I thoroughly enjoyed Adoring Abigail! I didn't expect it to have so much suspense!
Whew! It had my heart pumping a few times - wondering how things were going to work out!
I absolutely love the ending!
Chalon Linton is a gifted story teller! In Adoring Abigail, she has created great characters, suspense (as already mentioned), and sweet romantic attraction. She gave the main female character, Abigail, a speech impediment and I was impressed with how she handled it. (One of my own daughters had the same exact trouble as Abigail. I could completely empathize with Abigail's feelings because the author did a good job of describing things.)

Abigail is a sweet and somewhat shy girl. Her speech impediment gives her trouble in pronouncing certain letters, and has caused her to feel flawed and unworthy. People have treated her cruelly because of it, and have labelled her 'stupid' and 'dumb'. She suffers from a lack of confidence, but is in reality, quite clever and intelligent. I love her character!
Robert is the best of men. He is kind, caring, noble, and truly a hero - in every sense of the word.
He is instantly drawn to Abigail - and doesn't care a whit about her speech problem. Their attraction to each other grows and she gains confidence in his presence because of his kind nature.
And then there's Mr. Mead... - a surprising fellow - to say the least...
If you like Regency era, sweet clean romance, then you will enjoy this story!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. I am not required to give a review. All opinions stated here are my own. I enjoyed every part of this book. I highly recommend it!

Adoring Abigail by Chalon Linton, 197 pages. Covenant Communications, 2020. $15.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Mr. Robert Wilkins never met his great-aunt, and, yet, after his time as a Captain, Robert finds himself as the sole heir of her estate, Cattersley. Next door to Cattersley is a cottage where 19-year-old Miss Abigail Rutherford and her grandmother live. Abigail has long suffered because of her speech impediment, leading her grandmother to limit her freedoms for her own good. Does Robert’s new battlefield include saving a damsel in distress?
This is one of those stories that just makes you breathe a deep sigh of contentment when it ends. The whole time, readers hope for the happily ever after while suffering with our clever, but cautious, heroine. By the time everything works out, readers are ready to cheer for our dashing hero and taunt the loathsome antagonist. Robert and Abigail’s story is a cute read, and I enjoyed watching the friendship that grows between Abigail and her neighbors as much as, if not more than, the romance aspect -- everyone needs friends like the Wilkinses.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

War hero, Captain Robert Wilkins is overwhelmed when he inherits an estate from a great-aunt he never met. Abigail has always struggled with speaking and life with her grandmother has only made it more difficult to speak. Will friendship between these two who do not fit in grow into something more?

This was a sweet and clean read. Both of the main characters, Robert and Abigail, were enjoyable to read about. Robert's feelings of inadequacy are understandable since he hadn't been raised to be in charge of an estate. He has a lot to learn about managing servants and tenants, and take a respectable place among his neighbors.

Drink took both of Abigail's parents, leaving her with only her strict, disapproving grandmother. No matter how hard she tries, she cannot master her tongue and she struggles to pronounce the 'r' in some words. She is grateful when the vicar goes out of his way to be kind to her, but soon realizes he has ulterior motives

I would give this a 4.5 star rating. The plot moved at a good pace. The supporting cast was fun. There was only one point that didn't sit well with me: at one point, Robert's sister organizes a dinner and makes some decisions that go over well with the neighbors due to the divergence from tradition. I was surprised Mrs. Wilkins did not warn her this would not go well, and it ends up being a disaster of an evening. Other than that, this was a lovely afternoon read.

For readers looking for a sweet and clean Regency, I recommend this!

This book was such a sweet read! That's the word that kept going through my mind when I was reading it as well as after I finished it. If you enjoy sweet characters and stories then I would highly recommend checking this one out.

Abigail is a character who was looked upon by her family as being very flawed and a failure. Her home circumstances weren't easy by any means. Then to be sent to live with her grandmother who looked at her as even more flawed than the other family members did, was not an easy situation for Abigail. But I adored her character so much. She bore her struggles with grace and dignity and sought to find joy in her surroundings.

Captain Robert Wilkins was a wonderfully written character as well. He was trying to figure out his role in his changed circumstances. I loved how he saw people for who they were and not because of their station, struggles or shortcomings. He truly saw Abigail for who she was. I loved their scenes together so much and looked forward to all of them. Robert was a champion for Abigail. I also have to say that I loved Robert's sister immensely as well. She's the type of character that you would want as your best friend were you to have lived during this time period.

A very sweet and tender love story perfect for Regency fans. There's even the dastardly character, an unsavory female character who might make you beyond frustrated and plenty of characters with great worth. Hopefully you can be transported to this beautiful setting with its lush gardens and forest areas as Abigail takes many walks therein.

Content: Clean. The dastardly character has some unsavory moments but nothing graphic or that would make it not clean.

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

Happy Reading!!!

"Adoring Abigail" is a romance set in 1818 in England. Abigail had trouble correctly pronouncing her R's when excited or upset, and her family shamed her for this her entire life. Her grandmother also constantly criticized Abigail for this. The community laughed at her rather than befriending her, so she often read or visited with a friendly gardener at the neighboring estate. She's amazed that the new owner of the estate and his family don't seem to notice her problems with pronunciation and even befriend her.

The main characters were interesting, and I cared about what happened to them. The evil vicar was attracted by Abigail's looks, but he apparently was so driven by lust that he wasn't acting rationally. The community would never have accepted Abigail as his wife, and she had no money to improve his circumstances. By pursuing Abigail, he was also making an enemy of Robert, who owned his living and could dismiss him. Still, he made a suitably creepy villain as he stalked her and tried to force his affections on her to force her to marry him.

I found it a bit frustrating that Robert, the decisive captain, was so passive regarding Abigail until the last scene. When he rescued Abigail, it was simply because he happened to be in the area. He needed his sister and mother to clue him in to the vicar's attentions, and they were the ones who acted to encourage a match between the two. Still, Robert was a very kind, compassionate man. And the story was suspenseful because Robert took so long to realize that Abigail needed to be rescued from the vicar. I enjoyed how their romance grew out of a friendship.

The time period was simply a backdrop, and there were some details that were not probable for the time period. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.

Beautiful story! Adoring Abigail is a clean and fun story of Abigail and Robert, her neighbor. Well written and fun to read, it's a story of two people that meet and become friends. Feelings begin to deepen, but there is another man, the vicar, that insists on courting Abigail against her wishes. Great story and excellent ending!

This book was a beautiful love story that was clean and very sweet. I would definitely recommend this book to those who are looking for a sweet clean love story.

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked both Abigail and Robert. I liked the story line. I liked the growth in certain characters. All in all -- definitely worth a read!

This is a sweet romance.

I appreciated the different scenarios in this regency. The picnic!! I can only imagine and It’s magical! And who knew apple picking could be romantic too! Even the villain! It’s not hard to imagine that such villains existed, even if it causes your stomach to churn.

Abigail also was a different kind of character who had a speech impediment. Young misses weren’t allowed to have imperfections or they would be hidden. Her mother criticized her every moment her tongue slipped and now staying with her grandmother, the same thing happens.

Robert inherits am estate from his aunt after his time in the military. He tries to be a kind neighbor but everyone is quick to judge. Except Abigail, who his sister quickly befriends. But everytime he turns around or looks for her, someone else is paying call.

I love a romantic, happily ever after story and this one fits the bill. Just in many Jane Austen books, Abigail is left alone. Both parents dead, her sister sent to be a governess, and her brother sent to America. Because of Abigail's speech impediment, she is treated as stupid and an embarrassment. She cares for her mother until her death and then is sent to live with her grandmother. There she meets Robert Wilkins, the new master of Cattersley.

Abigail is kind, smart, and compassionate and Robert is solid, brave and loving. Other characters are less so. I loved the characters and the story kept me turning the pages. This is a feel-good story and I loved it. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Abigail is living with her grandmother. Abigail also stutters and for this era it is considered a disability and a huge liability in the scheme of finding a marriage partner and considering that this was considered the sole purpose of young women it did pose a handicap for Abigail. Under strict instructions not to talk because when she did, she was described as simple or worse stupid.

We have the local manor and a new occupant - a complete outsider to the village a man who was a Captain in the Army, just back from the Napoleonic wars and one not conversant with running a grand house in the manner it should be done. He has his mother and sister with him and he knows that despite his wealth, he has to find acceptance within the community if he is to make a happy life for himself.

Falling for Abigail was not part of the plan and competing with the local vicar for her attentions was also not in his plan. How the romance proceeds and eventually comes to a lovely end is this story.

Light reading, with the accent on Abigail's stutter was a bit unusual and highlights society which only accepted the norm.

I loved the characters in this book. Abigail is so sweet. She has had a difficult up bringing. Her speech impediment being a source of disdain among her parents and peers. Enter the Wilkins family who embraces her wholeheartedly. Hazel is a delightful side character as Robert's sister. Robert Wilkins is a former Captain and is everything a hero should be, kind, loyal and determined. I really enjoyed this book. I would highly recommend it to all lovers of clean romance.

An entertaining and well written regency romance. Characters are well developed and believable. If you enjoy regency romance I recommend Adoring Abigail. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

A lovely and clean romance! I enjoyed the slightly flawed heroine and the fact she managed to find friends.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun captivating story. I was pulled into the story line right away and I had a hard time putting it down to go do "life" things. I always enjoyed picking it up again. As much as I enjoyed it, I did struggle a little with the flow of the story. Part of me wonders if it was the format I was reading this from, and that it was an advanced copy. I hope that was the reason. It just seemed really choppy. Instead of a nice flow from one chapter to another it was rather abrupt and just stopped and started again. It threw me, but not enough to stop reading, because like I said, it was a great story line.

I hope we get more from Chalon Linton.

In the new regency romance, Adoring Abigail, by Chalon Linton, we are introduced to a young woman named Abigail who has lost her parents, her brother has been sent to America, and her sister is in another town employed as a governess. She gets sent to a horrid grandmother and is so lonely, and that loneliness is compounded by her speech impediment which earns her scorn and ridicule and labels her as simple-minded. It is so sad to see how she is treated for something so small. The one bright spot in her life is her walks in the neighboring estate's gardens. It is during one of those walks that she meets the new owner, Mr. Robert Wilkins. He has returned from his duties in the military to his new role as an estate owner, but is unsure of how to go about everything. He finds a sweet friendship with Abigail that could turn into something more, and as he sees the reality of her situation, he wants to help. But there are forces all around them that would keep them apart and dastardly plans are afoot. Can Abigail and Robert overcome all to find their path to happiness and love?

I really enjoyed Robert's character. He is a worthy hero and he attempts to do right by those around him. He makes several mistakes and it was endearing to see how he handles the women in his life. I loved how he treated Abigail and their slow burn romance. The pacing was a little too slow in some places, which made the book easy to put down, but there were parts that could set your heart to racing that made up for it. Abigail is such a complicated character with what life has dealt her, but she soldiers on. I liked the similarities in how both her and Robert carried insecurities about their expectations for the rest of their lives and how they resolved it. Robert's mother and sister were wonderful characters as well, and the villain was definitely quite villainous---which makes it all the better when he receives his just desserts.

This was a sweet romance that will make your heart happy.

Romance - Sweet and Clean
Language - None
Violence - Mild - references to war
Recommendation - High

I can honestly say I have loved every book I have read by Chalon Linton, including her novellas. This was no exception. She has a talent to really draw you in with her characters. Some you adore, and others you want to reach through the pages and throttle them yourself.

What an emotional ride this book was. I won't give any spoilers, by my heart broke so much for Abigail and the mean treatment she received at the hands of her "loved ones". It's bad enough to endure being bullied, but when that bullying comes from your own family, it's heartbreaking.

I loved Robert and his family, with the exception of his brother; they were everything Abigail needed. He is able to see past her impediment, and see HER. Something I doubt she'd ever experienced until meeting him and his family. And I must say, Robert is definitely on my list of favorite leading men. His love for his mother, and especially his sister, is endearing.

I highly recommend this book.
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. My opinion was in no way influenced by this.**

Romance, period, clean;
Abigail and Robert's story was sweetly done. Abigail's speech impediment, her mistreatment by her family, and all the unkindness heaped upon her, was so disheartening. Robert and his family's acceptance, kindness, and general goodness to her, opened up her heart to being herself around them. Robert's building attraction to her as he navigated his new position and established his home at his inherited estate, with the addition of his sister and mother, figuring out the small town intricacies and social structures and norm, while remaining true to who he was, was honest, real, and made for a good problem for him to face. The Vicar, her grandmother and other characters were slightly flat for me, but since they were more minor characters, that was ok. Lovely setting between the house, the gardens, and the contrast with the cottage. Abigail's confidence building as she becomes more comfortable with the Wilkins' family was lovely. Her heart grew as well. Lovely, heartfelt read, with honest, hurting characters that made for a lovely read. 3.5 stars, a good read for me.

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a sweet regency romance with all the players of a Downton Abbey. I enjoyed the friendships, dinners and the planning of the ball. I do wish there was a little bit more chemistry and romance between the lead characters. But over all I did enjoy it.

This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.

Truth be told, I adored Abigail and maybe I adored Robert even more. It was telling to me from the beginning what kind of person Abigail was by how the servants treated her. They seemed to be one of the few people that were kind to her at all. Her family certainly wasn't. Nor was society. Robert, however, was sweet and gentle with her. As was his family. I loved all the relationships between Abigail and Robert and his family. Hazel and her mother were just as amazing. I loved their kind hearts. I was a little surprised by the moments Hazel seemed insecure because in so many ways she was very strong. I smiled every time she was able to manipulate situations to help Abigail.

There were great secondary characters in the book making me hope that some of them might get their own books too. Hazel and her mother of course, were well written. Mr. Mead was well written but I don't want a book about him. I don't always love when the clergyman is written to be the bad guy but in this case it was kind of the obvious choice. It was a clear way to show Abigail what he was and how he was able to win over everyone else the whole time. No one suspected him. But while all his sermons taught the congregation biblical truths it showed Abigail his hypocrisy. At first I wondered why he had seemed so kind in the beginning and then escalated quickly into him being offensive. But then I realized he was being threatened by someone else showing an interest in Abigail. He could no longer do his slow seduction of her into his life. He had to move quickly to keep what he thought was his for the taking. Would the slow seduction have worked if Abigail had not had Robert to compare him with?

I was surprised by Abigail's grandmother in the end. It was not the reaction I expected from her. It showed her redeeming graces. And I kinda thought maybe I'd like to see her have her own book. Perhaps she'll learn kindness and be softened by love?

I think my only complaint about the story was it took Robert so long to figure out the problem and even though he knew he found Abigail adorable he was so slow to do more than be her friend. I know he had an estate to run but couldn't he have done some investigative work to figure out what Abigail wasn't telling him? Ha ha. Okay, okay. I got to see Abigail's thoughts and experiences and Robert didn't so I can't blame him for not being as astute as I. That being said, once it because clear to him, I loved his decisive action. I was so glad to see his last interaction with Mr. Mead. And in that moment, I even loved the butler.

Also, sweet cover!

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: a well deserved knee to the groin and punch in the nose.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.