Viola is drawn to Roland, the Earl of Baderston, but she wants him to prove his loyalty before she’ll wed him. However, things go much farther than she expects when the rumors she starts about herself get out of hand…

This is the third book in A Very Fine Muddle series, which are Regency romances about a very eccentric, unworldly family of debutantes. In my review of the second book I wondered how the author would pull off a heroine whose chief distinguishing feature thus far was an abiding love of ham (which to be frank I cannot stand). The answer: really very well.

Viola’s desired quality in a husband is steadfastness, and she decides to test if her suitor Roland will stand by her by spreading rumors about herself, which naturally get much more dramatic and ruinous as they make their way through society. I liked that in this book the hero as well as the heroine needs to mature, and how we got to see Viola come into her own and eventually even rescue Roland from the mess he gets himself into. They make a cute couple and I believed that they would work well together as a married pair too.

The book does start out a little slow, though. Viola and Roland’s first few meetings are a little messy and not always romantic, and while it made sense considering how much they built up the other person in their minds before truly meeting, it does make for some pretty intense secondhand embarrassment at times. However, once the story picked up momentum in the second half I was swept right along.

Oh my! Every time I come back to Kate Archer I am so entertained!! Maybe its because her stories bring back memories. I enjoy the crazy and whacky moments this family has and how the prospective husband's take it all in stride! Absolutely Adorable! The Earl and Viola are su h a match with his Cooper colored hair and her propensity for ham!!
I am reviewing this book in exchange for a free copy. However I would still buy it

This was an excellent and entertaining story! I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. There was enough action to keep me interested and I always enjoy a good love story that has some bumps in the road. I highly recommend reading this book!