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elainegl's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely, clean Regency romance about two people that grew up together but whose fathers disliked each other. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the setting. Plus the narrator (free on YouTube) is a bonus!
walteamb's review
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I love Jennie Goutet’s books! I know I’m in for a delicious treat when I pick up one of her books. A Whimsical Notion is a fabulous start to a new Regency romance series. This forbidden love story between the children of two feuding fathers is also a slow burn, friends to lovers, coming of age romance with a heroine who realizes her childhood dreams might not be what she truly wants.
Philip Townsend, now an orphan after his father’s death, has inherited his family estate in sore need of updates and improvements. What he really needs is a wife to help him manage his indolent staff and household if only he could find the time. When he meets Honoria picking his blackberries, he realizes his childhood friend has grown into a beautiful young woman. After saving Honoria’s life and dancing with her at the Stuff Ball, he begins to see her in a new light. With a complicated past of fathers who were bitter enemies, how can he hope to court her without her father’s approval?
Honoria Bassett has had a crush on her best friend’s brother Gus for years, if only he would notice her. She thinks if she can just get him to see her in her new gown and dance with her at the Stuff Ball, he’ll finally see she’s grown up. But, when her neighbor Philip keeps coming to her rescue, she begins to question whether Gus is truly right for her.
I enjoyed this sweet romance. Philip was so endearing. I loved his midnight visit to Honoria’s home and the various ways he cares for and rescues her. He genuinely appreciates her talent for healing and skills at managing a household.
Honoria grew on me as a character. She was definitely immature at first, only seeing what she wanted to see in Gus. When she finally recognizes the truth and grows up a bit, I liked her much more. She’s a bit flighty and impetuous, but I enjoyed her kind heart and desire to help others. Her romance with Philip is delightful and I love how she doesn’t hesitate to kiss him.
There were some creative situations often not found in Regency books which made the story even more interesting. I appreciated all the careful historical details and the beautiful Lincolnshire setting.
Highly recommend this to clean Regency romance fans. There were some fun, interesting side characters and I’m excited to see what happens next in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Philip Townsend, now an orphan after his father’s death, has inherited his family estate in sore need of updates and improvements. What he really needs is a wife to help him manage his indolent staff and household if only he could find the time. When he meets Honoria picking his blackberries, he realizes his childhood friend has grown into a beautiful young woman. After saving Honoria’s life and dancing with her at the Stuff Ball, he begins to see her in a new light. With a complicated past of fathers who were bitter enemies, how can he hope to court her without her father’s approval?
Honoria Bassett has had a crush on her best friend’s brother Gus for years, if only he would notice her. She thinks if she can just get him to see her in her new gown and dance with her at the Stuff Ball, he’ll finally see she’s grown up. But, when her neighbor Philip keeps coming to her rescue, she begins to question whether Gus is truly right for her.
I enjoyed this sweet romance. Philip was so endearing. I loved his midnight visit to Honoria’s home and the various ways he cares for and rescues her. He genuinely appreciates her talent for healing and skills at managing a household.
Honoria grew on me as a character. She was definitely immature at first, only seeing what she wanted to see in Gus. When she finally recognizes the truth and grows up a bit, I liked her much more. She’s a bit flighty and impetuous, but I enjoyed her kind heart and desire to help others. Her romance with Philip is delightful and I love how she doesn’t hesitate to kiss him.
There were some creative situations often not found in Regency books which made the story even more interesting. I appreciated all the careful historical details and the beautiful Lincolnshire setting.
Highly recommend this to clean Regency romance fans. There were some fun, interesting side characters and I’m excited to see what happens next in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
thebookscript's review
4.0
I am a very big Jennie Goutet Fan. She captures the essence of classical literature and makes it accessible to a modern audience. This was a quiet country romance between two childhood friends caught between their fathers feuding.
Honora is a bit naive and is quite singleminded as the story begins. She has set her cap on a man who is completely wrong for her. Phillip is a man of loyalty and perseverance and he tries to pick up the pieces of his crumbling estate that his father left after his death. They form a simple friendship that develops very organically on Phillips side. While I found Honora to be a little bit more of a lightswitch when it came to her feelings I do feel like when they finally came together it was really tender and sweet. I would have wanted a little bit more angst and for Phillip to make Honora work a little bit more to deserve his attentions BUT this is me simply being a nit pick. I loved Honoras dedication to running a household and taking care of her family, she really matured as the book went on and I appreciated that.
I love books that are set more in the setting of the country side and so this was a good choice for that and had some more unique plot devices I haven't seen in other historical romances. This is the first book in Jennie's Gentry romance.
I am very excited for the next installment in this series because I hope it will bring the emotions and the angst I know that my favorite of Jennies books contain.
Honora is a bit naive and is quite singleminded as the story begins. She has set her cap on a man who is completely wrong for her. Phillip is a man of loyalty and perseverance and he tries to pick up the pieces of his crumbling estate that his father left after his death. They form a simple friendship that develops very organically on Phillips side. While I found Honora to be a little bit more of a lightswitch when it came to her feelings I do feel like when they finally came together it was really tender and sweet. I would have wanted a little bit more angst and for Phillip to make Honora work a little bit more to deserve his attentions BUT this is me simply being a nit pick. I loved Honoras dedication to running a household and taking care of her family, she really matured as the book went on and I appreciated that.
I love books that are set more in the setting of the country side and so this was a good choice for that and had some more unique plot devices I haven't seen in other historical romances. This is the first book in Jennie's Gentry romance.
I am very excited for the next installment in this series because I hope it will bring the emotions and the angst I know that my favorite of Jennies books contain.
jeaninetaniece's review
4.0
This cover is so gorgeous! I didn’t even read the blurb, I just knew when I saw it I had to read it. And the story is as sweet and beautiful as you would expect.
Childhood friends, forbidden romance, past feud between parents…all elements of a great romance.
Honoria and Philip have been friends since childhood although in recent years time has put some distance between them. When Philip returns home to run his family’s estate he happens upon a mature and beautiful Honoria. The encounter brings to life the realization that he could consider her to be more than a friend. But with the bad blood between their families, he fears his desires will prove futile. He dares to hope that he can turn her father’s regard in his favor and win her heart.
Sweet book with many supporting characters that have lots of potential for interesting storylines in future novels.
Childhood friends, forbidden romance, past feud between parents…all elements of a great romance.
Honoria and Philip have been friends since childhood although in recent years time has put some distance between them. When Philip returns home to run his family’s estate he happens upon a mature and beautiful Honoria. The encounter brings to life the realization that he could consider her to be more than a friend. But with the bad blood between their families, he fears his desires will prove futile. He dares to hope that he can turn her father’s regard in his favor and win her heart.
Sweet book with many supporting characters that have lots of potential for interesting storylines in future novels.
starburst3625's review
5.0
This is a charming love story. I really enjoyed it. There are some interesting local historical details incorporated and I always love learning them. I liked that the heroine, at 19 years old, is believably young and unsophisticated, but not immature or downright foolish or giddy. And she certainly matures a little more through the events of the novel. The hero is a likeable, thoughtful, conflict-avoidant, boy-next-door type, and I quite liked him. His imperfect attempts to improve his estate, his circumstances, and so on, and the resultant missteps, felt authentic. I loved the impetuous but romantic midnight visit. The secondary characters add interest and I look forward to seeing more of them in the rest of the series. I appreciated that the obstacles to the romance felt legitimate and not contrived. Overall it struck me as a gentle romance, although there are a few relatively dramatic events in the course of the story. I do wish that that there had been a little more substance and time in the heroine’s transition from one infatuation to the more lasting love with the hero, however it is a minor and subjective issue. I enjoyed spending less time in the ballroom and more on the country life of the gentry, and following the burgeoning love that felt more patient and resolute, rather than the desperation we are often treated to when obstacles are faced. I recommend this novel as a well-written, sweet and undemanding read for Regency lovers.
kthrine's review against another edition
3.5
I often found Honoria annoying but I think she was supposed to seem so from time to time. She was supposed to seem young and stuck on the idea of Gus rather than seeing him for his reality.
I liked Phillip. He seemed steady and sure of both himself and his feelings. I liked that his feeling for H crept up on him overshadowing the friendly childhood feelings of their past.
I liked Phillip. He seemed steady and sure of both himself and his feelings. I liked that his feeling for H crept up on him overshadowing the friendly childhood feelings of their past.
a_neverending_tbr's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Sweet and enjoyable with all the things I love about this genre. Honoria and Phillip are both lovable characters and I usually enjoy a “he falls first” story. Her affection flipped pretty quickly but the sweet kisses and her snark with her father made for an enjoyable read. I wanted a little more from the epilogue.
Romantic Content: Kisses
Romantic Content: Kisses
thecleanreadbookclub's review
4.0
I love a Jennie Goutet book! I get sucked in every time with her beautiful descriptions and settings.
A Whimsical Notion was a very ‘Romeo and Juliet’-esque type story and I loved it! And don’t worry, this book has a much happier ending that the original R and J.
No one writes settings quite like Jennie. I could see, smell and hear everything she described. I can already tell I am going to love this friend group from the interactions in book 1.
I really enjoyed the sweet, gentle romance between Philip and Honoria. The steadiness and awareness Philip has toward Honoria was dreamy.
I am already anticipating book 2!!
Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A Whimsical Notion was a very ‘Romeo and Juliet’-esque type story and I loved it! And don’t worry, this book has a much happier ending that the original R and J.
No one writes settings quite like Jennie. I could see, smell and hear everything she described. I can already tell I am going to love this friend group from the interactions in book 1.
I really enjoyed the sweet, gentle romance between Philip and Honoria. The steadiness and awareness Philip has toward Honoria was dreamy.
I am already anticipating book 2!!
Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.