Second-chance romances aren't always my thing, but I did really enjoy this one! I think a lot of things just work better in the context of a historical romance, and this one really hit the mark. Kerrigan Byrne's writing style is beautiful! It's so easy to read but very artful and paints a vivid picture in your mind. I just didn't like the heroine - she really annoyed me and it made the story hard to read at times. Otherwise, I liked a lot of the other characters and I enjoyed the plot!

It's almost comical how I loved all the books I've read in this series, rated all of them 4 stars, and had the same issue with all of them; how short they were.
The author knows how to write a book to hook people in from start to finish.
In this book, the rich×poor plot was definitely well written, it was rich with details and I loved how the storyline didn't have any filler arcs. We came for the romance and we got it.
However, the strong plot was a double-edged weapon. Because the book was too short, some parts were extremely rushed, it felt like the author was cramming the plot into the 200 pages. Nora's past was literally dumped in the first two chapters in the form of a recap. Also, I would've loved to read more about Titus's years after being sacked from the manor of Nora's family.
For a love story that was shaped from a heavy past, the author couldn't wait at all to rush into the present.
Nora and Titus's chemistry though..... Oh, God. Their scenes were delightful to read. The dynamic of their story was so complex and angsty. I truly pitied Nora, she kept losing parts of herself because of her father until she no longer knew who she were as a person. Not going to lie, I teared multiple times.
I also fell in love with Titus. The way he was so open with his feelings and mature in his decisions was a total turn on. A literal green flag. His mindset through the whole thing was fascinating.
The end was anticlimactic, super rushed and underwhelming.
But, overall, it was a great book. The author absolutely became a favorite of mine.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Courting Trouble by Kerrigan Byrne

This is a reasonably well written book . A second chance historical romance.

This is part of the Goode Girl Series and ‘Nora ‘ is the eldest of the Baron’s children and is forced into an unhappy marriage with a man who has some nefarious dealing . She had been in love with Titus a boy servant when she was young. This book has a few twists and things are not always as they seem.

A good read even if the main characters is not likeable at the start.

Second chances, misunderstandings, angst and a doctor make for a great page turner! This book is part of a series, but can be understood on its own.

I love Kerrigan Byrne and always love her books. I truest appreciate how every book she writes show case the the strength and diversity of women. This book is no different. While it is not my favourite she had written it is still thoroughly enjoyable. I had a harder time connecting with Titus and Honoria than any other couple she has written. This could be because of the fact that I didn’t realize that this book was a series until after I had finished. I may feel differently after I read the first. Either way I enjoyed it.

This book made me so sad. I don't like the trope of someone giving someone else up for noble reasons but them never knowing and thus creating a lifetime of bitterness. They make me so sad and so regretful. Sigh. The heroine had clearly suffered a lot in her life, but it was still kind of hard to like her and the poor choices she kept making. Maybe I was too tainted by my first impression of her from the previous book. The hero was super likeable (who doesn't like a guy who pulls himself up by his own bootstraps?? plus, love the medical drama), but the story was just overall so angsty. I mean, yes, it's Kerrigan Byrne so it's gonna be angsty! But I didn't enjoy this one as much, sadly.

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

*I received an advance reader copy through #NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Courting Trouble has some of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers, second chance, and a social gap. There is also a bit of roll reversal, but I don't wish to give away too much of the plotline.

The prologue does a great job of catching readers up to speed from a previous book by the author, while also creating the scene for this one. The first introductory paragraphs provide a flashback to reasons why our hero and heroine need a second chance.

Honoria "Nora" Goode has been in the shadow of a horrible marriage for years. Due to the results of not only her own choices but her husband's choices, she ends up back in the hands of Dr. Titus Conleith. Titus is still recovering from the last time he and Nora interacted, but he has hidden it behind a facade of cool professionalism.

Nora must determine what she will fight for and love is worth the risk in this well written work.

As per usual, I tend not to write too much about plotline but more about what is inside the work. Character development is amazing in this book, as it is setting you up for the rest of the series. Titus is an incredible human being, who I related to a lot more than to the female lead. I found Nora to have many obstacles to overcome from her previous relationships, and at times that was frustrating for me.

The leads have a past to conquer and a slow burn that creates some beautiful steamy scenes.

Overall well written work with relatable characters, good plotline, and a romance that definitely has trouble around the bend.

Absolutely dark and delicious. I love this spin off from the Victorian Rebel series. It has Byrbe's trademark darker tone, passionate romance, and just a bit of intrigue. So good!

This can be read as a standalone, but since I jumped right into this story I felt I would have appreciated it more if I read the others first. I've only read some of Brynes bigger series and I don't know if this one captured my attention as much. DNF for now.

Another great read in the Goode girl series by Kerrigan Byrne. This is Honoria and Titus' 2nd chance story. Love the Goode girls and have enjoyed each of their stories.

The story of the eldest Goode girls who fell in love with a man below her lineage, complete with a domineering father who forbid this alliance.

I always like how Kerrigan Byrne wrote her stories, this one so unexpected with a female who took action rather than wait for the male to move first. Such a refreshing change of idea, yet sweet.

Honestly, I came into this story prepared to not like Honoria at all considering her actions in the previous book, but then I remembered who was writing her story and knew that wouldn't be the case. And I was right! I adored Titus and Honoria's backstory and knowing what she had gone through dramatically changed my opinion about her character.
That bit aside, this story about soul mates kept apart by fate and reunited for a second chance is one of Ms. Byrne's best. Add in a more in depth introduction to the other Goode sisters, a few new nefarious but intriguing rogues and cameos by beloved characters from her Victorian Rebels series and Courting Trouble is a winner on multiple levels!

Kerrigan Byrne can do no wrong. She is an auto buy author for me and this one was great.

Nora and Titus began their relationship when they were young, Titus was just the stable and could never be good enough for Honoria’s family. We a cutting word from her mouth he was gone.


Years later he is a cutting edge doctor and in the service of the Black Heart of Benmore, Nora ends up on his operating table after being shot.

I loved the story on this book and even though it was short I felt I got a good grasp of the characters, yes of course I would have liked it to be longer but I was satisfied with the story.

Love the continuation of the characters from the Victorian rebels series, this just seems like the perfect extension to that franchise.


Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchanged for an honest review.

Wow. Of course I can say that about every book I have read by this author and this one does not disappoint! A long ago love, angst, and passion bring this story full circle.

Titus has love Nora since he was very young. But she breaks his heart in the worst way and marries another. Of course, her husband is caught up in nefarious dealings and he shoots her, but saves her sister. Sound intriguing so far? She asks to be taken to Titus, who is a doctor to help her. Well he does and wants to just push her away, but it seems villains are after her to find something her dead husband hid. Can they stay at arms length?

Their attraction and love have never stopped but will he take a chance on her again? Titus is wonderful and the kind of hero you want on your side, if only Nora can get past her fears.

Another fabulous addition to this series and as alway, looking forward to the next!

Kerrigan Byrne has done it again.
I don’t know how, but she consistently writes likable characters with interesting, consuming stories. This is no different.
Personally, I’m not in love with second chance romance, but that is really my only complaint here. It was a little reminiscent of LK’s “Again the Magic”, which I loved.

Don’t even get me started on Titus. Honestly, this man could slap me and I’d still love him. Once again, these swoony hero’s with depth, and charm - sigh.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. (A little slow on the reading/reviewing, admittedly.) Courting Trouble is the second in the Goode Girls series, and I've enjoyed this shift from the Victorian Rebels into the new series. Morley was a great character, and a great starting point for the first book. Now, in the second, we go back to the eldest sister, Honoria (Nora), whose life has, frankly, sucked pretty hard. No more so as the book opens, given it picks up as the previous book ends, with plenty of blood and drama. But of course, through it all Titus Conleith is there for her. I am a sucker for a "love you forever, love you for always" setup. But of course an orphaned Irish servant boy can never have a Baron's daughter. And of course that servant boy will grow up to be tall, handsome, broad shouldered, wealthy, educated, respected, and connected (also love a character with some effective yet sketchy connections). The "I'll hurt you to save you" schtick did wear on me a bit the way and number of times it was used. But at the same times it did sketch out why someone would keep falling back to that, especially given Nora's past live/experiences. I felt the pacing of the story was off at times, and Nora's thoughts and actions were a bit uneven, but overall I quite enjoyed it, and it definitely got me hunting down the next books in the series, especially as the fourth is due for release imminently.

Kerrigan Byrne is an auto-buy author, ever since I read How to Love a Duke in 10 Days. I've been reading her backlist as well as trying to catch her new books as they come out. Courting Trouble, the second installment in the "Goode Girls" series, is angsty and romantic, if not quite as dark as some of her others.

A classic second chance romance, our heroine and hero were separated in their youth by class and circumstances, but now they get a do-over, ten years later. I love a hero who is reserved and steady, and Titus fits the bill. He also has his demons, because this is a Kerrigan Byrne novel, but out of the hero and heroine, I liked him more. Honoria, our heroine, a widowed viscountess, is a martyr, which isn't my favorite role in a romance novel. Stop sacrificing your own happiness!! Take the love that's right in front of you! Don't make everyone else miserable by being "noble."

While not my favorite romance in Byrne's collection, Courting Trouble is a solid installment in this Victorian Rebels spinoff series. Worth the read if you're invested in the characters and the world.

Kerrigan is at the top of my fave list for my go to romance books. I’ve read all of her books multiple times and I’ve NEVER been disappointed! Many sleepless nights trying to finish one of her amazing books!! I add her release dates to my calendar so I never miss a book!!! Def a must read !!!

I am a big fan of Romance books and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.

3-3.5 stars

I liked this story overall, but I felt like it dragged in some parts and that the angst was overdone. Though this book can technically be read as a stand alone, I would strongly suggest reading book 1 in this series as the h is introduce there and it's where her story really begins (the author does provide some catch-up" information in this one but not extensively). If you have not read book 1, this review will contain spoilers.

Honoria ("Nora") Goode has only ever loved one man, but she gave him up long ago when her father discovered their secret romance and threatened to destroy him if she didn't because that man was a servant and, in her father's eyes, not worthy of her hand. Part of her "penance" for going against her father's plans for her included marrying a vile man that made both of their lives miserable, used her father's business to conduct illegal activities, and took her younger sister hostage to try to escape justice. Nora could not bear to let any harm come to her sister, so she stepped out and allowed herself to be the target of her husband's wrath and took the bullet meant to end her life. But her sister's ever-resourceful husband and his unlikely notorious friends quickly shuttle her to a surgeon they know that has an establishment nearby. Though she is losing consciousness quickly, Nora hears the name of the person they are taking her to: Dr. Titus Conleith, and with what might be her final breath, she weakly begs them not to bring her there.

Titus Conleith has now saved Nora's life twice. The first time was as a child when she came down with fever, and as he had been exposed to that fever (since it took his family and orphaned him at a young age), he was left with the family doctor to help care for her. Though he was already struck dumb with his feelings about Nora, they deepened in that encounter as he also found his calling in working to save her life and began studying and training with the doctor. When Nora returned from finishing school, she sees Titus in a different light and their love affair begins. They make plans to run away together, but the next morning Nora tells Titus that she does not want him and could never be with a commoner, and she proceeds to marry a titled gentleman immediately after so coldly dismissing him. Now, as she recovers in one of his medical facilities, all of his feelings come rushing back - the love, the lust, and the betrayal. But as he spends more time with his patient and once lover, he sees that she is still the same caring woman she was before she so harshly broke his heart. Why did she walk away from him so many years before? Can he resist falling in love with her again? If he does succumb to his feelings, will be be able to trust her not to destroy him again? And when she places herself in harm's way once again, can he save her a third time?

What I liked:
--- The H was very likeable; I wasn't sure I would like the h very much based on her behavior in the first book of this series, but she grew on me as I understood her reasons for that behavior
--- Revisiting of the characters from the first book
--- Steamy goodness

What I didn't like as much:
--- Dragged in some places
--- Though Nora's actions in the first book were more understandable when we learned about the things her father forced on her, it still felt like Nora did things that were hard to forgive
--- Some of the things the h did, especially later in life, didn't make sense to me **SPOILER***I understand why at age 17 or 18, she fell for her father's "I will ruin the man you love and he will hate you for it" threats, but once her husband died, her father had basically disowned her bc of his actions, so there was no reason she couldn't be with Titus then; his threats were baseless, and given her experiences and knowledge learned mostly the hard way, it was pretty silly that she fell for it twice****END SPOILER***

Overall, I liked the story and the H; the steamy goodness was nice (what steam we got), and I am looking forward to the next story as the author dangles a carrot towards the end of this book that definitely has me interested.

Plot --- 3.5/5
Main Charac2ters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 3/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all