This is book two in the Somerfield Park series and as usual, it very well may be read as a stand alone, but because there’s an important part to our hero’s past rooted in the first book, I highly recommend you read the other first. And besides, both books are wonderful plot wise and as romances.

In this one, our hero is someone I liked a lot. I liked the complexity of his character. He’s not your regular off the mill dandy, nor is he a rake of the first order. I loved that his character was shaped by so many things that happened to him in the past and by the things that are happening to him as he’s trying to get a grip on his current circumstances.

It took me a bit longer to warm up to the heroine Rebecca, but eventually I did because I finally understood where she was coming from and why she acts the way she does.

This wasn’t one of those romances that is perfectly neat and I loved that about their love story.

I’d be remiss in not mentioning a slew of secondary characters who made this story complete and much more satisfying, such as those from the previous book and the downstairs staff of Somerfield Park.

This story, as well as the first book, both have a deliberate feel of Downton Abbey and as a fan of that TV show, I reveled in the extended story of the help.

I highly recommend it you pick it up this summer.

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher ( )

"4.5 out of 5 stars! After believing all his life that he was a bastard of a Lord, John recently learns he is the legitimate heir to his father. However, still not taking kindly to the family who abandoned him, John goes to London (with his new title) and involves himself in enough debauchery to make the ton cringe. Yet, during one of his "excursions," he "officially" meets and saves Lady Rebecca (an impoverished baron's daughter). John finds to be the first person to talk to him with honesty and to whom makes him feel like the man he was prior to earning his title. Therefore, once John's family sics themselves on him she is the first one he asks to help him. But as their "friendship" turns into something more they'll have to maneuver more than just the ton's rules to find their "happily-ever-after."

This fast-paced novel keeps you on the edge of your seats as you follow John into his new "privileged" world. Quite the dashing fellow, he does pull off being a rake but it's John's vulnerability that endeared me to him while..."

Read more of this review and THREE TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2016/08/feasted-on-somerfield-park-ser... ( )

...join the 'Hartley Hunt'

Basically an illegitimate son is discovered to be not so 'born on the wrong side' after all. The new Lord Hartley takes to his mantle by galloping though all the lowest of low places, drinking, fornicating, fighting along his merry, dissolute, hell bent way as a response. Why? Are that is the question! See, it's about the lack of love! Sure he was placed with a gentile family, cared for, schooled. Does that count. Never, not for John.
I kept thinking, 'Really, were you sent to the workhouse?' 'Discarded completely?' 'No!' See for John, it's love that will make the difference. And even now there's little acknowledgement of him other than being a bad mistake. I do get it. The being discarded like a bad smell and then taken back as though the past can be in some way expunged by an 'Oh, We were wrong. Sorry! Now get back here and do your 'duty!'
So John Fitzhugh Barrett is the heir to a marquessate. Life is really tough!
Then there's Rebecca Kearsey, daughter of an inveterate gambling baron.
Rebecca and John meet. Rebecca, starry eyes decides to search for her once glimpsed swain who has now become her crush, to her detriment. Really, really foolishly stupid!
As you can gather I am all out of patience with Rebecca. She consistently places herself in harm's way. Sure her father's treatment of her shows us the cad he is but in the end I just wasn't that interested.
The Dowager decrees that John has to join the annual family hunt--to find a bride (heirs being important!) John asks that Rebecca join the house party. He is going to use her as a foil to deter the other avid, husband hungry young things. Around town the event is being called 'The Hartley Hunt.'
I did finish the book.
There were some potentially excellent characters and the blackguards were out in force. I liked the too wicked Lady Chloe who seems to have helped a husband or two to meet their demise.
I was totally out of sympathy with the Dowager, at least for 99% of the time. She expected way too much from John, someone she'd pushed off out of sight, and out of mind.
What was the problem? Well whilst I can maybe see Rebecca engaging in commentary about an exhibition with someone in the museum, I just can't see a young woman of her upbringing and social class wandering into the dark and dangerous side of the less than salubrious parts of London due to an infatuation. That didn't feel real. Yes, I know, it did work for the storyline, but not for me.

A NetGalley ARC ( )