This was so well written, clever, funny, and full of a depth that was easy to digest.

This spicy regency STEM romance follows Grace and Luke, as their forced proximity forces them to break down their walls. Think Ali Hazelwood circa 1822.

It got off to a bit of a slow start, and took a bit of time for me to adapt to the writing style - but once it took off it was phenomenal.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lark Maitland for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lark Maitland for providing me with an ARC of Ash and the Butterfly in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐ | 2 1/2 Stars

Ash and the Butterfly follows Luke, a renowned scientist in British aristocratic society, and Grace, a near-genius woman from the upper class. Tragic circumstances force them to work together despite their troubled past. As they navigate their new proximity, old misunderstandings are confronted, and their connection deepens unexpectedly.

Tropes in this book: forced proximity, unfriendly-to-lovers, strong FMC

I felt quite conflicted while reading this story. On one hand, I enjoyed the overall direction of the plot: a steamy STEM romance with mutual pining, a complicated shared past, and plenty of witty banter. These elements made for a promising and engaging premise.

However, my main issue lay in the writing itself. The book contained numerous grammatical, spelling, and word-choice errors, which detracted from the reading experience. That said, I noticed significant improvement as the story progressed, with the writing transitioning from unpolished to genuinely enjoyable. This made me feel bittersweet—by the end, the book had the potential to be a solid 3-star read if it had been better edited.

With its light historical undertones, this romance had all the makings of a perfect palette cleanser for chilly autumn nights. Unfortunately, it could have greatly benefited from more thorough editing or a skilled proofreader.

Would I read another book by this author? While I don’t think this genre—new to me—is quite my cup of tea, I believe historical romance fans will find much to enjoy in the author’s future works, provided they’re properly polished. For them, this could be a delicious treat.

I didn't quite connect with the writing here, so ended up DNFing after a few chapters. I found the writing style to have a lot of narrative distance--as if I was being told about the characters and events as opposed to experiencing the story alongside them. But I hope others will enjoy!

A scientist and a mathematician with a history of mutual animosity collaborate to decipher a coded journal.

This is a quiet book with a leisurely pace. For some reason, the author posted the prologue on her website, instead of including it in the book. So, read that first. The moments of highest drama in the story seem to occur off-page. The romance is driven by the physical relationship rather than any real character development.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was a quick and easy historical fiction set in the Regency era. I liked that this followed the types of characters that you don't see too often in books and especially in historical ones (at least, in my experience). I love seeing something a little different in a book.

This book starts off with a museum catching fire right before it was supposed to open. There is damage that needs to be fixed, things that need to be replaced, so much hard work lost. And our main character Grace has to come in to help.

The fun and drama come in with the two main characters. They have met, except that first meeting did not go too well (it ended with Grace slapping him), so you can imagine how complicated that situation's going to get.

Overall, I had a fun time reading this book. It was quite short, so you could easily read it in a day if you wanted to, you don't have to take too much time to get invested. I just wish it was a touch more exciting, but I would recommend, I had a good time.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This was my first read by this author. I love the cover so decided to give this a try.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The characters are fantastic, especially the heroine Grace. I liked that she was a brilliant mathematician and was brought into the story to solve a problem. It gave her a grander purpose and room for her character to develop. The MMC, Luke, is also refreshing. He's a nobleman's son but does not have a title since he is not heir. He doesn't let that stop him from pursuing his interest which is science, a lovely change in Regency romance. These two had great chemistry and banter. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

I thought the plot was unique for a Regency romance. It kept me engaged and wanting to pick up the book.

Would recommend!

Delicious and delightful! This is such an excellent historical romance – satisfying and authentic – with so much to savour. Author Lark has created a universe surrounding the new Bexley Museum where entomologist (and adventurer) Luke Ashburton is working. Its founder has died in a fire just three weeks before the Museum is due to open. There’s a tight group of academics, all friends and colleagues of the late Earl of Bexley who are working together to make the opening go ahead. Enter our Butterfly, gifted mathematician Grace Chetwood, who is not just misjudged because she is a woman, but because she’s also curious, enthusiastic, and in her own words ‘A little too. Too voluptuous, too giggly, too spotted, too quick to speak, to cry, to gasp’. The late and lamented Earl wrote his field notes in code, and it's Grace who is invited to assist with deciphering the notes. This puts her firmly in the sights of the very judgy Luke, who (of course) fatally underestimates her, even as he fights his attraction.

Their interactions are delicious, they squabble and bicker, spar, and needle until they are both so turned on it’s combustible 🌶🌶 There’s misunderstanding on both sides. As if this isn’t enough, they are racing to solve the puzzles and make the Museum opening a success.

I love the freshness of it all - Ash is a third son, so he’s not wealthily or titled, just clever and resourceful. Grace has been compromised, but not by Ash, so she’s accepted a lackwit's marriage proposal and is anxious to know if she’s with child. Ash also has a proposal in the planning (not to Grace). There’s a 'love is love' subplot that broke my heart, matchmaking, Grace’s complicated but ultimately empathetic family (we met them in The Duke’s Bride Vanishes, Lark’s first histrom), the museum itself, and enough romance-science to give it all substance. Grace is so gorgeous and vivacious and such a foil for the more reserved Luke. It's a slow burn (sort of), complicated and delightfully steamy when they finally get there. So much tension to relieve 🤭

Reminds me of Courtney Milan’s amazing The Heiress Effect.

Thank you Lark Maitland for the ARC and congratulations on writing a banger of a book! Opinions are my own.

This was a really interesting take on regency romances - as told through characters that are scientists and mathematicians.

The Earl of Bexley's friends are determined to open his new museum, after his passing. However there is a fire before the opening date and his field journals need saving and decoded. They bring in Grace, a mathematician to help. She has a past with scientist Luke Ashburton - a chance meeting at a ball that ended with her slapping him. They work together and their dislike grows, or is it something more. A spicy romance blooms as they continue their work.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

I enjoyed the museum backdrop of the story. It was a unique take on the regency romance and a relief from the repeated stories that take place in the ballroom. I did have difficulty following the authors narration at times as it seemed a little choppy but I think that was her style of writing. I also felt like the story of the two main characters history would have been better as a prologue vs slowly introduced throughout the story, at times it left me confused about how the characters felt until the history was revealed.

EXCEPTIONAL. I absolutely adored Lark Maitland's book, and Ash and the Butterfly was phenomenal. A breath of fresh air in the historical romance cannon.

This sexy, gripping and clever tale was a delight to read.

I have not yet read the first book and feel I need to in order to get the back story of the characters but that said it does mean I can re read this after which will be fabulous for me as a reader.

This is a good read and for a while I was transported to another world which was intense and amazing..

This was a strong sequel in the Secret Lives of Regency Ladies series, i really enjoyed the overall story going on and how the characters worked in this universe. It had that Regency-era romance that I really enjoyed and was invested in what was happening to the characters. Lark Maitland has a strong style for this type of book and can't wait for more.

The book begins with Luke and Grace as enemies. I really appreciated the background info being given in small bits regularly, so not to leave the reader hanging and hanging wondering exactly what happened in the past between them.
All the chapters are titled "In Which .....", which is very clever. The one entitled "In While Luke Suggests a Therapeutic Exercise" was so titillating! In fact all the sexy scenes were absolutely marvelously done. I absolutely felt like I was right there in the room, and my "breath hitched" numerous times! For how well the spice was done, even though it was fairly basic I'd give it a 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
The verbal sparring between Luke and Grace was so, so good. *Chef's kiss* Lots of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth vibes!
Nothing to criticize, absolutely loved this book! The plot had me hanging on till the last few pages wondering if it was really possible to get a HEA! I don't often feel like rereading romance novels but this one I definitely will!

"Ash and the Butterfly" by Lark Maitland is a delightful romance that strikes a perfect balance between heartwarming moments and tantalizing spice. The story centers around Grace, a compelling and relatable protagonist who embarks on a journey of love and self-discovery.

Grace's character is beautifully crafted; she is strong yet vulnerable, navigating the ups and downs of her romantic life with a refreshing authenticity. Maitland skillfully explores her emotional landscape, making it easy for readers to empathize with her struggles and triumphs. The chemistry between Grace and her love interest is electric, filled with moments that are both steamy and heartfelt.

The plot unfolds with a blend of typical romance tropes, but Maitland infuses the story with enough originality to keep it engaging. The interactions between Grace and the supporting characters add depth and humor, enhancing the overall narrative. Their friendships and challenges serve as a backdrop to Grace’s personal growth, making her journey even more relatable.

Overall, "Ash and the Butterfly" is a captivating read for anyone who enjoys a classic romance with a touch of spice. Lark Maitland has crafted a charming story that combines emotional depth with engaging romance, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. If you're looking for a book that will leave you both satisfied and yearning for more, this is it!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this ARC on a whim, having just read the author’s novella which a loosely-connected prequel to this, and I’m so glad I did because it’s the most refreshing historical romance I’ve read in ages. The central premise, of mathematician Grace attempting to decode the information hidden in her deceased friend’s journals, has parallels in several of the characters who are hiding facets of their true selves because of society’s expectations or just through fear of being vulnerable. I liked how Grace is depicted as multi-dimensional: highly intelligent and openly emotional and understanding the practicalities of fitting into the world she’s been born into. Her relationship with Luke has sparks from the outset and develops with wit and spice and then emotion that’s downright heart-wrenching. The writing manages to evoke all the feelings throughout: there’s a scene near the end which made me snort-laugh and then almost tear up within a page, and by that time I was fully at the ‘unable to put this down’ stage. My only disappointment is that the author doesn’t (yet) have anything else for me to devour - but I will definitely be looking out for the next one.