More or Less a Countess

He's a notorious rake. She's a headstrong spinster. They share nothing in common, except for matchmaking grandmothers and few duress promises to keep. She's protecting her sister. He's protecting his way of life. Neither expected to feel fireworks. Nicholas and Violet are about to learn that when it comes to love there is no tried and true plan, only emotion. More or Less a Countess steamrolls it's way right into your heart. A steamy battle of hearts.

Finding a worthy husband should be simple for three beautiful debutantes in Regency London. But the Somerset sisters have a way of making it delightfully complicated . . . Violet Somerset has always preferred a library to a ballroom, but to please her grandmother she agreed to one London season. With nothing to show for it but heartbreak, she’s reconciled to spinsterhood. Until a notorious rogue known as the Devil of Dare requests an introduction to her timid, gentle youngest sister, Hyacinth. Violet will do anything to stop the match—even if it means posing as Hyacinth herself. Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare, is enjoying the life of a rake far too much to take a wife. But he must keep his promise to his grandmother. He’ll simply choose the meekest bride he can find, install her at his estate, then carry on as before. Hyacinth sounds perfect—until he discovers that her sweet demeanour hides the tongue of a viper and the mind of a bluestocking This was a delightful read, which I loved, I read with a permanent smile on my face until about seventy percent of the way through when things became more serious. The story of a rake wanting to marry quickly so he could return to Italy & his mistress was always bound to come a cropper. The bluestocking who’s a wallflower & will steer the rake from her quiet, meek sister is also bound to come a cropper. Put the rake & the bluestocking together & you have this deliciously humorous novel. Of course things don’t go according to plan & as the story progresses there are more misunderstandings & Nick & Violets’ fears and secrets come into play. Both of them are quite fragile but each has tried to hide this, their road to their HEA wasn’t easy but it was in turn humorous & heart wrenching. Whilst this is the second book in the series it could well be read on its own but all of the five Somerset sisters are hugely entertaining so I’d recommend reading the other stories. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

It's hot outside. Summer refuses to cool down. My best advice is to kick back in an air-conditioned room with a comfy chair and read a good book. On August 7th you can pick up a copy of More Or Less A Countess by Anna Bradley and enjoy the, once again, lovely journey she's given us. Ms Bradley knows how to make the early 1800's seem heavenly with come-out seasons and house parties. Our hero is Nicholas Balfour, Earl of Dare. He's a lovely guy but he's sad and angry inside and not on the cover darn it. Nick is trying to control things around him since his life seems to be a mess. His aunt has decreed Nick will marry and do it asap. Our heroine is Violet Somerset, a self-confessed bluestocking. All the Somerset sisters are knock-outs, golden haired, blue-eyed ladies the men are crazy for. Except Violet who can't manage to act like a simple minded damsel in distress. Our hero mistakes Violet for her sister, Hyacinth, she doesn't correct him and here we go.. Nick and Violet each have their secret reasons for playing this "courting" game. As time passes Violet realizes Nick isn't like other rogues and she begins to fall in love with man he really is. In getting to know each other guilt sets in about the game but neither can fess up and say goodbye. When they're caught together a hasty marriage occurs. Violet wants to help the man she loves and married, but how to soothe his hurt and bring joy to his life again is a wonderful part of this story. Violet turns out to be a wise woman and Nick finally realizes that the bluestocking was just the mate for him. The journey of these two characters involves emotions from A to Z.. The Somerset and Sutherland families have been twining together since 2015. The handsome man on the cover of the first book caught my attention but the story kept me coming back again and again. More Or Less A Countess has a marvelous romantic ending. I'm not telling so you'll have to get your hands on the book to read the journey and the happily ever after we readers demand. Stay cool, hydrated and happy reading.