third book of the series, and have all intentions to buy the book when it's released. There was nothing disappointing about this book. As with the other two, it dealt with all the emotional drama that comes from being 'other'. There were times I wanted to shake the sense into certain characters, particularly Elodia's father. He may have fallen in love and married her mother, but he was still foolish in thinking no one would question the validity of the marriage or the legitimacy of his daughter. While I cannot begrudge him mourning the death of his wife and son, he did his daughter a gross disservice by not ensuring her place within the ton. He's lucky his in-law knew how much father and daughter cared for each other, for it was his encouragement that helped them repair their relationship. Speaking of the in-law, Richard was stupid to have engaged with that vicious woman for as long as he did. There wasn't enough grief and loneliness in the world to have made him stay with someone he knew was a racist idiot. Tolerating her clear cruelty and ignorance is what gave her the gumption to view him as her property or toy, existing only for her pleasure. I'm glad what ended up happening to her, and to Uncle Simon. He's not even worth ranting about. He was vile, plain and simple.

This is how I know this was a great read...by the amount of emotion it invoked in me. But it also made me wistful for the happy ending, knowing you will go through life with your soul's other half as one. Thanks to NetGalley for access to this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.