Vivienne Lorret always delivers couples you cheer for without fail, and Althea and Jasper are no exceptions. Althea’s got writer’s block and when she starts writing about a noble Robin Hood, Jasper is alarmed, because that’s exactly what he is, a Viscount who robs from the rich. As the two become intertwined in each other’s lives, an attraction blooms, and they each must do what is necessary to do what’s right but also let their love flourish. Excellent regency romance to look forward to on pub day.

Quippy, clever sentences that always have me cracking up! I enjoy Vivienne Lorret's writing so much. I think she does an excellent job of blending humorous situations with clever protagonists that always make reading her books such a joy. This is the third in the Liars Club series (and potentially final?! What about Tristan?!) which has featured each of the three Hartley sisters. The Hartley family has been so much fun and I love the concept of a theater-obsessed family (or mostly obsessed) with so much love for each other. This novel features the youngest and final sister, playwright Althea.

Althea is probably my favorite of the Hartley sisters in terms of her internal monologues and ennui- she's so funny and it's no wonder she comes from this absurd (and lovely) family. Her melodrama is so endearing and something I enjoy in a protagonist's internal narration (very youngest child energy). At the start of the novel Thea is suffering from a lack of inspiration and this comes largely due to her ex-suitor, who belittled her own talents in an effort to boost his own ego. I've definitely read this type of character arc in books before, so it's not the most original, but I love the way that Thea deals with this problem throughout the novel. And her overcoming it is a big part of what makes me like her as a character.

Inspiration strikes when she meets and has a few chance encounters with a mysterious highwayman and a fellow member of the ton Jasper. Now Jasper is an intriguing character at the start, and he took me a little while to come around to. He's got a bit of a Robin Hood complex while also pretending to be a clumsy and useless oaf in the eyes of the ton. But this is all an act, even down to his fake stutter and spectacles. This was a really interesting dichotomy and I'm not sure I've read a character like this before (at least with this type of dual persona), so I appreciated that he was a surprise throughout. Also when we finally learn his motivations and reasonings behind this dual persona, he becomes an even more endearing character. I love a pining hero- and the fact that Jasper has been entranced by Thea for so long without doing anything was very swoon-worthy.

Heath does a great job of creating obstacles that feel very insurmountable and also realistic. Throughout most of the book I'm wondering "how will they ever make this work?!" and that creates such nice tension and angst for our lovers. Sometimes in these types of books, the obstacles can be overdramatized and not in a good way. They're things I'm always rolling my eyes that the protagonists should get over, but this novel didn't feel like that at all. For Jasper and Thea there's some very real problems that are holding them back from being together throughout most of the novel. This created such a romantic story and good dramatic tension.

There are a couple of annoyances I had with the book which is what pushed it down to a 4 star for me, as opposed to a 5. One is that the MCs don't have enough scenes together towards the start and middle of the book. This was especially noticeable in the middle where I felt it was starting to drag with too many side-stories and additional characters from past books (who I love but also felt weirdly unnecessary). I don't mind scenes with other characters and building a plot beyond the romance, but this didn't really feel like that and was more of a drag than anything else. The other larger issue for me, is that the ending was more than a bit abrupt and I felt like we needed an epilogue (especially if this is the last in the series). While I really liked the resolution, I did feel like we needed a few more chapters to wind down and have some time in the happy ending and destruction of our villain.

I loved the characters, the villain plot, the sexy romance, and quirky dialogue of this book so much! But while the stakes were so very high, the resolution felt super rushed in the last chapter and for that I wish we'd get a bit more time in our happy ending with Thea and Jasper. An epilogue could have been a nice solution for this- especially to really say goodbye to the hilarious Hartleys. Regardless, I've enjoyed this series a bunch and would recommend it for anyone who loves fun, sexy regency romances that feature the most charming family. And for anyone who has a theater background! Honestly as an ex-theater kid there were so many things in this series that had me giggling purely due to the THEATRE of it all.

A lovely book about two souls beaten down by others. Jasper and Althea just worked together, emotionally, intellectually and with their desire for each other. He's a protector, but she's a tiger, his tiger. Written very well, with humor, steam and an emotional roller coaster along the way. The ending seemed a little unresolved, with the loose ends being tied hastily.

#netgalley #ThisMuchisTrue

What I loved most was how Lorret balanced the lighthearted humor with a deeper sense of vulnerability between the characters. Both Althea and Jasper have their own emotional baggage and secrets, and watching them navigate their growing feelings for each other while trying to keep their lives in order added depth to the story. It’s that perfect mix of wit and heart that makes this book so captivating.

Really enjoyed this book, which is no surprise as I’m a big fan of the author. Loved Jasper and Althea’s slow burn pairing, but did feel the ending was a bit rushed.

(Note this was more of a 4.5 star for me)

I honestly do not remember much of this book, just that I had a great time. This whole series just sucked me in and was just so vivid and fun, that it has me absolutely forgetting everything else going on in my life while I'm reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC copy! This story did not disappoint and I might just have to check out some of the authors other works.

We see our girl (Althea Hartley) work to prove herself as a playwright even though the odds are against her and she’s also trying to help the Highway man (St. James) unveil himself to be his fullest potential. Throughout the book, we see their chemistry blossom all for it to come to a satisfactory conclusion.

4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Netgalley and the published for an advanced e-copy of this book.
I adore Lorret’s writing and the chemistry between the characters was outstanding.
Without any spoilers, Lorret used my absolute least favorite troupe for the third act breakup and when reconciling the characters didn’t address my concern.
Otherwise it was a perfect book.

Regardless of the other books on my NetGalley TBR list (all of which publish earlier than July 2025) ((this review was written on 10/30/24 and 10/31/24)), I started this and focused and read only this title over two and a half days until I was finished

*Thea is the youngest of the Hartley children, in her third season, a playwright whose muse has abandoned her
*Jasper St James is an utterly utterly wonderful MMC - a veritable perfect Robin Hood who takes care of those he loves
*Tales of Lady Content, Lord Turgid and Lord Flaccid appear
*Nell Hunicutt makes a quick reappearance
*perfect together MC’s

**also, this title SERIOUSLY put the Spandau Ballet song ‘True’ in my head and it wouldn’t leave. For days.
“This much is true
This much is true
I know, I know, I know this much is true
This much is true
This much is true (huh huh)
This much is true
This much is true
I know this much is true
This much is true (huh huh)
This much is true (I know this much is true)
This much is true (huh huh)
This much is true (I know this much is true)
I know, I know, I know this much is true”

And that’s what I had in my head when I thought about this story, when I wasn’t thinking about how much I adored Lady Broadbent, Jasper, and Thea.

Incredibly romantic, I loved this one and Jasper’s paper flowers, and Jasper.

On a scale of swoons - I’d say this is wonderfully swoony. The first full on intimacy scene is a high serving of romance, emotional foreplay, and steam. The first post-coital scene is full of lovely longing, of the star crossed, we-can-never-be-together variety, and it all works.

The longing in this one is excellent, and if I could rate that more than 5 stars, I would (a slow burn, full of longing romance is my preferred and I’m very choosy about what I like, and what I love. This, I loved.

Though it wasn’t completely perfect - I found the ending very abrupt, and some of situations didn’t strike me as fully plausible. I’m still rating this up to five stars, because despite my issues, it was a very enjoyable story and, again, the longing in this is not to be trifled with.

I’ve loved this entire trilogy and though I wish this would have been a series with more titles, I look forward to reading whatever Ms Lorret writes next.



Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC

It's giving Robin Hood, and you know I love Robin Hooding! This book is heavier than Vivienne Lorret's other books, but I still really enjoyed it!

This Much Is True
by Vivienne Lorret
Such a fun read! This is the first book I've read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic adventure. I laughed out loud at time..."Lord Turgid" indeed!

I love a good historical romance and this story did not disappoint. I empathized with the Jasper and how his Uncle belittled him. However I did love Althea’s never give up personality as a future playwright and her highwayman story. Their blossoming relationship and chemistry as she tries to unmask the highwayman.

I can’t believe I didn’t like this. First off: I have never given this author this low of a rating. Second: the first two books were five stars. I absolutely loved them. So I am shocked about this story. I enjoyed the first 40% of the book, but after that it gradually got worse for me. I think it comes down to the fact I didn’t like Althea and Jasper. I don’t care for their story, I didn’t see those two together, I didn’t fall in love with them like I did with Thea’s two sisters. This was definitely more heavy than the previous two. Maybe that’s why. I was expecting it to be lighthearted as the other two. I like some parts but the last 20% I struggled with. Not my favorite book, but still a favorite author.

Althea Hartley is the youngest child of a thespian-entric family. She dreams of becoming a playwright, but the callous words of another destroy her confidence. When her third season proves lackluster, Althea invents a tale about a highwayman. She never expected her story to be true. And the actual highwayman does not want her repeating the story. Will this mysterious fellow help Althea overcome her writer’s block?
Jasper Trueblood, Viscount St. James, plays the clumsy, dimwitted buffoon amongst his peers. At night, he relieves men like his diabolical uncle of their money and belongings. However, there is one individual who looks beyond his façade. Althea’s concocted story about a highwayman hit too close to the truth. Will Althea’s story blow his cover? Or will she help Jasper expose his uncle’s crimes to the public?
I empathize with Althea. She is an unfortunate victim to the insensitivity of a person envious of her ability. Althea got discouraged a lot; however, that did not stop her from attempting to re-spark her creativity. What I adore the most about Althea is how she never once ridiculed or looked down on Jasper. She even defended him regardless of repercussions. Althea also saw the man hiding behind the charade.
Jasper is such a sweetheart! My heart wept for all the atrocities and injustices that he endured! I like how that never once jaded him. Instead, it prompted Jasper to steal from people of his uncle’s ilk and give it to their victims.
THIS MUCH IS TRUE is the third book in Vivienne Lorret’s historical romance series, THE LIAR’S CLUB. The story can easily standalone. I suggest starting with the first book to better understand the Hartley family, their dynamic and eccentricities. The couples (Verity and Magnus and Honoria and Oscar) from the first two stories appear near the end.
I cannot wait for Truman’s story. Plus, I kind of hope the author plans to write a story for Jasper’s cousins, Tempest and Iris. Hint, hint, I kind of want Tempest to be paired with a certain captain (Summerhayes).
There is only one nitpick that kept the book from receiving a 5 stars. The situation between Althea and Kellum. It did not feel resolved to me. I expected more. I also wanted Jasper to be involved.

= This Much Is True by Vivienne Lorret
The Liar’s Club Series
Thea and Jasper

I always look forward to a new book by Vivienne Lorret. Her writing style is excellent and her plots and characters engaging. She knows how to create a fun world and a delightful cast of characters. Her books are chock-full of humor. But she also excels at creating small scenes with big emotional impact.

In the liar’s club series, we follow the eccentric Hartley Family and so far we got the stories of the Hartley Sisters Verity : It Has To Be A Duke and Honoria : The Trouble With Inventing A Viscount.
This Much Is True is Althea’s story. And why a story it turned out to be!!

Thea is the play writer in this eccentric family . After two failed seasons, she lost her spark. But the tales she creates about a dashing highwayman are too close to reality for the actual highwayman who steals from the ton.

As usual, the Hartley family was absolutely hilarious and I laughed so hard at their interactions and antics. I enjoyed the playful banter and the sizzling chemistry between Thea, the intrepid adventurous MFC, who is determined to unmask the highwayman, and Jasper, the shy sweet MMC, the viscount who hide in society behind a clumsy facade and the highwayman determined to stay unmasked.

I thoroughly enjoyed Thea and Jasper’s story and recommend This Much Is True to all fans of historical romance. This is the third installment in The Liar’s Club Series, but it can be read as a standalone. Though I definitely recommend reading this whole entertaining series.

I finished this book in two days, it was so good! The second book in this series by Vivienne Lorret started off fun but went off the rails a little at the end. This book, however, was perfection from start to finish! Althea is such a fun and intrepid heroine and I didn't ever want to leave her life. I would happily follow her journey and her happily ever after for years to come -that's how entertaining she is! I loved Jasper as well. We don't get a lot of sweet, shy heroes often in historical romance and Jasper was such a breath of fresh air. Despite the fact that his "bumbling" persona was an act, he really turned to mush around Thea and it made him so endearing and sweet. I just want more more more of them! I know we've now covered all the Hartley sisters' stories but I hope this isn't the last from this series, because Lorret has created such a fun world in these books. I want to know everything about this delightful cast of characters. I think a novella (or more) is in order for Tally and Mr. Lawson and Tempest and Raintree. I also want to see Truman Hartley find his HEA and I'm still wondering what will become of Anna! I'm a huge fan of Vivienne Lorret's work and the way she always creates such fun and endearing groups of people in all her series. I'm not ready to say goodbye to the Hartleys yet, but I'm looking forward to whatever Lorret does next!

Loved this story really reminded me of a enemies to lovers trope and I love it about a highway man, I love how he made her paper flowers it was so romantic in the story and she actually loved them. He ruined not one but two of her gowns and wanted to say sorry for them by making those paper flowers. She believes there are story about a highwayman and little does she know who this highway man is and when she finds out he stole her heart. This was definitely a romantic story and I couldn't put it down!