Hyacinth Somerset is finally going to have a season. She couldn't be dreading anything more, except for running into a man she is certain is a murderer. Before Hyacinth knows it, she is doing the unthinkable, and now she must face the consequences of her actions. Imagine her shock and embarrassment when Hyacinth discovers the man she branded a "murderer" at her debut ball didn't, in fact, kill anyone. It was all a misunderstanding. Could things possibly get any more awkward? Of course they can, for the man before Hyacinth is none other than the brother of her sister's husband.

Lachlan Ramsey and his younger siblings have left their home in Scotland to begin again in England. They have recently introduced themselves to the family they just learned they were related to. Part of that very family includes the woman Lachlan believed to be an angel, Hyacinth Somerset. Unfortunately for him, he had to discover that she is not the hard way, or is she?

Lachlan is confused, but intrigued by Hyacinth. Underneath her wilting demeanor, he suspects there is a lady with a strong backbone. Lachlan made his newfound brother a promise, he will keep an eye on Hyacinth during her season. After all, Hyacinth has made sacrifices to see that he and his siblings are accepted by Society. How will Lachlan ever safeguard his secret around the woman he is, slowly but surely, falling in love with.

Author Anna Bradley's SOMERSET SISTERS series is absorbing. It consists of three novels, MORE OR LESS A MARCHIONESS, MORE OR LESS A COUNTESS and MORE OR LESS A TEMPTRESS. Each sister is unique in her own way, but all are alike underneath it all. They are headstrong women who will fight for what they believe in. The men they set their caps for have not a chance. MORE OR LESS A TEMPTRESS, is the youngest sister, Hyacinth's story. Hyacinth's family for lack of a better word, babies, her. They all make decisions for her and she gives in to them meekly. I was so proud to see Hyacinth finally find her own voice. Once she does, nothing can hold her back. Lachlan is the perfect match for her. He makes Hyacinth see a whole different side to herself, one she thought she lacked. Historical readers won't want to miss MORE OR LESS A TEMPTRESS.

This author's touch in depicting her characters' growth arc is enviable, however I am afraid that in this instance the choice of restricting the action to a few balls with little to no interaction with the rest of the world curbed my enthusiasm.

Moreover, since it did take a while for the heroine to come out of her shell and for our hero to overcome his fears, the only sex scene took place in a library after the umpteenth ball only a few pages before the end. I'm afraid it felt rushed and simply did not seem plausible that our hero would take the virginity of who happens to be his newly found brother's sister-in-law in said brother's home in such potentially scandalous circumstances. For once I would have skipped the sex and concentrated on the feelings if the allotted book length did not allow for a more considerate setting.

While both hero and heroine are relatable, the general layout of the plot does not seem to give them and their love story the due credit. Ms Bradley's writing style is precious and enjoyable, like always, but this romance was not as engaging as the previous ones. I would still welcome Ciaran's own novella though.

This is the second book that I've recently read where the leading lady is timid and afraid and her family shields her from everything. One way this is different from most books I've read is the way that the leading lady and the leading man meet. It was kind of funny but i am not going to spoil that for you. The leading man has secrets that he hides and that creates drama but they worked it out I did like the story Hyacinth and Lachlan seem to be a very good couple and so I would recommend this story.

Another fabulous book by Anna Bradley. First and foremost, let me say that I received this book at no charge from the author. Anna Bradley has mesmerized me again by making me feel and live the emotions of the heroine. Hyacinth's transformation in believing in herself and those she loves is a testament to the inert strength of a woman. This book has its humorous scenes and wonderful sibling jibing. The love story is a nice crescendo to happily ever after. Enjoy reading this beautiful piece of historical fiction.

My least favorite in the series so far, which means everyone else will probably love this. But for me, it was one star for the beginning, five for the middle, and one for the end...

"I want her to see out her season, if only to prove to herself that she can. What kind of life will she have if she runs away every time there's some sort of unpleasantness?"

Hyacinth Somerset is the youngest of three sisters. Naturally shy, she has been cossetted and over-protected to the point where she tries to vanish every time someone so much as looks at her. She comes a long way in this book, and her journey to realizing that she is worth something and the courage she summons up to stand up to everyone is the absolute best thing about this book. I really liked her and cheered her on in the middle part that focuses on her transformation. That part was really well done, and it was wonderful to see her find the strength she had without even realizing it.

BUT...

So, when she sees the man she thought she saw killing someone the night before (in fact, he and his brother where drunk and fighting) at a ball, she shrieks "murderer!!!" and faints away. Which is where all the trouble I had with this started. I get shy and over-protected. I get being sheltered and cosseted to the point of no self-esteem at all. But that just felt stupid to me. Never mind that yelling "murderer!" pretty much guarantees your next in line to die, but how dare she ruin an innocent's man reputation like that? And how dare EVERYONE else in that family go "oh, but little Hyacinth is just sheltered and has weak nerves, you can't blame her for this silly misunderstanding". Because excuse me, I can blame her plenty for that. Granted, she apologizes and tries to fix her mistake, which I really liked, but honestly. That premise is just not for me...

Then there was the hero himself. If you like a tortured, scowling martyr who isn't worth of the pure heroine's love and is so big and strong and brutish, you are going to looooooove Lachlan. Me, not so much. I preferred his teasing pest of a brother, I hope he gets his own story soon!

Then there was the obligatory last-minute drama which I so despise. I wish there was less of this in books these days. But since I seem to be one of the few people who mind it this much, what do I know…

All in all, this was a nice addition to a series I am coming to really love. I really liked the first (except for some stupid drama towards the end), absolutely LOVED the second, and liked this one ok.

Hyacinth has a very protective family but she finally breaks out of her shell only to find out they want to put her back into it. She holds her own and becomes a strong female! Great love story mixed in there.

Another great showing from Mrs. Bradley. The heroine finds her metal, thanks to the hero. The hero finds redemptive love and acceptance from the heroine, his new found brother and extended family. It’s a very nice read with a satisfying HEA.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review

I haven’t read the prior books in the series, but this book stood well on its own.

Hyacinth is an interesting character. The youngest of 5 sisters is painfully shy, an introvert with social anxiety that causes her to stammer when she’s nervous. This makes the prospects of a season the worst possible thing for her.

Lachlan has his own issues, the secret son of a marquess and his runaway wife, he’s been raised as the son a Scot. Only when he must flee Scotland does his mother tell him the truth. He leaves for London with his younger half brother and sister to find his real brother, the new marquess.

Lachlan meets hyacinth as she’s his brother’s wife’s sister, and is the only one that can understand her personality. He builds her up and helps her blossom, while trying to deny he loves her.

The plot and character development were fantastic. I really enjoyed this book. It stood out above the other mediocre books I’ve read lately. 4.5 stars rounded up.

I received an advance reader’s copy and exchange for an honest review.

This one starts off the rails but gets tropish pretty quickly. I’ve read better but it’s ok to ass time or if you really need a fix.

Hyacinth,the youngest Somerset sister who has been coddled and protected by her family is set to make her London debut in her first Season. She has been hiding behind columns to keep from being noticed. Although she is beautiful and kind, she doesn't see it and lets the ton bully her. Lord Huntington is married to Hyacinth's sister, Iris. He had a mother who ran away with another man and left him and his father when he was just a child. Hyacinth sees two men fighting and assumes one man has killed the other. Lachlan Ramsey, his sister Isla and his brother, Ciaran had to leave Scotland after the death of their mother and a scandal. Before she dies, she reveals that Lachlan has a brother who is a Lord in England. His Brother and sister are half-siblings. Lachlan finds himself to be Lord Huntington 's brother which was kept a secret by their mother. The three Ramseys arrive in London without any notice, in the middle of a ball. Hyacinth announced to everyone that Lachlan was a murderer and promptly fainted. Hyacinth had seen Lachlan and Ciaran brawling and assumed the worst. The misunderstanding is cleared up and Lord Huntington accepted that they were family and welcomed them in his home. Isla is Hyacinth's age and Lord Huntinton would like her to have a season in London and Hyacinth is persuaded to go thru her Season. Lord and Lady Huntington have to leave London in the beginning of the Season and asks Lachlan to protect Isla and Hyacinth as they made their debut in society. Lachlan and Hyacinth have become attracted to each other and Lachlan feels he must protect her from him and his secrets. As he tries to protect Hyacinth, she changes and becomes more herself. She is not the mouse everyone thought she was. She is a temptress. As they take London by storm, someone is out to blackmail Hyacinth. Secrets come out and the scandal the Ramseys thought had been put behind them, follows them to London.. How will Lord Huntington deal with a lie of omission? Hyacinth is in the middle of all of it. Will she be ruined and what about the blackmailer? I loved Hyacinth's story. I was worried about how her story would develop, then the Ramsey's come to town. I loved them. I received this book from Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. 5+

I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series but I loved the Sutherland scandal books so jumped at the chance for an arc of this book.
I’m in two minds about it. It was well written and the plot was fast paced but I just didn’t connect with either of the main characters. I think if it weren’t for the secondary characters then I probably would have given up at around 60%. I’m looking forward to Isla’s book which will be released next year and hope that Ciaran will have his own story following that. 3 stars

I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
I read the first two novel of the series and looked forward to the story of the last Somerset sister. Hyacinth Somerset is considered fragile and timid by many, but as the story progresses, she shows that she is kind and brave. Hyacinth decides to finally have a season, but causes trouble when she accuses Lachlan Ramsey as being a murderer. Lachlan has his own secrets he is keeping and this accusation is not a good way to start his arrival to London. Lachlan wants to protect his siblings, since they have no intention of returning to Scotland. Lachlan is a protector, but scowls often. Lachlan is the first person to see Hyacinth as she truly is and begins to fall in love with her. Hyacinth sees they way Lachlan protects and cares for her when she is hurt by others. She misjudged him, but she too begins to fall in love with Lachlan. However, Lachlan's secret catches up with him in London and impacts Hyacinth. Hyacinth will do whatever is necessary to protect Lachlan, but will it be enough or will it ruin Lachlan's family?

I received a free copy from netgalley and exchange for an honest review. Having read the other books in the series by Anna Bradley I was looking forward to this story very much. And it definitely did not disappoint. Lachlan and his brother and sister had to return to England after their mother's passing in order to meet with Finn lachlan's older brother. Hyacinth being the youngest of the somerset sisters has been coddled most of her lifebut Lachlan definitely brings out her strength and I love the growing relationship between them.