I absolutely adored this novel by Krista Jensen!
I loved the Edwardian/turn-of-the-century setting! It was so fresh and so fun! And I loooved the historical aspects of that time that were written into the story - the clothes, what was deemed appropriate, the motorcars, women's suffrage, etc. The author weaved all these things beautifully into the story.
The characters were amazing and had such great personalities! I wanted to be friends with all of them!
You can really feel the author's love for this piece in her writing! The wit and sarcasm in this book are fantastic and I was smiling and laughing so much!!
"Blast it all to Hades in a skirt!"
The romance between Lydia and Spencer is so well done! Its a brothers-best-friend trope and I loved it - neither were looking for love, it just happened upon both of them, and they're so perfect for each other!
And their kisses are 🔥🔥🔥
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was hard to put down, and I highly recommend to all who enjoy historical romance!

Krista Jensen has a wonderful talent for writing stories and characters that take you in and make you care. This book, set during the turn of the twentieth century, captures what life was like when women were beginning to push for more rights. It explores how both women and men dealt with the changing times while still experiencing love. It featured a group of friends who I am hopeful to see in the future. I enjoyed the forbidden romance (brother’s friend) and seeing how it was resolved, especially when Spencer had his own demons to work through that put roadblocks in the way to happy ever after.

I really enjoy reading historical romance novels and of course I enjoyed reading this too. It was interesting to read this because I haven't read a book yet that was set in Edwardian times.

I was excited about the time period and the main character of the book, but it seemed surface level in terms of the historical accuracy. I am going to blame my personal interest in this era for being too critical on this count, but I wish there was some more in-depth research conducted.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#HeartsofBriarwall #NetGalley

This book was set in the early 1900's, when motorcars were starting to replace carrige. Lydia wants to learn to drive, but her brother Andrew, refuses to have anything to do with a motorcar. Ever since their parents were killed in an accident involving a motorcar accident,.A part of the women's sufferiget, Lydia has a mind of her own. Lydia's friends are all apart of a group they call The Wendy League, which I found so fun. Spencer.Hayes, loves motorcar and is determined to find investors in a business he wants to start. I enjoyed this book.

This book is lovely. Simply lovely. I've never read anything by this author, but I hope to read more from her in the future. I read a lot of historical fiction and historical romance, this book is beyond Lydia and Spencer's story. It's a coming of age story in many ways, of the characters adjusting to the rapidly changing world around them, of Lydia fighting to be more than her brother's little sister. The romance is gentle and unhurried, very little drama, no real villain, the relationships, between the four female friends, the romantic leads and the brother and sister are what shine through. There's a maturity here that I appreciated. I hope this is the first in a series as I'd like to see where Florrie, Violet and Ruby end up, and Andrew as well. I received an ARC copy from the publisher and Netgalley for review

This book was a little slow to get going and I felt like it lost some steam at the end. I enjoyed the female friendships, but I think it could have used a bit more "oomph" or something to propel the story along.

Sweet and so fun. I’m definitely reading more by Krista Jensen! I really liked this story. The turn of the century isn’t a time period I generally gravitate towards, but I thought this was set perfectly in that time period. I thought the main characters were fun.

This is my first time reading an Edwardian romance novel and Krista Jensen has easily sold me on the time period. I love the immediate connection of Spencer and Lydia, her unique and headstrong personality, paired with his charm and fascination with her was really fun to read, Krista has once again created a beautiful, swoon-worthy story that will be thoroughly enjoyed by many, myself included.

This was a diverting read that drew me in immediately. Lydia is such a spit fire and I loved it! This book takes place during the turn of the century when women’s roles were changing. Lydia fought hard for what she believed in and what she wanted. Things such as her desire to learn how to drive, wear what she wants, invest her own money and marry who she chooses. She has wonderful friends, who I hope get their own stories eventually! Spencer was a great balance to Lydia. They had a bit of a rocky start, and just as a budding affection began growing, past secrets came to light and tested the power of love and forgiveness. I also enjoyed the little details scattered throughout, such as the perfume and reference to peacocks. It was truly such a well written and delightful read!

This is a fun quick read written by a talented author. Curl up with a cozy Afghan and go back in time…imagine what it must have been like…the characters are intriguing and quirky at times…this book was sent to me for review by Netgalley.

Funnily enough, I wasn’t interested in reading this book after first reading the synopsis, it just didn’t seem too appealing to me; but it has the name Krista Jensen on it, so I decided to just for got it and read.
Boy! I’m so happy I did! This is the first historical romance I’ve read during this time period and it was fascinating seeing all the differences from the histfic I normally read, like regency. Everything from the motor cars, the relaxed rules, and yes, the breeches.
Krista created a fun literary world that has many great characters, an engaging plot, and hilarious banter. I now want to be in the Wendy League and absolutely need future books about these incredible women.
Spencer and Lydia’s love story is sweet, swoony, and filled with many delightful and humorous moments. I loved how family (both blood-related and by choice) relationships seemed so realistic in this book. Sometimes we get along, sometimes we can’t stand each other, other times we try our best (yet still fall short), and other times we lovingly let them flounder on their own. Between the friends, siblings, and parents you see it all in this book, which only made me like it even more.
I’m so happy I decided to jump right into this story and not judge it off of the “book blurb.”

In this cute and sometimes humorous In this cute and sometimes humorous Historical Romance Novel readers are taken to a charming English country side estate known as Briarwall. It’s the beginning of a new and exciting era where horses are being replaced by automobiles and women are exchanging their corsets for the right to vote and learn to drive one of those shiny new horseless buggies. The heroine of this story, Lydia Wooding and her three best friends are just coming to age of independence, wanting the right of being recognized as intelligent women capable of making their own decisions and goals they have set for their futures. Though these young women are single they are beginning to notice the young men in their friendship circles.

Lydia’s parents died when she and her brother Andrew where children. They were raised by servants of their parents estate. They had guardians although they didn’t live with them. Now Andrew who has grown into an adult considers himself to be Lydia’s guardian and takes his responsibility very seriously. When his friend Spencer Hayes, who has just spent a year abroad in America, comes visiting Briarwall he is attracted to the young beautiful heiress Lydia and she in turn feels drawn to him. Mr Hayes is into autos and Lydia and her friends are curious to learn more about him and his exciting new business opportunities . Andrew has other ideas and a plan for Lydia’s future and automobiles and Spencer Hayes aren’t part of those plans as Lydia will soon find out.

I fell in love with this delightful historical romance as it drew me into another time in a far off country. I find it very refreshing to go back in time and meet the characters of another era in history. How they lived and what was expected of them in high society. I thought this book was charming and very entertaining. Definitely a page turner and hard to put down. I found it to be original and I loved the books ending.

I recommend this book to readers of historical romance and to readers who like a fun story. It’s the first book of the Proper Romance Edwardian Series. Clean Romance with some kissing but no explicit content. This book is scheduled to be released on 8/2/22.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of Hearts of Briarwall. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are my own.

#HeartsofBriarwall#NetGalley

I just finished this delightful and absolutely wonderful book! I loved every page! Krista’s writing just takes me on a journey that I can’t ever look back! The characters and environment are enthralling and endearing! What a joyful Victorian Rom-Com! I need more! Enjoy!

A lighthearted read that doesn’t take itself, or it’s characters, seriously. The best part of this book was the quick exchanges through snappy dialogue.

Lydia Wooding, a dreamer, a closet adventurer, and a modern lady in the Edwardian Era did not care about her brother's wishes for her to be a proper lady and to get married. But then she met their house guest, her brother's childhood friend, Spencer Hayes and something of a dream before became a reality for her.

I can't really say I'm fond of the Edwardian Era, but this author made me love it. The main characters were great, especially their character development of self-discovery and self-confidence. I especially loved the interactions of the Wendy League, on how they talk about serious issues of that era. And I enjoyed the conversations between Lydia's friends with her brother, it's so refreshing to read spunky and witty female characters in a historical fiction.

This is my first read from this author. I'm hoping to read more on the Wendy League's adventures and their own stories. I love to get to know them better.

Overall I'm giving this book a 3.75. Although I love the story plot and the characters, I feel like the ending was a bit rushed. But nevertheless, I would definitely recommend this book for those who love witty conversations, adventure, and romance.

This book was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story, its a sweet filled Edwardian romance and hits all the right places. This book is like if Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Jane Austen had a child. What I mean by that is it takes places in the Edwardian era with motorcars and with a woman involved in women's rights!

The story is funny and the chemistry swoon worthy. The story follows Lydia Briarwell, a young women who lost her parents in a motorcar accident. She lives with her older brother, Andrew who is overprotective of her.

The story has several plot-points that are very interesting. Lydia is a suffragette, and the story revolving her friends makes the story thicker. It was slow for me to read in the beginning, because I felt like there was a lack of plot. Boy was I wrong! Lydia's relationship with her brother and her struggle for independence while trying to find love is extremely well done. The plot is well constructed, and the characters are enjoyable and likable. The love interest, Spencer Hayes is gold standard, his respect for Lydia is top tier Fiztwilliam Darcy behavior. His understanding of how she wants to ride her own motorcar and giving her lessons were so fun to read. The banter is amazing, the chemistry is through the rough.

The style is intelligent, and witty, inspired by Jane Austen and Gorgette Heyer. And she follows the standard of a clean regency romance, of course with the exception of a few steamy kisses. The story manages to be sweet without being cliche.

I hope the author puts this story as a series, and continues with Lydia's brothers and friends!



Look forward to read more from this author.

Picture it, England, 1906, and the automobile is just becoming more of a thing for many people. Lydia Wooding is fascinated with the machines and would love nothing more than to learn to drive one. Lydia's brother, Andrew, has a blind spot where autos are concerned because their parents died needlessly in an auto accident. He just doesn't feel they are safe enough. Enter Spencer Hayes, a classmate of Andrew's and the son of a man who died because of his get rich quick schemes, and he wants to standardize getting auto parts for repairs. There is a bit of a draw between Lydia and Spencer from the very beginning, partially because she wants to invest in his idea. The fly in the ointment is her brother's objections to the idea and to Spencer, himself.
This is my first book to read by Krista Jensen and I must say it was a pleasant surprise. At first I thought it was going to be a vapidly funny book, but the more I got into it, the more substance I found. There is a bit of romance formula to the book, but it is not overwhelming and seems natural in the context of the plot. There are quite a few supporting characters in the book, but they are fleshed out and add to the story line to make it a more cohesive whole.

Four Stars

Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Don't judge a book by its cover, particularly with respect to this novel. This is a cute romantic comedy with a lovely collection of characters. The heroine presents with a modernist flair that appealed to me. The trope of a love match between someone of the gentry and working class was slightly subverted with the heroine as the heiress and her leading man as a Birmingham blue-collar bloke, albeit a well-educated one.

I found the supporting characters well developed and interesting (perhaps even more so than the leads). Our heroine's friendship quartet, known as the Wendy League and named after Wendy of Peter Pan fame, gave a great foundation for exploring women's rights and the Suffrage movement. Each of the women is a rich and complex character deserving of their own love story. I'd be very keen to read the tale dedicated to the sassiest of the group.

As to the negative, the plot is a bit predictable. I was never truly surprised by the narrative progress, but that didn't keep me from enjoying it. The motorcar subplot felt a bit forced at times. However, it did serve to tie the characters together nicely.

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy feminist-leaning clean romance novels.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. I haven't read many books set during the "Gilded Age" time period but I loved it. Especially the references to the Women's Suffrage movement. I loved how empowered Lydia felt to be a woman and didn't want anyone, especially her brother, to deny her things because she was a woman.

It was refreshing to read something different from my normal reads. I enjoyed how developed each of the characters were. Even Lydia's friends, and Andrew's, were well-developed. I would love it if this turned into a series for all of Lydia's friends.

Lydia and Spencer's relationship was very realistic, which I appreciated. I often feel like a lot of proper romance novels have unrealistic and/or unrelatable romance but that wasn't the case for this book.