4.5 Stars

I LOVE a good enemies-to-lovers novel, and this one certainly delivers in that aspect! Anna and Graham had me smiling and swooning and oh-no!'ing all throughout the book.

I absolutely adored the relationships between Graham's family and the main characters. The sisters each had their own distinctive personalities and his mother was a saint. 💛

I also loved that both characters visibly grew throughout the novel. They didn't just fall in love, but they genuinely grew up and matured through that love. It made my little reader heart so happy.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book for fans of the genre!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.

A captivating Regency romance that balances drama, and historical detail. I loved the banter and chemistry between Anna and Graham, and the story beautifully captures the essence of the era.
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Great romance. Loved the setting. Such an enjoyable story and the plot was very interesting. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy, all opinions are my own.

Highcliffe House by Megan Walker is a delightful Regency romance set in the seaside town of Brighton, England, in 1813. The novel follows Anna Lane, a once-spoiled heiress, and Graham Everett, a self-made man whose financial future depends on a business deal with Anna’s father. Initially at odds, Anna and Graham find themselves thrown together in Brighton, where Anna must decide on her father’s investment. Through witty banter, misunderstandings, and personal growth, the two enemies discover an unexpected attraction and ultimately fall in love. Walker crafts a compelling narrative filled with humor and heart, showcasing the transformative power of love. The vivid setting and well-developed characters, including Graham’s endearing family, add depth to the story. Though the transition from animosity to love might feel sudden, the novel remains a charming and satisfying read, perfect for fans of historical romance.

I really enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers historical clean romance but for one glaring thing, hence the lower rating. The first half was really good but as their relationship changed, so too did the writing of it. Graham and Anna were constantly having absurd internal commentary on how the other looked, or smelled, or how they were feeling, or generally being melodramatic and silly. I rolled my eyes or cringed a lot and that's not how I want to feel.

But I liked the characters and their growth, the romance was sweet and fun (when it wasn't silly), and I loved Graham's family and their relationships with each other and Anna. I also appreciated that the slightly contrived drama was resolved quickly and didn't cause long-lasting tension between characters.

As a note, this is a little more on the spicy side, for the Proper Romance titles. The kisses are more passionate, more desires are vocalized, and there's more bodily touching/grazing/etc.

Enemy to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. I enjoy watching the characters realize that first impressions are not always right. In this story, Graham is sure that the stuck up Anna is nothing more than a spoiled brat. While she does act that way in the beginning, we quickly see the true Anna shining thru. Neither are thrilled with the prospect of a journey together, but neither can refuse.
I really liked the dual POV writing. So often I find myself wondering what the hero is thinking in a setting and in Highcliffe House we get to find out! The switch from enemy to friend to more was a fun and engaging read. This isn't a love at first sight happily ever after read. The relationship has arguments, misunderstandings and then communication & forgiveness. A sweet read for a great summer afternoon.

Anna and Graham are just simply delightful. And I cared about both characters which doesn’t always happen. The arc of Anna developed in such a beautiful way and Graham’s clueless guy thoughts made me laugh and melt as he tried to j deter and how to take care of his responsibilities and convince Anna the winder of the area. So well done. This author had me in the palm of her hand and thoroughly convinced me that I need to walk along these shores.

This was a lovely, regency romance. Clean, sweet, closed door, but still totally swoony. I love this author and always look forward to what she writes next. I enjoyed the sweet relationship between the male lead and his little sister and how family was an important thread woven into the story. Definitely recommend for anyone who likes a historical romance!

ah my goodness, I absolutely adore 'Highcliffe House'!!!! the misunderstanding, the pinning, the aaaagony, the slow burn, just makes this book one of my favourite this year!
Both characters are both fantastic people that have their own flaws but ahhhhhhhh, just such a lovely read with depth and quality character building.

This was such a lovely book. I loved the constant banter and struggle between Anna and Graham. Megan Walker did a fabulous job keeping my interest and reading all day to finish.

A mostly clean Regency romance (some drinking and innuendo) that was an enjoyable read. I admit I am not much for the enemies-to-lovers trope, but the writing and the characters got me to hang in until the plot resolution.

This was a sweet enemies to lovers' story or maybe more appropriately a misunderstanding trope. These two are drawn to each other, yet hate each other at the same time. I enjoyed Anna and Graham's story and watching them get to know the real person they each kept hidden. They were wonderful characters, and Graham's family was wonderful as well. I would love it if they got their own stories.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, and this is my honest review.

I loved this book, the growth in the characters, the laughter woven into the genuine plot.

Megan Walker wrote the enemies to lovers tension with fabulous banter and strong characters that grew but stayed consistent to who they are.

The relationships on every level were deep and powerful and held growth.

I loved the mature conversations combined with their emotional vulnerability and the tension but lack of drama.

It was incredibly well written. And I highly recommend it!

The cover of this book is so serene, I was not prepared for the tumultuous dynamics at play between Anna and Graham! There are reasons they begin as enemies, and I was happy to see the character growth as they overcome those complications and learn to develop confidence and grasp happiness in spite of their circumstances. It takes time for Anna and Graham to release their prejudices and come to know each other under the layers of self-preservation, and discover the attraction and esteem they share. Removing to a different location is pivotal in their process, as it takes Anna out of her comfort zone and allows her to observe Graham in his home setting. Graham's family was lovely and I enjoyed the different personalities of his sisters. His backstory reminds me a bit of Mr. Thorton in North & South- a man who has pulled himself and his family out of poverty and into affluence, yet subject to the whims of investments and the inherent risks. There is much to admire in him and his work ethic, yet Anna helps him to see that love and family are truly important. Anna craves attention from her loving father to feel secure in her world, one where a woman's reputation is easily fractured. Graham's influence as well as his family develop her trust in others and opens her vision to a brighter future. I loved the deep feelings and wonderful chemistry in this book!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Rivals, enemies, definitely not friends or confidants...or so they thought. Graham and Anna, a pair of unlikely people who end up deciding if they are willing to invest in each other as well as what life is throwing at them. I love how not only are they learning about each other, but they are learning about themselves. The greatest stories are ones in which you can imagine yourself as a character or bystander and this novel definitely has that. It is funny and heartwarming, cleaver and so well written. There were times I highlighted texts purely for the creativity of the phrase. Thank you Megan for you time and dedication, this is truly a story I will come back to time and again.

Clean Romance
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Favorite quotes : (There were a LOT of them...sorry not sorry ;)
“The woman is poison.”

“She was like fire: unrestrained and scalding if you got too close. but just like fire, she was captivating”

“Some unexplainable part of me loved to watch her temper ignite.”

“We are who we are. I grow tired of running from the truth. We cannot change the past nor alter who we have become because of it. we must embrace it.”

“Needed is different than wanted. And you happen to be both.”

“I wanted a partner. Someone who prioritized me without fail. Someone who understood me and loved me despite the lashing of my tongue on occasion, whose very days and hours were spent building a life that reflected the love we felt for each other.”

“I’d been so focused I'd nearly missed her. the most incredible woman. I’d lost myself, and somehow she’d found me.”

“But all evening I'd wanted only Anna, Anna's attention, Anna's smile, Anna's hand in mine.”

“Just us, then.”
“Just us.”

“He's trying to catch something all right.”

"We should have lost ourselves ages ago.”

“Am I interrupting your thoughts?...“You are my thoughts.”

Anna Lane is embarrassed and heartbroken after a broken relationship. All she wants to do is for her father to take her far from London and reunite with him far away from the glaring eyes and gossip of society.

Graham Everett’s has struggled to support his mother and two sisters since his father abandoned them. Graham is a dear friend and a business partner of Mr. Lane, Anna’s father. He comes to Mr. Lane with a business proposition that will finally give him financial independence. However, this proposition will again take Mr. Lane away from Anna. The relationship with Graham and Anna is very strained because she resents the time Graham spends with her father. Mr. Lane decides that if Graham can convince Anna that this is a worthwhile investment, he will take her advice. Therefore, Anna must accompany Graham to Brighton and then report to her father whether this is a sound investment.

During Anna’s time in Brighton, she meets Grahams family, and I will say, the family is charming. This is a story about relationships not only between Anna and Graham, but also her father, Graham’s family, and the villagers of Brighton. It was a delightful story and I highly recommend it.

This was my first novel from Megan Walker and it did not disappoint. I got it as a "wish" on NetGalley and I could not be happier!

The characters were so multilayered. It was so intentional on the part of the author to give both of the MCs an a-ha moment when the things they thought they knew about one another turned out to be incomplete. When they realize that there is slowly a friendship and then attraction...holy moly. They so quickly realize how the other is what they have always been looking for.

Anna does initially come off really spoiled, and I think she is, but she has an independent streak. Her father has given her room to be herself, but she also has such a dependence on her father that when things begin to change, she spirals. Graham is who brings her the perspective that she needs, even if she doesn't want to own it at first. I'm impressed with how quickly she is able to be honest with herself and adjust course accordingly.

The character that really elevates this book, IMO, is Mr. Lane. His relationship both with his daughter, Anna, and his protege, Graham, really adds another layer of tension. They both desperately need him in their lives, but neither recognizes his value to the other. Even though he commits a faux paux of his own, he still is the voice of reason in the story (Mrs. Everett, Graham's mom, also has her moments of clarity as well).

I'm officially a fan and I cannot wait to check out more of Megan's work in the future.

Dear Megan,
I adored this book with every part of my soul. I could not get enough. I was hooked, absolutely enthralled, and when forced to put the book down, all my conscious energy was on Graham and Anna and what would happen next. Was it fair to my family that dinner that was late and subpar because of this lack of focus on anything besides your fictional characters? Nah. It builds character in my children. I don’t think they’re permanently scarred from it or anything.
But I digress. I am obsessed with this book! I loved Anna’s relationship with her father and her desire to do the right things by him. I really loved how much she fought for that relationship, even against Graham, as she saw him as a threat to that relationship. I thought it was sweet, even if she was wrong in the direction of her ire.
Graham is such a good character. His work ethic and desire to take care of his mother and sisters was so endearing. I loved how he served his mother, but also took her advice and included her in their situation. She wasn’t left in the dark, and I respect him for that.
The enemies to lovers dynamic of this one was spot on! The banter and the pranks were perfect, but your characters were also capable of maturity and thoughtfulness. Both of them had wonderful character arcs, and their relationship arc was *chef’s kiss* perfection! The setting of Brighton was lovely; I almost felt as though I were in the seaside town myself.
Graham’s family were the absolute best. I adored his sisters, and especially loved how Tabitha took to Anna. And the way they swooped in to help Graham in the end? So tender. Oh, and your resolution in the end was brilliant. Absolute genius.
Really, I was already a committed fan of your writing, but you’ve only solidified it with this absolute perfection. I loved it with my whole soul. I think I’ll have to reread, because I’m missing this world already. So I’ll sign off, set in the direction of some more time spent with Anna and Graham.
All my love,
Jessica

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I loved dual narration! This is the first time I’ve listened to a book published by Shadow Mountain that had dual narration, and I am a big fan! I vote to keep using that, because it really brings the book alive! The narrators chosen were perfect for the roles. Graham’s voice will always be this narrator’s in my mind now and I am not sad about that one bit. I’m a fan!

**Many thanks to the author for the book. A positive review was not required. All thoughts are my own.

BOOK REVIEW - Highcliffe House - Megan Walker - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
I don't think I can adequately describe how much I loved this story! This story is the book definition of my comfort food, intensely satisfying, just what I needed and will happily reread later. I simply enjoyed it all the way through without having to pause and analyze whether I liked it or what rating I'd give it at the end. Easy 5 Stars. You'll love just Anna and Graham! This is how an enemies to lovers trope should be done, no screaming matches or continuous anger, just faulty misconceptions about each other that was eventually resolved in a mature way. That was one of the things that struck me as I read this, how maturely they both resolved conflict (except maybe the first chapter or two lol), I was like yes! proper adults!

THE ROMANCE
Bring a fan for this one, people! The build up is the most delightful torture ever but sooo worth the wait! Because when that kiss comes, phew *waving a fan*! Special shout out to the fishing trip, who knew fishing could be so romantic.

THE TRUTHS
This story was a lesson in communication. For years Anna and Graham have disliked each other simply because they never talked and instead allowed anger and misconceptions to build. I fully expected a third act break up but there wasn't one because instead of getting angry, they talked (mostly 😉) their problems out. As the Bible wisey states, don't let the sun go down on your anger, talk it out to avoid hurt and anger building.

I loved this book so much!! The first chapter or two took me a minute to settle in but then I couldn’t put it down!

I loved the history of the characters having known and disliked each other for years. Then being thrown together for a week. I absolutely loved her building relationships with his family over the week and getting to know him in a new light. I adore how much he cares for his family and the effort he puts into caring for them.

This book was just pure perfection! I loved every part of it!