The book was good, no question about it. However, it needed developmental editing; the pacing and sequence needed much work for the storyline to be plausible. It felt like everything was so rushed, from the romance to the action arc, everything was just crammed into 200 pages. It would've been significantly better if the book was longer, that way the storyline would've been done justice.
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Moving on to the characters, I liked the main couple, they were pleasant enough, but I didn't like some aspects of their personalities. For example, the author kept describing Sophie as pure to the point of naivety that she didn't understand some slurs when she heard them, however, Henry kept glorifying her wisdom and judge of character, when in reality, everything she said was kind of obvious.
For Henry, he was too mild mannered to be considered an interesting love interest, the way he fell in love with Sophie in less than 2 days was absurd.
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The storyline was intriguing, I loved that it held my attention throughout. Also, the side characters, especially Effie, were super nice and added to the book.
Overall, a success.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I found this book to be more of a mystery than a romance book. The mystery was so convoluted that I had a hard time keeping it straight by the end. The romance was little and far between.

I have enjoyed this series and this book doesn’t disappoint. Chasity Bowlin continues to show her skill as an author who can masterfully weave a plot and always evoke reader emotion. The series is connected by Effie Darrow’s school for girls and the love hate relationship and interactions between Effie and Lord Highcliff. Each book is written as a standalone story and easily enjoyable on its own or as part of the series.

After I started this book I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end! Talk about flipping the pages as fast as I could, I was definitely in the “don’t bother me I am reading” zone. The story has romance, suspense, and mystery; what more could we want?

So, In this book Sophie decides its time she begins her life, so she applies for a job as companion, and sets out with visions of enjoying southampton on her own. Sophie meets Henry and her life is never the same 😉 If you enjoy the heroine being rescued by a white knight 🦄 (well maybe Henry is off-white) you will love this book!

Overall 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥

📚I received a review copy of this book from Dragonblade Publishing. My review is unbiased and freely given. Thank you for the opportunity to review. 🦄

Sophia is in need of a new position now that her employer is dead. She meets dashing stranger, Henry, on the stage and is intrigued. Until she learns he is a Viscount and well out of her league. Henry offers her a position as companion to her cousin whom she believes is in grave danger. Henry has his doubts of the validity of this claim, but after a time he begins to believe both his cousin and Sophia are in danger. Will Sophia and Henry figure out who the villain is and stop them in time? Will they realize that they are perfect for each other or will they allow societal pressure to keep them apart? Highly recommended!
Thank you Chastity Bowlin, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

I have really enjoyed this series, connected by Effie Darrow and her school for girls and the overarching thread of her contentious and passionate interactions with Lord Highcliff.

Sophie Upchurch is a young woman about to leave the school to take up a position as companion to n old lady. She is apprehensive but determined to be independent and has assued her headmistress Miss Darrow, that she will be fine. When she meets the handsome Harry Meredith on the stage she is charmed and relieved he can mitigate the trials of her journey, and she is quietly hopeful that she could attract his regard.

When she arrives, she is turned away as her prospective emplyer has died, and in a difficult position she meets Harry agan, who does his best to help her by bringing her to his uncles house. However Harry, is actually Viscount Marchwood and the heir to his uncle's earldom, Sophie is devastated and doesn't really understand why Harry lied. Harry on his part is increasingly smitten by Sophie, and when his ill cousin is found to be treated by the doctor who also treated Sophie's erstwhile employer, the plot thickens. Sophie and his cousin are now in danger, and there is something very evil going on.

Can Harry and Sophie put their personal feelings aside to uncover the villain and solve the mystery, and in doing so can they forgive each other so they can get their own HEA.

This was a great read with a really exciting mystery, a refreshingly straightforward heroine, and a few more snippets about Effie and Heathcliff.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Sleepless in Southampton is a surprisingly good read in spite of having a somewhat stodgy feel at times. This book comes in the middle of a series that follows graduates of Effie Darrow's school for girls (whose students are all various lords' illegitimate progeny). Several past protagonists have supporting roles, and while knowing their stories would be helpful, it's not necessary for understanding this one. That said, there is an as-yet unresolved side story surrounding Effie and Lord Highcliff that might be frustrating if you haven't read the full series (and I haven't).

But this story is primarily about Sophie Upchurch, who is leaving London for a job as a companion to an elderly woman in Southampton. On the mail coach, she meets Henry, and they strike up a friendship. Sophie doesn't realize that Henry is a viscount in line for a dukedom and is, in fact only on the mail coach because his own lost a wheel. He's also headed to Southampton bit to visit his uncle, the duke, and his family. In short, their paths would normally not cross.

Anyway, in Southampton, Sophie discovers she's out of a job and is stranded. Henry comes to her rescue and brings her back to his uncle's to serve as a companion for his 16-year-old cousin, who suffers from seemingly debilitating headaches.

From there, things get a little crazy. There's a possibly dangerous, definitely dishonest doctor, gossipy neighbors, judgemental relatives, and the growing attraction between Sophie and Henry. Lives are threatened, feelings are hurt, and classism plays a role. Through it all, Sophie and Henry remain kind and devoted to one another.

Overall, I liked this novel and would probably read the other books in the series, past and future.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

Love and Adventure

When Sophia leaves the school where she grew up to become a companion, she has no idea what awaits her. When she embarks on her journey, Sophia faces treachery, and her life will be in peril. However, she is no simpering miss. She grew up in a school, where she learned to take care of herself. Will she be up to the task? There are unscrupulous characters that will go to any lengths to destroy her.

Sophia’s new journey did not just have danger but also love. When she first met Henry on the stage, he did not tell her he was a viscount. Would she trust him even though he lied to her? He might have lied, but he only did it to escape from his responsibilities for a day. Since then, he rescued her when she found out her employer was dead, and he was honorable at every turn. Could a viscount and an illegitimate miss have a chance? Society says they do not.

I started this book and could not stop reading. The story has romance, suspense, and mystery. It kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. I look forward to reading what comes next in this series.

Talk about a bad day... Sophie was finally on her way to make a life for herself when everything goes wrong. When she meets Henry she doesn't know who he really is and he ends up being the one to give her a different path. Their relationship changes as Sophie cares for Henry's cousin who is in danger.

Henry tries to convince Sophie that rank shouldn't stand in the way, but she understands the gulf between them. Overall, this is a good story that will keep you turning pages.


I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Sophia Upchurch is a young budding woman on her first adventure towards her new aspiration of being a companion. She meets a handsome man who chats her up and makes her feel desired.
Then she gets to her final destination and finds out she no longer has employment and now she is homeless. Mr. Henry Meredith a common man now turns into Viscount Marchwood and Sophia feels as though she was lied to and toyed with by a Lord.
He does help her out, but she finds herself into another cesspool of deception that could result in a loss of life.

This book is really engaging, and the characters are strong and easy to follow. I would recommend this book.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and DragonBlade Publishing and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

I have read some of Chastity Bowlin’s books on KU and I have really enjoyed them, so I was excited to get an ARC of her next book. I liked both Sophie and Henry, although Henry had to grow on me a bit because he seemed a little weak in the beginning. I liked how sure Henry was of his feelings for Sophie and did not let social status become an impediment to their relationship. I was not a big fan of the Effie secondary plot line because it seemed like it was just added to further Effie’s story and not Sophie’s. I think it detracted from our main plot, which already had a lot going on as it was. That would be one of my criticisms, along with the fact that there seemed to be too much going on in the book, who check took away from the romance between Henry and Sophie. I think a little bit less drama and suspense would have improved the story. Those things aside, I liked the book and would definitely read upcoming additions to the series.

4.5 stars

This series is hotting up. I've read Book 1 & 3. Though this could be read without any previous knowledge. I recall Effie's romance that is the arc over the books and this contines to intrigue me.

In this book Sophie, Effie's closest girl from her school, feels its time she spread her wings so she applies for a job as companian and is keen to tackle the journey to southampton on her own. Effie has schooled all her pupils in how to protect themselves but she's worried about Sophie.

On the way Sophie mets Henry, who is slumming it as a way to get respite from his life as heir to a Duke. Said Duke tends to offload all the dross onto Henry. The companion job doesn't work out but Henry helps her become the friend of his cousin who is suffering from awful migraines. There are villains and helpful other ex scholars before they all get their HEA. There is also more action on Effie's romance. I'm really looking forward to that book.

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

Miss Sophia Upchurch has left the care of a loving home, only to end up finding her employer dead, her without a job, no money as she has been robbed, and now requiring Mr Meredith to help her. Except that Mr Henry Meredith is really Lord Henry Meredith, Viscount Marchwood. So, realising that he is far beyond her reach, Sophia agrees to care for his cousin whilst trying not to care for him. Henry soon finds himself captivated by Sophia and spending as much time as he can with her. When Sophie realises that Henry’s cousin is in danger, Henry at first does not believe her but is gradually convinced and so begins their adventures.
This was an entertaining read, with Sophia doing all that she can to resist Henry. Henry is not of the same thought and does all that he can to win Sophia over. He is such a lovely, charming character, that is so understandable when this couple falls in love. I did enjoy their romance whilst being entertained by the villains in the book. I look forward to more books in this series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Oh wow--our poor heroine is have the absolute worst day... ever! This is no "sleepless" though. I thought the title meant a rewrite of the cult fav. I realized it was not, early on, but loved it anyway. Sophia is on her way to start a new job and the rest of her life. Except, her new employer has dies (no one bothered to tell her). Her little bit of money is taken, and she is at wits end. Damsel in distress. Well, we need a Knight, preferably in shining armor. This would be Henry, He could afford the shining armor, but is "off-grid" as a regular guy. Knight/guy meets Damsel. He saves her by taking her home and getting her a job as a companion to his cousin. He is unmasked and now, she realizes he is too high above her station. Loved the story, as once again, we learn... love conquers all.

Could things be any worse for Miss Sophia Upchurch? Her employer is dead, she’s been robbed and now she’s stranded in s strange city and then rescued by a very handsome man she flirted with Mr. Henry Meredith. Only he’s not the simple man she thought he was he’s Lord Henry Meredith, Viscount Marchwood a man above her station in life, could things get any worse? He helps her secured a position as companion to his cousin. The position has complications and Sophie fears the young woman’s life is in danger, as she tries to convince Henry she’s in danger. An interesting story with a Henry and Sophia slowly getting to know one another, learning to trust and fall in love as danger surrounds them. I voluntarily read and reviewed this extraordinary story.

Full disclosure: This was the first I have read of this series.

OVERALL:
Not my favorite troupe, so not my favorite book. But Sophie was quite competent, and willing to recognize when she needed help (i.e. didn't do something stupid, like think she could walk back to London in the dark) AND took help when offered. She also was non-dramatic and said what she thought, even if she had to do so diplomatically. I even liked Henry, and thank goodness he didn't become a duke! There was just a bit too...much? Too many problems, too many issues, too many "twists." The plot jumped around, when I would have rather taken out some of the drama and instead focused on Henry and Sophie's relationship.

15 SECOND “WHAT’S THIS ABOUT”:
Sophie, a graduated student of the Darrow School, becomes the companion to a sickly young lady, Phillipa. Sophie quickly is embroiled in a mystery surrounding Phillipa's health. the doctor treating her, and other family issues. Luckily, Phillipa's cousin, who happens to be a viscount, is there to assist--and some insta-love occurs real fast!

FAVORITE PART:
Though insta-love is seriously one of my LEAST favorite things, I adored Henry and his complete lack of wishy-washy-ness. He wanted to court/marry Sophie VERY fast, and never changed course. It was refreshing to see some solid, non-vacillating, emotions!

ARC provided by Netgalley

Sophia is 18 and on her way to Southampton to her first job as a companion when everything that could possibly go wrong for her does.
Chasity Bowlin has written an amazing love story that is entertaining and includes a nasty villain, mystery, and murder.
I think this is my favorite of the series, but I encourage you to read all the books.

This novel is absolutely charming and delightful. Chasity Bowlin crafts together a fast paced story that is driven by an ever twisting plot that, at the heart of it, features a love at first-meeting story that is sweetly romantic. Bowlin's tone is easy and comforting with a very accessible and entertaining style. Bowlin's characters are fun and bold and stand strong in their personalities. This is the fourth book in a series with a cross-series couple whose story and past develops through out each of the novels, you don't have to read this in series order it will stand on its own, but you have a stronger understanding of some of the side characters when reading in order.

Sophia, our heroine, is on a adventure of her own, at the start of this story she is beginning a new chapter of her life, but each of her plans is constantly being thrown over and she finds herself trying to solve a mystery to help her new friends. Sophia is independent, bold, strong and smart. She knows how to stand up and protect herself. The hero, Henry, is on his way to visit family and when he comes in contact with Sophia he is immediately drawn to her. Henry forgoes telling Sophia that he is a viscount because he is enjoying conversing with someone as just himself. Henry is kind, very family oriented, smart and protective. I love that Henry wants to protect those he loves but that he also recognizes that Sophia is strong and able to take care of herself.

Sophia and Henry are both instantly attached to the other and watching them help each other in different ways and learn to rely on the other for their strengths is really lovely. They are able to easily create a foundation of friendship and trust that their love and affection can build upon. The plot of this novel is very action driven with fun situations that test our hero and heroine every step of the way, as well as draw out the best in them. I think their love is able to flourish in these situations because they are both able to work together to overcome all obstacles.

I would definitely recommend this fast paced love story especially if you are looking for a wonderful romp with some twist and turns, smart and independent characters and a charmingly sweet love story.

Sleepless in Southampton by Chasity Bowlin was kind of a mystery, certainly a different plot than most Regency-type novels. It has another of the students from the Darrow School, run by Miss Euphoria Darrow, who is the subject of this novel. Sophie Upchurch has arrived in Southampton after convincing Miss Darrow that she was safe traveling alone, only to arrive at her destination, the home of Lady Pankhurst, to whom she was to be a companion, to discover her intended employer wad dead. She wasn't sure if she had enough money to get back to London, then was even less certain when one of her bags was stolen by a street urchin. It was fortunate she was discovered by Henry Meredith, Viscount Marchwood, with whom she had ridden on the mail coach. She was somewhat put out with him as he had failed to mention his title, which she counted as a lie, but really only because she was much attracted to him and knew that title put him out of reach. He took her to his uncle, the Duke's home when she could spend some time as the Duke's daughter, Phillipa's companion. They were of the same age. There she and Henry discovered a plot by Phillipa's doctor to keep her sicker than she was, and that discovery touched off a firestorm.

Sophie was very mature for only 18 and Henry, despite the fact he had no desire to marry, was instantly taken with her, and ready to marry on only four days. They had to go through a lot to escape and be together, and Sophie's friends from London assisted in that endeavor. It was good to see them all again. The plot was decent and had several villains, of different degrees, contributing to the overall mess. The pacing was good, if hurried, and added to the suspense. They were all very reliant on good luck. It was a charming book and I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Sleepless in Southampton by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #sleeplessinsouthampton

I really like this author and I’ve read many books from her, specially this series.
Miss Sophia Upchurch is not having a good day. Her employer is dead, she’s been robbed, she’s now stranded in a strange city and the handsome man she’d met on the stage, the man she’d flirted with, is no longer simply Mr. Henry Meredith, a possible suitor. He turns out to be Lord Henry Meredith, Viscount Marchwood, and so far above her reach there can’t possibly be any hope even as he heroically secured a position for her as companion to his cousin. But that position is beset with complications and Sophie fears the young woman’s life is in danger.
When Sophie informs Henry of her suspicions, he’s dubious at best. But the more he looks into the matter the more convinced he becomes that she is correct. And that means not only is his cousin in danger but so is a woman he is coming to care for very deeply…possibly even a woman he loves.
This is a slow burn romance most of the book. What I like most about it is Henry. He is such a cinnamon roll hero. He’s charming and romantic and they really work together. It’s really fun to read an instalove historical romance. Both characters are well developed and they have this nice and sweet chemistry between them that makes this book a delight.
Of course I’m obsesses with Effie and Highcliff and I need their story ASAP.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Best part of this book - the authors note that confirmed we will eventually get Effie and Highcliff’s book, after we’ve been seeing bits and pieces of them throughout this book and previous books.

Seriously though, I did enjoy Sophie and Henry’s story. Sophie is at loose ends after the woman she was supposed to be a companion to has passed away. She meets Henry on the mail coach and he offers to have Sophie become his cousin’s companion. When Sophie realizes there possible mistreatment of said cousin, she and Henry work together to find out what’s going on. I loved the involvement of Effie and Highcliff in this story (no surprise based on my previous comment). Ok really looking forward to the rest of this series!