Viola Burrell and her sisters need to find husbands but they don't think they can get an earl or a duke they take London by storm which gets Viola to meet Gerald Earl of Knowsley they become close friends but she is hiding a secret just like his mother they both have a disability that they hide from the ton cause of that Viola thinks she is not his equal and they can just be friends it doesn't help that his best friend and her sister actions they are always thrown together more than they plan and happen to fall for each other this book is really good I want to read the others I just reviewed The Only Honest Man in London by Lynne Connolly. #TheOnlyHonestManinLondon #NetGalley

An age old story of 3 sisters launched into society for one chance and one chance only to marry for money to save them all.

This was an okay read… definitely an apathetic to friends to lovers sort of story. I wasn’t pulled into it like I normally am in historical romance but I think there’s lots of people (especially those new to the genre) who will quite enjoy this one!

Solid 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for my arc copy in exchange for my honest review

The Burrell sisters, due to an elevation of status, have been pushed into the limelight of the Ton though they are still trying to get their baring in their new normal. Viola, having a hidden disability, feels out of place and unsure of herself. When she meets Gerald, she is not impressed. As they are continually thrown together, feelings begin to develop between the two. However, although Gerald is attracted to Viola, he is looking for a calm marriage with affection and the passion he feels for Viola is a deterrent.
This book was just okay for me. I found that there was a lot that was "filler", which made the story longer and was not at all necessary to the overall storyline.
Thank you Lynne Connolly, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Regency Romance

Three ladies moved into town, and they would have a challenging time navigating the ton and its cruel gossip. They are considered scandalous, through no fault of their own. Viola is the oldest, and she finds herself falling in love with Gerald who takes a while to convince that love is worth the risk. It takes an incident that involves her youngest sister and his best friend to bring things to a head. I did enjoy the story, but I wished it was shorter. It did drag for me in places, but I seem to be in the minority. (3.5 stars)

This is the first book of the Brazen Burrells series and also a first time read for me by this author.
Gerald is ready to take a wife this season, and Viola immediately catches his eye. Only he does not want love and passion in his marriage, he only wants a marriage with a moderate amount of affection. Viola and her sisters have taken the ton by storm and she is a bit overwhelmed by her popularity.When she catches Gerald's eye, she is insecure and unsure of herself. She has a hidden disability and is afraid she is not able to offer him anything more than her beauty. While these two begin to grow closer, meddlesome people make it difficult for them and put their love at risk.
A very enjoyable and entertaining start to a new series! I am looking forward to reading more!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

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

The Burrell sisters have one final chance to make good marriages, and set the family up, but it's harder that Viola Burrell ever expected. Though they are related to nobility, they are ignored by their grandfather due to their mother's Irish birth, and the money is running out. Taking London by storm, they need to have the perfect reputation, especially after Bianca's fashion faux pas at the theatre. The only person who Viola is drawn to is Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley, who made a bad first impression. But as the season continues, Viola and Gerald are thrown together again and again, and grow closer than ever.

This was an alright book. I liked Viola, but there was something about the whole book that didn't really grip my attention. I was wanting Viola and Gerald to get together, and the ending was great, but there was too many drama and cliches for my liking. I may continue with the series, because the second sister, Juliet, wasn't really discussed much in this book, and I think she has a lot of potential.

Brazen Desperation
The Only Honest Man in London by Lynne Connolly

August 12, 2022 by Pooja Leave a Comment (Edit)

CBR 14 Bingo: Dough
Money – specifically the lack of it – is a driving force in this book.

After a rocky start, Viola and Gerald become close friends – and could perhaps become more. But the actions of their sister and best friend threatens to throw everything into complete disarray.

Despite the Pride and Prejudice-esque elements of the plot, what really drew me to this story was Viola’s disability. I’m always on the lookout for differently-abled heroes and heroines in my romances, especially historical romance, though this can sometimes be a tough find.

The Burrell girls are all beautiful, but they are also as poor as church mice – not that they can let anyone realize. They take London by storm, but all the while they must keep desperation at bay. This almost militant way that the family goes about the marriage mart was striking, and to me was the most engaging part of the story. I also liked how Viola’s disability was handled – it was an integral part of the character, but not necessarily the story.

However, what fell flat for me were the characters. Bianca and the duke were rather pains to read about, and I’m curious how their characters will be handled in the upcoming books – for that storyline is not at all resolved.

Mostly, I did not like the hero, Gerald. Sure, he has a loving relationship with his mother; sure, we see him care plenty about others. But I couldn’t get over the start of the story, where he presumes Viola and her sisters to be sex workers and propositions her rather crassly – his attitude doesn’t turn around until he realizes she is a genteel lady. What, Gerald, would she not be worthy of respect if she were actually part of the demimonde?

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

Viola Burrell and her two sisters were brought to London to make their debut together. She is in her mid 20s, and coming to the Marriage Mart late in the game, but they are from a branch of a noble family that has been all but hacked off by their viscount grandfather. His son dared to defy him by running off to marry the love of his life, their mother, and they have not been acknowledged since. Unfortunately Mrs. Burrell lost her husband after only a few years and had to live a sketchy impoverished life, raising her three daughters and one son as best she could, sometimes on the run from their debts or people trying to take advantage of them in their need.

During one such episode, Viola injured her foot, and because they were unable to take the time to clean and care for the wound properly, she became quite ill, and parts of foot had to be amputated to save her. This has lead to a disability that she tries hard to hide. But otherwise, she and her sisters are beautiful women and Mrs. Burrell managed to scrape the funds and garner the opportunities she could to have her daughters officially introduced to the Queen and launch them into the London Season, to hopefully marry well so they could secure their futures.

Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley and his friend, were walking by when the Burrells arrive to their rental property and made several erroneous assumptions on seeing such beautiful women, unescorted, letting themselves into the home. After all, true ladies are escorted, do not open doors for themselves, etc. He has recently decided that he would go on the straight and narrow, letting his mistress go, because he decided he must find a bride. But he is stunned by Viola's beauty and decides he would have her as one last indulgence. As such, when he runs into her again, at the theatre, he grabs her and makes a decidedly improper suggestion, for her to become his mistress. She is overwhelmed by his seduction, but comes to her senses in time to tell him that she is an innocent in London to find a husband. This cools his ardor and brings him to his senses. When he confirms her story, including seeing her and her sisters presented at Court, he regrets his actions, and decides to be her friend instead. After all, he is at heart a good and honorable man.

The Burrells edge into the Season, at first looked upon with suspicion, but then accepted and becoming successful. They are aware their situation is precarious, and they likely will have a single chance to make an impression and nab husbands. Unfortunately, they lose their shine in the Ton, as they are touched by scandal. Viola knows the chances of someone as out of her reach as Gerald would likely not marry her, but she cannot help but become enamoured of him. Gerald fights their attraction hard, thinking that he would rather have a more tepid partner as a bride, rather than dare fall in love, because he is afraid of the pain of losing a loved one, having seen how his mother suffered after losing his father.

This was a quick and easy read, nicely written with interesting characters, and I liked how the Burrells were written as being on the edge of Society but not overly greedy, grasping, or scheming. Yes, Mrs. Burrell was bold and appeared to be quite militantly planning their season, but I can see why she would try to risk what she could to ensure financial security for her daughter's futures, especially considering how they have had to live. Gerald was a nice guy, and very likeable, especially in how much he cared for his mother. Initially he was a bit of an overbearing, presumptuous ass towards Viola, but that was his mistake in believing her to be a lightskirt and he at least tries to make up for it in various ways as a friend to Viola and her family. But he is still a young man who still had friends who were more interested in sowing their wild oats, despite having outgrown that behaviour himself. Unfortunately that comes to a head at the end of the story and their behaviour almost causes terrible distress and near tragedy for the Burrells. One quibble I had was that I did feel the story of Bianca and the Duke was unfinished, considering the angst that they caused.

I rather thought this was a sweet story over all.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Loved the story, I loved the way the author tackled the issue of a disability. I love when authors show the realness of those situations. Amazing book worth the read!

The Only Honest Man in London by Lynne Connelly might be an exaggeration, but he was a good man, Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley. He had shared this with his friend, the Duke of Whiston, and with his mother. Now all that remained was to find his future wife. They were walking down the street when when a candidate literally fell out of a carriage into his arms. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but, who was she? No one seemed to know. Not even the Earl of Langdon who had rented the house to the group of them. She was no trollop. He discovered that when he made her a rather indecent proposal in a small room when they should have been watching the opera. He had broken it off with his mistress and had no wife yet. It had been a mistake and he regretted it. There were three of them: sisters, here in London to join the marriage mart. At least one of them needed to make a lucrative marriage. They were nearly destitute. They did make a mark, however, on the ton. They were beautiful and many men were enthralled.

Viola was the middle one: not the most beautiful or the most sensible. She was the one that was attracted to the earl, however. She knew it could never be. He needed a woman ready to become a countess, with the myriad duties that would involve. Not one who would need to learn. His mother was infirm and needed to retire. All the debutantes regarded Gerald as a prime possibility. He knew what he wanted, though, and it was not any of them. It was Viola. It was not until his mother chided him into admitting what he already knew, that he came around. Now he had to find her and see if she would accept his many apologies. Then he got the letter from Whiston. He had run off with Viola’s sister, promising marriage, when everyone but her knew it was a lie. That would not work for him. He needed to go after them. He was mightily sick of cleaning up after Whiston. This was it. It would be the last time. A terrific story! Good plot, good story, great characters.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Only Honest Man in London by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #lynneconnelly #thelasthonestmaninlondon

The Only Honest Man in London by Lynne Connolly is the first book of The Brazen Burrells. Viola and her sisters take the ton by storm. She had her own plans for her future, but this popularity has thrown her into the arms of Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley. Viola feels unworthy of him. All she can give him is her incredible beauty. Her confidence has taken a big hit because of a hidden disability. Gerald has plans to marry, but he doesn’t want love. He never expected to feel the way he does about Viola.

I like when historical romances tackle disabilities of all different kinds. That was my favorite part about this book. That, and Gerald’s reaction to it. Viola and Gerald are lovely together.

Wonderful new series! I really enjoyed this book. It was romantic, entertaining, and kept my attention throughout.
Gerald, Earl of Knowsley has decided this is the season to wed, and to set up his nursery.
Viola has come to London for the season with her Mother and her sisters to try to find a husband. Viola is bold, adventurous, and knows exactly what is expected of her. She struggles with her confidence, and feels that she is clumsy, so doubts her ability to find a husband. It was interesting to read how creative Viola, her sisters, and her mother were in making and changing the appearance of their clothing, and being able to stretch their limited budget.
It has been awhile since I have read anything by Lynne Connolly. I can't wait to read the next two books in the series. The Talk of the Town will be the next book.

The Burrell family have had a lucky change in fortunes . The sisters and their mother can, with a some clever dealings afford just one season in Town. If one of the three beautiful women can land a wealthy husband she can help the rest.

Viola is the eldest and is not very graceful or confident. They must be seen to be above reproach at all times.

Gerald , the Earl of Knowsley has plans to marry this season but he needs a calm and accomplished woman to be his countess. Not the turmoil that Viola and her family bring .

A historical romance that is full of fabulous characters and lots of fun.

I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Great fun.

The Burrell family has just arrived in London. They were seen by gentlemen walking on the sidewalk alighting from an older carriage. Why would the older woman enter the house with a key, instead of a butler opening a door? So, the mystery begins and the hope of the mother that one of her daughters would be successful during the season to give the family some breathing room. The three beautiful daughters take the ton by storm, and it is little wonder Viola is lost in the arms of Gerald, Earl of Knowsley. I wonder about the next addition to this series, who will be fortunate to have the next successful season?

The Burrell sisters arrive in London, with little funds but desperate to make this the one and only season, that they will each find a wealthy match, or disappear into the Scottish highlands. When their beauty sees them take the ton by storm, Viola is even more surprised to find the attention she is given by Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley. Whilst Viola knows that she is too far beneath him, she knows that their friendship is only fleeting. Whilst Gerald wants to marry, he too knows that his feelings for Viola, do not coincide with the simple life he wants for his future. Yet as they spend time together, a romance blossoms but the actions of Viola’s sister and Gerald’s friend, may damage any future they might have together.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and so look forward to reading the next two books in the series. There are so many great characters in this book, with the Burrell sisters, each with their distinct personalities and their mother, who has struggled to establish them in society. I also enjoyed reading about Viola’s brother and his connections, and found myself wondering about his story, which highlights the author’s ability to capture each personality, with great clarity. Viola and Gerald were quite upfront about their position and I found it refreshing that they were both honest and willing to reveal their feelings and desires. A great read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Earl of Knowsley decides to marry, certainly NOT the beautiful but clumsy girl he just met. Viola Burrell is clumsy but only because of an injury. She won't let that stop her from conquering London.
This is my first book by Connolly. However I am very intrigued by this unique novel and since the "prequel" is of a series I have read I will most definitely be buying that. The Burrell girls have taken London by storm and i look forward to seeing the storm through.
I recieved a free copy so that I can tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

The Only Honest Man in London is a great start to a new series. It sets up the characters and the obstacles for the series and makes you excited to find out what will happen in the rest of the books. I liked Viola and Gerald as a couple and as individuals. I was not a fan of the scene between them at the theatre, but other than that I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Although there was an immediate attraction between them it was their friendship that served as the basis for them falling in love with one another. The only good thing about Bianca's stupidity with regard to George is that it gave Gerald the push he needed to admit how he felt about Viola and propose to her. So, although she was terribly naive and selfish, it did all serve a purpose in the end. The confrontation between Gerald and George felt like something that was a long time coming and it was nice to see George get a little of what he deserved. I'm a an of epilogues and wish this had one, but I'm sure we will see more of Viola and Gerald in future books. I have my guesses about who it is that Juliet has developed feelings for and am excited to see what happens in book 2!

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

If left alone the passion that ignites between Viola and Gerald could be the beginning of something beautiful.
But that’s not always how things develop.
Attracted on site these two have a wonderful future, but then people start to meddle and it’s all at risk of falling apart.
A lovely story of love and two people who battle through.
Excellent reading

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A great start to a new series that keep me entertained from beginning to end!

Lord Knowsley had been walking down the street with his friend, when they saw a carriage pull up to a house. Stopping to let the passengers alight, he could not believe the beauty that literally almost crumpled at his feet! Oh yes he was enchanted but could tell her dress, she must be a maid or a lady of the night!

To say the least that was Viola's introduction to Knowlsey, but he was to find out he had it all wrong!
Mother Burrell and her daughters had come to town with one purpose. One of them at least must marry well and with their beauty, their mother hoped they would take the ton by storm!

A lot of twist and turns to get to a happy ever after, but it is well worth the journey!

This was an entertaining and fun read. There was great chemistry between the characters and some unexpected events happening throughout the book which make for an action packed read. Although there are no hidden secrets the character's are honest with each other and the only thing holding them pack is that they don't think they will suit each other. However as they keep meeting at various gathering's this idea slowly changes. Looking forward to the next book. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read