4.5 Stars

Jane Fawkener has been away from England for so long, that she feels out of place when she returns. For years, she's lived in the middle east, with her merchant father, and they adopted the lifestyle and customs of the natives. When her father goes missing and is presumed dead, Jane is returned to England with only a small sum of money and a pamphlet from her father. Jane is perplexed by her father's sending her The Husband Hunter's Guide to London, and is convinced that it contains a coded message, and that her father is alive. She also suspects that her father is really a government agent who used being a merchant as a cover.

The foreign office needs to protect Jane from the Russians who are very interested in her, and what she may know of her father. They send Edmund Dalby, Viscount Hazelwood, to watch over Jane, and to try to find out all she knows about her father's whereabouts. His cover is preparing Jane for the social requirements necessary when she attends the ceremony when the king knights her supposedly dead father. Edmund lived a very dissolute younger life, wallowing in drunkenness and gambling. When his father finally had enough, he petitioned to have his son disinherited from inheriting the family title. His petition was approved, and the title of earl will now pass to Edmund's heir, rather than him. At rock bottom, Edmund was recruited to serve as an agent for a year in exchange for having his debts paid. The responsibility and sobriety has done Edmund a world of good, and he has turned his trainwreck of a life around, although he is socially shunned due to his being disinherited.

While I can't condone Edmund's behavior as a young man, I certainly admire the person he is now. He accepts full responsibility for the things he did, and he doesn't show any bitterness for the consequences he now has to bear. As he starts to fall for Jane, he becomes determined to protect her at any cost, even to the point of his further ruin. Jane is intelligent and compassionate. I love her actions that prevented Edmund from being very publicly humiliated. Their developing romance was warm and believable, and I grew very fond of both Jane and Edmund.

I'm hoping to see glimpses of Edmund in upcoming books in THE HUSBAND HUNTERS series, and hopefully some further reconciliation with his family and restoration of his social position, if not his title. I wasn't aware that such a title could be taken away, in fact, I always believed the opposite. In any case, I love Edmund's growth, dedication, and maturity, and Jane is his perfect match. THE HUSBAND HUNTER'S GUIDE TO LONDON is an engaging read which had plenty of intrigue, some dastardly relatives and villains, a heartfelt romance, and a bit of redemption.

This is the story of Jane Falkner. She has been raised by her father in India, where he works for the government collecting information. When he disappears and is pronounced dead, Jane is returned to England by the government. But she doesn't believe her father is dead. The only clue she has is a book he left her called The Husband Hunters Guide to London.
Viscount Hazelwood is known as a disolute rake. He's been disowned by his family because of his conduct. Unbeknownst to them he too is working for the government. He is assigned to watch over Jane because she is stirring up trouble.
As they try to decipher messages and survive assassin attempts, their relationship grows.
I found this story very captivating. It kept my interest, it was fast moving. I recommend it to all

I remember reading some of Kate Moore’s recently republished Signet Regencies and enjoying them, so I was pleased when I saw that she had a new book coming out and eagerly picked it up for review. The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London is an entertaining and well-written novel featuring two likeable principals a gently moving sweet romance and an engaging, espionage-based plotline.

Jane Fawkener has spent much of her life living in the Middle East with her father, who works as a merchant and trader but whom she has for some time suspected is really a spy for the British government. When George Fawkener goes missing and is presumed dead, Jane is immediately sent to England courtesy of the Foreign Office. In London, she is given the only two things Fawkener left her; a small blue book entitled The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London and the sum of two hundred pounds, to tide her over until she finds herself a spouse. Jane is sure her father is alive and tries to insist that the government mounts a search for him; but comes up against a brick-wall – the Foreign Office insists her father is dead and Jane must prepare to attend a ceremony at which the King will award him a posthumous knighthood for services rendered. To help her to prepare for the occasion – an occasion about which Jane couldn’t care less – she is assigned a Protocol Officer, Lord Hazelwood, who will make sure she is properly garbed and briefed as to the correct behaviour for the investiture.

Edmund Dalby, Viscount Hazelwood, lived the life of a hell-raiser until he went too far and his father disowned him after he ran up massive debts. Having pretty much reached rock-bottom, he was recruited as a spy and told his debts would be paid and his life his own once again if he served his country for a year and a day – and this is his final assignment. Given his reputation as a wastrel, Hazelwood – who soon realised he rather liked being sober – often plays the part of a drunken sot, knowing such a persona to cause people to think him unintelligent and harmless, or to ignore him altogether. He has been assigned to protect Jane from Russian agents, most particularly from Count Malikov, a Russian émigré with connections at the highest level, who believes Jane has access to the information her father was gathering. Hazelwood’s role as Protocol Officer is ideal as it will afford him plenty of opportunities to stay close to his charge, but the problem is that she very quickly makes it clear that she wants nothing to do with either him or the ceremony and tries every way she can think of to get rid of him.

Jane very quickly suspects that Hazelwood is more than a mere government flunky; and if he is working for the government there’s a very real possibility that he is among those who betrayed her father or, at the very least, is one of those more concerned with protecting her father’s information than finding out whether he is dead or alive.

I admit that I found the lack of communication between Jane and Hazelwood that persists through the first part of the book to be rather frustrating. Even after it becomes apparent that someone is out to harm Jane, she is reluctant to open up to Hazelwood and maintains the fiction of being a ‘husband hunter’ as per the instructions in the book left her, while in reality, she is trying to make sense of the various sets of initials and other details pencilled in the margins in her father’s hand. Hazelwood knows very well what she’s up to – she knows he knows… but they continue to maintain the fiction that she’s using the book to help her look for a husband and that he’s merely advising her as to the correct way to curtsey to royalty. It’s not until quite late on in the book that they finally agree to work together – although even then, Jane doesn’t fully trust Hazelwood and ends up making some very poor decisions. I also found it on the implausible side that Jane and Hazelwood were able to jaunt about London so frequently without a chaperone and nobody seemed to notice or comment on it.

One of the things Ms. Moore does incredibly well, however, is in the way she shows Jane to be a fish-out-of-water in England without making her seem terribly gauche or silly. Jane has grown up away from English society and customs, albeit in a society that has many restrictions of its own. But her experience of a society segregated according to gender means she finds it shocking that a man can so easily take a woman’s hand to help her into a carriage, for example, or that men and women are allowed to look directly into each other’s faces. She finds it strange to converse over tea in stiff-backed chairs rather than to recline on low divans over coffee, or to enter a house and not remove her shoes. The author imparts these snippets subtly and naturally as part of Jane’s personality, showing clearly that she’s a bit different from everyone around her, but not hitting us over the head with it, and I very much appreciated that.

Hazelwood is somewhat unusual, too; the scion of a noble house who has been disowned, he is shunned by most of polite society, which makes it difficult for him to be where Jane is when she attends ton parties. But he doesn’t let the disapproval of others deter him, and is even prepared to risk censure and humiliation in order to stay close to her.

The romance between Jane and Hazelwood is rather low-key – if you’re looking for steamy love scenes, you won’t find any here – but it’s nonetheless quite charming and the chemistry between the couple is evident and simmers along nicely beneath the surface. My biggest criticism of the book, though, is that the ending to the suspense plot is rushed; Hazelwood takes a big risk which lands him in serious trouble and has further repercussions, but these are glossed over with a wave of the hand.

I enjoyed The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London in spite of my reservations, although I confess I’d have liked a little more romance and a little more heat. Still it’s a strong start to Ms. Moore’s new series, and I will probably pick up the next book – about Hazelwood’s friend and colleague, Captain Clare – when it comes out later this year.

Grade: B- / 3.5 stars

This book had its fun moments. I enjoyed watching Jane deal with the ton, while not having been in England since she was a child. She is trying to prove her father is not dead and has to avoid Nate Wilde who has been assigned to help her through a ceremony. They were instantly attracted to each other and are unable to avoid each other. A good read.

I was somehow shut down from reading this after my request was granted, so I can't review it. So sorry. I really wanted to read this...

I liked this refreshing look at Regency London through the eyes of a woman just back from the Middle East. Her father gone, Miss Jane Fawkener is left with little but a guide to hunting a husband — something she didn't even want. She doesn't believe her father is dead and seeks to figure out what message he left her. Thrown together with a "protocol" officer, Jane ends up finding a husband and helping a would-be wastrel, Viscount Hazelwood, redeem himself. She is a refreshing heroine, with a straightforward manner and plenty of smarts. A good, solid read that I enjoyed immensely. (I received an advance copy on NetGalley. Views my own.)

Jane Fawkener has learned that her father had wanted her to marry, The man has gone missing and she has just arrived in London after living in the Middle East. It is assumed that her father is dead. All that is left is a book from him entitled, “The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London.” Enclosed with the book is a map of London which Jane takes as a message from her father.

Jane has received this news from two bankers. One banker’s daughter, Lady Violet Blackstone, offers to help Jane. Violet introduces her to her friend, the Duchess of Huntingdon. In addition, Edmund Dalby, Viscount Hazelwood, son of the Earl of Vange, has been assigned by the government as a guardian for Jane. He is part of a group of gentlemen spies. When his father disinherited him, he took this job.

Together, Jane and Hazelwood get her outfitted to meet the King. She is to accept an honor from him for her father’s service. But someone is watching her and thinks she may have some secret papers. Who is after her and why?

This was painful reading. I stuck with the book and found it simply a spy novel. I am drawn to a book by its title, author, genre, and a brief synopsis of the book. More and more I find that authors are taking what sounds like a romance and making it into spies! Gah! I was bored to tears trying to muck through this book. If you love all those spy stories, then by all means read this one.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Intriguing read with a mystery and suspense thrown into the mix. Jane Fawkener, daughter of a British Spy has grown up mainly in the Middle East so has not been subject to the typical upbringing. He father goes missing and Jane is at her wits end, so returns to London to visit her father's bankers, hoping there will be something to lead her to him. Instead she finds a book which would not seem of any circumstance but is determined to figure out if there are clues left. Edmund Dalby, Viscount Hazelwood has been tasked to watch Jane and learn if any information had been passed on to her about the enemy. He aids her when she is in distress and attaches himself to her. As much as Jane tries to shake Dalby, she is glad of his help when she finds someone is following her and she is accosted. One thing leads to another in this action packed story and Jane and Dalby end up depending on each other to solve the mystery. The author brings the characters to life with her vivid descriptions of the surroundings and emotions being felt. Looking forward to the next installment in this series and will leave you with a nudge to read to find out what happens! You will enjoy this book!

After having spent nearly ten years in the Middle East, Miss. Jane Fawkener has to go back to London after her father is declared dead. Jane has never known for a fact but has an inkling that George Fawkener was working for the Foreign Office, and that he isn’t dead. She must see the bankers, who show her a letter that was sent to a cousin a year before, and she is given a book: THE HUSBAND HUNTER’S GUIDE TO LONDON. Is her father reaching from his supposed grave to tell Jane she must get married? She thinks that it must be some sort of code. Edmund Dalby, Viscount Hazelwood, is an agent of the Foreign Office, and his mission is seemingly to guide Jane when she accepts a posthumous knighthood for her father, but he must, in fact, make sure that the Russians don’t get a hold of her or the information she might possess. Jane needs either to endure Hazelwood or find a husband; pretending to look for a husband will allow her to enquire into her father’s disappearance; Hazelwood need not be in the way.

Kate Moore’s very relaxed style of writing captured my attention from the start; THE HUSBAND HUNTER’S GUIDE TO LONDON is so easy to read, you just slip into the story and glide along! Jane is not used to English dress and customs, and I loved how the author exploited this angle to full advantage. Jane is also very perceptive, calm and methodical, she will not bend to Hazelwood’s every whim, however, she is not your typical stubborn female who gets into trouble; she is almost as good an agent as he is. Neither is Hazelwood your cookie-cutter spy/rogue, and I particularly enjoyed how realistic the spying world was in THE HUSBAND HUNTER’S GUIDE TO LONDON. The pace is steady, while not quick, and I had the impression of an authentic club of covert agents. There are few flashy episodes, but there is a lot of drama and action; I thought it was perfectly done.

The characters are so captivating that, even when Jane and Hazelwood are not in the picture, I was completely engrossed because you know that every little detail matters and Kate Moore’s vivid descriptions of the scenery, the shops, the whole environment was superb. Ms. Moore also writes very elegantly and her style is so well adapted to the era, that if I would have been told that the excerpts of THE HUSBAND HUNTER’S GUIDE TO LONDON – the fictional guide, that is – which open every chapter, were actually written during the Regency, that I would not have batted an eyelash. The romance is lovely, very quaint, and I loved it! What more can I say!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
reviewed by Monique

The daughter of George Fawkener a British intelligence agent, Jane has spent most of her life in exotic lands abroad, not flirting her way to matrimony among the ton. So when her father disappears and is presumed dead, she’s perplexed as to why he’s arranged for her to receive a copy of The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London. Convinced he has hidden a covert message for her within its pages, Jane embarks on a “husband hunt” with an altogether different aim. But can she fool the government spy Edmund Dalby Viscount Hazelwood who’s following her every move.
This story contained everything I like in a novel, a mystery to solve, spies & of course romance but I struggled my way through it. Normally I would devour a novel like this but it didn’t hold my interest & I kept leaving it to do other things like dusting & hoovering!! The characters were well developed but I just didn’t connect with them, there was nothing to dislike I just didn’t love them. The pace of the story was very slow to begin with & I think it definitely affected my enjoyment of the story, it was about a quarter of the way through before the pace increased. I’d read more from the author as she does have lots of good reviews this novel wasn’t for me.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

3.5 stars - I liked the idea of this book, but in my opinion, there are way too many improbable situations for this to be a 5 star read.

Jane Fawkener has been living in the Middle East with her father for years, but when he goes missing and is presumed dead, she returns to London and visits his bankers, hoping that he left a message for her with them. What she finds is not a letter, but a book "The Husband Hunter's Guide to London" and learns that he left her only the book and £200 to keep her until she finds a husband. She cannot believe her father is dead and thinks the book might have clues to his whereabouts.

Edmund Dalby, Viscount Hazelwood is the disowned son of the Earl of Vange, a wastrel and a spy. He was recruited into service after his father disowned him for his profligate ways and he agreed to spy for a year and in return the crown would pay his debts. Until now his missions have been to collect information from gaming hells and brothels, but now he has been tasked with watching Miss. Fawkener and learning what information her father might have passed to her about the Russians.

Jane meets Hazelwood when she is leaving the bank and passes out - apparently her stays were laced too tight and she is not accustom to wearing English clothing. Hazelwood is introduced to her as a protocol officer assigned to help her prepare for the investiture ceremony being held for her father - he is to be given a knighthood for his service to the crown. Jane wants nothing to do with Hazelwood or the government - she just wants to find her father, so she tries to loose Hazelwood.

Hazelwood is diligent in his duties, much to Jane's dismay and it becomes clear early in the book, that someone is out to harm Jane. Her rooms are broken into, they are followed and she is physically accosted.

Hazelwood takes Jane to see her grandmother and her uncle and after meeting with her uncle, Jane has an idea of where the key to the clues in her book might be. She attends a musicale at her cousins house to see if she was correct. Hazelwood crashes the party and is jealous of the attention Jane is receiving. He takes her home and they share a kiss.

The next day while shopping with her cousins, she sees a man that was with her father the last time she saw him and follows him into the shop. The man is nowhere to be seen, but Hazelwood steps out of the back room and seems overly familiar with the shop girl. Jane is hurt and thinks that the kiss they shared was just a ruse on Hazelwood's part to get information from her. She leaves the shop and he follows. While talking to her on the street another attempt is made on her and Hazelwood uses the distraction to steal her book.

Later when Jane realizes her book is gone, she makes a deal with Miranda (the shop girl). Later when they both attend a party, she avoids him, but on the ride back to her hotel, he tells her the truth, that he is a spy and that Miranda is nothing to him. Jane is not sure what to believe and goes through with her plan and with Miranda's help, steals her book back from Hazelwood. He awakes while she is in his room, and tells her they could work together, she declines and tells him she is moving in with her cousins and will see him at the ceremony.

When another attempt is made on her life, Hazelwood realizes that he loves her and will do anything to keep her safe. They form a plan to remove her from her cousins, but Miranda's jealousy will cause the plan to go awry and place Jane in more danger.

The story is interesting, but the writing is a bit choppy and the "love story" aspect of the book is almost nonexistent - there are no real love scenes nor are there any "I love yous" - for me this is a necessity in a romance novel - I prefer steamy reads, but if the love story is good, I can do without them, but sadly this was not the case in this story. This book was more like a historical intrigue novel versus a romance. There are also a number of improbable situations that just made the story unbelievable to this reader. So while I enjoyed the idea of the story, I found the execution lacking, but not enough to stop me from wanting to read the next book in the series.

This is the first book I've read by Kate Moore. It held my interest throughout.

There are quite a number of interesting characters in this beautifully-written narrative of espionage ring. The Russian-England-Arab setting makes this story unusual from my previous reads. Not to mention the guide book which is a story in itself!

Miss Jane Fawkener, is the proverbial fish out of water in London and Viscount Hazelwood is such a flawed character who's trying trying to redeem himself by being in service to the crown as a spy. When circumstances has thrown them together, they didn't just aid the case but also found love in each other.

This is a good read. I'm looking forward to Book 2.

I volunteered to read and review this eGalley arc from the publisher. This is my honest opinion.

A solid good read. While there are a few things that could be picked on like using American phrasing instead of English... One of the things I enjoyed about the book is it shows what happens when we are brought up in different cultures. The perspectives are different. It leads to a completely new way of looking at things when you come to another culture.. even if that culture is a part of you. I liked the characters, the suspense and the way the author got around some small blocks and did not make it another oh so there read. So I can honestly say, it is an enjoyable read. I voluntarily offered to review this book. I give this review totally and honestly without any pressure. I received the arc of this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

This was an interesting book, and not at all what I expected from the title. It is a solid historical mystery with a romance that develops at a good pace. Other than a couple of glaring Americanisms, Kate Moore – a prolific author I’m not actually familiar with – writes beautifully, and captures London beyond the ballrooms in such an interesting way.

I’m not one for historical romance series based on some gimmick (such as a husband hunting book), and so I went into this one with some trepidation. Usually these gimmicks that tie a series together end up being flimsy and silly and too modern, but I didn’t find that to be the case here at all (though I admit to being far more interested in the mystery than the “advice” from the book that opened every chapter).

The heroine has spent her adolescence and early twenties living in what is now Syria, with an English father who worked throughout the region of the old Silk Road. So she is a little bit different to the people of London, and uncomfortable with some of the ways of English society, after having lived in a Muslim, sex-segregated culture for so long. I think this was handled very well, and I liked all the little touches of the author’s research (and love that she used all the old names for the cities).

Other than a few too many references to her struggling with wearing bonnets, this was a “fish out of water” story that didn’t resort to anachronisms to make it work.

Somebody thinks the heroine knows too much about her allegedly dead father’s spy work in Asia, and for most of the book they are trying to get to her. This mild suspense aspect takes us through the parts of London we don’t see in a lot of Regency romances, which I loved. This section of the plot is also the main focus of the book – over the husband hunting stuff.

The Americanisms? It’s AUTUMN and never – ever – “the fall”. And it’s OFF, and never “off of”.

This was one of those books that wasn’t perfect, but was a little different, making it such an interesting read.

The developing romance was a little hard to believe and needed more weight to it. She was different being raised in other countries and he was an outcast from his family and lost his inheritance. The chemistry didn't serm to be there. It was hard to follow the descriptions of getting a rock thrown at them and other situations. You could not determine what was happening in terms of body positions, reactions or details since they were not descriptive enough.