What do you think?
Rate this book
Meet Me at the Anvil
A chronic swooner, the man who catches her, and a goat.
When Diane faints during her wedding vows, it's expected. Her family thinks almost everything is too stimulating for her because of her fainting condition. Of course they matched her with a man who couldn't make anyone's heart flutter.
When her fiancé tries to make light of the situation by giving her a fainting goat, the ridicule is too much to bear.
Diane wants more than the life before her— she wants to live the passion and adventure she’s only ever found in the erotic sketches she creates, and the kind of heart-racing feelings her fiancé’s cousin and best man Liam gives her.
The last thing Diane expects as she flees from the church, however, is for the best man to run away with her.
A Regency Era romance about secret erotic illustrations, a runaway bride, stolen carriages, tea garden deflowerings, and a fainting goat. Approx. 28k words. Check author website for content warnings.
When Diane faints during her wedding vows, it's expected. Her family thinks almost everything is too stimulating for her because of her fainting condition. Of course they matched her with a man who couldn't make anyone's heart flutter.
When her fiancé tries to make light of the situation by giving her a fainting goat, the ridicule is too much to bear.
Diane wants more than the life before her— she wants to live the passion and adventure she’s only ever found in the erotic sketches she creates, and the kind of heart-racing feelings her fiancé’s cousin and best man Liam gives her.
The last thing Diane expects as she flees from the church, however, is for the best man to run away with her.
A Regency Era romance about secret erotic illustrations, a runaway bride, stolen carriages, tea garden deflowerings, and a fainting goat. Approx. 28k words. Check author website for content warnings.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2022
62 people are currently reading
699 people want to read
About the author
Kate Prior
14 books444 followers#Romance author, illustrator, hermit. 💕💜💙 My office monster romances are on KU.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
August 20, 2022
Diane is described as plain with acne scarring. I AM INTO IT. RELATABLE QUEEN.
Liam is a sexy stoic man with mysterious scarring and DEEP EMOTIONS THAT ARE HIDDEN.
DIANE RUNS FROM THE ALTAR AND HER LAME-O GROOM. BEST MAN LIAM CHASES AFTER HER.
-this book is very sexy
-disability rep
-she sketches illicit orgies in her spare time
-a fainting goat
-ONLY ONE BED
I cannot stress enough this author is an immediate insta buy for me. Her writing is witty and sexy. I appoint myself President of the Kate Prior Fan Club. We shall be called: Kate’s Mates.
Liam is a sexy stoic man with mysterious scarring and DEEP EMOTIONS THAT ARE HIDDEN.
DIANE RUNS FROM THE ALTAR AND HER LAME-O GROOM. BEST MAN LIAM CHASES AFTER HER.
-this book is very sexy
-disability rep
-she sketches illicit orgies in her spare time
-a fainting goat
-ONLY ONE BED
I cannot stress enough this author is an immediate insta buy for me. Her writing is witty and sexy. I appoint myself President of the Kate Prior Fan Club. We shall be called: Kate’s Mates.
September 20, 2022
I’m conflicted about this one. This is such a rambling review, so sorry in advance. On one hand, it was light and I liked the runaway bride premise. I also liked that the h had an unusual hobby, erotic art. The H is stoic but clearly has buried feelings for the h, which I always think is sweet. There’s also a baby goat and they’re one of my weaknesses 😂. On the other hand, I found the h’s delay in her choice about what was next after the running away frustrating and I felt more sympathy for the H.
There is some thought/discussion regarding agency as the h has had very little in her life due to a medical condition. For a novella this also did a nice job incorporating steam and emotion, but I felt the ending was abrupt with a HFN when I really wanted an epilogue. Still this was a quick and entertaining read. The story is written in third person, focused on the h. No ow drama, om drama from a jilted fiancé, h is a virgin and presumably H is not but no details, bc is pullout method.
There is some thought/discussion regarding agency as the h has had very little in her life due to a medical condition. For a novella this also did a nice job incorporating steam and emotion, but I felt the ending was abrupt with a HFN when I really wanted an epilogue. Still this was a quick and entertaining read. The story is written in third person, focused on the h. No ow drama, om drama from a jilted fiancé, h is a virgin and presumably H is not but no details, bc is pullout method.
September 25, 2022
Diane is set up to marry a man she holds no passion for- she is instead into his best man!
Diane has a condition that causes her to faint & she, unfortunately, has one of her spells during her wedding ceremony. When she comes to, she realizes she could never marry her fiance. In her attempt to flee the wedding, the groom's best man joins her and tries to reveal his own feeling for this woman.
This was such a cute and sweet story! I really liked Diane and also really related to her. I have a fainting condition as well & felt for her when she had spells during inopportune moments. The way Liam cares for her is soooo sweet! I love it! I love how their story ended!
There were just some things I wish were a little more fleshed out. Like we don't really have the hero's point of view, so I didn't really feel his loving feelings for her heroine. Why does he love her? What sparked it? Also- if her fiance didn't really care for her what was his reason for chasing after her??
MEMORABLE QUOTES
"I yearn to know and love all of you"
TROPES: artist (heroine); books with pets (goat); chronic illness (fainting); historical romance; kindle unlimited; never been kissed; one bed; disability rep; runaway bride; scarred character (hero); novella; stuck at an inn
Diane has a condition that causes her to faint & she, unfortunately, has one of her spells during her wedding ceremony. When she comes to, she realizes she could never marry her fiance. In her attempt to flee the wedding, the groom's best man joins her and tries to reveal his own feeling for this woman.
This was such a cute and sweet story! I really liked Diane and also really related to her. I have a fainting condition as well & felt for her when she had spells during inopportune moments. The way Liam cares for her is soooo sweet! I love it! I love how their story ended!
There were just some things I wish were a little more fleshed out. Like we don't really have the hero's point of view, so I didn't really feel his loving feelings for her heroine. Why does he love her? What sparked it? Also- if her fiance didn't really care for her what was his reason for chasing after her??
MEMORABLE QUOTES
"I yearn to know and love all of you"
TROPES: artist (heroine); books with pets (goat); chronic illness (fainting); historical romance; kindle unlimited; never been kissed; one bed; disability rep; runaway bride; scarred character (hero); novella; stuck at an inn
July 25, 2023
Cute story
Expect a swoon worthy story but don't expect historical accuracy.
Also, a surprising amount of smut for this book. This chick is pretty comfortable with all sorts of sexy things considering the historical timeframe and her sheltered life.
Not everything makes sense but it was so cute that I loved it and forgave it all of its ills.
Expect a swoon worthy story but don't expect historical accuracy.
Also, a surprising amount of smut for this book. This chick is pretty comfortable with all sorts of sexy things considering the historical timeframe and her sheltered life.
Not everything makes sense but it was so cute that I loved it and forgave it all of its ills.
October 26, 2022
Cute and short read.
I liked it, but I didn't love this one. I think I prefer Prior's stories in the office universe because of the added humor from that situation, as well as their more modern tone. This one lacked the laughs.
This wee lit'le historical romance features a heroine with a fainting condition that everyone around her uses to give them full reign to control her life and make it as tedious and small as possible—including a . She needs to be married off so the solution is...to marry her to someone dreadfully boring who is just as unenthused about her as she is him. But he has a brother, a scarred, quiet, anxious brother who has acted their chaperone the entire time and is going to be their best man. And our heroine has been harboring some serious feelings and longings for him the entire time. When her first taste of freedom sends her on a panicked adventure and he tags along, how will it play out?
So. I really liked that the heroine, Diane, has a mild disability that just needs some small accommodations, and she also has an unremarkable face, complete with scarring from teenage acne. And I really liked our hero, Liam, because he was so good at listening and making solutions...happen. Reasonable ones that actually helped. And he appears to have at least some anxiety issues. I really sympathized with Diane and even understood her initial adrenaline-fueled nonsensical choices—but there was a point where I was starting to wonder .
Miscommunication/lack of clarity/assumptions is one of my absolute least favorite genre tropes—unless it's humorous, then carry on—which also curtailed my enjoyment of this. Others may like it for that, but for me, it was a lot of, "But WHY NOT just ask the 2 questions that need to be asked to understand their motivations?"
So...I liked it and honestly would have liked more story depth—especially more about what the deal was between Liam and his brother.
I liked it, but I didn't love this one. I think I prefer Prior's stories in the office universe because of the added humor from that situation, as well as their more modern tone. This one lacked the laughs.
This wee lit'le historical romance features a heroine with a fainting condition that everyone around her uses to give them full reign to control her life and make it as tedious and small as possible—including a . She needs to be married off so the solution is...to marry her to someone dreadfully boring who is just as unenthused about her as she is him. But he has a brother, a scarred, quiet, anxious brother who has acted their chaperone the entire time and is going to be their best man. And our heroine has been harboring some serious feelings and longings for him the entire time. When her first taste of freedom sends her on a panicked adventure and he tags along, how will it play out?
So. I really liked that the heroine, Diane, has a mild disability that just needs some small accommodations, and she also has an unremarkable face, complete with scarring from teenage acne. And I really liked our hero, Liam, because he was so good at listening and making solutions...happen. Reasonable ones that actually helped. And he appears to have at least some anxiety issues. I really sympathized with Diane and even understood her initial adrenaline-fueled nonsensical choices—but there was a point where I was starting to wonder .
Miscommunication/lack of clarity/assumptions is one of my absolute least favorite genre tropes—unless it's humorous, then carry on—which also curtailed my enjoyment of this. Others may like it for that, but for me, it was a lot of, "But WHY NOT just ask the 2 questions that need to be asked to understand their motivations?"
So...I liked it and honestly would have liked more story depth—especially more about what the deal was between Liam and his brother.
January 7, 2023
I enjoyed this so incredibly much. I decided to read it on a whim, not knowing what to expect…to say I’m pleased would be an understatement. It was short and simple but still managed to easily charm me. There was a fantastic mix of silliness and real emotion that you can’t just find anywhere. I’m so glad I picked this one up.
August 23, 2023
The second I read there was a “fainting goat” I was a goner for this book.
“He thought she was brave. Brave! Had anyone ever said that of her? She shook her head to at least pretend outwardly that she felt modest about his comment. "I was angry. At you, if I recall”.
"And I'm grateful for every minute you've been displeased with me”.
I just wish it was a bit longer and we could see a bit more of their relationship. Aside from that this was so much fun and cute.
“He thought she was brave. Brave! Had anyone ever said that of her? She shook her head to at least pretend outwardly that she felt modest about his comment. "I was angry. At you, if I recall”.
"And I'm grateful for every minute you've been displeased with me”.
I just wish it was a bit longer and we could see a bit more of their relationship. Aside from that this was so much fun and cute.
August 30, 2022
Pretty cute short read
September 6, 2022
Relied too much on the teeny bits of spice and too much rejection for my tastes.
April 4, 2023
I enjoyed this immensely. My favorite character was the goat, but I really, really stan a cinnamon roll man too. What a fun book!
February 6, 2024
I love an underestimated heroine. Especially one with a salacious secret.
August 1, 2022
Full RTC:)
June 22, 2022
This was really wonderful--both sweet and very sexy, with some good perspective on how frustrating other people's ableism can be, on top of the more generally frustrating subjugation of women. I expected this to be more cute than erotic, and I was pleasantly wrong: there's some titillating stuff in here! Yet I wouldn't call it raunchy--it's still a romance first. It's got some comedy, too. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and plot-wise it went in ways I didn't expect that kept me interested. Overall, this is a charming read that will probably rose your cheeks more than once!
September 5, 2022
This story is cute and unique. There were some surprises in it, with the level of spice and the characters' decisions.
The writing of it wasn't my favorite. It could have used more rounding out.
/*/ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I always give my honest thoughts whether I purchased a book or received it for free. \*\
The writing of it wasn't my favorite. It could have used more rounding out.
/*/ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I always give my honest thoughts whether I purchased a book or received it for free. \*\
December 3, 2023
Okay new bucketlist item just dropped:
Runaway bride roadtrip to the Scottish Highlands with a handsome bestman and a cute little goat. Tea and sponge cake at a quaint little tearoom non-negotiable.
I straight up adored this novella.
Wish it was a novel or we got to read their happily ever after.
Romance Plot/Storyline/Themes: For a novella the burn is slow and sweet and then the heat is turned up to scoffield levels and then a rush of syrupy sweetness. I was rooting for you two crazy kids all the way!
Character Development/Favorite Character:
●Diane is smothered by well-meaning family members who really do have this annoying habit of not listening to her, passing comments over her and taking responsibility, agency of her body without so much as a "hey Diane, how does your heart stammer actually feel?". She is a passive character in her own life. I found myself railing against that wedding to Martin from the get go. Plus she's an erotic artist and man I wanted her to live out her fantasies.
● Even I was afraid to "look him in the eyes" in much the same way as Diane which makes sense, Liam is the golden lionhead adonis in Diane's story and he holds the smolder. The most attractive thing about him - he doesn't treat her like an invalid. That and his mischievous streak, tilting frame pictures. And he might have PTSD.
●Martin is a posh wanker, pompous, ill-humored, power hungry tosser. He'd be better suited to someone else and that's being generous.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Diane attempting the role of runaway bride- well, runaway carriage with a bride and a best man. And a fainting goat following closely.
" The decision was this: they weren’t turning around, because she didn’t
know how to make the carriage do that." (Diane on resolve)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
"Love meant that no matter how plain a person’s face was, you grew to like its features. Love softened them. Made them wondrous" (lol okay Diane. Martin is just levels of NO)
"Liam proved that a scarred face did not make one ugly. If anything, his scars drew attention to the sharpness of his jaw and made one wonder what ferocious thing he'd fought to receive them." (Diane on Liam the ever-present hottie)
"Each time he tried to back seat drive, she tried to yank out of his reach, half sure to touch him would feel the way it did to look at him — blinding, burning, and world-shifting". (Runaway bride, Fainting Goat and Liam)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
The Fainting Goat and The Fainting Girl
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Romance books by 2025
Runaway bride roadtrip to the Scottish Highlands with a handsome bestman and a cute little goat. Tea and sponge cake at a quaint little tearoom non-negotiable.
I straight up adored this novella.
Wish it was a novel or we got to read their happily ever after.
Romance Plot/Storyline/Themes: For a novella the burn is slow and sweet and then the heat is turned up to scoffield levels and then a rush of syrupy sweetness. I was rooting for you two crazy kids all the way!
Character Development/Favorite Character:
●Diane is smothered by well-meaning family members who really do have this annoying habit of not listening to her, passing comments over her and taking responsibility, agency of her body without so much as a "hey Diane, how does your heart stammer actually feel?". She is a passive character in her own life. I found myself railing against that wedding to Martin from the get go. Plus she's an erotic artist and man I wanted her to live out her fantasies.
● Even I was afraid to "look him in the eyes" in much the same way as Diane which makes sense, Liam is the golden lionhead adonis in Diane's story and he holds the smolder. The most attractive thing about him - he doesn't treat her like an invalid. That and his mischievous streak, tilting frame pictures. And he might have PTSD.
●Martin is a posh wanker, pompous, ill-humored, power hungry tosser. He'd be better suited to someone else and that's being generous.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Diane attempting the role of runaway bride- well, runaway carriage with a bride and a best man. And a fainting goat following closely.
" The decision was this: they weren’t turning around, because she didn’t
know how to make the carriage do that." (Diane on resolve)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
"Love meant that no matter how plain a person’s face was, you grew to like its features. Love softened them. Made them wondrous" (lol okay Diane. Martin is just levels of NO)
"Liam proved that a scarred face did not make one ugly. If anything, his scars drew attention to the sharpness of his jaw and made one wonder what ferocious thing he'd fought to receive them." (Diane on Liam the ever-present hottie)
"Each time he tried to back seat drive, she tried to yank out of his reach, half sure to touch him would feel the way it did to look at him — blinding, burning, and world-shifting". (Runaway bride, Fainting Goat and Liam)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
The Fainting Goat and The Fainting Girl
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Romance books by 2025
April 21, 2023
I loved the Claws and Cubicles Series by this author so I decided to try more from her. I’m not a huge fan of historical romance so this book really wasn’t for me.
I thought Diane’s transformation from a coddled meek follower into the super rebellious ‘couldn’t care less what people thought’ character a bit unrealistic. She basically threw away her entire life and future when she ran away but instead of self-preservation, she acted like a brat and all she thought was ‘I’m not doing that and you can’t make me!’. I couldn’t understand her contrarian attitude about EVERYTHING and it seemed out of character both for Diane and for any female of that time period.
Liam was way to passive and wishy-washy. He was going to let the woman he loved marry someone else rather than stand up and fight for what he wanted. Plus, I didn’t understand his judgement about Diane’s sketches….
“…..You are not not the woman I thought to know.” Because she had revealed she was unsuitable, because of her hobby. Because she had thought to show him who she was.
I felt the ending was rush, from Liam clearly passing her/ the town she was at only to wait at the anvil and her being expected her to find her own way plus flipping her wagon.
She finally arrives… the end. Personally, I was bummed there was no gratuitous smut scene at the end.😂😘🥰😍
I thought Diane’s transformation from a coddled meek follower into the super rebellious ‘couldn’t care less what people thought’ character a bit unrealistic. She basically threw away her entire life and future when she ran away but instead of self-preservation, she acted like a brat and all she thought was ‘I’m not doing that and you can’t make me!’. I couldn’t understand her contrarian attitude about EVERYTHING and it seemed out of character both for Diane and for any female of that time period.
Liam was way to passive and wishy-washy. He was going to let the woman he loved marry someone else rather than stand up and fight for what he wanted. Plus, I didn’t understand his judgement about Diane’s sketches….
“…..You are not not the woman I thought to know.” Because she had revealed she was unsuitable, because of her hobby. Because she had thought to show him who she was.
I felt the ending was rush, from Liam clearly passing her/ the town she was at only to wait at the anvil and her being expected her to find her own way plus flipping her wagon.
She finally arrives… the end. Personally, I was bummed there was no gratuitous smut scene at the end.😂😘🥰😍
May 19, 2025
Not what I expected-in the best way
I will start this by saying this is not at all what I typically read. I usually read some kind of monster romance. Kraken gargoyles and aliens are usually my cup of tea. But just like Dianne's drawings this cook was unexpected in the opposite way. It was laugh-out-loud funny in some moments, surprisingly heartfelt in others, and just the right amount of angst that made my little heart want to faint as much as Dianne does. I was at turns sympathetic, exasperated, and endeared by the main character. Much like Liam, I would imagine. Although maybe my monster romance love affair was somewhat mollified by the existence of stone-faced Liam with the heart of a romantic beating underneath. Much like my favorite gargoyles. The only complaint I had was that there was not an epilogue. I want to see Dianne in her drawing room after the fact, drawing Liam like 'one of her French girls' IYKYK. That would have made my fluttering heart so much happier. Still, this read was a ride from start to finish from the moment she grasped the carriage wheels and took us along on her journey. Much like Liam, I was surprised by her and loved her. 10/10 would faint with the goat again.
I will start this by saying this is not at all what I typically read. I usually read some kind of monster romance. Kraken gargoyles and aliens are usually my cup of tea. But just like Dianne's drawings this cook was unexpected in the opposite way. It was laugh-out-loud funny in some moments, surprisingly heartfelt in others, and just the right amount of angst that made my little heart want to faint as much as Dianne does. I was at turns sympathetic, exasperated, and endeared by the main character. Much like Liam, I would imagine. Although maybe my monster romance love affair was somewhat mollified by the existence of stone-faced Liam with the heart of a romantic beating underneath. Much like my favorite gargoyles. The only complaint I had was that there was not an epilogue. I want to see Dianne in her drawing room after the fact, drawing Liam like 'one of her French girls' IYKYK. That would have made my fluttering heart so much happier. Still, this read was a ride from start to finish from the moment she grasped the carriage wheels and took us along on her journey. Much like Liam, I was surprised by her and loved her. 10/10 would faint with the goat again.
April 27, 2024
Added immediately to my “Favorites”. I recently got on a monster-romance kick, which let me to Kate Prior. When I saw she had 1 regency romance, I opted to read a sample then immediately added it to my kindle. I felt that everything in the synopsis was covered in most of the sample and was curious about what KP would do in the remaining pages, hoping she wouldn’t do what many authors do and repeat parts of conversations and actions over and over just to up the word count. Not so, and what an utter delight! I learned so much about these very well thought out characters—not so much development as a revealing, to the reader as well as between the characters themselves. The whole thing—plot, characters, insights—was so well told. I was happy for the leads, how brave and intelligent the heroine and how deeply, intensely feeling the hero, traits of both contributing to the passion of their desire and not yielding to the regrets and embarrassment that are so usually found in so many books set in this period. Just a lovely, sweet, hot, genuine story.
August 7, 2022
Diane has spent her life being coddled and underestimated due to a condition which causes her to faint. When she passes out during her wedding - followed by her intended groom gifting her a fainting goat as a wedding present - she decides to flee. But following close behind is her fiance’s cousin, Liam, a man who she’s always found more attractive than she ought to - and it soon becomes clear that he feels the same way about her.
This was so fun! It’s really cute and amusing and it was such a refreshing quick read. Diane was a really fun heroine - her boldness and lack of naivete made her really entertaining and I liked how she took charge of their love scenes. Liam was a really sweet hero; it was clear to me as a reader how fond he felt of her from the very start. They had good chemistry and some really cute and sexy moments together.
There were a few modernisms that were a bit jarring, but overall I thought it was very well-written. Kate Prior has a really lovely turn of phrase, and some of her descriptions are really pretty and evocative. The sense of humour is what really makes this book. It made me smile all the way through - almost indulgently. It just felt very soft and easy, comforting and cosy. I just had a really fun time reading it and I’m excited for more from this author.
Content Notes: Runaway bride, mutual pining.
Warnings:
Other:
This was so fun! It’s really cute and amusing and it was such a refreshing quick read. Diane was a really fun heroine - her boldness and lack of naivete made her really entertaining and I liked how she took charge of their love scenes. Liam was a really sweet hero; it was clear to me as a reader how fond he felt of her from the very start. They had good chemistry and some really cute and sexy moments together.
There were a few modernisms that were a bit jarring, but overall I thought it was very well-written. Kate Prior has a really lovely turn of phrase, and some of her descriptions are really pretty and evocative. The sense of humour is what really makes this book. It made me smile all the way through - almost indulgently. It just felt very soft and easy, comforting and cosy. I just had a really fun time reading it and I’m excited for more from this author.
Content Notes: Runaway bride, mutual pining.
Warnings:
Other:
July 19, 2022
4.5⭐️
2.5🌶
Tropes:
-regency era
-arranged marriage to H’s cousin
-runaway bride and H
-virgin heroine
-one bed trope
Calling all historical romance readers! You definitely need to read this sweet & spicy novella! Diane finds herself on a fleeing carriage with her suitor’s cousin after leaving him at the alter. It was impossible not to like Diane, she was never ashamed for being who she was. Since it was only the heroine’s POV, Liam was a bit of a mystery that was slowly discovered. I found him to be a very attractive and sweet man. I was rooting for Diane’s happiness from the very beginning and I’m so glad Liam showed her that happiness and love. Thank you to the author for an advanced e-book copy! This was my first read by Kate and her writing was fantastic! Definitely recommend!
2.5🌶
Tropes:
-regency era
-arranged marriage to H’s cousin
-runaway bride and H
-virgin heroine
-one bed trope
Calling all historical romance readers! You definitely need to read this sweet & spicy novella! Diane finds herself on a fleeing carriage with her suitor’s cousin after leaving him at the alter. It was impossible not to like Diane, she was never ashamed for being who she was. Since it was only the heroine’s POV, Liam was a bit of a mystery that was slowly discovered. I found him to be a very attractive and sweet man. I was rooting for Diane’s happiness from the very beginning and I’m so glad Liam showed her that happiness and love. Thank you to the author for an advanced e-book copy! This was my first read by Kate and her writing was fantastic! Definitely recommend!
October 11, 2022
Short and sweet
A short and sweet read! The entire book happened over about 2 days and it can be read in less than 1.
The book is well written, but the FMC is kind of crazy and a lot of things are not "historical romance novel" accurate or even historically accurate at all. I also don't find any of their sexual interactions to be remotely realistic. She's a virgin during the repression of the Victorian era but has zero hesitation to be naked or have sexual relations in public. She seemed more like a modern experienced woman instead of a virgin gently bred Victorian woman.
If you are willing to suspend belief and just remember this is a light and fluffy book, you'll have a good time.
A short and sweet read! The entire book happened over about 2 days and it can be read in less than 1.
The book is well written, but the FMC is kind of crazy and a lot of things are not "historical romance novel" accurate or even historically accurate at all. I also don't find any of their sexual interactions to be remotely realistic. She's a virgin during the repression of the Victorian era but has zero hesitation to be naked or have sexual relations in public. She seemed more like a modern experienced woman instead of a virgin gently bred Victorian woman.
If you are willing to suspend belief and just remember this is a light and fluffy book, you'll have a good time.
August 1, 2023
Mixed feelings on this one.
I think I went in with the wrong kind of expectation, having started with Kate Prior's office fantasy romance stuff (which has very quirky, tongue-in-cheek humour). This novel didn't quite have the same comedic element and I think I picked it up when I was in the mood to laugh.
However, I did find the characters really sweet and liked the medical diversity rep with the FMC's fainting condition and her very liberated hobby of drawing erotic art.
I don't normally like the virgin FMC trope but I liked how Kate Prior portrayed it here, because she still understood her sexuality and owned it, despite her inexperience.
Basically, I liked this one but didn't LOVE it. Still a quick, sweet read though.
I think I went in with the wrong kind of expectation, having started with Kate Prior's office fantasy romance stuff (which has very quirky, tongue-in-cheek humour). This novel didn't quite have the same comedic element and I think I picked it up when I was in the mood to laugh.
However, I did find the characters really sweet and liked the medical diversity rep with the FMC's fainting condition and her very liberated hobby of drawing erotic art.
I don't normally like the virgin FMC trope but I liked how Kate Prior portrayed it here, because she still understood her sexuality and owned it, despite her inexperience.
Basically, I liked this one but didn't LOVE it. Still a quick, sweet read though.
February 26, 2025
4.5 *
This was a really cute, solid, quick read.
You have a runaway bride with chronic fainting who wants freedom to enjoy life without restrictions, and a groomsman who is secretly in love with her and follows her on her journey. Some goat antics ensue, as well as some steamy scenes and steamy drawings. All leading up to meeting at the Anvil in Scotland for a quick elopement.
It was cute, it was funny, and it was steamy.
***Slight Spoilers:
The only thing I didn't like was Diane's reluctance to agree to marry Liam at first, but I understand why. Also, I would have loved to know what happened to the groom after everything was done, because he got jilted twice and she chose his cousin/brother over him. ***
This was a really cute, solid, quick read.
You have a runaway bride with chronic fainting who wants freedom to enjoy life without restrictions, and a groomsman who is secretly in love with her and follows her on her journey. Some goat antics ensue, as well as some steamy scenes and steamy drawings. All leading up to meeting at the Anvil in Scotland for a quick elopement.
It was cute, it was funny, and it was steamy.
***Slight Spoilers:
The only thing I didn't like was Diane's reluctance to agree to marry Liam at first, but I understand why. Also, I would have loved to know what happened to the groom after everything was done, because he got jilted twice and she chose his cousin/brother over him. ***
July 12, 2022
Diane is one of the most interesting heroines I’ve encountered in a historical romance. She’s prone to fainting spells, so everyone around her has treated her with kid gloves since she was young. Seeing her escape from a marriage that seems good on the surface and then work to discover who she wants to be made Meet Me at the Anvil a fascinating novella.
This story is told entirely from Diane’s POV, so that made Liam a bit of a cypher. Diane isn’t a trustworthy judge of him, as one of the major plot points of Meet Me at the Anvil is that she doesn’t truly know what he thinks of her. Seeing Diane’s perceptions of him and of herself evolve over the course of their wayward escape from her marriage is the heart of this lovely romance.
Add in a supposedly fainting goat, a rickety carriage, and the classic “only one bed” trope, and you’ve got a delightful read in Meet Me at the Anvil!
This story is told entirely from Diane’s POV, so that made Liam a bit of a cypher. Diane isn’t a trustworthy judge of him, as one of the major plot points of Meet Me at the Anvil is that she doesn’t truly know what he thinks of her. Seeing Diane’s perceptions of him and of herself evolve over the course of their wayward escape from her marriage is the heart of this lovely romance.
Add in a supposedly fainting goat, a rickety carriage, and the classic “only one bed” trope, and you’ve got a delightful read in Meet Me at the Anvil!
August 4, 2023
This book was highly praised in booktube, so my expectations were high, but sadly, it fell short for me. While it's a cute story, it didn't sweep me off my feet like I hoped. The length of the book might be the reason the characters weren't fully developed, but I did find myself caring more about the heroine since the story is told from her point of view.
The ending was a bit rushed, leaving me feeling like the author had to hurriedly wrap things up. I wish the conclusion had been more satisfying, as it impacted my overall rating. If only the ending had been more well-rounded, I might have given this book a higher rating.
The ending was a bit rushed, leaving me feeling like the author had to hurriedly wrap things up. I wish the conclusion had been more satisfying, as it impacted my overall rating. If only the ending had been more well-rounded, I might have given this book a higher rating.
January 13, 2025
Very creative! The author did a good job with the short length of words she had to work with.
Diane has resigned herself to a boring life. She's never been able to reach higher due to her fainting condition. The story begins at her wedding to Martin, and shockingly, Diane has more feelings about the best man, Liam, than the groom. She decides to run away, and Liam decides to go with her. There's a cute goat. There's a LOT of spice. There are feelings revealed. And there's a fun road trip. Good times!
I adored Liam. I found myself less enamored with our heroine. The ending, however, was satisfying!
Diane has resigned herself to a boring life. She's never been able to reach higher due to her fainting condition. The story begins at her wedding to Martin, and shockingly, Diane has more feelings about the best man, Liam, than the groom. She decides to run away, and Liam decides to go with her. There's a cute goat. There's a LOT of spice. There are feelings revealed. And there's a fun road trip. Good times!
I adored Liam. I found myself less enamored with our heroine. The ending, however, was satisfying!
August 21, 2022
Christ, I just wanted to edit this. It was so close to a little slice of perfection. Get rid of the anachronisms, relax the bits of overly formal dialogue, delete the stray apostrophes, fill in the missing phrases, change the wrong homonyms to the right words. And rework the total mess of that final act.
Because the heroine was marvellous, and her hero was delicious, the goat was totally adorable, and the eroticism was super hawt.
I have a feeling I had similar frustrations with the other Katie Prior novel I read.
Because the heroine was marvellous, and her hero was delicious, the goat was totally adorable, and the eroticism was super hawt.
I have a feeling I had similar frustrations with the other Katie Prior novel I read.
March 12, 2024
Super sweet. Was lovely to finally be able to read about someone with a chronic disability finding love and having sex with a partner who was accommodating without being overbearing. The world needs more of this.
Somewhat spoilery info for the disabilities: Not directly stated since it's historical fiction, but MFC has bad asthma/panic disorder/blood pressure issues (that causes her to pass out,) & MMC likely has autism or something similar that makes emoting harder for him. As someone with both, I thought it was lovely representation <3
Somewhat spoilery info for the disabilities: Not directly stated since it's historical fiction, but MFC has bad asthma/panic disorder/blood pressure issues (that causes her to pass out,) & MMC likely has autism or something similar that makes emoting harder for him. As someone with both, I thought it was lovely representation <3
May 12, 2023
3 stars…
I really like Kates other two books but this one was very different but not in a bad way… more of a just not my taste kind of thing. Maybe I’m just an idiot but I like english where I understand all the words and don’t have to think or look crap up to understand. I like romance to be easy and not make me think very hard.
1/5 on spice. 2/5 on kink? 1/5 on tears. Kinda wish we got the drawing after all that talk.
I really like Kates other two books but this one was very different but not in a bad way… more of a just not my taste kind of thing. Maybe I’m just an idiot but I like english where I understand all the words and don’t have to think or look crap up to understand. I like romance to be easy and not make me think very hard.
1/5 on spice. 2/5 on kink? 1/5 on tears. Kinda wish we got the drawing after all that talk.
August 3, 2022
Funny!
Poor Dianne has a fainting condition - she faints whenever she can't deal with a situation or a person. Its a great cop-out and works for her.
Two guys want her, but which one will she meet at he Anvil?
So many really funny situations make this a really light, funny and easy to read story.
Poor Dianne has a fainting condition - she faints whenever she can't deal with a situation or a person. Its a great cop-out and works for her.
Two guys want her, but which one will she meet at he Anvil?
So many really funny situations make this a really light, funny and easy to read story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews