An exciting new Regency Romance series from the Bestselling author of the House of Catesby series!Feisty American, Lady Cecelia, would do anything to keep from returning to England in order to marry at her father’s behest. Then a brilliant idea strikes! Cecelia begs to further her education by going on The Grand Tour-Though ladies aren’t usually encouraged to go, she considers the magical journey … to go, she considers the magical journey across Europe the perfect experience before finally making her way to England.
Surprises are abound as Cecelia travels through various countries to Rome, where she makes the particularly riveting acquaintance of Lord Williamson.
♥ ♥ ♥
Cheeky Brit, Lord Williamson, has his own pre-ordained fate to hide away from, and The Grand Tour is the perfect cover.
As their friendship grows, a shocking revelation reveals more about Lord Williamson than Cecelia could have expected! When a very different picture of their true lives emerge, Cecelia must decide what type of life and future she truly wants.
Between her unconventional charisma and his regal, yet accessible personality, the two are a natural force to be reckoned with- while between them the sparks fly!
♥ Can she find the courage to fight for what she wants, even if it means changing everything?
♥ Or will she step aside and turn away completely, leaving what was growing between them as but a distant memory of her free-spirited adventures abroad?
more
Hero Too Weak But Other Good Parts to the Story
I found this Regency to be a refreshing change from the typical. What young woman of the era would not want to go on a Grand Tour? Why should the young gentlemen have all the fun? That is not the only difference between this and other Regencies. The heroine is actually American by birth, the daughter of an English earl who has chosen to live his married life in Georgia so his wife may remain close to her family. But now that Cecilia, the heroine, is of age to secure a good match, her father wants to take the family back to England so she can find a suitable husband, preferably a titled one chosen by him. Lady Cecilia is able to convince her father to allow her a six-month Grand Tour through Italy before she settles in for a London season. While she is in Rome, with her mother and companion, she happens to meet two young Englishmen. One is Lord Frederick Williamson, who is there with his friend, Lord Haverstock. These two young men have been enjoying life on the continent, escaping responsibilities that they both have at home. Frederick, the hero, has been ducking his mother’s more and more urgent missives to return home.
Frederick and Cecilia have a natural affinity for each other that Cecilia’s mother is happy to encourage, though she is not sure if she should because he may not be of high enough rank for her husband. (In a fun subplot, the companion gets a little romance, too.) But Frederick has been hiding a big secret, one he is not sure how Cecilia will respond to. When his mother succeeds in calling him back to England, he does so in haste, not giving proper leave to Cecilia.
I thought the hero and the heroine were well drawn, though a few things did seem odd. First, I find it hard to believe that Cecilia was truly so meek before—that her boldness and the spirit that she showed in Italy are so different from her previous “true” character. She did seem to be that sort of person before, so it wasn’t really new. I liked that Frederick was at first the typical aloof Regency hero but quickly became something more as Cecilia lifted his spirit with her kindness and forthrightness. What I didn’t like about him was how weak he became when confronted by his mother. Seriously, why couldn’t he have stopped and talked to Cecilia before fleeing back to England? He was just going to do his mother’s bidding and take off on the first boat? That seems so different from the way he thought about his mother previously and how he swore he would act. And when they got face-to-face, he changed completely. He actually became pretty weak, and I didn’t like that . . . another did Lady Cecilia. Not good for a hero to become weak when he must confront his mother!
The book was oddly structured in that what the author called the epilogue was really part of the main story. If the book had ended before, where the epilogue started, it would have been a very incomplete book. That said, I still thought the book ended rather abruptly, and I actually do love a true epilogue that gives somewhat of a glimpse into the couple’s future.
This story is a lark, and romance is the theme. Both don’t want to fall in love, but there is Italy and all it wonders. Cecilia and Frederic have no idea what hit them, but Cecilia must decide to live the life her Father wanted for her with the man she loves. Or throw love and the life back in her Father’s face. Actually, if you think about it, it not really a decision. Pride is one thing, but if that pride could ruin your life. I’d throw it out the door. The characters are wonderful, if not a little shallow. There are no real depth to any of the characters in this story, but that’s okay. It makes the story have a more whimsical feel.
Lady Cecilia must return to England to meet and marry an acceptable titled gentleman. Reluctantly she embarks on the Grand Tour and meets Lord Williamson who is really a Duke. As they travel on the grand tour an attraction develops. Will this attraction lead to love and will there be a HEA? This is a quick enjoyable read perfect for Regency Romance fans.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A strong, stubborn Lady and a Lord with a secret as characters came to life and I found myself immersed in the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love on the Grand Tour was a very enjoyable variation of the Regency romance. Why shouldn’t the women have made a Grand Tour? Cecelia does and she meets an interesting young man. Frederick, the Duke of Sussex, who has been travelling as Lord Williamson. Both main characters are being urged to wed – Cecelia by her father; Frederick by his mother. In this well written tale, you will see the fun these characters have on their tour and the trouble caused by Frederick’s mother’s determination to see her son wed. This book should appeal to anyone looking for a fresh, clean, Regency tale.
Lady Cecelia was headstrong, not wanting to go to England to meet a suitable titled gentleman and willing to potentially go against her father’s wishes to be with Frederick, whom she met on a grand tour and didn’t know his true title. When it is revealed that he is a duke and that his family has betrothed him to another, she is angry that he doesn’t immediately go against his family’s wishes to be with her. Frederick didn’t want to marry without love like his parents did and he is attracted to Lady Cecelia, but they haven’t known each other long. Like her Georgian born mother she doesn’t understand the rules of society. I liked her governess and companion Miss Smallwood better even though I was surprised that Frederick’s friend who seems to fall for women easily was attracted to her.
Cecelia’s mother approached to tell her they were returning to London for her debut. Both women were not very happy about it, but they had known this day would come. Her father was the Earl of Waterford, owning land and an estate back in England, being cared for by his younger brother and family. Her English governess, Miss Smallwood, would accompany them back to England. Unfortunately, her father had also chosen certain suitors for her debut. She felt very unsettled at the thought.
A letter was handed to Frederick, the Duke of Sussex, from his mother. With a sigh, he put it aside for later and ordered more coffee for himself and the Earl of Haverstock. They had both convinced their mothers that they should experience “The Grand Tour”, an enlightening whirlwind of art, education, and the like across Europe, because they had taken on their roles as Duke and Earl early and missed out when everyone else had taken the opportunity. They would then be more suitable prospects for marriage when they returned from this experience. Frederick did not reveal his title, going only by Lord Williamson so people didn’t treat him differently. And he was in no hurry to return home and marry! When he was ready, he wanted to choose his own wife, a woman he could share affection with and find happiness. In the meantime, he ignored his mother’s every-increasing letters to come home!
Cecelia had been allowed by her father to go on “The Grand Tour” to improve her character and her intelligence a little more and make her more interesting to the gentlemen he would introduce her to. This, of course, did not cheer her up. However, in Rome with her mother and Miss Smallwood, she meets two young Englishmen, Lord Frederick Williamson and his friend, Lord Haverstock. Frederick and Cecilia are drawn to each other, although her mother has concerns that the man may not have an adequate title or maybe none at all! When Frederick’s mother finally insists he return to England, he suddenly hurries off without a goodbye to Cecilia. Was this the end of any possible relationship? Would he reveal his big secret to her – that he is even more than just a Duke? Would they meet again in England? Or would they go their separate ways?
This book was a bit different than most set in this period, but I enjoyed it very much. I liked the free-spirited Cecelia who had a mind of her own and knew what she wanted out of her life. Frederick was also a good character, content to let his steward run the estate and enjoy himself while he can. He and Cecelia were perfect for each other! They only have to wait until fate puts them together again and let the chemistry do the rest!
The first book in a new series The Unruly Duchess, a well written short story. This is American, Lady Cecelia, and Brit, Lord Williamson meet when they are both on The Grand Tour going across Europe. I enjoyed reading their story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story had some pleasant surprises. I also appreciated how straightforward this story was, no villains hiding or trying to take her away, just the two of them having to work through the situation. They both had great friends helping them through. His identity caught me by surprise.
Good Story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a little different from the usual 19th century romance stories. Cecelia has been raised in Georgia but her father says it’s time to return to England. She doesn’t want to go but compromises with a Grand Tour before they arrive in England. Lord Williamson is really a duke but he has good reasons for keeping his identity a secret. I enjoyed the sweet little side story that involves the governess, Miss Smallwood and Williamson’s friend, Lord Haverstock. It’s not a long book but a pleasant afternoon read.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I totally loved this great regency romance! Powerful leading lady who isn’t afraid to speak her mind! I also loved the fact that the Duke loved her for her mind as well as her beauty. If you love regency romance this one’s for you. I highly recommend this book. Happy Reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This delightful family-friendly Georgian romance, which shifts between a Georgia plantation, Rome, Venice, and London, is a lovely way to pass five hours.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I admit it. I had to look up the history that it appears this story took its inspiration from. What I think is the most fascinating thing about this book is that it’s loosely based on real life events. A little bit of historical fact and whole lot of creative license, and we have this really fun story. I enjoyed meeting Lady Cecelia, who’s a thoroughly modern woman in her opinions of her place in society and her own personal power. Lord Williamson was something very different than I was expecting, and I had to look up his historical counterpart to see if there was any truth to this story – there is! Now I’m very excited to see what else is in store for us with this series.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.