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teabookscatsyoga 's review for:

The Viscount's Lady Novelist by Alissa Baxter
4.0

I read this book as an ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and the author.

The Viscount's Lady Novelist was a sweet regency romance read. This book is perfect if you want to be able to read a romance book in public and not have to stare over you shoulder thinking that someone will judge you for kink. It definitely has more of a Jane Austin feel than Bridgerton, if you know what I mean. But that is really refreshing when you need to cleanse your mind with a non smutty novel. Call it a smut detox if you will. This, by all means, does not mean that the book is boring. The characters are sweet and the plot moves quickly. I really enjoyed the story.

***The text below may include some spoilers***

Harriet Linfield and the Viscount Wentford (Oliver) are now neighbors. Harriet is an unconventional woman for her time. She has "inherited" a small manor from her grandfather and also is working on a novel as an aspiring writer. Oliver has recently inherited an estate next to hers but it requires a lot of repairs and the family coffer is running low. Oliver stays with Harriet and her family. He's a friend of her brother and a geologist. He fits in well with the family as they are all interested in scientific endeavors. Harriet is more interested in her writing and making a romance novel that is much more realistic. There's a lot of tension between the two characters despite them being total opposites.

Interesting business dealings go down between Harriet's father and Oliver in relation to him setting up a new coal mine on Oliver's property. Also, there is some interesting drama with Harriet's toxic ex fiance that threatens a scandal. I won't give any more spoilers, but I really loved the plot.

I don't really have a lot of criticism for this book. I would have liked to know if Harriet ever became a successful writer. That would have been a cool thing to include in a epilogue.

Tropes:
Opposites attract, Sworn Off Relationships, Injury, Damsel in Distress, Marriage Pact also Arranged Marriage, Friends to Lovers, Secrets, Imaginary Love Triangle, Second Chance Romance, Belated love Epiphany