What do you think?
Rate this book
Marrywell Brides #2
Romancing the Heiress
Thanks to his profligate father, Phineas Radford is in dire straits. His estate verges on bankruptcy, and he doesn’t have the funds to maintain his family’s botanical gardens--an intrinsic part of Marrywell’s annual May Day Matchmaking Festival. He prays no one learns of his secret desperation or there will be a panic about the future of the festival, which everyone relies on to fill their own coffers. The only way to save his estate and the town is to find an heiress to wed before time runs out.
After five years away, Leah Webster returns home as the companion to a wealthy young Society lady who is in search of a husband. Her employer quickly captures the attention of Leah's oldest friend...and longtime secret tendre. Leah is determined to prevent the terrible mismatch between the provincial Phin and the High Society jewel until she discovers Phin’s noble reasons for the courtship. Though her own heart will surely break, Leah hatches an imprudent plan to save her town and the man she still loves.
After five years away, Leah Webster returns home as the companion to a wealthy young Society lady who is in search of a husband. Her employer quickly captures the attention of Leah's oldest friend...and longtime secret tendre. Leah is determined to prevent the terrible mismatch between the provincial Phin and the High Society jewel until she discovers Phin’s noble reasons for the courtship. Though her own heart will surely break, Leah hatches an imprudent plan to save her town and the man she still loves.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2023
82 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Burke
212 books2,278 followersDarcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
November 19, 2023
This is the third book in the Lords in Love series. In this addition, childhood friends Leah and Phin are reunited at the Merrywell Matchmaking Festival.
Phin is the owner of the botanical gardens, which is an important part of the festival. Leah is back in town after leaving to be a paid companion.
Romancing the Heiress is a sweet story, and Phin and Leah are a very likable couple. The book was fun and endearing at times. Overall, it was an enjoyable read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Phin is the owner of the botanical gardens, which is an important part of the festival. Leah is back in town after leaving to be a paid companion.
Romancing the Heiress is a sweet story, and Phin and Leah are a very likable couple. The book was fun and endearing at times. Overall, it was an enjoyable read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 1, 2023
‘Thanks to his profligate father, Phineas Radford is in dire straits. His estate verges on bankruptcy, and he doesn’t have the funds to maintain his family’s botanical gardens--an intrinsic part of Marrywell’s annual May Day Matchmaking Festival. He prays no one learns of his secret desperation or there will be a panic about the future of the festival, which everyone relies on to fill their own coffers. The only way to save his estate and the town is to find an heiress to wed before time runs out.
After five years away, Leah Webster returns home as the companion to a wealthy young Society lady who is in search of a husband. Her employer quickly captures the attention of Leah's oldest friend...and longtime secret tendre. Leah is determined to prevent the terrible mismatch between the provincial Phin and the High Society jewel until she discovers Phin’s noble reasons for the courtship. Though her own heart will surely break, Leah hatches an imprudent plan to save her town and the man she still loves.’
_________________________
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
Romancing the Heiress is the third book in the Lords in Love series, being co-authored by Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley, with Burke authoring the odds and Ridley the evens. It is a historical romance novella.
Leah and Phin are a sweet couple, but I wasn’t very invested in the pairing as I was more sympathetic with one character than the other.. They were childhood best friends and Leah has secretly been in love with him for years. She’s now back in Marrywell to face the town she escaped and she hasn’t looked back since her departure years prior. On the surface she’s returned because the festival is the surest way to ensure an engagement for her charge, but she is also secretly looking forward to seeing her Phin again and seeing once and for all if he could care for her as more than a friend. All the potential is there for a sweet story of reunited love.
But instead Phin is… a disappointment. At least he is to me as a reader, even if he isn’t to Leah.
I really liked Leah, but I thought she deserved better from one of the only people she has ever felt safe with and close to after the treatment she had during her upbringing. She was brave in facing her past and I’m glad of the way things turned out for her with her family and that the plot against her was foiled before it was too late.
This isn't quite what I'm used to for this author but as this is a series if novellas and she is splitting the series with another author that makes sense. Overall though, it was an enjoyable novella with great pacing,even with a lot of plot lines fit into it. This is a good series to read if you’re looking for something light and quick to read.
_____
I would like to thank the author, Darcy Burke, for sharing an eARC of her novella, Romancing the Heiress with me. This is my honest review.
After five years away, Leah Webster returns home as the companion to a wealthy young Society lady who is in search of a husband. Her employer quickly captures the attention of Leah's oldest friend...and longtime secret tendre. Leah is determined to prevent the terrible mismatch between the provincial Phin and the High Society jewel until she discovers Phin’s noble reasons for the courtship. Though her own heart will surely break, Leah hatches an imprudent plan to save her town and the man she still loves.’
_________________________
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
Romancing the Heiress is the third book in the Lords in Love series, being co-authored by Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley, with Burke authoring the odds and Ridley the evens. It is a historical romance novella.
Leah and Phin are a sweet couple, but I wasn’t very invested in the pairing as I was more sympathetic with one character than the other.. They were childhood best friends and Leah has secretly been in love with him for years. She’s now back in Marrywell to face the town she escaped and she hasn’t looked back since her departure years prior. On the surface she’s returned because the festival is the surest way to ensure an engagement for her charge, but she is also secretly looking forward to seeing her Phin again and seeing once and for all if he could care for her as more than a friend. All the potential is there for a sweet story of reunited love.
But instead Phin is… a disappointment. At least he is to me as a reader, even if he isn’t to Leah.
I really liked Leah, but I thought she deserved better from one of the only people she has ever felt safe with and close to after the treatment she had during her upbringing. She was brave in facing her past and I’m glad of the way things turned out for her with her family and that the plot against her was foiled before it was too late.
This isn't quite what I'm used to for this author but as this is a series if novellas and she is splitting the series with another author that makes sense. Overall though, it was an enjoyable novella with great pacing,even with a lot of plot lines fit into it. This is a good series to read if you’re looking for something light and quick to read.
_____
I would like to thank the author, Darcy Burke, for sharing an eARC of her novella, Romancing the Heiress with me. This is my honest review.
April 6, 2023
Romancing the Heiress. I liked reading this book. It was put together very well by the writer. I thought that the writer did a great job with creating the guilty parties to the storyline plot. I enjoyed the background story.
I thought that it was a good motivational issue for Leah and Phin to work together towards the end of the book. The plot was logical and clear to the readers. The characters and the actions of the characters was age appropriate for the level of romance and problem solving. I believe it’s the romance that actually steals the show of this book. Two people who were very good friends in their younger years meet again years later.
Neither two are the same, but only it’s the feelings that they have for each other that hasn’t changed. My favorite character was Mrs. Parker. She made the sweets that everyone enjoyed. The hook to the story was very catching. The stepmother, I believe was the driving force of the plot finding a solution.
Her character was exceptionally written. I could picture myself in that hallway with Leah and Harriett. It truly felt real, while I read this scene. The emotions for the characters were a little high, but for what Leah experienced in her youth that is to be expected. As I said the romance was the highlight to the story.
Leah and Phin were wonderful in this story. I give this story two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that it was a good motivational issue for Leah and Phin to work together towards the end of the book. The plot was logical and clear to the readers. The characters and the actions of the characters was age appropriate for the level of romance and problem solving. I believe it’s the romance that actually steals the show of this book. Two people who were very good friends in their younger years meet again years later.
Neither two are the same, but only it’s the feelings that they have for each other that hasn’t changed. My favorite character was Mrs. Parker. She made the sweets that everyone enjoyed. The hook to the story was very catching. The stepmother, I believe was the driving force of the plot finding a solution.
Her character was exceptionally written. I could picture myself in that hallway with Leah and Harriett. It truly felt real, while I read this scene. The emotions for the characters were a little high, but for what Leah experienced in her youth that is to be expected. As I said the romance was the highlight to the story.
Leah and Phin were wonderful in this story. I give this story two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2023
4.5 ⭐
You are my friend.
My confidante.
My lover.
But most of all, you are the other half of my soul.
I am not usually a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope but this made my heart melt. I love how it's not cringe-y and cheesy and both are such relatable and endearing characters. Their relationship is so intimate and stress-free (haha! Hey, compared to dark romance or enemy to lovers. This is so peaceful.) It's so heartwarming it feels like a hug. Very easy read I finished this in one sitting! I am now going back and reading the previous books as well as wait for the upcoming books in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. #RomancingtheHeiress #NetGalley
You are my friend.
My confidante.
My lover.
But most of all, you are the other half of my soul.
I am not usually a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope but this made my heart melt. I love how it's not cringe-y and cheesy and both are such relatable and endearing characters. Their relationship is so intimate and stress-free (haha! Hey, compared to dark romance or enemy to lovers. This is so peaceful.) It's so heartwarming it feels like a hug. Very easy read I finished this in one sitting! I am now going back and reading the previous books as well as wait for the upcoming books in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. #RomancingtheHeiress #NetGalley
April 12, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up,
Thanks to his father’s poor decisions, Phineas Radford is left to contend with an estate that is teetering close to bankruptcy, without sufficient funds to maintain his family’s botanical garden that is the cornerstone of the annual Merrywell May Day Matchmaking Festival. He’s doing all he can to keep his situation a secret lest any of the townspeople worry about the festival’s future, but he’s running out of options and the only thing Phin can think of now is to find an heiress and marry her quickly.
Leah Webster left Merrywell seven years ago and never looked back, but now she’s returned for the festival as companion to a young society lady searching for a husband. Her employer soon catches Phin’s eye, much to Leah’s chagrin as she’s long carried a torch for her oldest friend. Leah can tell that Phin and her charge aren’t well suited and attempts to nudge them apart, until she learns Phin’s true reasons for the courtship. Knowing it will break her own heart, Leah decides to try to save her town and Phin’s finances.
This was a quick friends-to-lovers story that gave me a few Cinderella vibes. I liked how true to herself Leah was, but she definitely put up with too much for too long, both from her family and her employers, as well as from Phin. She knew her feelings and was eventually willing to own them and be open about them, but Phin remained clueless for a long time. In fact, he was pretty indecisive and unreliable. He withheld the truth from Leah for too long and that, for me, undermined this deep foundation of friendship their relationship is supposed to have. I definitely wish he’d ended his pursuit of Leah’s charge before kissing Leah as well, rather than adding the love triangle vibe. These elements made Phin’s sudden epiphany about his true feelings for Leah feel fake somehow and not believable, like it only happened because we’d reached a point in the book where it was inevitable. It felt like he just decided this because he found out the woman he was pursuing was going to turn him down and I didn’t love that. Phin was likable enough, but I felt like he needed to show more backbone beneath his surface charm and Leah gave him quite a lot of leeway to reach their HEA, though theirs was still an enjoyable story, nonetheless.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Thanks to his father’s poor decisions, Phineas Radford is left to contend with an estate that is teetering close to bankruptcy, without sufficient funds to maintain his family’s botanical garden that is the cornerstone of the annual Merrywell May Day Matchmaking Festival. He’s doing all he can to keep his situation a secret lest any of the townspeople worry about the festival’s future, but he’s running out of options and the only thing Phin can think of now is to find an heiress and marry her quickly.
Leah Webster left Merrywell seven years ago and never looked back, but now she’s returned for the festival as companion to a young society lady searching for a husband. Her employer soon catches Phin’s eye, much to Leah’s chagrin as she’s long carried a torch for her oldest friend. Leah can tell that Phin and her charge aren’t well suited and attempts to nudge them apart, until she learns Phin’s true reasons for the courtship. Knowing it will break her own heart, Leah decides to try to save her town and Phin’s finances.
This was a quick friends-to-lovers story that gave me a few Cinderella vibes. I liked how true to herself Leah was, but she definitely put up with too much for too long, both from her family and her employers, as well as from Phin. She knew her feelings and was eventually willing to own them and be open about them, but Phin remained clueless for a long time. In fact, he was pretty indecisive and unreliable. He withheld the truth from Leah for too long and that, for me, undermined this deep foundation of friendship their relationship is supposed to have. I definitely wish he’d ended his pursuit of Leah’s charge before kissing Leah as well, rather than adding the love triangle vibe. These elements made Phin’s sudden epiphany about his true feelings for Leah feel fake somehow and not believable, like it only happened because we’d reached a point in the book where it was inevitable. It felt like he just decided this because he found out the woman he was pursuing was going to turn him down and I didn’t love that. Phin was likable enough, but I felt like he needed to show more backbone beneath his surface charm and Leah gave him quite a lot of leeway to reach their HEA, though theirs was still an enjoyable story, nonetheless.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
May 7, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book, and this is my freely given opinion.
This is book three of the Lord in Love series, and is a rather sweet friends to lovers story of two people who grew up in Marrywell together. Phineas Radford is the owner of the famed batonical gardens that are a cornerstone of the matrimonial festival that Marrywell is famous for, but he is drowning in debt he inherited from his father and is finding that the only way he can see out of his problems is to wed an heiress himself.
Leah Webster left Marrywell 5 years earlier to become a companion to an older lady, leaving behind an untenable situation at her family home. She lost her first position almost a year prior, as her employer, and friend passed on. Now she under the employ of the lady's niece, to be a companion to her debutante daughter, whom she has brought to Marrywell to aid in her search for a husband. It is not as pleasant a situation as her previous job, but she hopes to see her old friends Sadie and Phineas again. Especially Phineas as she has always harboured a crush on him.
Leah and Phin reconnect and revisit the past together through the festival and visits to the garden. When Leah finds out about Phin's situation, she resolves to help him, even if it means letting go of her own dreams as she helps him court her charge. Phin, on seeing his friend Leah again, realizes just how much he has missed her, and that those feelings of childhood love and friendship have grown into something more. But he is still facing the challenges of his debt and what to do to save the gardens.
Leah is also forced to face the challenges of her past, which includes a horrible family life and an abusive mother. But when she does confront this, she finds a conspiracy against her and a wonderful reward that could give her the freedom to pursue her dreams.
This was a sweet childhood crush friends to lovers story that I quite enjoyed. I don't understand though, if the mother was such a witch whom everyone disliked, including her own family, and she was so miserable wit her own life, why no one acted so long ago? Other than Phin's grandfather, there was no other adult else willing to speak out or act on Leah's behalf? That saddened the story quite a bit for me.
3.25 stars out of 5
This is book three of the Lord in Love series, and is a rather sweet friends to lovers story of two people who grew up in Marrywell together. Phineas Radford is the owner of the famed batonical gardens that are a cornerstone of the matrimonial festival that Marrywell is famous for, but he is drowning in debt he inherited from his father and is finding that the only way he can see out of his problems is to wed an heiress himself.
Leah Webster left Marrywell 5 years earlier to become a companion to an older lady, leaving behind an untenable situation at her family home. She lost her first position almost a year prior, as her employer, and friend passed on. Now she under the employ of the lady's niece, to be a companion to her debutante daughter, whom she has brought to Marrywell to aid in her search for a husband. It is not as pleasant a situation as her previous job, but she hopes to see her old friends Sadie and Phineas again. Especially Phineas as she has always harboured a crush on him.
Leah and Phin reconnect and revisit the past together through the festival and visits to the garden. When Leah finds out about Phin's situation, she resolves to help him, even if it means letting go of her own dreams as she helps him court her charge. Phin, on seeing his friend Leah again, realizes just how much he has missed her, and that those feelings of childhood love and friendship have grown into something more. But he is still facing the challenges of his debt and what to do to save the gardens.
Leah is also forced to face the challenges of her past, which includes a horrible family life and an abusive mother. But when she does confront this, she finds a conspiracy against her and a wonderful reward that could give her the freedom to pursue her dreams.
This was a sweet childhood crush friends to lovers story that I quite enjoyed. I don't understand though, if the mother was such a witch whom everyone disliked, including her own family, and she was so miserable wit her own life, why no one acted so long ago? Other than Phin's grandfather, there was no other adult else willing to speak out or act on Leah's behalf? That saddened the story quite a bit for me.
3.25 stars out of 5
April 2, 2023
The perfect afternoon read to curl up with!
Blends the sweetly endearing with a touch of steamy intimacy to make this a fun, lighthearted, low angst, friends to lovers romance, that I thoroughly enjoyed being swept into.
Phin and Leah so effortlessly radiated with a deep rooted friendship, born of confidences shared and the innocence and glow of childhood affection that you can't help but like them instantly. It's their circumstances, whether mentally impacted by family or financially crippling that clouds what would of been such an easy transition from friends to lovers to beloved that has you tangled up in knots and screaming for secrets to be shared upon their reunion seven years later.
The touches on the emotional effects of past abuse and the healing love of friendship resonates beneath the fun and levity. Adding a potency to and emphasisng the pain of Leah's unrequited love to empathetic effect. That she cast me in a haze of pent up tension and longing that I couldn't help mirroring her conflicting feelings. I ached as her hopes diminished and rose and my eyes misted to the point of tears when Phin unbeknowningly stabbed her heart every time he advanced his courtship with her charge right before her eyes.
Although, many twists lingered an air of predictability to them, it was the emotional journey Leah took (and in many ways Phin too), in how she untangled, ultimately unpicked and dealt with the mistreatment and abuse fired at her from copious angles that allowed her to grow into such a strong character and consequently kept me reading and vitally fully invested in her happiness.
With the added delightful bonus of Sadie and Law playing cameos to enhance the fun, warmth and continuity of book one I'm fully hooked into where this series will take us next. A wonderful read that can be fully enjoyed as a standalone just as much as part of the Lords in Love series. Looking forward to the next one!
Blends the sweetly endearing with a touch of steamy intimacy to make this a fun, lighthearted, low angst, friends to lovers romance, that I thoroughly enjoyed being swept into.
Phin and Leah so effortlessly radiated with a deep rooted friendship, born of confidences shared and the innocence and glow of childhood affection that you can't help but like them instantly. It's their circumstances, whether mentally impacted by family or financially crippling that clouds what would of been such an easy transition from friends to lovers to beloved that has you tangled up in knots and screaming for secrets to be shared upon their reunion seven years later.
The touches on the emotional effects of past abuse and the healing love of friendship resonates beneath the fun and levity. Adding a potency to and emphasisng the pain of Leah's unrequited love to empathetic effect. That she cast me in a haze of pent up tension and longing that I couldn't help mirroring her conflicting feelings. I ached as her hopes diminished and rose and my eyes misted to the point of tears when Phin unbeknowningly stabbed her heart every time he advanced his courtship with her charge right before her eyes.
Although, many twists lingered an air of predictability to them, it was the emotional journey Leah took (and in many ways Phin too), in how she untangled, ultimately unpicked and dealt with the mistreatment and abuse fired at her from copious angles that allowed her to grow into such a strong character and consequently kept me reading and vitally fully invested in her happiness.
With the added delightful bonus of Sadie and Law playing cameos to enhance the fun, warmth and continuity of book one I'm fully hooked into where this series will take us next. A wonderful read that can be fully enjoyed as a standalone just as much as part of the Lords in Love series. Looking forward to the next one!
April 4, 2023
I’m a little torn in my reactions to this book. Normally, when I want to rush through reading a book it’s because I want to gobble up all the details as fast as I can get them. This time, I just really wanted to know what it would take for these two to realize what was going on around them. I loved the idea of childhood best friends reuniting and discovering that there was more than mere friendship between them. And I mostly liked the push/pull dynamic between Leah and Phin, I would have liked to see a bit more spark between them, though. Perhaps a bit more backbone, as well. I found the villain/problem/solution to have been very easy to recognize quite early in the story. That made it frustrating for me when it took so long for anyone to figure it out. I loved the ending and I still love Marrywell. I can’t wait to see what other matches come from the festival.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
April 1, 2023
I’d like to thank the author, the publisher Zealous Quill Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Romancing The Heiress” by Darcy Bruke is the third installment of the “Lords in Love' '-series and tells the story of Leah and Phin. Leah and Phin had been friends since they were small children, spending most of their time in the botanic garden of Phin’s family. Early on, Leah developed a crush on her childhood friend which over the years turned into deep affection. Due to her love staying unrequited and family problems making living in Marrywell unbearable, Leah moved to London to be a companion to a rich Lady. Almost a decade later, Leah returns to attend the May Day Matchmaking Festival with her new employer and a spark of hope that this time around Phin might return her feelings.
Five years ago, Phin inherited the estate, botanic gardens as well as the debts of his father. Afraid that his money troubles might frighten the citizens of Marrywell and affect the already dragging business, Phin keeps his worries to himself. Out of desperation for financial aid, he starts considering looking for a wife with a large dowry at this year’s May Day Matchmaking Festival. So, it’s only convenient when his childhood friend Leah accompanies a rich heiress to Marrywell’s yearly festivities. All his problems seemed solved, weren’t it for these strange feelings that started bubbling up between him and Leah. And when they share a secret kiss, the prospect of marrying anyone but Leah becomes more and more unbearable.
It’s been a while since I read such a sweet friends-to-lovers-romance as “Romancing The Heiress”. Though one does not spend a very long time with Leah and Phin, one can’t help but to care for them. Leah is a kind hearted and strong female character who decided early on that she wanted to stand on her own two feet. The supposed rejection by Phin was hard on her, even though she does not show it. And while Leah only hides her feelings, Phin hides all his problems pretending they don’t exist, despite the fact his world is crashing down on him. Only when they reveal their hidden sides to each other, their estranged friendship rekindles and sparks start flying.
I very much enjoyed the setting of Marrywell and the May Day Matchmaking Festival. The book is such a pleasant read for summer and spring with all the descriptions of parks, plants and balls. The idea of a festival of matchmaking is unique and definitely fun to read, from the hopes for love of the candidates to the announcement of the May King and Queen aka the most successful match. If I had the chance, I’d definitely attend.
I loved how the novel tackled the theme of estrangement whether it be between friends or family. Although this novel is fun and lighthearted, it very depicts the struggles and loss of becoming estranged with people you were once close to. In particular, Leah deals with this experience and I enjoyed watching how she overcame the loneliness and sense of loss.
The main reason why I rated this novel 4 instead of 5 stars is that the plot is very predictable and one could see everything coming. This isn’t really much a flaw, but more a personal preference. I do like having unexpected things happening and a touch of angst getting the tension up. None of these were present here. From page one on you know what will happen, you recognise every twist and turn ahead and it’s pretty much smooth sailing. Particularly, if like me you have read quite a bit of historical romances and are used to the tropes and overall structure of the stories. Just a touch of surprise would have set the cherry on top.
Overall, a sweet and fun novel perfect for spring and summer. A great novel for fans of the friends-to-lovers-trope and English countryside. I’d definitely pick up another book by the authors and can’t wait to read more about Lords in love.
“Romancing The Heiress” by Darcy Bruke is the third installment of the “Lords in Love' '-series and tells the story of Leah and Phin. Leah and Phin had been friends since they were small children, spending most of their time in the botanic garden of Phin’s family. Early on, Leah developed a crush on her childhood friend which over the years turned into deep affection. Due to her love staying unrequited and family problems making living in Marrywell unbearable, Leah moved to London to be a companion to a rich Lady. Almost a decade later, Leah returns to attend the May Day Matchmaking Festival with her new employer and a spark of hope that this time around Phin might return her feelings.
Five years ago, Phin inherited the estate, botanic gardens as well as the debts of his father. Afraid that his money troubles might frighten the citizens of Marrywell and affect the already dragging business, Phin keeps his worries to himself. Out of desperation for financial aid, he starts considering looking for a wife with a large dowry at this year’s May Day Matchmaking Festival. So, it’s only convenient when his childhood friend Leah accompanies a rich heiress to Marrywell’s yearly festivities. All his problems seemed solved, weren’t it for these strange feelings that started bubbling up between him and Leah. And when they share a secret kiss, the prospect of marrying anyone but Leah becomes more and more unbearable.
It’s been a while since I read such a sweet friends-to-lovers-romance as “Romancing The Heiress”. Though one does not spend a very long time with Leah and Phin, one can’t help but to care for them. Leah is a kind hearted and strong female character who decided early on that she wanted to stand on her own two feet. The supposed rejection by Phin was hard on her, even though she does not show it. And while Leah only hides her feelings, Phin hides all his problems pretending they don’t exist, despite the fact his world is crashing down on him. Only when they reveal their hidden sides to each other, their estranged friendship rekindles and sparks start flying.
I very much enjoyed the setting of Marrywell and the May Day Matchmaking Festival. The book is such a pleasant read for summer and spring with all the descriptions of parks, plants and balls. The idea of a festival of matchmaking is unique and definitely fun to read, from the hopes for love of the candidates to the announcement of the May King and Queen aka the most successful match. If I had the chance, I’d definitely attend.
I loved how the novel tackled the theme of estrangement whether it be between friends or family. Although this novel is fun and lighthearted, it very depicts the struggles and loss of becoming estranged with people you were once close to. In particular, Leah deals with this experience and I enjoyed watching how she overcame the loneliness and sense of loss.
The main reason why I rated this novel 4 instead of 5 stars is that the plot is very predictable and one could see everything coming. This isn’t really much a flaw, but more a personal preference. I do like having unexpected things happening and a touch of angst getting the tension up. None of these were present here. From page one on you know what will happen, you recognise every twist and turn ahead and it’s pretty much smooth sailing. Particularly, if like me you have read quite a bit of historical romances and are used to the tropes and overall structure of the stories. Just a touch of surprise would have set the cherry on top.
Overall, a sweet and fun novel perfect for spring and summer. A great novel for fans of the friends-to-lovers-trope and English countryside. I’d definitely pick up another book by the authors and can’t wait to read more about Lords in love.
April 3, 2023
I struggled with book 1, but I like the author and hoped since there wouldn’t be much set up in book 3 that the pacing would be better.
Leah Webster has returned to Marrywell as a paid companion to get her charge married and to see the boy she left behind. Phineas Radford is on the verge of bankruptcy because of his father’s gambling and needs to marry for money to keep the town’s botanical gardens open.
Of course Phin never considered his old friend and of course Leah is jealous when he settles on her employer. Genevieve wasn’t a villain and the actual villain was clear a thousand miles away. I liked Phin even in the first book, but I just wish he knew Leah for him BEFORE he knew Genevieve would probably say no. This series isn't wowing me like the Phoenix Club series did.
I received an arc from netgalley
Leah Webster has returned to Marrywell as a paid companion to get her charge married and to see the boy she left behind. Phineas Radford is on the verge of bankruptcy because of his father’s gambling and needs to marry for money to keep the town’s botanical gardens open.
Of course Phin never considered his old friend and of course Leah is jealous when he settles on her employer. Genevieve wasn’t a villain and the actual villain was clear a thousand miles away. I liked Phin even in the first book, but I just wish he knew Leah for him BEFORE he knew Genevieve would probably say no. This series isn't wowing me like the Phoenix Club series did.
I received an arc from netgalley
Read
April 10, 2023Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke is the third book in the series called Lords in Love. Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley are writing the series all based in Marrywell, England. The town grows tremendously each year for the annual festival, May Day Matchmaking Festival. A lot of the festival happens at the local botanical gardens which is owned by Phineas Radford. Phineas’ family has owned and taken care of the gardens for three generations. Unfortunately, his father gambled away most of the money and they are on the brink of losing everything! Phineas has to marry - and fast - a heiress.
Leah Webster left home long ago. She had found work as a ladies’ companion. This year, she has brought her current employer and her family to Marrywell to find a husband. Leah still loves Phineas after all these years, but once she knew the straits he is in, she nobly figures out how to get him a heiress.
That's when there is a major plot twist. Leah finds out the truth about something and it changes everything! The characters were fun and I enjoyed the plot. Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke was a great read.
Leah Webster left home long ago. She had found work as a ladies’ companion. This year, she has brought her current employer and her family to Marrywell to find a husband. Leah still loves Phineas after all these years, but once she knew the straits he is in, she nobly figures out how to get him a heiress.
That's when there is a major plot twist. Leah finds out the truth about something and it changes everything! The characters were fun and I enjoyed the plot. Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke was a great read.
April 3, 2023
I absolutely love the way
Darcy Burke
writes. All of her stories pull you in from the very beginning and you can not put them down. The same goes for Leah and Phin.
Leah has been in love with him since she was a little girl. But her childhood was not a happy one and when given the opportunity she left her home. Now she's back and when she sees Phin again, all of her emotions come rushing back.
Phin never expected to see her again. He's in dire need of money to save his beloved gardens, and her employer might be the solution to all his problems. But the more time he spends with her, remembering what they meant to each other, he's starting to question if he can marry someone that is not Leah.
I absolutely loved the conclusion to this story, because to be honest for a second there I was convinced that these two lovebirds were not going to get the HEA that should have happened a long time ago.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Leah has been in love with him since she was a little girl. But her childhood was not a happy one and when given the opportunity she left her home. Now she's back and when she sees Phin again, all of her emotions come rushing back.
Phin never expected to see her again. He's in dire need of money to save his beloved gardens, and her employer might be the solution to all his problems. But the more time he spends with her, remembering what they meant to each other, he's starting to question if he can marry someone that is not Leah.
I absolutely loved the conclusion to this story, because to be honest for a second there I was convinced that these two lovebirds were not going to get the HEA that should have happened a long time ago.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
April 8, 2023
Leah Webster returns to Marrywells by way of convincing her employer, Mrs. Selkirk, the annual May Day Matchmaking Festival is an opportunity to find a husband for her daughter. That's not her true reason. It's Phineas Radford. It's been 6 years, 8 months and 23 days since she left Marrywells. He's the love of her life, but he sees her as a friend. An heiress will save the gardens on his property so much a part of the festival. Leah's charge, Genevieve Selkirk is the perfect young lady to marry. A heartbreaking love story that carries the hope of a second chance. Once again Burke and Ridley create a magical place to find love. A little descriptive heat.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
April 5, 2023
This is my 49th book by Darcy Burke and I have been reading her since 2015. I consider her one of my favorites and since I’ve read all her book, I just wait for her next new release to come out. I read her and Erica Ridley’s other series, The Wicked Duke's Club back in 2016 and really enjoyed their teaming up. Glad to see another series with them again.
I really enjoyed Phin and Leah's story. It was a quick read but I felt Darcy got a lot of depth in the characters. I felt like you really got their story and nothing was left out. Can't wait to read the next in line.
I really enjoyed Phin and Leah's story. It was a quick read but I felt Darcy got a lot of depth in the characters. I felt like you really got their story and nothing was left out. Can't wait to read the next in line.
March 26, 2023
Such a clever story about Leah and Phin and the Marrywell’s annual May Day Matchmaking Festival (don’t you just love that name?)
Leah is employed as a companion to a young lady and they go to her hometown, Marrywell, just in for the festival, in the hopes that the young lady will find a suitable match.
But, all is not what it seems and the various truths are uncovered and made known until all is suitable resolved so that Leah and Phin can finally find their happy every after.
This book was another very enjoyable addition to this series and I highly recommend it.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and this is my voluntary review of it.
Leah is employed as a companion to a young lady and they go to her hometown, Marrywell, just in for the festival, in the hopes that the young lady will find a suitable match.
But, all is not what it seems and the various truths are uncovered and made known until all is suitable resolved so that Leah and Phin can finally find their happy every after.
This book was another very enjoyable addition to this series and I highly recommend it.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and this is my voluntary review of it.
April 27, 2023
I really liked Leah but gosh, she has put up with way too much stuff over the years. Ok, it's different when it's your employer, but I hated the stuff she had to go through growing up. Felt a little too close to home for my comfort.
That being said, I loved her and I love Marrywell! I love their festival and the gardens and the activities! All of it is just so lovely, what a fun place to experience! I was a little annoyed at how dense Phin was, but he was also fun and sweet and a really good guy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!
That being said, I loved her and I love Marrywell! I love their festival and the gardens and the activities! All of it is just so lovely, what a fun place to experience! I was a little annoyed at how dense Phin was, but he was also fun and sweet and a really good guy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!
April 8, 2023
Darcy Burke takes us back to Marrywell, England to the Marrywell May Day Matchmaking Festival. Leah Webster returns after 7 years away as companion to Lady Norcott, who had rescued her from a horrible home life and provided her a very exciting life instead. She had even mentioned to Leah that she would be provided for, but when she died suddenly. all that was given to Leah was 2 months pay, several books, a good recommendation and the opportunity for her to become a companion to her great niece. Leah had suggested to her current employer that the festival was a great place to find a match. She also wanted to see her two friends, Sadie, now a duchess (book 1) and Phil (Phineas Redford), whom she has secretly loved. Both of her friends are overjoyed to see her, but Phin is having financial issues with the botanical gardens, because of debts that his father had incurred. The only solution is to marry an heiress. Too bad that Leah isn't want (as far as she knows). There are wonderful characters, missed opportunities, a villainess, witty banter and of course the HEA.
I read an ARC provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley.com. this I say unbiased and voluntary review.
I read an ARC provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley.com. this I say unbiased and voluntary review.
September 14, 2023
Leah and Phin’s romance took a very slow stroll towards their HEA. In fact most of the story featured his halfhearted wooing of Genevieve. Leah’s story is interesting, her past as it unfolds explains a lot, but how she managed living her life regardless of the obstacles was uplifting.
April 4, 2023
What a lucky day it was for readers when terrific romance authors Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley decided to coauthor the Lords in Love series, alternating the writing of each book. Romancing the Heiress is the third book in the series and the second written by Burke. It’s just as delightful as the previous two entries.
We get to revisit the town of Marrywell, a town which specializes in exactly what its name implies: an annual May Day Matchmaking Festival. The festival draws crowds from London and beyond with its fair maidens, gentlemen looking for brides (or just a bit of fun) and its beautiful botanical gardens created and maintained by the Radford family. The local merchants greatly benefit from the influx of visitors and packed-to-capacity inns and dining spots and the botanical gardens are a big part of the town’s appeal.
Leah Webster grew up in Marrywell with good friends and the love of her life, but she couldn’t wait to leave. Her mother was cold and cruel and her father failed to protect her. She took the first opportunity to escape the pain and humiliation, first becoming companion to elderly Lady Norcott, and upon her death companion to Genevieve Selkirk, Lady Norcott’s great niece. Lady Norcott was loving and Leah was happy with her; the Selkirks – not so much, but even though this wasn’t the exciting, fulfilling life Leah dreamed of as a young girl it was better than unceasing torment. She’s back in Marrywell now, after five years away, under the guise of finding a marriage match for Genevieve but more so to see the unrequited love of her life. She’s barely heard from him since she left but her love still burns bright.
Phineas Radford – Phin – is kind of a knucklehead in that he doesn’t realize he is the love of Leah’s life and that if he sat down for a minute and thought about it he would have that “Aha!” moment and realize how much he cares for her, too. But for right now he’s focused on trying to save his estate and properly maintain the family gardens without the funds to do so. His maternal grandfather created them; Phin’s father wasn’t talented or particularly concerned about them, and Phin discovered shortly before his father’s death that he had poorly invested and gambled away all the family money. Phin loves the gardens and wants to honor his grandfather’s memory, as well as properly care for his grandmother and retain the estate. With few funds and inadequate staff, the state of the gardens has suffered, but Phin is too ashamed to confess what happened and admit he needs help; he doesn’t want to let the town he loves down.
Regency novels are so much fun. We have rules and changing morals and schemes and intrigue today, but in the Regency Era the rules could be so rigid and demanding on the one hand while on the other hand something like a nobleman marrying an heiress solely for her money so he could retain his estate was a perfectly acceptable practice. So off Phin goes, surprised that he is feeling something that seems to be more than “just friends” when Leah is around yet diligently embarking on a plan to capture a rich bride and save his estate and gardens and not fail the town. Leah keeps telling herself and everyone else that she is over her feelings for Phin, Phin wanders around not knowing what’s up half the time, and the Selkirk family isn’t very nice. All of this makes for a delightful story, with fingers crossed for an HEA and at times wanting to shake some characters and yell wake up already!
A bonus in returning to Marrywell is experiencing the fun of the festival, the beauty of the countryside and spending a little more time with Sadie and Law from the first book. The plot moves smoothly along, you’re not always quite sure who is up to what, and there are definitely a couple of steamy, swoony, satisfying encounters. Thanks to Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley for providing an advance copy of Romancing the Heiress as part of their review crew for my heart-pounding reading pleasure and honest opinion. I loved this book and both previous books in the series and can’t wait for the next book. All opinions are my own.
We get to revisit the town of Marrywell, a town which specializes in exactly what its name implies: an annual May Day Matchmaking Festival. The festival draws crowds from London and beyond with its fair maidens, gentlemen looking for brides (or just a bit of fun) and its beautiful botanical gardens created and maintained by the Radford family. The local merchants greatly benefit from the influx of visitors and packed-to-capacity inns and dining spots and the botanical gardens are a big part of the town’s appeal.
Leah Webster grew up in Marrywell with good friends and the love of her life, but she couldn’t wait to leave. Her mother was cold and cruel and her father failed to protect her. She took the first opportunity to escape the pain and humiliation, first becoming companion to elderly Lady Norcott, and upon her death companion to Genevieve Selkirk, Lady Norcott’s great niece. Lady Norcott was loving and Leah was happy with her; the Selkirks – not so much, but even though this wasn’t the exciting, fulfilling life Leah dreamed of as a young girl it was better than unceasing torment. She’s back in Marrywell now, after five years away, under the guise of finding a marriage match for Genevieve but more so to see the unrequited love of her life. She’s barely heard from him since she left but her love still burns bright.
Phineas Radford – Phin – is kind of a knucklehead in that he doesn’t realize he is the love of Leah’s life and that if he sat down for a minute and thought about it he would have that “Aha!” moment and realize how much he cares for her, too. But for right now he’s focused on trying to save his estate and properly maintain the family gardens without the funds to do so. His maternal grandfather created them; Phin’s father wasn’t talented or particularly concerned about them, and Phin discovered shortly before his father’s death that he had poorly invested and gambled away all the family money. Phin loves the gardens and wants to honor his grandfather’s memory, as well as properly care for his grandmother and retain the estate. With few funds and inadequate staff, the state of the gardens has suffered, but Phin is too ashamed to confess what happened and admit he needs help; he doesn’t want to let the town he loves down.
Regency novels are so much fun. We have rules and changing morals and schemes and intrigue today, but in the Regency Era the rules could be so rigid and demanding on the one hand while on the other hand something like a nobleman marrying an heiress solely for her money so he could retain his estate was a perfectly acceptable practice. So off Phin goes, surprised that he is feeling something that seems to be more than “just friends” when Leah is around yet diligently embarking on a plan to capture a rich bride and save his estate and gardens and not fail the town. Leah keeps telling herself and everyone else that she is over her feelings for Phin, Phin wanders around not knowing what’s up half the time, and the Selkirk family isn’t very nice. All of this makes for a delightful story, with fingers crossed for an HEA and at times wanting to shake some characters and yell wake up already!
A bonus in returning to Marrywell is experiencing the fun of the festival, the beauty of the countryside and spending a little more time with Sadie and Law from the first book. The plot moves smoothly along, you’re not always quite sure who is up to what, and there are definitely a couple of steamy, swoony, satisfying encounters. Thanks to Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley for providing an advance copy of Romancing the Heiress as part of their review crew for my heart-pounding reading pleasure and honest opinion. I loved this book and both previous books in the series and can’t wait for the next book. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2023
TL;DR: I’ve enjoyed quite a few of Darcy Burke’s books, most recently her Phoenix Club series. so I was looking forward to trying one of her stories from a different series. Sadly, I didn’t end up enjoying this at all. My biggest issue is that I didn’t feel the chemistry between Phin and Leah, and I found that there was too much “telling” and not nearly enough “showing”, which left the characters and romance feeling shallow. That said, I know I’m very much in the minority with my feelings if the other reviews and ratings are anything to go by, so I have no doubt that others could end up loving this more than I did!
I was intrigued by both Leah and Phin’s characters as they’re both good people who want to do right by others. For Leah, that means putting up with a passive-aggressive employer until her charge becomes betrothed and for Phin, that means keeping the bleak reality of the state of the botanical gardens hidden from everyone in the village. Leah wasn’t a difficult FMC to root for. After suffering horrible abuses by her mother at home, she left to become a companion to an elderly woman who was more like a mother to her than the one she grew up with. She’s sharp and has an admirable ability to put up with ridiculous peoples’ nonsense and keep her sanity. She has always harboured feelings for Phin, her childhood best friend, and even all these years later she still feels the same and hopes maybe, since he’s unmarried, something can happen between them. I wanted her to have a bit more pride when it came to Phin!
Phin is a horticulturist who finds it easier to manage plants than to manage his family estate, particularly the botanical gardens, which has steadily fallen into disrepair since his father died and emptied the coffers with his debts several years ago. I admired Phin’s attempts to keep his grandfather’s dreams alive but sadly, I didn’t connect with him at all. Both characters came across as fairly young (even though they were in their mid-20s), and his indecisiveness and desire to “have his cake and eat it too” was irritating. I didn’t believe that he suddenly “rediscovered” feelings for Leah after remembering that they shared a kiss 20 years ago(!), and while I get his desperation to marry for money to save the garden, the suddenness with which he goes from preparing to propose to one woman to then professing love and asking for Leah’s hand in marriage the next was a bit too unrealistic for me to suspend my disbelief. There is one on-page sex scene later on in the book and to be honest, I found it awkward and thought it read like a short sex ed scene instead of something that was sexy.
Ultimately, there’s a lot that happens on these pages and I felt maybe it was a case of too much all at once that made everything feel a little too shallow. This goes beyond the romance and can be said for the “conflict” between Leah and her employer and her mother as well. I guessed what the issue would be from the beginning but the total lack of tension didn’t do anything to help either because when everything was revealed it just felt a little anticlimactic. Overall, I’m sad that this wasn’t the book for me but I do think that others who enjoy a light, historical romance with earnest characters and a bit of steam may enjoy it more!
I was intrigued by both Leah and Phin’s characters as they’re both good people who want to do right by others. For Leah, that means putting up with a passive-aggressive employer until her charge becomes betrothed and for Phin, that means keeping the bleak reality of the state of the botanical gardens hidden from everyone in the village. Leah wasn’t a difficult FMC to root for. After suffering horrible abuses by her mother at home, she left to become a companion to an elderly woman who was more like a mother to her than the one she grew up with. She’s sharp and has an admirable ability to put up with ridiculous peoples’ nonsense and keep her sanity. She has always harboured feelings for Phin, her childhood best friend, and even all these years later she still feels the same and hopes maybe, since he’s unmarried, something can happen between them. I wanted her to have a bit more pride when it came to Phin!
Phin is a horticulturist who finds it easier to manage plants than to manage his family estate, particularly the botanical gardens, which has steadily fallen into disrepair since his father died and emptied the coffers with his debts several years ago. I admired Phin’s attempts to keep his grandfather’s dreams alive but sadly, I didn’t connect with him at all. Both characters came across as fairly young (even though they were in their mid-20s), and his indecisiveness and desire to “have his cake and eat it too” was irritating. I didn’t believe that he suddenly “rediscovered” feelings for Leah after remembering that they shared a kiss 20 years ago(!), and while I get his desperation to marry for money to save the garden, the suddenness with which he goes from preparing to propose to one woman to then professing love and asking for Leah’s hand in marriage the next was a bit too unrealistic for me to suspend my disbelief. There is one on-page sex scene later on in the book and to be honest, I found it awkward and thought it read like a short sex ed scene instead of something that was sexy.
Ultimately, there’s a lot that happens on these pages and I felt maybe it was a case of too much all at once that made everything feel a little too shallow. This goes beyond the romance and can be said for the “conflict” between Leah and her employer and her mother as well. I guessed what the issue would be from the beginning but the total lack of tension didn’t do anything to help either because when everything was revealed it just felt a little anticlimactic. Overall, I’m sad that this wasn’t the book for me but I do think that others who enjoy a light, historical romance with earnest characters and a bit of steam may enjoy it more!
June 18, 2023
Romancing the Heiress is the third book in the Lords in Love series, and it was such a delight to read.
Phineas Radford, or Phin as Leah calls him, has inherited his family's botanical gardens. These gardens are an important part of Marrywell's annual May Day Matchmaking Festival, and also a big part of Marrywell's town history. He inherited the gardens from his father, who gambled away all of the money set aside for the estate and gardens leaving our male lead Phin in a tight spot.
Leah grew up in Marrywell with Phin. They were best friends until she moved away seven years ago to get away from her toxic family. She took a job as a companion to an older lady but now is the companion to a young lady and is escorting her to the Marrywell Matchmaking Festival.
I've only read a few other historical romances before this book, so I don't really know what I like in them exactly, but despite that I loved this one. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, and while this doesn't fit that trope to a T (as there is a pretty lengthy period of time where they don't talk) it still felt like a friends to lovers book, which just made me like the book even more.
Phin is looking to marry a woman with a large dowry so he can rebuild his family's wealth and take better care of the botanical gardens. Leah is a companion to Genevieve, who has a large dowry, so Phin is interested in her right away. This is hard for Leah to watch because she has been in love with Phin for years.
I personally loved Leah and Genevieve's friendship with one another. Even though Genevieve was technically her boss, you can tell she really valued Leah as a person and could see that Leah really wanted what was best for Genevieve, especially when it came to finding a husband. In fact, the friendships between the women in this book is one of the main reasons I liked it so much,
Phin doesn't really start to find his feelings for Leah until about 40% in the book, but once he does the pining between the two is so sweet it was almost too hard to read. Throughout the book from the first moment of Phin and Leah's re connection, we get small flashbacks of different moments between the two and I thought this made such a difference in my opinion of their romance. If these small moments weren't included, I would have felt like there wasn't enough chemistry.
The only things I wished were different was that I wish we got more alone moments between Leah and Phin. majority of the book they only get to speak to each other when they are in a group with Leah's employers, so the relationship moves very slow and the book was hard to get into because of that. I also wish we were able to see more of Phin's thoughts about Leah. I believed Leah loves Phin more than he loves her because we got to see her love fester. Phin's feelings didn't have enough time to develop for me, but I do still think they belong together.
Overall, this was a pretty good book and I would recommend it to people that want to get into historical romance and people who want to read a historical romance set adjacent to the London season.
This is an honest review and I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for providing a free copy.
Phineas Radford, or Phin as Leah calls him, has inherited his family's botanical gardens. These gardens are an important part of Marrywell's annual May Day Matchmaking Festival, and also a big part of Marrywell's town history. He inherited the gardens from his father, who gambled away all of the money set aside for the estate and gardens leaving our male lead Phin in a tight spot.
Leah grew up in Marrywell with Phin. They were best friends until she moved away seven years ago to get away from her toxic family. She took a job as a companion to an older lady but now is the companion to a young lady and is escorting her to the Marrywell Matchmaking Festival.
I've only read a few other historical romances before this book, so I don't really know what I like in them exactly, but despite that I loved this one. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, and while this doesn't fit that trope to a T (as there is a pretty lengthy period of time where they don't talk) it still felt like a friends to lovers book, which just made me like the book even more.
Phin is looking to marry a woman with a large dowry so he can rebuild his family's wealth and take better care of the botanical gardens. Leah is a companion to Genevieve, who has a large dowry, so Phin is interested in her right away. This is hard for Leah to watch because she has been in love with Phin for years.
I personally loved Leah and Genevieve's friendship with one another. Even though Genevieve was technically her boss, you can tell she really valued Leah as a person and could see that Leah really wanted what was best for Genevieve, especially when it came to finding a husband. In fact, the friendships between the women in this book is one of the main reasons I liked it so much,
Phin doesn't really start to find his feelings for Leah until about 40% in the book, but once he does the pining between the two is so sweet it was almost too hard to read. Throughout the book from the first moment of Phin and Leah's re connection, we get small flashbacks of different moments between the two and I thought this made such a difference in my opinion of their romance. If these small moments weren't included, I would have felt like there wasn't enough chemistry.
The only things I wished were different was that I wish we got more alone moments between Leah and Phin. majority of the book they only get to speak to each other when they are in a group with Leah's employers, so the relationship moves very slow and the book was hard to get into because of that. I also wish we were able to see more of Phin's thoughts about Leah. I believed Leah loves Phin more than he loves her because we got to see her love fester. Phin's feelings didn't have enough time to develop for me, but I do still think they belong together.
Overall, this was a pretty good book and I would recommend it to people that want to get into historical romance and people who want to read a historical romance set adjacent to the London season.
This is an honest review and I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for providing a free copy.
April 7, 2023
I am so glad that Darcy and Erica decided to write this series. Whenever they get together you know you're in for a fun time reading. This is the third book of the series, and we get to meet back up with Sadie and Law from book one. Phineas Radford, due to no fault of his own, is about to lose everything he loves. Radford Grange, which has been home to him, his father and grandfather along with the botanical gardens. The gardens were a gift from his grandfather to the town and where many of the famous Merry Wells May Days Matchmaking events take place. The only thing he can think of now to save everything is too merry an Heiress. Something he is not looking forward to either. The last person he expected to run into was Leah Wester! She and he were best friends till she left seven years ago to be the companion to a wealthy older woman. It was very hard on him to see her go. But he understood more than most why she needed to get out of town. Leah returns to her hometown festival for the young Lady Genevieve, she is the companion too. Genevieve is seeking a husband. Leah also wants to see her old friend and love of her life, Phineas (Phin). She spent a lot of time with him and his grandfather to escape her unhappy home life. She has loved Phin since she was nine. He never gave her any reason to believe he felt the same. Things do not go as she expected when her employer, Mrs. Selkirk, (a very nasty, spiteful person) Genevieve and Mrs. Dunhill meet Phin. Genevieve is smitten by him. Oh, my now the plot thickens with Phin acting different, Genevieve planning on marry him, a wealthy gentleman from London Mr. Mercer asking lots of questions Leah will need to solve a lot of mysteries and get some answers before either her or Phin can find a happy ever after. All the books in this series can be read as a standalone but so much better if read in order. For those who would like to know this is a five on the steamy chart. Characters from the first books and the history of the town and festival follow in all the books. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
April 3, 2023
3.5 stars
I absolutely adore Darcy Burke's style of writing! This is the third book in the Lords in Love series and the second of Burke's contributions. We return to the town of Marrywell and their annual matchmaking festival the year after Sophie and Law's advantageous match. Leah is back in town after fleeing her abusive home life seven years ago. She had become the companion of a widowed baroness until her death last year. The baronesses family offered to continue her companion job until her daughter is able to make a match. Leah agrees to attend the matchmaking festival and help find Genevieve a husband even if it means confronting her past.
Phin is struggling to keep the botanical gardens manicured and running. His father gambled away all of the family money and he needs to come up with a quick solution before the stone literally falls down around him. His last resort is to marry an heiress and luckily it's time for the matchmaking festival. Phin is stopped in his tracks when he runs into his childhood best friend, Leah, whom he hasn't seen in seven years. She agrees to help him make a match with Genevieve even if they won't suit in the long term. Memories have a way of bringing back past feelings and turning friends into something more.
Although Darcy's books are usually a huge hit with me, this one the hero fell a little flat. It was a slow burn, friends to lovers. I tend to love a much more authoritative hero and that was not Phin. He was kind of wishy washy right up to the 70 percent mark. I think this was just a case of the tropes not aligning with the reader. It was really nice to be able to peek into the lives of Law and Sophie again. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing what other matches are going to take place.
Thank you to NetGalley, Darcy Burke, and Zealous Quill Press for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
#netgalley #zealousquillpress #lordsinlove #romancingtheheiress
I absolutely adore Darcy Burke's style of writing! This is the third book in the Lords in Love series and the second of Burke's contributions. We return to the town of Marrywell and their annual matchmaking festival the year after Sophie and Law's advantageous match. Leah is back in town after fleeing her abusive home life seven years ago. She had become the companion of a widowed baroness until her death last year. The baronesses family offered to continue her companion job until her daughter is able to make a match. Leah agrees to attend the matchmaking festival and help find Genevieve a husband even if it means confronting her past.
Phin is struggling to keep the botanical gardens manicured and running. His father gambled away all of the family money and he needs to come up with a quick solution before the stone literally falls down around him. His last resort is to marry an heiress and luckily it's time for the matchmaking festival. Phin is stopped in his tracks when he runs into his childhood best friend, Leah, whom he hasn't seen in seven years. She agrees to help him make a match with Genevieve even if they won't suit in the long term. Memories have a way of bringing back past feelings and turning friends into something more.
Although Darcy's books are usually a huge hit with me, this one the hero fell a little flat. It was a slow burn, friends to lovers. I tend to love a much more authoritative hero and that was not Phin. He was kind of wishy washy right up to the 70 percent mark. I think this was just a case of the tropes not aligning with the reader. It was really nice to be able to peek into the lives of Law and Sophie again. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing what other matches are going to take place.
Thank you to NetGalley, Darcy Burke, and Zealous Quill Press for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
#netgalley #zealousquillpress #lordsinlove #romancingtheheiress
April 5, 2023
Phineas Radford, horticulturalist like his grandfather, he takes care of the botanical gardens. Since his father has left him in a tight spot, he has cut back on maintenance gardeners. He is hoping no one will notice.
Leah Webster left Merrywell seven years ago to become companion to Lady Norcott. Now after her death she is companion to the lady's great niece, Genevieve. In trying to help, she recommends the festival from her hometown.
Genevieve, Mrs. Dunhill, friend of Mrs. Selkirk, who was mother to Genevieve, Agree to go to the festival although for a different reason.
As the past runs through her minds Leah is excited to visit old friends but not family. Seeing Saddie, Phin, and others around town is thrilling but the fear of seeing family is always present.
Phin is trying to save the botanical gardens his grandfather loved and built. His live also, but the mess his father left is a guilt eating at him.
When the two bump into each other Phin thinks he has found a solution in the festivals event, Leah thinks she will find her love in Phin for her. Phin quickly starts courting Genevieve to Leah's heartache. As the two skirt around their friendship, feelings, and the past, new feelings develop that make Phin rethink his plan.
As Genevieve grows weary of all the attention she receives, the only consolation is Phin, whom she likes. Mrs. Selkirk boasts of the dowery, which is the first time anyone's hears of it. Leah tries to both encourage and dissway the courtship with Phin.
Come join the Merrywell May Festival again as this secretly clandestine meeting unfolds. Will the past be later to rest or will it cause issues? Who ends up betrothed? What secrets are revealed? How does Lady Novelty play a roll?
Find out in this wonderful charming read as old friends and new interact through beautifully written and thought provoking plots that will have you spellbound.
Leah Webster left Merrywell seven years ago to become companion to Lady Norcott. Now after her death she is companion to the lady's great niece, Genevieve. In trying to help, she recommends the festival from her hometown.
Genevieve, Mrs. Dunhill, friend of Mrs. Selkirk, who was mother to Genevieve, Agree to go to the festival although for a different reason.
As the past runs through her minds Leah is excited to visit old friends but not family. Seeing Saddie, Phin, and others around town is thrilling but the fear of seeing family is always present.
Phin is trying to save the botanical gardens his grandfather loved and built. His live also, but the mess his father left is a guilt eating at him.
When the two bump into each other Phin thinks he has found a solution in the festivals event, Leah thinks she will find her love in Phin for her. Phin quickly starts courting Genevieve to Leah's heartache. As the two skirt around their friendship, feelings, and the past, new feelings develop that make Phin rethink his plan.
As Genevieve grows weary of all the attention she receives, the only consolation is Phin, whom she likes. Mrs. Selkirk boasts of the dowery, which is the first time anyone's hears of it. Leah tries to both encourage and dissway the courtship with Phin.
Come join the Merrywell May Festival again as this secretly clandestine meeting unfolds. Will the past be later to rest or will it cause issues? Who ends up betrothed? What secrets are revealed? How does Lady Novelty play a roll?
Find out in this wonderful charming read as old friends and new interact through beautifully written and thought provoking plots that will have you spellbound.
April 9, 2023
Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke is the third book in the Lords in Love series. The books in this series all take place during the matchmaking festival in the town of Marrywell.
A lot of the festivities take place in the botanical gardens which are owned by Phineas Radford. His father before him spent all the family money which meant after his death the estate is bordering on bankruptcy. Much to Phin's dismay the gardens are nowhere up to the standard they should be and he can't afford to hire people to get them back to the beautiful state they have always been in for the festival. He never thought he would see the day, but he decides he has to take part in the matchmaking festival himself this time in the hope of finding a woman with a good dowry to marry. It's his only hope of saving his home and the gardens,
Leah Webster born and raised in Marrywell had left home 5 years ago and hadn't returned until now. She is the companion of a young woman whose mother is hoping to find her a good, preferably titled husband. Leah has loved Phin for most of her life, although he had no idea. To him, they were just best of friends. He is delighted when he sees her again and is surprised to find that when he spends time with her he starts to see her as more than just a friend. Typical bad luck considering he has to marry a woman of means and that woman just happens to be the one that Leah is a companion to.
He can't afford to follow his heart as much as he wants to, or can he?
I loved Leah and Phin's story, it ticked all the boxes for me. I always love a good will they or won't they trope.
As always, the Marrywell matchmaking festival was a joy to read about. Each book in the series may be set in the same place, but each one brings something new, not just the characters, and they are a delight to read. You don't have to read all of the books; each can be read as a stand-alone, but I am sure you will want to read them all once you read one.
A lot of the festivities take place in the botanical gardens which are owned by Phineas Radford. His father before him spent all the family money which meant after his death the estate is bordering on bankruptcy. Much to Phin's dismay the gardens are nowhere up to the standard they should be and he can't afford to hire people to get them back to the beautiful state they have always been in for the festival. He never thought he would see the day, but he decides he has to take part in the matchmaking festival himself this time in the hope of finding a woman with a good dowry to marry. It's his only hope of saving his home and the gardens,
Leah Webster born and raised in Marrywell had left home 5 years ago and hadn't returned until now. She is the companion of a young woman whose mother is hoping to find her a good, preferably titled husband. Leah has loved Phin for most of her life, although he had no idea. To him, they were just best of friends. He is delighted when he sees her again and is surprised to find that when he spends time with her he starts to see her as more than just a friend. Typical bad luck considering he has to marry a woman of means and that woman just happens to be the one that Leah is a companion to.
He can't afford to follow his heart as much as he wants to, or can he?
I loved Leah and Phin's story, it ticked all the boxes for me. I always love a good will they or won't they trope.
As always, the Marrywell matchmaking festival was a joy to read about. Each book in the series may be set in the same place, but each one brings something new, not just the characters, and they are a delight to read. You don't have to read all of the books; each can be read as a stand-alone, but I am sure you will want to read them all once you read one.
February 20, 2024
I normally love Darcy Burke but this book fell a bit flat for me. FMC Leah left the idyllic town of Marrywell after a difficult childhood, leaving behind her best friend (and the subject of her secret love), MMC Phinneas ("Phin"). Leah has returned as a companion to an alleged heiress (Genevieve) who seeks a match at the annual marriage festival and because she longs to see Phin again. Phin in the meantime has fallen into dire financial straits and has determined there is nothing else for him to do but marry an heiress so Genevieve's arrival seems most fortuitous. Leah is of course hurt but hides it in the name of demonstrating her love by allowing Phin to marry Genevieve. But the duo's reconnection also brings in old/new emotions and the desire for a different sort of HEA.
Phin is a very bland MMC. He seems content to be rather buffeted around by life and it is hard to buy his sudden realization that he both loves and desires Leah when he was set on marrying her employer only a couple hours before he declares his desire for Leah (which he does only after learning that Genevieve has decided she does not want to marry him at all). While he is portrayed as a horticulturalist versus a businessman, it doesn't take a ton of business savvy to see that allowing access to his beloved gardens for free would likely be a better solution than marrying a stranger for funds. Leah is more likable than Phin, but again doesn't come across as a strong character, though she is admittedly more in sync with the actual times than are many of the more feisty FMCs I have previously enjoyed. The inheritance plot line was obvious, and her family issues seem far too easily resolved. I also felt for poor Genevieve, whose fairly crappy hand in life was summarily dismissed.
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because I know Ms. Burke is normally much better. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
Phin is a very bland MMC. He seems content to be rather buffeted around by life and it is hard to buy his sudden realization that he both loves and desires Leah when he was set on marrying her employer only a couple hours before he declares his desire for Leah (which he does only after learning that Genevieve has decided she does not want to marry him at all). While he is portrayed as a horticulturalist versus a businessman, it doesn't take a ton of business savvy to see that allowing access to his beloved gardens for free would likely be a better solution than marrying a stranger for funds. Leah is more likable than Phin, but again doesn't come across as a strong character, though she is admittedly more in sync with the actual times than are many of the more feisty FMCs I have previously enjoyed. The inheritance plot line was obvious, and her family issues seem far too easily resolved. I also felt for poor Genevieve, whose fairly crappy hand in life was summarily dismissed.
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because I know Ms. Burke is normally much better. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
March 31, 2023
This is the story of Leah and Phin, who grew up together in the small town Marrywell. Leah didn’t have a happy childhood so she left and hasn’t returned in 7 years to become the companion of an elderly lady. Now she is in the employ of another lady who wants her daughter Genevieve married to a titled man. Since Marrywell hosts an annual May Day matchmaking festival, Leah returns to the small town with the whole ensemble. Phin in the meantime inherited the botanical gardens from his father, but struggles with maintaining it due to a lack of funds. So his solution is to marry an heiress and Genevieve catches his eye.
I felt the story was quite predictable and lacked pace and chemistry. Phin didn’t come across as a strong, independent man who knows what he wants and takes action. He was often doubting himself, wondering what he would do or how he felt. He could clearly see that Leah’s her employer was a nasty woman, but still thought she “found happiness as a companion” and was confused when she made a snarky comment after another man payed attention to her. He seemed oblivious to her feelings and I found that quite weak. Leah was also quite passive, forever waiting for Phin to answer her feelings, since she’s been in love with him since they were little children. So they both dances around each other, all the while trying to save the botanical gardens. Those gardens seemed more important to Phin than his own happiness or that of his wife, because he was willing to marry any woman with funds. If he had a family or was a landowner with tenants who depended on him for their livelihood, it would have made sense, but not to keep up gardens for the benefit of the neighborhood.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I felt the story was quite predictable and lacked pace and chemistry. Phin didn’t come across as a strong, independent man who knows what he wants and takes action. He was often doubting himself, wondering what he would do or how he felt. He could clearly see that Leah’s her employer was a nasty woman, but still thought she “found happiness as a companion” and was confused when she made a snarky comment after another man payed attention to her. He seemed oblivious to her feelings and I found that quite weak. Leah was also quite passive, forever waiting for Phin to answer her feelings, since she’s been in love with him since they were little children. So they both dances around each other, all the while trying to save the botanical gardens. Those gardens seemed more important to Phin than his own happiness or that of his wife, because he was willing to marry any woman with funds. If he had a family or was a landowner with tenants who depended on him for their livelihood, it would have made sense, but not to keep up gardens for the benefit of the neighborhood.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 20, 2023
I enjoy every story Darcy Burke pens. This is about two old friends who finally get their happily ever after. We once again are at the Merryville May Day Matchmaking Festival. This time Leah Webster as a companion has come home to help her charge to Miss Genevieve Selkirk find a husband. Her old friend Phineas Radford is looking for an heiress to help him save his family's botanical gardens, a centerpiece for the town's festival. These two people are strongly drawn to each other but know love is doomed because of their circumstances. My heart is always broken in these types of stories. I am thrilled to see how the author works out a happily ever after for them. I was surprised by this one. Always a good recommendation for reading a book.
Phineas Radford is desperate to save the botanical gardens given his father lost the families funds with bad investments and gambling debts. His father also lost his life trying to make things right as he owed money to the wrong person. Phineas cannot maintain the extensive gardens without funds. His only solution is to marry an heiress or selling it. The gardens were created by his beloved grandfather and he can't bear to sell. The festival is a perfect opportunity to find an heiress. He quickly narrows down his search to Leah's charge Genevieve.
Leah Webster left town years ago when a wonderful widow offered her a job as her paid companion. Lady Norcott became like a mother to her taking her away from her abusive mother. After Lady Norcott passed she set Leah up with her grand-niece Genevieve. Unfortunately her mother was never satisfied with Leah's choices and actions for Genevieve, always finding fault. Later we find out why. She and Phineas spend quite a bit of time together as old friends budding into more while giving him time to court Genevieve. Eventually Leah goes to face her family and learns the truth about why her mother was so cruel. Here she learns things that change the direction of her life.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Phineas Radford is desperate to save the botanical gardens given his father lost the families funds with bad investments and gambling debts. His father also lost his life trying to make things right as he owed money to the wrong person. Phineas cannot maintain the extensive gardens without funds. His only solution is to marry an heiress or selling it. The gardens were created by his beloved grandfather and he can't bear to sell. The festival is a perfect opportunity to find an heiress. He quickly narrows down his search to Leah's charge Genevieve.
Leah Webster left town years ago when a wonderful widow offered her a job as her paid companion. Lady Norcott became like a mother to her taking her away from her abusive mother. After Lady Norcott passed she set Leah up with her grand-niece Genevieve. Unfortunately her mother was never satisfied with Leah's choices and actions for Genevieve, always finding fault. Later we find out why. She and Phineas spend quite a bit of time together as old friends budding into more while giving him time to court Genevieve. Eventually Leah goes to face her family and learns the truth about why her mother was so cruel. Here she learns things that change the direction of her life.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 12, 2023
Romancing the Heiress is the third novel in the Lords in Love series of Regency romances, with books alternately authored by Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley. Each story is set during the town of Marrywell’s annual matchmaking festival, so characters and settings make repeat appearances, but each book is about a different couple and stands alone.
This was an ok story of two childhood friends finding happiness together, but I found both characters’ decisions frustrating and felt the story lacked humor and romance. Lady’s companion Leah is unhappy in her current position and missing her childhood friend Phin, but she’s determined not to move back to Marrywell because she had a difficult childhood and doesn’t want to risk seeing her family. Botanist Phin is in a difficult financial situation but is too stubborn to ask for help or consider charging entrance fees to his family’s botanical gardens. He has convinced himself that if he doesn’t mention the problem, no one will notice that the gardens are not being properly maintained, which is ridiculous. For two thirds of the book, Phin is focused on marrying Leah’s charge, Genevieve, whose dowry he believes will solve his problems. In the last third of the book, many characters change course quickly in a way that felt unrealistic to me.
I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as Burke’s other books because it didn’t align with my romantic tastes and preference for witty banter. Depending on what you want from a story, you might enjoy this more than I did. Note that this book includes occasional mild swearing and one scene of sex between two uncommitted partners.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and volunteered to provide an honest review.
This was an ok story of two childhood friends finding happiness together, but I found both characters’ decisions frustrating and felt the story lacked humor and romance. Lady’s companion Leah is unhappy in her current position and missing her childhood friend Phin, but she’s determined not to move back to Marrywell because she had a difficult childhood and doesn’t want to risk seeing her family. Botanist Phin is in a difficult financial situation but is too stubborn to ask for help or consider charging entrance fees to his family’s botanical gardens. He has convinced himself that if he doesn’t mention the problem, no one will notice that the gardens are not being properly maintained, which is ridiculous. For two thirds of the book, Phin is focused on marrying Leah’s charge, Genevieve, whose dowry he believes will solve his problems. In the last third of the book, many characters change course quickly in a way that felt unrealistic to me.
I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as Burke’s other books because it didn’t align with my romantic tastes and preference for witty banter. Depending on what you want from a story, you might enjoy this more than I did. Note that this book includes occasional mild swearing and one scene of sex between two uncommitted partners.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and volunteered to provide an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews