Hi y’all!

I hope this post finds you somewhere cool and relaxing. I can’t believe how hot it is this summer. Pregnancy and summer heat don’t mix so well for me. I am so ready for fall!

I am really excited to share my review of two stand alone novels by Megan Walker today: Highcliffe House and Lakeshire Park.

I went on a bit of a Megan Walker reading spree the last few weeks. I adored both of these historical romances! The romance is absolutely beautiful. The characters are relatable and I love their sibling relationships. And the Regency settings are a delight.

Book Summaries: Highcliffe – “Brighton, England, 1813 When a romantic entanglement leaves her humiliated and reeling, Anna Lane wants nothing more than for her father to whisk her away from the gossip of the ton. Unfortunately, he has obligations elsewhere, leaving her stuck in London.

Graham Everett’s financial security depends on an investment with Mr. Lane, his long-time friend and business partner. He’ll do just about anything to secure it for his family, even if it means fighting spoiled, embittered Anna for her father’s attention.

Luckily, Mr. Lane concocts a plan that will give everyone what they want, with one stipulation: Anna must accompany Graham to Brighton in her father’s stead and make a decision to invest—or not—based on a thorough report.

But it will take more than a day at the beach for these two headstrong hearts to admit that they’ve been wrong about each other. If they are willing to invest a little time working out their differences, they might have a chance at real love.”

Lakeshire – “Brighton, England 1820 Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.”

Reading Lakeshire Park felt like getting to know a new friend; so many elements felt familiar and nostalgic which I loved. I enjoyed the premise a lot. It reminded me of Edenbrooke. This is such a beautiful, realistic sibling relationship between Amelia and Clara. I was impressed by how optimistic and kind they are despite their very difficult and tragic background. I loved seeing them support each other especially in finding love and happily ever after. I loved the relationship between Peter and Amelia. So much great witty banter! Loved their afternoons together. How they let down their walls and become friends. Loved all the ways Peter shows her he cares about her. Loved the evening at the symphony, saving the colt, muddy rides, and dancing on the terrace. A fantastic enemies to lovers romance!

Highcliffe House is definitely a new favorite historical romance! This book is enemies to lovers brilliance. The seaside location is a delight to experience. I wish everyone had a little sister like Tabs. And I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this story. Anna is a complex and fascinating protagonist. She is spunky, witty, strong, brave but also feels neglected and worried she won’t overcome her mistakes. I so enjoyed getting to know her and understanding how her loss and fears have shaped her. I loved her relationship with Tabs and her growing affection with Graham. There might not be a harder working man in Regency England than Graham. His position and financial history are so interesting because we rarely get a story with a hero who is not rich and well off especially in Regency times. Learning how he has created a new life for his family was simply beautiful. I loved their home at Highcliffe House and how his relationships with his mother and sisters help him face the world. Also I loved seeing Anna fit so perfectly with them.

The romance is simply a delight. I love their enemies to lovers story and it is so well told! We get the classic angst of their forced proximity and then the swoony moments of their shared love. I adored their first kiss. I adored their early morning conversation by the cow. And the seaside visit with Tabs and fishing and the beautiful ending. I am still happy sighing just thinking about this love story. Honestly, I’ve been in a bit of a book hangover since finishing this one. I loved it so much and it was hard to finish and say goodbye to these characters and this world.

Both of these historical romances are fantastic. It was a delight to experience these Regency worlds and get to know these characters. I am officially a Megan Walker fan now!

Who are some of your favorite historical romance authors?
Which authors have you binge read lately?