This book has everything a romance needs – friends, conflict, real life situations, not so nice persons, people in love who hurt, people in love who find each other again. Adeline and Charity have a true friendship even though Adeline is Charity’s paid companion. Adeline does more than just share friendship with Charity, she protects her. On at least one occasion, that protection went too far.

Adeline and Charity are sent to the country to stay with Charity’s aunt, who is her father’s sister. Daddy is not a very nice person. He holds Adeline’s family’s loss of funds over her head with his control of the home in which they live and the funds he pays her for taking care of Charity. Charity has no idea her father is basically blackmailing Adeline to ensure Charity marries. Since Charity has just broken an engagement to one man whom she loved deeply, it may not be such a good idea to begin husband hunting so soon.

While in the country Adeline meets , Evan, a man she believes to be a bit too firm and unforgiving, maybe even unkind. It takes both of them a while to warm up to each other. Evan thought she was the typical London miss, until he sees how she wants to help others. They form a strong friendship that grows until the fateful night Charity discovers Adeline is protecting her from her former betrothed.

The development of this romance involves several heartbreaking situations that are normal, difficult life altering situations. Ms. Barker approaches them with love and care as each situation is resolved. Your heart kind of breaks for each of the ladies, Adeline, Charity and Mrs. Beckett. To see each of them find their HEA goes a long way to endearing this romance to your heart.

Loved this! My first book by Ms. Barker but I can assure you it won't be my last. I loved the premise and the characters, especially Charity!! While I loved Addie and Evan and their story, I really would love to know more of Charity's story especially as it relates to curmudgeonly father. Barker knows how to really paint a picture and I look forward to reading more from her.. I have some older female patrons that are just going to LOVE this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It felt real in many ways. Adeline was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and made what ended up being a wrong decision, but owned up to her mistakes and did what she could to fix them. Good character development and relationship building.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a clean and easy read with a HEA, which is a must for me. The heroine is a kind hearted companion but found herself making a huge mistake. I would consider her a fixer. She felt compelled to fix things if it was in her power to do so. The hero was a handsome but broody sort.
3.5 stars. I was given a copy by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

This is a lovely story of romance blossoming during a house party. I love that setting, with its games, dances and hunting parties.

The friendship of Charity and Adeline is endearing; however, Adeline's misguided actions threaten not only that friendship, but Adeline's budding romance with Evan, as well. Adeline's shocking meddling had me reconsidering her worth as a person, regardless of the underlying threat to her and her family.

Evan is a fabulous hero, handsome, intelligent and witty. The Becketts, Charity's aunt and uncle, are wonderful, as well.

The novel is written in the 1st person, a narrative that doesn't always work, but it is successful here. The writing is lovely and descriptive, and the Regency period is accurately portrayed. I'm always looking for new Regency authors, and Joanna Barker is a new favorite. If you're looking for a clean and proper romance, you should enjoy this book. I also thoroughly enjoyed "The Truth About Miss Ashbourne" and "Beauty and the Baron", so I am anticipating more offerings from this author.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I loved every bit of this regency era historical romance. The author did a fabulous job of character development of Charity, Addie, George, and Evan. I appreciated that the characters were able to grow and forgive when misunderstandings took place. I also appreciated that this novel was very clean in terms of no sex. This was my first novel by this author but I definitely can't wait for her next one!

I found this book to be very relatable. It didn't have the normal feel of regency because it had several darker themes. Still loved the story and found the heroine to be good without being perfect.

Joanna Barker has written a fantastic tale of love, family devotion, and friendship. Barker wrote a compelling, well developed, and novel plot. The characters pulled me in; I cared about them and felt invested in them, and I wanted them to get the happiness that they deserved. Joanna Barker gifted us with main characters that were good people, and they were easy to root for! I knew where I wanted the story to go, but I was unable to guess where the author was taking the story, and that made it a real page turner. The banter between the sexes was smart and fun, and the attraction between the couples was believable. It didn’t hurt that Mr. Whitfield was swoon worthy – think Mr. Darcy or Mr. Thornton. When I was done reading, it passed the true test of a good novel --- I wished there was more. Warning: You might need a hanky or two. It was also a clean read!

Adeline Hayes is a paid companion to her best friend Charity Edgeworth. After three seasons in London, Charity has fallen in love and is betrothed to George Henley, but she breaks the engagement when she believes that Henry is marrying her for her dowry, not for love. Scandal ensues when the engagement is broken, and Charity’s father banishes Charity and Adeline to the country estate of his sister Caroline, who is hosting a house party. Charity’s father charges Adeline to make a match for Charity at the house party, or she will lose her position and her family will lose the home they are living – they are behind in rent to Charity’s father. Will Adeline be able to steer Charity to a match and find love again? There is so much more to this story, but I don’t want to give anything away; I urge you to pick it up and read and be prepared to lose some sleep because you won’t want to put it down until you are done!

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

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