Grace Sinclair has been callously cast out of her home. And though taken in as an orphaned child by the vicar and his wife, her unsurpassed beauty makes it impossible for her to remain in the vicar’s household—with two daughters of their own about to enter Society, the vicar and his wife see Grace as nothing but competition. Thankfully, Grace’s estranged Aunt Bell has agreed to take her in to her … her home in London. But Grace soon learns her situation has just gotten much worse.
It takes only a moment’s acquaintance for Grace to ascertain that her aunt has married a detestable rake. And Aunt Bell, recognizing the danger of having her lovely niece too near her husband, gives Grace an ultimatum: the young woman has two weeks to find a man to marry, after which she will be turned out. With no experience in the art of attracting a husband, Grace quickly realizes that a worthy suitor might not be so easy to ensnare.
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This is my absolute favorite romance of 2019. I loved every page, every scene, every KISS. The villains were well written, the hero and heroine were PERFECT for each other, despite their flaws, and I want to buy 100 copies of this book and just hand them out on the street to everyone who loves a good love story. Esther is such a gifted storyteller.
If you want a book with a rom-com feel but set during the 1800’s then this is the one for you! It was a little bit of fun, a little bit of silly and a whole lot of romance! There were some aspects of the book I loved and others not so much. I found the characters were a little bit inconsistent, saying and believing one thing but then doing the opposite. Also when reading a historical novel I like to know when and where the novel is set (this is a purely personal preference) but in this story I didn’t find out what year it’s set in until the second to last chapter. It’s 1843 for those who are wondering. I love love loved the chemistry between Grace and Nate and there some oh so lovely romance scenes! I especially loved the scene with the hat and parasol, so cute and funny!
Esther Hatch is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine! Her clean historical romances deliver smart heroines and swoon worthy heroes! I enjoyed this story of a young woman who is trying to get engaged to a handsome man in two weeks in order to get out from under the thumb of her creepy uncle by marriage. Loved Grace and Nate and had a hard time putting this story down because just when I thought things were all going to turn out well, a new twist was thrown in. The story does have a HEA ending, but it was a cliffhanger up until the end. Can’t wait to read more by this author!
Grace Sinclair has a problem and only two weeks to solve it. She must find a gentleman man who is willing to marry her or else she will be homeless. So begins Grace’s hunt for that man. The only man who she thinks is suitable is Nathaniel Barton who helped her out in a potentially dangerous situation when first arriving in London.
I enjoyed Grace’s attempts at trying to entrap Nate into marrying her. She is inexperienced in social situations and speaking to men and the advice that her younger cousin, Georgiana gives her backfires. Grace bumbles, both literally and figuratively while being with Nate, which makes the story lighthearted and entertaining. I am glad she found her own way of being who she really was instead of what others wanted her to be.
This was a fun book as Nathaniel tries his best to escape Grace’s schemes of matrimony. I found Nate to be a wonderful man of integrity and of high moral principles, even when facing his growing affection for Grace. “His life had been a drudgery before she entered it. But it was a controlled drudgery. A drudgery he had chosen and even truthfully enjoyed. One thing was certain: life was simpler and his breathing more normal when Miss Sinclair was not around.”
This is the first book in the Proper Scandals series. There are several characters who have been introduced that I hope they have their own story in the near future. I would recommend this book if you like clean Regency romances.
Amazing book! I loved all of the characters (except the Uncle). The plot line was unique, exciting and definitely had a lot of funny parts.
I loved how the author wrapped everything up. It was one book
I will probably re-read multiple times. If you haven’t read this book you NEED to.
4 1/2 stars. Charming, delightful, humorous, and downright adorable. I absolutely loved Nate and Grace, and can’t wait to read more of Esther Hatch’s books
Since losing her parents, Grace has felt like she doesn’t belong. She is welcomed by the Vicar and his wife until their daughters are old enough to marry and then she is in the way and sent to live with her Aunt. Chance and a bit of a conniving cousin bring her into the path of Nathaniel Barton and she has two weeks in which to catch a husband by any means necessary.
The problem is, that is not Grace and she tries to find any way to not trap the good man.
Now, the important stuff. WOW WOW WOW the kissing in this book is something else. Overall, clean book, but that kissing adds a steam that is just magical. Esther Hatch can write a kissing scene and make it believable, hot and clean.
I love the story, the building of the relationships, the urgency I felt on Grace’s behalf, The exasperation from Nate, and the supporting characters who added layers to this story. I was easily lost in this book and spent all day reading it. I highly recommend it.
This regency romance was so engaging and difficult to put down! Grace finds herself between two extremely undesirable choices – continue to find herself at the mercy of her uncle’s unwanted advances, or get married. Time is of the essence so naive, beautiful Grace decides to take matters into her own hands. Nate Barton is busy with attracting investors to his railroad yet is blindsided by beautiful Grace who seems to have unwittingly chosen to focus her attention on him.
That antics that ensure are hilarious, the plot is original, and the characters are simply delightful. And wow, Esther Hatch is an expert at writing kissing scenes!
This book was impossible to put down and though I may or may not have lost several hours of sleep in order to finish it, there are absolutely no regrets. Sleep is overrated when compared to a book this delightful!
Oh my goodness! One of the top five most favorite books I have read all year! I felt like I knew each one the characters personally. Grace and Nate had great chemistry throughout. In fact, my 11-year old daughter said this would be the best romance movie ever!!
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.
This book wasn’t quite what I expected—in the best kind of way. I love it when authors take me by surprise, and Esther Hatch does exactly that.
Grace is somewhat awkward in her goal, which makes for some fun scenes (almost everyone involving Nate for a while into the book) that made me laugh. Yet she’s also tenacious and sweet and you can’t help but root for her.
Nate is drawn to Grace from the moment he meets her yet repelled by her obvious schemes. He’s made his wealth by industry and not aristocracy which makes him that much more admirable throughout the story.
A Proper Scandal takes the usual Victorian-era story and gives it some twists and turns that make it a delight to read.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
A Proper Scandal is a witty romantic masterpiece! Grace is too cute for her own good and must trick a man into marrying her to save herself from a worser fate. Nate Barton is the perfect gentleman who she sets her sights on. As the story unfolds and the two end up in one cute meet after another, I was truly captivated by the enjoyable plot line and incredibly well written characters. Full of humor and the best clean romance, this is a fabulous book I highly recommend.
Grace Sinclair is a beauty with a substantial dowry who wants a husband who loves and needs her, not her money. In A Proper Scandal, Esther Hatch’s well-written, clean romance, she must navigate through many detours and obstacles to reach her HEA.
After losing her parents, Grace lived with a vicar and his family but, since she overshadowed the vicar’s daughters, she was sent to live with her aunt and step-uncle in London. The step-uncle is a gambler who sees Grace as a means to an end, namely saving his hide from “Mr. Barton” to whom he owes a great deal of money.
With no experience in society, Grace relies on her cousin Georgina for advice on how to go about attracting “Mr. Barton,” with comical results. Georgina has her own reasons for “advising” Grace and pushing her toward Mr. Barton.
Nate Barton started a company, built a railroad line and isn’t a popular man in Town, as he is a gentleman involved in trade. Despite his attraction to Grace, he is surprised by her continuing attempts to gain his attention and interest when so many more eligible men are around her.
“I can’t believe an exquisite creature like her could or would ever love an oaf like me.”
Hatch does a great job of developing the relationship between Nate and Grace, but many secrets need to be resolved before their happiness is assured. She also introduces secondary characters that beg for their own story, namely Nate’s sister, Diana, and Lord Bryant!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I have read from this author, and I recommend it and look forward to reading more.
SO MUCH FUN!!! This is not your normal same ol’ regency romance, this book is fun. I loved sweet, stubborn, blunt Grace! Could there be a better character! She was so great. Nate was just perfect for her. There romance was such a whirlwind of fun. There is some subject matter that could have made this a fairly dark book, but the author did such a great job of giving it levity and keeping it light. This was different then her first novel and I am so glad this author can think outside of a formula. So happy I found her books!! Just really loved this one and I’m going to have to read it again soon. This is a proper romance with a bit of heavy subject matter of attempted rape. This is something I would still give my teens to read.
Esther Hatch is a great writer. This is the second book I have read from this author! A proper scandal did not disappoint. I love the characters from the very beginning. Grace had spunk and determination to make the best out of her situation. Nate was hard working and a perfect gentleman. And oh the tangled web was weaved. Great twists and turns in this book. I would definitely recommend this clean regency romance! I would love to know what happens to some of the other characters; Georgiana, Diana and of course Lord Bryant! Hint hint Esther Hatch
I LOVED this book! It was so fun as Grave tries to trap Nate. He was so determined to be a gentleman. This story had lots of twists and I didnt know if they would get their HEA. I would love a sequel and see these delightful characters again!
I really thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. This book is the first by this author that I have read but now I want to go back and read her previous book and look forward to more to come. The story was a clean romance with enough chemistry and intrigue to keep the story interesting.
Grace Sinclair was orphaned at a young age and had been taken in by the local vicar and his wife. Because of her extreme beauty, she has become a threat to their own daughters who are ready to come out into society. So, they have shipped her off to her estranged Aunt Bell in London. Her Uncle Bell is a perverted gambler with no morals. He is determined to use her beauty to get what he wants, which are to have his numerous debts be forgiven. They have given Grace two weeks to “snag” a husband. Grace is not wise to the ways of seducing and trapping a man so she kind of bumbles around and bumps into Nathaniel Barton.
Nate Barton is different from his wealthy cousin, Nathan Barton, and is mistaken as the wealthy relative. Grace literally bumps into Nate at the train station when she arrives and is trying to escape the clutches of Lord Bryant. Throughout the book, Grace, is trying to escape her uncle’s evil clutches and trying to find a match that would suit her. She is certain that Nate Barton is the one until she finds out he is not the man she originally though he was. Is it possible for them to trust one another to have true love and trust? Will Grace have to step away from the one man she has grown to love but can’t possibly have? Will Nate trust that Grace’s love for him is real or contrived?
I was given an arc of this book and I willingly offer my honest review. I look forward to another from this wonderful author.
I simply love Grace and Nate’s story. There was some heartbeaking moments, growth, and learning to love and understand each other. I couldn’t get enough of this story and wanted to keep reading beyond the end. I hope to read more books by Esther Hatch soon.
I received a free digital copy of this book. All thoughts above are my own.
I love it when I find a great book that I don’t want to put down. This was definitely one of those! I loved everything about it from page one. The characters were amazing, the plot was perfect, and the little trains in each chapter were adorable. And I can’t even tell you how much I love the cover!
Let’s start with Grace. She’s gone through some hard times. Her parents died, leaving her to live in the vicarage in her town. But now it’s time for her to move on. One thing about Grace is that she just wants to have a place for just her. She’s been removed from her home by the man who inherited her father’s estate. The vicar and his wife wanted her to move on. She just wants to be loved.
It’s a bit ironic how she escapes the crazy man on the train only to be in her uncle’s household. I loved this aspect of the plot. For Grace, it’s kind of just one unfortunate event after another. And she must work to get herself free of them.
That’s where Nate comes in. I loved Nate. He’s a gentleman, even when Grace is not quite acting as a lady ought. I loved his humor. And the way he goes out of his way to watch over Grace, even when he has no idea why.
This book is amazing! Make sure to go grab your own copy. It’s a perfect summer read.
Poor Grace! As soon as this story started I felt such sympathy for her and the impossible situation into which she is thrust. After leaving her hometown near Bristol and moving to London, Grace discovers that her new home is full of danger in the form of an uncle with no morals. After being given an impossibly short two weeks to ensnare a husband, Grace is pointed toward Nate Barton, a businessman in the rising railroad industry. Despite her impertinent questions and her social awkwardness, Nate is drawn to Grace against his better judgement. While desperate to find an honorable husband, Grace is still hesitant to let anyone into her heart due to some abandonment issues. How they overcome their unconventional introduction and arrive at their happy ending is both romantic and dramatic! I really enjoyed their unique storyline and circumstances. This book is a fresh take on the marriage of convenience, and I highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book from the author and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I was immediately captivated by this charming novel by Esther Hatch. The setting in England, the cast of memorable, vividly-drawn characters, and the creative, complex plot of this book drew me right in. Grace and Nathaniel’s story reminded me a little of a comedy of errors. It seems like they were at cross purposes much of the time and victims of misunderstandings. Nathaniel, reluctantly and unwittingly, was drawn into Grace’s necessary scheme of finding a husband quickly. Grace, with little experience at dealing with attractive young men, finds herself in the middle of several misadventures. The relationship between Nate and Grace was delightful and funny. I loved the banter and the humorous ways that Grace tried to capture his interest.
The premise of this story is very creative, and it was refreshing to have the hero be a builder of railroads, instead of a titled nobleman. I loved the imaginative story line and Hatch’s clear, well-crafted writing. This novel has a bit of everything—intrigue, history, suspense, romance, and a dash of humor to round things out. I’ll definitely be looking forward to more books by this writer.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.