Oscar Flint is a proficient gambler. He secretly searches for the father who had abandoned him and his mother. Oscar joins a high-staked game only to lose to a mysterious woman marauding as a man. He remembers the story the vixen told him about a long-lost viscount, and he decides to play the part. Now Oscar must deal with three hostile aunts, an ailing grandmother, and the lovely woman who bested him at cards. Does Dunnelocke Abbey hold a clue to Oscar’s ancestry?
Miss Honoria Hartley is the second daughter of a baron. She uses her betrothal to keep determined suitors at bay. Honoria intends to live her life freely without a husband. She encounters Oscar one night in Paris after trouncing him in a card game. The blasted man comes to her hamlet and assumes the identity of her long-lost betrothed. Can Honoria outwit Oscar at his own game? Or will she unwittingly lose her heart to handsome gambler? And what about her betrothal to Vandemere?
Oscar could be labeled as an ‘honest thief’. I admire how he never went against his principals. Oscar only stole from those who deserve it (aristocrats or merchants who mistreat others, etc). His gambling and thievery were for survival, not greed. I like how his childhood did not turn him into a heartless monster. Oscar still maintained a sense of humanity.
Honoria is a fun character. I like that she is not vain or stuck on herself. Honoria knows that she is beautiful. She uses it and her other assets in a good way. I love her interactions with Oscar. He never once treated her like other men did. Honoria found that she could be herself around him.
THE TROUBLE WITH INVENTING A VISCOUNT is the second book in Vivienne Lorret’s historical romance series, THE LIAR’S CLUB. This is my second foray with this author’s works. I enjoyed the first book immensely. It made me anticipate the next installment! Boy, oh boy, did this story meet my expectations. I love the Hartley family’s eccentricity. They are not your average regency-era aristocratic family. Magnus and Verity do make an appearance in the story. I like how not all their problems were solved in the prior book.
I wonder which Hartley is next. Truman? Or Thea? And what type of person they will be paired with. I still hope (crossing my fingers here) that Ms Lorret will consider writing a book for Rowan and Anna.

Vibes: cat and mouse, con artistry, heroine stomping her foot and going "ERRRGH" while the hero smirks

Heat Index: 6/10

Honoria Hartley doesn't want to marry--and that doesn't seem to be an issue, as she's been betrothed since childhood to the long-lost Viscount Vandemere. The last thing she expects is Vandemere showing up on her dootstep; and it's much worse than that. The man claiming to be the viscount is Oscar Flint, a con artist Honoria had a run-in with a year before (she probably shouldn't have told him about the missing viscount). She's determined to avoid marrying him--he's determined to pull off a con with his life on the line. Now, if they can only stop kissing...

One of the best things about Vivienne Lorret is her sense of humor as a writer, and this book is a perfect example of that. From the very beginning, you have this snarky interplay between the truly bratty (in the best way) and headstrong Honoria and the very smarmy yet very charming Oscar. It feels kind of like a screwball comedy, with the two of them--especially Honoria--going to increasingly ridiculous lengths to one-up each other. I'm talking like... disguises. Eyepatches. Honoria comes from a theatrical family, and Lorret takes full advantage of that.

It is a little cluttered at points, if I'm being honest--we have not only Honoria and Oscar falling in love and digging at each other, but an entire family attempting to get rid of Oscar. However, there's such a charming chemistry between the two of them--and so many hilarious moments--I could forgive a little plot lagging here and there. I wouldn't call this enemies to lovers, but it's definitely rivals to lovers, and if you're down with that... this is for you.

Quick Takes:

--I'm so used to romance novels starring plain heroines or heroines who are pretty and just don't realize it... Honoria is super pretty and very much realizes it. Oscar first meets her in total disguise (Honoria loves a disguise) and his dismay at realizing that she is in fact, just as pretty as she claimed to be, is excellent content. If only she wasn't hot!

Genuinely, the characterization of Oscar and Honoria is the best part of the book. They're both kind of disasters, and they act absolutely ridiculous over each other. It's just a lot of fun.

--At the same time, the stakes are fairly high. Lorret balances that tone with her turn of phrase, but she doesn't totally abandon the touches of darkness the plot necessitates. I mean, there is very much an executioner's bland hanging over Oscar's neck for a lot of this book. But he's so wry and clever that you don't always remember that. It's not a bad thing--the opposite, actually.

--It's honestly kind of nice to see a plot that's really zany, even if I think the pacing between the lovers could've been a bit faster. This reminds me a little of older historicals. You definitely feel the big swings coming, and I appreciate that.

--I love the Hartley family. So fun to read a historical in which the parents are into each other and the mom in particular is such a romantic. A romantic who wants her daughter to realize how important it is to get yours!

--I can't get into one thread that I was excited about... which turn out to not be that. It did make me wish that we saw more historical heroines who aren't particularly into the idea of having babies.

The Sex:

There are about 3.5-ish sex scenes, two of which sort of run into each other. They're all well-done and hot, though I think we definitely could've gotten a little more creative. But in my opinion, the hottest scene of the book is actually a RIDICULOUS picnic that has some of the most insane erotic eating content I've ever read. I was laughing, but at the same it was like... YES?

A con artist romcom is always fun, and this is no exception. Pick it up when you're in the mood for a romp, especially if you like the idea of heroines just! Not! Wanting! To admit! They're into someone!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my won.

I've been loving this series from Vivienne Lorret. After reading and loving the first book in the series I was so excited to read this one. This book focuses on Honoria and the viscount she made up as he betrothed and what happens when said viscount shows up on her doorstep. This book was a lot of fun and Honoria and Oscar have so much chemistry and are so well matched. They're both very sneaky and determined to get what they want and that puts them at odds at first but once they are on the same side, their chemistry is off the charts! I really loved the relationship between these two and their push and pull was so great.
One criticism I have is that the plot with the viscount being fake or not fake was a little convoluted. It took me several chapters to unravel what was going on and even after I did it all just seemed overly complicated for no reason at all except that Lorret wanted a very specific ending for the hero. (i'll not say what because: spoilers) I know that particular trope is a staple of the genre but I almost wish she hadn't done it. It overcomplicated the plot and I think Honoria and Oscar as characters would have been just fine without this development.

After reading (and loving ❤️) the first book in this series, It Had to Be a Duke, I knew the second I saw this title and cover that I wanted to read it. After reading the synopsis, I was sold. After being fortunate enough to read an early copy of this, I started it immediately and was pulled right in.

Reading thoughts -
*This second book in the series is making me wish for a book about Roxana and Con’s story 😍
*The slow burn is manageable but nice
*I was enjoying my reading time with this - the longing that peeked through during the falling (on chap 22 (62%) currently and there’ve been some kisses and innuendo laden remarks - feelings are really simmering
*the Hartley family ❤️

I officially enjoyed this - The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount was a very fun read of a series I recommend - great escapist romance.



Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC

It all started with a game of cards that turned into forever. Oscar is a swindler that has a debt to pay but Honoria comes in a disrupts his plans. Oscar tracks Honoria back to her town. Their fake courtship begins but it slowly turns real
Oscar is an amazing character. So full of humor and life. Honoria is his match.
I love all the ups and downs that they had to get to their happiness.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a historical romance which continues to follow the Hartley family, featuring middle daughter Honoria and conman Oscar.

While I suppose technically this could be read as a standalone book, I honestly would suggest reading the first book in the series. I personally paused reading about 25% of the way through to go back and read book one first and from there had a significantly better experience reading this book, which picks up directly after the events of the first one.

Honoria has been betrothed to Viscount Vandemere since childhood, but no one knows where he is. In order to dissuade her parents from matching her up with other suitors, Honoria invents a fictitious relationship with this Viscount. Meanwhile, conman Oscar Flint is running from some trouble and after meeting Honoria decides that there's no better place to hide than in another persona. They're the only ones that know he's not truly Viscount Vandemere, but must pretend to be betrothed to keep both their secrets. As long as they don't fall in love, what could go wrong?

This was a cute story that gives exactly what you want when picking up a historical romance. With an interesting and funny main family, steamy scenes, and fun characters, what's not to love?

I'll absolutely be continuing this series!

This was almost as good as the first book. I still loved everything about it, though. Honoria and Oscar were fantastic together. Their little “games”, their banter, and I loved how they saw through each other. I loved how Honoria kept saying she wanted to murder Oscar, both of them had a great sense of humor. The sense of family was heartwarming. The Hartley family are unique, but they have so much love for each other. I’m absolutely loving this new series by Vivienne.

It’s just not hitting i’m sorry, it just felt so bland and too close to bridgerton. It kinda feels like a reworked fan fic in some parts which i don’t know if that was the intention orrr

A delightful romp through gaming hells and ballrooms of Regency London, two strangers unite to further their own gains. Will they fall in love with each other or drive each other to distraction? The Trouble With Inventing a Viscount is hilarious, heartwarming, and fast paced. If you like strong willed HEA, you'll love this book.