I love getting swept away by Sarah's regency novels. I love that it was 2 middle class people, Romeo/Juliet, with mystery entwine, and a happy ending.

I highly recommend @sarahladdauthor book, The Cloverton Charade! I raved about it a few weeks ago, and I still love it just as much. This regency romance has a touch of mystery that keeps you intrigued, but it’s not overwhelming. I finished the audiobook and found the narrator delightful—she did an amazing job with the accents!

I really enjoyed the back-and-forth between Olivia and Lucas as they navigated their feelings, especially since they started out as enemies (or so they thought). “I have a confession” 🤭 IYKYK! It was wonderful to see them rise above the conflicts their fathers created and respect each other for who they really are. Overall, I adored this book and would happily listen or read it again. If you love regency era stories, definitely give it a try!

It dragged in the middle. The plot twist at the end was good, though, because I didn't see it coming. The fmc was hard to like, though. I didn't really like her personality. The narration of the audio book was really good.


This ARC was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read a lot of regency novels, and I loved how this one had a different take. The main character is from the working class, working as an antiquity specialist, undercover as an upper class member of society at a house party.

When Alicia is asked to attend the party and secretly assess the antiques of the household, she does not intend to run into her family’s rival, also in attendance. When unexpected findings come amount, she and her rival, Lucas, come together to determine the mystery around the antiques being assessed.

I loved watching Alicia find her place and her worth. I also really enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery. It took me a while to figure it out! If you like regency romance mixed with a mystery, you may like this one.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the narrator chosen, but as the book went on the narrator grew on me and I no longer thought about who was reading, I just enjoyed the story.

I really enjoy listening to clean Regency mysteries, and this one by Sarah E. Ladd did not disappoint. The mystery presented is that someone is forging Chinese antiquities from an esteemed collection of a private owner. Olivia is a young woman who trained under her father in the antiquities business, until he died a few years ago. Olivia is asked by the widow of the collector to evaluate her own personal collection during a house party. Once at the house party, Olivia runs across Lucas, the son of her father’s former partner who was asked by the heir to evaluate the collection for sale. While at first Olivia is hesitant to talk with Lucas, she quickly decides he is trust worthy and they share their suspicions about the forged pieces. Together they solve the mystery and fall in love in the process. I wholeheartedly recommend this audiobook narrated by Jude Mason.

Great Regency featuring two antique dealers. I didn’t know the trade was a thing in the early 19th century, but it stands to reason. It is the conclusion to the Houses of Yorkshire series, and I have enjoyed all of them.

Jude Mason narrated this book like many others, and she does a great job. Thanks to the publisher for granting the request for this title.

I really enjoyed this book! I kept trying to find ways to listen to just one more chapter, so I could see what would happen next! The two main characters were so likable, and I found myself rooting for them to solve the mystery and end up together!

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher!

A fun regency historical fiction, clean romance! Alice and Lucas, both art antiquity dealers from two different families with a past business connection, happen to find themselves at a house party- both with the purpose of secretly evaluating a collection. As they soon find they out, they will have to work together to figure out why the pieces don’t seem to be as authentic as they are supposed to be. The audiobook was great- loved the narrator- easy to listen to!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing | Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC of the audiobook! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have mixed thoughts on this read. Overall, I really enjoyed the story line and characters and for a first by this author for me - I'd read her again. I enjoy historical fiction reads but this time period (Regency era) is one I don't tend to read - more so watch on occasions. So, I found myself, having a harder time connecting at first and by the middle of the story, I was connected and did enjoy. The narrator did a great job of being truly in that time period then just "reading" the story. I wasn't aware that this was book 3 in the series, however, it read like a stand alone read.

This was my first Sarah Ladd novel and I enjoyed it. A little bit of drama and intrigue. I liked the tie in of the information on antiquities.

A house party in Regency England provides the perfect opportunity for two rival antiquity brokers to scope out a potentially valuable collection while trying to keep their attraction at bay.

Alicia Brannon's knowledge of antiquities is unparalleled, having learned everything she needs to know from her broker father. She longs to use that knowledge to make a future for herself, but as a woman, her options are limited . . . until the day a former client, who happens to be the previous mistress of Cloverton Hall, approaches Alicia about evaluating an obscure, private collection. But there is a catch: the evaluation must be conducted in secrecy to prevent the widow's nephew, the new master of Cloverton Hall, from having knowledge of it. Alicia sees this as her one and only chance to prove her worth, so she agrees to attend a house party at Cloverton Hall and conduct the evaluation covertly.

The younger son of England's foremost antiquities purveyor, Lucas Avery represents the future of his family business. When he learns that the new master of Cloverton Hall intends to liquidate his deceased uncle's impressive collection, Lucas is determined to be the broker who oversees the sale. The new master of Cloverton Hall invites Lucas to a house party on the estate, during which time he will have full access to the collection. Lucas jumps at the opportunity, for if successful, he stands to make a great deal of money, as well as solidify his family's future.

Alicia and Lucas both arrive at the house party under the guise of guests and quickly recognize each other as business rivals, raising their suspicions. After they conduct their individual assessments, it becomes clear to them both that some of the pieces in the collection are counterfeit. They reluctantly join forces to understand the scope of the deception. As their work brings them closer together, an undeniable bond begins to form. Then when one of the most famous pieces in the collection is broken during the house party, everyone is a suspect. Both Alicia and Lucas must decide how much they are willing to risk not only their professional reputations but also their hearts.

Confession- I love Sarah Ladd's books.
This was excellent! A well done clean historical suspense/romance.
The story centers around Olivia and Lucas.
There were quite a few side characters that honestly could have their own book.
Both grew up in the Antiques world. Their father's were partners and evaluated, sold and sold antiques for a living. They were some type of friends as children. At some point their fathers split the business and not on good terms.
Current day- Lucas is invited to evaluate and sell all the antiques in the home otherwise the new owner will not be able to afford not only the house but everything.
Olivia is invited by the owners aunt to come and evaluate and price her antiques collection.
Interesting enough both don't want Lucas and Olivia to let people know why there are there (probably because that would wreck the image of wealth ).
Olivia has alot to prove. Her father has passed and her uncle took over the business he rarely lets her assist any more..
She wants to prove she is the expert in this field even if she is a woman.
Lucas is nearly broke and not only needs to show that he's the authority in antiques but he needs the money. They reconnect and magic happens …. And suspense , drama , love and more,
Awesome!!!

I really enjoyed this one! Definitely different for a “regency romance.” It’s part intriguing antiquities and part slow-building romance as Olivia and Lucas meet again at a house party that neither really belong at. They both have a goal to accomplish, but quickly realize that their goals might conflict, yet their interests are so similar. I love the way their relationship builds over more than just looks and glances, but interests and conversations and a shared history. It felt authentic and sweet. The narrator did a good job as well, and made the audiobook version that much better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful novel filled with intrigue, light romance and all things Regency. Lucas and Olivia are hired by two different family members to secretly evaluate the worth of a collection. They are invited as houseguests to a party. The characters are memorable. The villains were a surprise to me, kept me guessing. The narration was 3 star, because of this it took me a while to start enjoying the book. I’m looking forward to more books by this author. I was blessed with a review audio copy of this book and I’m voluntarily leaving my review. .

REVIEW
I enjoyed this one! It held my attention consistently from start to finish, and I absolutely loved that the main characters were in the business of antiques! That was so interesting to me, and I appreciate the research that the author must have put into it. There were plenty of details to make it feel believable and real. There were a couple of fairly minor things I didn't love, but I could see myself reading more books by Sarah Ladd and audiobooks narrated by Jude Mason.

CONTENT
😘🙊🍷🤕All mild or N/A

BOTTOM LINE
Even if you haven't read the other books in the series (I haven't), this one was an enjoyable read on its own!

FULL REVIEW AND CONTENT GUIDE on blog (link in bio)

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

What a delight of a book! If you're itching for a rivals-to-lovers Regency romance with a dash of antiquities shenanigans thrown in, look no further. Also perfect as a palate cleaner in between books dealing with heavier topics.

A distinguished, captivating, and a transportive read. Written in third person, we follow our two main characters, Olivia Brannon and Lucas Avery, as they both leave London to attend a series of fancy balls and events with wealthy socialites at Cloverton Hall. However, Olivia is there as a special guest of the mistress of Cloverton Hall to provide her expert opinion on an extensive antiquity collection. Olivia and Lucas's families have been rivals for as long as Olivia remembers, since both families dominate the antiquities trading industry, and she is shocked to find that Lucas is also at Cloverton Hall. The feeling is mutual, because Lucas is called to Cloverton Hall on a similar mission and was not expecting to run into his family rival. Olivia and Lucas must decide if they can put aside their competitive backgrounds, see the good in one another, and potentially—work together.

Set in England during the regency era, Sarah E. Ladd's writing captures the essence of English polite society at the height of manners and propriety. Ladd's writing effortlessly transported me back in time. The balls, events, and social gatherings the characters go through were delightful to read about. I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by Jude Mason. Mason performed the various characters well, and I appreciate her English accent which added to the overall story immersion. There is a general theme of mystery (between characters and also circumstances) in this book as well which I enjoyed. The dialogue is thoughtful, and my only critique would be for some more inner monologue to add to the overall plot.

This book is for those who enjoy a clean regency romance or a historical mystery.

My sincere thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for an audiobook copy of The Cloverton Charade in exchange for my honest review.

“A blend of suspense and romance. An excellent Regency-era story set at a house party in an estate in York Shire. I was captivated by the steady pace of the story, keeping me guessing until the very end. And yes, there is a delightful touch of romance. I'm grateful for the complimentary copy, and I assure you that all opinions expressed are my honest review."

A great plot that kept me interested. There were some twists and turns that kept me in the story. I love reading regency novels and this one fit the bill. A little bit of mystery, sabotage and romance. Perfect!

Olivia Brannon, trained by her father to be an expert in antiquities, is hired to secretly evaluate a private collection at Cloverton Hall, seeing it as her chance to prove herself in a male-dominated field. Meanwhile, Lucas Avery, evaluating the main collection at Cloverton hall, attends the same house party. When they discover counterfeits within the collection, the two rivals reluctantly team up to uncover the truth, all while grappling with a growing attraction and the risk to both their careers and hearts.

This is an author that never disappoints. The characters are always interesting and the plots keep me reading. This was no exception. While not quite an enemies-to-lovers story, I very much enjoyed the tension between Olivia and Lucas. Their fathers, once business partners, quarrelled, and all friendship ended between the families.

It was nice to follow a character who was not used to the grandeur of an upper class party. Olivia’s awe was believable, but her confidence in her own talent as an antiquities expert. The attraction between her and Lucas was sweet, and I liked how they bonded over their work.

Overall, this was a sweet book. I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life. Readers who enjoy clean Regency romance will enjoy this one.

Title: The Cloverton Charade
Author: Sarah E. Ladd
Narrated by: Jude Mason
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Length: Approximately 9
Source: Thank you @sarahladdauthor @thomasnelson @austenprose for the physical review copy and @netgalley for the audiobook review copy.

Do you collect antiques? I love antiques.

Olivia Brannon works at her late father’s shop and evaluates rare antiquities. Her uncle currently runs the shop, but she dreams of someday being able to travel the world in search of antiquities herself. One day, she is invited by Mrs. Milton, a wealthy widow and former client of her father’s, to attend a house party at Cloverton Hall. Mrs. Milton’s nephew, Mr. Wainbridge, has inherited Cloverton Hall and all the antiquities that her husband has collected, but Mrs. Milton hopes to be able to sell her own antiquities. Mr. Wainbridge, meanwhile, has invited his own antique dealer, Lucas Avery, to the house party to evaluate Mr. Milton’s antiquities. He wants to sell them to try to make the estate solvent. When Lucas and Olivia discover that some of the antiquities are fake, they are thrust into a mystery. Will they be able to discover who is replacing the antiquities with fakes and will they also find romance along the way?

My thoughts on this novel:

• I really enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator, Jude Mason, was excellent. Mason was pleasant to listen to and had good voices for everyone.
• I really enjoyed this unique Regency story. I don’t think I have read a Regency novel before that involved the collecting of antiquities. It was so interesting. I know that collecting antiques was very popular during this time period, so it was great to learn more about it and have it as a plot device in this novel.
• The mystery was intriguing as well with a great conclusion.
• I loved the romance between Olivia and Lucas. It was a Romeo and Juliet type story with them being from rival antique companies.
• I love Regency house parties and it was fun to read about this one. I enjoyed that both Olivia and Lucas could move around in the world of high society, but being in business, they were not truly part of it.
• The plight of Mrs. Milton and of Olivia herself, made me ponder again the limited choices that women had during the Regency time period. Mrs. Milton could not inherit her husband’s estate where she had spent her lifetime, while Olivia could not inherit her father’s business, even though she was more qualified in antiquities than her uncle.
• I read this one quickly as I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.
• This was a clean read.

Favorite Quote: “For what it’s worth, you say you don’t belong here. But I believe you are the rival of any woman in the room. And I daresay you are infinitely more interesting. There is something about a woman who can think for herself that is quite intriguing.”

Overall, The Cloverton Charade was an engaging Regency romance novel with a wonderful romance and great mystery involving antiquities. I highly recommend this novel.