This book took me a bit to get into, but once I did I could NOT put it down. Megan Walker did a fantastic job with this enemies to lovers story.
That fine line between hate and love was precariously balanced by both Anne and Graham, it was truly entertaining and enjoyable to read about them going from one to the other. I mean, there were times I even questioned if they could move past their hate for each other, but don’t worry, it all works out. The banter between these two was *chef’s kiss* perfection and helped build swoony tension. The way they changed for the better and put aside preconceived beliefs was delightful. I truly felt like these two were able to grow and mature throughout this book.
I do have to say that the family members in this story made it even more enjoyable. The dedication and loyalty the MCs feel towards their families was endearing and realistic. Secretly hoping we’ll get Tabs and Ginny’s stories one day.
And let me just say, I am SO glad there wasn’t a huge and dramatic third act breakup. It was so refreshing to have characters that dealt with their feelings and circumstances like mature adults and not point fingers and give up.
Overall, even though it took me a bit to really get into this book, I really did love it and highly recommend it for anyone who loves good and clean regency romance.

Book Review for Highcliffe House by Megan Walker
Genre: Historical Romance; Regency

Anna, when a romantic entanglement leaves her feeling humiliated and rejected, wants nothing else than her father to herself and for him to take her away from the gossipy ton. However, her father is a busy man and must leave to attend to business elsewhere, or so she thought.    Graham Everett relies on investments and investment partners, Anna's father being one of them. So when he proposes an investment in Brighton to Mr. Lane, he sends Anna to Brighton with Graham to check it out. Little does he know of their quarrels and endless arguments over the past few years, constantly vying for her father's attention. So she goes with hesitation and he allows her to stay at his seaside manor while she makes her report and decides whether Brighton is worth investing in.

What I loved:
Enemies to Lovers
Dual POV
Forced Proximity
A seaside manor: so romantic
The beach and what he does to her there
The library
Graham's wet shirt
Awwww Tabitha-I love little girls in books
the Sea monster
Goat cheese
Fishing trip
That kiss!

Highcliffe House and all of Megan Walker's books are definitely some of my new favorites. I loved everything about this one. The enemies-to-lovers aspect was so perfect. Their banter and scornful looks they gave each other were hilarious and entertaining. I loved the forced proximity in a large manor by the sea; what can be more romantic than that? It lends itself to picnics, wet clothing, and fun where no where else can provide. I love it when one of the main characters has a little girl relation because it lends the book to having light-hearted and fun moments. Their dual point of view was exquisite and so perfectly done; I loved reading both sides of the story- he seeing her and she seeing him, whether with disdain or not.  And let's not forget that kiss! One of my favorite kisses for sure!

I was given a free ebook from netgalley by the publisher in exchange for my opinion. These opinions are my own.

CW/TW may contain spoilers....
CW: kissing only
TW: loss of income

If you’re in the mood for a charming and heartwarming “summer” read, “Highcliffe House” by Megan Walker is a must-read. This beautifully crafted historical fiction is infused with a delightful romance that will have you falling in love with the characters from the very first page. The author’s skillful narrative weaves together the story of Graham and Anna, initially portrayed as rivals, whose evolving relationship feels organic and authentic. The dual perspective allows readers to intimately know both characters, witnessing their growth and the blossoming of their connection. The interplay of banter and tender moments adds depth to their romance, while the simmering tension keeps you eagerly turning the pages. What sets “Highcliffe House” apart is its mature handling of conflicts and emphasis on communication and care over unnecessary drama. The author’s portrayal of familial bonds, particularly Graham’s devotion to his mother and sisters, and Anna’s relationship with her father, adds richness to the story. The setting of Brighton, the coastal town, adds to the romantic atmosphere, making “Highcliffe House” a captivating and highly recommended read for lovers of historical romance. If you’re looking for a sweet and romantic escape this summer, “Highcliffe House” is the perfect book for you. The writing is brilliant, and the characters are lovable and relatable. So grab a copy, get cozy, and let yourself be transported to the world of “Highcliffe House.”

***Many Thanks to the Author #MeganWalker, Publisher #shadowmountainpublishing and #NetGallery for the advanced copy of the book.

I CAN'T EVEN!!!! I am utterly besotted!! One of my new absolute favorite Regency romances!!!

Anna has long detested her father's business associate Graham for always taking up so much of her father's time.

But when her father asks her to spend a week at Graham's estate to decide if an investment is worthwhile or not, she agrees. Even though Graham is the last person she wants to spend time with, it means she can escape the London gossip.

Graham has no idea how he is going to convince the spoiled, haughty Anna to recommend his investment idea. And he only has a week to do it.

Away from London and at the beautiful seaside, Graham and Anna realize they may have misjudged each other. But is a week at Highcliffe House long enough for them to change their hearts?

What you’ll love:
Regency era
Enemies to lovers
Seaside setting
Dual POV
Forced proximity
So much chemistry
Found family vibes
Fishing
Graham's family
The Assembly
Flirty, witty banter
The kiss!!!!!
The entire ending and epilogue

Megan Walker just blew the enemies to lovers trope out of the water!

There was a compelling and believable reason that they did not like each other, and the pacing and transition from enemies to lovers was done perfectly. There was so much chemistry and attraction, witty banter, lots of forced proximity, and oh my, some melt-your-heart romantic moments that had me reaching for my smelling salts because I legit thought I was going to SWOON.

All I wanted to do when I finished it was pick it back up and start right over at the beginning. I only wish I could experience it again for the first time!!

Anna and Graham's story is what Regency romance dreams are made of and it deserves all the hearts and stars and love! This one has earned a spot on my favorites shelf and I can guarantee it will not be gathering dust. Ever.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

When Anna Lane's romantic woes leave her wanting out of London as soon as possible, she is frustrated when her father is distracted by his friend Graham Everett. Tasked with a joint venture to Brighton, Anna and Graham clash until they realize that despite the years, they know little about each other. Will understanding bring them closer together, or will their differences pull them apart?

Enemies to lovers is not a trope I like. In a case like this, I really didn’t understand why they were enemies. All they had to do, especially Anna, was have a conversation. So the first half of the book was difficult to read because I found them both frustrating. And then once they get over themselves, there was so little time for them to get to know each other, let alone to fall in love. A week was hardly enough time for me to believe they actually loved each other.

Overall, it was a sweet read. I enjoyed Graham’s family, and they were probably my favorite part of the book. I would recommend this to readers looking for a clean historical read.

Y’all. I simply adored this book. I adored every moment of it. It was sweet, it was fun, and it was oh, so swoony!!

Anna and Graham despise each other. Their relationship starts as true enemies. Of course, the only thing to do is force them to spend a week together. For different purposes, both Anna and Graham have to put aside their misunderstandings and judgments about each other. When they do, they’ll realize that maybe they don’t hate each other after all.

I loved so much about this book. The seaside setting was so refreshing. So many scenes earned a permanent spot in my memory: “This is for the goat cheese”, the alphabet game, the waltz!!, boat fishing. Anna and Graham have great chemistry and their banter/teasing had me giggling throughout. There was also a stand-out side character who stole the show in some scenes!

I read this book with a smile on my face! Highly recommend y’all put this one on your TBR!

📖
🔥 Kissing
🤬 none
❓none

*I received an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This is an enjoyable, fast read, with one of my favorite tropes - enemies to lovers. I felt for both Anna and Graham as they were both very much misunderstood by the other, causing most of the negative feelings they held towards one another. As is typical in these types of books, there was miscommunication, but it wasn't so blatant and easily avoided that it drove me nuts, which I really appreciated.

The story flowed well, and the author did a great job bringing each of the characters to life. I highly recommend this book.

What a sweet and endearing story. Though I don't mean to say a syrupy or cheesy sweet. I'd say it's a story about two people with, their private challenges, at crossed purposes that learn to see beyond the surface to appreciate the other. I enjoyed the moments each came to really see the other person. Great tender scenes as they fell in love. Definetly some humor sprinkled in. Overall, a good read for someone who just enjoys a pure romance story with low tension. I thought the flow of the story was good. I loved the sisters. I thought the conversation and interactions between the main characters was done well. Good writing!
fyi: clean, no innuendo, descriptive kissing scenes, fade out intimacy, language
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of the book. Opinions are 100% my own*

Oh I loved this book. I loved anna and graham, individually and together. My heart broke for anna early on. And then graham. I felt loyal to them both. This book had me laughing as often as it had me sighing and wincing - it felt like I’d highlighted/reacted to/noted and bookmarked every other page. Megan Walker gets every emotion exactly right, and it’s so exquisitely written that I can’t wait to go back and experience it again.

Reasons to read:
- Rivals to Lovers
- Fun Banter
- Family/home themes
- Coastal Brighton Setting
- Realistic third-act dilemma
- Regency Romance

My Thoughts:
A sweet romance featuring long-standing rivals, a coastal town, and high stakes, Highcliff House was a wonderfully written historical fiction, perfect for the Summer.

Walker did a great job in establishing the stakes for both Graham and Anna as rivals. I could see the reasons fueling their determination and why their initial dislike of each other was so intense. Their relationship developed at a quick pace, but the shift from loathing to love did make sense to me and did not feel rushed. The attraction was there from the beginning (no matter how passionately they denied it), and the chemistry between them sparked as Graham and Anna began to see each other as people, rather than rivals. I enjoyed the romance and found myself fully invested in their happy ending.

The secondary characters also added to the plot and enjoyment of the overall story. Family is a central theme of this novel. The love Graham had for his mother and sisters was the driving force behind his work ethic and character. He was a noble leading man, and it was easy to see why Anna stood no chance once she saw this during her stay at Highcliff house. I also enjoyed the loving relationship Anna had with her Father, who was a good friend and mentor to Graham. The dynamic between the three was always familiar in tone, but by the end of the story felt organic and seamless. The booming coastal scene of Brighton made for a wonderful backdrop for this story. I could easily picture Highcliff House and its residents, the sea, and the summer scenes described.

The writing in this novel was brilliant, and I was truly impressed at how the situations, choices, and consequences shown were entirely believable and true to character. This is one I feel comfortable recommending to any audience for a sweet and romantic reading experience.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭:
Clean Romance (kissing only)
Trigger warning: paternal abandonment

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Megan Walker just keeps cementing herself as one of my absolute favorite regency authors with every book she publishes. I loved Anna and Graham individually and as a couple. I totally got where both of them were coming from as far as why they didn’t like each other to begin with, but I LOVED when they started to give each other a chance. I cheered Anna on for being brave enough to express her feeling and wants and was SO HAPPY that there wasn’t any miscommunication trope and that the characters didn’t let pride stand too much in their way to each other. Cherry on top was the break away from 90% of regency novels, which usually feature the peerage. Neither Anna nor Graham were titled. I can’t wait to see what Megan writes next!

I really enjoyed this cute enemies to lovers regency romance! I really liked the storyline and the character development as well.

Mr. Graham Everett not only relies on Mr. Lane for advice and investment money, he also counts him as a friend and father figure. Ms. Anna Lane hates that Mr. Everett is constantly stealing her father away from her. She wishes she could get Mr. Everett to go away for good. When circumstances come about for just this possibility, she takes the chance that things just might work out for her after all.

Give this book a read!

Enemies to love is not my favorite trope in general but this one was well done. These two really dislike each other but I think that the strength of emotions tend to have the same strength in the opposite emotion when given a chance. In this case, Anna and Graham are thrust together for a week enabling them to see each other in a different setting and thus in a new light. Once they could see each other in that different light, I found their change of heart to be completely believable. They had never seen playfulness in each other before this opportunity and once it was there, they became pretty adorable. Also, making this more believable is that they have actually known each other for three years. They had not been a positive three years but nevertheless they didn't fall in love after knowing each other for just days. Those three years were filled with willful misunderstanding. That is why the new setting allowed them to begin to see truths they would not have seen under normal circumstances.
I loved both of their families. They are supportive and loving. The youngest sister is a hoot. Talk about your quirky character. I loved her. And really, I think it may be her that initially broke the ice between Anna and Graham. And her continued presence helped them along.
I really liked all the characters in the story, excepting the ones we are not supposed to like of course. And the setting for the book is delightful as well. I've not been to Brighton before but would love to make that trip sometime.
Overall, I found this story to be enjoyable and lovely and sweet.

Potential trigger: parental abandonment
No sex, language or violence

I am a huge fan of Megan Walker's books, and this one was SO good! Anna is such a smart, feisty character. Graham is such a caring, independent, and hard-working man. I love his fierce desire to support his family. If was so fun to watch them go from enemies to lovers. Their banter was so delightful to witness!

I also loved the change of scenery and the look at life in Brighton. I definitely think that if I had been around in the Regency days, I would have liked to live in Brighton! It seemed a calmer, more peaceful pace than London!

I recommend this one to anyone who loves a clean Regency romance!

Thank you to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Megan Walker for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I am not a huge Regency romance girl, but Megan Walker books have my heart & Highcliffe House is no different. The bestttttt enemies to lovers with the most fun banter and realization they are falling in love. I adored this one & can not say enough good things about it - pick it up, you won't regret it!!

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

I liked this book. You can see two different perceptions and perspectives and how they clash. You felt for both Graham and Anna at the same time even though both of them were on opposite ends of the conflict. And conflict comes when the full picture is not seen or understood. I wish her father would have come clean with her before she set off on this journey with Graham and further hurts could have been avoided. At the heart of each relationship needs to be honesty and clarity. When there is none then tangled webs of lies and deceit erode any relationship.

I liked how the story progressed. I loved how each of them humbled themselves and came to see the other’s point of view.

I struggled with Anna more than Graham and thus it was easy for me to set it down and go and do other stuff and then come back to the book. This wasn’t a read the complete book in one sitting type of book.
And it reminded me of the most precious book she had just written. Poor man meets rich girl. There are some misunderstandings but they find a lot in common and have some flirty banter that turns to love. And they overcome their different status’s and problems to be together. Kind of cliche. But, it was still an enjoyable read. I like how this author writes. She develops relationships very well with actual fun filled dates (for their time) activities they do together. I really like that.

LOVED IT.

Goodness this was such a lovely book. I needed a read like this. I loved how this enemies/rivals to lovers was portrayed and thank heavens for dual POV. I loved getting to know both Graham and Anna. Slowly watching their realizations and misconceptions about each other were wrong and finding that long standing connection between them turn into love was all sorts of romantic.

I adored the banter and the tender moments woven throughout the story. This book was full of heat and the simmering tension had me begging for them to kiss already. I loved the longing glances and tiny touches.

What I loved all the more was that anytime I thought that things were going to turn in a direction I wouldn’t love, communication and care showed itself. I LOVE how the conflicts were handled. There’s arguments and trouble, but also forgiveness and appreciation. Megan Walker continues to be one of my favorite historical romance authors.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

Highcliffe House was a sweet story of a enemies to lovers romance. It was well written and well paced out, and I really appreciate that it didn't have any plot lines that usually drive me crazy (problems that could be solved if they would just talk to each other, for example). It was primarily set in Brighton England where the main characters, Anna and Graham were forced to work together by her father and finally began to actually see each other for who they really were instead of their initial prejudices that they had held onto for years. Overall I would recommend this to anyone who loves a nice, clean romance novel!

I have read another book by this author and was looking forward to reading this one. Once again, Megan Walker has delivered a witty and swoony enemies to lovers story. She has crafted a story about a man and a woman whose first impressions have lead to a three years long feud between them. But one week together will open their eyes to each others true natures. The story was well written and engaging. The setting in Brighton was magical and the author did a great job describing the town and people there. The ending was in a word, perfection. A wonderful addition to the Proper Romance Collection!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!

All the stars in all the land. The cover is stunning and I'm obsessed with this book. Enemies to lovers, sign me up.