Abigail Grantham has always taken a keen interest in astronomy since her brother Sir John Grantham enlisted her aid as a young girl to keep records of his astronomical discoveries. Abigail is delighted when her uncle, Lord Longmore, invites her to stay at Longmore Hall in Buckinghamshire as he needs her assistance to compile a star chart.
When Abigail arrives at the Hall, her Aunt Longmore introduces her to local society. However, Abigail also spends a great deal of time in her uncle’s observatory, viewing the night skies alongside her uncle’s neighbor, fellow astronomer William, Viscount Rochvale.
Lord Rochvale is intrigued by Abigail, and when he discovers that they share an interest in ancient buildings and Roman history, he contrives to become better acquainted with her away from her uncle’s observatory, taking her to places of archaeological interest with a view to winning her heart. But the astronomical project they are working on makes courtship difficult, and William’s plans are further frustrated by his rakish cousin Gerald Burnby, who becomes a frequent visitor to Longmore Hall, seeking out Abigail too.
After a valuable Roman urn disappears from Longmore Hall, a series of mysterious occurrences unravel, presenting a puzzle Abigail has no idea how to solve. However, when events escalate into peril, Abigail discovers that it is the night sky that holds the secret to the missing urn—as well as to her stolen heart.
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Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination.
The Grantham Girls The Duke and the Lady Gardener The Baron and the Lady Chemist The Lord and the Lady Astronomer
Alissa Baxter writes historical novels set in the Regency period, featuring women with unusual interests and occupations. Her Linfield Ladies series, a trio of traditional Regency romances, showcases women in trend-setting roles who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways... at least eventually. Her Dragonblade Publishing trilogy, The Grantham Girls, continues this inspiring theme.
Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons.
Abigail Grantham is a sparkling character, impulsive and intelligent. Interested in a variety of subjects including astronomy. Underneath she carries a sadness and fear of things changing, of the ground shifting. Her parents died when she was young and that has altered her ideas about permanency. Maybe that’s why she finds astronomy and the past so interesting. The future is too uncertain. Lord Rochvale appears to be rather one dimensional, withholding himself. (A rather distant Mr. Darcy if you will.) He keeps the secrets of others and confuses Abigail by his distance, except when he’s talking about his love of Roman antiquities, and of course astronomy. Despite that, Abigail finds herself increasingly drawn to Rochvale. Abigail is helping her uncle and Rochvale with their astronomical calculations. Her cousin Henrietta appears somewhat troubled. Rochvale’s cousin, the quite handsome Gerald Burnby is a charming companion but Abigail doesn’t quite trust his attentions. Then there’s another friend of the family’s who comes to stay, Lady Amelia. She and Rochvale appear close. What’s Abigail to think? There’s a number of misconceptions when various of the characters seem to walk a miscalculated path to romance, leaving everyone concerned totally confused, hurt or under a misapprehension. A charming, read in Dragonblade’s stable of ‘Sweet Dreams’ wholesome historical romances.
A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
This book has all the feels of Pride & Prejudice, with the matchmaking of Emma, and a hearty dose of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It is so good and the twists and turns are well plotted. I especially liked the slow burn romance that should have been dull but was masterfully done.
I consumed this entire book in one afternoon and might go find the previous two. Having read the prior two books is not necessary but you will encounter people and events from them. The female main character is struggling with trauma from grief and she is impetuous, but very intelligent and well written. The male main character is a Mr. Darcy mixed with Mr. Knightly and so clearheaded. He is about a decade older than the FMC, not my favorite trope, but it is the late 18teens and so a 10 age gap was not considered questionable.
Overall, I enjoyed this way more than I expected. It is well written and the plot is fun and the characters are engaging. The dialogue is fantastic, too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC for my review.
What a delightful story! The premise being a young girl, soon to be a debutante, assisting her uncle and his neighbour, with astronomical charting. Many miscommunications arise, leading to many a misinterpretation, wrong assumptions, hurt feelings and wounded hearts. All comes right in the end though.
I enjoyed the writing style of the author. It was easy to read and yet historically accurate. The prose was well written, there weren’t any typos or bad grammar in the book. The story flows nicely to a very satisfactory ending.
There is a small mystery as a subplot, one that provides a bit of interest aside from the romances.
This book is part of a series but you don’t need to read the others for this to make sense.
I enjoyed the bits of poetry the author sprinkled throughout the book.
This is a sweet romance, with just a few kisses near the end.
This has been such a great series about three sisters during the Regency Period. What stands out is how they all chose a path that women at that time didn't pursue. Each of them had an interest in Science. Abigail in this book loves everything having to do with Astronomy. She is asked to come and help her Astronomer Uncle chart the stars. She meets the neighbor, Lord William Rochvale and they have a rocky start.
One thing I liked about this book is how Abigail and William became acquainted because they both love astronomy. William had been working with Abigail's Uncle to chart the stars. They form a sweet friendship that ultimately grows into something more, but it is a slow-burn romance. Be warned, there are many misunderstandings or I should say people that come between our couple.
I really like how Author Alissa Baxter gave readers an insight into both Abigail and William's minds. She writes some beautiful, descriptive phrases. Here's one I really liked,
"How devastating that she had harbored the barely-recognized hope that Lord Rochvale might have wished upon the very same star as hers. But falling in love and living happily with her beloved had eluded her in much the same way as a falling star vanishing into space. And nothing would ever be the same again."
If you like books that have sweet, wholesome Historical Romance & where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination, then The Lord and the Lady Astronomer will be the perfect book for you.
I enjoyed this, as always with this author, but these books do become a little samey after a while. The heroine engrossed in her scientific endeavours, the hero enamoured right from the start but with misunderstandings… this was a sweet romance, but not particularly dramatic.
Here’s the premise: Abigail, the youngest of the sisters featured in this series, is interested in astronomy, so it’s a real thrill when her uncle, Lord Longmore, invites her to assist with a star chart he’s compiling. The other person assisting him is William, Viscount Rochvale, the heir to an earldom, who takes a shine to Abigail almost from their first meeting. But he can’t court her properly when they’re spending so much time watching the stars together (and at night, too!), and there’s a complication: his cousin, Gerald Burnby, appears to be courting Abigail too, and he’s a charming and handsome man with a way with the ladies. And then there’s the mysterious Roman urn that appears in the attic and is then stolen…
As always with this author’s work, I like the hero very much. Her heroes all seem to be cut from the same cloth - sensible, unostentatious men who know what they want but aren’t always articulate enough to convey that clearly to the heroine. Her heroines, likewise, are serious about their scientific pursuits, to the extent of not even considering marriage as a possibility. I confess, much as I enjoy these books, and the author’s writing is always wonderful, I would enjoy them a little more if they surprised me now and then. But that’s just me.
If I have a grumble at all about this book, it’s the usual complaint of the last in the series - a lot of loose ends to be tied up and a grand family reunion sweetened with a very large dose of sugar, which felt just a tiny bit unnecessary. But it all works as a sort of series epilogue, for those who like that sort of thing. For anyone looking for a traditional read with the addition of some historical detail, these books are highly recommended. Four stars.
The third installment in The Grantham Girls series has us looking to the heavens with the younger of the Grantham sisters, Abigail, a girl who is enamored by the stars. Asked to assist a star charting endeavor with her uncle has Abigail not only pursuing her passion but also meeting William Rochvale, a Viscount that shares her devotion to the skies. Together the trio embark on a most tedious endeavor that does not come without its complications, but not in the ways any of the players involved would predict.
The Lord and the Lady Astronomer is a clean Regency romance that is a slow burn with a hint of mystery mixed in for good measure. This entire series has been great about adding a little mischief along with the love, and this novel is no exception. It definitely gives A Midsummer Night’s Dream vibes, which is something I absolutely adored, as that is my favorite of Shakespeares works. I also revered the classical poems that were sprinkled throughout. Poetry to me has always been what the heart wants to say when there are no words, and this comes into play several times throughout this narrative, and gives a nice swoon-worthy air.
There are some true historical moments that play out in this story, which is something that is always a treat for a history buff like myself. How I wish I could have bore witness to the Comet Tralles in 1819. I can only imagine that it was an extraordinary experience that must’ve been a defining moment for many. This was also one of my favorite parts of the novel as we not only got to witness a historical moment but also a dream being achieved. You can’t get more magical than that!
Out of the series so far this novel was sadly not my favorite but in its own right it was a lovely read. I do feel like there were moments that it was drawn out and a little too wordy for my taste, but other than that it was a magical chock full of love, an air of mystery, and characters that twinkled brighter than the stars.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Alissa Baxter’s Grantham Girls series continues with the latest enthralling installment, The Lord and the Lady Astronomer.
Abigail Grantham had developed an interest in astronomy after her brother John had enlisted her help to maintain records of his astronomical discoveries. When her uncle Lord Longmore invites her over to Longmore Hall to assist him in compiling a star chart, she is absolutely delighted. However, little does Abigail realize that going to Buckinghamshire to stay with her aunt and uncle is going to be even more eventful than she initially thought – especially when she meets their neighbor William, Viscount Rochvale, who shares her passion for astronomy.
Lord Rochvale is immediately intrigued by Abigail and when he discovers that the two of them have a lot of common interests, he contrives to get to know her better far from her uncle’s observatory. However, his plans to get closer to Abigail are thwarted by his cousin Gerald, who seems equally determined to win Abigail’s affections. However, when a Roman urn disappears from the Hall and a series of strange events begin to occur, Abigail is thrust into a mystery she has no idea how to untangle.
As the danger increases for Abigail, she discovers that the night sky holds the secret to the missing urn and to her stolen heart…
Alissa Baxter’s delightful historical romance is a charming tale full of secrets, skullduggery and emotional intensity I loved losing myself in. The Lord and the Lady Astronomer is an atmospheric, enthralling and captivating historical romance that will leave readers with a huge grin on their face and will make them eager to read more titles from this terrific storyteller.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Lord and the Lady Astronomer is the third book in the Grantham Girls series. I had not personally read the previous books in this series and found I was able to enjoy this one as a standalone just fine.
Admittedly, regency romance is not one of my go-to genres. While I certainly do enjoy them on occasion, I find that they do tend to be a little harder for me to get into. I do find however that those that I do enjoy more tend to be those in which the heroine is in one way or another ahead of her time... such as having an unusual career/interest for a woman of the time. This one certainly fit that bill. I really enjoyed Abigail's character and her love of astronomy. She was just the type of character that draws me in and so very well written. Likewise, Lord Rochvale was a wonderfully written character and I found that I really enjoyed these two together. The romance was certainly a slow burn and frustrating at points when there were miscommunications that could have easily been solved with a conversation... but it worked well for their story and that frustration was certainly a sign of just how invested I was in their story! There was a lot going on in the story, but I really enjoyed how it all worked out in the end!
If you're looking for a great regency read, this is definitely one to check out.
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Lord and the Lady Astronomer The Grantham Girls #3 By Alissa Baxter
Abigail Grantham is beyond pleased when her uncle, Lord Longmore, invites her to aid him in his newest astronomical endeavor. Abigail will be helping her uncle and his neighbor, Viscount William Rochvale chart the night sky. While Abigail is more than happy to lend a hand, she hopes to observe a comet.
William never expected to be intrigued by Lord Longmore's niece, but Abigail is not only intelligent but beautiful and she shares several of the same interests that he does. A potential romance seems likely, until Wiliam's less than suitable, flirtatious cousin Gerald Burnby decides to pay her particular attention. But Abigail, though drawn to Gerald"s looks and lively personality has been warned away about a potential suit from the rakish man by both her Aunt Longmore and cousin Henrietta.
What follows is a series of unfortunate misunderstandings that may stand in the way of everyone's future happiness. And add to it a bit of intrigue - mystery always makes everything better, except when there are misunderstandings about it.
This was a fun read as the youngest Grantham sister gets her chance to shine in her chosen passion - astronomy. If you love clean reading regency romance - here is a new addition to your Fall TBR list. Bump it to the top and curl up in a favorite corner - it's that good.
I have not read the previous books in this series but I had no issue jumping in to the story. Anything that might have happened in previous books that you needed to know was fully explained here. I will start with what I liked, I liked Abigail a lot. She was a go getter. Knew she wanted an opportunity to practice astronomy she took it. Liked having fun with her neighbors and cousins.m, so she did it. I also liked her cousins Hetta’s romance story. The things that I didn’t really like: I just didn’t feel the rimantic pull really from both main characters. William is kind of insta lust but we aren’t really given insight in to why we are given more insight with Abigail which was nice but they didn’t really seem to grow their relationship cause the book was soooo prim and proper. I would have really appreciated some discussion during their time to tether to understand and see their love grow. Also, this is a slight spoiler I suppose but there is a story line that deals with classism and I just don’t like that stuff. Abigail’s family always holds the upper hand and snide remarks and no one defending the workers of the castle just turns me off. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When Abigail Grantham receives an invitation to help her uncle create a star chart of the heavens, she jumps at the opportunity to make a contribution to the world of astronomy. Her uncle's neighbor, Lord Rochvale, is also interested in the heavens, and the large, quiet viscount soon discovers that he has an overmastering interest in the charming Miss Grantham. As Abigail and Rochvale get to know each other over astronomy and archaeology, Rochvale's flirtatious cousin Gerald tries to woo Abigail himself. The mystery surrounding duplicate artifacts and the ups and downs of various cousins and couples occupy the plot until Abigail and Rochvale sort through all their misunderstandings to reach a happily ever after.
This clean and wholesome Regency had a charming, albeit predictable, plot. Some of the information about Regency Era astronomy felt a little pedantic, but I greatly enjoyed the incorporation of classic poems into the narrative. The confusion over who likes whom among all the couples gave the story the air of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Fans of clean romance who like several dashes of historical detail thrown in will enjoy this book.
This is the third installment of The Grantham Girls series. Abigail has had an interest in astronomy since she was a young and helped her brother keep records of his observations and discoveries. When her uncle invited her to come stay at Longmore Hall to help him compile a star chart, she is excited, to say the least. Her uncle's neighbor, William, is also one who appreciates astronomy, and frequently visits her uncle's observatory. He remains a bit distant from her but Abigail learns that he has an interest in not only astronomy, but in Roman antiquities as does she. Despite his distance she is drawn to William. They strike up a sweet friendship that ultimately turns into something more. However, their path to happiness is a rocky one with misunderstandings and challenges tripping them up. This is a clean, slow-burn romance with just enough mystery to keep you intrigued. The characters were well-developed and interesting and I enjoyed following their journey. A delightful addition to the series! I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
The third book in a series, Alissa Baxter's "The Lord and the Lady Astronomer" offers a unique perspective of the heroine and her devoted interest in astronomy. Abigail Grantham is an intelligent young woman who utilizes her knowledge when smart women were disparagingly referred to as "bluestockings".
Following an unconventional "introduction", the lovely Abigail and Lord William Rochvale work together, and love blooms. For no clear reason, Rochvale has a case of insta-love. Nevertheless, a two-sided attachment takes longer to develop. The cast of characters is delightful, with other romances in play. The mystery of the missing urn is intriguing, and I can't say I really solved it (that's a good thing.) However, this now contravenes present law.
I very much enjoyed this story. Alissa Baxter is a new author for me. She deftly includes accurate historical facts and people who actually existed. As a reader (and otherwise), I seldom encounter antiquarians unless they are secondary characters, and it's refreshing to have one as the hero. This book is well-written and clean.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an ARC of this engaging read
Abigail Grantham has always taken a keen interest in astronomy since her brother Sir John Grantham enlisted her aid as a young girl to keep records of his astronomical discoveries. Abigail is delighted when her uncle, Lord Longmore, invites her to stay at Longmore Hall in Buckinghamshire as he needs her assistance to compile a star chart. When Abigail arrives at the Hall, her Aunt Longmore introduces her to local society. However, Abigail also spends a great deal of time in her uncle’s observatory, viewing the night skies alongside her uncle’s neighbour, fellow astronomer William, Viscount Rochvale. The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. A well written charming romance with misconceptions & wrong assumptions. I really liked Abigail but struggled to like William who was a bit bland for me & I never felt I go to know him. I enjoyed the twists & turns they were taken on in their quest for the urn. Not my favourite of the series but still enjoyable My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Troisième et dernière soeurs Grantham... L'astronomie est la passion de la benjamine de 18 ans, pas pressée du tout de faire son entrée dans le Monde l'année prochaine. Ce que j'aime dans cette série, c'est que le seul anachronisme, ce sont les études scientifiques de la fratrie. Spontanée, mais tendrement obéissante, la jeune fille est appelée par son oncle pour l'aider à noter des relevés sur l'étude des étoiles. C'est ainsi qu'elle rencontre un voisin tout aussi intéressé qu'elle par l'astronomie. Une vraie complicité toute en camaraderie va s'approfondir peu à peu.
Certes, on est loin d'une "vraie passion" en apparence. Mais Abigail, traumatisée par le décès de ses deux parents qu'elle a ressenti comme un abandon, s'aveugle elle-même sur ses sentiments. Ce qui apporte de l'intérêt à l'histoire, ce sont les malentendus qui vont s'enchaîner, comme une comédie virevoltante, légère et fort sympathique. Nous voici dans une comédie d'apparences, où les trois couples en présence jouent avec de faux-semblants. Charmant !
The Regency Era is a favorite time period of mine and I enjoy books based during that time. The Lord and the Lady Astronomer by Alissa Baxter is Book #3 in the Grantham Girls Series. I have read the first 2 books in this series and I really enjoy the series.
The Series just keeps getting better with each new book! Abigail's love for the Stars and Astronomy leads to her uncle inviting her to Longmore Hall. I think my favorite part of the book was Abigail and Lord Rochvale discovering they both have a love for Astronomy and the relationship that develops between the pair. I also enjoyed reading other men were also interested in Abigail, but he may not have a chance with Abigail. She gets involved in solving the mystery of the Urn. The book is filled with Mystery, Romance and Historical events. I am truly enjoying this series and look forward to reading more books in this series! FANTASTIC BOOK!
I have really enjoyed this series by Alissa Baxter. I love reading Regency Romances and I love how unique each of the ladies in this series are. I love how they each excel at a field of science that would not have been normal for women at that time period. I also love that they find men who share that interest and are supportive of them. I have loved watching them each fall in love. I love how in this book Abigail just wants to focus on helping her uncle with observing the skies and yet she is being pursued by two suitors. I loved how she chooses the right one for her. I thought this was an enjoyable story and one that I would recommend.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Astronomy was not a science pursued by Regency young ladies, but the Grantham girls are different, and as such Abigail has a rare opportunity when her uncle asks her to join him to assist in charting the stars. I got alternately frustrated and charmed by this book as Abigail's relationship with her uncle's neighbor slowly built up, but there were times when the plot became convoluted and devolved into long passages of inner dialogue. The aspects of astrology and archaeology were interesting but misunderstandings between the various couples became a little confusing. I found the number of elderly aunts and grandmamas added to the muddle. The novel did come to a sweet conclusion and ended neatly with no loose ends. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Miss Grantham and Lord Rochvale are two astronomers who find love in this regency romance while working on a project together under the lady's uncle's supervision.
Unlike Jane Austen's method where the love interest's thoughts and feelings are a complete mystery until the very end, Alissa Baxter allows the reader a peek into the male character's point of view every few chapters, an insight it was nice to have. At times the writing struggled and was simultaneously modern and antiquated, both casual and formal, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this story about the youngest Grantham sister using her love for the stars to help her uncle out. When that puts her in the pathway of both Lord Rochvale, who shares her love for the Celestial, and his flirtatious cousin, there are some misunderstandings and mishaps that occur. I enjoyed the twists to the story, and the added dash of mystery. The Midsummer's Night Dream like misunderstandings were a lot of fun! I also enjoyed the historical aspect of the story and learning more about astronomy back in the Regency era. This is a wonderful story (and series!) to pick up and enjoy.
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.
Abigail was looking at a zodiacal phenomenon when she heard a crunch. Then, she saw this huge man and felt she needed to defend herself. When she ran into him, she thought he had a gun, so she stabbed him twice, in the stomach, with her umbrella. It was an inauspicious start to her journey with William. Like her, he gazed at the stars and tried to understand them. Their first meeting might not have gone well, but the two would fall in love. There would be a sweet romance or two, and a mystery to solve. If you like clean Regency romance, you might enjoy this story. There was no angst or tension to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Such a great end for this series! Abby is such a darling and she is so confused but she finds the strength to overcome her fear against love, relationships and feelings. Her love interest is an older man, so he has all his feelings in check. He knows how much he wants her since the very beginning, even if it surprises him, but is patient enough to finish their job and, in the meantime, gives her time to understand herself.
I really like your way of writting and I would love to read more from you.
Abigail Grantham is noted by her family for her grasp of astronomy. At her uncle's request, she is assisting him and his neighbor, Lord Rochvale, in calculations to measure the positions of other stars in relation to fundamental ones. Not yet out in Society, the last thing Abigail is interested in is marriage. As the tangle of relationships between family and neighbors comes to light, Abigail's feelings for Rochvale change. Talk about emotional complications. A clean romance. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley .
Low angst tale about a young lady with an interest in astronomy, who falls for her uncle's neighbor with a similar interest. There was little action beyond shopping, eating, walking, and stargazing. The author has done a lot of research for historical detail (kudos for that), but there is a little too much of it in the book. Kindle lists the book in both Renaissance Historical Romance and Victorian Historical Romance. In fact, it's neither. The mention of Admiral Parry's impending Northwest expedition sets the date as 1819, late Regency.
I found the story slow at times. Plus the development of all the characters was lacking. We are told how much time they've spent together but did not get a feeling for it. Romance just wasn't there for me.
Clean story with only kisses. 3 different couples fall in love and I think this took away from the story. I think this would appeal to a younger audience.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, standalone, HEA, little on romance and only kisses. (ljb)
Another really enjoyable book in this series. I love these stories of strong, intelligent women who have interesting interests for their time. In this case, Abby has a passion for astronomy and meets her soon to be betrothed one dark night! Their shared interests draw them together but other forces seek to push them apart. There are always several layers to Alissa’s stories which add to their interest for the reader. Loved it!
This book was enjoyable to read. I always like when the main female character has a brain. I think it’s especially fun when they are interested in something out of the norm. Alissa seems to always find a unique hobby/passion for her characters and I love learning about them while enjoying a good (and clean) romance. It had a unique plot and a happy ending- can’t wait for more from this author!
This is a nice, sweet HEA for teens and adults. The plot fits most stories of this period and expectations of society made it hard for young people (adults, too) who didn't want to follow that pathway. Baxter incorporates a bit of astronomy into the narrative and that helped give it a more interesting twist. I can recommend this for about any age and for those who enjoy reading about characters who don't seem to fit the general expectations of society.
I enjoyed the story and was not lost even though I hadn’t read the first and the second in the series. It was easy to discern what took place in the first two books. The third book was a good clean educational story that have a lot of interesting characters.