Sophie Reads YA: Laura Martin

2023 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: A Match to Fool Society (Matchmade Marriages #3) by Laura Martin

10:00

A Match to Fool Society
Series: Matchmade Marriages #3
Author: Laura Martin
Published December 27th 2022 by Harlequin Historical

Goodreads Synopsis
A funny, heartwarming Regency romance.

A convenient arrangement…

…a complicated attraction

Jane Ashworth dreams of being an author, yet Society insists she become a debutante—so play the game she must! Jane finds an unlikely ally in notorious rake Tom Stewart. As a new guardian to his nephew, Tom is out of his depth and intent on remaining a bachelor. They agree to fool society with a pretend courtship, but both are unprepared when the lines of their agreement start to become blurred…
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Jane Ashworth knows that many in society will think her dream of being a writer is too high to hope for, and she should instead spend her time on the Marriage Mart, and settle down. To combat those who believe that, she finds an ally in Tom Stewart, a known rake, who has no intentions of marrying. Together, they act as a couple, set on forming an alliance and courtship, while helping each other with their goals along the way. Soon though, the lines between friendship and love become blurred, and Tom and Jane need to reconsider their goals.

A true friends to lovers romance, and I love that! Tom and Jane may not have known each other for long when they came to strike up their deal, but they formed a real friendship, particularly surrounding Edward's arrival in London. Because of their fake courtship, they had a lot of time together, both in and out of society, and could learn more about each other than most people did before marriage. Tom seems to realise he has fallen first, but because of his own heartbreaking feelings, he believes he is incapable of love, and that being with Jane would hurt her. A truly sweet found family romance, and a great ending to the trilogy!

Dates Read:
February 21 2023

Rating
3 Stars

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: The Marquess Meets His Match (Matchmade Marriages #1) by Laura Martin

10:00

The Marquess Meets His Match
Series: Matchmade Marriages #1
Author: Laura Martin
Published March 16th 2022 by Mills & Boon Historical

Goodreads Synopsis
The marquess she loves to hate...or the man she can't resist?

Farmer's daughter Charlotte Greenacre regrets attending a matchmaker's party when she has to spend it avoiding her enemy Lord Robert Overby! Until she learns the handsome widower is not the villain she thought -- and after his unhappy marriage he doesn't want a new wife. That should mean she can relax in his company -- if it weren't for the irritating flare of attraction between them!
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Charlotte Greenacre has no intention of marrying, let along having a London season, but when she is selected as one of the potential debutantes to be sponsored by the lovely and generous Lady Mountjoy, she can't deny her mother's wish. But Charlotte has always felt more at home on her family's farm, which she's ran since the death of her father, and she doesn't have time for balls and dresses. Especially not when Lady Mountjoy's nephew, Robert, Marquess of Overby, Charlotte's neighbour and nemesis, will be at the house party. However, the longer Charlotte is in Robert's company, she soon realises she's had him all wrong, and though she's still adamant she doesn't want to marry, and give up her independence, Robert could be someone to make her reconsider it all.

This was such a quick and enjoyable read. I found it really refreshing how there weren't added drama plots for the sake of drama, and that though it wasn't all smooth sailing for Charlotte and Robert, they came to terms with their differences and issues quickly, and together. Charlotte felt that her whole life needed to be focused on the family farm, and helping her widowed mother, and younger sisters. She never really thought about herself, and was happy with that, but seeing that happiness is possible, without losing all of herself, was something she hadn't thought possible. I liked how Robert didn't shy away from his past or his own failings either - he dealt with them head on. I'm glad this is going to be part of a series, as it definitely was set up for one, and I'm hoping some of the other girls - especially Lucy and Eliza - get their own stories.

Dates Read:
March 18-19, 2022

Rating
3 Stars

2021 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: One Snowy Night with Lord Hauxton by Laura Martin

10:00

One Snowy Night with Lord Hauxton
Series: None
Author: Laura Martin
Published October 29th 2020 by Mills & Boon Historical

Goodreads Synopsis
Secluded and snowed in...with the brooding earl!

Runaway debutante Henrietta Harvey will never live down the mortification of accidentally slipping into Lord Hauxton's bed. So, imagine her horror upon discovering they're snowed in together the next morning! Yet Henrietta comes to find this gruff, cold man has an intriguingly warmer side. Still, hiding a secret that would shock the ton, she's resigned to becoming a spinster. Unless she can trust him with the truth, before the snow melts...
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

As a debutante, Henrietta Harvey is expected to be a perfect lady, and the only art she should make is dainty watercolours or embroidery. However, she wants to be an artist, and visit salons and with other artists, but her mother refuses to let her, and threatens to destroy her work. Thinking she has no other option, she flees to a friend's estate but soon finds herself snowed in with the aloof Lord Hauxton. Thomas, the Earl of Hauxton has decided that the amount of pain and loss he's suffered, he doesn't want to find himself in that situation again, so he won't remarry. But meeting Henrietta, spending time with her due to the weather, makes him start to reconsider his stance - but can he convince her he's the man she wants, and who will let her continue her art?

I wasn't too sure what to expect from this book, but as soon as I started it, I knew I would like it. Both of the main characters had secrets, and had suffered, so they weren't immediately warm and open to each other, but that was okay. Really, though they were forced to spend time together because of the snow, that time gave them the opportunity to open up in a gradual, natural way, and truly see the other person. I think the other couple, who's estate Thomas and Henrietta stay at, may have been in a previous book, but it didn't take away from the story that I hadn't read that one. All in all, a decent book, which was perfect to read around Christmas time.

Dates Read:
December 21, 2021

Rating
4 Stars