Reluctantly returning to London for yet another Season, shy Nora Hamilton has nearly given up hope that she will ever find the love match she longs for. After all, the one man she does harbor feelings for—her closest friend, James—has made it perfectly clear he views her as just that: a friend. With James traveling half a world away and Nora’s father pressuring her to marry for wealth and status, … status, Nora is forced to set aside her desire for love and accept the future she has always dreaded. Until James returns unexpectedly and Nora’s feelings once again rush unbearably close to the surface. Determined to save what is left of their friendship, Nora ignores her own heart and allows herself to be swept up in the London Season, soon finding herself the object of two very different gentlemen’s affections. Though she should be thrilled, both men come with a glaring fault: neither is the one man who holds her heart. But there is much more at stake than heartbreak. When long-kept secrets are laid bare, Nora must face the fears that have plagued her all her life and decide what true love is worth.
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I was just in the mood for a good regency novel, and Secrets and Suitors checked all the boxes for me. Sweet, check. Clean, double check. Great characters, check. A fun plot, check. A quick read (or one that you don’t want to put down so you end up staying up way too late at night to finish because you know you have to get back to the real world in the morning…I’m already cursing that alarm clock. Seriously though, didn’t want to put it down) check. Did I miss anything?
The cover of the book is perfect. I love the silhouette, because I will admit sometimes the models on the cover are super distracting because they don’t match what I have in my head. But regardless, it’s a beautiful cover that screams to be picked up at the store of the library.
My favorite thing about Nora was that she was imperfect, and that while her flaws showed, they were real and you could see that she saw them and was trying to be better. Much of the time authors write these perfect characters that you’d love to be like, but it isn’t realistic in any way. I could relate to Nora and her choices…even the bad ones, and that is what makes a great character for me.
I am hoping that more comes from this book. I’d love to see more about Nora’s friend. I’d love a little background on Nora’s sister, and without a spoiler, I’d like more on another guy too. Again, the mark of a good book when I want more. The book itself was complete and satisfying, but I definitely wouldn’t be sad if this became a series.
*I received a copy. All opinions are my own.
Secrets and Suitors was an entertaining read. I started reading it with the intention to read just a little and ended up reading the entire book in one day. It is by the far the best story by Joanna Barker. There were twists and turns. The drama was just right and I enjoyed reading between the lines of Nora’s perspective with the actions surrounding her and her conversation with others. The characters were well-developed and likeable. This is a great story! I hope that some of the minor characters get their own stories as well.
Please note that I received a free copy of this book to review, however, this is my honest opinion.
This was such a fun book to read. I have always been really shy, so I was able to completely relate to Nora. I whole-heartedly approve of hiding behind greenery in order to take a break from the mass of humanity. People can be exhausting! At any rate, I was caught up in the story and was really rooting for Nora to find the happiness she wanted, not the one her parents seemed to be pushing on her.
Multiple characters in the story had several different layers, and just when you thought you really had them pegged, you were thrown a curve ball, completely changing your opinion. I like that I was kept guessing.
Definitely a story I enjoyed. I highly recommend it.
Beautiful regency story! I loved reading Nora’s story and was eager to read more, but not excited to get to the end of this well written regency novel. It was no way predictable and was happy with the outcome. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves regency romance.
I received a free copy of this book. All thoughts above are my own.
SECRETS AND SUITORS is a story that is a delight to read from the first page to the last. Readers won’t be able to resist falling in love with the heroine, Nora, with all her insecurities, shyness, and bravery, and wish for her to find happiness. With an endearing family dynamic, friendship, and a sweet romance, this is the perfect read for sweet historical romance fans!
I’m a big fan of friends-to-romance stories and this one did not disappoint. Nora was such a reserved character who lacked confidence in herself, but under James influence she literally blossomed before my eyes. I loved their friendship and teasing. I also loved how well the author conveyed feeling through looks and a touch here and there, besides words. The chemistry was definitely palpable. There was a bit of a love triangle, or maybe square, here which is normally not my thing but it worked and made sense to me. There was even enough of chemistry between Nora and one of the suitors that I felt the story left a bit of a question as to how things might have turned out, making me question that maybe Nora wouldn’t end up with the person I thought she should. I enjoyed seeing Nora develop as a character, as well as how her friendships developed, and the way her family joined together and the changes there. This story pulled emotions from me with the decisions these characters faced and the realizations they came to.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This story was full of so much heart, with lovable characters and an endearing plot. Highly recommended!
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.
4.5 Stars
What a sweet story. It’s a story about falling in love with your best friend and not feeling that it’s reciprocated. You try and move on and do what’s best for your family, but then true love conquers all.
I liked the characters. It was a fast read with some touching moments. I really felt bad for Nora. She didn’t think much of herself and didn’t think others could love her. Part of that came from how her parents treated her.
Many relationships were mended throughout the story. It has a very happy ending.
Sweet regency romance about love, loss, forgiveness & trust. I absolutely loved this story! Nora was an amazing character-shy, quiet, proper but determined to find love in her life. I love reading about the society rules and proper ways of dress and acting during that time period.
This author makes this time period fun to read, not stuffy or boring. I also liked seeing the progression of Nora’s family throughout the story and I loved Nora and James friendship and banter back and forth.
This story left me smiling and hopeful. Great characters, great story!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Oh my what a lovely Regency friends-to-lovers romance the author has written. When a young woman hides behind large ferns at balls, it’s never a good sign although there’s usually a good reason for her doing so. Nora Hamilton has several reasons–she’s shy, hates socializes at balls, and her father’s determined to marry her off to the ever socially correct, but dull Mr. Weston. I think the main reason she was hiding is she missed her best friend James, whom she can’t seem to admit that she loves.
James Allen left England six months ago to help his family’s sugar plantation in Jamaica, but Nora thinks he left because he doesn’t care for her as she cares for him. His unexpected return during the ball throws her off balance and leads her to come up with a foolhardy plan to attract someone to offer for her so she doesn’t have to marry Mr. Weston. Through it all James is there for her, but will Nora let him back in to her life?
I loved this story. All the secrets of the characters that guided their actions had me wondering what would happen next and I was surprised a couple of times. I liked Nora but there were a few times I wanted to Gibbs slap her to shake some sense into her. I loved James and can see why Nora couldn’t seem to forget about him. These two were perfect for each other.
I’m so glad I didn’t live in Regency times. I love to dance but all the strict rules would’ve had me hiding behind a potted plant too. This is a clean romance.
(4.5 stars) – the truth shall set you free
What a lovely story! Nora is so shy and down on herself, but she comes into her own here. I loved how she found healthy support that encouraged her & she learned to advocate for herself.
James is a wonderful hero who loves Nora so much that he wants what’s best for her more than anything else.
There were quite a few surprises as unexpected secrets were revealed. Nora learns in several different shocking lessons that people aren’t always what they seem.
***SPOILER ALERT***
The main reason for not giving it a perfect 5 was because the resolution was a little too quick to fully buy (not full out unbelievable, but triggered my inner skeptic to start mumbling to me, and I couldn’t reassure it back into silence)
Weston’s almost instant acceptance of the situation following Nora’s explanation & apology seemed unlikely. I think it would have helped, & would have liked, to have a better understanding of what he was thinking in all this.
And the dad’s capitulation to accept James as Nora’s suitor based on his willingness to duel for her, and even his general change of behavior towards his family, seemed a tad bit fast.
***END SPOILER***
I love stories of broken families that begin to find healing, & this one is very uplifting while also having a delightful romance!
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
Big sigh! This was lovely (particularly the last couple of chapters! Swoon!). Timid Nora and charming James were just terrific. I loved the moments when Nora actually pushed through her shyness and let her true self show. I enjoyed the plot; there was more going on than just a romance and the elements all fit together well. The story flowed really well, and it was just a delight to read. I read a lot of Regency romances, but this one stands out–and I’ve already reread the last couple chapters because they were so perfect!
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
There is a magical quality to Joanna Barker’s writing. It goes far beyond her excellent historical research or her beautiful descriptive prose; it pulls upon our emotions, drawing us in until we finish the last page with a happy sigh. Secrets and Suitors is a masterfully written story of hurt and healing, of families and forgiveness, and of finding lasting happiness.
Such a fun story!
I love Joanna Barker even more with every book. They have the familiarity of a good regency with a little something more.
Nora finds courage to face a situation and get something that she wants. She makes a bargain with her father that will allow her more time to make her marriage decision and get a season for her younger sister.
This story takes us with Nora as she discovers her heart and what she really wants. It unearths family secrets and helps her understand her distant father just a bit more. I feel like this story is less about the romance, and more about the family and healing.
I would recommend this book on many levels. The romance is good. The family dynamic is better. I look forward to more books from this author in the future.
This was much more interesting then a plain regency romance. The Characters were complex and had a history. I loved how the author revealed the secrets and as they came out things were able to go forward in a good way. I hate secrets, they never are a good idea and I liked how the story showed that. Sweet Nora was so caught up in everyone’s ideas of who she was, she was stiffed and hurting. I love that this book showed that love can help another find themselves and their truth. This book was very unpredictable, I did not know where the author was going. From the first pages I was pulled in and just wanted Nora to find her answer. The ending was so lovely! Barker is a great author and I will be following her for a long time.
Thanks for the early copy:}
Joanna Barker has a way with writing Regency romance. I love the way she writes her characters, and her plots are amazing!
I loved Nora. She’s the character that the reader gets to know in this one. The reader sees everything through her eyes. Nora is the type of girl who has always done what her parents want her to do. But she doesn’t want to anymore. Her parents want her to marry Mr. Weston, but she doesn’t want to. Nora is the type of girl to make a plan, and she plans to sacrifice herself on the altar of marriage to Mr. Weston for her siblings. I loved Nora!
I loved the way Nora’s life wasn’t perfect. Nora’s parents seemed really disconnected from their whole family for a large part of the book. That’s due to some secrets that Nora didn’t even know were being kept. And Nora loves her neighbor, but he doesn’t appear to love her back. There were so many secrets in this one. I loved finding each and every one!
I loved everything about this book! It made me happy to read it.
A sweet romance with beautiful prose!
I adore Regency period romance novels. They are fun and full of things from times gone by. They speak of love in a whole different way than it is today–which captures my heart. I loved that Nora was willing to do her parent’s wishes, yet in the end, she was strong enough to “decide what true love is worth.” I completely recommend this book!
What a lovely story!
Nora and James have been best friends since childhood and truly care for one another. I always love best the love stories that grow from the foundations of friendship and mutual respect.
This book made me feel many things and I even shed a tear, or ten, perhaps more, as I followed along with Nora as she decided for herself the value of family and love, and what she was, and was not, willing to do for each.
I don’t read a lot of romance novels, but now and then, I enjoy a Regency. I had the opportunity to receive a review copy of Secrets and Suitors from the publisher, and the book came highly recommended, so I decided to give it a try. My assessment: the high recommendation was accurate; Secrets and Suitors is a very well-written and worthwhile read. Joanna Barker weaves a multilayered story centered around a likable main character, Nora, who has a realistic combination of strengths and flaws. Though at times I became impatient with what felt to me like her cluelessness and denial regarding the man she loved, it was credible given her situation, her insecurities, and the expectations of her family and society. I appreciate it when a romance author gives the relationship between the main characters a solid foundation, and Barker does this extremely well. In addition, one of my favorite parts of the book is the progression of the relationship between . . . Never mind; I’m afraid of giving spoilers, but a layer of the story that runs underneath and beside the romantic plot was particularly beautiful and satisfying. I enjoyed how Barker caught me by surprise several times–characters don’t always do the expected thing, and those twists were great. Romance readers, you’re going to love this one.
You know it is a good book when you get grumpy about life interrupting. Who needs to eat and sleep, right? I loved this story! Some of the secrets I guessed fairly early on, but there were some that really surprised me. I loved the relationship between Nora and James. They were so funny together, but also sweet. Their relationship was deep and they really understood each other. There are several other stories going on around Nora and James that help with the conflict, but also create such a beautiful story. I loved this story so much!