Set in the Regency period, Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh is a historical romantic mystery with a side of swashbuckling adventure. When Lady Charlotte is told by her parents that she is to be betrothed to Hawley, a man who is rumoured to have murdered his previous two wives, she is determined to save herself but, to do so, she needs money. She convinces her cousin, daughter of a pirate and owner of a coffeehouse, to accept her as a partner in the business. There, she meets Dr Matthew Talbot, Hawley’s brother, who has reasons of his own to resent his brother but Talbot has secrets of his own. The two set out, with the aid of several others including Charlotte’s twin brother, to uncover Hawley’s murderous schemes, but during their investigation, they discover more about his crimes than they bargain for.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this novel but I have to say it was one of the most entertaining books I’ve read this year. The story is well-plotted with plenty of action. There is a large cast of wonderfully unique characters including Charlotte and Matthew who are both extremely likeable. I’m not a fan of romance but, here, it is all rather innocent. There is also a great deal of humour running through the tale, often provided by a foul mouthed parrot and his lady love, a capuchin monkey. Overall, just a whole lot of fun and I really hope this is the beginning of a series because I look forward to more adventures with Lady Charlotte, Matthew and the rest of the coffeehouse regulars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review ( )

Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh
Historical romance.
When Lady Charlotte Lovett is told of her own arranged betrothal to man that is rumored to have killed his previous two wives, she impulsively runs away. She privately invests in a coffee house and helps set it up as a unique two faced business model.
Dr. Matthew Talbot is happy to help Charlotte expose his brother, Viscount Hawley for his criminal and cruel past. Falling for her is easy but keeping her safe will take careful planning.

🎧 I alternated reading this between an ebook and audiobook. The audiobook performance is performed by Katy Sobey who does a wonderful job with several different character voices in a British accent. Emotions and banter are brought to life among the aristocracy of the ton and the back rooms of a coffee house. A large diverse cast includes multiple classes that makes this more than just your average historical romance. Parrot and monkey included.
I listened to this at 1.5 which is my standard preferred speed.
The advantage of an audiobook for historical romances is the accent of England which I certainly don’t hear when reading the book.

Loved the representation of the third son being an doctor, and a woman being a partial owner of a coffee house, both unusual for the times. The best friend and brother was super supportive and I enjoyed the wide cast of other unique characters connected with the coffee house.
Wonderful romance too. Enjoyable and interesting.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Forever. ( )

Avoiding a marriage!

Parrots, monkeys, a wicked duke soon to be a fiancé, and the solid, reliable younger scholarly brother of said duke who is more than he seems. No wonder my mind was all a whirl whilst reading this.
Lady Charlotte Lovett’s more a restricted doll living in a guilded cage. Everything (and I mean everything) had to be just so. Charlotte’s parents have decided to marry her to the Duke of Hawley despite his previous two wives both having died in “tragic” accidents. He’s a bully and more. Her parents see it as a step in their march to influence and power.
Lady Charlotte is made of sterner stuff. She’s working on a plot towards freedom.
Charlotte’s mother runs a literary salon. Charlotte takes that idea and inveigles her cousins to let her invest in their coffeehouse, The Black Sheep. Here she’ll run a variation on her mother’s salon for those of all genders wishing to converse and argue the point about politics, literature, the sciences, whatever, in rooms adjoining the coffeehouse.
All she has to do is have Hawley confess to wrong doing in front of witnesses. Make no mistake, Hawley is depraved and sinister.
The “how” is the big question...and that becomes the stuff worthy of the best dramatic theater.
A fun read with more serious matters underlying the whole.

A Forever (Grand Central Pub.) ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

Lady Charlotte Lovett is the perfect debutante and the ton loves her. She is all things demure, pleasing, and beautiful. And . . . she hates every minute of the pretense she must endure until she can make arrangements to escape her gilded prison. She’s not the only one who suffers from her parents and the ton's expectations – her twin brother Alexander, who was born with a club foot, is ridiculed and looked down upon.

For Lady Charlotte things come to a head when she and her mother are at the modiste and her mother casually tells her the gown for which she is being fitted is to be her gown for her betrothal ball. Charlotte is shocked because she didn’t even know they were negotiating a marriage contract for her. When she asks if her mother would at least tell her the name of her groom-to-be, she’s horrified to learn she’s to be betrothed to William Talbot, Viscount Hawley, heir to the Duke of Lansberry. Charlotte is sure Hawley is responsible for the deaths of his previous two wives – and many other vile things as well. She will NOT marry him so she has only a few weeks to find proof of his vile deeds.

Matthew Talbot is the youngest brother of William Talbot and he is nothing like the rest of his vile family. Matthew chose to study medicine and is a nature lover – and he’s also had a bit of tender feelings for Lady Charlotte Lovett for many years. He knows nothing can come of it because he’s just a third son – but – daydreams are nice. Then he discovers she’s to be betrothed to his older brother and he knows he cannot let that happen.

A LOT is going on in the story and there are plenty of characters and possibilities should the author choose to make a series. I liked Lady Charlotte and I liked Matthew along with all of the supporting characters – including the parrot and monkey. Matthew was a bit over-the-top – in my opinion – he was a surgeon and a physician – and a professor – and a swashbuckling seafarer – and – well, you name it. I also thought the author played a bit loose with the Georgian period, etc. However, I did enjoy the story and I’m glad to have read it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )