An excellent Regency Romance with more mature characters, an unusual plot and a sweet love story.
The author is a good storyteller and the story kept me hooked
I love it and it's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Initially a bit of a slow-burning romance that turns sizzling hot. Kate has loved Benedict for years, after one magical dance with him. She saw him turn away from her, mesmerised by another young woman. Now fate has presented her with another opportunity. Can she risk her heart again and if he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings, will the status of being married to him be enough? She learns that he is a passionate and inventive lover, and she matches him, but will she win his heart? A naughtily steamy romance. I enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc.
A hot slow burn regency romance with some good drama! An amazing love story between to great characters.

The writers style was a bit hard to read at times and needs more of a modern twist but other than that I’d love it. I’d definitely read more from this author.

I usually read contemporary romance - never Regency - and I don't usually read books with sex scenes either, but I thought I'd try this partly because I like Bridgerton (the series - never read the books) and partly because I heard about it on social media. I loved it. What a fantastic debut. The characters just sparkle. The sex scenes are sizzling. I will definitely be looking out for other books by Emma Orchard. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Second Lady Silverwood was a lovely read, it was quite raunchy but very romantic. I loved Kate, she is a strong character who knows what she wants. I did find Benedict a little annoying after the first half of the book, but it didn’t ruin the story.

I must admit that I do not usually read Regency romances but I decided to give this one a go attracted by the cover and the description. I was not disappointed and will definitely look out for further books by Emma Orchard.
If you are expecting a demure romantic novel I would suggest you change your expectations as this is more of a raunchy romp!
Kate Moreton is a penniless orphan, living with her ailing grandfather, pining after Benedict Silverwood whom she met 7 years earlier whilst doing the season in London. He has subsequently married and then become a widower, bringing up his young daughter alone with the help of his elderly mother.
When she has the opportunity to teach Italian to his daughter at the behest of the Dowager, his mother, she jumps at the chance and begins to forge a relationship with young Lucy and the Dowager herself who looks after Lucy whilst Benedict is absent. There is she thinks little harm in that, particularly as meeting him again seems a remote possibility.
However Ben returns home and subsequently, encouraged by his mother, makes Kate an offer. He needs a second wife and a mother for his daughter- Kate is a perfect solution, as he has not managed to find anyone else in London, even with his sister’s help.
Kate is not sure what she should do- she cannot reveal her true feelings and although she would love to be the Second Lady Silverwood, could she bear to be in a marriage where her husband does not love her, forever wondering about her predecessor!
She will be in a difficult situation, almost the same one that Daphne Du Maurier’s heroine, Rebecca finds herself- married to a man she really knows little about and immensely curious about her predecessor.
This was a romantic read which definitely lifted me from the dreary and cold March weather and transported me to Regency England. I really liked the characters and it made me aware that peoples’ feelings are the same, whatever century they live in.
Kate is a very modern and intelligent heroine, despite the constraints of her position as an early nineteenth century woman. Ben is a perfect hero- a brave soldier with a tragic past who is learning to love again.
This is a very modern take on the regency romance- do not expect a meek and modest female protagonist in Kate for that is not what she is!
The language is definitely nineteenth century and I even learnt a few new words such as “nuncheon”- at first I thought this was a typo!
All in all an enjoyable frolic through the regency period- perfect for fans of Bridgerton and those who enjoy historical romance with some saucy content. A great debut novel for Emma Orchard!
Thanks to NetGalley and Allison and Busby for my advance copy.

This was a wonderfully written novel. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It was a total escape and one I could not put down. The characters were well written and the plot really enjoyable. Thank you for giving me access to an early copy.

A really good, easy read for anyone wanting a little bit of Bridgerton back in their lives!

I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, as although the concept of ‘rich Lord marries penniless governess’ sounds a little repetitive, I can assure you that this story is far from that. Kate is a much stronger character than expected, with many positives going for her, to the point that she doesn’t need this marriage. Benedict is a kind and straight-forward Lord and you feel as though you’re getting to know him through Kate. The story also picked up towards the last quarter and I really enjoyed that aspect of the plot, and felt it could’ve ran through the book a little more, or for a little longer. It was unexpected and added some grittier drama to a book I did at one point wonder was becoming a bit ‘50 Shades’…!

A well written debut with a good premise and strong main characters. There’s lots to unpick here and a few, hot under the collar, scenes. Too many? Depends what you want from a book. I read this in one sitting.

It started so great! I honestly thought that this story will be heartbreaking. Unfortunately after a great beginning it crashed. To much seggs scenes. Like way too much in a row! In my opinion that was really unnecessary, after so much intimacy all the emotional dilemmas of characters just felt weak and had no actual impact, it felt pointless. It was boring. And the dialogues... OMG! One paige - more like a monologue.

And this story had great potential. I feel sad :(

An enticing exotic read which you will find impossible to put down.
A beautiful love story that follows Kate and Benedict road to love and fulfilment against the restrictions of the society that they live in.
It is a brilliant read vert hot but beautifully written
Can’t recommend it enough

Kate has been in love with Benedict since she met him during her debutante Season but she watched him fall in love with someone else. Years later, Kate is a spinster working for Benedict as his daughter's Italian teacher. A widower of several years, Benedict is looking for a wife to produce an heir for his line. When his mother sets plans in motion for Kate and Benedict to marry, their lives are turned upside down as their decision could make or break their happiness.

Lovely romp through 1800s romance with a good interlude of spice. Good for those who have just finished binging a certain TV series and fancy a bit more. Not much else to recommend it, but also not much wrong with it other than the odd shoehorn of some drama at the end (without which would make the whole book feel rather plotless to be honest).

I did enjoy the wholesomeness of both Kate and Benedict's families - though noted as quite unconventional of the times. It was a fresh modernness that the book depended on and would feel stuffy without.

I'd like to thank Allison & Busby, the author & NetGalley for the copy of this eARC I received in exchange for a review.
I'll be honest: despite of the events being very accelerated - a sudden marriage, secrets revealed, etc- some parts of this book had me skimming through pages (full erotica chapters, long winded inner dialogue, among others) to get to the plot. I'd say the book is half story and half smut, and actual conflict happens around 70% in. Character growth is scarce (except for Sir Benedict Silverwood, to be fair) & we don't learn tons about them - Kate is smart, beautiful and in love. Benedict is brave, kind and handsome. Lucy is like an overexcited terrier. Some characters, like the Dowager, did have an interesting story to tell but had no place to do so. The antagonist and the threat were fine but it did feel like like the conflict arose and was solved a bit too quickly.
Overall I got the feeling that I'm not the target audience for this book, so maybe it's a me problem. I did like the writing and I think it's a great debut - it has a beautiful prose, a good enough pace and the characters are believable.
One final note: that's a beautiful cover! I don't think I'll be reading any other books by this author but I'll definitely keep this one in mind to recommend to readers who like this genre.

I devoured this book. It was very cute and fun read. The chartered were highly relatable and entertaining. I couldn’t seem to put it down! Overall, it was a full 5 stars read for me

4 stars

A new author, I think a debut. I enjoyed this book. The first 60% of the book was the build up of the actual relationship, lots of passion. It gave me a bit of a reverse Rebecca vibe. Kate is the second wife wondering a bit about Vanessa and remembering how dazzled Ben was when he first saw her. Ben is really pleased as to how sexually compatible he is with Kate. I agree the baddie was a bit obvious and has been done before but I still thought the book worked.

I'll look out for more from this author.

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

A wonderful book, well put together with a brilliant cast of characters and a fascinating mix of regency romance and language with modern heat. What a hot mix! There's a bit of a twist thrown in for good measure. I can't wait for more from this author.

This is my first book of Emmas's and I am glad that I took the chance to read and review this book.
I don't have a lot of experience of regency romance, only really having previously read the first in the Brigerton series. This book was a joy to read for me.

Kate has long admired the handsome Benedict Silverwood, however on her debut season, it became clear quickly he had eyes for only one, who would then go on to become his wife, the lovely Vanessa. Kate does not marry and continues to turn down suitors over the years where she finds herself 25 and single. She ends up being a teacher for the child of Benedict - Lucy who has found herself without a mother as a number of tragic and unknown events has led to Benedict being widowed. It is then suggested that Kate should marry Benedict, he is looking for an heir and company and she is left with a choice to make - can she marry the man she loves without him loving her back?

Ok, so. I really couldn't fault this book at all, not only did I learn some new words "nuncheon", I really enjoyed the chatacter of Kate and how she was very much true to herself and what she wanted. She didn't feel that she needed to settle and she was not afraid to say and do exactly what she thought. Her inner confidence and lack of dramatics was so refreshing as so many of these stories have characters who are constantly jumping to wrong conclusions and behaving ridiculously thus. She was also a woman who liked to enjoy herself and find her pleasure, which I found also refreshing - infact many of the women in the story spoke frankly of subjects which were often seen as taboo.

The story also has some hidden secrets, drama and a lot to unravel through the story. all in all a really enjoyable read.

This debut novel by Emma Orchard follows the story of Kate and Benedict - Kate has been in love with Benedict for years but he got married to someone else, who died and is now looking for another wife and mother for his daughter. Kate, who has been tutoring his daughter is suggested as a possible wife by his mother. Once they are married, the story unfolds at a fast pace until Benedict also realises that he has fallen in love with his new wide.

This was like reading a very naughty Georgette Heyer. In the beginning, it seemed that there would be a just a lot of dialogue and emotional scenes between the two protagonists, but was I wrong! It soon turned very erotic and hot. However, it did not take away from the emotional side of the book, as Kate struggles to hide her feelings for Benedict, but of course, it all turns out well in the end. This book is for anyone who enjoys Heyer, Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas. Can't wait for the next book by Emma Orchard.

Aside from the Bridgerton series, I haven’t read much Regency romance but I was intrigued by the description of this book and I wasn’t disappointed. I found the romance between the two main characters believable and I also liked the extended characters as well, I think the author did a great job with making them all have distinctive personalities and their own back stories as well without distracting from the main couple too much. The writing style was quite old-fashioned, quite price and prejudice which fit in very well with the style of book but perhaps a bit harder to read than what I’m used to and which I wasn’t expecting not having read much of this genre before but definitely wouldn’t put me off reading again. All in all it was a good book, lots of romance but a bit of intrigue and secrets being teased out over the course of the book. I’ll definitely read more of this author.

This is a great read. A well constructed narrative with some nice symmetry, starting with an unrequited crush and ending in a passionate love affair. The character of Kate is great, passionate, talented yet also accepting things she can not change with equanimity. There is a nod in the direction of Georgette Heyer. While few can aspire to what Heyer did, this is a decent attempt. The language in this novel is expressive and the storyline absorbing. I would read more from Emma Orchard