When a husband is needed by Christmas, a trusted slender volume for ensuring a merry match is indeed a gift! In this Regency delight from beloved, award-winning author Kate Moore, a spirited governess joins a gentleman spy on a daring mission: finding a mate for a jilted debutante—while drawing dangerously close to each other . . . Behind her seemingly dependent role as an unpaid caretaker—of … unpaid caretaker—of both children and dogs—Harriet Swanley has in fact astutely avoided a forced marriage. But hers is not the only secret under wraps: Charles Davenham is working covertly to unmask a Russian agent—until the younger sister he’s always protected comes to him, recently rejected and clutching The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London. The little handbook would be a godsend—if only the distraught girl didn’t mangle all of its good advice! If Harriet can help Charles find a love match for his sibling, perhaps, in this season of good tidings, a long-buried attraction can set their own hearts aflame . . .
Praise for The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London
“Appealing protagonists and a slow simmering romance. An ideal choice for fans of traditional Regencies who enjoy the occasional dash of mystery.” –Library Journal
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Charles Davenham, Viscount Wynford is one of Goldworthy’s newest recruits in his spy club. He has tasked Charles with unmasking Isabelle Delatour who claims to be the Marchioness de Tonnelier a very distant cousin of Charles mother, but whom they suspect is actually a Russian spy. He is perfecting his disguise with his friend Peregrine “Perry” Pilkington when his young sister Octavia arrives from the country very upset, clutching a copy of The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London and insisting that she needs to find a husband by Christmas. Charles is at a loss until Perry suggests that he ask Lady Harriet “Harry” Swanley for help.
Harry is the sister of the Earl of Danraven, but she left home at 16 when she refused to marry the man her brother choose for her. She moved in with a cousin, Lady Luxbough and has been governess to her children for the last 10 years. When Charles calls upon her, she immediately knows who he is and prays that he doesn’t remember meeting her. She agrees to introduce Octavia to some young people and help her settle into society, but she is sure there is more going on with Charles than just taking care of his sister. Especially when she meets the Marchioness and sees a marked difference in his behavior.
This was a good mystery, but in my opinion, there was zero romance – I don’t know when or why Charles and Harriet fell in love and never felt any connection between them and there was certainly no heat. They don’t even really work together to solve the mystery. I also don’t know why Isabelle was called the “Marchioness” – she is supposed to be French and has a French title, so she should have been the Marquise de Tonnelier – it is a stupid little detail, but it annoyed me to no end. I did enjoy the mystery in the story and if this had been a historical fiction, I would have rated it 4 stars, but as a romance it was a fail for me.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
4.5 stars as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-12e
Lady Harriet “Harry” has chosen to be known simply as Miss Swanley for the last ten years since she made a life altering decision. Rather than marry the monster her brother chose for her at sixteen, she left home and has worked as a governess. While she is treated kindly by her employer and her charges, she’s now in that undefined area between being above a regular servant, but not truly part of the family. Harry’s routine is interrupted when she is requested to help chaperone Octavia, the twenty year old sister of Viscount Wynford, who is new to society.
Charles Davenham, Viscount Wynford, is about to take on his first secret assignment while working for the foreign office. There is a new marchioness in town, Isabelle Delatour, who claims to be distantly related to Charles, on the French side of his family. The foreign office is sure that Isabelle is truly a Russian spy. Charles is tasked with getting close to her and ferreting out whatever information he can. What Charles does not need is a distraction, but one shows up at his door, in the form of his younger sister. Octavia arrives in a precarious state. She seems emotional, brittle, and determined to enter society and immediately find a husband. Charles is advised to seek Harry’s help, and she agrees to guide Octavia, with her employer’s blessing.
THE CHRISTMAS HUSBAND HUNT is a slow building romance between two very likable characters, but that’s not all there is to the story. There’s the mystery of why Octavia is so distraught, and why she feels she needs to marry right away. There is humor in Charles’s revoltingly loud waistcoats, selected by his friend, Perry, to attract the marchioness. There is a heroic dog, ironically, named Cat – short for catastrophe. Then there’s the spying aspect, as it turns out that the situation is far more deadly than anyone imagined. I loved this book! The writing is charming, witty, warm, interesting, entertaining, and I heartily recommend it to fans of historical romance.
Note – though it’s part of a series, THE CHRISTMAS HUSBAND HUNT can easily be read as a standalone.
An enchanting story just right to put a smile on your face and warm your heart. A man searching for a spy. A governess who has more to offer than just her duties. A distressed young lady after being jilted has two people working together to find her a match.
What more can you ask for? In this wonderful 4th installment of the Husband Hunters series, Harriett and Charles begin a slow budding romance that will keep you entertained and only wanting more..
The Christmas Husband Hunt is the fourth book in Kate Moore’s Husband Hunter series. It stands alone just fine and dandy; in fact, it will whet your appetite for the first three books. This delightful Christmastime story will surely put you in the mood for some Christmas romance of your own.
Harriet Swanley – formerly Lady Harriet – is a governess for a lovely family…and dog Catapult. She left home years ago when her brother wanted her to wed someone she refused to marry. Charles Davenham, Viscount Wynford, is working as a spy to unmask a Russian agent. His sister Octavia shows up in London and declares she must marry by Christmas, and is using The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London as her guideline to finding one. Harriet is recommended to Charles by a friend to introduce Octavia to London society. Harriet’s met Charles before, and she’s grateful that he doesn’t remember her. Will Charles unmask his spy? Will Octavia find a husband by Christmas, and will Harriet find a love of her own? Jump on into this fun story to find out!
The romance of Harriet and Charles was actually very sweet. There was no insta-love here; instead, we had a lovely slow-burning attraction. The whole situation with the spy was lots of fun. You definitely know who it is, but the enjoyment is in the hunt for proof. Octavia’s hunt for a husband was the perfect catalyst to bring Harriet and Charles together. What I most enjoyed about the story, though, were the snippets from The Husband Hunter’s Guide. As the story progressed, we saw the correlation between Harriet’s situation and the advice in the book. Outstanding Christmas romance!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Harriet Swanley refused to marry the man of her brother’s choosing as she became a governess to the Luxborough family where she’s been content for the past decade. Charles Davenhamis working to covertly to unmask a Russian agent—until the younger sister Octavia, who he’s always protected comes to him, recently rejected and clutching The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London. The little handbook would be a godsend if only the distraught girl didn’t mangle all of its good advice. Charles best friend Perry recommends Harriet as a chaperone for Octavia. If Harriet can help Charles find a love match for his sibling, perhaps, in this season of good tidings, a long-buried attraction can set their own hearts aflame.
This is the fourth book in the series & could easily be read on its own. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the previous books & so was looking forward to this book & it didn’t disappoint. There were no flashes of lightning but a slow burn romance against a backdrop of spies & intrigues. I loved both Charles & Harry & how they fell in love, they were both strong characters who didn’t wallow in self pity but made the best of things. I also loved the secondary romance of Octavia who was determined to be married by Christmas, it was lovely to see her grow up throughout the book. The villain certainly knew how to play the pursuers. The Luxborough family & Cat added some lighthearted moments. I was also pleased that Nate at last had his HEA. A lovely addition to the series & I’d love for there to be more
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The Christmas Husband Hunt by Kate Moore is book 4 in the Husband Hunters Series. This is the story of Harriet Swanley and Charles Davenham. I have read the previous book but feel you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Harriet has been a companion for several years now. Charles’s sister Octavia has come to him unexpected with the goal to marry. Charles needing someone to help him with his sister and her goals ends up having Harriet help. This opens Harriet to be working closely with Charles which they both end up having feeling for each other that neither can stay away from.
Sweet Romance Read.
The Christmas Husband Hunt
Husband Hunters Series #4
Kate Moore
https://m.facebook.com/KateMooreAuthor/
Release date 11/05/2019
Publisher Kensington / Lyrical Press
Blurb :
Behind her seemingly dependent role as an unpaid caretaker—of both children and dogs—Harriet Swanley has in fact astutely avoided a forced marriage. But hers is not the only secret under wraps: Charles Davenham is working covertly to unmask a Russian agent—until the younger sister he’s always protected comes to him, recently rejected and clutching The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London. The little handbook would be a godsend—if only the distraught girl didn’t mangle all of its good advice! If Harriet can help Charles find a love match for his sibling, perhaps, in this season of good tidings, a long-buried attraction can set their own hearts aflame . . .
My review:
When a governess meets the spy whom makes her realize what she has been missing all this years …
I confess it took me quite a time to adapt myself to the author’s writing style, less modern than what I usually read.
This story even with its spy side, is closer to the classic tales, and it was its charm that captivated me.
Harriet has reshaped her life in a mere Miss when she left everything behind to avoid an unwanted marriage. Still, now as an invisible companion, she longs for more.
Charles thought he had everything in hands when his sister’s impromptu arrival derails everything. Why himself caught between two fires, his mission and protecting his sister.
Their tale is a slow burn romance, they first have to get to know one another and their trust is often tested, and when they think they understood the other, something comes disrupting all.
It is no steamy read, only kisses were exchanged but the plot was about trusting and accepting the other to finally let go of past constraints which is finally accomplished by the end of the book.
Plus the background storyline hold a lot of attention, as the vilain pulls aplenty of strings to bring the hero to his knees, and he will need many helps, even unsuspected to get out of this.
It was an intriguing foray in the spy’s world, but what I loved the most what the Christmas game created by Harriet and the family’s love the characters shared for those they cared for.
4 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher through Netgalley, I also preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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