So, I made the error of reading this straight after reading a series of 5 really high octane books! So it probably felt slower than it actually was. But it was still a good read! If you enjoy Regency romances, you’ll definitely like it. Being a horse girl, I enjoyed the aspect of Hudson owning a racing stables, and the characters were fun!

I think I probably preferred her Hawthorne House series to this one, but this was still a good, fun read. And if you’ve already read the Hawthorne House books, Lord Trent and Lady Adelaide make a return appearance in this one that you won’t want to miss!

The thing that I appreciated most was Hudson’s struggles in adjusting to English culture after growing up in India. Being a third culture kid, I totally related, and Kristi really nailed how it feels to not fit in somewhere that you’re supposed to belong. So thanks Kristi!

Definitely worth the read if this is your kind of book!

Thanks @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for the review copy. I was only required to provide an honest review in return.

This is a wonderful historical romance.

I love how deeply developed the main characters are. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Bianca, Hudson, and even Aaron. They have a lot of hangups that they need to work through but that didn’t stop them from becoming friends. I liked seeing how they supported each other. The fact that Aaron seemed to see things clearer than the others really caught my attention.

Bianca’s life at home was very difficult and I really connected with the idea that part of why she made sure to go to go riding each morning was as an escape from the reality of it.

The plot was captivating. I was definitely caught up in seeing how the right relationships would develop. It was fun to spot a few of the characters from a previous series of books that the author has written. I enjoyed seeing how their lives had progressed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

Hudson has trained his whole life to inherit his title and land after the death of his grandfather—a man he never met. He's also never even set foot in England, having been raised in India in order to keep him safe from a jealous uncle. Now that Hudson has arrived, he finds the change in climate and culture to be more dramatic than he expected, and he feels very alone as he assumes the role of Lord Stildon.

There's only one thing that has ever thrilled Bianca's heart: horses. And Lord Stildon's horses in particular. She had an arrangement to make use of his stables, and she hopes that won't change once the new viscount arrives. Meanwhile she's busy rebuffing her stepmother's attempts to marry her off to the first available gentleman, generally content with life as a single woman. Until her stepmother raises the stakes.

When Hudson arrives, it becomes clear that he needs to secure his estate as quickly as possible. This includes finding a bride. The unconventional woman he stumbled across in the stables agrees to help him navigate their social circle if he will in turn point other eligible men her way. This arrangement seems reasonable—until their hearts begin to have a mind of their own.

I enjoyed this story! I liked the different twist on the Regency setting, and felt like the author did a great job helping us feel how off-balance Hudson was as he entered life in a new country. The nature of his friendships also lends an informal air, which was different for this time period. There was one pretty major plot point which I felt could have been developed further, but overall this was an interesting and entertaining read that I would recommend to fans of historical romance.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

From the very first (and beautifully ironic) line, Vying for the Viscount drew me in, not letting go until I read the very last, satisfying word.
The romance was lovely, the humour brilliant, and the characters endearing. The faith elements and character growth were handled superbly. The cast of supporting characters was excellent, providing the perfect balance of fun, drama, and wisdom, and setting the stage for future escapades.
I really enjoyed the appearance of a few familiar faces from Kristi Ann Hunter’s previous books. It’s always fun to guess who is going to show up in each new release.
Vying for the Viscount is the well-written blend of a strong plot, gorgeous writing, and engaging characters. I’d recommend it to fans of Christian Historical Romance, Jane Austen, Regency Romance, and Horse-related romance.

(I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

Such a lovely story in a lovely era. The characters are intriguing and the dialogue is witty and fun! If you love regency romances, you don’t want to miss this book!

Vying for the Viscount is the first novel in Kristi Ann Hunter's new Regency series. Each series by this author has a slightly different focus, this time its the Newmarket racing set. Horses and horse racing, basically. Hudson owns a stable where horses are bred, and Bianca just loves horses. More than anything.

Regency capers ensue when Hudson, who grew up in India and returned to Britain to inherit his family's estate struggles to get used to a new way of life, adjust to the rules and mores of the upper classes, and keeps stumbling across the intriguing young lady who initially took him for a horse thief.

Witty banter and repartee is common between the two and their fiends and companions. Thus novel will certainly appeal to 'horsey' people, who will like these new characters, as well as some returning ones from former novels, among them Trent Hawthorne. I did enjoy the fact that the heroine has a very positive relationship with her father in this one. Its not always common.

I only gave this novel a lower rating for a couple of things: the inevitable Americanisms, and some out of place terms and phrases. The word 'okay' wasn't used in England at this time. I also felt that one of the incidents towards the end was a little too far-fetched and melodramatic.

Also the spiritual theme sort of felt like it was inserted in at the end, and comes over as a bit contrived. It COULD have been done more naturally, and indeed there were places where it was more natural, but its like the author felt there was not enough religion in the story, and so shoehorned in some more at the end.

Thanks to Bethany House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
___________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Kristi Ann Hunter brings to readers the first in her new regency series that will both engage and entertain while also teaching lessons about what's really important in life and love.

Kristi Ann Hunter has been a favorite of mine from her first book in the Hawthorne series. She writes such wonderful stories that take you away within their pages and leave you sad to come back at the end. I also love that she includes lessons of love and faith that inspire others to consider their own choices and the consequences. This book was no exception and I really enjoyed the new characters she created. Hudson, Viscount Stildon, has returned to England from India where he was raised to take his place in English society. Missing everything he has ever known, especially the warmth and the spicy food, Hudson finds himself floundering with the rules and people he is supposed to know. He finds help in his charming neighbor, Bianca Snowley, who has been riding the horses in his stables for years. Bianca offers a trade - access to his horses for lessons in society practices and help in wooing a young woman. Hudson agrees and enjoys getting to know Bianca as a friend. But when both of them find themselves questioning what and why they are helping the other, they will discover that they could have much more than friendship together if they are brave enough to try. I loved this story not only because of the excellent writing but for the characters included. The main characters were very well developed and their conversations were realistically crafted. I really loved reading the passages from Hudson's POV when he talked about the cool English climate and the bland food. And that he was afraid to tell his cook to increase the seasoning on his food - that just cracked me up to read! He was both brave and a chicken-liver when it came to things and you either laughed or wanted to cry over his frustration. Bianca was a sweet person but still had enough backbone to her that she could lash out at unfairness. I loved that she was willing to sacrifice her love for Hudson to ensure he was happy but wish she had spoken up sooner and told him what she felt. The secondary characters were also very well done and I enjoyed reading their quips and conversations. Aaron, especially, had some very good lines and made me laugh with his creative sarcasm. I will certainly be recommending this book to others and hope they will enjoy this journey to the regency period as I did. Looking forward to the next in the series coming soon.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

What an enjoyable read! Highly recommend if you like this genre. We will be adding it to our church library.

From the first pages of this book I loved Hudson as his determination to do just right to a role he had been trained for all his life but had no idea on how to go about it. His fish out of water moments, his beautiful heart. It was nice to see him grow into his role.
Bianca was definitely different too. Coming from a family where she was treated as just an addition, I love that she was still kindhearted. Her love for horses and their first meeting had me laughing out loud.
I loved how the author took them through a journey of faith and learning to trust God with everything dear to them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine

Such a delightful read! I loved that this novel was set in the world of Newcastle racing. Take an out-of-place heir arriving from India, and a woman who's been content with a small life. Throw them together as he tries to establish his place in English socity. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a bit actually. This story has heart, the characters have death, and I loved every page. Perfect for lovers of Regency romance.

I love books by Kristi Ann Hunter. I love her author's voice, her stories, her witty dialogue, the vein of spirituality throughout her stories, and the feel-good endings. I have an entire shelf of one of my bookcases dedicated to Kristi's books, and I'm not opposed to accommodating more. To be honest, Regency isn't my preferred genre or time period. It's not even my second fav. Even so, Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my favorite authors and its impossible for me to pass up one of her books.

Okay. Enough gushing about the author. Now it's time to gush about the cover of Vying for the Viscount. The cover art is eye-catching, unique, and so nicely layered. The woman on the cover is exactly how I picture Bianca, and the horses emphasize their part in this story.

Now, for the characters...

I adore Bianca Snowley. I love her untraditional ways, her sense of self, and her realization of how mundane her life felt prior to meeting Hudson. She is often ignored but doesn't drown in self-pity. She's a mere afterthought from her selfish stepmother, yet that doesn't level Bianca’s strength either. She's her own woman, confident in her own skin and in her abilities, yet still soft along the edges.

I also enjoy Hudson Stildon. It is exciting to discover he isn’t a dashing, well-put-together hero. He's rather out of place, awkward, and lost. I find that rather charming and am invested in him in every aspect of his life. Particularly in him finding inner strength and having faith in his decisions. His friendship with Bianca feels authentic and I appreciate how they communicate with each other.

Mr. Whitworth and the other secondary characters add so much depth and meaning to the story. They now feel familiar, as if I’ve visited Regency England. I have very little knowledge of horses, but this story made me want to saddle up and stay a little longer at Hawksworth stables. I look forward to book 2 in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

A sweet story:
Book one in a new Regency series, Kristi Ann Hunter delivers another enjoyable read. It is a sweet, gentle book without too much angst or drama. It was a little slow at times and it took me a bit to feel invested in the story and characters. Overall it was a lovely story about family, love and surrendering to the plans God has for us.
Hudson and Bianca agree to find spouses for one another however the more time they spend together, the more they realize that the person they are searching for is right before them. I found the setting on a horse farm unique and interesting and enjoyed discovering about horse racing in the 1800's.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

The queen of Regency, Kristi Ann Hunter, is back at it again with a brand new heartwarming series, with a few appearances from some of my most beloved characters (you’ll just have to read to find out who!). As a member of the influence team for the new release, I had been patiently… well not patiently… anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book. I had seen other members on social media receive their copy over a few weeks, and every time I passed my front door or heard the doorbell, I greedily peaked out my window looking for its arrival. When it finally arrived, I hungrily opened the package and it wasn’t long before I had read every word. Needless to say, Kristi Ann Hunter’s new release simply adds another jewel to her crown!

Sweet. Romantic. Full of Thoughtful Insights and Wisdom. Heartwarming.

First and foremost, the first introduction of the main characters was truly phenomenal. I literally laughed out loud and messaged a fellow reviewer about it, in which we both agree… it is one of the greatest meet-cutes in a book! You’ll just have to read the book to find out exactly what that is, but I’ll say this, the way in which the two are introduced made me automatically ship them!

Second, I love Bianca Snowley’s personality. At times I was saddened for her as she had no friends and did not bond well with her family. Her life seemed rather lonely and lacking, but at times don’t we all feel that way? Alone. I am happy however that she never became desperate, even when her situation seemed rather hopeless. She did become disheartened, which is entirely human and realistic, but she stayed true to herself and didn’t meaninglessly flirt. Furthermore, I appreciated her mix of being feminine and “tomboyish”. She admired pretty things but was not afraid of getting dirty or dressing practically when riding. At times it feels that women have to be either, but I feel it is more common than not of being both!

Similar to Bianca, Viscount Hudson Stildon was rather lonely and truly desired to have the things I take for granted, family, friends, and a sense of belonging. I was surprised that despite having his entire life to prepare for a viscountcy, he was lacking in many skills and knowledge of the elite society. At times frustrated me as he was slow to realize the most valuable things in life, but what is a book, or rather real life, without the journey to discovering the most important question we could ever answer!

I absolutely adored the cameos in the book. You do not need to have read the other books to enjoy the release, but it will simply add to your enjoyment! One of my favorite things is when authors reintroduce us to our beloved characters and we get to witness their life post-read. And this one does not disappoint! I would recommend reading Hawthorne House Series and Haven Manor Series prior to reading, but again, simply to increase enjoyment!

I absolutely loved Aaron Whitworth in the Haven Manor Series and am ecstatic to know the second installment to the Hearts on the Heath series will star our favorite illegitimate horse lover. Sadly we must wait until April 2021, but with Kristi’s track record, I know it will be worth it!

Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
*** 4 Stars: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop (.5), Desire to Re-Read (.5)

Vying for the Viscount
By Kristi Ann Hunter
3.75 stars

A delightful regency romance romp.
Quirky Bianca, our heroine.
Quizzical Hudson, our hero.

Joined together by Hudson's newly inherited stable where they both live and breathe horses, Hudson and Bianca must marry. But who should they marry? That's the question they ask themselves and God. How long will it take for both of them to realize that God has great plans for them and that sometimes exactly what you need is staring you right in the face?

I am a Kristi Ann Hunter fan. I always enjoy her books and was excited to dive into this new series.

This one took me a while to get into but I kept pressing on because I knew Kristi wouldn’t let me down and she didn’t. About halfway through I was hooked.

Our two main characters drove me a bit crazy, why couldn’t Hudson just see that Bianca was the woman he should be with, even if she didn’t have horses to add to the marriage. But, of course, that is what made it so interesting. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out.

I will look forward to the next book in this series.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book felt a little more serious than Kristi Ann Hunter's other books, but it was still enjoyable. I did want a little more about the crazy uncle - he's referenced throughout and makes one appearance, but that's it. It seemed like his supposed claim to the inheritance was supposed to be a major theme, because it does come up quite a bit, but his actual appearance kind of felt out of place and a little abrupt. Aside from that, this was a nice gentle read, and I enjoyed escaping back into the 1800s, with all the horses and roaming around on the Heath.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I have read most of Kristi Ann Hunter’s books and had super high expectations for this book. I was thrilled that my expectations were met!!

It hadn’t taken long, though, for all those feelings to fade under the weight of the fact that finally--finally--he was going to step into the life he’d been waiting twenty-eight years to live.
As the firstborn son of the firstborn son of the sixth Viscount Stildon, Hudson had always known his destiny. Assuming of course, that he managed to stay alive to fulfill it.

This book follows the story of Hudson (Lord Stildon) and Bianca (Lady Snowley). They both realize the answer they need that will solve each of their problems is to marry. They agree to help each other find their perfect match...what could go wrong?

I highly recommend this book. The writing is phenomenal! I loved the split narrative between Hudson and Bianca. I really felt both of their own personal challenges and driving forces between the choices they felt they needed to make. Their self discovery was believable and relatable. The romance is sweet and I loved seeing some characters in this book from her Hawthorne Series!! By the end I could NOT put this book down!!

I give this book 4.5 stars and I can’t wait to see what comes from this author next!

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany house Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first novel in the new series Hearts on the Heath. I was so looking forward to diving into this book. It is an amazing story of love, family, faith and new beginnings. The chemistry between Hudson and Bianca is really amazing. Her father decides that Bianca must get married before her younger stepsister, all the while her stepmother wants to set her up with someone she doesn’t like and has nothing in common with. Bianca struggles with the decisions of what she wants in her life and what her family wants for her life. I love how Bianca finds her inner strength to stand her ground against her stepmother. Hudson finds himself feeling distant from God when he lived in India. When he moves to England, he does make some changes in his life, like attending church and reading his Bible. As his faith grows, he learns to trust God for his future. I really liked how the horse training and racing revolved around this story. The connection of the people and the animals was fantastic. If you like well-written, stories of faith, hope and love…this one is for you. I anxiously await the continuation of this series, as it is proven to be a great one.

I have read many books by this author and I absolutely love her writing style. She knows how to truly capture her audience and keep their attention. I loved the cameo appearances of the characters from her other books that this author wrote. It amazes me the way Kristi Ann Hunter intertwines previous characters into new storylines. I thoroughly enjoyed this regency romance novel, and I’m sure you will too.

4.5 stars! This was a really cute book. I loved all the talk of horses because I am a huge horse fan. It was also interesting to get a glimpse of an Englishman that had grown up in India trying to acclimate to the English nobility. I loved seeing a little glimpse of the Hawthornes from a previous series. Bianca and Hudson were both easy to like and root for. So many side characters that I grew to love that I want to learn more about their story-- I hope there are many more books to come in this series!

Book one in a new series, this is a great Regency romance that takes place in the unique setting of Newmarket, a town famous for its horse races. Bianca Snowley loves to rides horses more than anything. Hudson is the new Viscount Stildon and owner of the neighboring stables where Bianca rides. The two have a less than cordial first meeting (she thinks he’s a horse thief!) but a more successful second one. Hudson is not just adjusting to his new title and responsibilities, he’s also adjusting to life in England having been born and raised in India. Bianca agrees to help him navigate society and win a bride, while he agrees to steer eligible bachelors (preferably with horses) towards her. What could go wrong? The answer is plenty! It was fun getting to know these characters. I thought the story was original and the writing was engaging. I loved the appearance of Lord Trent Hawthorne and Adelaide (if you haven’t read Hunt’s Hawthorne series, I highly recommend it). I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the ebook to review. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.