I requested this ARC on a whim, having just read the author’s novella which a loosely-connected prequel to this, and I’m so glad I did because it’s the most refreshing historical romance I’ve read in ages. The central premise, of mathematician Grace attempting to decode the information hidden in her deceased friend’s journals, has parallels in several of the characters who are hiding facets of their true selves because of society’s expectations or just through fear of being vulnerable. I liked how Grace is depicted as multi-dimensional: highly intelligent and openly emotional and understanding the practicalities of fitting into the world she’s been born into. Her relationship with Luke has sparks from the outset and develops with wit and spice and then emotion that’s downright heart-wrenching. The writing manages to evoke all the feelings throughout: there’s a scene near the end which made me snort-laugh and then almost tear up within a page, and by that time I was fully at the ‘unable to put this down’ stage. My only disappointment is that the author doesn’t (yet) have anything else for me to devour - but I will definitely be looking out for the next one.

The book begins with Luke and Grace as enemies. I really appreciated the background info being given in small bits regularly, so not to leave the reader hanging and hanging wondering exactly what happened in the past between them.
All the chapters are titled "In Which .....", which is very clever. The one entitled "In While Luke Suggests a Therapeutic Exercise" was so titillating! In fact all the sexy scenes were absolutely marvelously done. I absolutely felt like I was right there in the room, and my "breath hitched" numerous times! For how well the spice was done, even though it was fairly basic I'd give it a 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
The verbal sparring between Luke and Grace was so, so good. *Chef's kiss* Lots of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth vibes!
Nothing to criticize, absolutely loved this book! The plot had me hanging on till the last few pages wondering if it was really possible to get a HEA! I don't often feel like rereading romance novels but this one I definitely will!

This was a strong sequel in the Secret Lives of Regency Ladies series, i really enjoyed the overall story going on and how the characters worked in this universe. It had that Regency-era romance that I really enjoyed and was invested in what was happening to the characters. Lark Maitland has a strong style for this type of book and can't wait for more.

EXCEPTIONAL. I absolutely adored Lark Maitland's book, and Ash and the Butterfly was phenomenal. A breath of fresh air in the historical romance cannon.

This sexy, gripping and clever tale was a delight to read.

I have not yet read the first book and feel I need to in order to get the back story of the characters but that said it does mean I can re read this after which will be fabulous for me as a reader.

This is a good read and for a while I was transported to another world which was intense and amazing..

Delicious and delightful! This is such an excellent historical romance – satisfying and authentic – with so much to savour. Author Lark has created a universe surrounding the new Bexley Museum where entomologist (and adventurer) Luke Ashburton is working. Its founder has died in a fire just three weeks before the Museum is due to open. There’s a tight group of academics, all friends and colleagues of the late Earl of Bexley who are working together to make the opening go ahead. Enter our Butterfly, gifted mathematician Grace Chetwood, who is not just misjudged because she is a woman, but because she’s also curious, enthusiastic, and in her own words ‘A little too. Too voluptuous, too giggly, too spotted, too quick to speak, to cry, to gasp’. The late and lamented Earl wrote his field notes in code, and it's Grace who is invited to assist with deciphering the notes. This puts her firmly in the sights of the very judgy Luke, who (of course) fatally underestimates her, even as he fights his attraction.

Their interactions are delicious, they squabble and bicker, spar, and needle until they are both so turned on it’s combustible 🌶🌶 There’s misunderstanding on both sides. As if this isn’t enough, they are racing to solve the puzzles and make the Museum opening a success.

I love the freshness of it all - Ash is a third son, so he’s not wealthily or titled, just clever and resourceful. Grace has been compromised, but not by Ash, so she’s accepted a lackwit's marriage proposal and is anxious to know if she’s with child. Ash also has a proposal in the planning (not to Grace). There’s a 'love is love' subplot that broke my heart, matchmaking, Grace’s complicated but ultimately empathetic family (we met them in The Duke’s Bride Vanishes, Lark’s first histrom), the museum itself, and enough romance-science to give it all substance. Grace is so gorgeous and vivacious and such a foil for the more reserved Luke. It's a slow burn (sort of), complicated and delightfully steamy when they finally get there. So much tension to relieve 🤭

Reminds me of Courtney Milan’s amazing The Heiress Effect.

Thank you Lark Maitland for the ARC and congratulations on writing a banger of a book! Opinions are my own.

This was my first read by this author. I love the cover so decided to give this a try.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The characters are fantastic, especially the heroine Grace. I liked that she was a brilliant mathematician and was brought into the story to solve a problem. It gave her a grander purpose and room for her character to develop. The MMC, Luke, is also refreshing. He's a nobleman's son but does not have a title since he is not heir. He doesn't let that stop him from pursuing his interest which is science, a lovely change in Regency romance. These two had great chemistry and banter. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

I thought the plot was unique for a Regency romance. It kept me engaged and wanting to pick up the book.

Would recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and The Secret Library for providing me this ARC.

Holy fucking shit. Jesus Jezibelle and the lords have mercy above. I was NOT expecting to adore this book as much as I did.

First of all, this is seriously the best regency style book I have read. Ever. The language was beautiful, the conversations natural, and EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER was intensely likeable, (besides St. George of course).

This writing, is a gift. I seriously was going into this like "oh it's regency smexy times, its gonna be not the best writing", but ohhhhh my god??????? OH MY GOD??????? "Do you remember when you told me that you are--I think the words were---too much? I never agreed, but once I was apart from you, it became hideously obvious that everyone else was too little." HEL FUCKING LO?!?!?!?!? WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME AT 9:55 PM ON A SCHOOL NIGHT???

The dialogue and writing are some of the best banter I have read in a hot sec. The vulnerability and honestly between Luke and Grace TRANSCENDS me into another dimension. This book was such a fun, engaging and intimate story that really reminds me SO much of Emily and Wendell.

I will say, that the first intimate interaction happens a lil too quickly in the book than what I usually go for in books, but seriously everything else that transpired in this book made it SO worth it and so easy to get over that. Well done, Lark, please give me all your books, your words, and your wisdom. Incredible

This is an absolutely beautiful and well written love story. It begins with a dramatic incident and a terrible tragic loss. The characters were strong-willed, determined, intelligent, and complex. Their witty and humorous banter was highly entertaining, and their relationship that evolved throughout is interesting and engaging. The ending was perfect. I highly recommend reading!

My Netgalley Arc Review: Ash and the butterfly by Lark Maitland
Today is release day for this amazing book, its available on Kindle & Amazon. Please go and follow/show some love to this amazing Author.

I give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I really enjoyed the authors writing style, the characters, and time setting.
~This is a Regency Romance
~Enemies To Lovers & when their chemistry finally snaps their regency propriety goes right out the window I loved It.
~Steamy Scenes
~Both FMC & MMC are broody/stubborn & just overall funny to me~ I really liked them.
~Quick Read For Me But Very Balanced & Heartwarming
For Me

"Do you remember when you told me that you are -I think the words were- too much? I never agreed, but once I was apart from you, it became hideously obvious that everyone else was too little."

I usually don't read or enjoy Regency era romances, but I adored this. It felt like a mix of Pride and Prejudice, Bridgerton, and Anatomy a Love Story. I think I enjoyed it so much because the FMC felt more like a women living in the modern day, with more progressive ideas and goals than most from the time she was living in. Enemies-to-lovers feels like a trope that can only be done well in fantasy books, but it was pulled off so beautifully and realistically, the initial disdain they had for each other was so believable. I love Luke's love and awe of Grace's brain and absolutely swooned reading their story. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

This book perfectly balances witty banter and simmering sexual tension, drawing readers in with its clever dialogue and the growing emotional complexity between the leads. Grace and Luke are both strong characters with their own baggage, and watching them slowly shed their layers while deciphering not just the earl’s code but each other is a thrilling ride. The tension is fiery, but their ultimate connection is even more so. The historical setting offers the perfect backdrop for the slow burn of their romance, with their interactions filled with sharp words, glances, and subtle touches becoming the focal point of the book. The steamy undercurrent is expertly handled, making their evolving relationship all the more rewarding. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you rooting for them to work through their differences and finally give in to the undeniable pull between them. I loved every moment of it.

This book is absolutely wonderful. It is a real enemies to lovers book where they actually each did something to warrant each other's ire, not just some perceived slight or miscommunication.

I enjoyed seeing their relationship blossom as they communicated more and learned more about each other. Every interaction the main couple had was meaningful, complex, and helped us get to know each person individually. It is also great that they each were passionate about something different and respected the importance of each other's work. Once the couple got past their anger, they truly understood each other.

I also really liked the side characters and their scheming.

Most importantly, every scene added something to the plot and the author did not repeat the same concept over and over just to add words. 🙌

This book had emotions, longing, and angst that made you feel both sad and hopeful. Great work!

As Regency Romances go, Ash and Butterfly has a little bit of everything to build an entertaining and enjoyable romp through Regency England in 1822, when women were expected to be seen and very little else.
Grace Chetwood and Luke Ashburton have met before with a rather unhappy ending. She is a talented Mathematician, he is a Botanist and Scientist. Both are looking forward to the opening of the new Museum of their friend Bexley, Charles Calthorpe, Earl of Bexley, a man noted for his scientific expeditions and expertise in life sciences.
The last thing Luke had expected when he reached Estate to be greeted with the new building on fire, his friend Bexley dead and Denton, Philip Denton long-time friend of Bexley’s, covered in soot, with a vacant look on his face.
As if the tragedy was not bad enough they discover that what has managed to be saved means little, as Bexley had all the descriptions of the specimens in his notebooks; they are all in a carefully created mathematical code which none of the men can break.
They decide to ask for help by contacting Grace Calthorpe, who is more than happy to remove to Bexley Estate to get away from a somewhat disastrous situation created by her innate curiosity.
When Luke realises he is going to have to work with Grace, a woman he admits intrigues him the sparks fly, the temperature rises and the mad dash to try and solve the complex code reaches exhausting levels, both he and Grace have to resolve the issue of their ever increasing attraction to each other.
Ash and The Butterfly is a modern take on Regency Romance spun with wit, charm and enthusiasm, with a cast of characters that are each in their own right, absolutely realistic and entertaining.