Miss Addie Mallory is finished with the husband hunt. After six London Seasons as a wallflower, she convinces her parents that she should be allowed to use her dowry to buy a bookstore in Bath where she can live her life the way she wants. Lord Grayson, Earl of Berkshire, has never gotten over his deceased wife’s betrayal with his own brother. He plans to make his life all about his son, Michael, … son, Michael, who is deaf. When Grayson’s sister-in-law serves him with court papers declaring Michael incompetent with the intention of having her own son named as Grayson’s rightful heir, he turns to Addie, a dyslexic bookstore owner, for help.
Addie takes a personal interest in helping the boy. However, as time passes, Grayson and Addie’s joint venture to keep Michael from being declared incompetent leads to feelings and desires neither one of them expected.
Or necessarily wanted.
*****
The Merry Misfits of Bath is a brand-new Regency romance series from USA Today bestselling author Callie Hutton. Each standalone story features a heroine who doesn’t quit fit in but who finally finds her happy ever after with a hero who sees her through the eyes of love.
Three women turn their backs on London and the husband hunt and take up residency in the
lovely town of Bath.
Miss Adeline Mallory, who has suffered from dyslexia her whole life, convinces her parents that
marriage is simply not in her future and to release her dowry to her so she can open a bookstore.
Miss Charlotte Danvers escapes the reputation her mother built as the most expensive courtesan
in London and supports herself by teaching young ladies all the finer points of the ton who will
never accept her as one of their own.
Lady Pamela Manning cannot get through an entire sentence without stuttering. But she sings
like an angel. She’s happy with her new life as a music teacher, even if most of her students have
no ear for music.
They come together as friends and title themselves The Merry Misfits of Bath. But the
question lingers: How long will they remain misfits?
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An absolutely unique, intriguing, curious romance that blends the emerging new science of sign language with the unfair real-life prejudice against deaf people and the ugly assumption if one cannot hear and talk that they are an imbecile. I loved the characters. Adeline/Addie at twenty-four is a confident loving person. After several failed London seasons, she has determined that she will never marry and that was the reason for her striking out on her own. She is strong minded to move out of her parent’s home to Bath and open a bookstore. Although she has dyslexia it does not deter her from loving books. She is a successful businesswoman. She works hard at maintaining the inventory, shelving and accounting. Lord Grayson, Earl of Berkshire is a widow and a father of a son barely four-year-old named Michael. Michael is deaf and Grayson went to the bookstore to find a book on a new science called sign language. Apparently, Grayson’s widowed sister-in-law was taking Michael to court to declare him incompetent to be heir. She wants her spoiled trouble making ten-year-old son to inherit. Grayson loves his son so much there was nothing he will not do for him. When Addie first met Grayson at the bookstore, he was arrogant and cold, but when he began talking about Michael he lit up with love and joy. This was the beginning for Addie, Grayson and Michael. Such a wonderful story full of respect, admiration, attraction and mutual understanding. It brought a sense of satisfaction to me as I read that Michael and Addie were emotionally bonding and picking up the sign language lessons quicker than Grayson and Mrs. Banfield whose job was to take care of Michael. It must have felt wonderful to Michael to finally be able to express himself and gave a sense of pride to Grayson who could now communicate with him. I loved reading this book. This is a feel-good book with some unexpected surprises based on facts. I also loved the secondary characters, Addie’s closest girlfriends Pamela and Charlotte were supportive, understanding and backed her up 100%. Pamela and Charlotte had their own lifelong trials and it made them more endearing. It was also fun to read the roundabout way Grayson’s attraction to Addie came about. This book is a successful beginning to a new series and I look forward to the next book.
Addie has those parents that most young women dislike when they reach an age where marriage doesn’t look like it will happen for them. She get her own life after some pleading. Her own bookstore and house in baths. Enter Grayson. A widowed father of a four year old deaf son that he just loves and wants to find help understanding. Addie is one of the few who understand just cause he cannot hear doesn’t mean he is not intelligent. Add in some family drama and this was a great book.
Have never read a book by this author I haven’t liked.
The start of an amazing series of ladies with different challenges and what a way to start with this first fabulous story. It always warms my heart to have a character be imperfectly perfect because thus is life and through the ages, people have had a lot of the same issues we do today.
Adeline Mallory was one lady who had always had a hard time reading. Her tutor called it “word blindness.” But “she loved the feel of the book in her hands, the smell of the ink when she opened the tome for the first time and turning the pages.” Yes, I can totally relate. So her thought was to retire from trying to find a husband and take her dowry and become independent and buy and run a book store in Bath!
So Addie took the plunge and opened her store and had turned into a very good businesswoman. Then one day, he walked into the store. Oh yes, Lord Grayson. He was looking for a book about sign language for his deaf son. He has a desperate need to help his son Michael and his sister in law was trying to declare him incompetent so her son could become the heir to the Earldom.
As he and Addie spend time together, they begin a friendship but can they become anything more?
Such a wonderful story that warmed my heart and just made me happy. I cannot wait for more in this series! Thank you Callie Hutton!!
What an awesome beginning of The Merry Misfits of Bath, a new series by Callie Hutton. A young woman named Addie Mallory has moved from London to Bath and opened a bookstore with her dowry. She also suffers from word blindness, or now known as dyslexia. Lord Grayson Berkshire is our larger than life hero. He is a widower with a young son who is deaf. I adored their story. It was sweet and you’ll find yourself enraptured as I was. The characters were so well thought out and genuinely loveable. Can these people get past their past hurts and learn to love again? It is well worth journey of finding out. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await Lotties and Pamelas stories. I was gifted this book and am voluntarily reviewing. Five stars Callie Hutton!
This is the first story and a wonderful beginning for Callie Hutton’s new series about three young women who had no success on the London marriage mart and have no desire to continue. Each has come to Bath to start a new life. They have become friends and call themselves the Merry Misfits of Bath. Miss Addie Mallory is quite happy with the successful bookstore she has opened in Bath.
Grayson, Earl of Berkshire, comes into Addie’s shop to find a book on sign language. His young son Michael is deaf, and he wishes to help him learn to communicate. Addie, who has fought word blindness (dyslexia) most of her life, understands and enthusiastically agrees to help him. Their search takes Grayson, Addie, Michael, and Mrs. Bandfield (his tutor) to London. Their goal is to find someone to come to Bath to teach the four of them sign language. The trip also included seeing some sights and attending a few social events, one of which was quite eventful. Will they be successful in their search for a tutor? Will they be able to prove Michael is intelligent and competent to be his father’s heir despite his inability to hear? Can Grayson and Addie find a happy future?
The Bookseller and the Earl is a lovely, heartwarming story. There are thought-provoking and emotional moments. It is a story told with humor and compassion. You will laugh out loud when Grayson tries to help Addie “adjust” her stays. The exchange between Addie and Michael at the hearing is amazing. Addie and Grayson lead a cast of wonderful characters. Both are strong, determined, caring, and a bit shy in romance (for good reason). Michael is a delightful child. Addie’s parents, especially her mother, are charming and funny. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this one and look forward to getting to know Charlotte and Pamela.
I loved every bit of Addie and Grayson ‘s story.
You have mystery , a strong character with a disability (Addie)that we all know how to cope with today , but wouldnt have been accepted in society in their day. A father (Grayson)who will go to all lenghts to give his son advantages regardless of his deafness.
Just a superb story that i believe we as readers can relate to.
My favorite highlight that made me laugh out loud ( literally)
“He stared at her. “That’s absurd. Why would she think you need to lose inches?” Addie opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, then opened it again. “Because I am not as slender as other girls.” He shook his head in disgust. Here was a woman with a perfectly acceptable, curvy, lush body, and her mother wanted her to fit into something smaller. He would never understand women. “You are not as tall as some ladies, either. Does she have plans to stretch you on a rack?” Despite the pained expression Addie had been wrestling with, she burst out laughing. Not one of those titters or giggles that other ladies were so fond of doing. An honest to goodness laugh. It made him laugh, and he pulled her in for another kiss.”
Just adored this! Thank you , Miss Callie , for a simply lovely read! Callie Hutton
***I recieved an ARC of this book and these are my thoughts freely given***
I think you are going to absolutely love this book-I know I did! Addie Mallory is dyslexic and she has decided that she might as well forget about finding a husband and open a bookstore. She finally convinced her parents to allow this–she opened a bookstore in Bath. Her parents lived in London-obviously her Mom was none too pleased and kept sneakily sending men her way!
Lord Grayson’s wife is dead and he has decided that he will not marry again. He has a young son who is deaf. Everyone around him thinks he should put the child in an asylum–this he will not do!!
Grayson walks into the bookstore one day and they get to talking. Between the two of them they manage to contact people who might be able to teach his son sign language. They team up–Addie’s Mom is very happy–Addie is happy and so is Grayson. But more important so is his little son!!
Endearing story of a courageous, kind and wise woman!
great read and first in a series
Callie Hutton The Bookseller and the Earl (The Merry Misfits of Bath Book 1).
This historical romance was just what I needed to clear out the cobweb and stress and bring a smile and laughter back to me! This is a new author to me and I’m an instant fan! Well written storyline with great character development that made me fall in love with the characters and their witty and sometimes sarcastic dialogue. This is a great read that will leave you with a lighter heart and a smile! I recommend it to all historical romance lovers!
Happy Reading
Content: Adult due to mentions of male body part, but there are no open door romance scenes except steamy kissing.
I thought this was a very charming story that touched on the difficulties of having a a handicap where people treat you with contempt. When Grayson meets Addie in her bookstore he is intrigued. When he asks for books on sign language to help his deaf son, Addie eagerly offers her help. As his son and Addie grow closer, Grayson is smitten. But since his deceased wife was unfaithful he does not want to fall in love, so why does he keep calling on Addie. Sometimes things just happen that make you reconsider your feelings. This story has a nice flow to it that brings everything together.
The Merry Misfits of bath is a trio of strong independent woman who had to leave London society behind and move to Bath where society is more lenient. Addie has struggled her whole life and instead of waiting for her happily ever after she decides she will dictate her own future and happiness. While running her store an Earl with an adorable deaf son enter Addies life and shows her that dreams do come true, you just need the right person besides you to make them happen. I loved the fact this book is not just a clumsy London socialite who can’t find love, but deals with real problems concerning a reading disorder and hearing loss. Not only does the author shows us how character strength for a young lady in that era was not seen as something admirable she also shows us a very simple disability resulted in very young children institutionalized and removed from their families. I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to the rest of the Misfits of Bath books
Miss Adeline Mallory she convinces her parents that she should be allowed to use her dowry to buy a bookstore in Bath where she can live her life the way she wants. Lord Grayson, Earl of Berkshire, has never gotten over his deceased wife’s betrayal with his own brother. He plans to make his life in Bath, all about his son, Michael, who is deaf. Grayson meets Addie in her bookshop & is immediately taken with her. When Grayson’s sister-in-law serves him with court papers declaring Michael incompetent with the intention of having her own son named as Grayson’s rightful heir, he turns to Addie, a dyslexic bookstore owner, for help.
This is the first in a new series & what a start! Well written, very well researched plus strong characters all made for a book I was captivated by. Addie & Grayson are both lovely, she’s the often clumsy woman who loves books even though reading is a struggle for her, he’s the Earl who fell in love only to find his love had clay feet. They are physically attracted to each other but it’s their verbal bantering that is a joy. Michael steals the book, which highlights how less than perfect children were treated in Victorian times. I loved how Addie in particularly interacted with Michael. I also adored Addie’s mother who was definitely over the top & I squirmed along with Addie whilst also smiling.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I adore the escape this author gives when you enter into one of her novels. The characters take you over as Addie and Grayson do as this one unfolds. Of course lucky Addie that she had that option she had (she would of fit right in with us readers)but she does have challenges. Bit by bit though these characters take us over with their tale, some of it really being a emotional tug of war. What starts to form as things come out it also tingles our toes with it also having a different air about it thanks to the time. What also grows out of it is the most delightful thing of all even with the pitfalls and bits of humor too. Would visit here again with no problem at all.
This is a delightful story about two people who thought love & marriage was not in their future. Addie, having had a few mishaps in her many seasons decides to take charge of her life & move to Bath to open a bookshop. There she meets 2 ladies Lottie & Pamela, they all become fast friends. Grayson desperate to help his son Michael, who is deaf, learn to communicate comes to Addies’s shop one day. This begins a friendship that shows them both their hearts are not as closed as they believe. As expected the road to love is a bit bumpy and rocky. I thoroughly enjoyed this first in Callie’s new series about the 3 friends living in Bath. I highly recommend this book, I’m sure after this you will want to read Callie’s other great books.
A Beautiful introduction to the Misfits of Bath!
‘The Merry Misfits of Bath’ tells the story of three women, Addie, Charlotte, Pamela who all turn their backs on London and the husband hunt and who took up residency in the lovely town of Bath. I really enjoyed the hero Grayson and I liked the well planned plot. This is a book that you won’t want to put down. If you love Regency romance, then you are in for a treat! Nicely written by Callie Hutton, her characters are simply endearing and charming!
‘The Bookseller and the Earl’ is the love story of Miss Adeline Mallory, who had suffered from dyslexia her whole life and convinces her parents that marriage is simply not in her future and to release her dowry to her so she can open a bookstore. Addie considers herself a spinster after suffering six seasons without finding a husband. After negotiating with her parents, Addie’s dream comes true. This heroine is an unusual character, quite sweet, gentle and quite independent, but with a reading problem. A customer visits her bookstore in search of a book on sign language because his son is deaf. Addie becomes very intrigued with this sweet and gentle man named Grayson and his son named Michael. As time passed, Addie and Grayson shared beautiful moments together and a new friendship bloomed to a rich relationship. However, they’ll have to live many ups and downs, but finally end up on a happy note!
The Bookseller and the Earl
The Merry Misfits of Bath Series #1
Callie Hutton
https://www.facebook.com/calliehuttonsbooks/
Release date 10/22/2019
Blurb
Miss Addie Mallory is finished with the husband hunt. After six London Seasons as a wallflower, she convinces her parents that she should be allowed to use her dowry to buy a bookstore in Bath where she can live her life the way she wants.
Lord Grayson, Earl of Berkshire, has never gotten over his deceased wife’s betrayal with his own brother. He plans to make his life all about his son, Michael, who is deaf. When Grayson’s sister-in-law serves him with court papers declaring Michael incompetent with the intention of having her own son named as Grayson’s rightful heir, he turns to Addie, a dyslexic bookstore owner, for help.
Addie takes a personal interest in helping the boy. However, as time passes, Grayson and Addie’s joint venture to keep Michael from being declared incompetent leads to feelings and desires neither one of them expected.
Or necessarily wanted.
My review :
When a disabused Earl meets a wallflower turned bookseller, can he let the past go to love again …
If you are looking for a sweet read, you are at the right place.
Mrs Callie Hutton with this first in a series introduce a new trio of heroines set in the late Victorian period.
I loved that the action was later than the usual regency time, the addition of modern elements even if women are still fighting for their right to decide for themselves.
Addie does not fit the society mold with her too curvy body, she has been passed by for years on the marriage mart as not attractive and a known kluntz.
Her dyslexia has been a hindrance all her life, making her feel inept and clumsy. Why she decides to choose her one path far away for the rigid London’s society.
So when an attractive Earl forges a friendship with her, she does not dare dream for more than he is ready to offer.
Grayson swore to himself he would never again fall in love, his failed marriage left him jaded for any other woman. And now only his son means everything to him.
But slowly an unconventional Miss with a heart bigger than herself opens her arms and life to his deaf son, accepting him for whom he is, a little boy full of energy and love.
When he is attracted to her, he refuses to acknowledge to himself there is more than chemistry between then. He hides behind the conventions’ walls, a simple biological pull and a nice friendship is far from summarizing his relationship with Addie.
This is a lovely read with no true vilain, only a bitter woman, a sweet woman ready to go back to her old life to help for a time a friend and his cute son, a man in need of cleaning the lenses that are blinding him from seeing how wonderful is the woman right in front of him.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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