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A duke, a Scottish matchmaker, and bet that could break hearts.
The Duke of Clearford needs a matchmaker to find a husband for his sister. But when she arrives from Scotland on his London doorstep, he almost sends her right back home. He doesn’t need a beauty with bright red hair, scowling and scolding. And demanding he stop writing his courtship advice column. He needs a practical sort of woman who can get a job done and girl married off.
Lady Emma Parkington came to London to prove a duke wrong. The infuriating man has been publishing advice columns about courtship, and instead of seeking her matchmaking services, young men have begun to seek his. But she needs the small commissions they pay her to keep her belly full and body clothed. So when Clearford himself writes asking for help, she can’t say no to the opportunity to put the man in his place.
Sparks fly as a competition forms. Who can find a husband for the duke’s sister first, the man with the Guide to Courtship or the woman who knows what the heart wants? When the competition turns complicated, they’ll have to work together and realize they’re not at odds; they’re a perfect match.
USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane traded in academic databases and scholarly journals for writing steamy Regency romcoms like the ones she’s always loved to read. Her favorite authors are Jane Austen (who else?), Toni Morrison, William Blake, Julia Quinn, and Maya Rodale.
Charlie Lane never disappoints with her books.
These two characters can't be anymore different than night and day but once their paths cross, they become each others night and day.
She is a lady and he is a hotel owner who is also an orphan.. And they begin as just as fake relationship however one pretend kiss turns into real emotions, and those emotions are something that they can't ignore and that despite being from different worlds, they will fight the scandal because they will always have each other.
I loved this story from the beginning to the end! I can't wait to read the next book in this series
Every once in a while you find the perfect combination of thrill, sizzle and laughs, and this was it!
~ Isabella & Rowan ~
Petite blonde with a mischievous sparkle, she’s a duke’s sister infiltrating Hotel Hestia as a maid, sniffing out all the gossip - it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially now someone is blackmailing her brother into marriage. As one of the Merriweather sisters she’s well aware of what steamy bliss awaits... if only her own prince would deign to show up!
Tall, dark and aloof, he’s a man of humble birth who was adopted by a prominent couple when his parents died. Always stuck between two worlds, he feels safest lurking in the shadows of his own hotel - even if his aunt keeps hounding him to find a bride... and now he also needs a wife for business. Maybe the mousy maid he didn’t hire could help him out?
He offers her the position of ‘fake wife’ in return for unlimited access to his hotel. She reluctantly accepts - she really has no choice if she wants to save her brother - and soon finds managing her fake husband’s life - and moods - more than entertaining. But the man is awfully distracting, and she must not lose track of her own mission!
This tale was pure delight! Converging quests, witty banter, sneaking around and sizzling chemistry - Issy & Rowan make the perfect grumpy/sunshine partners in crime! Hidden identity, navigating propriety’s boundaries, secret attraction, searing kisses and salacious suggestions - they’re playing with fire, and of course, they both get burned. She fights and he retreats. He’s got some serious grovelling to do... luckily there’s always the Coffee Cavalry!
I couldn’t put this book down! An exquisite rollercoaster ride; it’s full-on from the very first lines and I was absolutely rivetted! I love these characters and their fake-spouses-to-lovers romance. All the while her twin is having the most deliciously funny sideline romance, and entwined together, it was simply perfect!
Court a Lady With Care is the fifth book in Charlie Lane’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Courtship series, and each installment has been a delight—funny, entertaining, and filled with just the right mix of steam, emotion, and tension.
In this story, Lane weaves a compelling romance that brims with passion, intrigue, and swoon-worthy moments. Lady Isabella Merriweather is a sister of Samuel, The Duke of Clearford and she is no typical heroine; she’s bold, intelligent, and clever enough to disguise herself as a maid and enter a sham marriage—all to protect her family and secure her brother’s happiness. Her determination to do whatever it takes makes her captivating. Opposite her is Rowan Trent, a reluctant hero with a grumpy exterior, a light sensitivity, and an intensely private nature, whose hidden vulnerability and integrity make him truly unforgettable. Although adopted by a couple of the ton he never felt comfortable participating in society, as the son of a tailor he felt unworthy and uncomfortable.
Rowan Trent needs a pretend bride, not a real one to successfully buy a new Inn. The story masterfully balances wit and depth as Rowan and Isabella navigate the ups and downs of their pretend relationship, revealing real fears and desires along the way. Their chemistry is electric, fueled by witty banter and moments that are as tender as they are heated. I especially loved how Isabella held Rowan accountable when he stubbornly claimed they could never work—a humbled hero is always a joy to see, and she made him earn every bit of her affection!
Charlie Lane’s skillful storytelling captures the nuances of love, redemption, and resilience, which is why her books never disappoint. For me, her work is always an instant must-read. Court a Lady With Care is a mesmerizing romance that’s hard to put down and an excellent example of why Charlie Lane remains one of my favorite authors.
I received an ARC (advanced review copy) from the Wolf Publishing and I am leaving this review voluntarily, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the fifth book in the ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Courtship’ series and this series is really awesome!!
Lady Isabella Merriweather is a sister of Samuel, The Duke of Clearford. She is obsessed with knowing everything that is happening around her. When Samuel is blackmailed into marrying a lady he doesn’t love Isabella decides she can save her brother.
Mr. Rowan Trent is a son of a sailor and a seamstress adopted by an admiral and his wife. He is a successful hotel owner of the Hestia and is wanting to expand his hotel business. The owner of the inn Rowan wants to acquire only wants to sell his family inn to someone who is married.
As Isabella gathers gossip at the Hestia disguised as a maid Rowan notices her and decides she would be perfect to play the part as his wife. Rowen and Isabella make a pack she will have free run of his hotel as long as she plays the part of his wife so he can get the inn.
I really enjoyed reading Isabella and Rowan’s love story!! I thought it was a delightful, fun and entertaining story!! The secondary characters were absolutely wonderful!! I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series!!
This is a mixed-class trope. Isabella is the sister of a duke and Rowan is the son of a sailor and a seamstress, but was adopted by a childless couple of the ton after the death of his own parents when he was young. Rowan and Isabella had never met because Rowan stuck to his roots and was a working man and never attended social functions.
I had an issue with Isabella’s hobby of sneaking around Rowan’s inn, the Hestia, disguised as a maid so she could eavesdrop on conversations and gather gossip and information. But as the story unfolded and I understood why she was doing it, I cut her some slack. The stakes were raised and she was looking out for those she loved. What she wasn’t counting on was finding love herself.
I adored Rowan. He was dark, mysterious, hung in the shadows, and was a loner. But he was ambitious and wanted to acquire another inn. The problem was that the owners of that inn wanted a married man to own it. Rowan wasn’t married and never wanted to be, so that left him in a predicament. This strange maid is running around his hotel, doing chores, and doing the bidding of the guests but wasn’t on the payroll, piqued his interest. But he had a different opportunity for her.
I enjoyed this story very much. The tension between Rowan and Isabelle was tangible and the angst they felt when the truth was revealed and the world came tumbling down around them cut me. I knew they were going to get their happily ever after, but how were they going to get there? Moreover, how were they going to keep it after they did get there? Their concerns were real.
The witty banter, the tough situations, and the mutual attraction, and the unfailing love between the characters rocketed this to a five star read.
*I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
**Although this is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel
