Loved this

I enjoyed this book when I read it previously, but I was in bliss listening to this narrated. It brought the characters to life. It's heart-rending how gay people were treated even back then. I love how the problem was circumvented and the right people were together. The ending was full of warm and fuzzies for me. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. Amazing narration.

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ugh, babies

At least it didn't come till the end, and then only talked of. Otherwise I enjoyed the book. I love the marriage of convenience solution to the historical gay marriage problem. It's (close enough to) the poly stories I crave.

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A Georgian romp in England!❤️❤️

What a delightful historical romance set in the English countryside, 1788.

Sexy, wealthy Virginian comes to town and swoops a destitute lord off his feet!

Although saw how this story was going to play out early on, there was one twist that I didn’t account for & that was fun.

This was my first novel by this author & I know I’ll be picking up more of her books. The historical was well done—not perfect—and the story flowed nicely.

Our Englishman was rather clueless & at times I didn’t know what the American saw in him, but I let it go. I loved Joel Leslie’s lazy drawl for the newcomer & I simply adored his character (although he was rather too perfect and self-possessed). Fun sexy times 😉.

My rec? This rambling review says I truly enjoyed it!!

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One word… Awesome

I still can not comprehend how Mr. Leslie handled so many different accents, besides different genders.
I salute Ms. Chris on her writing as well; to write such details from the perspective of both male and female… one word for sure, Awesome.

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A great listen!

I was first introduced to Tanya Chris’s writing during a Prolific Works giveaway of a...taboo nature. Her book A Heart For Him was [I dare say] the best out of the entire bunch and will forever remain a re-read of mine. She is proof that you can’t judge a book by its cover. I’m really not into period romances (m/m or otherwise) and I’ve never read any Jane Austen to be able to make comparisons, but I did want to testify to Tanya’s writing ability (which is stellar), so I spent a credit anyway. There was a great amount of detail put into this book—the characters, their personalities and interactions, and of course the relationship between William and Reginald. If you’re into period romances, this by far has everything you’ll need. It’s not overly angsty, but it’s obviously during a time when two men (or two women) being together is frowned upon and considered deviant behavior by the masses. And hello, JOEL LESLIE. He was the best possible choice she could have made for the narrator—he nailed the era perfectly!

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2 people found this helpful

A Step Back in Time

I just experienced a highly enjoyable trip back through time. I was whisked away to the days of my early teens when I’d sneak a dime store romance novel—usually a Regency period historical—to read in my room when everyone went to sleep. I read of forbidden things that men and women do behind closed doors. Those stories were titillating and enlightening to my innocent self and that’s exactly the way William, one of the main characters, reacts in this lovely tale narrated by the highly talented Joel Leslie.

William’s sexual discovery is mild by most standards, but it was very erotic to me, in that his innocence remained intact as he learned all the things men can do together behind closed doors. I found the scenes refreshing and realistic for the period and I quite enjoyed his lessons at the hands of the more experienced Reginal Abernathy.

Joel does the voice of William’s elderly maiden Aunt Harriet so well that I forgot I was listening to a man. I loved the quiver in her voice and I could easily picture her in her drawing room finery. In fact, there is a whole host of both male and female characters in this story and each is given a unique voice. My personal favorite among the men is William: dear, timid, innocent William is perfectly vocalized and his love interest, Reginald, has the deeper voice of experience. Honestly, my favorite form of entertainment is to listen to an audiobook with Joel Leslie performing the work of a talented author, and the teamwork here between Joel and author Tanya Chris rates an A plus.

There’s an underlying criminal subplot to the story with an unscrupulous estate manager, but most of the story is a romance, both between William and Reggie, and between their sisters, Catherine and Susan. William, of course, is totally clueless about the women until the last possible moment. The dear man had no idea women might be attracted to each other as men were. Maybe it was the era in which I grew up where teens held their innocence longer than nowadays, but I truly enjoyed this tale and my walk down memory lane, and I will most definitely listen to it again. I highly recommend this book to those looking for a sweet historical romance.

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2 people found this helpful

A Mixed Bag

There are things I love about this story, and things I... don't. Tanya Chris is an excellent writer, and this historical romance, while largely predictable, addresses homosexuality in its historical context in a highly satisfying wish-fulfillment fashion. The thing that kept me from truly being able to enjoy the audio version was the blended American-English accent of one of the protagonists. I can imagine that that accent was a tough one, and I know Joel Leslie is very highly regarded as a performer, but the result just didn't work for me.

I'm very grateful to the author for a complimentary review copy.

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4 people found this helpful

Charming historical romance

I really enjoyed this story and thought Reginald and William were very sweet likable characters. I also really liked all the secondary characters and the drama in which they caused. Reginald seemed true to himself and loyal to his friends. I really liked that about him. William was a little clueless as times and naïve. He still was a sweet character and when it came to matters of the heart he stepped up when he needed.

Joel Leslie did a phenomenal job. Changing the voices for each character and even having a wonderful feminine tone for the females. I was easily drawn into the story.

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Manners and Mannerisms

This is an interesting story of love that would be denied and ashamed of. Yet the main characters are determined to find a way to be together. William has hidden his true self from everyone but when Reginald arrives from America everything begins to unravel. William is not sure what to do about his attraction to Reginald but soon it seems that Reginald might be of the same liking as William. Can it be true that Reginald cares for William? William must decide to trust his heart and find a way to the happiness that he seeks.

If you enjoy regency stories this is one for you. The main characters are strong, and the plot is engaging. The story does move a little slow for me though. I enjoyed the characters and it was nice to see William learn to grow up and find himself through this whole ordeal. The author does a good job of giving us characters to love and to dislike and narrator Joel Leslie does a good job of bringing the characters to life and pulling the listener into the story.

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Fun

I am a fan of all Tanya Chris’s books but I’m not so such historical romance fan. When I was offered a free audio version I decided to try it again because of the author. I enjoyed the book. I can’t say I’m converted to reading more historical romance but I would if it were this author’s. There is so many quirks in the story that made it enjoyable. I kinda of knew where the story was headed but it was the journey that made me laugh. I could see a proper William having mental battles with his self over his relationship. Reginald’s causal outlook on the way he expects circumstances to happen are funny also. Maybe it’s my sense of humor but somehow picturing all the historical people going about their business and all of this happening with their stiffness just gave me a laugh. I would read more historical by this author. I also think my enjoyment had a lot to do with the narration. Joel Leslie provided me with what I expected the characters to come across as.

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