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The Academy of Love #5
Dancing with Love
Their mercenary marriage of convenience was perfect…until love got in the way…
Mary Barnett didn’t dream of marriage and family. Scarred and wary, she’s done everything she can to avoid men. Operating her family’s vast business would be her future. She had no way of knowing her father would place conditions on her inheritance. Namely, she only gets control of her fortune and family business when she marries.
The last time his family tried to force Miles Ingram to marry for money, he rebelled and went off to war. His subsequent employment as a dancing instructor might have been enough to sustain him—but when his brother dies, saddling him a destitute earldom, Miles can no longer hide from his obligations. He’ll need to marry, and fast…
They’re complete opposites, but their goals are perfectly aligned. And it’s not long before they realize their hearts aren’t as far apart as they initially thought. Miles and Mary know their dance with love can only end in happily ever after, or heartbreak. But which will it be?
Mary Barnett didn’t dream of marriage and family. Scarred and wary, she’s done everything she can to avoid men. Operating her family’s vast business would be her future. She had no way of knowing her father would place conditions on her inheritance. Namely, she only gets control of her fortune and family business when she marries.
The last time his family tried to force Miles Ingram to marry for money, he rebelled and went off to war. His subsequent employment as a dancing instructor might have been enough to sustain him—but when his brother dies, saddling him a destitute earldom, Miles can no longer hide from his obligations. He’ll need to marry, and fast…
They’re complete opposites, but their goals are perfectly aligned. And it’s not long before they realize their hearts aren’t as far apart as they initially thought. Miles and Mary know their dance with love can only end in happily ever after, or heartbreak. But which will it be?
331 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2022
155 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Minerva Spencer
51 books1,762 followers**I ONLY RATE BOOKS I REALLY ENJOYED**.
Before I began writing I spent time as a dock worker, a reader for the blind, a criminal prosecutor, and I taught American History on the college level for five years. My last job was running an 8-bedroom bed and breakfast, a subject I will never write about...
I like historical fiction because I enjoy escaping into the past when I relax. And I write romance because I love a happy ending and everything that happens along the way.
I came to writing late in life and I feel like I have to write fast to catch up! I work every day at a desk looking out over the Sangre de Cristo mountains, my free range birds, and my three flock protecting hounds Earl, Spot, and Rover.
When I'm not writing I'm playing with my animals, knitting, DIYing, crocheting, sewing, or watching old movies.
I also write historical romance and erotic romance under the name S.M. LaViolette and historical mystery under the name S.M. Goodwin.
Before I began writing I spent time as a dock worker, a reader for the blind, a criminal prosecutor, and I taught American History on the college level for five years. My last job was running an 8-bedroom bed and breakfast, a subject I will never write about...
I like historical fiction because I enjoy escaping into the past when I relax. And I write romance because I love a happy ending and everything that happens along the way.
I came to writing late in life and I feel like I have to write fast to catch up! I work every day at a desk looking out over the Sangre de Cristo mountains, my free range birds, and my three flock protecting hounds Earl, Spot, and Rover.
When I'm not writing I'm playing with my animals, knitting, DIYing, crocheting, sewing, or watching old movies.
I also write historical romance and erotic romance under the name S.M. LaViolette and historical mystery under the name S.M. Goodwin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 29, 2023
There was too much drama in this and not enough romance.
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, so I’ll give her another try, but I don’t particularly recommend this book.
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, so I’ll give her another try, but I don’t particularly recommend this book.
January 14, 2023
3 Stars
I love Ms Spencer's books. But this one was the weakest in the series. Mary was so bitter, antagonistic and acrimonious, my God! She brought to mind some of Lisa Kleypas's heroines, which I abhor. The worst part is that she was capable of being normal, sweet, supportive, and strong, but her idiocy ruined most of the story. Also, barely any steam! Is that even possible in a Spencer book?
I love Ms Spencer's books. But this one was the weakest in the series. Mary was so bitter, antagonistic and acrimonious, my God! She brought to mind some of Lisa Kleypas's heroines, which I abhor. The worst part is that she was capable of being normal, sweet, supportive, and strong, but her idiocy ruined most of the story. Also, barely any steam! Is that even possible in a Spencer book?
sampled-and-declined
February 9, 2024You know what my second most-hated Beauty & Beast trope is? Regencies! Or period drama romances in the style of Regency Romances even if they're not set in that time. They always have all my other hated tropes, B&B and non-B&B. This one? Too much drama, little plot, and even less Beauty & Beast. Pass!
January 1, 2023
Mary Barnett has to marry to retain control of the family business and fortune, as this condition is part of her father's will. Unfortunately, she was scarred from a fire when she was a child and a spinster at 26 years old. Miles Ingram, a dance instructor and a handsome one to boot, who also recently ascended to an earldom, is desperate for an heiress. He inherited a dilapidated castle with a horde of family members and tenants to care for. Each has something to gain by marrying the other, but they also have secrets they don't wish the other to know. Can their marriage of convenience turn into something more?
Tropes:
- Sunshine and grumpy MCs
- Beauty and the beast
- Marriage of convenience
- Road trip romance
The good:
-One of the reasons I keep reading this author's works is the unpredictable plot. This book, on the surface, is filled with familiar tropes and cliches, but there are a few twists and turns that still surprise you.
- I've always been partial to her writing style. This book is no different. Her writing style is easy to read, and the prose is clear.
- I liked that the author has tried to keep it as authentic to the period as possible. She has also inserted a couple of actual historical events.
- Seeing some of the other book characters in this series appear here was lovely.
The not-so-good:
- Mary spends more than half the book being prickly, insufferable, brash, rude and obnoxious towards Miles to protect herself from falling in love with him. I prefer the couple spent more time being in love rather than out of love. This book is pretty much a slow burn to me.
- I thought the events during the betrothal were too lengthy. It could have been cut short so that the focus could be more for after the wedding.
- The steam level could be better since this book is written under her pseudonym S.M. LaViolette. The first love scene was after the 50% mark, and only 3 scenes in total, so I pegged this book as mid-steam.
I still think the previous book in this series The Language of Love is the best of the bunch. For fans of this author, go for this book. It was a pleasant read, and my rating for this book is 3.75 stars.
Tropes:
- Sunshine and grumpy MCs
- Beauty and the beast
- Marriage of convenience
- Road trip romance
The good:
-One of the reasons I keep reading this author's works is the unpredictable plot. This book, on the surface, is filled with familiar tropes and cliches, but there are a few twists and turns that still surprise you.
- I've always been partial to her writing style. This book is no different. Her writing style is easy to read, and the prose is clear.
- I liked that the author has tried to keep it as authentic to the period as possible. She has also inserted a couple of actual historical events.
- Seeing some of the other book characters in this series appear here was lovely.
The not-so-good:
- Mary spends more than half the book being prickly, insufferable, brash, rude and obnoxious towards Miles to protect herself from falling in love with him. I prefer the couple spent more time being in love rather than out of love. This book is pretty much a slow burn to me.
- I thought the events during the betrothal were too lengthy. It could have been cut short so that the focus could be more for after the wedding.
- The steam level could be better since this book is written under her pseudonym S.M. LaViolette. The first love scene was after the 50% mark, and only 3 scenes in total, so I pegged this book as mid-steam.
I still think the previous book in this series The Language of Love is the best of the bunch. For fans of this author, go for this book. It was a pleasant read, and my rating for this book is 3.75 stars.
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January 6, 2023ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ : ꜱɪxᴛʏ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀᴄᴇɴᴛ
i think it's time for me to admit …
minerva spencer and i are on two different wave lengths 😭 i just … ugh *sighs in frustration*
i have gone into almost every minerva spencer book excited, eager, and ready to be enchanted. i have also almost always dipped halfway through 🤪
i truly think it's a case of …
mostly me but also ... kinda the characters *cough* miles was bland and mary was being difficult for the thinnest reasons ever *cough*
cause, look … i just- ugh. i could not with mary, miles was there, and i'm honestly super confused as to why these two were being overly difficult.
i think i would have been less annoyed with miles and mary if their tension had meant something.
because as it stands, idk … it seemed to me like mary was being purposefully stubborn and miles was just there. like the beautiful man that he is, according to mary 🥲
the minute mary admitted to being in love with miles i peaced out so freaking hard …
because honestly, what? where? why? how? and again, from where did that love come from? it all felt so very unearned (as did that kiss, i might add) …
however, however, i will never stop trying to love this series as much as i loved book one.
it's weird because i remember being so frustrated with portia, stacey, and their entire miscommunication storyline, and yet … i was drawn into their romance nonetheless.
thus, i will continue to hold out hope that i will someday rate another minerva spencer book four -or more- stars.
❝miss barnett, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?❞
she sucked in a breath and her lips parted in surprise, the unstudied expression making her look rather pretty. ❝iyes, my lord, i will.❞
i think it's time for me to admit …
minerva spencer and i are on two different wave lengths 😭 i just … ugh *sighs in frustration*
i have gone into almost every minerva spencer book excited, eager, and ready to be enchanted. i have also almost always dipped halfway through 🤪
i truly think it's a case of …
mostly me but also ... kinda the characters *cough* miles was bland and mary was being difficult for the thinnest reasons ever *cough*
cause, look … i just- ugh. i could not with mary, miles was there, and i'm honestly super confused as to why these two were being overly difficult.
i think i would have been less annoyed with miles and mary if their tension had meant something.
because as it stands, idk … it seemed to me like mary was being purposefully stubborn and miles was just there. like the beautiful man that he is, according to mary 🥲
the minute mary admitted to being in love with miles i peaced out so freaking hard …
because honestly, what? where? why? how? and again, from where did that love come from? it all felt so very unearned (as did that kiss, i might add) …
however, however, i will never stop trying to love this series as much as i loved book one.
it's weird because i remember being so frustrated with portia, stacey, and their entire miscommunication storyline, and yet … i was drawn into their romance nonetheless.
thus, i will continue to hold out hope that i will someday rate another minerva spencer book four -or more- stars.
December 19, 2023
This is my 14th book of Minerva Spencer's. I have been reading her since 2021 and just love her writing. I love her stories and characters. I have also read 11 books of hers also since 2021 as S.M. LaViolette.
I LOVED book 4 of this series. I was up until 2am finishing it so this book had a lot to live up to. :) Well the same happened with this book. I was up until 2am reading it to finish this one too. I Loved! Loved! Loved! it. I loved Miles and Mary. I loved this story. I loved their characters. Just so damn good.
I loved the suspense and their crazy but adventurous time. Just such a great read.
I LOVED book 4 of this series. I was up until 2am finishing it so this book had a lot to live up to. :) Well the same happened with this book. I was up until 2am reading it to finish this one too. I Loved! Loved! Loved! it. I loved Miles and Mary. I loved this story. I loved their characters. Just so damn good.
I loved the suspense and their crazy but adventurous time. Just such a great read.
December 29, 2022
Summary: Bluestocking and industrial titaness Mary Barnett loves running her late father's shipping and coal businesses. In order to retain control of his companies, Mary must follow the stipulations of her father's will and marry an aristocrat within two years of his death, otherwise control of the company reverts to her cousin/ex-lover & all-around D-bag, Reginald. Miles Ingram, the impoverished Earl of Avington, spends his days as a dancing master to the young ladies of the ton to make ends meet, but he needs to marry an heiress to save his family and the estate. Miles and Mary meet each other's requirements for marriage, but with the caveat that neither expects love from their union. Will they make it to the alter before the two opposites drive each other insane?
Review: First off, let me say I love Minerva Spencer/S.M. Laviolette's work. It's quirky and clever with the perfect dash of spice. Each of her characters has a distinct voice and I enjoy reading whatever hijinks they find themselves getting into.
Because I love her work so much, it's difficult for me to say that I only "liked" this novel, compared to some of her other works which I've loved.
It feels like there's a very distinct disconnect in the story. I went from reading a novel about two individuals forced into marriage by outside influence, who really don't seem to like each other at all, to reading a "road trip"/mystery thriller with newlyweds. The abrupt introduction of Elizabeth Everton, the flimsy backstory with Miles and Pansy's courtship, and the randomness of Joan Cooper's attempted murder because she thinks Mary still wants Reginald, is all a little wild. It felt like literary whiplash from Miles & Mary's first kiss at the ball to not one, but two, carriage crashes & multiple attempts on their lives, along with a random dancing competition in the middle. It felt like I was reading different novels at times, and part of that also has to do with character development.
Mary is a difficult character to like, and I specifically read with the mindset that there's a bias against impolite, headstrong female characters. I tried very, very hard to put myself in her shoes, and while I agree with SM's Author Note that Mary has a million reasons to be pissed off about her situation, her character development still felt disjointed. Mary's motivations (helping her sister enter society with Miles' connections, retaining control of her company, getting mild revenge on Reginald) all form one version of Mary that is strong, independent, caring, yet accepts her fate as her choice in the best way she can. Seconds after the makes her concluding her "business negotiations" with Miles, it's like reading a whole new character. Selfish, obstinate, infatuated Mary who wants to make the worst out of an already shitty situation for her, Miles, and her family. After Mary & Miles' first kiss in the library, again it feels like a new character who's back to accepting her choices & has become quite pleasant.
I don't dislike Mary, but her evolution as a character & her growing relationship with Miles feels clunky. I'm know there's some personal bias on my part against Mary's behavior towards Miles because he's made previous appearances in the Academy of Love series, and I know him to be good and kind with his friends. But even Miles goes from being very polite to almost jilting her before deciding all is well again. Ideally, there should've been more time to develop Miles' feelings about the relationship and subsequent marriage. Perhaps if the book had been a little longer some of the rough edges might've smoothed themselves out on their own.
Overall, I still enjoyed reading SM's new novel & would recommend it to friends. I was super excited to finally meet Lorelei (she seems like a kinky little thing so I'm excited to see what SM comes up with for her story) & I'm FINALLY ready to get Freddie's full backstory. The woman's a mystery and I'm excited to see where her story goes with the rather stoic Duke of Plimpton.
Review: First off, let me say I love Minerva Spencer/S.M. Laviolette's work. It's quirky and clever with the perfect dash of spice. Each of her characters has a distinct voice and I enjoy reading whatever hijinks they find themselves getting into.
Because I love her work so much, it's difficult for me to say that I only "liked" this novel, compared to some of her other works which I've loved.
It feels like there's a very distinct disconnect in the story. I went from reading a novel about two individuals forced into marriage by outside influence, who really don't seem to like each other at all, to reading a "road trip"/mystery thriller with newlyweds. The abrupt introduction of Elizabeth Everton, the flimsy backstory with Miles and Pansy's courtship, and the randomness of Joan Cooper's attempted murder because she thinks Mary still wants Reginald, is all a little wild. It felt like literary whiplash from Miles & Mary's first kiss at the ball to not one, but two, carriage crashes & multiple attempts on their lives, along with a random dancing competition in the middle. It felt like I was reading different novels at times, and part of that also has to do with character development.
Mary is a difficult character to like, and I specifically read with the mindset that there's a bias against impolite, headstrong female characters. I tried very, very hard to put myself in her shoes, and while I agree with SM's Author Note that Mary has a million reasons to be pissed off about her situation, her character development still felt disjointed. Mary's motivations (helping her sister enter society with Miles' connections, retaining control of her company, getting mild revenge on Reginald) all form one version of Mary that is strong, independent, caring, yet accepts her fate as her choice in the best way she can. Seconds after the makes her concluding her "business negotiations" with Miles, it's like reading a whole new character. Selfish, obstinate, infatuated Mary who wants to make the worst out of an already shitty situation for her, Miles, and her family. After Mary & Miles' first kiss in the library, again it feels like a new character who's back to accepting her choices & has become quite pleasant.
I don't dislike Mary, but her evolution as a character & her growing relationship with Miles feels clunky. I'm know there's some personal bias on my part against Mary's behavior towards Miles because he's made previous appearances in the Academy of Love series, and I know him to be good and kind with his friends. But even Miles goes from being very polite to almost jilting her before deciding all is well again. Ideally, there should've been more time to develop Miles' feelings about the relationship and subsequent marriage. Perhaps if the book had been a little longer some of the rough edges might've smoothed themselves out on their own.
Overall, I still enjoyed reading SM's new novel & would recommend it to friends. I was super excited to finally meet Lorelei (she seems like a kinky little thing so I'm excited to see what SM comes up with for her story) & I'm FINALLY ready to get Freddie's full backstory. The woman's a mystery and I'm excited to see where her story goes with the rather stoic Duke of Plimpton.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2022
Not the best installment in the series but not the worst. I enjoyed the complexity of each main character, Mile’s was more complex than I’d anticipated, which was great. I loved that Mary wasn’t terribly likeable at first, it is so tiring to only every get perfect Mary Sue female characters so she was a nice change. I liked the feminist lens in having her be a successful business woman. I didn’t like that the feminist friend of Miles (can’t remember her name) was so catty to Mary. I was really eager for them to meet because the friend is supposed to be so against marriage & so feminist-minded that I was eagerly awaiting a fast friendship between her & Mary, & expected her to be outraged at Mary being forced to marry in order to retain ownership of her businesses. I didn’t really understand why the author chose to have even this woman be in conflict w Mary. Everyone acted like just because Miles was pretty & kind-acting that he wasn’t a ruthless fortune hunter & that Mary was in the wrong to be less than gracious about her choices. It irked. Then in the second half of the story it abruptly turned into an over the top & melodramatic surviving on-the-run thriller, which was bizarre and unexpected. I’d hoped for relationship development but it kind of relied on action instead to get through the second half. The sudden & untethered addition of an argument about grain taxes seemed really randomly plopped in & I wondered why, instead of a silly & long winded chase scene for 50% of the book it didn’t instead revolve around Miles & Mary getting to know each other & each others politics & coming to realize how her wealth & business acumen could be combined w Miles’ position in the House of Lords, to work together to better the lives of their countrymen. So the first half was great, introducing complex characters & a nice amount (& reasonable reasons for) of conflict but then the second half abruptly veered off into a thriller chase story instead of resolving any of the issues addressed in the first half. It actually seemed like half of 2 different stories sewn together. Strange. I liked the first half very much!
December 26, 2022
Mary Barnett has never dreamed of marriage and family. Scarred and wary, she’s done everything she can to avoid men. Operating her family’s vast business is the only future she has ever wanted. Mary had no way of knowing that her father would place conditions on her inheritance. Namely, she will only retain control of her father's empire if she marries & to a peer. The last time his family tried to force Miles Ingram to marry for money, he rebelled, abandoned society for good, and went off to war. His subsequent employment as a dancing instructor might have been enough to sustain him—but when his brother dies, saddling him with a destitute earldom, Miles can no longer hide from his obligations. He’ll need to marry a wealthy woman, and fast.
This is the fifth book in the series & can easily be read on its own. Oh boy I loved both Miles & Mary both are scarred internally & externally, she hides her feelings by being abrasive he by charm. They are opposites & neither wants to marry but their hands are tied. I loved their verbal banter & the chemistry, which began with a spark & grew & grew. Things are progressing slowly towards the wedding until they journey to his principal seat when their ‘road trip’ becomes fraught with danger. An emotional read which I loved & once they left London I couldn’t put it down. A very well written page turner with wonderful characters
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the fifth book in the series & can easily be read on its own. Oh boy I loved both Miles & Mary both are scarred internally & externally, she hides her feelings by being abrasive he by charm. They are opposites & neither wants to marry but their hands are tied. I loved their verbal banter & the chemistry, which began with a spark & grew & grew. Things are progressing slowly towards the wedding until they journey to his principal seat when their ‘road trip’ becomes fraught with danger. An emotional read which I loved & once they left London I couldn’t put it down. A very well written page turner with wonderful characters
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
December 29, 2022
An arranged marriage.
Mary Barnett has no desire to marry, but her Da's will specifies she must marry or lose complete control of her father's businesses. Miles Ingram, a second son, is a former soldier with a dark past. His smiles and humor portray a man with much charm and wit, but not very serious. Earning his living as a dance instructor, ladies see only his physical attraction. After his brother's sudden death, he is the new Earl of Avington, with many dependents and no money. Miles needs a rich wife. It's not too difficult to see Mary and Miles have a common problem. Enter Lady Winifred Sedgewick, the matchmaker. Spencer writes a slow burning romance of two people with barriers that may never be broken, but become partners against an enemy interested in their demise. I'm never disappointed reading a book by Minerva Spencer/S.M. LaViolette. Heat level 3.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book gifted by the author.
Mary Barnett has no desire to marry, but her Da's will specifies she must marry or lose complete control of her father's businesses. Miles Ingram, a second son, is a former soldier with a dark past. His smiles and humor portray a man with much charm and wit, but not very serious. Earning his living as a dance instructor, ladies see only his physical attraction. After his brother's sudden death, he is the new Earl of Avington, with many dependents and no money. Miles needs a rich wife. It's not too difficult to see Mary and Miles have a common problem. Enter Lady Winifred Sedgewick, the matchmaker. Spencer writes a slow burning romance of two people with barriers that may never be broken, but become partners against an enemy interested in their demise. I'm never disappointed reading a book by Minerva Spencer/S.M. LaViolette. Heat level 3.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book gifted by the author.
January 8, 2023
Graceless and unkind
I am on an unfortunate streak of reading historical romances where the fmc is highly unpleasant. In this book, the fmc is unnecessarily mean to the poor fool meant to marry her and doesn’t bother to get to know anything about him for more than half the book.
I am on an unfortunate streak of reading historical romances where the fmc is highly unpleasant. In this book, the fmc is unnecessarily mean to the poor fool meant to marry her and doesn’t bother to get to know anything about him for more than half the book.
January 31, 2025
Very different pacing, a prickly, strong female lead, and a mystery made this story quite different to others in the series.
A woman running her late father's businesses needs to marry a titled man due to her father's will. An ex-soldier, who has suddenly inherited his familiy's title needs to marry for funds to support his family.
She's stern and scarred from childhood burns. He's friendly and kind and scarred from being a POW.
A woman running her late father's businesses needs to marry a titled man due to her father's will. An ex-soldier, who has suddenly inherited his familiy's title needs to marry for funds to support his family.
She's stern and scarred from childhood burns. He's friendly and kind and scarred from being a POW.
December 12, 2023
The characters in this book are quite likeable but I did feel like the romance was a tad bit tooo slow a burn. The h & H spend more time hating/misunderstanding each other than not. It really got a bit too frustrating after a while.
December 30, 2022
Minerva Spencer/ S.M LaViolette is very good at creating characters that I find very interesting and care a lot about and she pushes them their breaking points sometimes and I am so invested…and then she completely changes the plot or the trajectory or the character’s growth and never comes back to finish the original story. It frustrating to read because, although I enjoy the story, in the end the pay off is unsatisfying. I was looking forward to this book, and I still liked it, despite the completely unexplained tone shift half way through the book.
Would I recommend it? Maybe. This whole series so far is a bit of a mixed bag. Some of the issues are very serious, and graphic (don’t read if you love horses), but they are thrown in with just the weirdest villains and over the top plots. If you like shows like Riverdale, where you can enjoy it for what it is and go along for the ride, you’d probably like it. If your looking for anything in the realm of “yeah that makes sense” maybe find a different HR series.
Would I recommend it? Maybe. This whole series so far is a bit of a mixed bag. Some of the issues are very serious, and graphic (don’t read if you love horses), but they are thrown in with just the weirdest villains and over the top plots. If you like shows like Riverdale, where you can enjoy it for what it is and go along for the ride, you’d probably like it. If your looking for anything in the realm of “yeah that makes sense” maybe find a different HR series.
May 17, 2023
Eh, this one didn’t do anything for me. The characters didn’t really have any chemistry & the whole plot seemed too far fetched
November 19, 2023
this was my least favorite of the Academy books. I've seen this same or similar story done better by other authors.
January 31, 2026
Mary has to marry-her father’s will has a clause that states she has to marry . Otherwise, the business will go to the cousin. Miles is a dancing instructor who although being part of the ton( son of an Earl and all that) only teaches dance to the wealthy middle class because he doesn’t want it getting back to the ton he has to work. Oh, he was also a soldier. Miles needs to marry a rich girl ‘cause Miles is broke. Miles is beyond handsome-he’s perfect.Miles has a smile for everyone. Miles teases. Miles is sooooooo nice. Miles is a coward masquerading as a gentleman .Miles is a gaslighting passive aggressive jerk.
Plot spoilage to follow:
Mary endured 3rd degree burns as a child resulting in horrible scars on her body and face. Her left hand appears melted. Her ‘cousin’ ,after seducing her when she was a teenager, bad mouths her inexperience to all his friends. Mary constantly gets nagged by her mother to remember her responsibility to her little sister- her little sisters success in getting noticed by eligible ton men. You know- the Season. Mary has to marry to retain her multi entity business. To be clear, Mary works her arse off for the business. That’s all she loves to do -work. No one sticks up for Mary. All everyone does is criticize Mary’s work ethic- mom,sister,Miles, Sedgwick…” You mean, Mary would rather work than go to a huge party where she hears the cutting remarks of the shallow asses?” “I don’t understand…think of her sister.”
Back to Miles. Miles needs money for his crumbling castle and his thousand family hanger ons. After a few boo hoo’s to Sedgewick, which he gets over pretty quickly because he’s an Earl, you know. Miles stops working and starts spending:exclusive club membership,new curricule with a new pair of matchymatchy, new clothes, party barge for his friends and his family , more parties,routs,balls….
. And then all his ex lovers start making an appearance. He visits one ex on a regular basis but they’re just friends. Because he’s such a gentleman,he leaves Mary hanging in her isolation. And when he gets mad, he takes this piece of information that would assuage her concerns and withholds it . In Fact ,he tells Mary he’d rather marry anyone but her at their betrothal ball. At that same ball, the ruder of Miles female friends yells at Mary to be nice to poor Miles because , well, Miles is sooooo nice. Topping it off, same ball,Mary , after finding Miles in the arms of another woman for solace(albeit a friend he’s loved, Lady Sedgwick, and would have considered marrying if they weren’t both short of cash), realizes her mistake in working like a demon and kisses Miles. The hits just keep on coming. Suddenly,everything is resolved between Miles and Mary. Mary realizes Miles has been treating her ‘honorably’ all this time. It’s all her. It’s all Mary: her trust issues,her isolation issues, her work ethic, her frustrated sexual desires. But Miles forgives Mary . Because he’s Miles- he’s soooo nice. I wanted to throw the Kindle across the room… And this is at 59% of the book.
Although, I realize the premise is Mary has to get married to a lordling to fulfill the terms of the will to keep the business.But there wasn’t one bit of serious grovel. Sure there’s the odd tidbit of Miles feeling uncomfortable spend Mary’s cash but he gets over it .
Obviously, I can’t stand Miles and the social mores that make a hard working woman the ‘villian’ while a dead ass broke dude mopes complaining to his friend the rich chick doesn’t want to go party.
But that’s me.
Made it to about 80%-I just couldn’t finish it. But I did give it 4 stars because I was soooo incensed.
Plot spoilage to follow:
Mary endured 3rd degree burns as a child resulting in horrible scars on her body and face. Her left hand appears melted. Her ‘cousin’ ,after seducing her when she was a teenager, bad mouths her inexperience to all his friends. Mary constantly gets nagged by her mother to remember her responsibility to her little sister- her little sisters success in getting noticed by eligible ton men. You know- the Season. Mary has to marry to retain her multi entity business. To be clear, Mary works her arse off for the business. That’s all she loves to do -work. No one sticks up for Mary. All everyone does is criticize Mary’s work ethic- mom,sister,Miles, Sedgwick…” You mean, Mary would rather work than go to a huge party where she hears the cutting remarks of the shallow asses?” “I don’t understand…think of her sister.”
Back to Miles. Miles needs money for his crumbling castle and his thousand family hanger ons. After a few boo hoo’s to Sedgewick, which he gets over pretty quickly because he’s an Earl, you know. Miles stops working and starts spending:exclusive club membership,new curricule with a new pair of matchymatchy, new clothes, party barge for his friends and his family , more parties,routs,balls….
. And then all his ex lovers start making an appearance. He visits one ex on a regular basis but they’re just friends. Because he’s such a gentleman,he leaves Mary hanging in her isolation. And when he gets mad, he takes this piece of information that would assuage her concerns and withholds it . In Fact ,he tells Mary he’d rather marry anyone but her at their betrothal ball. At that same ball, the ruder of Miles female friends yells at Mary to be nice to poor Miles because , well, Miles is sooooo nice. Topping it off, same ball,Mary , after finding Miles in the arms of another woman for solace(albeit a friend he’s loved, Lady Sedgwick, and would have considered marrying if they weren’t both short of cash), realizes her mistake in working like a demon and kisses Miles. The hits just keep on coming. Suddenly,everything is resolved between Miles and Mary. Mary realizes Miles has been treating her ‘honorably’ all this time. It’s all her. It’s all Mary: her trust issues,her isolation issues, her work ethic, her frustrated sexual desires. But Miles forgives Mary . Because he’s Miles- he’s soooo nice. I wanted to throw the Kindle across the room… And this is at 59% of the book.
Although, I realize the premise is Mary has to get married to a lordling to fulfill the terms of the will to keep the business.But there wasn’t one bit of serious grovel. Sure there’s the odd tidbit of Miles feeling uncomfortable spend Mary’s cash but he gets over it .
Obviously, I can’t stand Miles and the social mores that make a hard working woman the ‘villian’ while a dead ass broke dude mopes complaining to his friend the rich chick doesn’t want to go party.
But that’s me.
Made it to about 80%-I just couldn’t finish it. But I did give it 4 stars because I was soooo incensed.
January 19, 2023
Whew what a ride!
Mary Barnett is the epitome of a dried up prickly businesswoman who is ruthless in business and scarred inside and out! But she desperately needs love!
Mary needs to fulfill the terms of her fathers will and she has left it very late since her last betrothed was a drunk, whore and gambler who died in the bed of his mistress!
Mary’s mother is smarter than she acts and has engaged the service of the Countess of Sedgewick the matchmaker to the Ton! Also known as Freddie to her very close friends!
Then comes Miles Aka Earl of Avington is a fellow teacher from the school!
I always knew he had secrets what gorgeous ex-military twice captured POW doesn’t!
His story is explosive and combative as Mary transforms from a prickly screeching fish wife kind of personality to almost someone you could like!
There are several events on this extremely treacherous terrain on the way to their nuptials!
There are arguments, “meetings with mistresses”! Gun shots, dancing, knives, barns, carriage rides and accidents just to name a few!
But can there be a HEA when Mary has bricks, mortar and stainless steel for defenses?
I love how Lorelei gives her a piece of her mind as all the teachers loved Miles as they should!!
Get set to not put this one down! It will keep you up way past your bedtime!!! Bravo and again well done! Oh and the steam will fog up your windows and glasses!
Mary Barnett is the epitome of a dried up prickly businesswoman who is ruthless in business and scarred inside and out! But she desperately needs love!
Mary needs to fulfill the terms of her fathers will and she has left it very late since her last betrothed was a drunk, whore and gambler who died in the bed of his mistress!
Mary’s mother is smarter than she acts and has engaged the service of the Countess of Sedgewick the matchmaker to the Ton! Also known as Freddie to her very close friends!
Then comes Miles Aka Earl of Avington is a fellow teacher from the school!
I always knew he had secrets what gorgeous ex-military twice captured POW doesn’t!
His story is explosive and combative as Mary transforms from a prickly screeching fish wife kind of personality to almost someone you could like!
There are several events on this extremely treacherous terrain on the way to their nuptials!
There are arguments, “meetings with mistresses”! Gun shots, dancing, knives, barns, carriage rides and accidents just to name a few!
But can there be a HEA when Mary has bricks, mortar and stainless steel for defenses?
I love how Lorelei gives her a piece of her mind as all the teachers loved Miles as they should!!
Get set to not put this one down! It will keep you up way past your bedtime!!! Bravo and again well done! Oh and the steam will fog up your windows and glasses!
Read
September 19, 2025Tenho sentimentos ambivalentes sobre esse. Gosto muito de Minerva Spencer, li tudo que ela publicou. Uma prova disso é ler história de viagem que eu absolutamente detesto. Mas a parte desagradável é a h, uma empresária capitalista ambiciosa e gananciosa. Sim, pq é disso que se trata. Mesmo tendo uma enorme fortuna ela está lá aconselhando Miles a expulsar seus arrendatários, contando como teve que demitir funcionários. Pq senão o empreendimento não se sustenta, né? E o lucro?
Quando as pessoas escrevem sobre isso no sec XIX não lembram que o mundo era diferente. Não existiam programas sociais. Pessoas pobres morriam de fome. Pessoas demitidas morriam de fome. Enquanto capitalistas gananciosos gastavam fortunas.
Ao mesmo tempo é isso mesmo que acontecia. Era a realidade da época. Eu só não preciso ler sobre isso da boca da suposta heroína
Quando as pessoas escrevem sobre isso no sec XIX não lembram que o mundo era diferente. Não existiam programas sociais. Pessoas pobres morriam de fome. Pessoas demitidas morriam de fome. Enquanto capitalistas gananciosos gastavam fortunas.
Ao mesmo tempo é isso mesmo que acontecia. Era a realidade da época. Eu só não preciso ler sobre isso da boca da suposta heroína
January 13, 2023
KU
Miles….. ❤️❤️❤️ He was just too good to be true, and that’s why we read books. :) I loved his pleasant/polite nature- how he treated everyone so nicely & how he “took” it from Mary. But when he also “lost” it. He was controlled but didn’t pull any punches but was also immediately remorseful afterwards. He was just such a gentleman. And when he said “sweetheart”, you felt it!
Mary is not the most likeable character but I really appreciated her and the way she was written in this story. She was prickly, mean, but she was also smart, strong, REAL. She was that way for many reasons and just like Miles, I couldn’t hold any of that against her.
I enjoyed this story very much!
Miles….. ❤️❤️❤️ He was just too good to be true, and that’s why we read books. :) I loved his pleasant/polite nature- how he treated everyone so nicely & how he “took” it from Mary. But when he also “lost” it. He was controlled but didn’t pull any punches but was also immediately remorseful afterwards. He was just such a gentleman. And when he said “sweetheart”, you felt it!
Mary is not the most likeable character but I really appreciated her and the way she was written in this story. She was prickly, mean, but she was also smart, strong, REAL. She was that way for many reasons and just like Miles, I couldn’t hold any of that against her.
I enjoyed this story very much!
August 13, 2023
Audiobook - this book is a NO for me. It's as if 2 different people (or personalities) wrote it. Like someone wrote the first half and read it and was like "eww this is boring!" (Boring being traditional) And then got themselves a check list of all kinds of ways to spice it up with twists the "modern reader" would like and proceeded to check off all of the boxes to make it more and more ridiculous. And using sayings and terms that are not from the period like party ... party was not used in the fun sense until 1909, so this book is ridiculous but I finished it so it gets 2 stars for being tolerable.
December 24, 2022
Wow! This is Miles’ story in the Academy of Love series, and it was worth the wait! The love story between Miles and Mary Barnett is best described as reluctant on both of their parts. But since both of them need to get married - quickly - they are perfect for each other.
What an adventure their journey is. I was on an emotional rollercoaster reading this book, getting invested in these two. This is a wonderful book to end this series!
I received a free copy of this book from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
What an adventure their journey is. I was on an emotional rollercoaster reading this book, getting invested in these two. This is a wonderful book to end this series!
I received a free copy of this book from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 17, 2023
Audiobook: Minerva Spencer, who also writes under the name S.M. LaViolette, has written "The Academy of Love" series. This was my first experience with her work, and it was entertaining. The setting took place in the regency time period. The characters were complicated and personable. This story had some mystery, a little romance, flashes of humor, and a few depicted incidents of intimate moments. Justine Eyre's narration was endearing, and her performance added to the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
December 29, 2022
I quite enjoyed this but not as much as I expected. I suspect that finding Nary incredibly annoying didn’t help. I found the beginning of the story a bit slow.
On the plus side I loved Miles as he was such a lovely man, so patient and understanding with Mary . I also thought the story improved significantly with the road trip and the feel of that part of the book was different .
I might have liked the baddies to suffer a bit more!
On the plus side I loved Miles as he was such a lovely man, so patient and understanding with Mary . I also thought the story improved significantly with the road trip and the feel of that part of the book was different .
I might have liked the baddies to suffer a bit more!
November 18, 2023
This one was my least favorite in this series. Plot went off the rails from the middle on when it focused on the "killing off Miles" angle. Meh. Earlier installments alluded to an unrequited love between Miles and his teacher friend, but that turned out to be platonic I guess, however, the switch was confusing and more than a little disappointing. At least two more installments to follow, but I've lost interest. 3 stars.
July 6, 2024
Fabulous!
This book has everything I love in a historical romance….reverse beauty and the beast vibes with an aristocratic, cinnamon roll, war hero MMC suffering from PTSD…a strong, independent, socially awkward MFC who is thorny on the outside but vulnerable on the inside…a marriage of convenience mixed with a road trip/forced proximity trope…angst, action, adventure, humor, steam and love!!! I was a bit sad when it ended! I loved Mary and Miles so much.
This book has everything I love in a historical romance….reverse beauty and the beast vibes with an aristocratic, cinnamon roll, war hero MMC suffering from PTSD…a strong, independent, socially awkward MFC who is thorny on the outside but vulnerable on the inside…a marriage of convenience mixed with a road trip/forced proximity trope…angst, action, adventure, humor, steam and love!!! I was a bit sad when it ended! I loved Mary and Miles so much.
June 19, 2025
Starts out great and fascinating, with the businesswoman, and I hoped it would pursue more of their relationship negotiations and growth, but the second half repeats an endless perilous situation over and over and makes them look stupid as well as not having a satisfactory and logical outcome. There were so many other story paths could have been used.
The audiobook narration by Justine Eyre is painful- her voice is strained throughout the series.
The audiobook narration by Justine Eyre is painful- her voice is strained throughout the series.
December 30, 2022
*scarred ,strong ,independent female lead
*too handsome ,intelligent, poor aristocratic male lead.
*marriage of convenience
*falling in love unexpectedly
*amazing banter between the leads i.e conversations between them is highly entertaining and engaging
*likeable leads
*believable hot chemistry between the leads
*fast paced story
*HEA
*too handsome ,intelligent, poor aristocratic male lead.
*marriage of convenience
*falling in love unexpectedly
*amazing banter between the leads i.e conversations between them is highly entertaining and engaging
*likeable leads
*believable hot chemistry between the leads
*fast paced story
*HEA
February 26, 2023
This was book 5 in the series and it wasn't the best or the strongest. Mary was just plain annoying and too head strong. Her and Miles courtship was endearing towards the end of the book when she dropped her guard to let him in. Their intimacy came way too late almost at the end of the book.
One more book to go in the Series and hopefully it will ne Freddie story.
One more book to go in the Series and hopefully it will ne Freddie story.
December 8, 2023
Finished it
I will be honest. I did not like the beginning part of this book. And I was cringing about Mary's behavior. It was the worst. I felt so bad for Miles. Then, after halfway through, the story introduces all these interesting characters that really needed more story time. The story did turn into a live affair, but it really worked to get there.
I will be honest. I did not like the beginning part of this book. And I was cringing about Mary's behavior. It was the worst. I felt so bad for Miles. Then, after halfway through, the story introduces all these interesting characters that really needed more story time. The story did turn into a live affair, but it really worked to get there.
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