Brighton, England 1820
Amelia Moore is worried about her and her sister’s future. With their stepfather’s looming death, she knows they’ll soon be on their own—without an inheritance, home, or penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia is eager to encourage a match between her sister, Clara, and Sir Ronald. At least then, she’ll know her … know her sister will be taken care of.
Little does she know that another guest, Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his sister. Starting with a quarrel over a glove, Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry—one that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim—her heart.
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This book is absolutely romantic, lovely, charming, witty, and sweet! Whenever I picked up “Lakeshire Park”, I felt like I was being whisked back in time to the Regency Era, and was there watching everything unfold before my eyes.
Throughout the book, I felt very connected to everything going on. I could truly feel what various characters were feeling. I found myself laughing out loud at times, squealing at some moments, close to tears in others, and was so hoping for them to get their happy endings (no spoilers in the review!).
This book has so much in it: it is heartbreaking at times, yet extremely hopeful, beautiful, funny, and heartwarming.
If you love historical and Regency romance, I highly recommend this book! I did not want to put it down, and could not wait to see what happened each and every chapter!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC of this book! I absolutely adored it!
There are books that make you feel good while you are reading them and it is sad to see them end. This was one of those books for me. I fell in love with the characters and the story. It was a hard book to put down! This is her first full-length novel. The book is polished and the voice is fantastic. Megan Walker is an author that I will be looking for in the future.
Amelia Moore and her sister Clara are in dire circumstances. Their stepfather is on his deathbed and will not provide for their future. Soon they will be destitute with nowhere to go. An invitation to a house party takes them to Lakeshire Park where it is vital that one of them make a match. Amelia puts all of her hope into Clara making a good match and is willing to sacrifice her happiness for her sisters. What she didn’t count on is Peter.
I don’t know if I could adequately describe Peter. He is by far my favorite character of the book. He has a talent for drawing Amelia out of her shell and helping her to see the possibilities for happiness in her future. He is persistent and fun.
There is so much to recommend in this book. It is now a favorite of mine. This may be one that I revisit in the future.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
From the beautiful cover to the intriguing premise and on to the delectable story, Lakeshire Park is a winner all the way. I’ve heard so many fantastic things about this book, so when I got a chance to read it, I grabbed it and devoured it. All the great things I’ve heard are absolutely true! With rich historical detail and colorful, engaging, carefully-crafted characters, this tale is a delight to read. Peter Wood is a marvelous hero—fun loving, considerate, and caring, and Amelia Moore is a wonderful counterpart with her determination and sense of duty to her sister. The chemistry between Peter and Amelia is perfect, and I loved the witty, clever banter they engage in and the situations they encounter.
Megan Walker is an excellent author, and I’ll be looking forward to more of her stories in the future. This book is one I’ll be happy to reread. It belongs on the keeper shelf!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This new Proper Romance book is AMAZING! I loved every bit of it. And I couldn’t put it down. I read the whole thing in less than 24 hours.
Let’s start with the characters. This one is told entirely from the perspective of Amelia. Sometimes that leaves holes in the plot. But I didn’t even realize that it had been until right now. So that isn’t a problem with this book.
I loved Amelia. She feels responsible for her sister, Clara’s future. Because their step-father refuses to take responsibility for either of them. This causes Amelia to take very little care for her own future. And it makes her almost make a huge mistake.
Then there’s Peter. I had to laugh at how little Amelia likes him at the beginning of the book. And she ends up having to keep him occupied in order for Clara to realize her own desires and love match. This made the plot very interesting. And just plain fun!
The plot of this one is great! I loved how Amelia’s and Clara’s situation makes this one a much different romance than many that are written about this time. It’s not as stuffy seeming or ton centered. I really liked that.
This is one you’ll want to read. It’s awesome!
I was sent a copy of Lakeshire Park as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This book was an absolute delight to read! It had it all for me- conflict, sacrifice, humor, yearning, and interestingly complex dynamics. The relationship between Amelia and Peter started with friction- more antagonistic on her side because of a debacle over a pair of gloves. It was fun to see how their interactions altered over time as she got to know him better and see more layers to his personality. Peter reminds me a bit of Philip from Edenbrooke- charming, loves to laugh, teasing, and full of longing for his secret love, bringing a sense of vulnerability as well. The dynamics of those in the house party kept me on my toes as Amelia struggles to forge a future of security for her and Clara. She has to decide between a guaranteed practicality or a risky choice of love, which she has never believed in due to her parents’ example. I loved how everything builds up to the climax and ending where I was satisfied with the resolutions for all my favorite characters.
Highly recommend to fans of sweet Regency romance, especially those who enjoyed Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Matchmaking MC’s battle for the happiness of their respective sisters.
This is my first book by this author, and I have to say I’m very impressed by the quality of her writing.
I was surprised to learn that this is only her second book, the first being A Beautiful Love.
Yes, I went after her backlist. It was that good!
The book tells the story of Amelia, a young woman who lived with her ailing step-father and her sister, in Brighton, England.
The relationship between the girls and their step-relative was very problematic, and upon his imminent death, both sisters would be destitute.
In a last attempt to marry them off, their step-father sent them to a house-party in Lakeshire Park. The invitation came in a very opportune moment, as their host had paid particular attention to Amelia’s sister during her only London Season.
Amelia, a dutiful older sister, went to the party bent on matchmaking and saw on Sir Ronald the answer to all their problems. Unfortunately, her intentions were opposed by those of Mr. Peter Wood, a friend set on uniting Sir. Ronald to his sister Georgiana.
This is an enemy-to-lovers story, but the relationship between the main characters is romantic, sweet, and full of understanding and companionship.
The heroine is strong and principled, but she is also loyal and kind, and I loved her from the first pages. The hero is a tender, funny, and loving brother. Definitely marriage material.
The book is gentle and lovely. It is a clean romance that focuses on small gestures, inner beauty, personality, and disposition of the characters. A truly heartwarming story of family and love.
Highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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A delightful debut. There is more to this sweet love story than a simple romance. Amelia is a loving big sister who would do just about anything to see her sister’s future secured. Escaping a hateful step-father, they have but one chance left to find freedom and security. Enter Peter. The friction between Amelia and Peter is immediately engaging and palpable. As their friendship unfolds, so does the truth behind Amelia’s desperate need for security. Both protectors have to learn that fighting for and protecting their own heart’s desires is always worth the cost. Honesty, hope, and redemption are key themes in this clean, regency romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
I loved this book. It is like reading Jane Austen. Amelia and her sister are at the mercy of their step-father who is about to die. When he does, they will be left penniless. They young ladies have been invited to a house party where Sir Ronald is looking for a wife. Amelia wants to secure the match for Clara, her sister. Also at the house party is Peter Wood and his sister with the same goal.
This is sweet and engaging. It kept me turning the pages and was a wonderful escape. It leaves you with a warn feeling. Thanks to NetGallley for the opportunity to read and offer my honest review.
This is a cute, sweet and clean romance. For Amelia this is an enemies to love story but Peter just seemed to be amused by everything the whole time. Perhaps he is attracted to her because she is blunt in her dislike. Peter is cute and he and Amelia have some fun times together but I think he is kind of a rascal. A cute one, but rascal all the same.
I like the author’s writing style and appreciated that she didn’t overkill explaining how Amelia’s feelings were changing. It wasn’t a sudden change with no clue where it came from yet it was so subtle that suddenly it was just there. Her sister was awfully slow to see it though.
My only complaint about these characters was Peter taking so long to propose. When he knows the decision Amelia is facing, why doesn’t he throw himself into the ring as an option? Don’t be dense dude. I just don’t get what he was waiting for.
This is an enjoyable, well written read. More than one couple gets their happily ever after but I’m wondering if some of the other characters might get books in the future too? I’d love to see Mr. Pendleton get a story. He is a minor character in this story but I think it would be sweet to see him find love again.
No sex, language or violence
*I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
Lakeshire Park is a wonderful story and a quick read. From the cover to the last page, it held my attention, and I’m looking forward to reading it again.
The tension between Amelia and Peter was wonderful. The initial distaste and then how it grew favorable was great. Their relationship and the story as a whole was compelling.
There are some sad and touching moments which really helped keep me intrigued and connected to the characters. The girls’ past was so sad with the heartless stepfather and their desperate situation.
This is very sweet story that I’d recommend, and I would read more from the author.
Beautiful. That’s the word I would use to describe this story. Everything from the cover to the plot to the characters and, well, you get the picture. I loved Amelia’s and Peter’s first encounter….and then all their subsequent ones. The author’s writing really shines when those two are together and bantering back and forth.
I will admit that I did keep waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop at some point in the story, and it never really did. Honestly, I liked that aspect of the book. And when I go back and reread it, which I will, I can now enjoy it more fully knowing what is and is not coming.
I vacillated between liking Clara and Georgiana. I suppose that showed their youth, but at times I found them both sweet, and both super frustrating and mean. I’m actually hoping for another story from this author about the sister that didn’t get what she was hoping for. I’d love to see a happily ever after for her.
Wonderfully done for a first time author. Walker is definitely sometime to keep an eye out for. I hope she writes another one soon.
*I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
I started reading this book several weeks ago, but then I had to put it aside because I had other books that needed to be read first. When I finally was able to come back to it, I thought I might have to start over from the beginning so I could remember what was happening. Thankfully, it only took me about a chapter before I remembered what happened. This was a fun, but heartbreaking story. (Is that even possible?) I enjoyed the antics that Amelia and Peter would get in to each afternoon, but it was heartbreaking watching Amelia try and navigate a very tricky situation with her step-father’s edict.
The relationship between the two main characters was entertaining at first and then became so comfortable. It was fun watching it develop. I was a little surprised at how Peter’s sister was handled near the end. Not what I was expecting at all, but that wasn’t a bad thing. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
With her stepfather’s death imminent, Amelia is determined to secure her sister’s future when she accepts the invitation for a house party at Lakeshire Park. If she can encourage Sir Ronald to offer for Clara, all will be saved. However, Mr. Peter Wood ahs the same intention with his sister. COmpetition may just turn to love, but will love win in the end?
This is the kind of Regency story I expect from Proper Romance Series. It was brilliantly written, with Amelia’s character jumping off the page. From the start, we are sympathetic to the position she is in. Though everything is against her, she is not morose. She puts all her effort into achieving the solution to the impossible situation she is in.
I really liked that Amelia and Peter are at odds but they are antagonistic. They do not snip at each other to hurt each other. There is an attraction from the start, but their relationship is allowed to grow through conversation. My only nitpick would be just how quickly Amelia thinks of him as ‘Peter’ and not as Mr. Wood. The informality did not seem quite true to the era.
The pace is good. The interactions between all the characters were fun and interesting. Realistic is a word I would definitely use.
I would recommend this to any reader looking for a clean, sweet Regency romance. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
All Amelia Moore wants and needs to do is find a suitable match for her younger sister Clara so she’ll be taken care of and provided for. Their mother died two years ago and their stepfather has reluctantly provided the necessities since then only because of his promise to their dying mother. His health is failing and he’s made sure Amelia knows that his promise to care for them dies with him. When an invitation arrives from Sir Ronald to attend a house party at Lakeshire Park arrives, Amelia knows this is their last chance for Clara to capture his attention and form an attachment. There’s only one problem, Mr. Peter Wood wants the same thing for his sister Miss Georgiana.
I loved this book and can’t believe it’s a debut novel. I knew Amelia and Peter would end up together after their run-in in the dress shop over a pair of gloves, but I didn’t know how Peter would win Amelia over considering their sisters were vying for the attention of the same man. I loved how the author got them together. House party settings are so much fun because of the secondary characters and their interactions. I find them more enjoyable than London parties and balls because they’re set in the country and have many activities in which the characters of the story can be placed.
I liked both Amelia and Peter. They wanted the best for their younger sisters, and Amelia learned to trust her heart, and I was thrilled that both sisters find their happily ever after. I liked several of the secondary characters and hope the author gives a couple of them their own stories. I look forward to reading more from Megan Walker.
This author can write a story that pulls the reader into the book with descriptive details. I was fully immersed. The romance was full, sweeping and swoony! I felt the author was able to create characters that were complete & relatable. Plus, having layers to themselves. As well as characters you could equally loathe. Megan Walker did well in showing the hard situation & little options women of the time had. There were well written twists and surprises that kept the story interesting. The interactions between the h & H were witty & entertaining. Eventhough this trope might have been used before I thought the telling & writing were original. The book had a secondary side romance story and I was hoping for both of them. However, the secondary romance didn’t detract from the story. It did help add to the book & helped move the story line along. I liked all the secondary characters. Of course disliking all the disagreeable ones as intended.
The story did have some slight “modernisms” interactions or scenes & speech. Not terribly so but perhaps more than a Jane Austen or Georgeatte Heyer. I think an epilogue would’ve been nice. I wondered about Peter’s sister future. For me the story was a solid 4-4.5 stars because of that. I realize that is simply reader preference. I rounded up to a 5 because the author can craft a story well, had a good flow, editing, dialogue, and characters. I would read another Megan Walker book.
This book was a delightful treat that hit the spot for me and left me eager for more novels by this author. I cannot say enough positive things about Lakeshire Park! This book blew me away with how amazing it was. The romance is clean, but don’t let that fool you that it is lacking, because the chemistry between Amelia and Peter was phenomenal and I could not get enough. I need a Peter Wood now, seriously. The plot was so fun and I love that Amelia, while she first meets Peter in a funny meet cute that leaves her frustrated and irritated with the man, isn’t so blind as to hold a grudge the entire story. Their dynamic was great and I really love the way their relationship grew around what was happening with each of their sister.
Such a fantastic novel, I cannot recommend this enough!
This is a delightful Regency-era story. Amelia and Clara are at the financial mercy of a stepfather who resents the responsibility. After an unsuccessful season in London, they are given one final opportunity to find a match for at least one of them when they are issued an invitation to visit Lakeshire Park. The story is told entirely from Amelia’s point of view, and I found it to be a well-written and engaging narrative.
There were so many ways I could see this tale unfolding, and it was lovely just to watch it progress and be amazed at the unexpected turns. It flowed so pleasantly, neither to fast nor to slow. The characters were enjoyable and their development satisfying. I loved the lessons and themes and how neatly they were woven into the story. This novel hit all my sweet spots!
My sweet Grandma Hall always had a saying when she really liked something, she said she was “Tickled Pink”. That is exactly how I felt while reading this book and I still feel the same after finishing it. Knowing that this is the author’s first published book, also makes this debut novel quite impressive.
We first meet the stronger, older sister Amelia, who is very protective of and very loyal to her younger sister Clara. With both parents dead and a very nasty Step-father who wants to get rid of both girls, Amelia knows their future lies in her hands. With an invitation to attend a week-long house party, Ronald, the son and heir of Lakeshire Park has extended an invitation to get to know Clara better. Neighbor Peter Wood is also there to help secure a match between Ronald and his younger sister, Georgiana. The games begin to see who will win Lord Ronald’s heart.
Even with Amelia and Peter trying to help their younger sisters win over Ronald, they butt heads from the start. It’s amazing how with all of that going on, this truly felt like a real-life romance unfolding. The steps Amelia and Peter took from enemy to friend, to finally a romantic love interest was slow and natural. It was also amusing to see how Amelia and Peter’s interactions went from pestering each other, to witty banter, & then mischievous and lighthearted teasing. Honestly, their synergy throughout the story is dynamic, whether it was when they’re competing or when they’re becoming friends and more. I simply adored this couple. The supporting characters in the novel are good also, especially Lady Demsworth and Mrs. Turnball. These two older ladies were full of wisdom and humor.
This Proper Romance, Lakeshire Park, is one you’ll want to get your hands on soon. Between the brilliant dialogue, the competition for Lord Ronald’s heart & the ever-present twists and turns, you can be assured you’ll have an entertaining read you won’t want to put down.
Walker’s Lakeshire Park takes your attention, pulls it into Amelia’s world, and does not let you go until you read the very last page. I got so lost and caught up in Lakeshire Park that it transported me from my life into an entirely different world. Amelia’s world. It all played out so seamlessly that I could see it in my mind like a movie on the big screen. The witty banter between Amelia and Peter, the shy and budding romance of Clara with Sir Ronald. Georgianna and her own desires, Mr. Rawles…Lady Demsworth; every character made a lasting impression and was critical to the beauty of the story as it unfolded. I could not read it quickly enough and now that it is over, I am left wanting more. Will Walker favor us with a story of another character? I hope it will be so! If you love a true proper romance with emotional upheaval, difficult decisions, and characters you will love, then Lakeshire Park is the book for you! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
(4.5 stars) – Absolutely loved it!
This cinderella-flavored Regency story was entertainingly reminiscent of Austen at times. Amelia & Clara are both in dire circumstances thanks to their hateful stepfather. But Amelia takes care of Clara & keeps it from her while they attend a house party because she wants her younger sister to have a chance to find happiness with their host, Sir Ronald, if possible.
When they arrive, they find that Clara has some competition for Sir Ronald’s affections – and Amelia has some competition for being a doting, supportive older sibling
The rivalry between Peter & Amelia on behalf of their sisters was a little awkward at times but also frequently funny. Peter seems a bit of both scoundrel & knight, but when you realize that his teasing is because he’s increasingly intrigued with & delighted by Amelia’s appearance, intelligence & wit, things becomes much clearer
The author does a good job of making Peter & Amelia’s challenges that prevented better communication between them understandable & believable – and talking about such circumstances as the young women were facing was just not done in that time. But one could see where the one impersonal arrangement being formed would contribute to Amelia thinking ‘if it’s ok to do it for that instance, then why not for this one’?
Despite a few minor quibbles (like I wasn’t sure why Amelia would think Sir Ronald wouldn’t know Clara’s situation, since his mother was fully aware, so surely she would have informed him), I was fully immersed in the story from beginning to end, and was only disappointed when there wasn’t anymore, lol!
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic