It's a well plotted and well written book but I didn't care for the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This book was good, but it didn't reach out and grab me.
Contains spoilers.
This was a good story and had a very nice blurb on the back.
The heiress is a 19 year old orphan who was left 500 pounds by her father and her dowry of 3,000 pounds. Her father wanted her to work on getting married. But her uncle, who she lived with knows that she does not want to get married and the will clearly states that he is not to help her. The uncle told her to wait a year and his wife will help her get a position as a companion. This seems like a good alternative, but she doesn't want to work for someone. She wanted to be independent and live alone to pursue her scientific interests. She has an avid interest in mechanical things, namely steam engines. She also has a natural born talent for project management. She likes to streamline production patterns or actually tell people how to do this. But as a woman, she can't get a job like this. So she decides to take part of her inheritance and invest it. She reads her father's notes on probable investments and she likes the sound of one. She goes to the factory to speak with the owner. She is turned away because the secretary informs her that the owner has been attracting interest as a prospective husband by many young ladies. The heroine informs him she wants to invest and she circumvents him and goes on the factory floor. A grimy worker agrees to escort her to the owner's office,then goes behind a screen. She hears the sound of water and asks what he is doing. He replies that he cleaning up for their meeting. He comes from behind the screen, changed into business clothes and clean. He is quite attractive and she has a problem focusing on the investment. He refuses to accept her money and aggravates her also. She leaves and looks for another investment. What she doesn't know is that when she was 10, he and his mother worked for her father. He was the hall boy for her floor. His mother was a maid that her father dallied with and then fired when she became pregnant. His mother had to take up prostitution and at age 14, he worked where he could. His mother was lucky and her first protector married her and adopted the hero. He actually left the company to the hero.
This book had a great premise. I just found it to be a bit flat. And that really makes me mad because he was only 4 years older than her! My favorite age gap!. I read the story twice, and yes it was a bit flat. I think that I didn't like the heroine very much. She had been brought up spoiled. She had a maid that had to help her dress and she had to have new, fashionable gowns because she wanted to keep her position in society. In one way, it might seem good that she knows what she wants, but it seemed to me she was just another party girl who wanted her cake and to eat it also.
The story was well written, with few errors and the rest of the characters appealed to me. I wish I liked it better, but I am giving it 4 stars because I didn't like the heroine. She could have been portrayed in a more positive way with some re-write. I recommend reading, but I will not be putting on my keeper shelf.

If you love Sophie Barnes, you are sure to find delight in this novella. This is the perfect for a quick read for any lover of historical romance. Barnes has a wonderful way of crafting a historical romance that quickly draws the reader in and envelops them in the world. Barnes' writing is full of charm and wit as she crafts this adversaries to lovers story. With interesting and smart characters, a sizzling chemistry and a tension of the unknown, this fast past (basically insta love) story can blossom to life.

Sophie Barnes packs this novella full of plot moments that draw our hero and heroine together. From inter action to inter action these two first dance around the other, fighting their attraction until they both fully embrace their feelings. I really like that this is a class difference romance, where the heroine can prove the hero wrong about her thoughts on what makes a man worthy. There are some content notes around the reason that the hero is so adversarial to the heroine based off of wrong doings done to his mother (so check those out if you need them).

Really this becomes a story of two people with similar mindsets and interest learning to understand each other and grow together past preconceptions. This is very quick moving story in which the relationship is built first on attraction and then interactions that give insights on the other. This is a low steam novel, with kissing and vague wording around more romantic exploration. This is a novel that is really the hero's journey in moving beyond the past and realizing what is most important to him. I really enjoy that the heroine is mostly open to always finding a way to be with the hero because he is what makes her happy.

If you love Sophie Barnes pick this novella up, it is sweet and charming and a great quick read! If you are interested in trying Sophie Barnes this is a delightful introduction and gives you a great feel for her tone, characters and story lines.

One of the best books I have read from Sophie. An enemies to lovers tale that lots of snappy dialog and tension galore. “I hate you, you scoundrel, shrew, we must kiss with all of this tension.” I laughed a lot and did the shut the book Kindle style. I love seeing smart women who go toe to toe with men. Just an amazing read.

I am usually a fan of this author but this book was disappointing. Honestly I didn't care about either character very much and found the whole situation fairly dull and lost interest. it also felt rushed with thing being mentioned and nothing more like thee reaction of the ton. I did finish the book for the purposes of this review.. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm a big Sophie Barnes fan and go into each of her books with high expectations. Luckily, she never lets me down. Rosamund was such an easy character to root for. She makes the best of a not great situation for herself. In most books the main plot would have been all about Rosamund finding a husband, but here it was about her finding a way to turn her small inheritance into enough to live on. I completely understood why Matthew was so against helping her - her father had treated he and his mother pretty horribly. Luckily he was eventually able to separate Rosamund and her father in his mind and see how crazy he would be not to pursue Rosamund. His ultimate gesture to win her over was a little over the top but needed after the way he ran out on her when things got difficult. You know Rosamund and Matthew will make an amazing team - both in their personal lives and in business. They truly are perfect for one another.

5 stars

I liked this book. Matthew is an industrialist developing railway components. Rosamund is interested in science. Her father died leaving two wills. The first gave most of the estate to his brother the new earl. Rosamund had to wait to the end of her mourning to find out how much she'd get. It ended up only about £500. Not to be sniffed at in 1850 but certainly not what she was used to. She realises that she will need to invest the money and turns to Mr Clarke. She finds he loathes her family, specifically her father and doesn't understand his attitude.

The romance is on and off. I didn't really believe in the big gesture and thought it was a bit OTT but I suppose it made Rose/Rosamund understand better Matthew's change in heart. Her uncle was a lovely character.

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

How can he build a future with a woman whose father ruined his life?
Having recently suffered the death of her father, Rosamund Parker faces an uncertain future. Intent on retaining her independence, she plans to invest her modest inheritance. But the man whose help she seeks is as infuriating as he is handsome. For reasons she can't comprehend, he's set on thwarting her at every turn, even as he tempts her with kisses she ought not want.
Matthew Clarke needs funding for his locomotive business, but he'll not accept it from the Earl of Stoneburrow's daughter. As far as Matthew's concerned, that entire family can go hang. Unfortunately, Lady Rosamund seems to pop up wherever he goes. Ignoring the fire she stirs in him becomes an increasing challenge. But surrendering to it could prove disastrous. It could in fact ruin both their lives.
Matthew and Rosamund are meant to be together.
With her exceptional feelings for the future of the railway she has become a good person to invest.
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.

If you're looking for a quick, no frills read this could be for you. I did read some other reviews and I really don't agree that there was anything that could trigger you from a forced or unwanted attention perspective.

Rosamund Parker recentlylost her father and is out of mourning. She is looking for opportunities to extend her inheritance while on the search for a husband. She's a unique (read highly unlikely based on the Time frame) woman whose interested in the progress of science.
Matthew Clarke has overcome extreme odds to make his way in the world. Now he's poised to change the locomotive industry with his newest invention. Yet when faced with the possibly of a new investor he turns them down due to events from the past.
This is a story of choices and dealing with the past so it cannot damage a potentially happy future.

The perfect enemies-to-lovers romance!

I've read a lot of books where the H and h start out as enemies but are quickly united in their mutual attraction. This is the first book I've ever read where the mutual attraction is not quite enough to overcome the intense animosity they have for each other; his is mistakenly based on his opinion of her father, while hers is rightly based on his treatment of her.

Matthew is a wonderful hero, a man who has pulled himself up by hard work and a little bit of luck, despite the challenges he faced as a child. He's just not quite ready to forgive the family that was at the root of those challenges, regardless of how much he's attracted to the daughter of his nemesis.

Rosamund is both irresistibly attractive and frustratingly shrewd and clever. I simply adored their bickering back and forth, their clear annoyance with each other even when acknowledging their explosive chemistry. For these two, it's going to take a whole lot more than just their fiery exchanges to bridge the gap between what they want and what they can be together.

The writing is outstanding, giving both characters strong personalities and genuine virtue even when they're at odds. I loved how all the characters were fully developed; no easy villains here who exist just to drive the plot. The HEA was hard-won and very satisfying for all. I enjoyed every bit of this book and highly recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am usually a fan of sophie Barnes but this book was disappointing.
Rosamund's father has left no choice in his will but for her to marry as their is no fortune and her uncle is not allowed to help her. She decides to invest the little money she has.
Matthew and his mother were employed by her father until they were unceremoniously dumped into the streets.
Honestly I didn't care about either character much. Rosamund especially was dull. At least Matthew had the trauma in his past.
Some instalust, weak character development, and my hate trope of the only thing keeping them apart is changing the man thinking about the relationship.
2.5 stars

Wonderful enemies to lovers' story. Lady Rosamund wishes to invest her inheritance from her father into Matthew Clarke's railroad company. Because of history with her father, he tells her that she doesn't have enough to invest. She invests in another company and at a meeting/house party finds out that he lied to her. The animosity and sparks between Rosamund and Matthew were fabulous. Another page-turning read from Ms. Barnes. Definitely a 5-star read.

A quick read that contains a very important lesson about life. Matthew Parker used a grudge to fuel his drive for success. Then into his life comes Rosamund, daughter of the man Matthew detests. Instant sparks for both, despite his rude treatment of her. Running into her again at a house party/investment gathering, sparks lead to kissing...very passionate kissing. Long story short: they want each other, but it's nearly ruined because of Matthew's grudge. He comes to his senses of course and they live hea. Even though it's not as long as some of her previous works, Sophie Barnes packs a lot into these 15 chapters. Definitely a good addition to her vast library of books.

I received an ARC of Mr. Clarke's Deepest Desire from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Sophie Barnes never disappoints her readers with her unique storylines and characters. Rosamund Parker, is fascinated by trains, engines, mechanics and science.  Unfortunately, she has just lost her beloved father and is in need of investing the little money she has to maintain her living. She approaches Matthew Clarke, owner of a mechanical engineering company to offer to invest in his company. He refuses her offer because he holds her deceased father responsible for his and his mother's downfall. The story continues as they meet at a party and the sparks that fly between them could definitely ignite a fire. Matthew learns a little about holding the person at fault accountable rather than the extended family and Rosamund learns that not all is as it seems on the outside. A very nice story.

Science minded Rosamund decides to invest her small inheritance in a company that makes locomotives, an invention that she admires. When Matthew realizes who she is, he refuses her investment in his company. Can they over come Matthew’s resentment of her family to find happiness? I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

After reading hundreds of historical romance books, I found this story quite not as thoroughly engrossing as I like. Good story filled with romance and drama but somehow it did not keep my interest over the course of reading it. There were times I felt like some of the story was missing, as if it skipped over scenes. I enjoyed the characters and only wished Westhaven’s personality (the inner thoughts) had been better explained. Would have helped the me connect to him better. I would refer to this story as romance light as it needs more details added.
I received a free copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

During the meeting of the late Earl of Stoneburrow's daughter, Rosamund Parker and the owner of A&C Locomotive, Mr. Matthew Clarke, both feel an attraction. Rosamund has a real interest in science and inventions which is unusual for a woman of this time period, especially a titled lady. She is confused by the way Mr. Clarke treats her with almost an angry attitude. She wonders why this is. Mr. Matthew Clarke is the illegitamate son of a maid who worked in the home of the late Earl of Stoneburrow. As a young boy, Matthew had also worked as a hall boy in the same home. He feels the late Earl mistreated and misused his mother. What happens when he tells Rosamund what the real reason is for his treatment of her? Will she believe him or only think it lies since her father was so good and kind to her? Will the instant attraction each feel grow or will Matthew's story stop any further feelings from devloping? You will need to read this story to find out that answer and more!!

Scientifically inclined Lady Rosamund was left with no inheritance because she didn’t marry and wants to invest what little money she has. Matthew Clarke has always hated her family and needs an investor for his steam engine, but he sends her away and she invests elsewhere. They meet at a house party for raise interested in technological progress.

There was problematic behavior from Matthew. Like the scene where he was rude, he apologizes, the heroine doesn’t accept it and he thinks:

Far more shocking, however, was the rush of desire he felt in response to her anger.

Red flag! Matthew comes across as possessive but fickle. He does a lot of grabbing and kissing when the heroine tries to walk away. She ends up liking it, although she’s supposedly so intelligent, but that behavior doesn’t sit well with me in 2022.

I never knew why these two liked each other aside from instalust. They never had a meaningful conversation or shared things in common. Neither character was fully realized and they acted inconsistently. By the time we got to the love triangle/third act breakup, I could not care less what happened to these two.