I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance at this story!

Esther Hatch is an author that I always tune in to read. I really enjoy her dialogue and the men she writes. The men are absolutely wordsmiths at making women swoon (myself included).

So while our leading male is absolutely a wordsmith, his story.... well, it was a little too complex for me to fully get invested and enjoy it.

Girl is being pressured by her parents to get into a relationship and get married as soon as possible. Our female lead doesn't really want to, but she will give it a go. Our male lead is a new Duke (as of four years) and is ready to mingle and get wed. He has a standing in Parliament and really wants to find someone who will push his support of the Irish through and to better things. When the two of them meet at a party, he has no idea who he is (and that he is the Duke everyone is at the moment gossiping about), but she gets him to try to listen through the wall at her father talking about her marriage prospects at a party. Through conversation, he discovers that she doesn't really care about Dukes and wants to marry for love - which is what he wants to marry for too, but his looming thoughts / the presence of his dead father and old demons from when he fell head over heels in love with a woman (who was engaged, and he chased her about / spent time with her when he was 17) causes him to reign in any sort of romantic fancies.

The book is basically about one person wanting romance in their life while another person is trying to stifle it. Then, you have side stories of women who he was connected with trying to mislay or mislead the male and the female in their courting.

The story felt like it was good, but seemed to drag out when the female is trying to set him up with other females that was involved with (though not knowing the drama and complications it caused back when). Still, I pressed on.

I think while it was good it was clearly not her strongest book. I've read better. I do recommend it if you're a fan of her work.

Sadly, I found this book infuriating. The scheming female main character was so entitled, and so childish that it was hard to root for her. She was totally undeserving. I felt very bad for the male main character. There was also a lot of circular writing and repetition, I had difficulty enjoying it.

Mercy is out and enjoys a dancing at the ball, but she’s never had to choose between suitors. Suddenly, her parents are changing their tune and she finds herself considering the idea of marriage. Enter Nicholas, a Duke, who follows the rules and tries to represent his family with integrity and dignity. Mercy enjoys toying with the progressive and upright man, determined to get the Duke to let his hair down, but she may be surprised to find that underneath all that rigor is a heartfelt and passionate man who wants nothing more than find a love match with her.

A historical romance with allusions to the masks we all wear, A Proper Facade is a lovely addition to the Regency romance genre. Romantic but not too steamy, the relationship between the Duke and the Lady is genuine and well-written, and the twists and turns the two undergo to eventually find their way is romance gold. I truly enjoyed this novel and the detail paid to the historical time period and their courtship. It has good pacing and complex build up in the slow burn romance. Would definitely recommend!

TITLE : "A Proper Facade"
Author : Esther Hatch
Publish Date : August 20, 2024
# of Pages : 248 pages
Format : e-book
Start Date : May 16, 2024
Finish Date: May 16, 2024

"A Proper Facade" The book is filled with romantic moments, an exciting story, and well-developed characters that will stay with you. From start to finish, the book is undeniably enjoyable. The ups and downs of Nicolas and Mercy's courtship were both thrilling and frustrating at times. The author skillfully includes misunderstandings and secret plans, keeping readers guessing throughout. Set in Regency England, the story follows Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, who strictly follows society's rules to make up for past mistakes. Then there's Lady Mercy Rothschild, who wants a passionate marriage despite her doubts about Nicholas's feelings. As their relationship unfolds with chess games and secret kisses, both struggle to break free from society's expectations and follow their true desires. The supporting cast of friends and family adds depth to the story, offering advice and support in their own ways. While Nicholas deals with his feelings for Mercy and his duty to society, Mercy faces her own doubts and fears about loveless marriages. As tensions rise and hearts are at stake, readers are left wondering if true love can overcome societal constraints.

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

***Many Thanks to the Author #EstherHatch, Publisher #CovenantCommunications and #NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.
#AProperFacade #HistoricalFiction #Romance

I read this book so quickly I couldn’t put it down . This is a beautifully written story about a duke who needs a wife and a woman who only wants true love .
The duke is ready to marry for need not love until he meets Mercy . It’s almost love at first sight - at least on his end . Mercy isn’t too sure about him but just knows her parents keep pushing her to him and marriage . What will happen ? Read it ! You won’t regret it . It is a clean read with some passionate kissing . It has some twists and turns . The author knows how to build a character and how to develop a story . Another very well done romance by Esther Hatch.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read in exchange for an unbiased review .

ESTHER HATCH DOES IT AGAIN! Swoony kisses, a strong plot, well-developed characters, and an all around good time. It wasn't what I was expecting but I was not dissapointed by it.

This book was a rollercoaster! Watching Nicolas and Mercy bumble through their courtship was painful at times. You think you know what will happen next but then you turn a corner and think “oh NO!” Ms Hatch delivered a swoony romance with misunderstandings (not my favorite part but is sometimes needed for the plot) and plotting galore. Chess matches, dancing, stolen kisses sprinkled the plot. At one point or another I might have groaned and scolded Nicolas and Mercy. Their friends and family were angels and I loved reading how they helped Nicolas and Mercy, giving advice and support (for better or worse sometimes). Blessedly, in the end, it turned out to be a happily ever after, the ending was perfect. Another wonderful sweet romance by Esther Hatch!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

A PROPER FACADE by ESTHER HATCH is a delightful read with unforgettable characters that takes place in Regency England, with the ton and their rules that Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, sticks to almost religiously, trying to make up for a youthful dalliance that upset his father, who also had a rigid set of rules, and the charming Lady Mercy Rothschild who cannot wait for a passionate marriage like her sister has, and is cheerful and amusing and dances with abandon.
Things are not as they seem however, with the duke burning with passion that he is afraid to show, and Mercy, who refuses to get involved in a loveless relationship and is sure he does not love her, involves her friend Penelope in a ruse to palm him off onto one of the two ladies who are after him.
Nicholas is kind and compassionate and tries to impress upon the members of parliament the need for Britain to send aid to Ireland, where people are dying of starvation. He feels that the right wife will make people take him more seriously. He even has a list of suitable young women! What will it take for him to see what is really important in life?
Will their chess games and the dances, where he holds back for fear of sullying both of their reputations, help them get to know one another? Will he lose her by trying so hard to do the right thing?
Why are Mercy’s parents suddenly so keen on her getting married?
These are a lot of questions, but I don’t want to spoil things for you.
I really enjoyed the novel and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This was such a good book! I am such a fan of Esther Hatch's books so I was excited for this one. It didn’t disappoint, I loved the storyline and the characters! Highly recommend!

A book you are sure to love
Everyone wears a façade at one time or another, presenting ourselves as what we think is best for the situation or moment. But what if that mask doesn’t help you to achieve your goals? Nicholas, Duke of Harrington, had decided he needed a wife to help him succeed in society and parliament, so he set about it in the most proper way. He made a list of appropriate young ladies but when he sees Mercy, the list is forgotten. As he proceeds with his very proper courtship, Mercy is disappointed in his stiff, unemotional behavior with no passion. Mercy has always dreamed of a love match which does not appear possible with Nicholas. As she sets out to find a someone else for Nicholas, things don’t run smooth. A spurned young lady, a widow in search of a higher title, and issues in both families threaten to upset everyone’s plans as well as break hearts. You will love this book. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

LOVED IT!! So good! What a fun story. I loved the romance of this one! Dang! The build up was perfect. This is how all romances should be:] I have loved all of these but this one is my favorite. I loved Mercy and Nicholas grew on me the more I read. Reading him in the other books you get to see how he softens, he was so ready for a romance! Loved the kisses, completely worth the wait!!!
This is a proper romance:}