I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Returning home as the new Viscount, James needs to have his house in order, so that he can restore his reputation. So finding the beautiful new, and incompetent, housekeeper, Emma Bryant, is more than a problem. Emma is clearly someone of quality, though she hides the truth - that she's actually a member of the ton, the daughter of an impoverished scholar, and grand-niece of an Earl. She needs to work to help her family, and luckily she gets a position at the nearby estate. However, the staff who remain at the estate are actively working against her, and undermining her responsibility at all turns. James doesn't know whether to trust her, or get rid of her, but when it's clear she is loyal, and wants to help him clear his name. And the growing friendship, turning to love, isn't difficult to miss either.

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. The characters were lovable, and though mistakes were made, and it was a little cliched at times, it was gripping, and a fun, quick read. Emma had a difficult time of it as housekeeper, as she was clearly of a different class, and not respected by her staff, but she has a spine of steel and won't give up without a fight. I liked the romance, though it wasn't the most smooth of courtships, but all in all, James and Emma were right for each other, and came out stronger on the other side.

James Viscount Grayford returns home in disgrace to find a new seemingly incompetent housekeeper- Emma Bryant. She is a Lady but has been forced into service after her father lost all his money. The staff do not respect her and so go out of their way to undermine her. A relationship develops between them as James tries to clear his name.
An enjoyable read.
I was gifted this novel by Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review

An Enjoyable read with character's that are likeable. Well written and easy to read a new author to me that I will be happy to read more from.

I received this book from netgallery in exchange for an honest review as given above

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I enjoyed this read
Likeable and well written characters with good chemistry

i haen't previously enjoyed historical romances but have found that actually the setting in many ways adds to the story. This book is about James and Emma. Whilst Emma is working as Jame's housekeeper after her father lost a lot of money she doesn't have the respect of the house which is making her role even harder, but soon she finds herself falling for her master - James and he for her. I liked how he protects her but still lets her find her own path, he ensures she is treated right by helping her to stand up for herself, A great read.

Grayford, recently returned from the Penninsula Wars in disgrace arrives home as the new heir to find a new housekeeper, Emma in disarray at his house. She is mousy and dowdy and seemingly at first, incompetent. Despite an bad initial first meeting, he gives her a chance to prove herself, not realising that the household have been working against her as they resent her. Emma, who was a Lady, has been forced into employment when her father lost all of their money. She is doing what she can to look after him.
The couple soon realise that they have a growing attraction despite trying to ignore it because of societys views. As Grayford attempts to clear his name, Emma tries to help him.
I found the lust turned to love quite quickly but it did not ruin the story for me. I Iiked that the couple were so loyal to each other. Emma staunchly believes that Grayford is innocent and Grayford does what he can to protect and help her. The villain reveal was not exactly a surprise but it worked in terms of the story.
Well written with a clear understanding of the time period. A good balance of historical detail without it being too much.
The love scene was really steamy and sweet and love how much agency Emma had.
An enjoyable regency read and a sweet romance.

This was an enjoyable read with likeable characters. Emma was determined to be able to provide for herself, even if she had to work at a job she was inexperienced at. I did feel for her when the footmen undermined her authority. James, was the new viscount, due to the death of his brother. He too, felt he had a lot to learn. There was also the mystery to solve of who had set him up to fail. There is an attraction between Emma and James but they are from different stations of society. I found this to be entertaining, although I did wish the villains had more of a comeuppance. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An enjoyable story.
Emma and her father have fallen on hard times; rather than take a governess position far from her father she interviewed for a housekeeper position at a nearby grand house and much to her surprise, for she had little experience, was employed there. Some months later the new heir turns up unexpectedly and is dismayed by his young and rather incompetent housekeeper. She does however prove stalwart in her belief in his innocence in a crime the ton have convicted him of and her underlying beauty under her drab clothes, causes more tender feelings to grow within him.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A rags to riches story with a difference. Some lovely scenes as Emma the housekeeper keeps working and tries to keep on top of her role and struggles with authority. James, tries to ignore his feelings and the story telling takes us through his initial thoughts and attraction through to him coming to terms with his future and how things can be. Some good intrigue thrown in, with a bit of betrayal and hunting down clues which keeps the book pacey. A lovely read.

When James, Viscount Grayford never expected to inherit the viscountcy but when his older brother is thrown from his horse & killed James life is changed added to that is the delivery of a priceless book to Austria which went wrong so James returns home with his reputation in tatters, the last thing he needs is incompetent new young housekeeper Emma Bryant! But beneath her drab gown and ugly cap, is a pretty young woman of quality, forced to work by straightened circumstances when her father made bad investments.
A well written easy to read romance with strong characters. There's chemistry between James & Emma from their first meeting, the banter between them is lively & entertaining, I thoroughly enjoyed their rocky road to a HEA. There's also the mystery surrounding the missing book & restoring James' reputation, working out who the villain was wasn't hard but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. I did dislike the two footmen & I personally felt they were given too many chances. This was a new author to me & I look forward to reading more of her books
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I absolutely loved this book. The new Viscount, who is only the Viscount because his brother died with no heir, has retreated to Grayford Hall under a dark cloud. He walks in to a right pickle, literally. Most of the previous staff had left and his young, inexperienced housekeeper is being undermined by the staff that has remained. The story follows the housekeeper, Emma Bryant and James, Viscount Grayford on their journey of putting the past behind and moving on. It is the perfect afternoon reading escape.

A sweet regency romance, Emma needs to become a housekeeper after her father lost his money when bad money decisions. James has to become the Earl after the death of his brother. The story is a bit far fetched in places but enjoyable.

The Viscount’s New Housekeeper by Lucy Ashford was a very cute read. You have to suspend your disbelief quite strongly to get past the set-up, as it’s fairly ridiculous to think a 21 year old society miss, no matter how straitened her circumstances, would end up as a head housekeeper in a bachelor’s household, but this is lampshaded in the story itself, so as long as you’re willing to go along with it, you’ll have a lot of fun. Emma and James are both sweet characters with only minor amounts of trauma, and this is a fairly low-action, low-drama read, which is what I prefer from my historical romance – it really lets the relationship have space to breathe when the characters aren’t being pushed around by the plot! This is my first book by this author, but I’d happily read more from her.

4 stars
Cute read. Emma/Esmeralda is working as a housekeeper as her Dad lost his fortune with bad investments. James had recently inherited the viscountcy and has had to retire as a spy. He enjoyed being a soldier but was betrayed when working for the diplomatic service. It was fairly easy to spot who the nefarious influence would have to be.

I felt for Emma with the disrespectful footmen. Luckily the conflict James felt over romancing his employees didn't last too long and I liked how he was willing to take Emma's advice.

Enjoyable read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks for this review copy of The Viscount’s New Housekeeper. A Mills and Boon regency romance is always guaranteed to please, with this book being no exception. Our poor heroine has all sorts of issues to deal with including unruly footmen, rascally landlord, vague father and assisting her hero who has problems of his own. However, as expected, romance blooms and she gets her happy ever after. Perfect escapism.