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jackiehorne's review
3.0
2.5 . I've not read any previous historical romances by Benson, but was drawn to this when I saw it on Netgalley because of its 40+ year-old protagonist, widow Clara Sommersby, who apparently spent her time matchmaking for her nieces in earlier installments in the series. Clara's a bit lonely in Bath, now that those nieces have wed and left her, despite keeping company with a lively new puppy and an older witty dowager duchess. She meets William Lane at the pump room, not knowing that the newcomer has come to town not for his health but to pursue a business project—turning a coffeehouse he's just purchased into a spa. But he needs to also buy the hotel next store to the coffeehouse in order to have enough room for his plans. And guess who just happens to own said hotel?
Clara invested in the hotel after the death of her husband; she relies upon it for the financial security her husband was not able to provide, and is not at all likely to sell, even though she must keep her ownership a secret in order to keep her standing in society. Lane, in contrast, was raised in the London Foundling Hospital, and is proud to be in trade. The two are initially drawn to one another despite their differences, and each starts to anticipate seeing the other whenever they go out in public, even though Clara initially tells herself that she's matchmaking for a younger neighbor, not herself.
A few of the plot turns were rather contrived/improbable for my tastes (Wouldn't an intelligent businessman investigate who owns a property before he seeks investors to help him buy it? Wouldn't a man raised in the Foundling Hospital speak in a way that sounds different from his aristocratic business partners? Why did Clara make such a self-sacrificing gesture toward book's end, when the story up until that point made no reference to Lane's desire for such a sacrifice?). Lane and Clara's relationship seemed based mostly on physical attraction; the two didn't seem to have much in common besides it. Their conversations are fairly dull, not at all lively or witty.
Twenty-first century readers are likely to appreciate Lane's respect for Clara's right to make her own decisions, especially those related to the "male" world of business, though.
Clara invested in the hotel after the death of her husband; she relies upon it for the financial security her husband was not able to provide, and is not at all likely to sell, even though she must keep her ownership a secret in order to keep her standing in society. Lane, in contrast, was raised in the London Foundling Hospital, and is proud to be in trade. The two are initially drawn to one another despite their differences, and each starts to anticipate seeing the other whenever they go out in public, even though Clara initially tells herself that she's matchmaking for a younger neighbor, not herself.
A few of the plot turns were rather contrived/improbable for my tastes (Wouldn't an intelligent businessman investigate who owns a property before he seeks investors to help him buy it? Wouldn't a man raised in the Foundling Hospital speak in a way that sounds different from his aristocratic business partners? Why did Clara make such a self-sacrificing gesture toward book's end, when the story up until that point made no reference to Lane's desire for such a sacrifice?). Lane and Clara's relationship seemed based mostly on physical attraction; the two didn't seem to have much in common besides it. Their conversations are fairly dull, not at all lively or witty.
Twenty-first century readers are likely to appreciate Lane's respect for Clara's right to make her own decisions, especially those related to the "male" world of business, though.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good book that is a bit different than the usual Regency romance. We have two people that are older, Clara, who is 45, and Lane, who is 37. Neither of them are in the upper echelons of society, though both have friends who are. It also takes place in Bath instead of London, which was a nice change of pace. Bath is frequently mentioned, but I rarely get a good feel for the area in those books. Here most of the action takes place away from the Pump Room setting.
I liked both Clara and Lane. Clara is a widow who has a bit of a reputation as a matchmaker. She is also independent, personable, and an astute businesswoman. Because of the financial problems encountered during her marriage, she is determined never to give another man that kind of power over her livelihood again. Due to the stigma against women in business and the need to maintain appearances, Clara's ownership of her hotel is secret. She has employed a male cousin to manage it for her, but she retains control over it.
William Lane, who prefers to be called Lane, is a self-made man. Raised in a London Foundling Hospital, he was determined from an early age to make something of himself. He is reasonably wealthy, with investments in many businesses. He is in Bath to start another one. Having discovered a hot spring under the coffeehouse he just purchased, he wants to expand from a coffeehouse into a spa featuring the waters from that spring. To do so, he needs to buy the hotel next door.
I loved the meeting between Clara and Lane. He is at the Pump Room investigating the waters as research when Clara teases him about the intensity of his gaze. He is immediately intrigued by her, with his thoughts being on the somewhat racy side. Clara is intrigued by him also but recognizes that she is older than he and instead plots to match him with the daughter of a neighbor. William is far more interested in Clara and is determined to pursue her for himself. He is helped along the way by Clara's little dog Humphrey, her friend the Dowager Duchess, and even the girl that Clara tried to match him with. Clara fights her attraction and growing feelings for Lane, feeling that her age makes her unsuitable for a man who is young enough to want children.
Both Lane and Clara have insecurities that make it difficult for them to see any permanence to a relationship between them. Clara has her age and her reluctance to trust any man to respect her need for independence. Lane's background has him believing that he isn't good enough for her and feeling that is reinforced when he has to deal with aristocrats who look down on him. There was a heartbreaking scene at a dinner one night that made me tear up for Lane's hurt. I loved Clara's reaction and what it meant to him.
Clara and Lane's relationship goes along quite nicely as they grow closer. I liked that they could share their pasts without fear of judgment. There was a good amount of respect between them, and I loved that their maturity made it possible for them to talk through any problems that came up. But there was one issue that was left hanging until near the end, and that was the attempt to purchase the hotel. Clara's secret was so well kept that it took most of the book for it to come out. When it did, there was shock and dismay on both sides. It was interesting to see how it all played out, with doubts, fears, and emotions all tangled up. There were times I wanted to shake Clara because of how she would push him away. The ending was fantastic. I loved the extraordinary thing that she did for him and how it brought him back to her side. It warmed my heart to see him finally break through her fears.
The secondary characters were great. Humphrey, the dog, was adorable, not too sweet with just the right of puppy mischief in his actions. I liked how the Dowager Duchess encouraged Clara, along with that hint of matchmaker competitiveness. Clara's nieces made me laugh when her hotel ownership came out, and their support of her no longer hiding it. I also liked Juliet's efforts to make Clara see that there was nothing wrong with loving Lane. I liked Lane's friend and partner, Hart, especially the way he would give Lane a hard time about his people skills.
I liked both Clara and Lane. Clara is a widow who has a bit of a reputation as a matchmaker. She is also independent, personable, and an astute businesswoman. Because of the financial problems encountered during her marriage, she is determined never to give another man that kind of power over her livelihood again. Due to the stigma against women in business and the need to maintain appearances, Clara's ownership of her hotel is secret. She has employed a male cousin to manage it for her, but she retains control over it.
William Lane, who prefers to be called Lane, is a self-made man. Raised in a London Foundling Hospital, he was determined from an early age to make something of himself. He is reasonably wealthy, with investments in many businesses. He is in Bath to start another one. Having discovered a hot spring under the coffeehouse he just purchased, he wants to expand from a coffeehouse into a spa featuring the waters from that spring. To do so, he needs to buy the hotel next door.
I loved the meeting between Clara and Lane. He is at the Pump Room investigating the waters as research when Clara teases him about the intensity of his gaze. He is immediately intrigued by her, with his thoughts being on the somewhat racy side. Clara is intrigued by him also but recognizes that she is older than he and instead plots to match him with the daughter of a neighbor. William is far more interested in Clara and is determined to pursue her for himself. He is helped along the way by Clara's little dog Humphrey, her friend the Dowager Duchess, and even the girl that Clara tried to match him with. Clara fights her attraction and growing feelings for Lane, feeling that her age makes her unsuitable for a man who is young enough to want children.
Both Lane and Clara have insecurities that make it difficult for them to see any permanence to a relationship between them. Clara has her age and her reluctance to trust any man to respect her need for independence. Lane's background has him believing that he isn't good enough for her and feeling that is reinforced when he has to deal with aristocrats who look down on him. There was a heartbreaking scene at a dinner one night that made me tear up for Lane's hurt. I loved Clara's reaction and what it meant to him.
Clara and Lane's relationship goes along quite nicely as they grow closer. I liked that they could share their pasts without fear of judgment. There was a good amount of respect between them, and I loved that their maturity made it possible for them to talk through any problems that came up. But there was one issue that was left hanging until near the end, and that was the attempt to purchase the hotel. Clara's secret was so well kept that it took most of the book for it to come out. When it did, there was shock and dismay on both sides. It was interesting to see how it all played out, with doubts, fears, and emotions all tangled up. There were times I wanted to shake Clara because of how she would push him away. The ending was fantastic. I loved the extraordinary thing that she did for him and how it brought him back to her side. It warmed my heart to see him finally break through her fears.
The secondary characters were great. Humphrey, the dog, was adorable, not too sweet with just the right of puppy mischief in his actions. I liked how the Dowager Duchess encouraged Clara, along with that hint of matchmaker competitiveness. Clara's nieces made me laugh when her hotel ownership came out, and their support of her no longer hiding it. I also liked Juliet's efforts to make Clara see that there was nothing wrong with loving Lane. I liked Lane's friend and partner, Hart, especially the way he would give Lane a hard time about his people skills.
jessbookishlife's review
5.0
Let me just say something up front… Although I haven’t read all the books in this series, I now really want to because I loved this book and meeting all the characters makes me wonder about the previous books, so you guys really have to check out the entire series, because that’s what I’m doing next: reading the books I haven’t read yet.
Speaking of this book in particular. Regency novels was what made me start in this crazy Historical Romance addiction that I have now, and it’s still one of my favorite sub-genres. Overall, despite not having read the previous books, except “One Week to Wed”, I knew this was an amazing ending.
Like I said, this is the final book in the series and I got from the characters interaction how important Clara is for the series and to the other character. I had already gotten a feeling for the characters with “One Week to Wed”, but this one gave me another perspective. Maybe because I don’t really know the story of the other characters and haven’t followed the storyline of the series correctly.
Speaking of the characters… Clara, brilliant, always love when a matchmaker meets her own match. William was charming, such a hard-worker and I absolutely loved him; then again don’t I always love the hero in the historical romance novels I read? But let’s get back on track… their moments together were amazing, I loved seeing how they reacted to one-another, especially Clara, it made things funny and exciting.
Then there were the other characters, some I have met in the first book, and that I could see the family feeling and strong friendship there was between them, which made me want to read the books and know about their own struggles, accomplishments, dreams and lovey-dovy moments.
Overall, I loved it. I can never resist this kind of genre and the all matchmaker character. And this book was very unique because it follows characters that are older (late 30s, early 40s) and I loved that because they so deserve their own love story. Plus, Clara and William are so cute together! And if that don’t win your heart then I have no idea what will.
Speaking of this book in particular. Regency novels was what made me start in this crazy Historical Romance addiction that I have now, and it’s still one of my favorite sub-genres. Overall, despite not having read the previous books, except “One Week to Wed”, I knew this was an amazing ending.
Like I said, this is the final book in the series and I got from the characters interaction how important Clara is for the series and to the other character. I had already gotten a feeling for the characters with “One Week to Wed”, but this one gave me another perspective. Maybe because I don’t really know the story of the other characters and haven’t followed the storyline of the series correctly.
Speaking of the characters… Clara, brilliant, always love when a matchmaker meets her own match. William was charming, such a hard-worker and I absolutely loved him; then again don’t I always love the hero in the historical romance novels I read? But let’s get back on track… their moments together were amazing, I loved seeing how they reacted to one-another, especially Clara, it made things funny and exciting.
Then there were the other characters, some I have met in the first book, and that I could see the family feeling and strong friendship there was between them, which made me want to read the books and know about their own struggles, accomplishments, dreams and lovey-dovy moments.
Overall, I loved it. I can never resist this kind of genre and the all matchmaker character. And this book was very unique because it follows characters that are older (late 30s, early 40s) and I loved that because they so deserve their own love story. Plus, Clara and William are so cute together! And if that don’t win your heart then I have no idea what will.
heatherr's review
I'm an absolute sucker for older female protagonists in fiction. As soon as I saw the description of this book, I was all in even though she is only in her 40s. Bring me all the older ladies!
Clara entertains herself but selecting a young woman each season in Bath and working as her matchmaker. She's not looking for romance for herself. She is a widow and honestly, she's doing quite fine on her own, thank you very much. Her husband wasn't much of a business man. He never listened to her ideas. When he died she bought a hotel for gentleman that she had had her eyes on. She set up a male relative as the supposed owner but she actually runs the business.
She meets a man in the pump room and gently flirts with him. What she doesn't know is that he just bought the property next door to her hotel and is looking to buy her property also if he can just figure out who owns it.
I loved this book for its description of all the locations in Bath. I visited there a few years ago and could visualize most of the places they discuss. It added to the story to have all these famous places as background.
This was a great storyline that you don't often see in romances. This woman isn't pinning all her hopes on finding the right man. She is living an independent life and she needs to consider the real risks to her freedom of allowing another man in her life. She will lose all her legal rights if she remarries. Is it worth it?
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
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