What can I say? I love Sarah Eden! Her books are wonderful!

Is this series not the most wonderful thing for a cozy afternoon (or a midnight escape?) I love this newest addition in The Lancaster Family series. They are all stand alone books. However, I recommend you do read them in order.
This novel focuses on Daphne. She has been living with her sister and brother-in-law for a while. She is a quieter Lancaster member. She is often found in the shadows, seemingly going unnoticed. However, now is her time and season in London (much to her and her brother-in-laws chagrin). I love her depth.
James is the man seeking her hand. Oh, how I love James. Honestly, from the time he called her "little sparrow", I lost my heart to his character. I enjoyed that his character is multifaceted. His familial complexities add to the story. I love his honor and integrity.
Ms. Eden does a lovely job updating the other family members without compromising the current focus. I love getting to know the whole cast more intimately.
I am MOST anxious for the next installment!

Rating:5
Content: Clean
Source: ARC from Netgalley. My thoughts are an honest review.

From the cover and title you can tell this is a romance, but I still hoped for more historical background (as the book was listed under historical fiction). It is just a drop in a bucket in this story. Therefore, I’m not the right reviewer for this book.

Sarah M. Eden has done it again. An excellent addtion to her Lancaster Family Series, Eden has crafted a story that readers will be enthralled with about Daphen Lancaster. With charming characters, humor, and swoon worthy romance, readers will not want to miss this delightful story from Eden.

I loved this gentle tale of Victorian love, Daphne Lancaster is a shy overlooked woman who has spent her life being unfavourably compared to her sisters beauty and feels rejected by ailing father. She is dreading her first London season for coming out into society but unexpectedly finds herself subject to the attention of Lord James Tilburn who showed her kindness when she was a child.

However, not everything is as it seems, James’ attentions are due to parental pressure. Can he walk the fine line of attentiveness without committing himself?

I enjoyed the latest installment of the Lancaster family books. This follows Daphne, the overlooked younger sister. The storyline was entertaining and pulled at the heartstrings. I liked both the heroine and hero. I would definitely read this book again.

The Lancaster family has been through a lot of grief and challenges over the years, and each sibling has dealt with it in a different way.

Daphne Lancaster has always had a quiet nature; however, when the difficulties started to overwhelm her family, she was only a little child, barely able to comprehend what was going on. With the elders so distracted trying to put their lives together and tend for a newborn, she was somewhat cast aside. Unnoticed, unnintentionally forgotten, Daphne was mistakenly judged to prefer to be left in her own quiet space due to her shy nature. But no one truly knew the inside turnoil and hard lessons this small child was going through. Lessons that would increase her insecurities and create in her the belief that people always leave her. There must be something wrong with her, then, no?

James Tilburn is used to be the glue trying to keep his family in one part. Not only his family, but their house, the servants, the land... anyone who calls upon him, actually. Even though he's not the master of the house. The one who truly is, his father, has no hesitation in using his own son to accomplish his greedy desires.
James has an honest conscience and it's only the threats made by his father that eventually convince James to agree to his father's latest deplorable scheme.

And so James and Daphne find themselves spending more and more time with each other. James thinks his attentions to the Season's quiet wallflower will eventually encourage other suitors to try to court her despite her brother-in-law being the Dangerous Duke. However, as they get to know each other, will James truly be able to let her go? Most importantly, can he continue with his father's scheme knowing how much it will hurt Daphne once she learns he was meant to be just one more person to leave her?

James and Daphne's journey is seasoned with enough laughter and heartfelt moments. Add an overprotective and abrupt brother-in-law and a sister who has no fear of speaking her mind, and you've just been caught in a story impossible to put down.

Oh my heart!!! I didn't want this book to end and yet I turned the pages as fast as possible because I was completely captured by Daphne. From the first time she was mentioned in Seeking Persephone, the first book of the Lancaster family, I wanted to know what her story would be. Years later and we finally get to see Miss Daphne Lancaster grown up.

I love Daphne's character. I felt like I could relate so well with her in many aspects. I loved her relationship with the Dangerous Duke, her brother in law. It reminded me a lot of when I was a teenager like Daphne and would spend hours visiting my sister and her husband. I'm the youngest in my family and when most everyone was moved away, this sister lived a few miles away. I'd always end up with them and would sit and talk my brother in law's ear off. He was so good and patient to listen to the woes of my teenage mind. When I struggled with friends, loneliness, sadness, work, school, whatever, he always was a great listener and would tell me that it would all be ok. Sometimes he'd laugh at me and then I'd start laughing and other times he'd just listen and let me get all the cares off my shoulders. Now, mind you, I didn't just stop by when I was sad, I stopped by lots when life was great and going good so I could share all those moments too. To this day whenever I get to visit with this brother we laugh and joke about me sitting for hours talking to him and I love it because my daughters, one in particular, do the same thing. He's their buddy and they sit and talk and talk and talk. Makes me smile! It also makes me feel like Daphne because not too many people take the time to know The Dangerous Duke, but Daphne doesn't let his temperament stop her, she befriends him anyway. That's how I feel about my brother in law as well. He's quiet and reserved and not many people take the time to truly get to know him but when I did, I found a great friend and a friendship I will always cherish.

I really am awed at the characters that Sarah Eden writes about. She creates these beautiful characters, all flawed and insecure and struggling and writes them in a way that as a reader you can't (I can't) help but feel a connection to them. Sometimes I feel as if the author is following me around and can read all my thoughts and insecurities or that she was my little Jiminey Cricket when I was younger.

Daphne and James, in all appearances have no problems and life is great and wonderful. But if anyone walking past them were to look on the inside and really analyze their lives, they would discover that there are nonstop struggles and insecurities and worries and most especially family struggles. Force these two characters together by devious means(well somewhat devious means) and have smooth sailing for a little amount of time, shake it up and let everything come spilling out about the true source of their connection, and the heartache will abound.

That may not make sense, except it's a great formula for many books. That formula causes pain and sorrow, heartache and ultimately (and hopefully) healing. Daphne and James have many underlying concerns that end up being brought to light and all due to a scheming schemer (I can't disclose names because that would just ruin it, but you'll find out soon enough as you read).

"Life is never entirely painless, Daphne. But you cannot have the happiness without passing through the sorrow, and doing so makes you stronger. Hiding from it only makes you a coward."

I loved James. He kind of reminds me of Edward from Sense and Sensibility. He liked Eleanor but wouldn't lead her on because of his previous commitment. Now, that isn't exactly what James has going on but he just was good like Edward in that he didn't want to deceive Daphne into anything. I loved watching his conscious work on him. I loved the moments of realization that occurred, his own and also Daphne's moments of realization.

I probably could go on and on and on...once my rambling thoughts start they have a way of just tumbling out more and more. I'll try to contain them and say that I can't recommend these books highly enough. When Sarah Eden's books first came out, I couldn't get them fast enough. I've read and reread them several times each. While reading Romancing Daphne, I really wanted to go back to the beginning and reread her sister's books. And let me just say I can't wait for Artemis' story. Oh please, oh please Sarah Eden, let us readers be given a wonderful gift of Artemis' story, and Linus' too! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...in Advance!!!

If any of you are mythology buffs or just enjoy mythology in general, you might enjoy the fun way that the author connects that in with these stories. I loved it! I wasn't expecting that part at all in this one and let me say it just was GREAT!!!

Buy it, Borrow it, but most definitely Read this book (I'd start at the beginning of the Lancaster family books, although it can be read as a stand alone) and hopefully fall in love with these characters as I did years ago!!! <333333

*Happy sigh*

Content: Clean

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

What a great read. Daphne is the most adorable heroine and fully deserved her happy ending. James was protective of her and a first-class hero. Great read.
I received an ARC copy of this book from netgalley.

Daphne is an extremely shy girl, and she is in London for the season. When books start out with a really shy main character, they often don't end up on my list of books that I would like to read again. The character development that Sarah Eden is so good at, surpasses many other authors in the romance category, this book is a clean romance and must have good character development because there are no sex scenes.
With Daphne's guardian wanting to kill anyone who gets near Daphne, and no one being good enough for Daphne, it is surprising that James Tilburn is allowed entry into the drawing room, or is allowed to even come close to Daphne, especially when his father is a complete idiot.
Once started, this book will take you through Daphne's season and all her ups and downs.
It is a good book which I recommend. I will eventually be getting it on Audible, it is that good.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Another great book by sarah Eden. I liked the pace of the book and characters; especially the Duke as a secondary character. I felt the initial set up a bit tough to follow but became clear a few chapters in.

I liked this book. A good, sweet romantic historical. Recommended.

Oh, what a sweet and heartrending story! I loved Daphne from the first page, and while her story began a bit slowly, the foundation of building the characters served the later part of the story well since I felt able to connect to their emotions when the plot steadily picked up speed. The dynamics of both James and Daphne's families play a huge role in the plot, from James' meddling upward-climbing father to Daphne's overprotective brother-in-law, the Duke of Kielder (who also brings much of the humor). Trust and forgiveness are important themes that are explored as the relationship that Daphne and James built is threatened by secrets. I loved their friendship and innate goodness that made them a perfect match, and although James could be a bit frustrating, it was nice to see him utilize his backbone in the end and fight for his true desires. A wonderful romance and addition to the Lancaster Family series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

This was an interesting read. I think I enjoyed this better than most of the books in this series. That being said it is a stand alone read. It was nice to see the characters in past novels appear and get to see some of their present in this novel (continuation a bit). Daphne and James' relationship was interesting to say the least. I loved how Daphne was 'known' in her family. How she struggled to find her place, and how those who truly loved her, helped her to come out of her 'past' and into her present. While the typical elements of the 'season', the propriety, balls, etc. are included, this is really a novel of growth and understanding in a relationship. I always love reading novels with honest hearts, and lovely fall. While this was a gradual fall for the H, it really was fun to see him win back her trust. Beautiful, fun escape. A great addition to this series.

Coerced by his father, who wishes for his family to climb the social ladder by any means necessary, James Tilburn pays court to Daphne Lancaster, a shy young woman making her first bow in society. Can love blossom when is is built on a lie?

The set up for this story is straight forward. From the start, the reader knows what will cause what will cause this couple grief. This could be predictable and bland, but the author does a fantastic job of making us feel for these characters. It is heartbreaking to watch the lie be revealed.

Daphne is a sweet character and I love seeing her affection for the intimidating Duke of Kielder (who I love in every scene he appears in). Her shyness and reluctance to trust her feelings is very relatable. James' own journey through the book is one of growth. I was cheering from him from start to finish to do the gentlemanly thing.

It was lovely to be reacquainted with the Duke and Persephone once again. Artemis, the youngest Lancaster girl, has a personality that shines and I very much look forward to seeing her courtship when she grows up.

For fans of the Regency era, Sarah M. Eden's novels are a must-read. They are sweet, clean, and highly entertaining.

Oh, I love this story! It's wonderful to visit the Lancasters again, delightful to spend time with the Dangerous Duke, sweetly charming to view the blossoming love of individuals meant to be together, and heartening to enjoy the subtle wit. Of all the lovely things to enjoy about this book the best is how tenderly, yet intricately accurate is the characterization of Daphne. The complexity of the shy, fearful woman she is, how she came to be that summation, and then trying to unravel the equation is enumerated without error. Sarah M. Eden is simply an amazing author.

Witty, Heartbreaking and Utterly Charming 5*
This novel was a delight from start to finish. I loved the humour and the interaction between family members (the Dangerous Duke's pronouncements were a scream). There was also such heartbreak that I was driven to tears, which I always view as a sign of exceptional writing. I really cared about all the characters and whilst this is a standalone story, I am drawn to find out about the romances of Daphne's sisters and must find the opportunity to obtain Books 1 and 2 in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

The book was very entertaining with great characters and personalities. Loved the way the author was able to continue on with her previous stories without taking away from the current one.

Daphne Lancaster is used to being ignored and rejected, so she isn't anticipating Lord Tilburn's attention to her--even though she has admired her since a brief encounter with him, in which he was kind to her, when she was twelve. So when he seems interested in her, she's inwardly thrilled--but when she finds out that his father forced him into a courtship with her, she is heartbroken.
For his part, James never intended to court Miss Lancaster; he agreed to be civil and pay a little attention to her; when his father threatened to cut off not only his funds but his brother's and mother's as well, James is torn, knowing it's not fair to a young lady to have someone forced into caring for her but also wanting to take care of his family. When he finds himself coming to know Daphne, he finds that she is delightful, but the truth of how his attentions began threatens to ruin everything. James must find a way to convince first Daphne's formidable brother-in-law, the Duke of Kielder, who will not allow anyone to hurt his family, and then Daphne herself that he can be trusted.

I was a little apprehensive as I started this book, because Adam (the Duke of Kielder) is such a forceful character, that he would take center stage and Daphne would be overshadowed--and indeed, at the outset, it almost felt like the book was more about Adam than Daphne (at least in the chapters from James' POV). However, as the book progressed, I got to see more and and more of Daphne and Adam was moved to the sides more--which was brilliant because it realistically depicted how James's perspective and emotions shifted. I loved having another glimpse of Adam--he's one of my favorite characters and I laugh out loud at some of the things he says--but I also liked seeing both Daphne and James find their voices.
This is another excellent book from Sarah M. Eden! Can't wait for more!

Though this book has great characters, the timing of the book was incredibly slow pace and didn't hold my attention.