Another great edition in this series. This book features a second chance romance that has a slow burn quality to it. The heroine and hero have lots to work out due to how their original romance was handled by the heroine. I loved reading about the side characters/sisters and can't wait for the next one.

In true Kerrigan Byrne style, Courting Trouble was the kind of love story that sweeps you away from the very beginning. This latest was a stirring second chance at love story, a forbidden romance between two people whose fates were so inextricably tied. I devoured it and absolutely loved it.

Flew through this read. I did not read the previous book in the series so I feel like I might have missed out on some character development for Honoria. The story was good but seemed short to me and not very complex. I liked the characters well enough, their romance was good and believable, there was some adventure/action. I just felt a lot of it was superficial, like there was more to dive into, more character development to be had. I would have also liked more descriptive and quantitive romantic scenes. I may read the rest of the series at some point after this story. I did enjoy it, it just left me longing for more.

Second in series about the Goode sisters.
This is about Nora and Titus who knew each other from childhood but where from different backgrounds,
They met again after Nora was shot and the connection they had back then began again.
good drama,mystery,angst,suspense,and romance.
We see some of the other characters from previous story.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After being forced to marry a cruel viscount, and suffer under his hands for years, Honoria Goode is finally free. But, the scandal of her, and her late husband's past is hanging over her like a sword, and when the only person who can save Nora from her injuries is the one person she hurt more than anyone else, she wishes it was other. Titus Conleith has love Nora ever since he was a boy working on her father's estate, and loving her, and losing her, was one of the hardest things he's ever done. Now a renowned doctor, he needs to save her from her wounds, and while she is convalescing in hiding in his London clinic, the old feelings return, and they both may finally have a shot of happiness.

I've heard of Kerrigan ever since I started reading historical fiction, but this was my first foray into her work. I found Courting Trouble to be a really quick and enjoyable read, and liked the two main characters. Nora, as the eldest Goode daughter, had the responsibility of the who family at her feet, and when she had to delay entry into society due to a bout of scarlet fever, and refusal to wed the first man her father thrust at her, she finally found love and happiness with Titus, who was a sort of jack of all trades about the estate. However, when her father finds out, Titus is thrown off the estate, Nora forced to marry, and the next ten years of her life are utter hell. She forced herself into the marriage, and when she slept around, trying to find happiness and the memory of Titus, it led her husband to murder, and crime. Nora had suffered so much in her marriage, but now that the opportunity arose where her and Titus could be together, all I wanted was for it to happen. But, Nora's father reappeared, and attempted to force her away from Titus, again, in order to protect him and his livelihood. My heart really broke for the couple, and I was overjoyed in how the book ended. Now, I really want to read more about the other Goode siblings, so will definitely be keeping an eye out for Dancing with Danger.

4.5 Stars

Courting Trouble takes place immediately after Seducing a Stranger. Honoria Goode has been shot by her husband and is now under the care of Dr. Titus Conlieth, the man who was her first everything.

In short, this was another Kerrigan Byrne winner!

I'm a huge fan of this author's writing. The vivid picture she depicts through artful prose amaze me in every single book. There are often points where I will reread sentences and/or passages, simply because I'm in reader awe. Couple that with her seductively swoony romances, bad and brooding heroes, and complicated backstories and I'm drowning in reader lust.

Not to contradict myself, but imagine my surprise when this book revealed an atypical hero for this author. More of a healthy and whole beta hero to her often broken alphas. Titus had served in the military, but he was an educated doctor/scientist who's committed to his patient care. He was also an orphan, but not with the scars that so many of Byrne's heroes are inflicted with. His biggest scar was having been spurned by Honoria when he was 17/18 years old. I loved this anti-"Victorian Rebel" hero.

So far, these indie-published, Victorian Rebels spin-off stories are slightly shorter in length, which worked perfectly for a second chance romance like Titus and Honoria's. Honoria was a questionable character in the previous book, but she was redeemed by a sweetly romantic and then tragic back story. The conflict in this story was intriguing, which then became exciting and fun. Of course, that was partly due to an appearance by the Blackheart of Ben More. His rascally interactions are always so much fun. We're also introduced to the hero for Mercy's book and I can't be any more excited. Overall, a romantic and fun addition to the Victorian Rebels/Goode Girls series.

I receive an ARC for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading Honoria and Titus story. Titus has known the Goode family since he was a child and had been in love with Honoria from the start. Honor and duty ripped them away from each other where Titus became a renowned doctor and surgeon and Honoria was in a living nightmare with her husband.

Titus is strong, honorable and devoted to Honoria, no matter how begrudgingly. Honoria feels that to atone for her husband's and her sins and to protect those she loves, she has to martyr herself despite the instant draw she feels towards Titus when she sees him again.

Even though the childhood love story isn't new to Kerrigan Bryne, it was done differently for this story and not as much time was spent on their relationship development from the past and focused more on developing it in present day, which I really enjoyed.

We were able to more of the Goode sisters and their personalities and also a few characters from the tie in Victorian Rebels series. Kerrigan does an amazing job of constantly expanding the world without making it too crowded with all of the characters.

Courting Trouble was a sweet story of two hurt people learning to love and trust each other again and is an amazing read.

“If only.” Courting Trouble by Kerrigan Byrne

3 stars for this second chance historical romance.

We met Nora in the previous book. She is the unpleasant older sister who redeemed herself in the end. And this is now her second chance at love.

Nora encounters her first (and probably only) love again after a heart wrenching decision separated them. Titus is a Doctor now, far from the boy who used to work in their household.

I’m all for Titus. Nora is a little more harder to like and I needed more time to understand her.

All in all, I prefer the first book. This one is just ok for me.

Thank you Oliver Harber Books and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

Courting Trouble by Kerrigan Byrne


Courting Trouble is book 2 in the Goode Girls series, which in turn is a spin off of Victorian Rebels. While the books is a self contained story, I recommend at least reading book 1 in this series (and, honestly, the whole of the Victorian Rebels series since it is fabulously done anyway and plenty of those characters make appearances here).

Courting Trouble follows Honoria (Nora), who we met in book 1 of this series, and takes on the difficult task of turning an unlikable character into our heroine, with the success Kerrigan Byrne so often wields. Nora and Titus’s story is one of your lovers, second chances, class differences, and recovery. Nora, the daughter of a ruthless baron, is expected to make a good match, NOT to fall in love with a footman in their home. Titus has dreams of becoming a surgeon, but he’d risk everything for Nora. Instead, Nora breaks Titus’s heart and marries another. Now, after that nightmare of a marriage ends with bullets flying, Nora and Titus are seeking their second chances.

This book embraces Ms. Byrne’s flare for dark historical romance. The books in this series are shorter than her Victorian Rebels series, but she still manages to pack in angst and intrigue throughout each page. I loved Titus, and despite Nora’s flaws I ended up rooting for her character as well. I do wish we got a bit more insight into Nora and Titus’s younger years, both together and after they separated, but overall I really enjoyed this book and was excited for each page. I also felt that while this is the second book in the series it did a better job than book 1 at introducing the rest of the Goode sisters we will meet in the next books, which I’m looking forward to. As an added bonus, this book is available on Kindle Unlimited, which I don’t see many great historical romances, so this is exciting on that front too. Overall, I would give it 4.5/5 stars, and I’m excited to see what the rest of this series has in store.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This review is entirely my own honest opinions.

A story about second chances and lost loves, this book is one that you will not be able to put down. I read it through the night and was completely into the story right from the first page. Titus and Honoria are such beautifully written characters that it is difficult not to love them. They are not perfect and the raw emotion and the dialogues in between them kept me hooked throughout the book. I would highly recommend this book. This is book two in “The Goode girls” series but can be read as a standalone.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Courting Trouble was sexy and an emotional ride. I was rooting for these two characters to find their way together, Honoria went through many hardships and I really wanted to see her get a HEA with the Doctor. Kerrigan's books always draw me in with her plots and the chemistry between the main characters.

Another excellent novel by Kerrigan Byrne! Courting Trouble begins with action that draws the reader in and continues with a beautifully written love story. Titus and Nora were both lovable but flawed characters who struggled with making their way in the world. One was born with privaledge and the other was not, but both felt the confines of society. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their story, and I look forward to reading Mercy's story!

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Dorian Blackwell (The Highwayman - Victorian Rebels Series) uses Dr. Titus Conleith to remove bullets and patch up the men who can't visit a hospital. When Honoria Goode is shot by her husband and is bleeding out, she requests to be taken to him, a man who loved her once and lost her. If you like prose, good prose with vivid imagery, this book will be a delight. This is a great second-chance romance.

As a ten year old, Titus Conleith was orphaned and ended up as a houseboy in a wealthy household where he fell in love with the princess of the house. He found his calling as a doctor when he helped the doctor save Honoria's life. As a young man their relationship was discovered and he was summarily tossed from the house. A lot od pressure was put on Honoria and when Titus came back for her, she denied him.

Life for Honoria Goode went from heaven in Titus's arms to hell on earth with the husband her father demanded she marry. Ten years later she ends up near death in the dockside sugary of Dr. Titus Conleith having been shot by her own husband, who was killed by her brother -in-law, Sir Carlton Morley Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard. Her husband's actions, her shooting and her scandalous behavior have caused her family to be embroiled by scandal and her father is again attempting to tear the lovers apart in order to protect his name and reputation.

What a heartbreak! Titus is a ten year old boy who is the most underlying of underlings at the home of Baron Cresthaven. He loves Nora from afar- she being the eldest daughter of the Baron. When she comes down with typhus, Titus helps the doctor through her illness. Once recovered, she is sent away to school. She returns at 20 for her coming out. She and Titus renew their acquaintance which turns into love. But the Baron has other ideas. And Nora agrees with them to protect Titus. A decade passes until they are thrown into each others path but their feeling have never diminished. Lovely read!

I have eagerly anticipated Nora's story after reading A Dark and Stormy Night, and it did not disappoint.

Without giving away any details, what I love SO much about this book is the reversal of roles that we typical see in many romance books. It's not so much that Nora is a rake-es, but she is not an innocent like most women in the Ton typically are and I love that about her. It's not so much that she just takes her pleasure and flaunts it, as much as she has found her pleasure despite the most awful of situations and heartache. She is a heroine of experience but not experienced.

And then you have Titus, which is a different kind of hero that we are used to seeing from Kerrigan, He is the most lawful of heroes of hers, but also so incredibly gentle and kinda and very much a romantic hero.

The story between Nora and Titus is heartbreaking and beautiful, and really gives hope to second chances in romance and in life. I felt completely connected to their story and their character arc and I really hope we continue to see more of them in the Goode girls series, as we do seeing all our beloved Victorian Rebels characters as well.

4 stars

Could have been better

The good: I liked the UST and the pining. I liked that the hero is a doctor rather than a titled man.

The bad: the bad guys are described as having a “paunch.” Such an unnecessary little detail, implying being evil and being fat are related. I checked the final copy as well and it was still there, so not just the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Nora and Titus’ story is far more emotional than I was expecting and touched me in a way that I had not anticipated. I LOVE how Kerrigan Byrnes has expanded the Victorian Rebels series and the inclusion of the well loved characters from that series is most welcome. I look forward to getting Felicity and Mercy’s books and I’m super curious as to who the series will feature after them since they appear to be the last of the “Goode Girls” but the series is 7 books long (yay)! In addition to the light being shed on what might be an (awesome) overarching plot point in the series, Nora and Titus’ deep and mightily tested love for one another is something that will make this book memorable for me. If you enjoyed THe Highwayman, The Duke, and The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo - Courting Trouble should be right up your alley. I can’t wait to see how Titus’ will be called upon in the future - and I’m hoping that a certain Goode family member gets their comeuppance. 5 out of 5 wine glasses.

Wow! What a book! The first chapter grabs you and holds you spell-bound until the very end of the book. Who expects to find the heroine shot in the first chapter? That is just what happens in Courting Trouble by Kerrigan Byrne. In this story the heroine Honoria "Nora" Goode is the oldest daughter of a prominent family. She catches typhoid fever and the doctor enlists the aid of a servant boy, Titus Conlieth, to help him care for Nora. Nora recovers and is sent away to a clinic and then to boarding school. She returns several years later and remembers to thank Titus who has grown into a young man. Nora and Titus begin a secret affair but her father finds out and sends Titus packing. He marries Nora off to an aristocrat. Things go downhill from there. This is such a good book! I can't wait to read all of the Goode sister's stories.

What a wonderful second chance historical romance, with danger and mystery, and a so many good characters included. I couldn’t put it down once I started it, eager to see how the story will unfold. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

After a humble beginning as an orphan working in an aristocratic household, Dr. Titus Conleith spent time as a battlefield surgeon and finally completed his university training with the help of a mysterious benefactor. He’s devoted to his work, but otherwise alone, knowing he cannot saddle a woman with the shattered remains of his heart. Even after twelve years he’s still angry and in love with Honoria Goode, the first love who ripped out his heart when she agreed to the marriage her father arranged for her rather than run away with him.

Honoria has always been dutiful and when her father demanded she marry Viscount Woodhaven, she agreed even knowing it made her a coward. She’s spent the past twelve years trapped in a marriage to a cruel man and now finds herself widowed and embroiled in scandal thanks to his criminal activity. Now, injured and in need of medical treatment, Honoria’s life is once again in the hands of the man she once adored and has always loved. She knows she doesn’t deserve it, but Honoria can’t help but wonder if Titus might give her a second chance to love him properly.

This is one of the better and more well-executed second chance books I’ve read. I loved the fact that the pace was pretty fast and the elements which tend to annoy me with this trope didn’t really factor in for long enough to be an issue. Titus was very raw and real as a hero and I loved how he’d scraped to get to where he was and remained so intent on improving the lives of the poor. Honoria’s tendency to martyr herself and not be open with Titus was annoying, but thankfully didn’t last long thanks to her sisters talking sense into her. I loved the hero/heroine role reversal here with it being Honoria who made the grand romantic gesture to get Titus back for good and establish their HEA. The emotions here were touching, but not too over the top and I enjoyed this couple. I especially enjoyed Titus putting Honoria’s father in his place and the camaraderie between Dorian Blackwell, Carlton Morley, and Titus. I look forward to the other sisters’ stories now.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.