Summer House Party

This newest Timeless Regency Collection definitely has a lot to love about the stories in it. Hence the 5 stars. I didn't want to put it down but alas life calls and so I had to find quiet moments that I could immerse myself into the stories. There are three novellas in this collection but they didn't feel like novellas. They were definitely not shorter novellas but were able to really develop the setting and characters without feeling rushed. I'm going to break it down for each story and give you a few of my thoughts on them.

An Engagement of Convenience by Regina Scott

If you love Persuasion by Jane Austen (my fav Austen novel) then you are in for a treat because this had a feeling similar to that novel. Now mind you it's different with some twists of its own but the two MCs, Lucy and Quentin, knew each other years before the beginning of this book and had some mishaps along the way. I had moments that I wanted to tell the Uncle off and give him a piece of my mind and I had moments where I wanted to say to Quentin "what were you thinking, how could you have done that?" I know that won't make sense until you read the story but all in all the ending was sweet and I was happy everyone(well almost everyone, can you guess who didn't) got what they wanted. Before I move onto the other novella I have to say, Lucy was funny, spunky and quiet all in one. I loved the flashbacks she had of thwarted elopements. I hope you enjoy those too! I don't think I've read any other books by Regina Scott but I did enjoy her writing style a lot.

A Perfect Match by Donna Hatch

Now if you have read the Rogue Hearts series by this author then you are in for a treat! I must say I have only read the first two and while reading this one I really wanted to stop in my reading and go purchase A Perfect Secret so I could finally read Christian's story. If you haven't read the series, no worries, you can easily read this without feeling clueless as to the characters. In fact, I really like that I read this first as a great set up for A Perfect Secret. I love the Amesbury brothers and their female counterparts! *sigh* So good. I don't want to give a lot away but this is a fun house party story where Genevieve is coming to her friend Matilda's aide in forming an opinion of wether Christian Amesbury is not the most perfect match for Matilda. Genevieve is all ready to help out when she meets Christian and finds herself falling for him. What should she do? She loves Matilda and doesn't want to hurt her, will she happily step aside for Christian to persue Matilda, or will she fight for him herself? Who does Christian choose? It was fun, yet heartbreaking at the same time knowing what's coming for these characters later on. If you don't want to be spoiled don't look at A Perfect Secret synopsis or you will know what happens. Fair Warning! Another great book by Donna Hatch, if you like it check out her other novels and novellas. I've read several and have really loved them all.

The Pauper's House Party by Sarah M. Eden

Ok another rave about the author...I love Sarah Eden's writing! Yes I have pretty much all of her books in print on my bookshelf! I loan them out regularly to friends, YA and Adults alike. They all love them too! So needless to say going into this one I had a feeling I might just like (ok absolutely love) it! Not disappointed at all. Can I just say I really didn't know what to expect by the title and thought that maybe it was just one set of impoverished brother's, the Downys, who were invited to the party by an older couple they didn't really know. What a fun surprise to really understand the title (no spoilers here people). The Warricks...I went back and forth so many times on wether they were just acting a part or wether they were being totally serious. Usually I can figure it out, but this one I really kept debating until almost the end. Ok I am being very vague because I hate to spoil the whole effect of this book but I will say that I loved the Downy brothers and was cheering them on the whole time. I already told you they were impoverished...maybe not completely impoverished but their estate was failing and the lack of funds didn't really allow them to feel as if they could marry. They both find a lady at the house party but will it work out for them to ever truly express how they feel about said ladies due to their lack of funds? I admit I laughed out loud several times, I chuckled to myself, I giggled. Yes definitely a great read when I have those emotions and feel connected to the characters, and the storyline draws me in where I don't want to put it down. I had a hard time doing so when it was time to go grocery shopping or do laundry or...you know all those normal life things ;) Well worth the read!

All in all I would really say that each story, if I were rating individually, were easily 5 stars! I really think wether you end up rating it like I did or a little less that you will still enjoy this little romp into 3 lovely regency house parties. Hats off to three wonderful writers who have such amazing imaginations to create and develop these stories for readers to love and enjoy. Thank you!!!

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Reading!!!

Summer House Party included three distinct and satisfying romantic tales. All three novellas were engaging but "The Pauper's House Party" was laugh out loud funny - I had to recite small bits to help my husband understand my sentiment.

I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review.

An Engagement of Convenience
Regina Scott
12 chapters

Katherine (Kitty) Chapworth is destined to be a spinster. In the meantime, she's a chaperone to her cousins until they are safely married. She realizes that her services are nearly to an end since she's now a chaperone to her last cousin. As the story begins, she's poised to thwart an unsuitable suitor from running off with her cousin, Lucy, to elope. In the process of confronting the young gentleman, a face from the past appears. None other than Quentin Adair.

Quentin has returned after an absence of 10 years. He's returned to settle the score with Kitty's uncle who has been interfering with his business dealings. He never expected to see Kitty again - still single.

This is a wonderful tale full of well developed characters. There's an element of suspense about Kitty's uncle as well as a second chance romance.

5 stars

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A Perfect Match
Donna Hatch
11 chapters

Genevieve Marshall is traveling to visit her friend, Matilda Widtsoe. Matilda believes herself in love with a particular gentleman and wants Genevieve to approve of the match.

Christian Amesbury simply believes that he's been commissioned to paint a portrait, yet he soon realizes that the young woman he's supposed to paint has created an attachment towards him. And, worse yet, he's interested in her friend!

This is an odd sort of love triangle that didn't completely work. There's also the introduction of Lord Wickburgh. Unfortunately, he's never fully fleshed out. I tried to like this story more, but it didn't come together as well as the others.

3 stars

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The Paupers' House Party
Sarah M. Eden
11 chapters + Epilogue

This is a fun, totally new twist of a story to me. An eccentric, wealthy couple decide to host a party where they've only invited the poor and destitute. They will select one of them to inherit their entire estate.

Even though it's not wholly realistic, I enjoyed it and found the characters fully developed. I also loved the development of the romance. While reading this, I found myself feeling emotional as well as laughing out loud. Finally, I appreciated the sense of family sticking together and supporting each other.

5 stars

Overall rating - 5 stars