First and foremost, thank you to the publisher for providing an e-ARC of this title. I absolutely love this author, and her historical romances have truly been a light in the darkness for me. Her stories are not only beautifully written, but they offer comfort, hope, and a timeless kind of love that stays with you long after the final page. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with the characters she created—they felt vivid, genuine, and easy to connect with. Overall, this was a strong four-star read, and I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next.

This is one twisty/turny book! Thea feels alone and forgotten and not wanted. All due to a man whose verbally abusive nature destroyed her. Watching her climb out of that hole was an inspiration! Jasper also is dealing with abuse( off page) and is doing his best to protect the ones he loves. Watching him come to terms with his life was heart wrenching and the straw that broke the camel’s back was painful to watch. I adored how the author could bring all these characters to life in such a way that you felt like you were living it with them. The villain’s demise is perfect, though i would have loved to have read a scene where he has to answer for his evil ways. The climax was so cool and different in the way the author shared the results of the issues. I ADORED this story!

I received this story for free and these are my own views.

Jasper has been belittled most of his life. Raised by a no good uncle he has had to live a very hard life. Then he meets Althea and his whole life and hers changes.

Absolutely loved this book. Two people who were hurt or neglected by family cime together to help each other. Thumper is so adorable. Plenty of adventure in this one!

Heat Index: 6/10

—theater kid energy

—secret highwayman

—supposed dumbass, secret badass

The Basics:

Jasper Trueblood, Viscount St. James, is a highwayman on the low—and so far, his "total buffoon" facade has been working to keep the ton off his scent. Except Althea "Thea" Hartley, aspiring playwright, started writing tales of a highwayman that are a little too close to reality... A problem that intensifies when, one night, Thea and the highwayman run into each other. And she wants his mask off.

The Review:

Vivienne Lorret has a certain lighthearted sparkliness to her writing that always lifts the mood. While she doesn't shy away from emotional weight, her Hartley sisters series has been even more so on the brighter side than the previous books of hers I've read. These are theater kids, and Thea is perhaps the most of all of them, in all their geekery. They come from a loving family, their parents' adore each other—it's all rather sweet.

But Thea isn't without her damage, and a lot of this novel's pathos come from her past trauma from a relationship with a man who put her down and demolished her confidence. Which is why it's so lovely to see her with a man who, despite his best efforts, adores her Jasper does. He really doesn't want to like this girl, y'all. She's causing him so many problems. Nonetheless, their chemistry sparks immediately, and boy is he enraptured.

Jasper... does not come from a good family. In fact, he has an evil uncle along the lines of an old school romance villain (which is where the other degree of weight enters the story—there are some harrowing elements), hence the highwayman thing. He's not a bad highwayman; he just steals enough to build up some degree of protection for his loved ones. Which.... I get, but I won't lie, I could've used a bit more of the bad boy here. Lorret holds back a bit on the edginess inherent to highwaymen. It's not that there isn't adventure! I just could've used a little more threat from Jasper, even if he is ultimately a good guy.

But here's the thing: Ultimately, we're here for a bit of a romp with some soft feelings, and that's what you're going to get. There's a tenderness to the way Jasper and Thea interact. He's smitten by her tendency toward melodrama, and his smitten kitten-ness helps rebuild her confidence. Which isn't to say she's saved by a boy, or whatever. If you're looking for a hero who falls hard, you'll get that here (and honestly, it's kind of a Lorret hallmark).

I did notice that this one has a lot of internal dialogue, especially in the beginning. I could've used more interaction earlier between Thea and Jasper. The saving grace there is that Lorret can really put a pretty sentence together. Her writing is always strong. I just prefer a bit more kick, a bit faster.

One note—a running joke in this series is the sisters' mother giving them The Talk through a puppet show starring Lord Flaccid, Lady Content, and Lord Turgid. When I tell you. That this is one of the best running jokes. In a romance series. EVER. I mean it. I shall miss the quivering Lady Content (this novel had a particularly fabulous note about why Thea thought Lady Content was drawn to Lord Turgid... oh baby, you were so off-base, but I get it).

The Sex:

While the scenes in this novel aren't a lot more adventurous than what you'll find in many tradpub historical romances, the hits are there. And like I said... Lorret can write. That extends to the intimacy she imbues into sex scenes. It makes everything that much hotter.

The Conclusion:

I feel like many historical romances recently published lean a bit too hard into lightheartedness. What I enjoyed here is that there is that lightness, but it's not without emotionality—and a lot of that is down to the writing quality. I know Lorret has discussed venturing into contemporary romance next. But I really hope we see her in historicals again.

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

This was such a fun read. FMC hears a rumor about a highwayman and ends up in a real life hold up. The Robin Hood style hero is trying to keep his identity a secret. A lot of fun banter and romantic encounters take place and an evil Uncle that is up to no good. I really liked the characters and it was cute.

I'll start by saying that I was hooked from the first book I read by Mrs. Lorret and I made a point of reading all of her series at once.
And I confess that I was super anxious to read about Thea and who would be her partner. And it was worth every minute because Jasper & Thea, for me, are the best couple in this series!
Jasper stole my heart right from the first chapter! A true gentleman, noble, willing to make sacrifices to help and protect the one he loves even if he has to pretend to be an idiot to society.
And Thea is a sweetheart! I understand her insecurity because of that narcissistic idiot Kallum, but I loved seeing how she turned things around and became a Hartley again.
Their love for each other was what healed every broken piece.

But I'd like to leave a few observations about points that weren't so positive or that could have been better explored. Here's a little spoiler:

The plot with Jasper's uncle; I didn't think it was explored enough. There was still a lot of plot to develop, but I thought it lacked more details and the ending was kind of rushed. Jasper could have punched him a lot more, in my humble opinion, which is because I'm thirsty for blood (judge me).

Jasper's first time experience didn't have to be like that either. Poor guy! He didn't deserve to lose his virginity to an old, toothless prostitute. They could have left him a 100% virgin and it would have fit even better in the story, both because Jasper is huge (in every way...) and because his uncle "could" have used it against him.

And another thing that bothers me is that there is no epilogue!!!!!! I live for epilogues or extended epilogues that we access through newsletters. I feel like an orphan in the VL books.

Other than these observations, the story is great, sweet, sensual in the right measure and I can't wait to read the next Act!

I received an ARC from Netgallery and my opinion is exclusively mine

I wanted to like this book SO much, yet it fell so flat that I found myself struggling to finish at times. First off, there were some character issues.

Starting with, I wish we had seen more of Jasper AS an actual highway man. I feel like the stakes would have been so much higher if the authorities were actively closing in. Instead, we get one made up story, and then one actual instance that in itself was a little weird (example how did Abernathy later clue in to the fact it was Jasper in the first place)? And speaking of Jasper, I really didn't need to be told that the ton considered him an "oaf" a "simpleton" or a "baboon" every few chapters. I get it. He is putting on the image he needs to in order to stay under his uncle's radar. Although, I never really did understand why he continued to do so once he had was nearing his majority. He could have ended the conservatorship then, but didn't. And his uncle? Was just an over-the-top villain with seemingly no real motivation. All I got from reading scenes with him was he enjoyed being a bully. He didn't need the money. He didn't need the prestige. He just enjoyed bullying everyone he considered beneath him.

Now let's look at Althea. I wanted to like her. A young woman in her third season who lost her sense of self the year prior after someone she looked up to tore apart the play she had written and her self-esteem along with it? What's not to like right? Especially when she figures out that the man she was so enamored with before was nothing but a pompous jerk. And yet, during the three times she comes face to face with him, not once does she display that backbone. Not once does she stand up for herself (not even when she finds out what he did). Instead, she is too busy declaring that she is in love with Jasper, when we haven't really seen a reason for her to have done so. Other than he is her "muse", and well.... he took certain liberties with her that I'm sure you can imagine. Even after he tells her they can have no immediate future she still clings to him, declaring her love.

And that leaves us with the plot. Which, due to the character flaws I stated above, I also had some issues with. Especially the ending. For everything that came before, and despite the way it was obviously intended to be dramatic, it felt very anti-climatic to me. And that's not even mentioning the utterly ridiculous plot point where in there is a play being performed in which Althea's heavily pregnant sister plays a debutante of all things.

Honestly, I think this series just wasn't for me as I do feel as though the author has a solid writing style with some good ideas, although as mentioned above there are some things I would have changed. However, I do believe this novel will appeal to those who are already fans of this series, or this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

DNF @ 45%

In Vivienne Lorret’s This Much Is True, the story follows the last of the Hartley sisters, Althea, as she sets out to find a husband during her third season. Of more importance, at least to her, all of her writing inspiration has left her and she is more-so looking forward to finding it again in London vs true love.

When Althea feels a spark of inspiration and starts spinning tall-tales about highwayman encounters, she catches the eye of the oof of society, the Viscount St. James, who seems to bear a striking resemblance to the highwayman of her stories…

While the premise of this story promises to be a rollicking good time, Lorret unfortunately lost me with her need to beat the reader over the head with so many repetitive details. Instead of trusting me to pick up what she was putting down, Lorret wanted to be sure the reader knew: St. James wasn’t an oof he was actually super intelligent and had A BIG SECRET WHAT COULD THAT SECRET BE (it’s revealed by the 25% mark that (view spoiler)) and that Althea had been gaslit by her previous romantic entanglement and that is why she lost her inspiration. Okay, but did you know St. James has a big secret? Are you sure? What about Althea’s previous romance - you know that went poorly, right? On and on in every inner-monologue of these two.

Because of this insistence that the reader understand everything but the developing romance, said romance SUFFERS. While I believed that St. James and Althea were developing something for one another, I was absolutely baffled when they share a kiss (after St. James kidnapped her btw (view spoiler)) and are all but ready to die for one another. I mean, take a look at this exchange:

“I can never have you,” he said against the corner of her mouth. (...) And he regretted every moment he’d spent with her.

“I know,” she said on an exhale. “We’re facing insurmountable obstacles, helplessly drawn to each other like star-crossed lovers.”

At this over dramatic declaration, after a kiss I didn’t care about, some very unromantic behavior from St. James (hidden in the spoilers), and more than half the book to go, there wasn't going to be any enjoyment for me with the rest of the story.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

✨ARC Review✨

I do love this unusual take on historical romance- I love that our viscount, Jasper Trueblood, Viscount St. James is a highwayman who executes such misdirection that all of the ton believes him to be an idiot and an oaf. All the better for him to plan which wealthy creep will be relieved of his purse on his way home. St. James is penniless, at the mercy of his despicable uncle, the Earl of Redcliffe. He’s trying to support family and not draw any attention to himself- from anyone.

So, why he is unable to hide his true self from Miss Althea Hartley?

Thea’s confidence has been battered from a previous courtship where the “gentleman”, fellow playwright Kellum Archer, negged the fvck out of her. What an absolute jackhole.

St. James lets his light shine with her and she basks in it. She finds herself inspired again. And the attraction? Whooo boy!

I loved most of this book and thought it was going to be a five star banger, but the ending was a bit rushed. I wish it had been fleshed out a bit more.

Overall: Recommended! It was a refreshing take on historical romance.

I received this eARC via #netgalley and @Avonbooks @HarperVoyagerUS. All thoughts are mine alone.

#booksbooksbooks #romancebooks #historicalromance #thismuchistrue #viviennelorret #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram

Althea Hartley is in her third season and trying to find her spark to write again. She lost her spark to write after her last season when she was told that she did not have what it took to be a playwright.

Jasper Trueblood, Viscount St. James pretends to be clumsy and not so bright in order to protect his family from his uncle. He disguise himself as a highwayman to take money from men like his uncle in order to support his family.

I enjoyed reading Althea and Jasper’s story. The book was entertaining as well as emotional at times. It was so much fun reading about how they got to know each other. The secondary characters were wonderful and really added to the story. I thought the ending was the perfect ending for the playwright and the highwayman. I would recommend this book!

Althea Hartley is the youngest child of a thespian-entric family. She dreams of becoming a playwright, but the callous words of another destroys her confidence. When her third season on the marriage market 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 facade. Althea's concocted story about a highwayman hits 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?

Anytime I see a highwayman as a main character I am all IN. Vivienne Lorret’s plots are always tightly done and this was no different. Lorret handles trauma so well and expertly dealt with the nuances of recovering from a narcissist and how it influences your relationships going forward. Althea and Jasper (such good names!) were so smitten with each other and you could FEEL how much they liked each other bleed through on every page. I also just love the microtrope of “MC invents a story/person/excuse and it ends up being real and now they have to deal with the consequences”. Althea invents a highwayman and boy does she get one lol very cute and very sweet with a fantastic dollop of seriousness and trauma handling that i thoroughly enjoyed!

Vivienne Lorret is one of the most underrated histrom authors, in my opinion. I want everyone to read her stuff, especially this series which has been so fun. I love the mix of interesting characters and high concept plots. In this one, we have a gentleman who is also a Robin Hood-esque highwayman when he isn't making a complete fool of himself in society so that everyone (including his evil uncle) will underestimate him. I found this book slightly heavier in its themes than the previous two—mentions of emotional and physical abuse abound, so please keep that in mind if those are sensitive topics for you—but the humor in various situations helped keep it from being too intense. I hope that we get a book for Hawk next!! I think I picked up on a little hint there and I want to know more about whatever that was!!

This Much Is True is a wonderful historical romance! Couldn't get enough of the characters and romance.

Althea is a fantastic heroine. She's clever, funny, a little melodramatic but always fun. I could relate to her a lot and found her very entertaining. Jasper was a perfect protective hero. Plus he's a Robin Hood type hero, who doesn't love that?! Their chemistry was great, the intimacy was there and I thought these two made a fabulous couple. They really complimented each other. Plus the steam here was so so good! This may be the sexiest one out of the whole series.

The plot was well paced, intriguing and kept my attention. I thought the villain was a good one and I liked all the obstacles they had to overcome.

A sexy & fun story!

Althea is the youngest of a theatrically inspired family. She is on her third Season after a disastrous season last year with a playwright who dumped her. She loves to write plays. At one event she spins a tales of a hiwayman that hits a little too close for Jasper. He is a viscount masquerading as a buffoon so his uncle will leave him alone. His uncle is a cruel man and jasper is trying to protect what’s left of his family. Althea and Jasper share a bond that he would like to ignore as she would like to explore. A cute romp to their HEA!

This book had me feeling all of the emotions. My heart wept for Jasper and Thea, and when they got their HEA, I was crying tears of joy.

Jasper is literally such a green flag. I adore the way he loves those he cares about with all of himself. And I love how Thea proves to him that love is unconditional.

I will definitely be thinking about this book, and these characters for a long time.

okay miss vivienne, i see you!!!! this book was an absolute blast from start to finish and i will absolutely be reading more from her! i am grasping at any historical romance i can find and this one is definitely one of the best!!!

This author can WRITE. I don't know where I've been that this is the first book I've ever read by Vivienne Lorret, but I'm onboard now.
It is such a JOY when you discover an author who has this much talent. She can describe a scene so well even down to the smallest details and I was CAPTIVATED. I even laughed several times and so many times I was just smiling while reading because it is that good. Well done. Consider me a new fan!

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

A cute, quick, humorous story. The author developed the storyline and characters enough for the audience to buy in and believe in the romance. Recommend this for a nice, lighthearted read.