Lady Margaret secretly yearns for love, but fate has exchanged wedded bliss for a lie. When she is caught hovering over her cheating husband’s dead body, she is instantly doomed to hang for his murder. Without hope for justice, unless she takes matters into her own hands, Margaret flees into the night alone.A cynical Bow Street Constable, Connor Jackson, vows to bring the fugitive Lady Margaret … Margaret to face the law—but, he doesn’t expect sparks to fly between them. Could the strong yet tender lady truly be a killer?
As more suspects—and even more condemning evidence—surface, the less certain Connor is of his duty. He must choose between his growing feelings for Lady Margaret and the demands of justice. Will the truth tear them apart or set them free to find love?
This romantic story of loss and betrayal, forgiveness and redemption, will leave you laughing, crying, and swooning. Sprinkled liberally with suspense, mystery, and heart-melting kisses, this is not your ordinary historical romantic suspense. Fans of Victorian and Regency Eras, and those seeking clean and wholesome romance with plenty of chemistry, will love this story!
The Rogue Heart series:
1.The Stranger She Married
2.The Guise of a Gentleman
3.A Perfect Love containing “A Perfect Match” and A Perfect Secret
4.The Suspect’s Daughter
5. Not a Fine Gentleman
Timeless Romance Anthologies:
5.Autumn Masquerade—“Unmasking the Duke”
6.Summer House Party—“A Perfect Match”
7.Winter Collection—“A Winter’s Knight” (Christmas)
8.Wedding Wagers—“A Wager for Love”
9.A Week in Brighton, “The Reluctant Heir”
Courting Series:
10.Courting the Countess
11.Courting Country Miss
Music of the Heart Series
12.Heart Strings
Novellas and Short Stories:
13.“Matchmaking Game”
14.“Sabrina’s Hero”
15.“When Ship Bells Ring”
16.“Constant Hearts”
17.“Emma’s Dilemma
18.“The Reluctant Bride”
19.“Troubled Hearts” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WDYJJNR
20.A Perfect Match
Christmas Stories
21.A Christmas Reunion
22.“Mistletoe Magic” (Also Part of the Ten Ladies Dancing Anthology)
“A Winter’s Knight” (Also part of the Timeless Romance Anthology, Winter Collection)
23.Christmas Secrets
Fantasy
24. Queen in Exile (out of Print)
Praise for Donna Hatch
“Donna Hatch is one of the masters of clean romance with electric tension and smokin’ hot kisses.” ~ Reading is My Super Power Reviews
“Recommended to all historical romance fans.” ~ Julie Whiteley, InD’ Tale Magazine
“Written with heart and depth, Donna Hatch’s books are absolute must-reads for any fan of swoon-worthy historical romance.”~ Sarah M. Eden, USA Today best-selling historical romance author
“Donna Hatch is one of the masters of clean romance with electric tension and smokin’ hot kisses.” ~ Reading is My Super Power Reviews
“No one creates chemistry between Regency Historical characters better than Donna Hatch. If you want a “sweet” read, but with lots of sizzle, you have to read her books.” ~ Author Carol A. Spradling
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I always wondered why Margaret was unhappy in the previous books, so it was wonderful to have her story! It starts off with a bang and stayed exciting throughout. The author did a good job of showing the hardships and coping mechanisms of Margaret in her marriage, and how her perceptions get turned on their head when she is finally free. Connor is from humble beginnings and is proud of his accomplishments, even if they are still beneath the level of Margaret and upper society. They had fun banter as they work to solve the mystery of who killed her husband- sometimes together, and sometimes against or in spite of the other. They sure kept each other on their toes! I loved when they began to soften and develop romantic feelings that added to their attraction and chemistry. The scenes with Margaret’s siblings (from the previous books) were great, revisiting them with their strengths and loyalties. An exciting addition to the Rogue Hearts series!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Connor – an illegitimate son, captain in army, now a Bow street runner/ constable.
Margaret/Meg- was in a real bad marriage now accused of her husband’s murder.
I enjoyed reading and listening to this captivating, emotional roller coaster that is fantastically written with unforgettable characters. Best part is more story, more character development and less ( to none) steam but romantic, passionate kisses and moments. Their story has a magnificent and loving HEA!
This story I read through kindle unlimited and is also ( together on ku) audio so I never had to put it down!! When eyes became tired or had to do dishes just switch to audio. The story is narrated by Gwyn Olson who did a wonderful job with making the voices characters distinctive and was pleasing to listen to.
Something about a persistent Bow Street constable just makes a story hum for me. Even better when his duty conflicts with his fast friendships and his new tender and sometimes lustful feelings for his fleeing murder suspect who happens to be his best friend’s sister!
This book flows not so much with the romance but with the unmasking and capture of a murderer. Lovely Lady Margaret’s philandering husband was no great loss to her or her family. However protecting her from prosecution for the crime definitely qualifies as a family matter. I love that we get to revisit all the prior couples in this series! Family based series always delight me.
The other factor in this story that for me elicits a deep connection with Lady Margaret is her conclusion that she is unlovable because she tried so hard to meet her husband’s and eventually her true love’s desires, yet they rejected her. Of course, our hero Connor has his own personal demons to overcome before he can consider himself worthy of her society status.
I recommend this book to historical romance readers who like a sort of Cinder-fella story and the excitement of a Bow Street murder investigation. I enjoyed this series!
This was my first book by Donna Hatch and my first in the Rogue Hearts series. I must say I do enjoy a good Regency/Victorian era type story and this one did not dissappoint! I was thoroughly engaged from the first page.
If you have been following the Amesbury family then you know this story is about one of the sisters, Margaret. She is married to this absolute jerk (and I mean class-A jerk!) who gets murdered and Lady Margaret is the one who finds him. Because of the animosity between them the staff believes that she is the one who has murdered him. So she does what every lady would do when wrongfully accused?! She flees the scene!! Her brothers want her found so they hire Bow Street Runner, Conner Jackson. He starts hunting her down to bring her to justice but through the process falls in love with her. There is a catch… he is by no means a gentleman!
The chemistry between Connor and Lady Margaret at the beginning is very comical. When he “captures” her it doesn’t go so well but its great for us as the reader as you start seeing how they fall for each other. Connor struggles with believing Margaret and her retelling of her husbands death. But the more time they spend with each other he comes to realize not only is she telling the truth but he’s falling in love with her.
Throughout this whole ordeal Lady Margaret or Meg as Connor calls her finds out that the life of being a Lady is not something she wants anymore. She wants to be able to marry whomever and do whatever. Now that she is an outcast in her society she decides to leave especially after Connor tells her that he can’t be with her. Not only because he’s not a gentleman but because his job is one that would difficult in keeping a marriage.
Connor is wrestling with the fact that he his father who was a noble gentleman fathered him but was never a true father. He believed all these things that his mother had told him but later finds out they were all false.
So the story is not just about the love between Connor and Margaret. There is suspense and intrigue as Connor and Grant Amesbury work together in proving who Lord Hennesy true killer is.
Alright, this is not my typical read. I do enjoy Regency/Victorian era books but this is not a Christian Fiction book that I am used to however this is a very wholesome clean read and I am definitely not opposed to those. There is a slight innuendo to something more when they are kissing but it doesn’t result to anything and there was no graphic descriptions of anything.
If you like this genre then I definitely recommend this book. I suggest starting from the beginning too if you want to know the story between this whole family.
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Prism Book Tours. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I really had a fun time with this book. I’m loving these Amesbury siblings because they are such a diverse group of characters but at the heart of it, they are all strong, loyal and brave. Enter Margaret, accused of murdering her louse of a husband and on the run. Conner Jackson is out to retrieve her but boy does he get more than he bargained for!
The mystery and intrigue started right off the bat, throwing me into the thick of things right along with Margaret. I loved how the whole story played out because between the mystery and the sparks between Conner and Margaret, I was entirely engaged from beginning to end. Margaret is feisty and determined but also so vulnerable and hurt. I really loved her. Bridging the gap in station between Conner and Margaret was tricky at times, especially for Conner, but thankfully Conner wised up about certain things. Good thing, because I was about ready to smack him upside the head too. 🙂
Donna Hatch is definitely a favorite of mine. Her books have vibrant characters and excellent pacing with so much going on to entertain my brain. This book was exactly what I was hoping for.
This is book five in this series but I believe it can stand alone. However, you will probably enjoy this series best if you read it in order.
Content: mild violence, peril, kissing
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and love how each sibling gets a story of his or her own. It was a treat to see glimpses of the family and to check in with them to see how they’re doing. I absolutely loved how they rally together in tough times and the murder of the eldest sister’s husband, with her as the prime suspect, is definitely a good reason.
Margaret comes across as cold, but there’s definitely more to her than that mask. Watching her spark to life, especially with Connor Jackson, was entertaining and my favorite moments were the forbidden attraction, moments of danger, and loyalty. Things were a lot different in this time and it was harder for different classes to mesh. Both Margaret and Connor had challenges and weaknesses to overcome and they each tackled them in realistic ways.
I felt like I was in the game of Clue at times, although we know where and with what weapon the murder took place. I loved the cat-and-mouse mystery and watching the puzzle pieces slip into place, and I thought this element was well done.
This is a story for lovers of intrigue and romance to settle in with, with its thrilling plot and enchanting characters.
Content: mild romance; mild violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
While Not a Fine Gentleman is book five in Donna Hatch’s Rogue Hearts series, it is the first one I’ve read. And, while I wasn’t at all lost in Margaret and Connor’s story, I’ve added the previous four books to my tbr.
Hatch transports readers to the Regency era with the murder of a Marquis and his wife’s quest to prove her innocence in said murder when all evidence points to her. Enter Connor Jackson, a Bow Street Constable, intent on seeing justice served.
The mystery in this book is engaging and flows well with the personal aspects. Margaret’s family adds another layer to the story (and I’m sure those who have been following the series will enjoy visiting the brothers again).
With a heroine whose dons a façade of strength to hide her vulnerability, a hero who admires said strength but tries not to become enamored by her, and plenty of chemistry between them, A Fine Gentleman is a diverting romp.
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.
I’ve read all of the books in this series and I have LOVED them all. Once I start reading I can’t stop till I’m done.
I’ve got to admit I wasn’t sure if this one would end happily… but it did.
I loved seeing all the brothers and other characters from previous books as well as some new ones. The plot line was fantastic and unpredictable. I was sad when the story ended and can’t wait for more from this author.
This book was clean but very slightly spicy- nothing I would be uncomfortable getting caught reading though.
Regency romance has been one of my favorite genres since junior high. I remember reading a few of them during my early teens, but then I got away from them when the Janette Oke “boom” began. There’s only so much time in a day, especially when you’re in high school! But in the past several years, I’ve gotten back into this genre and have found many more Regency books to love. Not a Fine Gentleman is the latest to join my list. I haven’t read the others in the series, but this can easily be read as a standalone.
Not a Fine Gentleman is what I call a steamy clean romance book. There is no sex and no closed door scenes. However, t does have some very passionate kissing scenes, and Connor does confess to Lady Margaret that his past included love affairs. I’m just throwing that out there in case that type of thing bothers you.
I loved that there is an exciting mystery in Not a Fine Gentleman. As you can see from the book’s synopsis, Lady Margaret’s husband is murdered, and she is accused of the crime. She knows how the courts work and that her husband has friends in high places. So, she makes a run for it! I think I would have done the same. So, there’s this mysterious thread that runs throughout the book. For a time, Connor isn’t sure if Lady Margaret is lying to him about the murder because he sees no other alternative. It’s fun following the clues and figuring out who the real culprit is.
As I’ve said, I love the time period in which this takes place. The setting is also a plus for me as the story doesn’t take place in just one location. Connor and Lady Margaret are both strong-willed characters, and they’re very well-developed. They both grow throughout the book, so that makes them seem more believable. I love the side characters in the story and not just Margaret’s family. I won’t tell you who they are because I wouldn’t want to spoil anything for you!
Not a Fine Gentleman is a highly enjoyable read, and I recommend it to those of you who enjoy exciting romance books.
I really enjoyed the first 4 books in the Rogue Hearts series by Donna Hatch & I’ve been eager for the two sisters to have their own happily-ever-afters too. Not a Fine Gentleman was well worth the wait.
Amesbury sister Margaret Hennessey has the misfortune of being married to a vile man who winds up dead rather quickly into the story. Further misfortune ensues as she’s unfairly accused of killing him (a mostly stupid assumption, I thought, considering that no murder weapon was found on scene or on her person) and is turned over to the night watchman, another vile man from whom she escapes into the darkness & proceeds to flee for her life. Enter swoony Bow Street Runner Connor Jackson who’s asked to find her by her brother.
Sparks fly the moment they meet – as Margaret clearly demonstrates her ability to fend for herself when needed. I loved that she was a strong heroine even in the face of the unimaginable, but I also loved that when wounded the most deeply she still gave in to her pain. This kept her realistic and added an extra dose of humanity to her character. For his part, Connor had his own complex emotions to deal with, not the least of which involved his growing love for Margaret – a seemingly impossible match given the disparity in their social classes. Cue some tender touches, husky voiced sentiments, toe-curling kisses & barely restrained passion nonetheless.
One thing I most love about the Amesbury brothers is how they rally around each other without question – a trait that applies even more when their sisters are threatened. The scene with the magistrate is fondly comical in the face of all the protectiveness surging through the room – but mostly it’s just really sweet to see how these very manly men love so fiercely. Makes them all the swoonier, in my opinion.
Bottom Line: A plucky heroine with more strength than she’s given credit for & a swoony hero with more class than he’s given credit for. Intrigue. Suspense. Romance. A well-constructed plot. Charming writing style. What more could you ask for? Even though it’s been a while since the previous Rogue Hearts book released, Hatch hasn’t lost her touch with this series or characters in the least. Her writing voice achieves a delightful balance of tender affection, dry wit, and intense feelings that proves ‘clean fiction’ doesn’t have to be boring or staid at all! Regency intrigue fans, don’t miss this series!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Margaret witnesses the man who murdered her husband and, fearing that her distant relationship with her brute of a husband will condemn her, she flees the scene. A Runner from Bow Street is on her heels. Can she discover the truth before the danger catches up to her?
While it was lovely to return to this family, I found it hard to get behind the romance of Margaret and Conner. I was sympathetic to Margaret, and I wanted her to see justice done. Then Conner Jackson is on the scene. He’s agreed to keep an open mind about the situation and goes after Margaret to return her to her brothers.
These two. It felt like every conversation was an argument, and that is a poor environment for romance. I fully believed they were wrong for each other, so the happily ever after sat wrong with me.
I did enjoy seeing the rest of the family. The book was well written, and the plot moved at a good pace. I just wished it had inspired the same feeling of romance that the first four books had.
I received a free copy through Loving the Book and all opinions expressed are my own.