I love anything Shakespeare and reading this fun story with the interspersed sonnets and other works of The Bard is nothing short of amazing. I came to love and cheer for Robert and Miranda as they journied through this book facing danger, deception, and fear of what the future could hold. I laughed often at the fun loving Hatch family and pitied the snobs in society that included Rovers mother and sister, Cassandra.
I cannot wait to see what is next from Samantha Hastings. She is a new to me author but a quick favorite.

Though I am not a big fan of William Shakespeare (I still cringe on what I was required to read in school), I couldn't help but love this intuitively written HR.

Miss Miranda Hatch, at the age of six and twenty, was the late-in-life only daughter of two affectionate parents. She soaked up her papa's love for the Bard's writings and could call herself a scholar. Except the year was 1812 and women were rarely thought of as intelligent.

Robert Hamilton, Marquess of Marsworth, had inherited a money pit. Upon his sire's death, he was left at home with a spendthrift mother, a younger sister and numerous debts. He had few choices except marrying an heiress or finding some hidden wealth.

I took pleasure while reading about Miranda and Robert. After a rough start (he almost ran her over with his horses and carriage), a friendship developed between the two. Except ever mindful, the ton frowned upon mixing trade with nobility.

The plot included an absorbing bit of suspense mixed with likeable MCs. I was rooting for this couple all along. I wanted each of them to find the answers they needed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha Hastings and Covenant Communications for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would definitely consider reading other HRs written by this author.

Enjoyed this sweet story and loved the Shakespeare tie in. Thank you to the publisher for an ARC, all opinions are my own.

There are so many things about this book I loved. I'm always here for a Shakespeare theme, and appreciated how it was woven throughout the narrative (I particularly enjoyed the jokes!). I thought the heroine and hero were well-developed characters and found myself rooting for them throughout. If anything, I wanted more of them!

I loved how much agency Miranda has and how that was supported by her father in particular, and how the book (sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly) turns gender stereotypes on their heads. For example: "You need to marry soon, my dear, for you shall grow old and shan't be handsome forever. Even your father, who was considered a great beau, grew quite portly and developed the gout." "I am only thirty, Mama. I am not yet in my dotage."

I also thought that Robert's relationship with his late father was handled deftly--that he wasn't a one-dimensional character but a flawed man who loved his family. "His father's financial difficulties had not come from gambling or vice but from an inability to disappoint those he held dear."

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wasn't entirely clear on how the sonnets selected to start each chapter related to that chapter (or if they were meant to). I also would have liked to see more of the physical relationship between Miranda and Robert develop on page--the ending felt a bit abrupt to me in that respect, though perhaps I've just been conditioned to always expect the wedding night!

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a great historical fiction novel with a clean romance story. Miranda and Robert are the main characters who come from different upbringings and classes but find love. I enjoyed all the historical tod it's about Shakespeare in this novel. I do wish that the author would have let us know what happens to Antony....the worm! Great read!!!!

I really enjoyed this heartfelt and charming book. The characters were well written and it was a wonderful story. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I loved this book from the second I read the description. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Secrets of the Sonnets was my first book by Samantha Hastings, and it was a fun one! I loved the scholarship of Miranda and her personality. Robert was a fun contrast to her, and they brought out the best in each other. While I prefer more of a slow burn as opposed to instant attraction, their relationship had its challenges and grew. THe sprinkling of Shakespeare throughout was well done! Samantha Hastings knows her Shakespeare! All in all, I'd definitely read more by this author!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I was immediately drawn to "Secret of the Sonnets" thanks to its beautiful cover, as well as its intriguing title. However, I did not like the rest of the book as much as I thought.

Miranda Hatch is a 26-year-old scholar whose interest in Shakespeare was born alongside her father, who is also a scholar. Growing up in a loving and supportive family, Miranda was able to develop her talent and passion, which attracted a suitor who did not have the best intentions... Hurt by her ex-fiancé, Miranda is not ready to trust again, but Lord Robert Hamilton might be able to change her mind, as they work together on finding some of Shakespeare's writings. I didn't like how Robert was so mercenary about having to find a wife for money - although I understand how bankrupt he was and how necessary it was, but still... Also, he very quickly came to be fond of Miranda, without even knowing much about her, that felt a bit too rushed.

This was a book with a good premise, and that is relatively original, as we get to see how 19th-century scholars worked and learn more about the Bard. However, I wasn't overly fond of the characters, and the book just didn't draw me in. As I was a bit bored, I skipped a good part of the book before going to the final chapters, which didn't convince me to go back to what I'd missed.

Therefore, I would give it 2.5 stars. It's not necessarily that it wasn't a good book but it just wasn't for me.

“As much as I would like to use my gifts in marriage,” Miranda lied, “I have been on the shelf for so long that the neighbors have started referring to me as a library.”

Miranda is a scholar and has long been fascinated with William Shakespeare’s work. When she learns of a possible connection between the Bard and a neighbouring Lord, she writes to him, eager to explore any old letters that might mention Shakespeare. Lord Robert Hamilton does not share her particular affinity for all things scholarly and book related; yet when he realizes that finding even a signature by William Shakespeare’s hand would dig him out of the vast debts he inherited after his Father’s death, he finds he cannot afford to throw off Miranda’s request.

They aren’t alone in their quest however, and some people are willing to go to drastic measures to get their hands on the coveted prize.

Secret’s of the Sonnets by Samantha Hastings is a beautifully written, engaging, and witty story. I loved Miranda’s frankness and ability to say whatever comes to her mind. I also admired Lord Hamilton’s ability to keep his good humour in the midst of the increasingly frustrating task of saving his family from their impending destitution when everyone else seemed to underestimate their situations urgency.

Hastings skillfully created depth and realism through the well-written, believable side characters that were as easy to relate to as the main characters. Although some liberties were taken in certain aspects of the history, I loved how much I learned about Shakespeare’s life and enjoyed the sonnet snippets included at the beginning of each chapter.

If you have an affinity for the classics, bookworms, and people who can have entire conversations by quoting lines from Shakespeare’s work, you are in for a treat.

Amazing read! I did not know what to expect- and it totally blew me away. Shakespeare, literature loving protagonists, loving families and a treasure hunt?! Yes please!! It was like the movie „National Treasure“ with Shakespeare instead of the Declaration of Independence and set in Regency England. Genius!

Our heroine Miranda Hatch is a true scholar and works with her father on writing a thesis on Shakespeare’s Sonnets. They hope to find original letters and while doing so they met Lord Robert Hamilton, Marquess of Marswoth who is on his own quest to save his crumbling estate.

I loved the journey of Robert. Samantha Hastings did a superbe job in describing his fears and trials. Miranda was a delight and I loved all scenes with her parents. The love this family had for each other was so tangible, again: splendidly done. The romance in this book was sweet, clean but at the same time sizzling. I highly recommend reading this wonderful story! 5/5

This was a lovely story. Full of Shakespeare. If you are a fan you will love this. I enjoyed the love story. I like that is was so sweet and you got to really feel and see them fall in love. I liked the danger elements of this were believable and not over the top.
This is a proper romance with some kisses. There is a bit of violence. No religion.

SECRET OF THE SONNETS is the first novel I have read by SAMANTHA HASTINGS and it most definitely will not be the last! Set in England during the Regency period, with diverse and interesting characters, it is a really delightful read and one I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical romance.
Miranda Hatch and her father are scholars who are particularly interested in researching Shakespeare. Miranda is not interested in marriage until she meets the good looking and friendly Lord Robert Hamilton, Marquess of Marsworth, who helps her with her search for Shakespeare’s signature, hoping that his share of the money obtained from the sale of this historical artifact will help him pay off his father’s debts and thus save his country estate. The other alternative would be to marry an heiress…..
I love the easy friendship between the Marquess and Miss Hatch, with her outspokenness, competitaveness, friendliness and quick wit, which really appeal to Robert, although he does not always understand the literary humour that passes between Miranda and her father. I also like to see the loving relationship between Mr and Mrs Hatch.
The author’s vast knowledge of Shakespeare and his sonnets provides a great foundation for the story.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

By all mean, Miranda Hatch is a spinster. At 26 years old, she is "on the shelf" and happy to be there. She is a Shakespeare scholar and that is exactly where her interest, enjoyment and love lie. Wanting nothing more than to be recognized in her own right as a scholar, she begins a search for Shakespeare manuscripts. Along the way, she also discovers something she was not looking for, love.

Lord Robert Hamilton is doing everything he can to keep his ancestral home and his family from poverty. But is is difficult to do with a mother who will not stop spending what little they have. The last thing he wants to to marry for money, but he may have no other choice. Then a letter comes from a mysterious sender, looking for a Shakespeare document in his possession. Hoping this search may help him avoid debtors prison and a marriage of convince, he agrees to help in the search. When it is discovered that the sender is Miss Hatch, he agrees to help her on her quest to find the documents and maybe love along the way.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters are well developed and engaging. The including of the Shakespeare sonnets makes for a wonderful addition. The authors writing style is engaging and interesting. I look forward to reading more of her works!

This is the first time I've read this author and I very much enjoyed her style. The story flowed very well and kept my interest, I finished the book within a couple of days. There were a couple of things I didn't love about the story, the heroine Miranda came off at time a little pretentious, and all of the Shakespeare quoting? Come on, who does that? I understand a quote here and there but to have so many back and forth quotes between characters was odd to me. Her family seemed so out of place for the time period. Children did not speak to their parents like Miranda did. They felt more "modern' to me.

I liked Robert, he was sweet and a good guy in a bad situation. His mother was a piece of work, honestly I wanted to slap her, selfish woman that she was. The two travelled around to find the documents and it was an nice little adventure. I loved how their adventure ended, it felt very real as if it could have really happened. And I enjoyed the conspiracy theory side of it. I didn't know there was so much intrigue around Shakespeare and his writings and I always enjoy stories where I feel like I learned something new.

Overall I enjoyed it, I will definitely look up more titles by this author and I recommend this as a quick easy read.

I received a copy of this from the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by Samantha Hastings and I was very happy with every single aspect of the story. I was impressed with the amount of research in this book, and absolutely loved all the Shakespeare quotes sprinkled throughout.
While I am certainly no expert on Shakespeare, I do love his various plays and sonnets; so it was wonderful to read a regency romance that included so much about one of the most famous writers in history. It truly was such a new and fun take on this genre and I loved every bit of it.
Miranda and Robert were fantastic main characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love with, faults and all. Their love story is so sweet and filled with fantastic chemistry. Plus Miranda is an absolute hoot and she definitely made me chuckle a few times while reading. And Robert is so dear, he’s honest and hardworking and just trying his best, I love him. Plus all the side characters made this story that much better either through comic relief or being great antagonists. I also found I either loved the characters in this book, or they ticked me off and I was frustrated/mad at them.
Filled with mystery, a bit of suspense, some action, and of course romance, this the perfect book to sweep you away on an adventure.
This is the perfect book for any regency romance lover, who is looking for something new and different not typically found in this well-loved genre.

I only found this book on Amazon but since it wasn't published yet I couldn't leave a review, plus I could not find it on my usual sites where I leave reviews so I left it on the few sites I could. Sorry I couldn't do more!!!

Review for Secret of the Sonnets by Samantha Hastings which will be released on January 3, 2023. I read this book In 2 days. I was drawn to it by the cover and the title, as I really love books written in the Regency Era, and I was not disappointed in this book! It was very interesting, flowed well, the characters were engaging and it was a fun read. It wasn't heart stopping or one of the best books I have ever read, but it was very interesting, and it kept my attention all the way through. I did like it a lot, but it didn't wow me so I would give it a 4 out of 5. Definitely glad I read it, and I will read the next book she gave a sneak peek at the end of this one. This is the first book I have read of this author, and I definitely read more from her.

This book takes place in 1812, in Winkfield, England, which is a real place about 25 miles from London, and begins with the character Miranda Hatch, who is a 26 year old scholar who is unmarried, and almost considered an old maid, but who finds her joy in researching and writing about Shakespeare more than finding a husband. She has written a few scholarly papers, but under a different name, but insists on establishing her own name amongst the literary society by locating manuscript by her favorite bard. Her search leads her to places that never seemed important to her before such as amongst the Ton of high society, and to people with whom she never had rubbed shoulders with before, nor really wanted to.

Miranda's search for the Shakepeare's manuscripts uncovers a name of an ancestor Lord Robert Hamilton, the current Marquess of Marsworth, who lives in her area, and who just may have a lead on the documents she is looking for.

Lord Robert's father has recently died, leaving him as the head of the family, caring for his dowager mother, and one unmarried sister, and a mountain of debts that could lead him to bankruptcy. He has already sold everything that is of any value, but his father's debts just keep rising!

As he is trying to figure out how to stay out of debtor's prison, he receives a note from M. Hatch stating that he may be in the possession of a document that has to do with William Shakespeare, and that could be worth enough money to save him by allowing him to pay back his father's debts. He finds out M. Hatch is actually Miss Miranda Hatch, and he decides to join her in the hunt for these manuscripts, and possibly save his livelihood!

So Miranda, Lord Robert, Miranda's father, who is also a scholar, and a Shakespeare expert, take on the quest of finding the old manuscripts, or anything that may be signed by William Shakespeare, because anything with his signature alone is worth thousands. Even though Lord Robert begins the hunt for reasons of money, he realizes that Miranda and her father's reasons for wanting to find the manuscripts go way deeper than just money, as they both have a love and respect for Shakespeare's works that he learns to understand better. So his reasons for helping find the manuscripts tend to change along the way, but I won't tell you how, as you should read the book to see what happens.

I didn't know a lot about Shakespeare, but I knew a little of his sonnets as I have read a lot of regency era fiction, and I learned a lot about him, and it made me curious to know more. The author included one sonnet per chapter, and I found that some of them I actually understood, and enjoyed! I also enjoyed this story, and it was a quick read, interesting, and I look forward to her next book!

Oh I do enjoy a female character with a quirky-for-the-time-period, passion for literature!

Miranda Hatch is a Shakespearean scholar, jilted by a previous boyfriend who stole her research, she's got no aspirations of entering the marriage mart. Lord Hamilton is drowning in debt and surprised to hear that he may have something of worth in his possession, that hasn't yet been sold - letters. As he and Miranda try to unravel the historical mystery, someone else seeks to do the same and they don't intend to share the findings.

I loved Miranda's endearing family, who contrast the drama in Lord Hamilton's. The mystery had me turning pages to find out how it would end - and whether their friendship would grow.

Clean historical romance written for general market.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

A wonderfully fun book
I thoroughly loved this book. Its characters are well developed with quick wits and fun verbal sparring. I simply didn’t want to stop reading. Miranda is intelligent, scholarly woman who has joined her father in not just studying but researching William Shakespeare. She and her father spend their days verbally and lovingly sparring using quotes from Shakespeare (don’t worry if your Shakespeare is not strong it will not affect the enjoyment of this book). With all of this sparring it is only natural that when Miranda is almost run over by a carriage, instead of cowering in fear, she addresses the driver and uses her quick wit to put him in his place. Robert, Marquess of Marsworth, is buried in debt left to him by his father and added to regularly by his mother and siblings. When he almost runs over a woman, he is very concerned but even more impressed with the young woman herself. Little did either realize that they would soon meet again and embark on a search to help both in their endeavors. This is absolutely a must read. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

It was a quick easy read and I enjoyed it enough. The premise was intriguing despite it falling short. His mother is a psycho and I didn’t like her but that’s the point.