Look Before You Leap
A Novel
by Virginia Heath
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Pub Date Jun 24 2025 | Archive Date Jul 08 2025
St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin
Description
In this hilarious second installment of a Regency romance series, a single lord is forced to settle down...and when a houseparty brings a happy-go-lucky lady's companion his way, his grumpy heart is unexpectedly warmed.
Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount Wennington, was publicly humiliated by a failed and reckless romantic gesture. Despite this, his mother clings to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and swiftly approaching thirty, Guy's work is his life. In desperation, his mother blindsides Guy with a weeklong house party at his estate filled with annoying debutantes, all competing to be his wife.
After failing as a governess, Lottie Travers is struggling as a lady’s companion. Raised in an all-male household, she’s developed habits that get her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings of how to be a lady, she climbs trees better than she embroiders and can’t resist riding horses astride, in breeches. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for all.
Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one who catches Guy’s eye—though he tries to deny it. For Lottie, succeeding in her new role proves difficult when the Wennington estate is filled with horses, and a spark ignites between her and the grumpy lord. Will they remain stuck in their ways, or learn that they may just be the perfect match?
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781250896094 |
PRICE | $19.00 (USD) |
PAGES | 320 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

5⭐️
Wow! Wow! I absolutely adored this book! The grumpy-sunshine trope was executed perfectly, and I couldn’t get enough of Lottie and Guy’s banter.
Lottie’s warmth and charm was the perfect contrast to Guy’s broody, reluctant attitude, making their slow-burn romance all the more satisfying. The dialogue was witty, the tension was delicious, and the emotional depth caught me off guard in the best way.
If you love a romance filled with playful bickering, undeniable chemistry, and characters you can’t help but root for, this is the book for you.

Aaah Bridgerton fans, this is a treat! Loved it! Fun and spicy. Just great!!! Get immersed in the Regency world and forget all the nonsense of the day.

This is one of my new favorite series! I truly TRULY loved everything about Guy and Lottie!! But also, as anyone who knows me will understand, the side characters are the life and soul of these books!! I want to know everything there is to know about Longbottom and Almeria!!! I’m obsessed, but also Lottie’s brothers need some women on their lives too!!
Anyways this is highly bingeable A++ histrom gold!!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy!!

This book delivers it all: sizzling tension, heartfelt character arcs, and a heroine who gallops her way into both the hero’s heart and the reader’s. The contrast between Lottie’s impulsive, lively spirit and Guy’s gruff, closed-off demeanor makes their slow-burn connection irresistibly satisfying. The story balances humor and heart perfectly, with moments of laugh-out-loud chaos and tender glimpses into their shared vulnerabilities that will leave you swooning.

Virginia Heath does it again!! Picking up Heath novel feels like hanging with an old friend. You can’t help but root for and love Guy and Lottie. Heath’s storytelling is compelling and her frothy way of marrying regency romance and rom-com energy keeps the story fresh, fun, and enjoyable. I could see this book (and the first in this same series) as a great book club intro for those who aren’t always fans of the regency genre.

Man oh man!! I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK!! I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it, but this one was so much better in my opinion!! I loved our FMC Lottie. She is smart, brave, unconventional, and always positive. Our MMC Guy is kind, loyal, dedicated, and family-oriented.
While Lottie and Guy are opposites in a lot of ways, they are also the same side of the coin in others. Their differences compliment each other and their similarities only make them stronger. This book was so sweet and the build up of their love story was so genuine and cute!
Lottie doesn't fit the mold of a typical governess/ladies companion. She yearns to be the perfect product of Miss P's teachings, but her heart also yearns to be outdoors and riding a horse. Guy was scorned in love at a young age and is afraid of opening his heart back up to heartbreak, but wants to find love and make his mom happy. The side characters of Guy's mom and aunt (Lottie's employer) were *chef's kiss* the perfect combination of meddling and loving. We all need a Lady Wennington and Lady Frinton in our life.
This book was the perfect combination of sweet and funny. I LOVE a good historical romance to throw in the mix of other books I read, and when I read one like this, it just makes me want to find more like it and devour those too.
I loved every minute of reading this book and cannot wait to read Kitty and Portia's books when they come out.
Big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Virginia Heath for an eArc copy of the book to read!

Captivating from start to finish, I loved the banter and the MCs' dynamic so so much. They were so perfectly matched, and I cannot imagine a better last line for a book than what this one had 🥲
-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Virginia Heath is one of my favourite historical romance author for me. This story was so authentic and it made me laugh, cry, and genuinely happy. . I will definitely be recommending this book.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an entirely delightful and delectable book, and it melted by heart. I hope other readers enjoy it as well.

There’s not a single moment I didn’t like about this book. Everything from their first meeting till the last page was perfection. Lottie and Guy were perfect together. She’s a ray of sunshine and he’s a grumpy rain cloud, but together they make rainbows. Their banter and moments together were on point. Guy’s mother, his aunt, his aunt’s butler, and all the other side characters added humor and warmth to this story. One of my favorites so far this year.

In Look Before You Leap, the second book in Virginia Heath's delightful Regency romance series, readers are treated to a charming tale of love, wit, and unexpected sparks. This book expertly balances humor and heart, with a grumpy lord and an adventurous lady’s companion who are both forced to confront their own preconceived notions about life and love.
Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount Wennington, has lived a life of self-imposed solitude and work since a public romantic debacle nearly a decade ago. As his thirtieth birthday approaches, his mother insists that he fulfill the promise he made to her years ago—having a house full of grandchildren by his milestone birthday. His response? A weeklong house party full of eager debutantes vying for his attention, all of whom Guy would rather avoid. Enter Lottie Travers, a spirited lady’s companion with a wild streak and a strong sense of independence.
Lottie, who struggles with fitting into the constraints of proper society, is a breath of fresh air. Raised in an all-male household, she’s a woman ahead of her time, more comfortable riding horses in breeches than attending to embroidery. Her journey to conquer her "wildness" and find stability for her family is a deeply engaging one, filled with moments of both humor and emotional depth. Lottie’s quirky nature and unyielding spirit make her a standout character, and the chemistry between her and the reluctant Guy is undeniably magnetic.
The relationship between Guy and Lottie is a slow burn, filled with tension, misunderstandings, and moments of genuine tenderness. As Guy tries to resist his growing attraction to her, he slowly unravels his own heart and learns that love doesn’t always follow the path one expects. Their dynamic is both entertaining and heartwarming, as they challenge one another to grow and embrace change.
Virginia Heath’s writing shines with wit and warmth. The dialogue sparkles, and the Regency setting provides the perfect backdrop for this lighthearted yet emotionally rich story. The house party itself is the perfect setting for chaos, comedy, and romantic tension, and it’s impossible not to root for Guy and Lottie to overcome their differences and find happiness together.
Look Before You Leap is a delightful, feel-good read that will leave you smiling long after the last page. With its wonderful characters, humorous moments, and heartwarming romance, it’s a must-read for fans of Regency romance. Virginia Heath continues to prove herself as a master of blending humor and heart, and this book is sure to be a favorite among readers.