Darcy Burke is a regency romance favorite, because her romances have heart and actual good writing. James and Charlotte both arrive at a house party with very different goals, with Charlotte not being truthful about her circumstances, but the two find themselves falling in love with the other, against their will, and when James's aversion to attachment, and Charlotte's true status come out, will their love survive? Another sweet read from Burke!

This is a fun, entertaining read. Roth and Charlotte are such interesting, relatable, captivating characters. I enjoyed their romance and the underlying mystery subplot. The couple had swoon-worthy moments that were fun to read. I love this world of Lady Cosford’s matchmaking house party. The scenes at the inn were interesting, memorable and entertaining. They also said a lot about the couple. The secondary characters added much to the fabric of the story.

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

The Make-Believe Wife. So I have to tell you that I totally love Roth’s Character. The man is a single lady’s I candy of passionate bed time desires and sexual dreams. You heard me. This man knows how to take care of a woman.
Yes ladies, Charlotte couldn’t just pass up this gift that has walked into her life. I think that her dear friend, Cecilia had Roth already picked out for Charlotte at the party. As you can tell already, Roth is my favorite character and his valet Dyer. Roth’s love interest, Charlotte is a wonderful character for him and the book. Charlotte has her strong intellect and her will to survive among the cruelties of the world.
My interpretation is that Charlotte believes that Roth is that one surprising gift to have for just one moment in time. This leads me to believe that their story was impressively written. The love that grows in the story. You could feel that progression through the narrative and dialogue. The narrative was so easy to read.
This gave me the opportunity to just enjoy the characters as they navigate through the story searching for that happiness that they truly deserve. The writing is so superb. I think that I’ve already stated that, but I felt that it was worth addressing again. The descriptions of details surrounding the characters as well as other parts of the story felt so real. The plot was great.
It’s one of the many things that has the reader becoming more engaged with the book. The love story certainly held my interest. I give this book two snaps and a twist of delight. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is an engaging, intriguing and romantic story. I loved the storyline, it was refreshingly different. Roth is determined, caring and unlord like. Charlotte is kind, courageous and stubborn. Their story is romantic and fun. I really enjoyed reading about them.

At first I didn't know why Charlotte made such a fuss about making sure that nobody figured out that she isn't a widow. Has never been married before. It made since when wee get towards the end though.
Roth is a wonderful man. He is very hesitant to give his heart to another lady. I don't blame him. Trusting someone else with his heart and his children is too much to ask of him. He was going to be content finding someone for his children and leave his heart out of it. Fate had other ideas. Charlotte fought it and lost her heart after all. Roth didn't take much more time. I liked how the two of them navigated around it all. And still came to a happily ever after.

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 4 of the Matchmaking Chronicles series. A matchmaking house party is afoot with eligible widows, widowers, and other single gentlemen. Charlotte is attending mostly to see her friend, the hostess, and is not interested in finding a match. She enjoys her position and independence as a widow in a small village, but is also hiding the fact that she is not truly a widow, as her fiance had died a few days before their wedding. At the house party, Charlotte makes a connection with Roth, a widowed earl looking to remarry and find a mother for his two daughters. He is purposely avoiding a love match because he had loved his first wife dearly and was shocked to learn that she never loved him at all. While Charlotte and Roth have different goals from this house party, they can’t resist starting an affair while they’re there. Short, steamy, easy read.

Darcy Burke can always be counted on to deliver a story well worth your time and she certainly does that with The Make-Believe Widow. If you read a lot (or any) romance stories you know when one character has a big secret it will eventually come out and cause friction between the couple. Of course the lie Charlotte has to tell is very different from the one Roth's first wife told him I can still see why he would feel hurt and betrayed that yet another woman he loved lied to him. I liked that Roth came to his senses so quickly, but I think it was good that there was time between him realizing he had made a huge mistake in his handling of the situation and the big reconciliation. That time apart showed them that their feelings were not just the result of a whirlwind romance started at a house party. And since they knew how terrible it was to be apart they would always remember how lucky they were to be together. The part with Charlotte and Roth helping out at the inn added an extra bit of humor and further bonded them as a couple. It was very sweet how quickly Roth's daughters took to Charlotte. She deserved to have the family she always dreamed of and I was so happy she got it in the end.

They both live with baggage from their past. His is the pain born of secrets and deceit and hers is in the form of an extortionist. Lovely story progressing from initial attraction to something deeper with their courage and love being tested when their past crash into the present.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Caught between what they want and what they need, Charlotte and James navigate secrets, misunderstandings, and their own insecurities to earn their happily-ever-after. This quick read is frothy fun with heart.

Widower James Ludlow, Earl of Rotherham attends a house party in search of a mother for his two daughters, he has no intention of falling in love. At this party, he meets Charlotte Dunthorpe (everybody seems to think that she is a widow) the only thing is she doesn't wish to "remarry" but she is willing to indulge in the passion they feel for each other if only until the party concludes.

I like this book it was short and sweet.

This is a novella full of desire and longing while a lie told ten years ago comes back to haunt the heroine.

Both James Ludlow, Earl of Rotherham, and Mrs. Charlotte Dunthrope are invited to a house party by a mutual friend. Each is looking for different things. Roth is looking for a mother for his young daughters, and Charlotte longs for a torrid affair.

Charlotte has spent the last ten years carving out a new life for herself after an unimaginable tragedy and vows never to marry. She cannot risk anyone finding out about her shocking secret, although she has never felt such desire as she does for Roth.

They let their passion rule them at the house party, and Roth doesn't want their time together to end, so he invites Charlotte to travel with him to an inn where he is to meet friends for a hunting party. Unfortunately, the one person Charlotte never wanted to see again is the first one to arrive at the inn. Lord Sleaford has never forgiven Charlotte for what she's done and reveals her secret past to Roth. Roth reacts badly to being lied to, and Charlotte runs away, heartbroken and fearing Roth would never want to see her again.

This is a quick and easy read, and Ms. Burke keeps the plot moving forward without any other outside distractions. The sizzling attraction between Roth and Charlotte is explored, and this is not a clean read for those who prefer no sex in their books. After a few more twists and turns and a lot of angst, Roth and Charlotte finally get their happy ending.

Widower James Ludlow, Earl of Rotherham, attends a house party in search of a mother for his two daughters, and his primary requirement is that he doesn’t fall in love. Charlotte Dunthorpe is pretending to be a widow, and she can’t be tempted by Rotherham because exposing her secrets will ensure the ruin of all that she holds dear.

I get such a kick out of these novellas. Maybe it’s the forced proximity or the throwing over of the idea of straitlaced Georgians. Good tension and a cute couple and low stakes.

This was a quick read for me. The main characters grew together throughout the story so well and the chemistry was THERE. Cute, fun cozy and romantic read.

This regency romance has a very simple premise. Charlotte was going to be wed, but her fiance dies days before their wedding, and his brother thinks that she should become his mistress, so she flees and assumes a new identity, as one does, with the money her fiance gave her, and pretends to be a window, because that way she can be respectable being single.

But then she meets an earl, and falls for him, and oh, dear, she can’t tell him who she really is. And besides, he is looking for a wife to take care of his kids (isn't’ that what nannies are for, but never mind.)
Well written, it is a good quick, sizzling romance, but not clean in any sense of the word. They act on their lust, very much so.

I always have a problem with regency romances because they never talk about prophylactics, which I know men had access to at least. It really does leave women open to unwanted pregnancies, but that is neither here nor there. I did enjoy the sizzle, and the solution to both their problems.
This is the fourth book in the matchmaking chronicles, but it is not necessary to have read the books that preceded it.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published July 20, 2023.

It was a good book. Writing was easy to follow. I would have loved to see more interactions between Charlotte and Roth’s daughter as that seemed to be a basis for Roth’s initial decision. I loved Cecilia and Cosford. Lovely meddling friends. Overall it was good.

This has been such a fun and sweet series, and The Make Believe Widow just complimented that further. I really enjoyed both Charlotte and Roth, they were both kind and good. Their chemistry was outstanding and I enjoyed how they could not get enough of each other, not just in a spicy way, but just being around each other. I enjoyed their camaraderie as well as their intense love for one another. It was a well-written story, with strong but likable characters. I loved Charlotte's found family and I loved hearing how strongly Roth loved his girls. All in all it was a good addition to the series and I will read it again with pleasure.

The Make-Believe Widow is a hugely enjoyable read!!! I have been looking forward to this book since the beginning of Darcy Burke's Matchmaking Chronicles series. The two main characters, Roth and Charlotte, are so nice in the other books, I was waiting and hoping for their story!
Charlotte is a single woman, posing as a widow so she was able to maintain her reputation after a tragic loss and betrayal of someone around her. She'd love to get married and have children, but thinks it is too out of her reach since she has some big secrets that she wants to keep hidden. Roth is an earl, a widower who is hoping to meet someone that is kind and will be a mother to his two young girls. He was burned by unrequited love with his late wife, and does not want to experience that a second time. Roth and Charlotte meet at a house party, and have instant sparks. Its kind of a slow burn, where the two get to know each other while careful of their hearts. They do agree to have a relationship with a time limit, but can they stick by that? Can Roth keep from falling in love and keep his heart intact after having a relationship with Charlotte? Can Charlotte keep her secrets from being found out?
I love the chemistry between these two. The writing is great. At the beginning, it is a little almost too basic, but a couple of chapters in Darcy Burke finds her groove and it is fantastic. Lots of great, highlightable pieces, and really great dialogue. I love the cameos of the Cosgroves and some other series couples!
Some of my favorite tropes are in this book, I love a house party, I love an inn. Darcy Burke always does a great job with just enough angst, this was perfect. This was a fast, entertaining read, I happily received this book this morning and read in the late morning through afternoon. I really enjoyed The Make-Believe Widow!!
I was so happy to receive this as an ARC for my honest opinion in a review. This series, and the prequel have been really fun! I highly recommend The Make-Believe Widow!!!

This was a very light and cute read. Charlotte and Roth were wonderful together, and the chemistry was great.
However, I felt extremely bored and tired when the author decided to add Sleaford. There was no need to add a character to reveal Charlotte's secret, she could've easily confessed it to Roth to come clean and start fresh, but instead, we had the usual boring and stereotypical male aggressor.
I literally rolled my eyes the entire time, and this ruined the book for me.

Without this aspect, this could've been a 4-star read, instead lost 1.25 stars.