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leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review
5.0
I couldn’t put this book down! I love matchmaking stories with forced proximity. Louisa comes to Rothbrier Hall to meet Paul. Only Paul is unsuspecting of a match. He’s a barrister and a poor one at that. His mother and best friend’s mother meddle into his affairs, believing it’s time he settle down.
punandprose's review
5.0
Very charming and creative. I've read my fair share of regency novels, and I always appreciate a fresh, new story in that setting. Bargaining for the Barrister delivered exactly that, and it made me realize (again) why I love this genre. I appreciated the direct, open communication between characters and I'm grateful for the lack of miscommunication. Overall, a lovely story that I'd happily pass on to another lover of regency.
talesuponmyshelf_'s review
4.0
This sweet historical romance is all about matchmaking. We have a group of mamas wanting to marry off their children and the children banding together to stop it (calling themselves the Rebels). Louisa is tired of fortune hunters so she agrees to meet Paul. Marriage is far from Paul's mind. It is a very slow burn romance. They are friendly and share their feelings with each other. They both are overcoming traumas from their past. I really enjoyed the end when the walls came down and they were able to freely express their feelings and love for each other. The grief from their past and how they are dealing with it was beautifully written. I felt like the matchmaking mamas almost hurt the situation rather than help. Ian, Paul's friend, bugged me a little bit. He was so against Paul having any feelings for Louisa but then his heart was softened to the idea.
thetinyreader's review
2.0
*Bargaining for the Barrister* is a historical fiction book. The matchmaking mamas was a little bit hilarious. Louisa is a very independent woman. She tries her best to be optimistic, and I’m glad she sees the value of not trying to be happy all the time because there is also such a thing as toxic positivity. *Paul had to overcome some fundamental issues that stemmed from abuse. He had some issues, but it was interesting he was aware of his problems.* I wanted to know more about some characters. However, I’m glad the author made an effort to raise some specific issues about the era.
Favorite Quote by Paul: *“I think they’d be proud of your strength and such a worthy desire. But when life mistreats you, I daresay they would want you to have a good cry now and then too.”*
Recommend this to anyone interested in pure maritime historical fiction. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
**My rating: 2.5/5**
*Content Warning: Mention of Domestic Abuse*
Favorite Quote by Paul: *“I think they’d be proud of your strength and such a worthy desire. But when life mistreats you, I daresay they would want you to have a good cry now and then too.”*
Recommend this to anyone interested in pure maritime historical fiction. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
**My rating: 2.5/5**
*Content Warning: Mention of Domestic Abuse*
melissasbookshelf's review
5.0
Bargaining for the Barrister is a fantastic start to a new series that I absolutely loved and couldn’t put down! Anneka Walker is definitely an amazingly talented author whose characters aren’t the cookie-cutter Regency variety. They’re deep, heartfelt characters with unique challenges who are witty, sympathetic, and endearing. The story is so fun with a gaggle of matchmaking mamas simply trying to find the perfect match for their children. The sons and daughters dubbed “The Rebels” discover their mothers’ secret and vow to thwart their matchmaking machinations. What follows is a funny yet poignant attempt to secure a match for the first of hopefully all “The Rebels.”
You can’t help but love caring, sunny-dispositioned, beautiful yet strong Louisa. She’s determined to find happiness despite the loss of both parents. After suffering loneliness and unscrupulous suitors only after her dowry, she happily accepts an interesting proposal from her mother’s friend Lady Kellen. Louisa and her brother Logan travel to stay with the Sheldons hoping to secure a marriage match with their son Paul. Her first meeting with Paul is one of the best “meet cutes” I’ve read in a long time! It was hilarious! However, Paul is anything but a willing suitor. Despite their attraction and obvious chemistry, the match seems doomed to failure. Can Louisa help Paul overcome his past and fears enough to give love a chance?
Absolutely adored Paul! He’s a barrister only wanting to marry after making his fortune and even then he worries he may not be marriage material. Enduring a difficult childhood makes him avoid personal touch at all costs. The only one able to break through his barriers is Louisa. Yet, his deep reservations and even his best friend Ian threaten to keep him from truly opening himself up to the idea of marriage. The matchmaking mamas and Louisa certainly have their work cut out for them.
I loved all of Paul and Louisa’s interactions, especially the attic, the archery scene, the first kiss, and the pond scenes. This story will have you swooning, laughing, and perhaps shedding a few tears over these characters’ plights. I adored “the Rebel” friends with their fun nicknames and amazing meeting location. The matchmaking mamas were delightful too and always one step ahead. I already love this series and am eagerly anticipating Tom’s story. You do not want to miss this book! Highly recommend to everyone, but especially those who love clean, original Regency romance. I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I’m voluntarily leaving my review.
You can’t help but love caring, sunny-dispositioned, beautiful yet strong Louisa. She’s determined to find happiness despite the loss of both parents. After suffering loneliness and unscrupulous suitors only after her dowry, she happily accepts an interesting proposal from her mother’s friend Lady Kellen. Louisa and her brother Logan travel to stay with the Sheldons hoping to secure a marriage match with their son Paul. Her first meeting with Paul is one of the best “meet cutes” I’ve read in a long time! It was hilarious! However, Paul is anything but a willing suitor. Despite their attraction and obvious chemistry, the match seems doomed to failure. Can Louisa help Paul overcome his past and fears enough to give love a chance?
Absolutely adored Paul! He’s a barrister only wanting to marry after making his fortune and even then he worries he may not be marriage material. Enduring a difficult childhood makes him avoid personal touch at all costs. The only one able to break through his barriers is Louisa. Yet, his deep reservations and even his best friend Ian threaten to keep him from truly opening himself up to the idea of marriage. The matchmaking mamas and Louisa certainly have their work cut out for them.
I loved all of Paul and Louisa’s interactions, especially the attic, the archery scene, the first kiss, and the pond scenes. This story will have you swooning, laughing, and perhaps shedding a few tears over these characters’ plights. I adored “the Rebel” friends with their fun nicknames and amazing meeting location. The matchmaking mamas were delightful too and always one step ahead. I already love this series and am eagerly anticipating Tom’s story. You do not want to miss this book! Highly recommend to everyone, but especially those who love clean, original Regency romance. I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I’m voluntarily leaving my review.
misshiruma's review
4.0
I’ve enjoyed it much! It is a slow-burn romance so if you want something heavy of the heart beats and butterflies moments this is not that. I liked the slow friendship then affection and love that grows gradually with time.
I can’t wait to see all the Rebels in love and married ✨
I can’t wait to see all the Rebels in love and married ✨
heathermollauthor's review
3.0
Paul Sheldon is a barrister who has spent all his money being charitable to the disreputable Mrs Hammond and returns home to discover he’s the victim of a matchmaking scheme spearheaded by the matrons of the neighborhood, including his own mother. He doesn’t want to marry until he has a fortune, and he doesn’t see that happening any time soon.
Louisa is a “fake it til you feel it” person, pretending to be happy for the sake of those around her. She has a fortune from trade and is eager to move forward with her own life after the death of her parents. Her hope is to be set up with a man who has no knowledge of her fortune–a little unbelievable for Regency England.
The matchmakers in the neighborhood have brought Louisa for Paul. Unfortunately, Paul doesn’t know he’s being set up and Louisa thinks she has a good chance of her marriage being arranged. He dislikes being touched and is abrupt with her, but she’s determined, and trying to see the bright side of everything.
Paul’s childhood friends, the Rebels, take it upon themselves to prevent Paul from being manipulated, just as he begins to appreciate Louisa. It seems likely the other Rebels will all have their own books and be matched.
Paul is too reserved, Louisa too cheerful, Paul’s friend Ian too protective, and his parents too eager to see him married. There was a lot of telling rather than showing in the beginning and it took a while for everyone’s motivations and personalities to be shown.
We slowly learn Paul’s history of abuse and why he hates to touch people. He steadily grows and begins to heal over the course of the book. Louisa is intuitive and kind, and smart too. She’s too perfect and never shows the same growth as Paul experienced. It's a fast-paced read after the first quarter of the book, but I while I really liked Paul, I wasn't charmed by the matchmakers enough to read the next book in the series.
3.5 stars I received an ARC from NetGalley
Louisa is a “fake it til you feel it” person, pretending to be happy for the sake of those around her. She has a fortune from trade and is eager to move forward with her own life after the death of her parents. Her hope is to be set up with a man who has no knowledge of her fortune–a little unbelievable for Regency England.
The matchmakers in the neighborhood have brought Louisa for Paul. Unfortunately, Paul doesn’t know he’s being set up and Louisa thinks she has a good chance of her marriage being arranged. He dislikes being touched and is abrupt with her, but she’s determined, and trying to see the bright side of everything.
Paul’s childhood friends, the Rebels, take it upon themselves to prevent Paul from being manipulated, just as he begins to appreciate Louisa. It seems likely the other Rebels will all have their own books and be matched.
Paul is too reserved, Louisa too cheerful, Paul’s friend Ian too protective, and his parents too eager to see him married. There was a lot of telling rather than showing in the beginning and it took a while for everyone’s motivations and personalities to be shown.
We slowly learn Paul’s history of abuse and why he hates to touch people. He steadily grows and begins to heal over the course of the book. Louisa is intuitive and kind, and smart too. She’s too perfect and never shows the same growth as Paul experienced. It's a fast-paced read after the first quarter of the book, but I while I really liked Paul, I wasn't charmed by the matchmakers enough to read the next book in the series.
3.5 stars I received an ARC from NetGalley
lawnchairbookworm's review
4.0
Anneka Walker’s newest Regency is the first book in a series and if the rest are as delightful as Bargaining for the Barrister we are in for quite the treat.
Paul Sheldon’s mother and friends are fed up with their unmarried children. Under the guise of a musical club they’ve decided to secretly help one another find matches for their offspring. Paul will be their first victim. Only problem is Paul and his close knit group of friends “the rebels” have found out about their mothers scheming and are determined to put a stop to it.
If the plot hadn’t already pulled me in the first awkward, yet adorable, meet cute sealed the deal. This storyline was so much fun! I don’t like to give away too much away but that attic scene
Paul Sheldon’s mother and friends are fed up with their unmarried children. Under the guise of a musical club they’ve decided to secretly help one another find matches for their offspring. Paul will be their first victim. Only problem is Paul and his close knit group of friends “the rebels” have found out about their mothers scheming and are determined to put a stop to it.
If the plot hadn’t already pulled me in the first awkward, yet adorable, meet cute sealed the deal. This storyline was so much fun! I don’t like to give away too much away but that attic scene