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A Season for Love: A laugh-out-loud, heart warming and completely uplifting romcom
Can old-fashioned courtship survive in today's dating world?
When Emma Love’s mother retires, it is time for her to take the reins of the family dating agency and build on its success. And she has a fresh new idea: to host a Jane Austen-style Regency Season of glamourous events where potential lovers can actually take the time to get to know each other in person, with no apps in between.
Emma has no intention of becoming romantically involved herself, of course; she is a matchmaker on the hunt for the perfect partner for ladies like Annie (who thought she had missed her chance at love a long time ago), Jane (recently divorced and nervously stepping into her new life) and wild child Lydia (more interested in hooking up than finding Mr Darcy).
As the Season unfolds, there is only one fly in Emma’s ointment – the irritating Mr Knight, with his casual attitude and gentle cynicism. Why is she allowing him to ruffle her calm, ordered life and why can’t she stop thinking about him? She is far too sensible to take a chance on love – isn’t she?
Jane Austen meets Sophie Kinsella in this laugh-out-loud, captivating romantic comedy.
When Emma Love’s mother retires, it is time for her to take the reins of the family dating agency and build on its success. And she has a fresh new idea: to host a Jane Austen-style Regency Season of glamourous events where potential lovers can actually take the time to get to know each other in person, with no apps in between.
Emma has no intention of becoming romantically involved herself, of course; she is a matchmaker on the hunt for the perfect partner for ladies like Annie (who thought she had missed her chance at love a long time ago), Jane (recently divorced and nervously stepping into her new life) and wild child Lydia (more interested in hooking up than finding Mr Darcy).
As the Season unfolds, there is only one fly in Emma’s ointment – the irritating Mr Knight, with his casual attitude and gentle cynicism. Why is she allowing him to ruffle her calm, ordered life and why can’t she stop thinking about him? She is far too sensible to take a chance on love – isn’t she?
Jane Austen meets Sophie Kinsella in this laugh-out-loud, captivating romantic comedy.
368 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2023
8 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
December 5, 2022
This was an enjoyable read but I wasn't into it until the first 20% tbh. The characters were pretty well described and had a strong personality. The matchmaking setting was brilliantly portrayed but since I picked this book up expecting more romance between the main character, I found it quite off putting when some new characters' povs were introduced. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing because there's so much going on in each of Emma, Jane, Lydia and Annie's life that it was hard to keep track of. I went in expecting to get only Emma & Mr. Knight's story but the mix up made me lose some interest tbh. Also I didn't see the funny parts anywhere considering it is a romantic comedy but the only two things I liked about the book are Emma and the slow burn relationships. Emma was an awesome woman, a good friend and someone whom I could relate with. But I'm not gonna lie, the multiple storylines slowed down the plot a lot and made me feel disconnected with the other characters.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
December 8, 2022
Thank you, Hera Books, for the advance reading copy.
This is a fun read! I love Jane Austen and this reflects so much in this romcom!
The writing is good, fun to read. The characters are lively and interesting. The chemistry is there and it sparks.
I would say the book lives up to the blurb.
The plot works well with how the story progresses and how the characters turned out to be. Emma be okay I say!
Needed some crazy laughs. Needed a feel good romcom. I got it all from this book.
This is a fun read! I love Jane Austen and this reflects so much in this romcom!
The writing is good, fun to read. The characters are lively and interesting. The chemistry is there and it sparks.
I would say the book lives up to the blurb.
The plot works well with how the story progresses and how the characters turned out to be. Emma be okay I say!
Needed some crazy laughs. Needed a feel good romcom. I got it all from this book.
January 16, 2023
This phrase is definitely apt for this book, but be still my heart- what a beauty of a book.
Ok not going to lie, straight off the bat I guessed the secrets of a couple of characters but I didn’t care. I loved everyone’s stories and their personal growth. I don’t think I can choose my favourite character. Although I think Tom stuck with me a lot throughout the book.
I LOVE the idea of a Regency dating season, and it would be something I would have loved to have done. Dress up and have so much fun.
This book was just a little bit of magic for me. I devoured it in one sitting. I was up until silly o clock reading (tired now!) As I just didn’t want to let anyone go. We see them grow as people and watch friends and relationships blossom. The best thing, well there will be another book. Thank god for that!! I need more of Emma and the gang in my life. I am nowhere near ready to let them all go.
I just loved it all. It stole my heart from the beginning and my sleep! It was just a gorgeous book and definitely the tonic I needed. I just want more….and now 🤭🤭 .
The writing just flows as it sucks you in as we go back into the time of chaperones and dances despite being in the 21st century. This most definitely has Hollywood film written all over it. It is romantic, and tear-inducing and tackles so many sensitive subjects. All without taboo and it is dealt with delicately and respectfully.
Just perfect.
Ok not going to lie, straight off the bat I guessed the secrets of a couple of characters but I didn’t care. I loved everyone’s stories and their personal growth. I don’t think I can choose my favourite character. Although I think Tom stuck with me a lot throughout the book.
I LOVE the idea of a Regency dating season, and it would be something I would have loved to have done. Dress up and have so much fun.
This book was just a little bit of magic for me. I devoured it in one sitting. I was up until silly o clock reading (tired now!) As I just didn’t want to let anyone go. We see them grow as people and watch friends and relationships blossom. The best thing, well there will be another book. Thank god for that!! I need more of Emma and the gang in my life. I am nowhere near ready to let them all go.
I just loved it all. It stole my heart from the beginning and my sleep! It was just a gorgeous book and definitely the tonic I needed. I just want more….and now 🤭🤭 .
The writing just flows as it sucks you in as we go back into the time of chaperones and dances despite being in the 21st century. This most definitely has Hollywood film written all over it. It is romantic, and tear-inducing and tackles so many sensitive subjects. All without taboo and it is dealt with delicately and respectfully.
Just perfect.
March 7, 2023
I thought this book was so cute. It was really enjoyable. There was times where I thought it was funny but otherwise it was a good read. I will definitely recommend this one
May 18, 2023
**I recieved this book as an ARC from netgalley!**
This book was an absolute joy to read! I loved the modern bridgerton vibes. It was a great rom com with a happy ending for all of the couples.
Each couple was very unique with deep and thought out back stories. I would have to say that Annie and Josh were my favourite.
Such a feel good read that I would highly recommend!
This book was an absolute joy to read! I loved the modern bridgerton vibes. It was a great rom com with a happy ending for all of the couples.
Each couple was very unique with deep and thought out back stories. I would have to say that Annie and Josh were my favourite.
Such a feel good read that I would highly recommend!
December 9, 2022
A fun take on Jane Austen's Emma, A Season for Love brings the season of Regency England into the modern era.
Emma Love is a matchmaker, taking over the business from her mother. She comes up with an idea to have an 8 week event over the course of the Summer in which singles can meet and court like they might have in the early 1800s. Aided by her stepbrother Josh, she gets her idea off the ground, inviting many vetted prospects.
Among these are 3 friends, school teachers off for the Summer break, Annie, Jane, and Lydia. The story follows them and their search for love. Will they find it? Or will they come up empty while wearing period costumes?
I was drawn into this story, and had to know if all the ends were nicely tied up. I wished for a little more passion, but it was a sweet, enjoyable read, nonetheless.
*I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review
Emma Love is a matchmaker, taking over the business from her mother. She comes up with an idea to have an 8 week event over the course of the Summer in which singles can meet and court like they might have in the early 1800s. Aided by her stepbrother Josh, she gets her idea off the ground, inviting many vetted prospects.
Among these are 3 friends, school teachers off for the Summer break, Annie, Jane, and Lydia. The story follows them and their search for love. Will they find it? Or will they come up empty while wearing period costumes?
I was drawn into this story, and had to know if all the ends were nicely tied up. I wished for a little more passion, but it was a sweet, enjoyable read, nonetheless.
*I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review
December 14, 2022
This was a cute romcom based on a modern matchmaking agency. When her mother retires from the family business, Emma Love strives to find a way to revitalize their business in the world of modern dating. Thus begins the “season for love.” Emma decides to host a regency-style season of glam events and balls to encourage people to take the time to get to know each other and find love by the end of the Season.
The writing was enjoyable and it was an easy read. I found the multiple character timelines took me out of the moment and I would have rather spent more time with Emma Love’s character, but overall a good read.
Thank you to #netgalley and Hera Books for the digital ARC of this book.
The writing was enjoyable and it was an easy read. I found the multiple character timelines took me out of the moment and I would have rather spent more time with Emma Love’s character, but overall a good read.
Thank you to #netgalley and Hera Books for the digital ARC of this book.
February 8, 2023
This was just the RomCom I needed. Full of laughs and moments of whimsy - thanks to the setting and fun of dress ups, it was just the light hearted break my brain needed from all the usual angst and emotions I read.
Emma and her band of characters were a delight! Searching for love, falling in love and making me smile the whole story.
I received an arc of this book
Emma and her band of characters were a delight! Searching for love, falling in love and making me smile the whole story.
I received an arc of this book
December 10, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Hera Books in exchange for my honest review.
If you haven't read my reviews before, I share my thoughts a I read with my overall thoughts at the bottom. So if you're just interested in what my final thoughts are feel free to scroll down 👇🏻
⚠️ trigger warning: domestic abuse mentioned⚠️
"My little girl won't let me down" - wow, no pressure or anything..
The stepbrother being named Josh reminds me of Clueless.. anyone else?? 🤷🏼♀️
Ohh!! I love books with multiple perspectives!!
I never understood why some places use different abbreviations for the word advertisement, some places use ad and others use advert.. just pick one abbreviation..
Did Annie have a crush on Josh?
Wait. So Jane was married to Emma's stepbrother Josh? Wouldn't they know that Emma was in the matchmaking business and that they might possibly see Josh at an event?
Hmm. So Jane has a secret she's keeping from her friends..
Emma is godmother to 2 of her exes kids? That's a little awkward..
Whatever happened to Emma's dad for her to have taken her stepdads last name when her mom married him?
I'm very curious how her playing poker online is going to be important to the plot... Maybe Tom Knight plays poker too??
I'm bored reading the poker talk.. but I'm afraid if I skip it I'm going to miss something important..
The only news I can think that Jane has that would ruin a marriage but not friendships is that she's lesbian?
I'm only currently on chapter 7 and haven't had any real laughs. For a book that claims to be "a laugh-out-loud, uplifting rom-com" so far it feels lacking in the "laugh-out-loud" department..
My advice for Lydia.. don't invite men over if you don't want to risk them falling asleep and staying the night 🤷🏼♀️
Hmm.. something is off with Lydia's mom...
Normally I enjoy multiple perspectives in my books, but this book jumps around too much I feel like. And I'm trying to decide if some of the information will be vital to the overall story.
Annie is the school teacher who has a second chance at love.. a second chance to get with Josh.
I'm very uncomfortable for this Colin guy because Annie is very quite obviously not interested in him..
Full disclosure - I'm really struggling to read this book. I'm not finding it as charming as I hoped based on the description and the cover art. I won't give up on it, but I am very much having a hard time.
Why do they keep saying Col, Colin, Colin Williams? Just call him Col or Colin...
I too am never sure if the dice game is called craps or crabs 😂😂😂
Lydia is a lonely woman who needs something more than a relationship, she needs therapy I feel like... She's desperate for the physical relationships, but it's because she's missing something in her life.
Josh is interested in Annie and feels upset she's formed what seems to be an attachment to Colin..
Does Emma end up playing poker for real to try to win money for the Season?
Okay.. so, we have POV Emma, POV Jane, POV Annie, POV Lydia, POV Tom and POV Josh.... I think that's all?
So I'm thinking SirWalt is Tom...
I feel like Lydia is depressed..
My favorite meal would also include a can of Dr Pepper, but that's as much as I have in common with Lydia I think.
Will (Hot Barman) is a nice guy. Is Lydia set on not being with someone because the guy her mom is with? I'm making an assumption that it isn't her dad..
Is Will a viscount? Or his dad?
His dad's an earl?? I figured he was from a rich family and worked because he wanted to prove himself independent.
My assumption was wrong, it is get dad who is the abusive prick.
"Then think of me as a weird stubbly girl you've had sex with" -- that actually made me laugh. Not belly laugh, but a good chuckle.
The part about Josh's dead dad's birthday hit home for me on this particular day of reading, because it is my dead mom's birthday.. I didn't do anything special to mark the day.
I honestly find Will's story the most interesting of the bunch and he's not even one of the main characters..
Wait, do Annie's family and Tom's family have the same carer? They both mentioned Hilly...
Emma just let slip get poker name in front of Mr Knight.. he recognized it..
Tom's story of his late-husband is sad.
Of course Tom is in love with Emma. Even if he doesn't know it yet..
They keep cutting Tom off before he can finish "and I play-" and he plays what??
I bet he was going to say "and I play poker", and if Emma let him say it, she would know he was SirWalt!
I'm annoyed Jane is trying to end things with Charlotte because she's pregnant instead of letting Charlotte make the choice for herself if she wants to stay with her.
The ending seemed a little rushed.
-Cover: 5/5 cute and simple with 2 people on the front, title font in a cute print
-Blurb "a laugh-out-loud, completely uplifting rom-com": 2/5 and that's being generous.. when I hear laugh-out-loud I think of laughing every other page or every few pages, I've laughed a small handful of times during this book.. when I hear uplifting I think positive happy things, not stories of people growing up hating their childhood, being raised in an abusive household and deceased significant others..
-Overall rating and thoughts, *fair warning, some of my overall thoughts might have been mentioned in my thoughts while reading 👆🏻 so I apologize if it seems redundant, but some people skip the during thoughts* 3/5
With this being Ally Sinclair's debut novel, this book was decently written. I typically love multiple POV stories, I like jumping into the minds of the characters the story is about, however, I feel like this book has to many points of view per chapter, I think it kind of messed with the overall "matchmaking" plot of the story. I feel like the story was rushed. Ally wrote a note saying there will be a 2nd book, about the Christmas season.. in my opinion she could have used this book to introduce characters and she could have written multiple books using each couple as a main focus of each book and center it around the couple and they're background and then falling in love during the season. That might have made it more enjoyable for me, less people to focus on in one book.
Honestly, I wouldn't read it again, and I'm not sure I'd recommend it to a friend either.
If you haven't read my reviews before, I share my thoughts a I read with my overall thoughts at the bottom. So if you're just interested in what my final thoughts are feel free to scroll down 👇🏻
⚠️ trigger warning: domestic abuse mentioned⚠️
"My little girl won't let me down" - wow, no pressure or anything..
The stepbrother being named Josh reminds me of Clueless.. anyone else?? 🤷🏼♀️
Ohh!! I love books with multiple perspectives!!
I never understood why some places use different abbreviations for the word advertisement, some places use ad and others use advert.. just pick one abbreviation..
Did Annie have a crush on Josh?
Wait. So Jane was married to Emma's stepbrother Josh? Wouldn't they know that Emma was in the matchmaking business and that they might possibly see Josh at an event?
Hmm. So Jane has a secret she's keeping from her friends..
Emma is godmother to 2 of her exes kids? That's a little awkward..
Whatever happened to Emma's dad for her to have taken her stepdads last name when her mom married him?
I'm very curious how her playing poker online is going to be important to the plot... Maybe Tom Knight plays poker too??
I'm bored reading the poker talk.. but I'm afraid if I skip it I'm going to miss something important..
The only news I can think that Jane has that would ruin a marriage but not friendships is that she's lesbian?
I'm only currently on chapter 7 and haven't had any real laughs. For a book that claims to be "a laugh-out-loud, uplifting rom-com" so far it feels lacking in the "laugh-out-loud" department..
My advice for Lydia.. don't invite men over if you don't want to risk them falling asleep and staying the night 🤷🏼♀️
Hmm.. something is off with Lydia's mom...
Normally I enjoy multiple perspectives in my books, but this book jumps around too much I feel like. And I'm trying to decide if some of the information will be vital to the overall story.
Annie is the school teacher who has a second chance at love.. a second chance to get with Josh.
I'm very uncomfortable for this Colin guy because Annie is very quite obviously not interested in him..
Full disclosure - I'm really struggling to read this book. I'm not finding it as charming as I hoped based on the description and the cover art. I won't give up on it, but I am very much having a hard time.
Why do they keep saying Col, Colin, Colin Williams? Just call him Col or Colin...
I too am never sure if the dice game is called craps or crabs 😂😂😂
Lydia is a lonely woman who needs something more than a relationship, she needs therapy I feel like... She's desperate for the physical relationships, but it's because she's missing something in her life.
Josh is interested in Annie and feels upset she's formed what seems to be an attachment to Colin..
Does Emma end up playing poker for real to try to win money for the Season?
Okay.. so, we have POV Emma, POV Jane, POV Annie, POV Lydia, POV Tom and POV Josh.... I think that's all?
So I'm thinking SirWalt is Tom...
I feel like Lydia is depressed..
My favorite meal would also include a can of Dr Pepper, but that's as much as I have in common with Lydia I think.
Will (Hot Barman) is a nice guy. Is Lydia set on not being with someone because the guy her mom is with? I'm making an assumption that it isn't her dad..
Is Will a viscount? Or his dad?
His dad's an earl?? I figured he was from a rich family and worked because he wanted to prove himself independent.
My assumption was wrong, it is get dad who is the abusive prick.
"Then think of me as a weird stubbly girl you've had sex with" -- that actually made me laugh. Not belly laugh, but a good chuckle.
The part about Josh's dead dad's birthday hit home for me on this particular day of reading, because it is my dead mom's birthday.. I didn't do anything special to mark the day.
I honestly find Will's story the most interesting of the bunch and he's not even one of the main characters..
Wait, do Annie's family and Tom's family have the same carer? They both mentioned Hilly...
Emma just let slip get poker name in front of Mr Knight.. he recognized it..
Tom's story of his late-husband is sad.
Of course Tom is in love with Emma. Even if he doesn't know it yet..
They keep cutting Tom off before he can finish "and I play-" and he plays what??
I bet he was going to say "and I play poker", and if Emma let him say it, she would know he was SirWalt!
I'm annoyed Jane is trying to end things with Charlotte because she's pregnant instead of letting Charlotte make the choice for herself if she wants to stay with her.
The ending seemed a little rushed.
-Cover: 5/5 cute and simple with 2 people on the front, title font in a cute print
-Blurb "a laugh-out-loud, completely uplifting rom-com": 2/5 and that's being generous.. when I hear laugh-out-loud I think of laughing every other page or every few pages, I've laughed a small handful of times during this book.. when I hear uplifting I think positive happy things, not stories of people growing up hating their childhood, being raised in an abusive household and deceased significant others..
-Overall rating and thoughts, *fair warning, some of my overall thoughts might have been mentioned in my thoughts while reading 👆🏻 so I apologize if it seems redundant, but some people skip the during thoughts* 3/5
With this being Ally Sinclair's debut novel, this book was decently written. I typically love multiple POV stories, I like jumping into the minds of the characters the story is about, however, I feel like this book has to many points of view per chapter, I think it kind of messed with the overall "matchmaking" plot of the story. I feel like the story was rushed. Ally wrote a note saying there will be a 2nd book, about the Christmas season.. in my opinion she could have used this book to introduce characters and she could have written multiple books using each couple as a main focus of each book and center it around the couple and they're background and then falling in love during the season. That might have made it more enjoyable for me, less people to focus on in one book.
Honestly, I wouldn't read it again, and I'm not sure I'd recommend it to a friend either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera books for the eARC of this delightful, fresh book.
A Season for Love gives similar vibes to the “Valentines Day” and “New Years Eve” movies from the early 2000s. We’re introduced to a full cast of unique, interesting characters as they set out to find true, lasting love at Emma Love’s Season. The Season a contemporary take on the Jane Austen marriage season that reads quite like the Netflix show Bridgerton.
Emma Love, who from the blurb I had originally assumed was the FMC, is the daughter of renowned matchmaker Emma Love - yes, they share the same name - creator of the matchmaking service Love’s Love. (It’s a bit corny, I’ll give you that). She attempts to step out of her mothers shadow with the matchmaking Season to end all doubts - although it might not be the easiest decision financially.
We’re introduced to her older step brother Josh, recently divorced and yet still full of good humor. We meet three schoolmistress best friends: Lydia, Annie and Jane. Jane is Josh’s ex - but it was amicable. Annie may or may not have been in love with someone since she was in grade school. Lydia isn’t sure she believes in all this grand love hubbabaloo. We also meet Tom, a widower who is still trying to figure out which is up and which is down.
Overall, I’d give this story 3.5 stars. The first half was very hard to follow. Storylines were constantly changing and there was genuine character depth and growth throughout. For me, the last 50% really hit it out of the park. Everything was tied in a sweet, heartfelt bow and the world was righted, if just for the night.
If your a fan of the Jane Austen era, the Netflix show Bridgerton, or getting 4 HEA for the price of 1, this may just be for you.
A Season for Love gives similar vibes to the “Valentines Day” and “New Years Eve” movies from the early 2000s. We’re introduced to a full cast of unique, interesting characters as they set out to find true, lasting love at Emma Love’s Season. The Season a contemporary take on the Jane Austen marriage season that reads quite like the Netflix show Bridgerton.
Emma Love, who from the blurb I had originally assumed was the FMC, is the daughter of renowned matchmaker Emma Love - yes, they share the same name - creator of the matchmaking service Love’s Love. (It’s a bit corny, I’ll give you that). She attempts to step out of her mothers shadow with the matchmaking Season to end all doubts - although it might not be the easiest decision financially.
We’re introduced to her older step brother Josh, recently divorced and yet still full of good humor. We meet three schoolmistress best friends: Lydia, Annie and Jane. Jane is Josh’s ex - but it was amicable. Annie may or may not have been in love with someone since she was in grade school. Lydia isn’t sure she believes in all this grand love hubbabaloo. We also meet Tom, a widower who is still trying to figure out which is up and which is down.
Overall, I’d give this story 3.5 stars. The first half was very hard to follow. Storylines were constantly changing and there was genuine character depth and growth throughout. For me, the last 50% really hit it out of the park. Everything was tied in a sweet, heartfelt bow and the world was righted, if just for the night.
If your a fan of the Jane Austen era, the Netflix show Bridgerton, or getting 4 HEA for the price of 1, this may just be for you.
May 12, 2023
This was a fun read. The premise is great, Emma Love and her family own a matchmaking agency. Emma’s mother is the queen of the perfect match, and after she retires Emma isn’t sure she can replicate that success in the age of dating apps.
She decides to a Regency style Season where the participants are all single and they meet through a series of parties, including a formal ball at the end. Of course, Emma herself is not involved, of course, until she meets the mysterious Mr. Knight.
The characters are are well done and it’s fun to watch as they try to find the right match. I really enjoyed it, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
She decides to a Regency style Season where the participants are all single and they meet through a series of parties, including a formal ball at the end. Of course, Emma herself is not involved, of course, until she meets the mysterious Mr. Knight.
The characters are are well done and it’s fun to watch as they try to find the right match. I really enjoyed it, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
December 16, 2022
Emma has recently taken over her mother’s matchmaking service and is launching a modern day regency style dating “season” with elaborate events and chances for participants to get to know each other. With all of this on her plate, finding a match for herself is not on the radar. However, as all the participants begin to pair up, Emma finds herself thrown together with one person over and over again.
I thought this was a cute idea and I enjoyed the concept of the modern day season. The events sounded amazing! I really struggled with the multiple POV and how little time we got with each character- it felt abrupt and honestly confusing at times. I think this would have been a really enjoyable read if the book had focused on fewer characters.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for the advanced reading copy!
I thought this was a cute idea and I enjoyed the concept of the modern day season. The events sounded amazing! I really struggled with the multiple POV and how little time we got with each character- it felt abrupt and honestly confusing at times. I think this would have been a really enjoyable read if the book had focused on fewer characters.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for the advanced reading copy!
January 8, 2023
This is a brilliant chick-lit, romance story. I devoured 60% if this in one go. It's a lovely easy read which follows three single friends Lydia, Annie and Jane who decide to take part in an old fashioned season for love together, run by siblings Emma and Josh. Will the ladies fall in love the old fashioned way? Maybe the organiser will fall in love too? Anything can happen at these events. I loved all the characters and their crazy back stories and families all different in their own way. A happy ending for every character is a bonus. Really enjoyed reading this one. A well deserved four out of five stars.
November 23, 2022
This was a cute read!! I was pleasantly surprised when the perspectives shifted and changed to accommodate new character POVS in the book. Though I enjoyed learning about the different characters, I feel like it took away from the full development of all the characters as a whole. I would have loved further development from ALL the characters, because I feel like I only got small glimpses into each of their lives, making it a little harder to root for them fully.
The matchmaking social season aspect of the whole story was a great backdrop for a plot! A regency vibe in a modern day dating scene is a great concept and I loved meeting everyone in the story and enjoyed all the character pairings.
The matchmaking social season aspect of the whole story was a great backdrop for a plot! A regency vibe in a modern day dating scene is a great concept and I loved meeting everyone in the story and enjoyed all the character pairings.
March 14, 2023
What a cute read. Definitely had me in my feels. Full review to come soon!
April 12, 2023
Cute little read! Gave all the feels!
October 13, 2024
Small 3 stars. Couldn't really get in to the story for the first 40 to 50%. After the halfway mark it picked up for me.
December 1, 2022
I liked this book, but didn't love it.
It was cute but not overly funny. I just wasn't a huge fan of how it was written.
3 stars.
It was cute but not overly funny. I just wasn't a huge fan of how it was written.
3 stars.
December 10, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Hera Books in exchange for my honest review.
If you haven't read my reviews before, I share my thoughts a I read with my overall thoughts at the bottom. So if you're just interested in what my final thoughts are feel free to scroll down 👇🏻
⚠️ trigger warning: domestic abuse mentioned⚠️
"My little girl won't let me down" - wow, no pressure or anything..
The stepbrother being named Josh reminds me of Clueless.. anyone else?? 🤷🏼♀️
Ohh!! I love books with multiple perspectives!!
I never understood why some places use different abbreviations for the word advertisement, some places use ad and others use advert.. just pick one abbreviation..
Did Annie have a crush on Josh?
Wait. So Jane was married to Emma's stepbrother Josh? Wouldn't they know that Emma was in the matchmaking business and that they might possibly see Josh at an event?
Hmm. So Jane has a secret she's keeping from her friends..
Emma is godmother to 2 of her exes kids? That's a little awkward..
Whatever happened to Emma's dad for her to have taken her stepdads last name when her mom married him?
I'm very curious how her playing poker online is going to be important to the plot... Maybe Tom Knight plays poker too??
I'm bored reading the poker talk.. but I'm afraid if I skip it I'm going to miss something important..
The only news I can think that Jane has that would ruin a marriage but not friendships is that she's lesbian?
I'm only currently on chapter 7 and haven't had any real laughs. For a book that claims to be "a laugh-out-loud, uplifting rom-com" so far it feels lacking in the "laugh-out-loud" department..
My advice for Lydia.. don't invite men over if you don't want to risk them falling asleep and staying the night 🤷🏼♀️
Hmm.. something is off with Lydia's mom...
Normally I enjoy multiple perspectives in my books, but this book jumps around too much I feel like. And I'm trying to decide if some of the information will be vital to the overall story.
Annie is the school teacher who has a second chance at love.. a second chance to get with Josh.
I'm very uncomfortable for this Colin guy because Annie is very quite obviously not interested in him..
Full disclosure - I'm really struggling to read this book. I'm not finding it as charming as I hoped based on the description and the cover art. I won't give up on it, but I am very much having a hard time.
Why do they keep saying Col, Colin, Colin Williams? Just call him Col or Colin...
I too am never sure if the dice game is called craps or crabs 😂😂😂
Lydia is a lonely woman who needs something more than a relationship, she needs therapy I feel like... She's desperate for the physical relationships, but it's because she's missing something in her life.
Josh is interested in Annie and feels upset she's formed what seems to be an attachment to Colin..
Does Emma end up playing poker for real to try to win money for the Season?
Okay.. so, we have POV Emma, POV Jane, POV Annie, POV Lydia, POV Tom and POV Josh.... I think that's all?
So I'm thinking SirWalt is Tom...
I feel like Lydia is depressed..
My favorite meal would also include a can of Dr Pepper, but that's as much as I have in common with Lydia I think.
Will (Hot Barman) is a nice guy. Is Lydia set on not being with someone because the guy her mom is with? I'm making an assumption that it isn't her dad..
Is Will a viscount? Or his dad?
His dad's an earl?? I figured he was from a rich family and worked because he wanted to prove himself independent.
My assumption was wrong, it is get dad who is the abusive prick.
"Then think of me as a weird stubbly girl you've had sex with" -- that actually made me laugh. Not belly laugh, but a good chuckle.
The part about Josh's dead dad's birthday hit home for me on this particular day of reading, because it is my dead mom's birthday.. I didn't do anything special to mark the day.
I honestly find Will's story the most interesting of the bunch and he's not even one of the main characters..
Wait, do Annie's family and Tom's family have the same carer? They both mentioned Hilly...
Emma just let slip get poker name in front of Mr Knight.. he recognized it..
Tom's story of his late-husband is sad.
Of course Tom is in love with Emma. Even if he doesn't know it yet..
They keep cutting Tom off before he can finish "and I play-" and he plays what??
I bet he was going to say "and I play poker", and if Emma let him say it, she would know he was SirWalt!
I'm annoyed Jane is trying to end things with Charlotte because she's pregnant instead of letting Charlotte make the choice for herself if she wants to stay with her.
The ending seemed a little rushed.
-Cover: 5/5 cute and simple with 2 people on the front, title font in a cute print
-Blurb "a laugh-out-loud, completely uplifting rom-com": 2/5 and that's being generous.. when I hear laugh-out-loud I think of laughing every other page or every few pages, I've laughed a small handful of times during this book.. when I hear uplifting I think positive happy things, not stories of people growing up hating their childhood, being raised in an abusive household and deceased significant others..
-Overall rating and thoughts, *fair warning, some of my overall thoughts might have been mentioned in my thoughts while reading 👆🏻 so I apologize if it seems redundant, but some people skip the during thoughts* 3/5
With this being Ally Sinclair's debut novel, this book was decently written. I typically love multiple POV stories, I like jumping into the minds of the characters the story is about, however, I feel like this book has to many points of view per chapter, I think it kind of messed with the overall "matchmaking" plot of the story. I feel like the story was rushed. Ally wrote a note saying there will be a 2nd book, about the Christmas season.. in my opinion she could have used this book to introduce characters and she could have written multiple books using each couple as a main focus of each book and center it around the couple and they're background and then falling in love during the season. That might have made it more enjoyable for me, less people to focus on in one book.
Honestly, I wouldn't read it again, and I'm not sure I'd recommend it to a friend either.
If you haven't read my reviews before, I share my thoughts a I read with my overall thoughts at the bottom. So if you're just interested in what my final thoughts are feel free to scroll down 👇🏻
⚠️ trigger warning: domestic abuse mentioned⚠️
"My little girl won't let me down" - wow, no pressure or anything..
The stepbrother being named Josh reminds me of Clueless.. anyone else?? 🤷🏼♀️
Ohh!! I love books with multiple perspectives!!
I never understood why some places use different abbreviations for the word advertisement, some places use ad and others use advert.. just pick one abbreviation..
Did Annie have a crush on Josh?
Wait. So Jane was married to Emma's stepbrother Josh? Wouldn't they know that Emma was in the matchmaking business and that they might possibly see Josh at an event?
Hmm. So Jane has a secret she's keeping from her friends..
Emma is godmother to 2 of her exes kids? That's a little awkward..
Whatever happened to Emma's dad for her to have taken her stepdads last name when her mom married him?
I'm very curious how her playing poker online is going to be important to the plot... Maybe Tom Knight plays poker too??
I'm bored reading the poker talk.. but I'm afraid if I skip it I'm going to miss something important..
The only news I can think that Jane has that would ruin a marriage but not friendships is that she's lesbian?
I'm only currently on chapter 7 and haven't had any real laughs. For a book that claims to be "a laugh-out-loud, uplifting rom-com" so far it feels lacking in the "laugh-out-loud" department..
My advice for Lydia.. don't invite men over if you don't want to risk them falling asleep and staying the night 🤷🏼♀️
Hmm.. something is off with Lydia's mom...
Normally I enjoy multiple perspectives in my books, but this book jumps around too much I feel like. And I'm trying to decide if some of the information will be vital to the overall story.
Annie is the school teacher who has a second chance at love.. a second chance to get with Josh.
I'm very uncomfortable for this Colin guy because Annie is very quite obviously not interested in him..
Full disclosure - I'm really struggling to read this book. I'm not finding it as charming as I hoped based on the description and the cover art. I won't give up on it, but I am very much having a hard time.
Why do they keep saying Col, Colin, Colin Williams? Just call him Col or Colin...
I too am never sure if the dice game is called craps or crabs 😂😂😂
Lydia is a lonely woman who needs something more than a relationship, she needs therapy I feel like... She's desperate for the physical relationships, but it's because she's missing something in her life.
Josh is interested in Annie and feels upset she's formed what seems to be an attachment to Colin..
Does Emma end up playing poker for real to try to win money for the Season?
Okay.. so, we have POV Emma, POV Jane, POV Annie, POV Lydia, POV Tom and POV Josh.... I think that's all?
So I'm thinking SirWalt is Tom...
I feel like Lydia is depressed..
My favorite meal would also include a can of Dr Pepper, but that's as much as I have in common with Lydia I think.
Will (Hot Barman) is a nice guy. Is Lydia set on not being with someone because the guy her mom is with? I'm making an assumption that it isn't her dad..
Is Will a viscount? Or his dad?
His dad's an earl?? I figured he was from a rich family and worked because he wanted to prove himself independent.
My assumption was wrong, it is get dad who is the abusive prick.
"Then think of me as a weird stubbly girl you've had sex with" -- that actually made me laugh. Not belly laugh, but a good chuckle.
The part about Josh's dead dad's birthday hit home for me on this particular day of reading, because it is my dead mom's birthday.. I didn't do anything special to mark the day.
I honestly find Will's story the most interesting of the bunch and he's not even one of the main characters..
Wait, do Annie's family and Tom's family have the same carer? They both mentioned Hilly...
Emma just let slip get poker name in front of Mr Knight.. he recognized it..
Tom's story of his late-husband is sad.
Of course Tom is in love with Emma. Even if he doesn't know it yet..
They keep cutting Tom off before he can finish "and I play-" and he plays what??
I bet he was going to say "and I play poker", and if Emma let him say it, she would know he was SirWalt!
I'm annoyed Jane is trying to end things with Charlotte because she's pregnant instead of letting Charlotte make the choice for herself if she wants to stay with her.
The ending seemed a little rushed.
-Cover: 5/5 cute and simple with 2 people on the front, title font in a cute print
-Blurb "a laugh-out-loud, completely uplifting rom-com": 2/5 and that's being generous.. when I hear laugh-out-loud I think of laughing every other page or every few pages, I've laughed a small handful of times during this book.. when I hear uplifting I think positive happy things, not stories of people growing up hating their childhood, being raised in an abusive household and deceased significant others..
-Overall rating and thoughts, *fair warning, some of my overall thoughts might have been mentioned in my thoughts while reading 👆🏻 so I apologize if it seems redundant, but some people skip the during thoughts* 3/5
With this being Ally Sinclair's debut novel, this book was decently written. I typically love multiple POV stories, I like jumping into the minds of the characters the story is about, however, I feel like this book has to many points of view per chapter, I think it kind of messed with the overall "matchmaking" plot of the story. I feel like the story was rushed. Ally wrote a note saying there will be a 2nd book, about the Christmas season.. in my opinion she could have used this book to introduce characters and she could have written multiple books using each couple as a main focus of each book and center it around the couple and they're background and then falling in love during the season. That might have made it more enjoyable for me, less people to focus on in one book.
Honestly, I wouldn't read it again, and I'm not sure I'd recommend it to a friend either.
December 16, 2022
"A Season for Love" by Ally Sinclair caught my attention for the promise of merging contemporay characters with a regency Era match making event. I was so excited to read this book because it seemed like a really fun and interesting take on multiple romance sub genres. I was excited to see how these modern characters would find love "the old fashioned way". This was the first book I have read by Ally Sinclair so I did not know what to expect. I thought this novel was smart and her characters had potential. The biggest flaw for me was the amount of characters who were introduced and the muddled feeling it gave an otherwise promising story. It would have read so much clearer and been more enjoyable had the book focused on Emma's love story and just given sneak peaks into the others. Or perhaps even just focusing on two of the women's lives instead of all 4. It was too much and ultimately the style drifted too far from what I look for in a romance novel. I think it was a great idea and had some magical moments but it just tried to do too much. A series featuring these characters would have been better. I would read another novel by Ally Sinclair as she had some potential.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hera Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hera Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
December 1, 2022
A season for love is an adorable 21st century homage to Jane Austen’s Emma and a good start to a new series.
Emma Love is inheriting her parents’ matchmaking business and comes up with a fun idea way to get people meeting up in person. The Season was to be an 8 week sequence of get-togethers like people used to do in the regency period, only better because it is inclusive and not gender-biased. This is definitely something I think today’s single people could really use! And this Season was so successful I’ll be looking forward to reading about the next one! Recommended for British rom-com readers of authors like Josie Silver and Sophie Cousens.
Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Emma Love is inheriting her parents’ matchmaking business and comes up with a fun idea way to get people meeting up in person. The Season was to be an 8 week sequence of get-togethers like people used to do in the regency period, only better because it is inclusive and not gender-biased. This is definitely something I think today’s single people could really use! And this Season was so successful I’ll be looking forward to reading about the next one! Recommended for British rom-com readers of authors like Josie Silver and Sophie Cousens.
Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2023
Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl - Sass, Sexy and Incredibly Funny
These are strange times we live in. The last few years have been particularly challenging for the singletons out there, with pandemics and lockdowns forcing us to look at the world of dating a little differently, but let's not pretend that it was just a simple virus that changed out love habits. Since the explosion of technology, the way we 'find love' in todays modern world has almost become more about algorithms than true connection. So, with the reset button on humanity all but pressed, is it time we reassess how we approach love?
We watch movies where real life humans fall in love with other real life humans in traditional circumstances, we devour them, binge watch romantic movies and covet our perfect 'Christmas love story', but how many of us actually find love the same way?
We inhale books where protagonists 'meet cute' in a bar, or even over the board room table at work - but in our own lives we seem to date by swiping left or right on apps. We keep our phones held an inch from our nose and judge attraction via filtered images rather than relying on those once coveted rose tinted glasses and butterfly connections. What on earth has happened to us? Where did courtship go? When did we lose the romance?
With regency romance seeing somewhat of a resurgence (thank you Bridgerton!), maybe we are starting to crave that human connection again. But let's face it, we all know that as much as we dream someone might take our dance card, ask permission and sweep us round a ballroom before announcing their undying love, it's not the world we live in. So, where on earth do we even start?
In A Season for Love, Ally Sinclair embraces the desire for a regency style romance and flips it with a perfectly crafted modern twist. A fun take on Jane Austen's Emma with all the feels of Bridgerton and a sprinkling of the modern dating complications of Gossip Girl.
When it comes time for Emma to take over her mothers matchmaking business, she is determined to take her dating agency into the new modern world. A twenty-first century twist on the regency courtship 'season' paves the way for a fresh and exciting take on dating.
Emma plans an eight-week event over the summer, where, among others, she helps three friends (Annie, Jane and Lydia) navigate the season in the hopes of finding true love. Of course, Emma has no intention of finding love herself, she's far too busy, but will the universe take any notice of her reluctance? Or will she find herself thrown together with someone who might just change her life?
With a wide and diverse cast list, this book expertly weaves multiple aspects of love together, exploring everything from romantic to platonic and even important friendships reflecting the true diversity of dating in this complicated and messy modern world.
If this doesn't have a Hollywood movie made, or even a Netflix adaptation, the world will be a poorer place for it. It's exactly what us RomCom fanatics have been screaming out for. In the mean time, if you are a sucker for a true RomCom, one that leaves you with all the feels and a smile on your face, this little gem is an absolute must for your TBR pile, and as a brucey bonus, it seems this debut novel may just be the first of a series yet to come - I am more than a little intrigued to read more.
These are strange times we live in. The last few years have been particularly challenging for the singletons out there, with pandemics and lockdowns forcing us to look at the world of dating a little differently, but let's not pretend that it was just a simple virus that changed out love habits. Since the explosion of technology, the way we 'find love' in todays modern world has almost become more about algorithms than true connection. So, with the reset button on humanity all but pressed, is it time we reassess how we approach love?
We watch movies where real life humans fall in love with other real life humans in traditional circumstances, we devour them, binge watch romantic movies and covet our perfect 'Christmas love story', but how many of us actually find love the same way?
We inhale books where protagonists 'meet cute' in a bar, or even over the board room table at work - but in our own lives we seem to date by swiping left or right on apps. We keep our phones held an inch from our nose and judge attraction via filtered images rather than relying on those once coveted rose tinted glasses and butterfly connections. What on earth has happened to us? Where did courtship go? When did we lose the romance?
With regency romance seeing somewhat of a resurgence (thank you Bridgerton!), maybe we are starting to crave that human connection again. But let's face it, we all know that as much as we dream someone might take our dance card, ask permission and sweep us round a ballroom before announcing their undying love, it's not the world we live in. So, where on earth do we even start?
In A Season for Love, Ally Sinclair embraces the desire for a regency style romance and flips it with a perfectly crafted modern twist. A fun take on Jane Austen's Emma with all the feels of Bridgerton and a sprinkling of the modern dating complications of Gossip Girl.
When it comes time for Emma to take over her mothers matchmaking business, she is determined to take her dating agency into the new modern world. A twenty-first century twist on the regency courtship 'season' paves the way for a fresh and exciting take on dating.
Emma plans an eight-week event over the summer, where, among others, she helps three friends (Annie, Jane and Lydia) navigate the season in the hopes of finding true love. Of course, Emma has no intention of finding love herself, she's far too busy, but will the universe take any notice of her reluctance? Or will she find herself thrown together with someone who might just change her life?
With a wide and diverse cast list, this book expertly weaves multiple aspects of love together, exploring everything from romantic to platonic and even important friendships reflecting the true diversity of dating in this complicated and messy modern world.
If this doesn't have a Hollywood movie made, or even a Netflix adaptation, the world will be a poorer place for it. It's exactly what us RomCom fanatics have been screaming out for. In the mean time, if you are a sucker for a true RomCom, one that leaves you with all the feels and a smile on your face, this little gem is an absolute must for your TBR pile, and as a brucey bonus, it seems this debut novel may just be the first of a series yet to come - I am more than a little intrigued to read more.
January 17, 2023
It’s not very often I feel the urge to bust out some Flo Rida lyrics in a book review (Reader: I have actually NEVER before felt the urge to bust out some Flo Rida lyrics in a book review) but in this instance, as soon as I started thinking of how to sum up my feelings about A Season of Love, my brain insisted that ‘I don’t like it… I love it, love it, love it’ and even ‘uh oh, so good it hurts’ pretty much encapsulated them succinctly. So, I’m just gonna roll with it.
For those of you not down with the rhymes of Flo (or maybe he would prefer Mr. Rida, I don’t know him that well), I’ll try and expand a little on why this book is a fantastic must read, and very much of the now for romance lovers.
Firstly, we all know that Regency is hot right now (don’t worry, I’m not going to segue into a DJ Fresh reference, I’d never mix rap with drum and bass in a single review.) Thanks to Bridgerton, everyone is looking for the next Regency romance, and this book has it is spades for those of you jonesing for your fix before the third series drops. However, this is Regency with a modern twist, as Emma Love’s dating agency brings the Season into the twenty-first century and tries to drag people away from online love to old-fashioned courtship. This is such a fresh, exciting and on trend idea that I knew I had to read this book as soon as I could get my be-gloved mitts on it (in a suitable ladylike fashion, of course) and it absolutely did not disappoint. The author executes the idea even more perfectly than I could have anticipated, weaving all of the delights of the season with the Ton with an absolutely modern exploration of love, dating and relationships – both romantic, platonic and familial – seamlessly and joyously, ultimately delivering something funny, romantic, original and meaningful. It’s quite a feat.
The book features an ensemble cast of characters who all bring something different to the story, and play out the trials and tribulations of life and of love in a myriad of different ways, leaving the reader feeling that they have thoroughly explored the mystifying condition and come away enlightened and entertained. This is a book that really reflects the modern world of relationships in all its messy, complicated, joyfully diverse glory whilst celebrating the idea that there is something to be taken from the ideals of the past as regards connecting with and understanding other people to form lasting bonds, rather than indulging in throw away interactions that have become common in the digital, Insta-world we inhabit.
There are lots of fun events to experience in the book, lots of comedic interludes, but some real, moving and personal moments too. The whole thing is just charming and gleeful with that tingly, warm afterglow of pleasure you only get from a book that has repeatedly hit that sweet spot. And if you think you may have spotted some double entendres in this paragraph, you are going to love this book.
So, to swivel back to where I started, when it comes to this book, you don’t want it, you gotta, gotta have it, uh oh, and you should go out and buy it today. I promise you, you’ll love it, love it, love it too.
For those of you not down with the rhymes of Flo (or maybe he would prefer Mr. Rida, I don’t know him that well), I’ll try and expand a little on why this book is a fantastic must read, and very much of the now for romance lovers.
Firstly, we all know that Regency is hot right now (don’t worry, I’m not going to segue into a DJ Fresh reference, I’d never mix rap with drum and bass in a single review.) Thanks to Bridgerton, everyone is looking for the next Regency romance, and this book has it is spades for those of you jonesing for your fix before the third series drops. However, this is Regency with a modern twist, as Emma Love’s dating agency brings the Season into the twenty-first century and tries to drag people away from online love to old-fashioned courtship. This is such a fresh, exciting and on trend idea that I knew I had to read this book as soon as I could get my be-gloved mitts on it (in a suitable ladylike fashion, of course) and it absolutely did not disappoint. The author executes the idea even more perfectly than I could have anticipated, weaving all of the delights of the season with the Ton with an absolutely modern exploration of love, dating and relationships – both romantic, platonic and familial – seamlessly and joyously, ultimately delivering something funny, romantic, original and meaningful. It’s quite a feat.
The book features an ensemble cast of characters who all bring something different to the story, and play out the trials and tribulations of life and of love in a myriad of different ways, leaving the reader feeling that they have thoroughly explored the mystifying condition and come away enlightened and entertained. This is a book that really reflects the modern world of relationships in all its messy, complicated, joyfully diverse glory whilst celebrating the idea that there is something to be taken from the ideals of the past as regards connecting with and understanding other people to form lasting bonds, rather than indulging in throw away interactions that have become common in the digital, Insta-world we inhabit.
There are lots of fun events to experience in the book, lots of comedic interludes, but some real, moving and personal moments too. The whole thing is just charming and gleeful with that tingly, warm afterglow of pleasure you only get from a book that has repeatedly hit that sweet spot. And if you think you may have spotted some double entendres in this paragraph, you are going to love this book.
So, to swivel back to where I started, when it comes to this book, you don’t want it, you gotta, gotta have it, uh oh, and you should go out and buy it today. I promise you, you’ll love it, love it, love it too.
January 12, 2023
I’ve never really been a great fan of Regency romance, and my familiarity with the works of Jane Austen lies in the distant past. But I’ve rather enjoyed watching both series of Bridgerton, and there was plenty I recognised from its world of courtship between the pages of this book – a really original idea, so beautifully handled, and I thought it was an absolute delight.
It isn’t, of course, set in a “season” from the past – this is very much a contemporary story, as Emma picks up the reins at her mother’s well-established dating agency and comes up with an ambitious plan to build on its previous success, and prove herself as a matchmaker in the process. So, with the support of her brother, the idea of replicating a Regency season is born – and, as well as being the story of Emma’s own journey, the book follows the lives and romantic adventures of the individuals who sign up for her new venture.
The main characters (and, as well as Emma herself, I loved every one of them) are Annie, Jane and Lydia – all teachers, supportive friends who perhaps each have parts of their lives they prefer to keep hidden, even from each other. And they’re all looking for different things. Annie walked away from what might have been the perfect relationship many years ago, and this time might just be willing to settle for something slightly less than perfection; newly divorced Jane has yet to decide quite what she’s searching for, or if something different is what she wants to embrace, but her involvement enables her to make her choices; Lydia’s the fun one, immediately searching out the nearest bar, convinced that long-term relationships aren’t for her at all. And the book follows their separate lives – all the baggage and complications, the many ups and downs, the challenges and discoveries, the people who cross their paths – as they each feel their way to the possibility of their own happy ending.
And the book is structured around the events that make up the dating season – intricately planned by detail-obsessed Emma, inspired in their originality, and a total joy to watch each one unfolding. There are some lovely extra touches too – I particularly enjoyed the commentary in the scandal sheet, capturing developments and speculating on what was to come. Every character is really wonderfully drawn – and not just the women themselves (I had a particularly soft spot for Col, Colin, Colin Williams…!) – and although there are a lot of storylines going on simultaneously I never struggled for an instant to engage with every single one.
There are plenty of big issues, sensitively handled – and copious amounts of humour, often laugh-out-loud. And the author’s emotional touch is simply perfect, with quite a few moments that can’t help but bring a tear to the eye. And the romance? Well, I certainly loved it – sometimes fraught with difficulties, sometimes with problems that look impossible to resolve, but every embryonic relationship one I completely believed in. In her letter at the book’s end, the author asked “which couples really won your heart?” – and my answer would have to be every one of them.
And do you know the best thing of all? This is going to be a series, with another book to follow for the Christmas Season – and I’m already looking forward to it. I really loved this book – highly recommended to all!
It isn’t, of course, set in a “season” from the past – this is very much a contemporary story, as Emma picks up the reins at her mother’s well-established dating agency and comes up with an ambitious plan to build on its previous success, and prove herself as a matchmaker in the process. So, with the support of her brother, the idea of replicating a Regency season is born – and, as well as being the story of Emma’s own journey, the book follows the lives and romantic adventures of the individuals who sign up for her new venture.
The main characters (and, as well as Emma herself, I loved every one of them) are Annie, Jane and Lydia – all teachers, supportive friends who perhaps each have parts of their lives they prefer to keep hidden, even from each other. And they’re all looking for different things. Annie walked away from what might have been the perfect relationship many years ago, and this time might just be willing to settle for something slightly less than perfection; newly divorced Jane has yet to decide quite what she’s searching for, or if something different is what she wants to embrace, but her involvement enables her to make her choices; Lydia’s the fun one, immediately searching out the nearest bar, convinced that long-term relationships aren’t for her at all. And the book follows their separate lives – all the baggage and complications, the many ups and downs, the challenges and discoveries, the people who cross their paths – as they each feel their way to the possibility of their own happy ending.
And the book is structured around the events that make up the dating season – intricately planned by detail-obsessed Emma, inspired in their originality, and a total joy to watch each one unfolding. There are some lovely extra touches too – I particularly enjoyed the commentary in the scandal sheet, capturing developments and speculating on what was to come. Every character is really wonderfully drawn – and not just the women themselves (I had a particularly soft spot for Col, Colin, Colin Williams…!) – and although there are a lot of storylines going on simultaneously I never struggled for an instant to engage with every single one.
There are plenty of big issues, sensitively handled – and copious amounts of humour, often laugh-out-loud. And the author’s emotional touch is simply perfect, with quite a few moments that can’t help but bring a tear to the eye. And the romance? Well, I certainly loved it – sometimes fraught with difficulties, sometimes with problems that look impossible to resolve, but every embryonic relationship one I completely believed in. In her letter at the book’s end, the author asked “which couples really won your heart?” – and my answer would have to be every one of them.
And do you know the best thing of all? This is going to be a series, with another book to follow for the Christmas Season – and I’m already looking forward to it. I really loved this book – highly recommended to all!
November 29, 2022
When Emma Love’s mother retires, it is time for her to take the reins of the family dating agency and build on its success. And she has a fresh new idea: to host a Jane Austen-style Regency Season of glamourous events where potential lovers can actually take the time to get to know each other in person, with no apps in between.
Emma has no intention of becoming romantically involved herself, of course; she is a matchmaker on the hunt for the perfect partner for ladies like Annie (who thought she had missed her chance at love a long time ago), Jane (recently divorced and nervously stepping into her new life) and wild child Lydia (more interested in hooking up than finding Mr Darcy).
As the Season unfolds, there is only one fly in Emma’s ointment – the irritating Mr Knight, with his casual attitude and gentle cynicism. Why is she allowing him to ruffle her calm, ordered life and why can’t she stop thinking about him? She is far too sensible to take a chance on love – isn’t she?
There are four primary characters:
Emma - owner of the matchmaking business, sister to Josh. She plays online poker games and despite running the matchmaking business, has never been in love herself.
Lydia - a PE teacher with serious commitment issues, who is used to pick up guys but stays emotionally detached. Slept with Will, who has his own story, too.
Jane - recently divorced from Josh. Her family lives in a commune, but that is not the only secret she’s kept from her friends...
Annie - the girl who signed her friends Lydia and Jane up for this course. She hopes she will meet The One, but she actually already has…?!
The story is told from multiple points of view. Emma, Annie, Jane and Lydia all have their own story and they meet other people who you get to know very well and also have their own stories. There is a lot going on; you keep switching from one character and storyline to another. Some stories act like background stories but the writer has invested a lot of time in these secondary stories. You can guess early on who will end up with whom and what will happen, but because of all the side stories it takes a long time before the HEA. I think this book is a kind of ‘Love Actually’ XXXL meets ‘You’ve got mail’.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and thank NetGalley for supplying me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Emma has no intention of becoming romantically involved herself, of course; she is a matchmaker on the hunt for the perfect partner for ladies like Annie (who thought she had missed her chance at love a long time ago), Jane (recently divorced and nervously stepping into her new life) and wild child Lydia (more interested in hooking up than finding Mr Darcy).
As the Season unfolds, there is only one fly in Emma’s ointment – the irritating Mr Knight, with his casual attitude and gentle cynicism. Why is she allowing him to ruffle her calm, ordered life and why can’t she stop thinking about him? She is far too sensible to take a chance on love – isn’t she?
There are four primary characters:
Emma - owner of the matchmaking business, sister to Josh. She plays online poker games and despite running the matchmaking business, has never been in love herself.
Lydia - a PE teacher with serious commitment issues, who is used to pick up guys but stays emotionally detached. Slept with Will, who has his own story, too.
Jane - recently divorced from Josh. Her family lives in a commune, but that is not the only secret she’s kept from her friends...
Annie - the girl who signed her friends Lydia and Jane up for this course. She hopes she will meet The One, but she actually already has…?!
The story is told from multiple points of view. Emma, Annie, Jane and Lydia all have their own story and they meet other people who you get to know very well and also have their own stories. There is a lot going on; you keep switching from one character and storyline to another. Some stories act like background stories but the writer has invested a lot of time in these secondary stories. You can guess early on who will end up with whom and what will happen, but because of all the side stories it takes a long time before the HEA. I think this book is a kind of ‘Love Actually’ XXXL meets ‘You’ve got mail’.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and thank NetGalley for supplying me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 7, 2023
Ally Sinclair’s A Season for Love is a Regency-inspired contemporary romantic comedy perfect for Bridgerton and Sophie Kinsella fans!
Emma Love has taken over the reins of the family-run dating agency and she has great plans for the future. Taking inspiration from Jane Austen, Emma decides to inject some much-needed old fashioned romance in the world of casual hook-ups and dating apps, so she hosts a Regency-style season of glamorous events where the focus will be on courtship and flirtation rather than swiping right and one-night stands. Emma is sure that she’s on to a winner. But will her clients find a love that will last a lifetime? Or will her idea end up being more Mary Shelley than Jane Austen?
From Annie, who believes that she had let her one true love slip through her fingers to recently divorced Jane who isn’t sure if she’s ready to take a leap into the unknown and get back into dating again. Finally, wild-child Lydia is keen to throw herself into the proceedings – if only she could be persuaded to get to know her suitors before jumping into bed with them! As Emma’s season goes off to a flying start, there is one fly in the ointment: Mr Knight, who is irritating, cynical, jaded, infuriating and whom she cannot stop herself from thinking about!
Emma is not looking for love, but is her Knight in Shining Armour right under her nose? Or will her pride and sensibility end up costing her her own Mr Darcy?
As fan of Jane Austen, Regency romances and rom-coms, I gobbled up Ally Sinclair’s A Season For Love in one irresistible sitting. An absolute joy from start to finish, A Season for Love is warm-hearted, witty and so wonderful, I couldn’t help but fall head over heels in love with the characters that people this enchanting romantic read.
An enjoyable charmer where the pages just turned themselves, romantics everywhere will be bowled over by Ally Sinclair’s A Season for Love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Emma Love has taken over the reins of the family-run dating agency and she has great plans for the future. Taking inspiration from Jane Austen, Emma decides to inject some much-needed old fashioned romance in the world of casual hook-ups and dating apps, so she hosts a Regency-style season of glamorous events where the focus will be on courtship and flirtation rather than swiping right and one-night stands. Emma is sure that she’s on to a winner. But will her clients find a love that will last a lifetime? Or will her idea end up being more Mary Shelley than Jane Austen?
From Annie, who believes that she had let her one true love slip through her fingers to recently divorced Jane who isn’t sure if she’s ready to take a leap into the unknown and get back into dating again. Finally, wild-child Lydia is keen to throw herself into the proceedings – if only she could be persuaded to get to know her suitors before jumping into bed with them! As Emma’s season goes off to a flying start, there is one fly in the ointment: Mr Knight, who is irritating, cynical, jaded, infuriating and whom she cannot stop herself from thinking about!
Emma is not looking for love, but is her Knight in Shining Armour right under her nose? Or will her pride and sensibility end up costing her her own Mr Darcy?
As fan of Jane Austen, Regency romances and rom-coms, I gobbled up Ally Sinclair’s A Season For Love in one irresistible sitting. An absolute joy from start to finish, A Season for Love is warm-hearted, witty and so wonderful, I couldn’t help but fall head over heels in love with the characters that people this enchanting romantic read.
An enjoyable charmer where the pages just turned themselves, romantics everywhere will be bowled over by Ally Sinclair’s A Season for Love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 11, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an early copy of the book in schange for my honest review.
Dating in the modern world has become impersonal and easy to hide behind an electronic screen. Enter Emma Love, daughter of Emma Love senior who has taken over her mother’s matchmaking business and comes up with a brilliant idea: dating, Jane Austen style. People sign up and attend Regency style events in search of their true love.
The novel actually follows several couples throughout the story. Annie, who runs into a childhood sweetheart, Lydia who’s one night stand is turning into anything but, Jane whom is discovering herself after a recent divorce and Tom, who is getting back out their after the loss of his partner. Of course our own Emma is a matchmaker who has never fallen in love. And her stepbrother has just run into his ex wife and his childhood sweetheart during the start of the Season.
I want to preface this by saying that I am terrible with names. And unforgiving all of these characters were introduced almost immediately in the book, along with the additions of extended family members. I was really overwhelmed trying to keep track of who was who. I enjoyed reading about each couple but I felt that the author could have easily written 4 separate stories to give us time to get a deeper view of the developing relationships with each couple. Emma and Tom’s fake dating could have been extended so much more and I would have been completely invested in seeing their relationship progress through a nice slow burn.
Overall and enjoyable read, 3.5 stars. I didn’t get a chance to meet the characters properly as we were following several couples and I didn’t have the opportunity to see their romances blossom
Dating in the modern world has become impersonal and easy to hide behind an electronic screen. Enter Emma Love, daughter of Emma Love senior who has taken over her mother’s matchmaking business and comes up with a brilliant idea: dating, Jane Austen style. People sign up and attend Regency style events in search of their true love.
The novel actually follows several couples throughout the story. Annie, who runs into a childhood sweetheart, Lydia who’s one night stand is turning into anything but, Jane whom is discovering herself after a recent divorce and Tom, who is getting back out their after the loss of his partner. Of course our own Emma is a matchmaker who has never fallen in love. And her stepbrother has just run into his ex wife and his childhood sweetheart during the start of the Season.
I want to preface this by saying that I am terrible with names. And unforgiving all of these characters were introduced almost immediately in the book, along with the additions of extended family members. I was really overwhelmed trying to keep track of who was who. I enjoyed reading about each couple but I felt that the author could have easily written 4 separate stories to give us time to get a deeper view of the developing relationships with each couple. Emma and Tom’s fake dating could have been extended so much more and I would have been completely invested in seeing their relationship progress through a nice slow burn.
Overall and enjoyable read, 3.5 stars. I didn’t get a chance to meet the characters properly as we were following several couples and I didn’t have the opportunity to see their romances blossom
December 26, 2022
Can an old fashion courtship survive in todays dating world?
This book is quite unique and the premise of the story of a regency era courtship in modern times was intriguing! This book is as much about friendship as it is about romance (taken from author in the acknowledgements); this was what I most enjoyed about this book… the growing and evolving friendships of Annie, Jane & Lydia.
This story, set in London, is set with a full cast of diverse characters, who all come with their own set of grievances, but all are incredibly easy to love and laugh with.
The story follows many people and perspectives throughout the season, but honestly, because of this I felt the stories didn’t develop as much as I’d hoped and there were a fair amount of holes in everyone’s story… I was left wanting more.
The beginning was a bit slow, so it took a bit for me to get into it, but I liked how the story and everything came together at the end.
I also was under the influence that we’d be getting a bigger story on Emma, the FMC, love story, but I feel it didn’t come together at all until the last 30% of the book… this made me not entirely invested in the progression, I was more interested in the secondary characters stories.
I’ll be honest I was hoping for more “romance” within the book, as I found it pretty minimal
This book is a heart warming, cute and easy read, with an easy to follow along writing style!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera books for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
This book is quite unique and the premise of the story of a regency era courtship in modern times was intriguing! This book is as much about friendship as it is about romance (taken from author in the acknowledgements); this was what I most enjoyed about this book… the growing and evolving friendships of Annie, Jane & Lydia.
This story, set in London, is set with a full cast of diverse characters, who all come with their own set of grievances, but all are incredibly easy to love and laugh with.
The story follows many people and perspectives throughout the season, but honestly, because of this I felt the stories didn’t develop as much as I’d hoped and there were a fair amount of holes in everyone’s story… I was left wanting more.
The beginning was a bit slow, so it took a bit for me to get into it, but I liked how the story and everything came together at the end.
I also was under the influence that we’d be getting a bigger story on Emma, the FMC, love story, but I feel it didn’t come together at all until the last 30% of the book… this made me not entirely invested in the progression, I was more interested in the secondary characters stories.
I’ll be honest I was hoping for more “romance” within the book, as I found it pretty minimal
This book is a heart warming, cute and easy read, with an easy to follow along writing style!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera books for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
November 21, 2022
I tried a dating app for a hot minute before I met my husband. But it really wasn’t for me. I ended up meeting my husband one night when I was at a bar, trying to (ok forcing) be social.
What if instead of an app, you could sign up for an immersive old fashioned dating experience? When Emma Love’s mother retires, she takes the reins and steps up to run the family dating agency. The agency is a Jane Austen-style Regency Season full of fun events including a grand ball, and outdoor picnic. Emma is single, and plans on staying that way, but how does it look for the matchmaker to not be in a match? The Season is comprised of 8 events that aims to mingle the participants and encourage them to make deep connections that lead to love. As the season unfolds, Emma finds herself not only struggling, but also falling for the one person she never thought she would.
I disagree that this was a romantic comedy. I didn’t really see any humor in it, I’ve seen other reviews where they thought it was funny so maybe I’m just not funny…I don’t know. However, this was a great romance albeit a little messy at times. I loved the matches that were made and the way we got to know the characters. There are a lot of characters to keep track of though! Overall, this is a solid, well written romance. If you love Jane Austen, you will enjoy this one.
This one is coming right after the holidays on January 12th, 2023. Thank you so much to @netgalley and the publisher @hera_books, Hera Books, for my advanced e-arc in exchange for this honest review. This is a great read.
What if instead of an app, you could sign up for an immersive old fashioned dating experience? When Emma Love’s mother retires, she takes the reins and steps up to run the family dating agency. The agency is a Jane Austen-style Regency Season full of fun events including a grand ball, and outdoor picnic. Emma is single, and plans on staying that way, but how does it look for the matchmaker to not be in a match? The Season is comprised of 8 events that aims to mingle the participants and encourage them to make deep connections that lead to love. As the season unfolds, Emma finds herself not only struggling, but also falling for the one person she never thought she would.
I disagree that this was a romantic comedy. I didn’t really see any humor in it, I’ve seen other reviews where they thought it was funny so maybe I’m just not funny…I don’t know. However, this was a great romance albeit a little messy at times. I loved the matches that were made and the way we got to know the characters. There are a lot of characters to keep track of though! Overall, this is a solid, well written romance. If you love Jane Austen, you will enjoy this one.
This one is coming right after the holidays on January 12th, 2023. Thank you so much to @netgalley and the publisher @hera_books, Hera Books, for my advanced e-arc in exchange for this honest review. This is a great read.
February 11, 2024
A Season For Love by Ally Sinclair
Blurb
Can old-fashioned courtship survive in today's dating world?
When Emma Love’s mother retires, it is time for her to take the reins of the family dating agency and build on its success. And she has a fresh new idea: to host a Jane Austen-style Regency Season of glamourous events where potential lovers can actually take the time to get to know each other in person, with no apps in between.
Emma has no intention of becoming romantically involved herself, of course; she is a matchmaker on the hunt for the perfect partner for ladies like Annie (who thought she had missed her chance at love a long time ago), Jane (recently divorced and nervously stepping into her new life) and wild child Lydia (more interested in hooking up than finding Mr Darcy).
As the Season unfolds, there is only one fly in Emma’s ointment – the irritating Mr Knight, with his casual attitude and gentle cynicism. Why is she allowing him to ruffle her calm, ordered life and why can’t she stop thinking about him? She is far too sensible to take a chance on love – isn’t she?
My Opinion
Last year I read the second book in this series and since then I have been looking forward to going back and reading this one. For me this was an enjoyable read that I managed to read in one sitting. If you enjoy Bridgerton then this is a series you should really look into reading.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
Can old-fashioned courtship survive in today's dating world?
When Emma Love’s mother retires, it is time for her to take the reins of the family dating agency and build on its success. And she has a fresh new idea: to host a Jane Austen-style Regency Season of glamourous events where potential lovers can actually take the time to get to know each other in person, with no apps in between.
Emma has no intention of becoming romantically involved herself, of course; she is a matchmaker on the hunt for the perfect partner for ladies like Annie (who thought she had missed her chance at love a long time ago), Jane (recently divorced and nervously stepping into her new life) and wild child Lydia (more interested in hooking up than finding Mr Darcy).
As the Season unfolds, there is only one fly in Emma’s ointment – the irritating Mr Knight, with his casual attitude and gentle cynicism. Why is she allowing him to ruffle her calm, ordered life and why can’t she stop thinking about him? She is far too sensible to take a chance on love – isn’t she?
My Opinion
Last year I read the second book in this series and since then I have been looking forward to going back and reading this one. For me this was an enjoyable read that I managed to read in one sitting. If you enjoy Bridgerton then this is a series you should really look into reading.
Rating 4/5
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