For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor. When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he’s even more at a loss.
The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley’s refuge for … refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought. Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can’t help but be intrigued by the area’s newest eligible bachelor.
Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other. As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life. But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?
more
A delightfully spectacular Regency read set against the horse flesh centric community of Newmarket, it doesn’t get any better than this!
This may be my favorite book by Kristi Ann Hunter yet, a thoroughly satisfying Regency read, cleverly weaving threads of social intrigue evocative of the time, with protagonists that I couldn’t help but cheer for all the way through. Engaging and nearly impossible to put down, filled with heart and humor along the way. But that’s not all, there are HORSES! As if I didn’t already have enough reason to love this book, Ms. Hunter goes and plays her trump card by bringing this community driven by a passion for horses to life, making it a turning point at which many of the characters bond over the course of the book.
I knew that I would love Bianca from the very first page, with her love of horses and eschewing of the social acrobatic games. She is clever, with a quick wit, sincere heart, with the ability to be honest with herself, and gets a task done on her own terms, along with her modern sense of practicality.
Hudson is determined and genuine, I admired his willingness to confront what he didn’t know head-on, and acknowledge his need for help.
This book is stellar on so many levels, with well crafted characters, and supporting characters, as well as some familiar faces from previous books by this author. The author finds ways to say so much simple interactions. I loved the amazing friendship dynamics in so many of the relationships between characters, many of which I am hoping get their own stories in future books as there is still quite a bit of mystery around them. My vote for the next book in the series is a tie between Aaron Whitworth and Lord Rigby, I just can’t decide! One of my favorite books this year, I can’t stop gushing about it. HIGHLY recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was such an enjoyable read! I have loved all of Kristi Ann Hunter’s books before this one and loved this one just as much! There was several scenes that had me laughing out loud. I truly loved seeing familiar faces in this story. I enjoyed getting to know Hudson and Bianca. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series! I sincerely hope that Aaron gets a happily ever after.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
From the moment Bianca hit Hudson with her boots, to Aaron introducing himself with “I am illegitimate”, I laughed. And I was reminded why I love Kristi Ann Hunter’s books.
And as we bumped into other familiar faces or at least the mention of them, I was also reminded how quickly they become endeared to me. More than just a fun read, Hunter’s books are thoughtful and rich in wisdom.
Hudson, Viscount Stildon, grew up in India always knowing he’d one day have to go back to England. When the time comes, however, the journey to becoming a proper viscount while surviving English ton and weather has Hudson almost considering the month-long journey back to India. Almost. Not quite.
Because he’s always known England was supposed to be his home, not India. And he does not want to fail the memory of his father. To the point that he will accept the help of his obstinate and quirky neighbor, a shunned stable master and all of his workmen in order to have the proper number needed to learn the waltz.
As Hudson and Bianca seek to think matters into their own hands to design their destinies, they might discover the truths engraved within them goes deeper and has been transforming them before they were even aware.
I am very much looking forward to the next installment. And if we continue to bump into familiar faces, I would not mind 😉
This has to be one of my favorite books this year. This made me laugh in so many places. I love that the author used characters from other series to help the main characters in this story. I loved Hudson and Bianca. These two were very similar and didn’t see it at first. I do hope that we get to know more about Aaron. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
A witty and fun historical romance read with a faith theme sprinkled throughout the plot.
Bianca is a fun character, and I throughly enjoyed her and her thoughts and dilemmas in the book.She was fun, yet had her moments of deep reflection. She was fairly easy to relate to except for her lack of thoroughly thinking through some things. I have frequently been called an over thinker so I suppose that would be what I noticed.
The Viscount and his thought were very random. He knew what he wanted…or thought he did. I did not much relate to him except the difficulty of fitting in when he was in a brand new place. I have been there…and frequently feel like I still am.
The four stars are because I enjoyed this lighthearted story. It was exactly what I needed at present, and I enjoyed the faith theme that was present.
It was an interesting plot, some great characters including the secondary characters ( who I’m hoping a few get their own story), and the faith theme that made the reader ponder on some important things in life.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
“It isn’t the comfort that makes the love good. It’s the life that makes their love good.”
Kristi Ann Hunter will never disappoint in bringing her readers a beautifully created Regency world full of high society and romance, laced with humor, wit, and delightful characters and wrapped with melodic, lyrical prose. Vying for the Viscount is a fantastic start to her newest series Hearts on the Heath and it brings us to Newmarket where horse-racing is king and horse-breeding the talk of town. I must admit it took me longer than usual to finish this book because I wanted to savor every word written on every page and hold on to the sumptuous experience of lingering on in the conversations and thoughts. The author’s novels are known to draw you in to the characters’ lives and have you live within them but this book grabbed a certain part of my heart and soul from the very beginning. If you are a fan of Regency romance, this is a must-read book for you.
Our hero Hudson is absolutely adorable and lovable in his naivete and innocence about the traitorous and convoluted English high society which is so different from India where he grew up. His loyalty, sense of humor, humility, and thoughtfulness garner him friends as he learns to navigate the horse-breeding and racing culture that he’s inherited from his grandfather. Bianca is an unconventional, outspoken, funny horse-loving gentlewoman who is being forced into a “profitable match” by her stepmother. Bianca’s tender and compassionate heart encourages friendship with her lost and confused neighbor Hudson and even has her guiding him in society and functions to acquire the proper wife but they’re not prepared for what their friendship will lead to.
I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the previous series again – so much fun!
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Right out of the gate, Kristi Ann Hunter writes a winner for this new series! With a delightful romance and humor, this story wrapped its way around my heart. I appreciated how well researched the book was concerning the horses and their care. I think that some of my favorite scenes were set in the stables in which Hunter assembles such interesting combinations of people. Early on, I was cheering for these main characters. Mostly that the lessons they were learning about identity, pursuing dreams and friendship would stick. One of my favorite parts of this book was seeing some characters from Hunter’s previous series. It was so fun and made me want to go back and read those books again. Of course, reading Vying For The Viscount by itself still promises to be enjoyable. I simply can’t wait for the next book in this series. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Every time a favorite author starts a new series I get just a tiny bit nervous wondering if it can possibly hold up to the others. Thankfully though this one was wonderful! This book was one of those effortless reads that is just a happy escape. There wasn’t a lot of hullabaloo happening instead we just got to know the characters in a natural and realistic way.
I loved both Hudson and Bianca and the way they almost instantly formed a friendship. Hudson was out of his element, having lived in India all his life, but I liked how he rose to the challenge and wasn’t afraid to admit when there was a gap in his knowledge. He was such a genuine person, kind but not a pushover, confident but not proud, and more. I loved how he formed friendships with people based solely on who they were as a person not on their social standing.
Bianca wasn’t your normal society girl but she also didn’t push the boundaries to the extreme, which I appreciated since sometimes when characters are written to be “outside the box” they can come across as obnoxious but that wasn’t the case with Bianca. I liked how she could hold her own in the stables with the guys but also knew how to be a complete lady in the ballroom. I admired how she put up with her awful stepmother, choosing silence, agreement, or asking for a change. I honestly don’t know how she kept from decking the stepmother!
The relationship between Bianca and Hudson was really sweet and fun and I just loved them together.
It was also really great to see some of our favorite characters from the author’s previous series!
Overall I entirely enjoyed every second of this book and I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
(4.5 stars) – “Home is where the horse is!”
Hudson has recently come home from India, & having lived there nearly all his life, is quite out of his element in England. He needs to make his place in the aristocracy & especially horse racing circles. He could use the social guidance of a savvy wife. Bianca is his horse-obsessed neighbor with a hateful stepmother who wants to be rid of her & is pushing her to marry. The two of them agree to help each other & a sweet friendship is formed.
The story is humorous and thoroughly engaging. The relationship between Hudson & Bianca develops naturally & believably, as their friendship becomes something more. The secondary characters enhance the main characters’ story while also building interest for their upcoming books without competing for attention. And the guest appearance of character’s from the author’s previous series was a welcome surprise. The denouement is exciting with a little suspense thrown in, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying – I can’t wait for the next book!
*Clean romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: overtly Christian, but not heavy-handed or preachy
Bianca Snowley dreams of marrying a man with an impressive stable of horses. When the new Lord Stildon arrives from India after the death of his grandfather, Bianca sets her sights on him. If only she hadn’t made such a bad first impression.
Bianca is a very unusual female for this time period. Most women in her position would not be able to work in the neighbor’s stable. She seems to get away with so much because her step mother only cares about her biological daughter. Though things will change when her father gets involved.
I have read about dances and assemblies so many times during this period, but I had no idea how some of the things there worked. I felt like I was reacting to them the same way Lord Stildon was.
I love how Kristi Ann Hunter always makes her characters so realistic. They all have such interesting personalities and you want to know what will happen to them. In fact, there are so many characters I still want to hear more about and know what happens to them in the future. The next book in the series is Winning the Gentleman which is about the beloved character Aaron Whitworth.
“With one more blink of her eyes, his future went from planned to uncertain, but it also went from dull to colorful.”
Wow! I love every chapter, every reference to a previous Kristi Ann Hunter book, and the glimpse into life at Newmarket and horseracing in Regency England. I laughed so much and now I’m having withdrawals. I might need to go binge her other ten books to get over it.
Bianca Snowley and Hudson, Viscount Stildon, don’t realize they’re both lonely. After a somewhat disastrous meeting, they come to rely on each other along with the stable manager, Aaron Whitworth, to navigate the unexpected and early influx of society to Newmarket. Hudson is trying to make a name for himself with his grandfather’s legacy and Bianca has decided to set her cap for a husband.
While the romance is delightful, I do love a heroine that can stand on her own two feet and does not let life simply happen to her. Bianca “once thought she wanted nothing in life but peace and access to horses. Now it would seem that she was discovering, possibly too late, that there might be something in her life more important than riding. And that something just might be herself.”
The meet-cute is hilarious. The setting is vividly portrayed. The supporting cast has echoes from the two previous series and a new set of characters to adore and despise. And all of it is tied together with an enjoyable plot.
Thank you, Bethany House, for the advanced copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Bianca Snowley is not like the other girls. She would rather be in the stables than in the parlor but doesn’t realize how lonely she is until a new friend arrives next door. Hudson feels lost and lonely himself after leaving India, the only home he has ever known, to claim his inheritance. After a rather eventful meeting, Bianca and Hudson decide to assist each other in finding spouses. What could possibly go wrong?
I have enjoyed every book Kristi Ann Hunter has written and this one was no exception. It was a great start to a new series. The pace was a little slow toward the beginning, but I enjoyed the original setting of Newmarket and meeting the new characters. Bianca and Hudson are new favorites of mine – I always love when characters are unique and not like the rest of society and I really liked how their characters became more complex throughout the book. There were some fantastic secondary characters; I particularly liked Aaron Whitworth and Lord Rigsby and hope we get their stories in the future. I also loved seeing familiar faces from previous books!
If you are looking for a sweet regency romance with likable characters, a unique setting, and a fulfilling ending, this book is for you! I will eagerly be waiting for the next book in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book but it in no way affected my review.
Sigh. This book was just…Sigh… Ok, I loved it. Every inch of it. Kristi Ann Hunter definitely delivered another outstanding read in her latest novel Vying for the Viscount. Set in the Regency period full of lords, ladies, ranks, and all the drama that comes with it, societal expectations and hillarities fill the pages. Hunter sets her readers up for a heady experience centered around a viscount newly arrived from India seeking to salvage the horse racing estate he inherited. As he struggles to figure out the new society he finds himself in, he learns more about family and love than he bargained for.
Hunter is always a delight to read, but this new series promises to be even better than the previous one. I am already itching to read the next installment. Witty dialogue, remarkable characters, humorous prose, and a riveting plot holds your attention the entire way through. I did not want to put this one down, and I am sure you will feel the same!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I loved this first book in a fantastic new series! I love the stories of friendships that develop into something more, so I greatly enjoyed the romance in this novel. I liked that the author did not rush the romance, but made it believable and enjoyable to read. I also really liked the characters—they are full of spunk and personality and easily likable and relatable. The writing is well done and makes it easy to get immersed into the story. I found myself chuckling on more than more occasion at the banter and internal dialogues of the characters. There are a few interesting twists to the plot that do not make it predictable. I liked the historical setting and was interested in the details of the horses in the story. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this novel and am eagerly anticipating the next one in the series! I highly recommend this novel!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This is a great start to a new series from Kristi Ann Hunter. I loved how Bianca and Hudson met–that scene totally cracked me up. While I’ve read lots of Regency books, the emphasis on horses and racing added a unique element to the story that I really enjoyed. I liked both Bianca and Hudson, although I have to say that Aaron Withworth, who manages Hudson’s horses and is a friend to both him and Bianca, was my favorite character. He just stole my heart and I’m thrilled that the second book in the series will be about him. Highly enjoyable story. 4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
A lovely Regency romance from Kristi Ann Hunter! From a hilariously violent first meeting to a sweet happy ending, Vying for the Viscount is perfect for fans of Julie Klassen and Sally Britton.
From reading other Regency books, I’m pretty familiar with traditions and customs of the era, but I had never truly learned the particulars of them. It was fun and interesting to do so along with Hudson. I’m eagerly awaiting Aaron Whitworth’s story in Winning the Gentleman (releasing April 2021), and I’m excited to read more of Hunter’s funny, relatable stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
3.5 STARS
Vying for the Viscount is a strikingly descriptive story that fans of historical fiction, especially Regency, will want to read.
I’m a huge fan of Kristi Ann Hunter and always look forward to her stories but while I liked Vying for the Viscount, I didn’t love it. The beginning seemed slow and tedious to me. Hudson didn’t come across as a very strong character. He was raised in India and although he kept saying he had been prepared his whole life to take over the role as Viscount, it didn’t seem like it when he got to England. I found him sort of ‘soft’ for lack of a better word. Bianca is a smart, horse-loving woman in a kind of sad situation at home. Each morning, she goes next door to help exercise the Viscount’s horses. Their first meeting is sort of funny but I was hoping for a bit more spunk and spark between her and Hudson.
Aaron, on the other hand, is the character whose story I wanted to hear most. He’s an emotionally wounded man, not in an overt manner but you can tell he’s experienced deep hurt at the hands of others. He has a familial connection to someone in the story but it’s a bit before we find out who it is. I’m really hoping his story is next.
I was provided an electronic copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Vying for the Viscount by KristinAnn Hunter is an excellent historical fiction romance novel that was truly one of the best books I have read in a very long time.
Everything about this book just radiated beauty.
Things that I loved about this book:
The Location: A small village within Suffolk, England 1817. I love the small, rural community that was depicted within this story. It had the beauty, landscapes, and charm of a little village with the added bonus of everyone knowing everyone else’s business! So adorable. I love the time period, 19th century England is perfect. That also leads into the next reason:
Horses: I love that this is a center for stables, raising, and breeding horses. This is the definition of a destination for equestrians. Being able to hear all the descriptions, the interactions, and experiences with these beautiful creatures was amazing. Definitely a new twist and addition to this genre.
The characters: I loved the entire cast of characters that made up the village and the social circles depicted. The cliques, groupings, rivalries, the differences between the women’s groups, mens, and social hierarchies was wonderfully interesting and intricate.
Most of all, I loved Hudson and Bianca. They are perfect together. I enjoyed seeing them figure out their lives, hearts, faith, friends, and their feelings for one another. I enjoyed their respective growths throughout the story. I loved that they drew on their faith in God to help them find what was needed and where the right path was located. Both characters were good people, like able, realistic, flawed, and humbled. They both brought out the best in one another. I loved the ending!!!!
The dialogue and pacing was excellent, engaging, intriguing, and intricate, yet felt like it flew by. I loved the twists and turns, and the banter was amazing. The one-liners were perfect. I laughed literally out loud numerous times. It was a perfect addition.
I am so excited to see that this is the first in a new series: Hearts on the Heath. There are so many characters that I want to be featured in future books! I am so excited!
This is truly a remarkable book and has made me a huge fan of this author. I can’t wait to read more.
5/5 stars enthusiastically
Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.