Veena’s review of Look Before You Leap (Ms. Prentice’s Protegees, Book 2) by Virginia Heath
Regency Romance published by St. Martin’s Griffin 24 Jun 25
Lottie Travers would definitely qualify as a hoyden with her penchant to ride horses astride and in breeches. Guy Harrowby, Viscount Wennington, is quiet and hides away from society, especially after he committed a public faux pas during his first season. Their initial meeting is definitely not fun and pleasant, but then why is Lottie the only woman who stands out amidst a load of eligible women his mother has assembled as aspirants for his bride to be?
This story is what one would refer to as a regency romp. Guy’s mother and his aunt plot to get him married, despite his contentment living in the country with his superb horses and model estate. Lottie Travers is the despair of the Ms. Prentice school where she and her friends have trained to become worthy governesses. Lottie, of course, is always getting into scrapes, particularly around horses and the riding of them. Now her father’s farm is in trouble, and she might be the only source of income, but, unfortunately, she is jobless, having been released without a reference from her last position.
Becoming a lady’s companion to a martinet of a society lady may be the only job open to her, which she plans to succeed at, despite any temptations to the contrary – except now she’s on the Wennington Estate, which has a par excellent stable. So begins the tale of the Viscount and the lady’s companion and it will definitely keep you entertained as they parry and fence in the best of ways.
A fun, lighthearted romance.
Grade: B
Summary:
Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount Wennington, was publicly humiliated by a failed and reckless romantic gesture. Despite this, his mother clings to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and swiftly approaching thirty, Guy’s work is his life. In desperation, his mother blindsides Guy with a weeklong house party at his estate filled with annoying debutantes, all competing to be his wife.
After failing as a governess, Lottie Travers is struggling as a lady’s companion. Raised in an all-male household, she’s developed habits that get her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings of how to be a lady, she climbs trees better than she embroiders and can’t resist riding horses astride, in breeches. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for all.
Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one who catches Guy’s eye—though he tries to deny it. For Lottie, succeeding in her new role proves difficult when the Wennington estate is filled with horses, and a spark ignites between her and the grumpy lord. Will they remain stuck in their ways, or learn that they may just be the perfect match?
