A Proper Facade is book four in the Proper Scandals series by Esther Hatch. Although I was able to read this book without reading the previous books in the series, I believe readers would have a richer experience reading the books in order.

Set in 1800s England, this book follows the courtship of Lady Mercy and Nicholas, Duke of Harrington. Through a series of miscommunications (or lack or communication/misinformation), Lady Mercy believes Nicholas would rather be courting someone else. She proceeds to try to help set him up with a good match, and while doing so, falls in love with him herself. With a few twists and turns, the couple finally finds their happy ever after together.

I've enjoyed several of Esther Hatch's other books, but I didn't connect with this plot or these characters. I wanted more interaction between Mercy and Nicholas. A large portion of the book was the character's inner dialogue somewhat magically coming to conclusions. I think more showing and less telling would have helped me connect to this book better. I did enjoy the side characters and I am interested to read the rest of the series.

Content: Clean. Kisses only, no violence or swear words. Mention of past indiscretions in vague terms.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the opportunity to review this ARC. My review was honest and was in no way influenced by the publisher.

I’ve honestly been struggling with writing this review. Esther Hatch is an auto-buy and basically an auto-love author for me. Every single one of her stories has heart, humor, and the swooniest romance. Knowing we finally were going to get Nicholas’s story was huge for me, I’ve been waiting for it since the moment I met him. And while this book was good, I can’t say it was my favorite of this series. I guess the best way to describe this book, which is purely subjective, and MY opinion (which will vary from everyone else’s), would be to compare it to a roller coaster.
This book was full of ups and downs. Moments of indifference and moments of overwhelming feeling and emotion (both from me and the characters). Chapters and pages where I couldn’t read fast enough and chapters and pages I struggled to get through. Interactions that had me sighing happily and interactions that had me so frustrated I had to put the book down. Sometimes I felt like there was too much going on, and other times I wish there was more interactions between the MCs. Basically I felt either completely in love with the story or I felt slightly disconnected.
Nicholas and Mercy both had valid reasons for the person they have become and how they act and move forward in life. Their pasts and family members helped shape them into the people they are in this story. Sometimes these personality traits helped move things along, and other times it held things up.
I will say the “high” moments between these two had me squealing like a little school girl. The moment when Nicholas finally drops his walls was full of delicious tension and combustible chemistry. These two had an undeniable pull towards each other, so to see them give in to that was so enjoyable. I also really appreciate how Nicholas and Mercy were able to adjust their opinions and were capable of trying to see the world how the other does.
And while I wouldn’t say this is a negative review, it’s not an “I’m so in love with this book you HAVE to read it” review. And this kinda breaks my heart. I have chosen to only focus on positivity when writing reviews, so when I’m not completely enamored with a book it becomes so hard for me to know what to write and share.
Overall I did like this story. Esther Hatch is pretty much the queen of writing that swoony tension that builds to the sweetest moments between the hero and heroine. This series is incredible and I do highly recommend any lover of historical romance to check it out.






I received an ARC from NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

#ProperScandals #NetGalley

I've loved this series, although they could each be read as a stand-alone. Lady Mercy enjoys dancing and has plenty of gentlemen who ask her to dance. When her parents tell her it is time she make a choice on whom she will marry, Lady Mercy has had two role models, of a love filled marriage, her parents and her sister's, and she will settle for nothing less. The Duke of Harrington shows an interest in Lady Mercy but comes across as someone who keeps her at a distance. Lady Mercy decides to put him to the test.

This is a sweet regency romance, characteristic of Esther Hatch's storytelling. Mercy has never been directly encouraged by her parents to marry, so she's enjoyed searching for someone she can fall in love with. But this season something is different and pressure to wed mounts. Meanwhile the Duke of Hampton decides it is time to marry, to gain influence in parliament and society, and as he logically narrows down the list of candidates, Mercy is the one he chooses to pursue. As much as she tries to thwart his interest and place him in the path of other interested women, he remains steadfast in his pursuit, finding more than logical reasons to be with her and she discovers love can blossom in many ways.

If you enjoy her previous books, or other regency titles, you'll want to add this to your list!

*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.

Esther Hatch does it again. I picked up one of her books after hearing an interview on the Hallmarkies podcast years ago, and I have been an auto-buy for her books ever since. A Proper Facade might just be her best yet - stirring, sweeping, swoony, and sincere, it is everything an Esther Hatch book should be turned up to eleven. Also - her covers are always the most beautiful! Highly recommend this one!

Mercy loves her freedom and is in now way close to making a decision on marriage, although she well on her way to becoming a spinster. Her parents have always encouraged her to find a love match. She believes she will simply know who the correct gentleman is for her when that time comes. However, this season, something is different. Her parents are now strongly encouraging her to make a match and the Duke of Harrington is the perfect candidate in her parents eyes. However, Mercy feels no attachment to him and attempts to pawn him of on other young ladies, that is, until she realizes that he really is her match.

Nicholas, the Duke of Harrington, is a rule follower. After having disappointed his late father, he is determined to be a proper gentleman. And part of that is to finally marry. After meeting Lady Mercy, he finds his match, but now he has to convince himself (and her) that he is worthy.

I LOVED this story! The characters connection and passion were outstanding.

I have been waiting for Nicholas’s story and I was not disappointed!

I recommend this series to everyone! Esther Hatch tells such beautiful stories and I adore her characters! She is my favorite!

Nicholas is as straight laced as it gets and following all the rules when it comes to finding his future wife. Will he be able to let his guard down and find a match?

Mercy wants the kind of love she has seen her sister and parents have. She is looking for nothing less than a passion filled match. Can she look past Nicholas’s facade and see his true self?

Follow Nicholas and Mercy as they learn to sacrifice and be loved!

4.5 stars
If you are familiar with Pride and Prejudice, you know that Darcy believes he is showing his attraction to Elizabeth and she misinterprets everything thinking he is showing disdain. This is pretty much what is happening in A Proper Facade. These two characters seem terribly mismatched but mostly it is because, though he is honest in communicating situations with Mercy, he does not communicate his feelings at all. He is stuffy, overly proper and unwilling to show emotion. (Darcy, anyone?) Mercy on the other hand is all about emotion, and passion and is pretty young. I don't remember how old she is but she seemed on the immature side and she is not good at reading people. Then throw in more misunderstandings leading to unfortunate situations. Though Mercy seemed young she was also charming and fun in her enjoyment of life. Though their courtship left something to be desired, once Nicholas opened up the floodgates on his feelings he was pretty swoony and it became apparent that the couple would actually be well matched. Their swoony moments are seriously swoony and they are also playful which is always fun in a couple. I thoroughly enjoyed the epilogue which proved that point. Shockingly.
This whole series has been fun. I always enjoy Esther Hatch books.

Potential trigger: unfaithful spouse
No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

I enjoy Esther’s book and love her writing style. I was excited to read this story as I’ve enjoyed the previous ones in this series. It was fun to see characters from other books prominently as I read.
I have to admit though that this one fell a little flat for me. I didn’t dislike it, but I don’t think I will ever pick it up to read again. There was very little romance until almost the end of the story. One character was entitled and the other very stiff and proper to a fault. There was no emotional connection to either main character and I ended up being frustrated with the entitled character and bored with the stiff proper character. It needed a lot more romantic tension and some spazz to keep the plot moving.
If you like this series though I would recommend you read this one. It’s fun to revisit older characters. I’ll still be picking up Esther’s future books. Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communication for an ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.

I have not read the other books in the series, but had no problems reading it as a stand alone. However, it did make me want to know the rest of the story of other characters I knew must have their own book. At first I was so frustrated with Mercy for not giving the Duke a chance and her scheming to get out of the courtship without disappointing her parents that it took me a while to get into the book. Once I did, I stayed up until 3 am to finish which I haven't done for a long time. Mercy kept seeing glimpses of the true feelings of Nicholas instead of his staid and proper facade that would give her a glimmer of hope. In spite of that, she was too quick to judge him and threw herself into her ridiculous plan to throw him into the arms of other women. When she finally makes him understand what she needs, the chemistry sizzles on the page as much as possible for a clean romance. But once again, she sabotages their match, but for entirely different reasons. Thank heavens Nicholas was able to get past it and resolve the mess she made ending in their own HEA. I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley and Covenant Communications but was not required to give a positive review.

'This was no ordinary day. This was the day Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, would find himself a wife...He simply needed to find someone compatible. He didn't need to allow emotion or longing to overshadow logic.'

Oh boy. The Duke of Harrington is in for a wild ride with thoughts like that and as a reader you know I'm waiting with baited breath on every word from this author as it all unfolds.

Enter Lady Mercy :)

'She and the Duke of Harrington were going to play a game, but not a game of chess. The most dangerous game of all: a game of courtship.'

Esther does such a great job at keeping a reader entertained. Her talent with dual points of view just make each scene that much richer! I was thoroughly entertained at this courtship of two complete opposite characters. They kept things interesting and lively.

I also loved cameos from several couples in previous books from this series and the dating advice from Lord Bryant was a complete cherry on top (and now I'm due for a re-read of A Proper Scoundrel).

If you're familiar with this author at all you know you'll go into this expecting to be entertained and having an author that lives up to that expectation. If this author is new to you, buckle up and get ready to read, be entertained and look up everything on her backlist!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content: weight of responsibility, love match, romance-kisses only.

I was lost in this immediately. I loved the characters and their meet cute was great. Their entire relationship was so much fun to watch. I couldn’t put it down.

Things I loved
-meet cute
-his obsession with her freckles
-the proposal…. Oh my word, that entire scene was sooo good!!
-Nicholas. He just might be one of my favorite male characters I’ve read in a while. ❤️😊

Okay! So. Definitely a perfect pallet cleanser book. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and I can say that it was enjoyable! I feel as if I went in with the expectation of something more toeing the line of historical fiction than historical Christian romance (which is fine). I don’t read many, but I can say, if you’re in the mood for a clean historical, this could be a good of for you!

I’ve enjoyed this series and was so excited to read this latest book.

Nicholas, Duke of Harrington, had decided it’s time to get married. For the most proper reasons. Everything he does is proper.

Mercy has always planned to marry for love. She’s had many example of love matches and wants what she has witnessed. Her parents have never pressured her to settle for anything less, however all of a sudden they are pressuring her to hurry up her quest for love. Their excitement grows when the Duke of Harrington shows interest in her.

If Mercy is looking for passion and feelings and Nicholas id looking for a passionless very proper engagement, will these two really be a match? How does she get out of being pursued by the passionless Duke, while not disappointing her parents?

I really enjoyed this book! I rushed through it because I couldn’t wait to see how they worked things out. Mercy’s desire for passion and Nicholas’s desire for level headed decisions ends up creating so much clean steam. These two drive each other mad, until they are mad for each other. Absolutely loved this one!!

I've never been able to like an entitled character, but this one grew on me a little in the end.
The slow burn romance, the twists and turns, the scheming and a little drama thrown in. This book is a great read for fans of Esther Hatch and other regency romance authors, it has enough to keep you reading and captures the imagination.
Mercy wants love, Nicholas wants order. Opposites attracts again in this read.

I loooved the previous books in the series; I found "A Proper Charade" so original and I was blown away by "A Proper Scoundrel", so I couldn't wait to read "A Proper Facade". I especially wanted to see how Nicholas would evolve in the book, and transform from the very proper and upright Duke of Harrington (the brother of Patience Woodbury from "A Proper Charade"), into a better, more light-hearted character.

Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed by this book. I didn't get attached to any of the character.s Merry, especially, was rather childish, and I didn't understand why Nicholas would fall in love with her (except for her freckles). Nicholas didn't have much of a personality, except from being such a stickler for rules and proper behaviour. They have no chemistry, nearly never banter, and I didn't root for them — and the plot twist, where Nicholas and Merry are pulled apart, seemed a bit far-fetched and artificial. The story was also a little long and repetitive, it wasn't as well-plotted as the other books in the series. I was still glad to see other characters from the series make an appearance, and liked the originality of not making both characters fall for each other at the same time — it is unusual for such a romance, and thus appreciated! Plus, I did like is the style of writing of the author, I think she always does a brilliant job.

And so, although this romance didn't quite convince me, I still look forward to reading other books by Esther Hatch as I loved the rest of the Proper Scandals series.

*I received an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

On the whole this is a good historical romance. I liked both main characters although Mercy tested my patience at times. And don’t get me started on her scheming.
But I really felt for Nicholas. He tried so hard to make up for past mistakes and I really wanted him to find his HEA.
So all in all an enjoyable read a little long but that tends to be a thing with historical romances.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

I thoroughly loved this book! In my opinion, it's the second best of the series, (my favorite was A Proper Scoundrel!)
This book has a great plot, with very interesting and well thought out characters.
Steamy attraction and some kissing that rocks, yet clean romance overall! - Thank you!
The writing is excellent and flows well.
I loved seeing characters from past books come back for an appearance.
And I love the bits of humor that this author puts into her stories.
It makes for an overall very enjoyable reading experience.
I highly recommend this book - as well as all others in the series.
This book can be read as a stand alone, but I think reading the others first in order, would help make it more enjoyable.
💜 💜

This book is a fun addition to this series, set in regency era England. Definitely recommend reading the other books in the series first as it builds on and includes many characters from the other books in the series. Enjoyed the characters interactions and humor.

A good story about love. Mercy is ready for a husband, but refuses the man who wants her. A good clean romance with a HEA.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.