Cat WMM

Narrator is a whole other layer of the cake

Revisado: 03-13-25

This is a multi POV story. Sophia Holloway loves this style of writing. I have read 5 books by her so far and they were all written in this fashion. Because of this I have come to find that listening to them being performed by the superbly talented Matt Addis is just what adds a whole other layer of loveliness to that cake. He is just too much fun.

This a clean romance-kisses only. But there is talk of physical intimacy-though not sordidly laid out nor detailed in any uncomfortably vivid fashion. It is lightly mentioned and vaguely alluded to.

Also, this is truly a story about Chaperoning-as is the title, with love coming second to that. The former is the main theme while the latter happens second to it. So please go in knowing this.

All in all this is a period story full of humor and wit and a clever light hearted way to pass the time.

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Entertaining, healing, and thankfully clean

Revisado: 02-03-25

If you've read any of my other reviews then you know I have come to acquire a very deep appreciation for stories that give off a "real life" nature and vibe. Stories where you feel like you are reading the historical account of how certain characters lived and loved in that time period. I like feeling like I'm reading about real people with experiences that humanize them and causes me to feel empathy and appreciation for their journey. This book gives off that in spades. But what I like about this author's way of writing her stories is that she will keep things real without depressing you. There is always hope for a bright future threaded into every one of her books that I have read (5 completed so far).

This particular book is a lovely story about self-esteem, self worth, a bond between sisters, and what makes true love true. I really enjoyed it. It was both heart warming and inspiring. Left me feeling all the cozy fuzzy feels of a happy ending romance, but also appreciative of who I am as person and how it is important to treasure that.

As to the heat level, it is a clean romance 🎊 BUT there are few references here and there that are slightly suggestive. They are not numerous (thankfully 😥 ) but they are there once or twice in the book. Nothing overly sensual happily. Some "clean book" authors out here have me shookkk with their tagging their stories as clean when just a few chapters in you are forced into a "dnf" (did not finish) situation because they are so steeped in sensual innuendo. My. This book is not that 😭🙌 .

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Needed more sadly....

Revisado: 01-18-25

Colorful cast of characters and an interesting mystery to follow but unfortunately a little tepid both as a "gothic novel" romance and as a murder mystery. I kept expecting more thrill and excitement but it never reached a thrilling note. And when the mystery was finally solved it was solved in a rushed way. Left me feeling oddly unsatisfied.
As to the romantic side of it, the book is tagged as "romance" but the romance was barely a whisper throughout the story. As I sat through the moments where the main characters interacted I kept feeling like more warmth was needed between the two. I kept waiting for it, and there were times when it was almost there, but then it never truly came. I suppose reading a lot of clean Regency romance books by M.A Nichols has spoiled me for other clean romance books. She writes connection so well that you deeply truly believe that what the characters are experiencing is genuine love and not just a strong attraction. I find myself looking for the same thing in other clean historical romance books these days but keep being sadly disappointed. Sigh...

It is a nice okay book to pass the time to be sure but it did not blow me personally away. I lightly enjoyed it and therefore an in the middle 3 stars is what I give it.

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Hilarious and entertaining

Revisado: 12-11-24

Hilarious and entertaining.

Matt Addis should narrate all books this author brings out please. He always leaves me in applause and appreciation. Just such a good time.

The story is hilarious and well written. A light read that can truly lift one's spirit! And thankfully clean too. No explicit scenes and we love that in these parts.

I also love that our female lead is not weak and frail despite having a disability in a time period when people valued "perfection" to an obsessive level. She was confident and such a delight to read.

The English is also beautiful and indicative of the times. I will never stop championing this. Love love love when authors honor time periods this way. Makes the immersion as it should be. Hope other period authors start doing this a lot better too.

All in all it is a lovely, light, fun read that had me laughing out loud so many times. Glad I bought it.

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Transporting in both writing and narration!! Just magnificent

Revisado: 05-11-24

The narration was so good it felt like several different people were doing the voices for the different characters. Great job miss Anna Parker Naples. Though I would advice to listen at 1.05 speed. It seemed oddly slow at the normal level but delightful at 1.05.
The characters were so intricately fleshed out! The choice of words so smart and full of witty loveliness. We love us some witty characters.
The story telling was so entrancing. The period appropriate English-top 2 compared with all the many present day authored Regency period books I have read, added so much wonderful flavor to an already rich story. Not sure how I am going to read other authors' books now that I have read this kind of Regency writing truth be told. The bar has officially been set quite high.
Augh I did not want to say goodbye to Nicolas and Lavinia. I really really enjoyed their journey. Can't wait to run into them in book 2 of this series!!!

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Delightful

Revisado: 03-21-24

The writing was so clever, hilarious, exciting. If you are a person who enjoys word play and the English language in all it's 19th century glory then this will be quite the treat.
The leading man was kind, made me laugh out loud several times, an amazing leader, very very ride or die, and just so beautifully devoted. I liked him so much!!
The narrator was an unexpected delight. Never listened to a Regency novel read by a man so I was very cautious when I first saw the book on Audible. But boy am I beside myself with appreciation for taking the plunge!! He is probably the best of the best that I have listened to so far - and I have listened to some really good narrators. He made the story come alive with such an invested performance!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥇🥇🥇 .His voice for Lady Willoughby had me in stitches and his take on Captain Hawksmoor was so fitting and just perfect for the high ranking naval officer turned Marquis. What a wonderful story teller. Hands down.

I would have loved it if there were more warm moments between the main pair in the mid parts of the story hence one missing star, but otherwise I really enjoyed this story. Felt genuinely sad to have it end. Definitely going to listen to more of this author's books. She is such a great find!!

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Simon and Mina's story was just too powerful. The Finches needed more

Revisado: 03-19-24

The ending made me smile so mucccchhhh!!!! Hahahahaha It was so warm, cozy, kind and full of hope!!!

This was a lovely listen (the narrator is just 😩🥇🥇👏🏾👏🏾 spectacular!!). Themes of self esteem and forgiveness were strong in this one. And I just love a good redemption story.

My favorite part though, which knocked off a star and you'll understand why shortly, is that I loved how the follow up story of the secondary couple was told more than I enjoyed the main pair's story 😬. I think M A Nichols told such a powerful tale in Mina and Simon's book that it was just hard enjoying Lewis and Felicity's story as written. I felt like they needed more to happen between them for their journey to tug at the heart as much as Simon and Mina's did. They were meant to be supporting characters but they carried the day.
So coming from such a weighted beautifully painted journey to a less weighted one made the main pair lose their shine as a story in their own main book. Simon and Mina stole the show for me.

Also this is a clean book but not so squeaky. There is little talk of desire and longing between a married couple. But it is very little. So just a point to note.
It was a good story and the ending was augh 😭❤️❤️❤️. But sadly I enjoyed the ending and the secondary characters far more than the main pair's journey. Just needed a bit more.

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