4.5 stars
This was as an entertaining read from the beginning. Mrs. Burrell and her three very beautiful daughters ( Viola, Juliet and Bianca) arrived in London for the season in the hopes of one of them making a match. They have very little money but use their dressmaking skills and their intelligence to aid them. Gerald, Earl of Knowsley met them as they arrived. He was very taken with Viola from the beginning. But who were the family? Gerald needed to marry someone used to society and helping run the households of his many estates. I enjoyed how they got to know each other, albeit mistakes were made, but Gerald was fundamentally a good man. It did lack pace in the middle but there was plenty of action later on. I’m looking forward to reading about the next sister. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When the three Burrell sisters take the ton by storm, nobody is more surprised than Viola. The whirlwind of their elevation to the highest in the land pushes her into the arms of Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley. Viola is lost, all her careful plans abandoned. She has nothing to offer but her beauty. A hidden disability has taken away her confidence and her grace. Gerald wants to marry, but not to the ravishing beauty who entrances him from the first time he sets eyes on her. He wants a rational marriage with moderate affection, not the tempest of passion Viola leads him into.
The first in a new series & a lovely series starter it is. I love the author’s books as not only are they entertaining romances but also hold a wealth of historical facts, which for me push them over the parapet. The characters are well portrayed & have depth, plus there is wonderful chemistry between Gerald & Viola. I also loved that Gerald & Viola were honest with each other which makes for a refreshing change. A very well written book which ticked all the boxes for me
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Dnf @ 18%

I gave this book a chance, I really did. But I just couldn't stomach how flat everything was. Not to mention the obsession with beauty the mother has, and every second she'd mention how "dire" it was that her daughters use their beauty or the world will fall apart.

Note: exaggerated.

I'm sure the story had more to it than this, but that bit just chafed against me so bad I had to close my eyes for a full minute and collect myself everytime any of them speaks about marriage and beauty and men who think all poorly dressed females are "ladies of the nocturnal variety". No rating as I didn't finish it (goodreads).

Thank you Netgalley and dragonblade publishing for giving me an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

An entertaining Regency romance in which the only asset the Burrell sisters really have is their beauty. With their determined mother scaping together whatever she could to launch her daughters, they have one opportunity to make a hit and find suitable husbands. Keeping the girls' faces hidden from society proves more difficult than they would have thought as an inquisitive neighbor coming to the rescue, takes in as much as he can of Viola's face, and immediately comes to the wrong conclusion. Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley thinks that he knows just where to peg the Burrels, but he soon finds himself having to eat humble pie as he makes the worst possible mistake. Unfortunately, Viola's sister does not help matters when she makes a gauche error of judgment, and Gerald and Viola have their hands full sorting out the mess. I found this novel entertaining and interesting and the connection between Gerald and Viola was everything one could hope for. This romance is standalone and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Will he turn his back to love for fear of the price it come with …

As soon I learned of this upcoming release, I marked it on my calendar even if I was not sure I would have time to read it, still I was able to make room for it.
And I absolutely do not regret it.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I discovered the author in my early foray in the Historical Romance world when I was able again to read to my heart’s content a few years ago.
But with so many names, I at a time forgot how much I loved her books, they were not the usual regency as they were set in the Georgian era.
Her historical mystery “Ash & Juliana” series released last year under the pen name L.C. sharp is a fabulous read. I hope she will be able to add more to the first two books.

So I was very curious to read her version of the regency era.
I read her addition to the Lyon Den connected world, and now I realize the novella is connected to this new series.

I loves how the author mingled the ton’s rules and unsaid laws while her heroine is scurrying the London’s streets, docks and ballrooms. How réputations were made and undone, how a little word this and there can change someone’s future and while I know most of the era’s ways and customs, Mrs Connolly made them hers and schemed her story around and with them.

From Viola and Gerald’s first fortuitous encounters to the London season events, there is no doubt about their shared chemistry.
Viola is no demure sheltered Miss, with a mother who had to make do with nothing, they learned how to survive whatever the means as long they stayed on the right side of propriety.
She like her sisters understands what is expected from them if they want this season to count, and even if she is perfectly aware Knowsley is out of her league, she also can not stop her heart to beat faster for him.
Gerald Cranston has decided it is time for him to set his nursery, he has a predetermined list of the qualities he will require from his future spouse, and while mutual respect is expected, love is absolutely not part of it, too painful for the one left behind.
Why he tries to persuade himself what he feels for Viola is mere lust, and nothing can come from it, she is not from his sphere.

The author walks them from the city’s streets to the ton’s ballrooms giving them time to realize their first assumptions were wrong to then move to a sort of friendship until gossips caught them and leave them with few to no choice before facing ruin if they do not make their own rules.
A wonderful tale of giving love its chance to be.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

It's mistaken identity when Gerald, the Earl of Knowsley, first sees the Burrells. His attraction to one of the ladies gives him the idea of a replacement for his current mistress, except he's decided to take a wife this season. Viola's mother is determined her three daughters will make advantageous matches. Gerald can only think of seducing Viola. Passion is not what he wants in his marriage, except he can't stay away from her. Any possibility of marriage between them may be lost when his childhood friend makes a selfish move. The Burrell ladies work their way through London society sometimes on the edge of the cut direct.
Heat level 4
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This was the first book that I have read by Lynne Connolly. The Burrell family, a mother and her daughters, move to London to find matches for the daughters. Viola, who has a hidden disability, falls into the arms of Gerald, The Earl of Knowley. They run into each other at various events and discover that they have feelings for each other. This was an excellent read. There was great chemistry between the characters and some unexpected events happening throughout the book. I would highly recommend reading this book to anyone who likes an action packed read. I gave it 5 stars. Can't wait for the next in the series.

I enjoyed this book. It had a bit more historical description than many historical / regency novels which have been written by people who have named someone the "Duke of..." and decided that is enough to place their story in a particular period in time but have in fact come up with an anachronistic horror show.

Anyway. Enjoyed that. Enjoyed the Burrell sisters and Mrs Burrell. Enjoyed the Earl who just seemed to be a nice man. His feckless friend had distinct shades of Mr Wickham / Willoughby and I liked that his redeeming features are minimal. I would quite like a book about him... I like it when these really unsympathetic characters get their moment in the sun.

All in all a fun read and I'll be looking out for later books in this series! I think the Burrell brother in the army has a book already so perhaps I'll fish that out in the meantime.

Viola comes to London with her beautiful sisters for a season. Viola and Gerald feel the chemistry as soon as they meet. After turning down his offer to become his mistress, Viola feels that she is not grand enough for him. They decide to just be friends. While trying to help one of her sisters, they find it impossible to deny their love. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

The only honest man in London was a joy to read. Following the story of Viola the oldest of 3 sisters and Gerald an Earl. It was cute, entertaining, and easy to follow