I found this quite a slow burn read and at times I struggled to stay engaged in the storyline. I've read and enjoyed a couple of books by this author so I'm surprised this didn't hit the mark for me. It certainly won't stop me reading her next book. I will probably revisit this book in a few months time and hopefully enjoy it more second time around. I did giggle at the cat and muff incident my dry sense of humour found it very amusing.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

Isabelle has been motherless virtually from birth (a loss for which her sister has never forgiven her). When her father dies before Isabelle comes of age, following a long illness that prevented her from being presented, she is left to the guardianship of her unscrupulous brother-in-law Lord Dunsfold - who is most upset that she has inherited the estate he expected to receive. A chance encounter with her cousin's friend the Earl of Idsworth shows her a happiness greater than she ever expected, but Lord Dunsfold will do anything in his power to get his own way. Can Isabelle escape Lord Dunsfold's machinations and find her hoped-for happily ever after?

I feel like each book I read by this author is better than the last - which is a dangerously high bar to set! However, this didn't disappoint. Definitely reminiscent of some of Heyer's books (though possibly with a little less humour than some?), this is clean and well written, with characters I enjoyed getting to know and even a good pair of villains. I appreciated the way that the earl wanted what was best for Isabelle and therefore held back, but didn't try to make all the decisions for her. And yes, his way of dealing with the villains was definitely satisfying! I very quickly came to feel for the main characters, and was glad to see Isabelle and Idsworth get their happy ending. Does Charles get a story next? Recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

I had fun and thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance that reminded me of Georgette Heyer.
The plot flows and I root for Isabelle and hoped she was able to escape the villain's plots.
Sophie Holloway is a good storyteller, the characters are well developed and the plot entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This had the usual style that I've come to love by Sophia Holloway. The formatting of the ARC was not very well done and it was difficult to follow along at times, which kept me from enjoying the story because the layout was hard to muddle through.

Overall, classic Holloway novel and if you like Austen or Heyer this is a great author to try.

A great read from an author I am unfamiliar with. I love how Isabelle keeps positive even through her trials and isolation. All of the characters are well developed. and likeable and the villains are as sleazy as expected. I will be searching out more books by this author and hope to read Charlie's HEA.. The only negative I could mention would be it did seem to drag a bit more than it needed to but still an enjoyable read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A long romp through the life of Isabelle, at the mercy of her hideous older sister when her beloved father died. The ending with the Earl of Idsworth is never in doubt although we follow the poor treatment and eventual sequestration of Isabelle. A lovely read, although quite a long second half with a lot of detail as Isabelle decants to London.

After the death of her father, Isabelle is glad to have someone to care for when a family friend is shot on her property. Soon a love begins to bloom between the two. Her brother-in-law, and guardian, as well as a miscreant “friend” have other ideas for Isabelle’s future.

I love how she keeps hope even through her trials and isolation. All of the characters are well developed. The only thing is that something that her brother-in-law did in the past is alluded to and we get reactions from those that hear of it but never find out what it was he did. Other than that, it was a great story!

Bridgerton meets an Officer and a Gentleman. Romance, love, humour - what is there not to like?! This was a lovely read and I will definitely ready more from the author. Very engaging and held my attention throughout :)

I really enjoyed Isabelle. The story was a bit slow moving in the beginning, but I found Holloway's writing style was pleasant enough to make me keep turning pages. Her characters have depth to them and I really appreciate that, especially in historical fiction. I will definitely be picking up more books by this author!

4.5 stars
I loved the characters- the MC, FMC, and Charlie. They were all so easy to love.

1/2 star deducted just because the ending ran on a little. (That may have been mainly because I was not patient lol) I must say though that even at 80% I knew it would have a happy ending and the MC would save the day but I didn't know how he was going to work it out.

Holloway did a great job making the sleazy characters sleazy. And now I want to see Charlie have a happy ending. ☺

Isabelle Wareham, whilst caring for her beloved widowed father, has not seen much of the world. After his death, Isabelle finds she is no longer her own mistress but under the guardianship of her unscrupulous brother-in-law, Lord Dunsfold, who sees her as a way to improve his own fortunes.
The outlook looks bleak until events throw Isabelle and the impoverished Earl of Idsworth together. However, Dunsfold is determined to force her into a more lucrative match and Isabelle will need to rise above her circumstances to reach her chance of happiness.
Isabelle isn't ready to wed until an earl changes her mind.
Sophia Holloway has written a good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

It was slow going for me but I really enjoyed this story. Isabelle has had to put her life on hold and do the hardest task, of taking care of her father and watch him get sicker and sicker. Once he passes, she has to not only move on with her life, but she has to have a season. The outlook looks bleak until events throw Isabelle and the impoverished Earl of Idsworth together. Dunsfold is determined to force her into a more lucrative match and Isabelle will need to fight for her chance of happiness. Highly recommendable great read. I would love to read more from this author. You will enjoy watching their journey to their happily ever after. This is my honest review, for I received an advanced copy for NetGalley.

This book was everything right up my alley. An officer & a gentleman, humor & romance rolled into one. Highly recommendable great read. I would love to read more from this author. A beautiful 5 star read.

P.S. To the author I wanted to reach thru the pages of the book & slap common sense into Mr. Semington. To defend Isabelle's honor.. I love how you brought the story to life. You go girl!

Review for NetGalley:
This was a very sweet read - we follow Isabelle, a girl of 19 who has recently lost her father and is suddenly under the guardianship of her rather immoral brother in law.
The romance centres around Isabelle and the Earl of Idsworth. I enjoyed all of their interactions and the development of their relationship - particularly as Isabelle looks after the Earl following an incident at the hunting party.
However, I did have some issues with the male characters merging into one as there just wasn’t enough time to differentiate between them.

A romantic story of Isabelle and the Lord she falls in love with. Isabelle is in mourning for her father, and fears that she will stay alone, with only servants as her friends, they are good friends to her, but than she meets a man who she falls in love with. What happens next I will not tell, as it would spoil the story for the reader. However I can say that I recommend the novel. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

This book was very enjoyable. Not a typical regency romance and all the better for that. Engaging characters and storyline and well worth reading.