Protect her reputation? Or save a man’s life? How does a lady ever choose?
Lady Cassandra Lockhart is determined to stop anyone that might taint the night her brother announces his engagement—not gossipy ladies nor backhanded Peers. When she sees a gentleman slip from the ballroom, Cassandra assumes the worst; he is off to rendezvous with a young lady. Such would surely spell disaster for the … for the night. Certain she alone can protect her family’s good name, Cassandra hurries to stop him.
Lord Nigel Southcott is nervous about meeting his informant. They’ve never met at a ball before. Why now? Still, at the predestined hour, he slips from the ballroom and into the trees and shadows that line the Lockhart estate. Only too late, he realizes it’s a trap set by the infamous Le Renard. Equally as surprising is the beautiful stranger who comes to his aid.
To protect Nigel, Cassandra agrees to keep him hidden from those that wish him harm, knowing full well that doing so puts herself in danger of gossipmongers and French spies alike. Her reputation is on the line, but so is Lord Nigel’s life. What else can she possibly do? Even among the secrets and stratagem, a connection between Nigel and Cassandra forms. But Le Renard is not willing to give up his prey so easily. Will Nigel and Cassandra’s wit and blossoming love be enough to save them? Or will the growing subterfuge swallow them both?
more
This story brought a smile to my face. L. G. Rollins brought us characters that while trying to maintain the decorum and rules of the time also were willing to go against those to help someone. This is a good romance, mystery, almost a satire on the mores of the day. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.
Loved both Cassandra and Nigel in this story despite Nigel being a big grump in the beginning. The best part about Nigel is that he was able to see and willing to accept and look to Cassandra as a clever woman who could be of assistance and not just look pretty. I loved that Cassandra was clever and believed in her own abilities to handle difficult situations both with the ton at a ball and in more life threatening moments. She was quick to find solutions even where she had no previous experience. I was almost disappointed when in the beginning of the story we veered from the ballroom off into the meat of the plot because I was enthralled at watching Cassandra work the ballroom, using her wit to change the way people thought about her brother’s marriage. She was indeed very clever and using her skills for good. The story-line only needed to see what she could do for that little bit but I wanted more simply to watch her success.
There were perhaps some points in the story that didn’t seem realistic like it appeared that Nigel was living on very small amounts of food though he was a large man. Perhaps that was because as readers we didn’t need to see every time food was brought to him. I also wondered about toileting after he hides in the second location. It is perhaps best not to think on those things and just enjoy the story. And it was enjoyable.
I love a story that uses smarts to outwit the villain and it was smarts that brought him down in the end though brawn was handy as well. And I love a strong female as well as a man strong enough to recognize her abilities. Enjoyable read.
Sex: no
Language: no. Implied but not written on the page.
Violence: yes
*I received a complimentary copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Another great adventure full of spunk, danger, secrets and love!
I am really liking Rollins. I just got another of her books, I enjoyed this one so much. I love the “girl hides the injured guy” story line. This one was well done and believable. I love how fast paced it seemed but when looking back at the story not a ton happened in the first half but you feel hocked and invested. I loved the slow building romance. I love to watch two people who seem so different fall in love with each other one conversation at a time. I really enjoyed the mystery of this and how the leading lady uses her brains to help. This is a proper romance with some bits of violence but nothing I wouldn’t give my teens to read. Just an overall fun story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have been looking forward to it for a while.
Lady Cassandra is a gentle born lady who, while at a ball held at her family’s home, she follows a new acquaintance into the garden and discovers another man knife him. She couldn’t leave him to die so she dragged him to her shed and enlists her brother’s help in tending to him.
Nigel, the injured man, is a bit of a grumpy beast and not terribly appreciative of Cassandra’s efforts to help him. Over several weeks, she spends time with him and takes chances with her reputation to provide for his care. They begin to care for one another but are convinced that the other does not feel the same. There is much more to the story that will draw a reader in and enjoy the happy ending.
This is is a clean romance with suspense, drama, romance and finally a happy ending. I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Cassandra prides herself on being able to say the right thing to bring people around and make it all so much more positive. When she sees Lord Southcott slip out of her brother’s engagement ball she is curious and follows him only to see him get injured by a French spy. She hides him, thinking it would only be a day or two but it turns into weeks – can she keep him safe while keeping her reputation spotless?
Meanwhile, she meets someone who ticks all the boxes on her ‘perfect suitor’ list and given how often he comes calling he is definitely interested. Cassandra must balance out what her head and heart are telling her, while keeping Lord Southcott safe and a total secret from those around her.
I loved this book. It is a regency book with a good dose of drama and flare to it. I really like that the recency society rules are there but also flouted as needed, something I’m sure really did happen! I can definitely recommend reading this book.
Lady Cassandra Lockhart was a sweet but resourceful lady. She loved town and her family. While at an engagement ball for her eldest brother, she saw a man leave the ball through the terrace. She followed him, she didn’t want anything to ruin her brother’s ball. He was waiting by a tree when he thought he heard his contact. He went over to a tree and there was a man sitting against the another tree and he thought he was hurt. He leans down and is stabbed in the belly. The bad guy gets up and starts to stab him again but she makes sounds like there are people there and the bad guy leaves. She helps him. It turns out that Lord Nigel Southcott, had been aiding his country during Napoleon and after. He was a courier.
I really loved this story. It was exciting and watching Cassandra and Nigel begin to fall in love was wonderful. This was a different kind of tale because a lot of it is centered around her little outbuilding
and Nigel getting better. It was so easy to read and it just seemed to flow. The characters were engaging and fun. He always had a scowl on his face and she was always with a smile on her face. I really think you will like this book.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
This story, A Heart in the Balance by L.G. Rollins, was wonderful! I loved the characters and their different strengths, the intrigue and mystery, all wrapped up in a lovely, sweet love story. I enjoyed seeing the other members of the family too in this story. It’s always fun to see characters you’ve read about from the perspective of a different character. Wonderful ending too. I look forward to the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
Great pacing in this story with clever and strong characters! The plot was well conceived and the narrative was well written. I enjoyed the connections to the other stories in the series.
I really enjoyed this book! Lady Cassandra has made a list of qualities she wants in a husband, but what happens if she meets someone that doesn’t fit her list? On the night of her family’s ball, she follows Lord Nigel outside and sees him attacked and stabbed. When Cassandra decides to try and save him, she risks all. If she is discovered, she’ll be ruined. She will need to be smart, covert, brave, protective, caring, determined and able to lie convincingly to her family. This book has action, danger, suspense, mystery, intrigue, romance, the Ton, family and a dangerous enemy.
Cassandra’s and Nigel’s story is not one that takes place in a ballroom even though they do meet there but more in the shadows. Nigel is a spy and he has been injured. Only saved by Cassandra’s quick thinking. But as she helps to keep him alive a friendship blooms besides Nigel’s grumpy nature. This is a sweet clean story of love. It is the third in a series and it was fun to see additional characters in this series.
This book hooked me right from the start. It got right into the story without a whole lot of fluff. It was a really unique way for the two main characters to meet and get to know each other. I loved being able to hear what both characters were thinking and feeling. All the characters were fun to get to know. I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading- I stayed up till 3:00 AM to finish it! It ended well but also opened it up for a continuation for the main characters brother (I’m hoping). This is a book I would for sure recommend.
This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am in love with this author’s writing, it just pulls me in every time. I had such a hard time putting this book down. This is the third installment of the Lockhart Regency Romance series. This series follows the Lockhart siblings (there are 5). Each book builds on the last but they can be read as standalone; however, I would suggest that you start with the first one.
This book is Cassandra’s story and I loved watching all the sass the back and forth between Nigel and Cassandra. I am not sure who’s POV I enjoyed more. This book was everything that I was hoping for and so much more.
These are wonderful proper romance books and just what I needed during this time. I am so excited to read the next story and cannot wait for it to come out.
I found the h to be likeable and interesting. The story was a unique twist in the Regency time. It is a fun and light read. A good read when you want to relax. There is some intrigue but not a thriller so you’ll be able to sleep at night,lol. As the h & H worked to solve their problems is also how their relationship was developed. I thought that was handled and written well. The H was a strong and likeable character as well. Sometimes a few previous characters made apperances in the story and that was a nice addition. The story has a good flow, good editing and ability to paint a picture in your mind.
A wonderful addition to the Lockhart series! I have enjoyed the other two books in the series and this was no exception. It had such a creative plot and the romance was very sweet. I loved Cassandra’s courage and wit and that Nigel respected and admired her for it rather than dismissing her just because she was a woman. It was fun to see characters from the previous books and can’t wait to read Quintin’s story!
I received an advance copy but my opinions are my own.
With a plot unlike any I have read before, A Heart in the Balance did not disappoint! Each book in this series has gotten better and better and I can’t wait to read Quinton’s story.
Lady Cassandra is the type of heroine that is feminine and yet strong. I love how she is full of surprises as she bravely keeps Nigel alive after witnessing him nearly be killed during a ball at her family home in the country. At first, I will admit I wondered how the author was going to be able to make this story believable, but believable it is as she artfully crafted details into the plot that made the story simply come alive. The dynamic between Nigel and Cassandra and the way their relationship evolves was so fun to read. I felt like I was right there in the story with them. Their chemistry was right there, but I love that it gave the feels while remaining clean.
I definitely recommend A Heart in the Balance and look forward to more from this author.
I loved this book! It is my favorite in the series so far- I feel like each book in the series has been better than the last! I really liked the two main characters in this book and I enjoyed the story-line. It was hard to put down and it was an exciting read. I love how the ending turned out and I am excited to read Quinton’s story! Highly recommend to fans of regency romances!