Member Reviews
The relationship between Peter and Amelia is what dreams are made of.
I loved the many facets of this book. The interesting plot line, sweet moments, witty conversations, and realistic difficulties. I loved how selfless yet entirely real the heroine was. I loved Peter. Loved loved loved him. He was charming but not perfect, and at times I felt like I was watching a movie in my head, rather than simply reading words on a page. All of the characters were well-developed, and the side characters really helped push the story along, adding interesting side stories that weaved perfectly into the main plot.
I cannot wait to get a physical copy of this book onto my shelves.
I read A LOT of romance novels and this has to be one of the BEST romances I've read in awhile! Amelia reminded me a lot of Elinor Dashwood from Sense & Sensibility, except with more spunk and willing to stand up for what she wants in the end. I love how her romance with Peter didn't start out on the right foot, but how in spending time with each other they grew to love each other. I just loved the way they teased each other, but still had those important serious conversations as well. Really this was just an amazing story and one I can't wait to have all my friends read!
Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the eARC!
This is a beautiful regency romance. The author's words are emotionally driven in the best way, with compelling descriptions.
I appreciated not just the swoony romance, but the wonderful way she brought in familial love, good and bad, it gave depth to the story as a whole.
I was absolutely delighted with the book from start to finish and am crossing my fingers for more from the side characters. Please tell me Georgiana gets her own story!
In this novel, Amelia and her sister Clara are weeks away from destitution. Their stepfather is near death, and has made no provision for them. When they are invited to pay a visit at the home of a gentleman admirer of Clara, Amelia knows it is their last and best opportunity to secure a permanent home. Unfortunately, when she gets there she finds that another guest has a similar idea. Peter Wood has also brought his sister, Georgiana, to pay a visit in hopes of engaging the same man. Amelia and Peter are both determined to forward their sisters' pursuit of a good match, so in the interests of fair play, they agree to keep each other preoccupied so that neither has too much chance to sabotage the other. Afternoon excursions, banter, and friendship ensue.
This Regency love story was easy to read, funny at times, and had a very engaging romantic lead. What I liked about it was that even though the two main characters are somewhat at odds at the beginning, they don't snipe at one another for no good reason, as I've seen done in other books in an attempt to ratchet up the tension. The interaction in this book is handled in a more realistic way, and is actually cute.
Although I felt there were probably a few anachronisms in dialogue, they weren't significant enough to really impact my enjoyment of the book.
This was by far one of the best Regency books I have read in a long time. I ate up the pages of this story- I just had to find out how the plot would unfold, not to mention I thoroughly enjoyed so many of the characters’ interactions.
Amelia, the protagonist, was strong and loyal, constantly putting her sister’s needs above her own. It is her perspective that the story is told from, and the author did a fantastic job bringing her emotions to life while still giving insight into other characters. I loved how determined Amelia was. From the very beginning she is left to shoulder so many difficult burdens, and works hard to bring happiness to her sister. She and her sister attend a house party, with hard consequences if Amelia can’t succeed.
Enter Mr. Wood, or Peter, and things get a whole lot more interesting. He and his sister are also at the house party, and while Amelia and Peter’s sisters are vying for the attention of the same suitor, sparks fly between the two of them. I loved their interactions- the witty bantering, the playful interactions, the serious moments where secrets are shared, and such toe-curling tension as they danced around feelings they had for each other.
I cannot say enough about this book. Fans of Julianne Donaldson’s “Edenbrooke” will love this story. There is such growth and development in the story, and while I adored the ending, things did not all turn out as I expected. Trust me, this is one house party you don’t want to miss!
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review
With her stepfather on death's door, Amelia Moore knows that time is running out before she and her sister lose everything they know and love. When they receive an invitation to a house party, Amelia knows this is her chance to secure her sister's future and her happiness.
Encountering Peter Wood while trying to find new gloves for her sister, Amelia forms a strong opinion of Peter, he is the most insufferable man she has ever met. It is only after realizing that both of their sisters vie for the same man's affections, Sir Ronald, that the two form an unlikely truce- they will spend their time together to ensure that neither of them interferes in the interactions between Sir Ronald and the lovely ladies who hope to win his heart.
It is easy to invest in their relationship as they come to know each other while at Lakeshire Park. Each of their interactions felt authentic and interesting and you can't help but root for them from the beginning. Megan Walker created deep characters whos needs and fears feel valid and real to the reader. Looking forward to reading more from her in the years to come!
Oh, I loved this one! The hero and heroine had such good chemistry and the banter and the flirty hero had me grinning. The heroine had such a good heart, willing to sacrifice for her sister, but I loved her arc and how she overcame her own fear to fight for love. I’ll be looking for more books by this author
The tension between Amelia and Peter was wonderful. The initial distaste and then how it grew favorable was great. It was compelling.
Some sad and touching moments. The girls’ past was so sad with the heartless stepfather and their desperate situation.
Very sweet story. Would read it again and more from the author.
What an enjoyable story! Unfolding almost entirely during a classic Regency house party, the characters develop and reveal themselves over time to create a story much like a good Agatha Christie mystery, except here we have a charming Regency romance. The enemies to friends transition happens with wonderful timing and revelations perfectly paced. You can’t help but get into the story and root for the sisters to both have a happy ending! Well done and thoroughly enjoyed!
This is my first time reading anything by Megan Walker but I can't say if this is her first novel. Either way I thought it was very well done.
When I read a book with a brooding Hero I always think that's my favorite type and then I read a book with a Hero like Peter Wood who is playful and teasing and I change my mind and think that's my favorite. I loved the meet cute where Peter comes out from under the display table and I love that he calls her Amelia right from the start. There is always something very endearing about a man who wants to call a woman by her name.
Amelia's troubles seemed real to me and I found the storyline to be believable. How unfortunate to have such an unloving, unfeeling step father. Amelia obviously cared for her sister a great deal and was willing to sacrifice her own happiness for her sister.
Anytime there is a scandal I'm always worried about how it will all work out. I'm glad things worked out for Clara but I can't help but for a little bad for Georgiana. And how did Peter not see his sister for who she truly is sooner?
I think this story needs a novella and a follow up. Amelia's parent's story would make a great novella and I think Mr. Pendleton needs his own HEA story.
2.5 stars rounded up. I was hoping for a smart, Georgette Heyer-style romance, but this read much more like a YA (or, frankly, middle grade) take on the Regency Era. The story starts off with an interesting premise -- sisters Amelia and Clara are on the brink of being homeless and penniless after their evil stepfather reveals he is leaving them nothing upon his imminent death, forcing them to make advantageous marriages or end up in the workhouse. They conveniently are invited to a house party hosted by Clara's potential suitor, at which Clara faces stiff competition from a rich competitor for her suitor's hand. Amelia, meanwhile, is tasked with distracting Clara's competitor's brother -- Peter Wood -- from interfering and giving his own sister an advantage. Naturally, Amelia and Peter start to fall for each other despite their respective sisters believing them to be mortal enemies.
While the bleak situation threatening Amelia and Clara is realistic for the time period, that is perhaps the only historical accuracy in the entire story. Although I'm fairly flexible about historical accuracy levels in romance novels, at a minimum it needs to feel sufficiently grounded in the time period to maintain credibility (or, like Shadow Mountain's other upcoming book, Promised, have a compelling emotional story that counterbalances this issue). Lakeshire Park sadly did not do so. The lack of attention to detail seemed to grow as the story went on, to the point where it took me out of the story too frequently to enjoy. For example, the characters seem to think that they can only be "ruined" by being caught publicly kissing -- like Amelia's parents were -- all the while the main couples spend entire days on their own with no guardians, maids or other supervision and everyone is completely fine with it. This pervasive issue, coupled with the very emotionally immature mindset of Amelia and Peter, made the story feel like a contemporary YA transplanted into the early 1800's.
I still enjoy Shadow Mountain's "Proper Romance" series and look forward to reading more titles in it, though perhaps not from this author.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!
Megan Walker carefully crafted this wonderful story with hints of the characters' haunting past gradually revealed and expounded. As the story progresses, you are swept into their world and feel their struggles and hopes as if your own. Vivid descriptions; clear writing style; gems of wisdom: strong, likable, believable characters; plenty of tension in the plot; sweet romance - this book delivers it all!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I love my clean regencies so much. I love them because sometimes you want a book that is a lot like a Jane Austen or a Geogette Heyer.
For a modern-day writer, Megan has written a gorgeous book about two ladies that rekindles everything I love about Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer's books.
You have two sisters who live with a step-father who is ready to pass on who doesn't care a fig about them. Their first season was for lack of a better word dreadful, but, the youngest daughter has a sliver of hope. She and her sister have been invited by a family who the youngest sister has become acquainted with. In hopes of securing a match between the younger sister, or else end up with nothing, the father allows them to head off to the house in chance of a last-attempt match.
The oldest sister meets a man who appears to have the same thing in mind for his younger sister. After a dreadful encounter in a glove shop, and discovering the two of them will be attending the same invite. Though, in their case, they are far more fortunate and have nothing to loose. Unlike the two sisters who have everything.
The slow build up between the two of them, enemies, to friends, to lovers is something I cherished between Peter (the man) and Amelia (the elder sister. The love triangle between Ronald, Clara (Amelia's younger sister) and Clara (Peter's younger sister) was constantly keeping me on my toes and I couldn't tell who would really end up with Ronald.
There were parts of the book that truly caught me in emotions of love, sadness, and glee (the mud fight/mud romp between Amelia and Peter? - perfection!).
I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it if you like slow burn mixed with clean romance.
This story tugged at my heartstrings so hard...I loved it! The main characters were so written so well and the dialogue was so smooth and believable. I was in tears at the end! I will be reading this one again!
**Review scheduled to post April 1st on my blog/Goodreads, etc.). I will update my links on that date!**
WELL THIS WAS PRECIOUS.
Thanks to a lucky moment seeing a friends post saying she read and loved this, a Netgalley request that wen through, and a feeling for a clean and sweet regency romance and here we are! I adored this book and love this feel good romance.
What I noticed at times was the tiny tidbits I recognized from Pride and Prejudice (I am a BIG fan of that book/movie). This wasn’t a bad thing at all to me because the story was wholly it’s own. I enjoyed seeing these moments and the vibe of this plot was perfectly set up for England 1820.
I didn’t know how smitten I was going to be with the romance at first. I thought it felt at bit insta-ish and it took me a little to grasp onto it. Once I did though, oh. I was smitten with Peter. SO PRECIOUS. I loved the banter between them and the enemies to lovers moments were on point. Amelia and Peter were just the cutest pair you guys.
It was crafty to have this book set-up over a two week time span. I liked that each day was something different and unique for the characters to interact with. It didn’t feel stagnant keeping the location at essentially one home. There was even some drama that never felt over the top (okay, maybe a little, ONLY because this is a regency time period so things that are no big deal now were a big deal then). I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more books from this author!
Overall audience notes:
Regency romance
Language: none
Romance: some kisses
Lakeshire Park is by a new to me author. This is a sweet and proper Regency romance that had humor and a refreshing heroine who spoke her mind and actually said how she felt. I only wish the hero had a point of view. I would have loved knowing what was going through his mind on several humorous occasions. I enjoyed this story and recommend to all Regency romance readers.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. This is my honest opinion.
Another fine example of why I love Regency Romances. Amelia Moore is doing the best she can to help improve the situation for herself and her sister as she watches their security disappear. She has two weeks to make sure they are able to do that.
I have read this one twice now and I loved it even more the second time around. Megan Walker will definitely be one of the authors on my must buy list. I am sure I will share it where I can as well. These characters are nuanced and relatable. They have depth and a realism that makes me wish I was there.
Peter Wood is the hero we all secretly wish for. He has flaws but he is aware of them and strives to seek out time with Amelia even after she pushes him away.
Lakeshire Park was a cozy read that allowed me to travel to the Regency period. I felt like a guest at the house party. I look forward to more from this author.
Although somewhat predictable, I really enjoyed this book. Amelia might seem meek at first, but she has a sass and spunk in her just waiting for the right opportunities; which Peter provides plenty of.
There are times when Amelia's choices left me irritated, and once or twice when I felt it was a little too unrealistic. But overall I liked her spunk and the way she responded to the situations she was faced with.
I would like to have seen more of her sister's perspective at times, and to have had one of the characters receive more of a comeuppance.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
What a perfectly sweet and fun Regency story!
Amelia and her sister Clara must find a match before their ill step father leaves them completely destitute.
The sisters get invited to a house party where Clara is already smitten with the host, Sir Ronald. Amelia decides its her duty to help her sister secure that match, however, she soon realizes another man, Peter Wood, is trying to secure a match for his sister with Sir Ronald as well.
Amelia’s disdain for Mr. Wood over time turns into friendship and then into more. I enjoyed that there were so many moments of conversation, chemistry, and humor. You could see them falling in love.
Of course, all the twists and turns of this story, make their growing relationship not easy. I typically hate secrets and misunderstandings and was afraid that they would last long and cause all sorts of inconveniences but I was pleasantly surprised with how things got fixed and revealed.
All in all, I enjoyed this story and look forward to more books by this author.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved it. The writing was beautiful and all I wanted to do was read this until I finished it. I was so excited when I found out about this one because it’s my favorite kind of romance, with a HEA!
The MC were great with lots of angst and chemistry. I laughed out loud many times. Just. So. Romantic. Some of my favorite parts of this book were the games that were played after dinner. It kept a huge smile on my face. It was so much fun. It makes me want to spend a fortnight there.
Like any good book there were characters I loved and characters I hated. I loved Peter and Amelia! They were so much fun to watch and it was nail biting waiting to see how this would play out. I hated Lord Gray, his family and their cruelty to the girls.
**Sigh** I’m sad it’s over and hope the author writes her next one quickly. She’s definitely being added to my favorite authors list!
I highly recommend this book and I’m buying a copy as soon as it’s released.
This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.