Does love have a chance if she doesn’t play by the rules?
Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience’s elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister’s antics—but when he accuses … he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.
Taken on as household staff by her brother’s former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth—and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn’t helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated than she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong—even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.
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Overall I enjoyed the story and the Esther Hatch’s style of writing. There were a few points in the story that were in the 3 star rating for me. However, there were more strong points for me that I gave it a 4 star. I enjoyed the flow of the story. I found the h & H very likeable and was rooting for them. The underlying theme and message of the story was positive and encouraging but never preachy or overbearing. I thought the way the h & H grew as people was well done. I did not read a Proper Scandal but I think the series idea is creative and original. There were good supporting characters and a rake (that I really hope gets his own story since I suspect there is more to his story then how he’s been painted). The romance was sweet and they brought out the best in each other. The idea for the book was fun. A few times in the story the execution of the idea of the h’s “scandal” I had to disband belief more so than usual when one reads fiction. For example, I wondered how others accepted her lack of skills. I didn’t feel why the h’s plan changed for her returning home wasn’t fully explained. I thought the ending was a fantastic way to end the story.
I initially had a hard time believing he would be quite so familiar with a servant. But, the romance was really cute and written so well that I easily suspended my disbelief where that was concerned. The witty conversations and fun story line just made me smile all the way through.
Five stars for making me laugh and smile and even cry a little. I could not put this book down. The premise was a teensy bit far-fetched, but the plot moved along at a quick pace, and the hero and heroine were both charming in their own quirky ways. Although the heroine was clueless at times, she just really did not know what she did not know, and that made her so relatable, as well as lending plenty of amusing interactions to the story. She showed an admirable determination and humble willingness to learn and do whatever was required of her. A delightful, lighthearted tale with a sweet happily-ever-after.
“Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience’s elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister’s antics – but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.
Taken on as household staff by her brother’s former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth – and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn’t helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated that she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong – even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.”
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A Proper Charade is a clean historical romance by Esther Hatch and has an absolutely gorgeous cover.
I loved this book and the characters so much. It’s a sweet story with many amusing moments along the way. I mean sure, on the surface the premise of a high born lady sneaking away to disguise herself as a servant in a household’s saff to prove herself sounds quite unbelievable on the surface, but it’s so well-written and the characters so great. As you read all that fades away and you can’t picture the story going any other way.
Patience is determined to prove herself and mainly just proves that she’s not a very good maid, but she’s not afraid to try. She’s not the most adept at subterfuge, in fact she is virtually incapable of lying, which is unfortunate for her considering the plan she has set for herself.
Anthony, the dear man. With all his list making, he was a man after my own heart. He’s a bit stuffy and serious, but with a touch of obliviousness and all his planning and list making? I swoon. I adored Anthony’s character and am very glad that he came to his senses about his original plan before it was too late.
I have read a few of Esther Hatch’s books now and have enjoyed all of them, so I recommend A Proper Charade as well as her other writings. I’ll be keeping an eye out for any new books from her and will be going back to read any that I have missed.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Covenant Communications for sharing an eARC of A Proper Charade by Esther Hatch with me for reviewing purposes. This is my honest review.
In this sweet romance that will touch readers’ hearts, Esther Hatch gives a story that shows the importance of being the best version of oneself. Although some parts could have been condensed, the lessons behind this sweet story will stay with readers long after the final pages. 4/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A Proper Charade is the second book in the Proper Scandals series but works well as a stand-alone. Set in Victorian Era England, this story of Lady Patience Kendrick who pretends to be a maid who then pretends to be a lady is delightful and entertaining. The witty dialogue and humorous situations make for a fun read. The characters are engaging and memorable. Ms. Hatch’s style is expressive and fluid. This is the first of her books I have read, but it won’t be the last. This book will make you smile (maybe even like a “duck”)! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
A Proper Charade is full of delightful characters with endearing mannerisms. Patience is a character I can’t help but like. She’s impulsive and adventurous, but with a good heart that wants to please her brother and I think prove it to herself that she can be more than what society expects of her. I most enjoyed that Anthony and Patience were genuine, especially with each other. They are sincerely seeking to find their place in the world without compromising their true selves or being forced to change for someone else or society. Their personalities complement each other- she appreciated how he grounded her, and found her liveliness engaging. I thought it was admirable that she was not fooled by the other charming and frivolous men in higher society, but saw clearly Anthony’s superior character. And the first kiss scene is so fun- definitely not the generic kisses that are often found in the genre. I found it inventive and felt that it also demonstrated their personalities in a creative way.
One thing I really appreciated in the story was that Miss Morgan, who plays the role of villainess, wasn’t overdone. She was portrayed with just the right balance of unlikeable while still being believable that Anthony would be pursuing her for so long without suspecting her true motives. The personalities of the family members and their dynamics were complex without being complicated, and added depth to the story and aided in showing more layers of Anthony and Patience. Overall this story was highly entertaining and had such a satisfying resolution and happy ending. One of my favorites of the year and I’ll definitely be re-reading it in the future. Highly recommend!!!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
4.5 Stars
A PROPER CHARADE is a story full of humorous predicaments, a heroine that will make readers smile, and hero that will tug on the heart, and a sweet romance with a few swoon-worthy moments. Highly recommended to sweet historical romance fans!
This story was so much fun! It was exactly what I needed. Patience is a bundle of joy. I don’t know how you could not like her. She can’t contain her optimism for life and wanting to enjoy it even if it’s not within society’s expectations. Her brother doesn’t think she’s serious enough, that she’s too spontaneous and frivolous, and basically gives up on her acting as he thinks she should, so she comes up with a plan and then carries it out, much to this reader’s entertainment. Anthony is a planner. He’s planned out for two years who he would marry and how he would achieve what he wants. I wouldn’t say he’s a pessimist, but more of a realist. He thinks he still needs to earn his father’s good opinion and so he is doing all he can to make him proud. I couldn’t help falling in love with his character as well. The two of them were quite a pair! They balance each other out and also challenge the other. I loved how Patience totally befuddled Anthony and how Anthony steadied Patience. Their banter as well as any dialogue (internal thoughts included) from Patience made me smile or laugh the whole way through this story. The romance was also very sweet and enjoyable. I also really liked some of the side characters, like Anthony’s sister and her children, and Lord Bryant (who I remember from the previous story and who I feel should eventually get his own story).
I had very little to complain about in this story. There was one point I felt a particular charade was a bit to unrealistic (literally a paragraph long) and the ending might have been a touch too sweetly drawn out, but that’s it. Very minor and nothing that impacted my enjoyment of this story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This story was perfectly timed. It was fun, sweet, with plenty to make you laugh, and wonderful characters. If you’re a sweet historical romance fan, definitely grab this one!
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I smiled so much while I was reading this book! The idea of a lady posing as a maid in a man’s house is not my favorite storyline, and yet, I enjoyed it in this book. With Patience’s desire to prove herself, as well as a tendency to act or speak first and then think later, running away to become a maid actually fit with her personality. Patience was terrible at being a maid, but her enthusiasm and sincerity at trying to do her best were endearing. I loved the fact that she couldn’t keep herself from blurting out things that no true maid ever would. She was just a really fun character. Anthony was absolutely perfect and stole my heart right along with Patience’s. I mean, how can you not love a man who completely writes out lists and plans, trying so hard to make things work out, and yet will stop to help an inept maid do her job? He was so kind and yet so unaware of his own worth, and I just adored him. (If I hadn’t already loved him early on, his sixteen-page letter would have done it!) There are lots of lovable secondary characters, too. I love a book with great dialogue (good banter wins me over pretty quickly!) and there were so many awesome lines! I just thoroughly enjoyed this book and am picking it as one of my favorite books of the year!
5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
An entertaining way to spend the afternoon. Sometimes I need a calm, sweet story to escape into—nothing that takes much brain power or worry about my emotions getting hijacked—and this story was that for me.
I loved A Proper Charade. Main character Patience, pretty much endears you to her from the first chapter. Her happiness, optimism, and bravery make her hard to forget. The whole premise behind Patience’s actions is when she says later, “I suppose you could say I ran away to have an adventure, and my adventure of choice was to serve as a maid in this household.” Patience wants to prove to her older brother that she can do hard things and she sets out to do that. Patience goes to the house of the General her brother served under. This is when such funny things occur. A “Lady” trying to be a maid means hilarious encounters ensue. As you can guess she has no clue and messes up a bit. There in the General’s house, she meets his straight-laced, and very serious son, Anthony. I could not stop laughing every time these two characters were in the same room. Let’s just say you will find as much humor as I did while reading this book. Anthony and Patience actually work well together amidst all of the confusion and white lies running rampant in the house.
Some of the great supporting characters were household staff members, Mr. Gilbert and Mrs. Bates. I also loved the notorious rake, Lord Bryant. This story is written so well that the storyline flows smoothly and there is never a dull moment. Esther Hatch really knows how to write delightful dialogue that is full of wit and emotion. This is a clean romance, but wow this author knows how to write a steamy kissing scene.
This is the second book in the series but can be read all on its own. I did also enjoy Book 1, A Proper Scandal. I absolutely recommend you pick up this book and read it this weekend.
A Proper Charade combines humor, romance and misunderstanding in a fun, memorable novel. The characters were well-developed, distinct and likable. The scenes and action stood out within the novel. It’s a book you could easily talk over with friends or at a book club. This Victorian Romance is a fun escape read. Hatch masters humor, description and romance in this well-written novel.
Please note that I received a free e-book to read, however, this is my honest opinion.
I think that this book could be considered a case-study of the meaning of a charade. There were several centering around one specific.
Lady Patience Kendrick wants to be taken seriously. She wants to experience life and have different experiences that those that are provided to her as the sister of a Duke. Her plan is to become a maid in the household of her the General her older brother served under. The unlocks so many possibilities for humor, mischief, and general mayhem. There are many moments that either make you laugh out loud or want to duck and take cover for the embarrassment that is about to ensue.
The characters of Patience and Anthony were fantastic. They bring out the better attributes in each other. They embrace life in different ways but find that they have more in common than either imagined. Patience is fun and full of life, while Anthony is methodical and practical. When they come together to hatch a scheme and then build a relationship is a wonderful story.
There were a few characters that I didn’t really care for (ahem…Miss Morgan). Patience also finds a reluctant ally in a well-know rake, Lord Bryant. Most of the characters are not exactly what they seem to be, which adds to the story.
If you are looking for a fun and clean regency romance, I would highly suggest this one.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
When I finished reading this one the other day, my first thought was “Wow, Esther Hatch knows how to write a story!” Everything about this one made me happy. I loved the plot, and the characters – especially Patience.
Patience is a cooped up young lady. Her family has been in mourning for 2 years after the death of her father. It’s no wonder that she decides to do something a little bit rash. She’s goaded by her brother, Nicholas, about being too much like their mother. She decides that she needs to be more serious. And to do that she must find a job as a maid. In the house of her brother’s former general.
The first scene where Patience meets Anthony was hilarious. She meets him in his own garden as she’s trying to find the servant’s entrance. And she makes such a big mess of the whole thing. That’s really how their relationship goes the whole book. They both make a big mess of everything.
I loved that the reader gets to see Anthony’s point of view as well. He seems so serious for most of the book. I loved the way Patience goes about trying to draw him out a bit, using his niece and nephew.
If you’re looking for historical romance that can make you smile, make sure to pick up one of the books by this author. You won’t regret it!
I was sent a copy of A Proper Charade as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
What a wonderfully fun story. Lady Patience Kendrick is anything but patient and some around her may find they need patience to deal with her. She tends to speak her mind, and doesn’t always act like the lady she’s been raised to be which gets her into some awkward, but funny situations. The family has been in mourning for two years following the death of her father. After another row with her brother Nicholas about her inappropriate behavior for a lady, and that she wouldn’t have the opportunity to be “cured of any frivolousness” like he had when he joined the army, Patience comes up with a plan to do just that. She’ll get a position as a maid in the home of General Woodsworth, the man Nicholas served under when he was in the army.
Besides loving the gorgeous cover, I loved reading about Patience’s adventures while working in the Woodsworth household. Needless to say she wasn’t a very good maid, but she was much better working with the children. When Patience agrees to Harry Woodsworth’s plan it reminded me of the movie Victor/Victoria–Julie Andrews’ character pretends to be a man, impersonating a woman.
Patience was much better suited to Anthony than the snooty Miss Morgan was. She didn’t really want Anthony, and was stringing him along waiting for his father to receive a title. When that happened her true nature was revealed. Patience brings out the true Anthony who wasn’t as boring as he first appeared to be, they make such a fun couple. I loved the part the book The Ugly Duckling plays in this story.
This is part of the The Proper series, but each book is a standalone.
This was a fun read. I think some might say the plot was improbable but I’d say not impossible. Perhaps terrible maids were kept on just for being charming in those days. Just go with it. Patience was rather adorable and I loved that she made such a difference in Anthony’s household. She is one of those people who is likely to change people’s lives in a positive way where ever she goes. I loved Anthony’s lists and plans as well even if he is a little slow to figure out that his hopeful intended was dragging her feet and not just her parents. She was just a little too anxious to try out flirting with other men for the intention of her plan to be sincere.
As I was reading this book, it got far too late and I needed to get to bed. I was so disappointed to have to stop reading 3/4 of the way through. I just wanted to keep going. I realized that there had been nothing distracting in the book. I was fully into the story the whole time, just enjoying the read. And I hope everyone looks a little like a duck to their sweetheart.
No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
If you liked ‘A Proper Scandal’ then you will adore ‘A Proper Charade’!
My mind is having a hard time on deciding what wonderful thing to mention first!!
The story is just so entertaining, and kept me turning pages – even when my vision started blurring!
The clean romance made me sigh contentedly.
The characters are well written and real.
I laughed several times and was teary-eyed a few times as well.
There are funny situations, some wonderfully romantic scenes, great dialogue, and a few suspenseful moments too.
Overall – it’s just so good! I highly recommend this book! It is on my ‘to read again’ list for sure ~ which says a lot!
… and it was wonderful to see Lord Bryant again too! I’m hoping he will get a ‘Proper’ story in the future!!
Excellent!!! I couldn’t put it down. Great wit, humor and romance. The hero and heroine are a perfect match. They are the type of characters of love to have friends in real life. Ms Hatch has excellent talent for storytelling, I was pulled into the story from the first page.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A Proper Charade by Esther Hatch is one of those books that pulls you in so thoroughly that you never want it to end. But the ending was so good and showed the characters to be so happy that you cannot begrudge it. I truly loved the characters. How true that opposites can balance each other out so well and find great happiness together. I loved the growth in each character, the sweet and clean love story, and the entire fun and original tale!
I must say, I enjoyed this book a lot. I laughed, I cried, and felt all the feelings. The best books do that to me. And this counts as one of those. I received an eARC of this book from the publisher and these are my own opinions then I also went online and purchased a copy as well.
This couple was well-matched considering perceived socioeconomic differences. Patience was spunky and eager to prove herself. Some of her mishaps were quite hilarious, but ultimately she was lovable, to those she interacted with and to the reader.
Anthony was the perfect Hero, set on helping his father’s reputation. He was all about lists and reaching his desired goals. He was the complete opposite of Patience but in the best way. It’s just too bad that he is set on marrying Miss Morgan.
This was a perfectly unexpected story that I absolutely couldn’t put down. I recommend it.