They weren’t supposed to fall in love… gentleman possible…
Dr. Linus Townsend is too old and too eccentric for Natalia, but that hasn’t stopped him from developing tender feelings for her. And why shouldn’t he consider the beautiful and lively young noblewoman as a potential wife? If only he can prove to her shrewd mother and wary step-father, Lady Katya and Lord Malcolm Campbell, that he is worthy.
When the scandals of Linus’s past come back to meddle with the respectable life he’s made for himself, only Natalia’s determination—not to mention her sense of humor—can keep him from being cast out of society together. But is it enough to convince her family that the two of them were meant to be together?
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam level – very spicy!
THE MAY FLOWERS series is a continuation of THE SILVER FOXES OF WESTMINSTER series, involving the younger generation. It consists of:
A LADY’S FIRST SCANDAL
IT’S ONLY A SCANDAL IF YOU’RE CAUGHT
THE SCANDAL OF A PERFECT KISS
THE EARL’S SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
WHEN LADY INNOCENT MET DR. SCANDALOUS
THE ROAD TO SCANDAL IS PAVED WITH WICKED INTENTIONS
more
Entertaining and interesting characters with a historical theme. Good read following the journey of the characters and conflicts they must go through. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have not read any of the other books in this series, but when I saw the title of this book, I was intrigued! Natalie is the last of her sisters to get married and feels some pressure on that front. She is intrigued by Dr. Linus Townsend who is helping one of her brother’s friends. Despite the age difference and his station, she is attracted to him. Their road to HEA is not easy, but they persevered. I enjoyed this story very much and really appreciated the detail Ms. Farmer put into her descriptions. It really helped the story come alive. Lots of drama, suspense, and romance that will keep you turning the pages!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a story about innocent Lady Natalie who is the last of her sisters to marry and Dr. Linus who is below her by society’s standards. Natalie and Linus are attracted to each other but she is very immature that not sure if they can develop a real relationship.
This romance was a challenge. Natalia is in love with the forbidden and the excitement of it. The doctor is in love 100%, all the way. I think Natalia needs a strong yet patient man in her life, whew, she rubbed me the wrong way…a lot. Now I was shocked about his upbringing but it added my respect for him. I love that phrase about a bird and a fish. The sisters are hilariously entertaining. In the midst of the snobs and spite of the obstacles, love will fine a way.
Hmm
Natalia is very young and kind of immature, she’s got a full blown crush on Dr. Linus Townsend, who is considered inappropriate. Oh, and he’s way older too.
It was super odd that her mother wanted to marry herboff to a random guy, when she’s got her own scandalous past. So, way outta character.
I liked Linus. Natalia was just so immature.
I did like the commune thing which was a different angle.
3.5
Book five of The May Flowers series a well written story with a very good storyline of an older man/younger woman. This is Lady Natalia Marlowe and Dr. Linus Townsend it has drama, suspense,secrets, a woman who has some growing up to do, intrigue, scandal, unforeseen complications, a con, and romance. I enjoyed reading, and want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Lady Innocent Met Dr. Scandalous (The May Flowers Book 5) – Merry Farmer
I loved this book! Honestly, I have not read one of Merry’s May Flowers books, but it was easy to jump right into this book.
There is already a love affair going on between Lady Natalia Marlow and Dr. Linus Townsend. It is obvious that she just adores him and has fallen hook, line and sinker for Dr. Townsend. She is sure she can convince her parents that she should be allowed to marry Linus even if he isn’t a Lord or a member of the aristocracy, he is a Doctor, someone who helps people and works so hard to invent ways to help his patients.
Hmmmm, she’s a bit naïve, isn’t she!
Ah, but it appears that Dr. Townsend is also in love with Lady Natalia, so what if he has a few years on her, there are lots of marriages that take place amongst the Ton where there are years of age difference between husband and wife. There is of course another problem; Linus doesn’t come with a past he is proud of. No, no really! he isn’t a murderer, or a brothel owner but he doesn’t really want people to know where he came from and how he was raised.
First, I didn’t expect to laugh so much because this book had so much humor woven through it that it made it a easy pleasant read! Now humor does not mean Merry left out some of the other things we expect a good Romantic Historical book to have. There was sexual attraction and heat between the lovers but there were also a few other things. Emotions ran throughout the story, embarrassment, lies, naivety, anger, deceptions which all make this story so enjoyable.
When we take a quick run for the train to Liverpool by our heroine and a friend, an unplanned overnight stay on an island, a disgruntled father of the bride, a con artist who is related to the groom, four women who should win Oscars and all that goes on between this cast of characters
you have yourself a wonderful read.
I’ll be back to read more of Merry Farmer’s books!
Loved this story that revolves around a naive young lady of noble birth and her love for a young doctor. Since she is of noble birth, she has no concept of how to take care of her basic needs such as cooking and doing laundry. It is a real eye opener for Natalia but in the end she rises to the challenge. Linus and Natalia hit a few bumps in the road both before and after their marriage but all ends well. There is a lot more going on in this story that involves Linus’ father and the con he is currently proposing. This is a great series and their story is well written and entertaining. It is a great read and I would highly recommend it along with the other books in this series.
When I first saw this title I was totally intrigued! It boded an interesting tale and I was not disappointed!
Young Natalie was attracted to Dr Linus Townsend, who was taking care and aiding one of her brother’s friends. Her sisters had married and she is the last to find a husband. What she fails to see or rather ignores is the Linus is below her station and it might be hard to get her parent’s consent.
But she thinks he treats her as if her opinion matters and he is so handsome. Lionel is also very attracted to her, but he has a past that is about to come back to haunt him.
A very winding journey to their happy ever after, fraught with Natalie’s emotions at having to live in the middle class. Side characters come into play and add even further mystery to who everyone is!
I did enjoy this story, although I wanted to shake Natalie at times, but she still had a little growing up to do! Intrigue, scandal, unforeseen complications and love that tries to burst forth and bring these two together at the end!
An initiation?
Get the hot pads out this book is steamy hot. Linus our doctor is a mature gentleman who wants Lady Natalia. With a bit of scandal and humor, this book will entertain you in the most excellent way. I liked that there was some growth for Natalia in this piece but based on the back story you could understand why she acted the way she did. Linus was an outstanding character who was strong in conviction yet willing to compromise when needed. Now the only question is Lady Phoebe’s story next? The well-written story is just what the doctor ordered (ha ha). I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Natalia is a coddled young woman who is very naive. She is in love with Linus, a personal physician who doesn’t have much money. After they consummate their love and get caught alone her father makes them marry. Except now Natalia isn’t so sure about leading a middle class life and Linus gets impatient with her. Linus has more problems with his father who led a scandalous life. As Linus and Natalia’s relationship goes cold, it will take them working together to stop his father and to have compassion toward one another for their love to grow warm again. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Lady Natalia Marlowe is the last unmarried child of one of London’s most notorious families. But as brazen as her mother and sister are, Natalia feels as though she knows nothing at all about sin and sensuality…but she’s eager to learn. Dr. Linus Townsend is too old and too eccentric for Natalia, but that hasn’t stopped him from developing tender feelings for her. If only he can prove to her shrewd mother and wary step-father, Lady Katya and Lord Malcolm Campbell, that he is worthy. When the scandals of Linus’s past come back to meddle with the respectable life he’s made for himself, only Natalia’s determination—not to mention her sense of humor—can keep him from being cast out of society together.
This is the fifth book in the series & could be read on its own. I must admit I’ve never read a historical romance, which featured a religious commune in fact I hadn’t thought about their existence. A well written book with strong characters. I really liked Linus who had the patience of a saint & he needed it with Natalia. I found to be very immature & totally spoiled – I would have given up on her! However by the end of the book I had warmed to her. I loved the journey to their HEA, which certainly was eventful.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Well, that was different! Not in a bad way but in an unusual way, being that a lot of the story is based on a religious commune in which the hero has grown up in and that his father is trying to resurrect, much to his dismay. I don’t know why it never entered my mind that there was such a thing in Victorian/Regency times!!
Linus and Natalia are in love but so many things go against them and a wild adventure ensues in their quest to be together. I loved Linus’ character, determined to live a normal life and help others as a doctor. As for Natalia, I found her very immature and spoiled so I had a hard time warming up to her but she does redeem herself in the end….good thing Linus had a lot of patience! lol
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
When Lady Innocent Met Dr. Scandalous
The May Flowers Series #5
Merry Farmer
https://www.facebook.com/merryfarmerauthor/
Release date 04/10/2020
Blurb :
They weren’t supposed to fall in love…
Lady Natalia Marlowe is the last unmarried child of one of London’s most notorious families, a fact that she is reminded of every time she sees how happy her siblings are. But as brazen as her mother and sister are, Natalia feels as though she knows nothing at all about sin and sensuality…but she’s eager to learn.
He is the most unsuitable gentleman possible…
Dr. Linus Townsend is too old and too eccentric for Natalia, but that hasn’t stopped him from developing tender feelings for her. And why shouldn’t he consider the beautiful and lively young noblewoman as a potential wife? If only he can prove to her shrewd mother and wary step-father, Lady Katya and Lord Malcolm Campbell, that he is worthy.
When the scandals of Linus’s past come back to meddle with the respectable life he’s made for himself, only Natalia’s determination—not to mention her sense of humor—can keep him from being cast out of society together. But is it enough to convince her family that the two of them were meant to be together?
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam level – very spicy!
My review :
Will their love and chemistry be enough when life’s realities come crashing between them …
I was intrigued by Linus since Fergus’ attack, so I wondered what romance would Mrs Merry Farmer decide for him.
And while I liked the romantic notions Natalia had of love, I do not think I liked her much at the beginning, too foolish, childish and naive.
At a time, I even wondered if instead of being very unaware of the way the world worked, she was just stupid.
But I can agree she has stamina, she goes for what she wants, the wrong way but she does. Still, the more the story progresses the more she shows her true colors as a petulant spoiled brat.
Her youth can’t excuse everything, she saw her own sister struggle in her new life when she married below her society’s status. Why she pushes Linus to be something he does not seek to be. Thus she had no right to be angry when he asks her to do her part of the house cores, there she demonstrated how she lived all her life pampered and selfishly unaware of the others’ struggles.
But I also felt like Linus indulged her like he would a child, he encouraged her but never truly did they talk about what they expected from the others, he assumed, and it was wrongly done as she all but thought her status would only step down from a stair because he was no titled gentleman, that she would keep all her usual richness, still never working a finger.
While their attraction can be understood, I do think Natalia wore blinders to not understand what being Linus’ wife would entail.
The background plot was fun and reminded me of the silliness found in her series of novellas. And to think such eccentricities already existed in the XIXth century, it shows how human kind never learns from the past.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/600784080510767/?d=n
As the last remaining unwed member of one of London’s most notorious and scandalous families, Lady Natalia Marlowe wants a loving marriage like her siblings have. She’s sick and tired of being sheltered and kept in ignorance and eager to learn more about the world around her.
Dr. Linus Townsend knows Natalia is far above him in station, but he can’t stop his feelings for her. He just has to prove his worth to her parents and convince them to allow the unconventional match. HE is just starting to make solid progress when his scandalous past pops up to make trouble for the respectable, normal life he’s set out to make for himself. Natalia is determined they’ll be together no matter what, but that may not be enough to garner her family’s support and ensure she has her way.
This book was quite different from anything I’ve read and provided a look into religious communes in the Victorian era, which was interesting. I have to say I didn’t care as much for this one as I have the other books in this series. As with Natalia’s sister’s book, I found that Lady Katya and Lord Malcolm’s behavior infuriated me in its hypocrisy, especially given how wild everyone knows Katya was. It was clear that Linus and Natalia did love each other, but her innocence was rather over the top to the point of ridiculousness. She was so ready to be her own person and yet so childish and not eager to grow up. The number of times she threw tantrums and stomped off was very off-putting, especially given that she never truly apologized for her behavior. I did appreciate Linus for his attempts at improving himself and being a good man and for how he stuck to his convictions. He definitely got less out of their compromise, but I did like the ending overall; though I would’ve liked to see more maturity from Natalia, she did at least show development. I look forward to more books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story is a bit different in that it introduces us to the “religious communes” of the Victorian period. Very fascinating how these women could be duped into thinking they are doing God’s work but really are be taken by a con man. That is the scandalous part of Dr. Linus Townsend. Linus and Natalia love each other, there is no doubt about that but Natalia (even before she understands how Linus grew up) is so childish. I know that privilege leads to ignorance sometimes and that is how she grew up but her actions were too immature for me. I really thought that I would not like this story when it went on and on but as time went by I began to like Natalia a little more. Linus on the other hand is a dream. He stuck with his convictions and would not give into Natalia. But I think the compromise in the end did mostly benefit her. All that being said, I enjoyed the story and Ms. Farmer bringing this subject to the pages.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.