Finding a worthy husband should be simple for three beautiful debutantes in Regency London. But the Somerset sisters have a way of making it delightfully complicated . . . Violet Somerset has always preferred a library to a ballroom, but to please her grandmother she agreed to one London season. With nothing to show for it but heartbreak, she’s reconciled to spinsterhood. Until a notorious … to spinsterhood. Until a notorious rogue known as the Devil of Dare requests an introduction to her timid, gentle youngest sister, Hyacinth. Violet will do anything to stop the match—even if it means posing as Hyacinth herself . . .
Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare, is enjoying the life of a rake far too much to take a wife. But he must keep his promise to his grandmother. He’ll simply choose the meekest bride he can find, install her at his estate, then carry on as before. Hyacinth sounds perfect—until he discovers that her sweet demeanor hides the tongue of a viper and the mind of a bluestocking . . .
As Violet’s ruse threatens to unravel, however, she may find the tables turned. Soon she may have no choice but to tolerate her handsome fiancée—or fall in love with him . . .
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Watch out for promises to Grandmothers!
She’d rather be a spinster but promises she’ll attend one London season.
He enjoys the life of a rake but promises he will wed.
Nicholas Balfour, Earl of Dare, has found the perfect meek, mild miss to be his wife. He’ll marry her and place her in the country leaving him free to return to his rakish ways in London. Except his miss isn’t as mild and meek as he thinks.
A case of mistaken identity gives Violet Somerset the perfect opportunity to protect her sweet and innocent sister from the Devil of Dare. What she learns about the man goes against all she knows.
As Violet’s ruse and Nicholas’ pursuit continues, feelings start to change. When the truth comes out can love conquer all?
Delightful tale by Anna Bradley! A heroine with a spine of steel and the will to protect a loved one and a hero who’s tough on the outside with a deep sense of family love, loyalty, and enough compassion to forgive.
I enjoyed this book so much, I could not put it down! Violet was a fun, quirky heroine and paired with the charming but tortured Nick made for an engrossing story. I highly recommend it!
He’s a notorious rake. She’s a headstrong spinster. They share nothing in common, except for matchmaking grandmothers and few duress promises to keep. She’s protecting her sister. He’s protecting his way of life. Neither expected to feel fireworks. Nicholas and Violet are about to learn that when it comes to love there is no tried and true plan, only emotion. More or Less a Countess steamrolls it’s way right into your heart. A steamy battle of hearts.
*** 4.5 Stars **** This lovely romance is the story of a man with the lowest self-esteem I’ve read in a long time and a bluestocking who pursues knowledge for a book she is writing at almost any cost. It is well written, well-paced, and it is populated with well developed, very relatable characters. While it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. You’ll also appreciate many delightfully funny moments like a hilarious inappropriate discussion of ‘barrier devices’ (condoms) or – like –
“But damn it, how was a gentleman meant to embark on a courtship when the object of his pursuit was half-drowned in mud and so preoccupied with the skeletal remains of plague victims she hadn’t even noticed how utterly delightful he was?”
Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare never expected to inherit the Earldom. That was to fall to his perfectly perfect brother Graham. No matter how hard Nick tried, he could never, ever be as good as Graham in anyone’s eyes – especially his father – and even his own. Nick had spent the last two years hiding from himself and presenting the picture of a debauched rake to everyone. Nick had tried to fill Graham’s shoes for a while, but nothing he did was ever good enough in his father’s eyes – so he left for the continent with no intention of ever returning to England. However, his aunt had different ideas – and she held the purse strings – because Nick’s father let the estate run into the ground and any monetary inheritance would come from her. So, if Nick wanted any income at all, he had to return to England, marry and produce an heir.
When Nick was first back in England he attended a social event at Lord Derrick’s home. There he notices a very shy young lady who plays the pianoforte like a virtuoso. Hmmmmm, Nick thinks he’s found the perfect bride – Hyacinth Somerset. He can marry her, get a child on her and leave for the continent once that duty is done. No fuss, no muss!
Violet Somerset endured one endless, tormenting season where she was ridiculed, mistreated and gossiped about because she was a bluestocking. There was no way Violet was ever going to endure another season and therefore, she would never marry. She was also heartbroken because the one man who had treated her well and who she had loved, had recently married her best friend. So, Violet’s one ambition was to finish the book she was writing and illustrating. All she needed were a few more sketches from places where ladies were not free to go.
Violet, Hyacinth and their grandmother attend a dinner at Lord Derrick’s home. Violet is a bit upset because Lord Derrick is the man she has loved and who is now married to her best friend. Then, a latecomer appears and is seated directly across from Violet’s sister Hyacinth. He is the notorious rake, Lord Dare. Then, later Lord Dare approaches Violet and asks if he can call on her – she knows he has mistaken her for Hyacinth. Well – there is absolutely no way she’s going to let this rake anywhere near her sweet, shy and lovely sister. So, she lets him continue to think she is Hyacinth and tells him he is not welcome to call on her. That, of course, doesn’t stop Lord Dare.
Nick becomes more and more intrigued with ‘Hyacinth’ and Violet continues to let him believe she is Hyacinth while she allows him to escort her to places she wouldn’t normally be able to go. She also begins to care for Nick and knows that she has to tell him who she really is – but she’s afraid she’ll lose him and he’ll pursue the real Hyacinth. She knows he’ll find out sooner or later and when he does . . .
Poor Nick is so troubled and if it was possible to grab his father from the grave and murder him – I would. He always made Nick feel as if he were second best and was unworthy of love – especially his father’s. I hate all Nick had to go through to get his HEA, but he is a lovely, lovely hero and I really liked him.
For me, this was a 5-star read for most of the book. I did deduct a half of a star because the ‘big misunderstanding’ scene seemed contrived to me. For an overnight stop, there is no way a footman would mistakenly unload ALL of the trunks from the carriage. I mean – goodness – he’d just be creating work for himself and then he’d have to re-load them all the next morning. Then – the maid employed by the coaching inn wouldn’t be unpacking ALL of those trunks for an overnight stay. Actually, she wouldn’t be unpacking them at all – Violet’s lady’s maid would unpack only what she needed. So – half a star deduction.
I highly recommend this book – and this series.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
What a wonderful, fun book! Violet Somerset is a bluestocking and writing a book which she keeps secret. At a dinner party she meets Nick Balfour, Lord Dare, and watches him check out her younger, shy sister Hyacinth. At her friend Honora’s request Hyacinth played a lovely sonata which Dare enjoyed. Later in the evening, Violet went back to get her sister’s wrap and he mistakes her for Hyacinth.
Nick has been living in Italy and didn’t expect to be Lord Dare. His older brother was murdered and when his father died, he had to return to put the estate in order and find a bride. He plans to get her pregnant, leave her at the estate and return to Italy.
Nick pays a call on the Somersets but thinks Violet is Hyacinth. She tells him she’s busy and leaves the room. He returns daily and finally catches her as she’s leaving the house to sketch drawings for the book she’s writing. She agrees to go with him if he’ll take her where she wants to go. And so, they spend a lot of time together working on her research. One thing she sees in a museum (won’t spoil it) is hilarious.
There is so much more happening between Violet and Nick that I won’t spoil. I enjoyed this book very much and can highly recommend it.
Wonderful story of a bluestocking, Lady Violet, who has simply decided that since she was unsuccessful in her single foray into romance, she will remain forever a spinster. Lady Violet’s formidable grandmother isn’t having any of it, or any of this business of her writing a peculiar tome for other bluestockings like herself. At an evening gathering,Violet is mistaken for her more timid sister, by an exceedingly attractive rake, Lord Nicholas, and the two end up in a plot that involves a series of misunderstandings, curious slip ups, and bald faced lies- along with huge doses of hilarity!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book that had exceptional banter, a unique heroine, a rake who was better than one ought to be, as well as a cast of colorful characters to assist in the tale. The story had humor, and depth, as the author wrote a narrative that gave reason for the behavior and feelings of both the main characters that also brought a wealth of emotion into the story.
I highly recommend this book to readers of regency romance and am so looking forward to a match for Hyacinth.
I read this as an arc on Netgalley which affected my review in no way at all.
It’s hot outside. Summer refuses to cool down. My best advice is to kick back in an air-conditioned room with a comfy chair and read a good book. On August 7th you can pick up a copy of More Or Less A Countess by Anna Bradley and enjoy the, once again, lovely journey she’s given us. Ms Bradley knows how to make the early 1800’s seem heavenly with come-out seasons and house parties.
Our hero is Nicholas Balfour, Earl of Dare. He’s a lovely guy but he’s sad and angry inside and not on the cover darn it. Nick is trying to control things around him since his life seems to be a mess. His aunt has decreed Nick will marry and do it asap. Our heroine is Violet Somerset, a self-confessed bluestocking. All the Somerset sisters are knock-outs, golden haired, blue-eyed ladies the men are crazy for. Except Violet who can’t manage to act like a simple minded damsel in distress. Our hero mistakes Violet for her sister, Hyacinth, she doesn’t correct him and here we go..
Nick and Violet each have their secret reasons for playing this “courting” game. As time passes Violet realizes Nick isn’t like other rogues and she begins to fall in love with man he really is. In getting to know each other guilt sets in about the game but neither can fess up and say goodbye. When they’re caught together a hasty marriage occurs. Violet wants to help the man she loves and married, but how to soothe his hurt and bring joy to his life again is a wonderful part of this story. Violet turns out to be a wise woman and Nick finally realizes that the bluestocking was just the mate for him. The journey of these two characters involves emotions from A to Z..
The Somerset and Sutherland families have been twining together since 2015. The handsome man on the cover of the first book caught my attention but the story kept me coming back again and again. More Or Less A Countess has a marvelous romantic ending. I’m not telling so you’ll have to get your hands on the book to read the journey and the happily ever after we readers demand. Stay cool, hydrated and happy reading.
Dare, a notorious rouge, wishes an introduction to Violet’s shy sister. In order to protect her, Violet poses as her sister – but things backfire. Enjoyed the story.
An enthralling and deeply compelling Regency romance. I was hooked from start to finish.
Violet Somerset has no desire to marry now that the man she “loved” married her friend, but a promise is a promise, she will attend a season to make her grandmother happy.
Nick Belfour, the Earl of Dare is looking for a bride, he never expected to inherit and doesn’t feel worthy of the title, it should have gone to his older brother – the perfect son. But Nick needs money to save his estates and thinks he has found the perfect bride – Hyacinth Somerset – she is pretty, sweet and biddable – he can marry her, save his estate and leave her in the country while he returns to his rakish life in London.
But when Nick mistakes Violet for Hyacinth, he will get a lot more than he bargained for. Violet is determined to save her sister from Nick at any cost – including letting him continue to believe she is Hyacinth. She tries to push him away, but Nick has decided that she (Hyacinth) is the bride he wants and isn’t going down without a fight. They spend time together and Nick realizes that she is not remotely biddable, but instead of being repelled, it makes her that much more attractive to him. Violet also has a change of heart, but will her lie ruin any hope of a HEA?
This is well written story with wonderfully flawed characters, some hilarious dialogue, misunderstandings, emotional healing and finally a HEA.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
When I first started this book I thought, oh no I can see a not so glowing review coming. I did not like Violet at all. She was manipulative and not caring and immature. But as the story progressed I found that she was remorseful and tried to do what she could to show that she was not unfeeling. Nick, on the other hand, I loved right away. He was funny, a rake of the worst sort, and his life was not as simple as he portrayed to the rest of the world. The relationship between Nick and Gibbs is worth the price of reading the book alone. There were some twists that did not follow the “romance novel” norm that I particularly liked. In the end I really liked the story and I was touched by their HEA.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
A BLUESTOCKING AND A RAKE
Violet Somerset is lying to Lord Dare. Pretending to be her youngest sister, she’s diverting his attention. Focused on completing her book she uses him for an escort. Then the unthinkable happens, they fall in love. Now Violet has to reveal her identity and fears losing him.
” Oh what a tangled web we weave/when first we practice to deceive.”
Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare, has been summoned back to London from his Italian villa and mistress to do his duty. The last thing Nick wants to do is return to the Dare estate. He has never been able to live up to his father’s expectations and after his brother and heir dies tragically, his father’s criticisms became even more horrid. After 2 years abroad, his father dies and his aunt has called him home. She holds the purse strings to the estate, so Nick has no choice but to return. His plan is to find a suitable young woman to marry, get an heir in her belly and return to his mistress in Italy. What he didn’t count on was being intrigued by bluestocking Violet Somerset.
I really enjoyed this book and I especially like an intelligent and feisty heroine. The interactions between Violet and Nick was so much fun until the lies started to pile up for these two. Forced to marry, Violet and Nick must try to get past all their misunderstandings and try to build a new life together. Ms. Bradley works in many twists and turns in this story. Fans of regency romances will definitely enjoy this book.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the somerset sisters series. In this one we have Violet a bluestocking that is looking to finish her of areas of the town where young ladies shouldn’t go. We also have Nick a rogue that just hates being in England but whom his aunt is forcing him to stay and find a wife. He meets what is really two different sisters but thinks Violet is someone else. So she uses Nick to take her around town. I did actually really enjoy this story. I was laughing at some parts and crying at others. The author did a great job puling you into Violet’s world.
I have enjoyed all her books
Good story!
Light enjoyable read.
More or Less a Countess is the first book I’ve read by Anna Bradley and it won’t be the last. I don’t usually enjoy overly dramatic characters who constantly misunderstand each other and don’t communicate but this story is the exception. The characters were dramatic yet intriguing, easy to like, and completely captivating. The storyline was easy to follow and had my attention from beginning to end. This is a story I really enjoyed. The writing was fantastic and there was so much feeling and emotion. A very exciting read!
Enjoyable romantic story. Great book.
Loved this book and plan to continue reading this author! I love happy endings that take their time developing.