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Daughters of the Gentry #1
A Whimsical Notion
She excels at everything—especially at capturing his heart.
Philip Townsend is too busy trying to render his estate profitable to worry about managing its rundown house or finding a woman suited to the role of his wife. His beautiful and competent neighbor Honoria should be the logical choice, were it not for the enmity between their fathers that makes such a thing impossible.
Honoria Bassett takes pride in a household well run and cannot understand why her dear neighbor won’t make more of an effort at his. When it comes to the choice of husbands, she is too certain of what she wants to consider Philip for the role. But his tendency for quiet acts of heroism, and those firm lips quirked upward in a grin, keep doing strange things to her heart.
When challenges appear in their individual lives, Philip and Honoria turn to one another for guidance. Now in constant company, the strength of their feelings makes them question whether mere friendship is enough. But even if they decide they might suit, how in the world will they convince Honoria’s father to agree?
Philip Townsend is too busy trying to render his estate profitable to worry about managing its rundown house or finding a woman suited to the role of his wife. His beautiful and competent neighbor Honoria should be the logical choice, were it not for the enmity between their fathers that makes such a thing impossible.
Honoria Bassett takes pride in a household well run and cannot understand why her dear neighbor won’t make more of an effort at his. When it comes to the choice of husbands, she is too certain of what she wants to consider Philip for the role. But his tendency for quiet acts of heroism, and those firm lips quirked upward in a grin, keep doing strange things to her heart.
When challenges appear in their individual lives, Philip and Honoria turn to one another for guidance. Now in constant company, the strength of their feelings makes them question whether mere friendship is enough. But even if they decide they might suit, how in the world will they convince Honoria’s father to agree?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2022
273 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Goutet
29books593followersJennie Goutet is the best-selling author of Regency and Georgian romances, including the Clavering Chronicles, Memorable Proposals, and Daughters of the Gentry series. Her books have received first place in historical romance for the New England Reader’s Choice Awards and have hit the number one spot in Regency Romance on Amazon. They have been featured on BookBub and Hoopla, and are translated into six languages.
Jennie is an American-born Anglophile who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside of Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her best-selling proper Regency romances are set. You can learn more about Jennie’s books and sign up for her newsletter on her author website: jenniegoutet.com or purchase her books at jenniegoutetbooks.com.
Photo credit: Caroline Aoustin
Jennie is an American-born Anglophile who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside of Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her best-selling proper Regency romances are set. You can learn more about Jennie’s books and sign up for her newsletter on her author website: jenniegoutet.com or purchase her books at jenniegoutetbooks.com.
Photo credit: Caroline Aoustin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
June 20, 2023
4.5⭐This book is so light and sweet, it's a simple tale of friends to more, forbidden romance, and how true love prevailed over obstacles once more. Honoria is caring and sweet, and Philipp is kind and loyal. They matched really well in my opinion. I love the way they patiently worked through the obstacles to being together, though having Honoria's father opposing their match... Sweet-Clean Romance. Lovely cover.
November 2, 2022
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.
October 10, 2022
This was such a sweet and gentle romance!
It was a mix of friends-to-lovers/forbidden romance with a slow-burn relationship as Phillip and Honoria hadn't seen each other in some time and both needed time to sort out their feelings. Once the romance picked up, I was hooked and Philip's midnight visit just about melted my heart. Talk about some Romeo/Juliet vibes! And what is it about a man carrying the woman in his arms when she is injured? I am not sure there is anything swoonier in a regency romance!!
The writing was beautifully detailed and vivid as only Jennie Goutet can do. I loved how honorable and kind both MC were and am intrigued by some of the side characters introduced and hope that we will eventually get stories for all of them. 4.5 stars
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
It was a mix of friends-to-lovers/forbidden romance with a slow-burn relationship as Phillip and Honoria hadn't seen each other in some time and both needed time to sort out their feelings. Once the romance picked up, I was hooked and Philip's midnight visit just about melted my heart. Talk about some Romeo/Juliet vibes! And what is it about a man carrying the woman in his arms when she is injured? I am not sure there is anything swoonier in a regency romance!!
The writing was beautifully detailed and vivid as only Jennie Goutet can do. I loved how honorable and kind both MC were and am intrigued by some of the side characters introduced and hope that we will eventually get stories for all of them. 4.5 stars
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
July 9, 2023
Kisses-only Regency, mostly in Lincolnshire. Gave
this 4 stars.
Honoria, red-haired beauty w/ dimples, dtr. of the
local magistrate, looked forward to her BFF
Christine & her handsome bro. Agustus "Gus"
returning to the shire from Bath, after the death
of their mother, 6+ months on. Gus saw her as
his little sis. But now she looked more womanly
at 19. Now he'd be attracted to her?
Honoria collected herbs and offered her healer
services, gratis. When Gus saw her again, he
chided her for 'acting the physician,' when only
men should fill this role.
Philip returned to his country estate after his late
sire had a feud with Honoria's sire over a mine.
The heroine lived with her parents. Her mother
had bed-bound or sofa-bound days, with arthritis.
Philip caught Honoria eating blackberries from
his bramble. He found her wittier, prettier, & with
a more womanly shape than last he saw her. With
time, he noted her marked preference for Gus, his
best friend.
Philip 'saved' several ladies in this story: 1 literally
(a great scene) & a few others figuratively. Hon's
sire judged Philip by his late father's choices &
actions.
Arabella was widowed, only 18, w/ a year old baby
son. Her intimidating BIL lived in her dower house.
He intended what? Gus & hero's cousin Theo both
perked up when she entered a room or socialized
with their group of friends.
This author can tell a story! I also enjoyed her 3 bk
Clavering Chronicle series, & A Yorkshire Christmas.
this 4 stars.
Honoria, red-haired beauty w/ dimples, dtr. of the
local magistrate, looked forward to her BFF
Christine & her handsome bro. Agustus "Gus"
returning to the shire from Bath, after the death
of their mother, 6+ months on. Gus saw her as
his little sis. But now she looked more womanly
at 19. Now he'd be attracted to her?
Honoria collected herbs and offered her healer
services, gratis. When Gus saw her again, he
chided her for 'acting the physician,' when only
men should fill this role.
Philip returned to his country estate after his late
sire had a feud with Honoria's sire over a mine.
The heroine lived with her parents. Her mother
had bed-bound or sofa-bound days, with arthritis.
Philip caught Honoria eating blackberries from
his bramble. He found her wittier, prettier, & with
a more womanly shape than last he saw her. With
time, he noted her marked preference for Gus, his
best friend.
Philip 'saved' several ladies in this story: 1 literally
(a great scene) & a few others figuratively. Hon's
sire judged Philip by his late father's choices &
actions.
Arabella was widowed, only 18, w/ a year old baby
son. Her intimidating BIL lived in her dower house.
He intended what? Gus & hero's cousin Theo both
perked up when she entered a room or socialized
with their group of friends.
This author can tell a story! I also enjoyed her 3 bk
Clavering Chronicle series, & A Yorkshire Christmas.
August 2, 2023
4.5⭐️
A Whimsical Notion was everything good in a regency romance. I loved it!
It was almost enemies to lovers with a touch of Romeo and Juliet. There were rakes, honorable gestures and a envious romance. The main characters were wonderful and I enjoyed all of the side characters. The story still makes me smile.
I’m excited that this is just book one of a series and look forward to more of it. If you like clean regency romance then I highly recommend it.
Thanks Jennie Goutet for a great romance.
I received this as a gift and everything I’ve shared is from my heart.
A Whimsical Notion was everything good in a regency romance. I loved it!
It was almost enemies to lovers with a touch of Romeo and Juliet. There were rakes, honorable gestures and a envious romance. The main characters were wonderful and I enjoyed all of the side characters. The story still makes me smile.
I’m excited that this is just book one of a series and look forward to more of it. If you like clean regency romance then I highly recommend it.
Thanks Jennie Goutet for a great romance.
I received this as a gift and everything I’ve shared is from my heart.
October 24, 2022
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.
November 30, 2022
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this first book in a new series from author Jennie Goutet. I'm a huge fan of Regency stories. This one kept my attention and had me laughing and cheering on these characters in their different adventures or should I say schemes?
Honoria's family and Phillip's family have been on the outs for many years. Well more so just their fathers. Honoria and Phillip's mothers planned from when they were little that they would wed. Or rather hoped. But those hopes were dashed slightly by the feud between their husbands. And no worries truly because Honoria isn't interested in Phillip. He's just the neighbor and friend she grew up with. She hasn't taken to heart her mother's scheming.
I loved the group of friends within this story. They've mostly all been away for years and are finally returning home and able to spend time together. There's definitely some matchmaking going on and changes of who is attached to who. Some feud moments. Some silly moments. Moments of mild peril and several moments of a sweet love story.
I enjoyed the story as a whole and can't wait to see who's story will be next in this Daughters of the Gentry series.
Content: Clean. A couple sweet kisses and nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Honoria's family and Phillip's family have been on the outs for many years. Well more so just their fathers. Honoria and Phillip's mothers planned from when they were little that they would wed. Or rather hoped. But those hopes were dashed slightly by the feud between their husbands. And no worries truly because Honoria isn't interested in Phillip. He's just the neighbor and friend she grew up with. She hasn't taken to heart her mother's scheming.
I loved the group of friends within this story. They've mostly all been away for years and are finally returning home and able to spend time together. There's definitely some matchmaking going on and changes of who is attached to who. Some feud moments. Some silly moments. Moments of mild peril and several moments of a sweet love story.
I enjoyed the story as a whole and can't wait to see who's story will be next in this Daughters of the Gentry series.
Content: Clean. A couple sweet kisses and nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
October 9, 2022
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.
December 3, 2022
3.5 stars
Jennie is a go to for that cozy, sit by the fire, sweet historical mood. I've said it before, but her writing very much reminds me of Georgette Heyer. It's a little sweet with dry wit and this historical tidbit details that put me right in the setting.
Philip and Honoria are childhood friends and neighbors. With her father's animosity, their friendship is no longer sanctioned, and Philip's return to the country frowned upon.
The setup for this series has me eager for the next book to release as I loved the setting and the supporting cast. The romance was rushed and I wanted more tender moments - more swoon - to buy into their turn from friends to affection. There were moments of frustration particularly with Philip but Honoria's persistence and sweetness balanced out his hesitancy.
Thank you to the author for the #gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Jennie is a go to for that cozy, sit by the fire, sweet historical mood. I've said it before, but her writing very much reminds me of Georgette Heyer. It's a little sweet with dry wit and this historical tidbit details that put me right in the setting.
Philip and Honoria are childhood friends and neighbors. With her father's animosity, their friendship is no longer sanctioned, and Philip's return to the country frowned upon.
The setup for this series has me eager for the next book to release as I loved the setting and the supporting cast. The romance was rushed and I wanted more tender moments - more swoon - to buy into their turn from friends to affection. There were moments of frustration particularly with Philip but Honoria's persistence and sweetness balanced out his hesitancy.
Thank you to the author for the #gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
October 16, 2022
This weekend I traveled to the English countryside. In the town of Horncastle. Not by air, but by Jenni Goutet’s storytelling. Since I’ve enjoyed her Clavering Chronicles, I knew I would like her newest series. A Whimsical Notion is book 1 in the Daughters of the Gentry series. If you are like me and still have to look up definitions, then gentry means high-born or noble.
While I am not of noble birth, I felt a kinship with Honoria. She is a woman who values her role as a homemaker and caretaker. She respects her parents, and cares for those in her circle. And there was a time I was naive and blindsided by love.
Philip is a hero that will have you cheering for him from the start. He has no family, and is trying to fix his family estate all on his own. Philip not only demonstrates his strong work ethic, but he also portrays gentleness, kindness, and thoughtfulness. He adores Honoria, and patiently waits for her to realize he is the one for her.
Their playful smiles and gentle teasing gave me all the feels. I wish I could tell you all my favorite parts, but to avoid spoilers I will say parts of the story reminded me of Romeo & Juliet. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy sweet regency romance.
Read if you like:
Forbidden Romance
Sweet Romance (just kissing)
Historical Romance
Childhood Friends-to-Lovers
Slow-Burn
Thank you Jenni for a copy of the book! I can’t wait to read book 2.
While I am not of noble birth, I felt a kinship with Honoria. She is a woman who values her role as a homemaker and caretaker. She respects her parents, and cares for those in her circle. And there was a time I was naive and blindsided by love.
Philip is a hero that will have you cheering for him from the start. He has no family, and is trying to fix his family estate all on his own. Philip not only demonstrates his strong work ethic, but he also portrays gentleness, kindness, and thoughtfulness. He adores Honoria, and patiently waits for her to realize he is the one for her.
Their playful smiles and gentle teasing gave me all the feels. I wish I could tell you all my favorite parts, but to avoid spoilers I will say parts of the story reminded me of Romeo & Juliet. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy sweet regency romance.
Read if you like:
Forbidden Romance
Sweet Romance (just kissing)
Historical Romance
Childhood Friends-to-Lovers
Slow-Burn
Thank you Jenni for a copy of the book! I can’t wait to read book 2.
October 16, 2022
A Whimsical Notion by Jennie Goutet is a delightful Regency read. It is the first book in the Daughters of the Gentry series. Main character, Honoraria, is a sweet soul with a gift for helping others heal. She lives with her parents next to Phillip’s estate. Phillip has been trying to rebuild his earnings after the damage his father had done to the estate and surrounding countryside which included alienating Honoria’s father.
This was a sweet Regency read that took place in the country among the landed gentry. The author has a wonderful way of setting the scene and giving you details that allow you to come away with a great understanding of the time period. I enjoyed attending a Regency ball, learning how to work effectively with a housekeeper, and visiting with neighbors. There were many secondary characters who I enjoyed meeting, and I imagine will be a part of future stories. I greatly enjoyed my time in Lincolnshire.
The idyllic setting, endearing characters, and the lovely explanations of the time period by the author made this a wonderful Regency read. I felt immersed in the time period and can not wait for book two to learn what happens next. I highly recommend A Whimsical Notion.
I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.
This was a sweet Regency read that took place in the country among the landed gentry. The author has a wonderful way of setting the scene and giving you details that allow you to come away with a great understanding of the time period. I enjoyed attending a Regency ball, learning how to work effectively with a housekeeper, and visiting with neighbors. There were many secondary characters who I enjoyed meeting, and I imagine will be a part of future stories. I greatly enjoyed my time in Lincolnshire.
The idyllic setting, endearing characters, and the lovely explanations of the time period by the author made this a wonderful Regency read. I felt immersed in the time period and can not wait for book two to learn what happens next. I highly recommend A Whimsical Notion.
I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.
January 9, 2023
I had mixed feelings about this book. I thought Honoria was great in many ways but fickle in her affections. Philip was slow to recognize Honoria as more than a friend and that made the relationship seem a little forced. The ending was too abrupt and the epilogue failed to wrap up a few of the side stories. All that being said, there were a couple of exciting parts where I couldn’t put the book down. I also enjoyed the interaction and dialogue between the characters. It was entertaining.
June 2, 2024
3.5 stars
This one was pretty crazy guys�.at one point a woman sees a man’s thigh. Can’t believe Sheri approved it.
But I’m always a sucker for a great regency romance 🥰
This one was pretty crazy guys�.at one point a woman sees a man’s thigh. Can’t believe Sheri approved it.
But I’m always a sucker for a great regency romance 🥰
January 30, 2023
Lovely sweet period romance
Romance, sweet, period; series but stand alone
Honoraria and Phil's story was sweetly told. Honest, caring, characters, strong supporting characters, and fun setting. Loved the tender moments between Honoria and Phil as the story is told from alternating points of view. Sweet fall, and lovely novel. Plus are the fun vocabulary nuggets that JG includes.
Romance, sweet, period; series but stand alone
Honoraria and Phil's story was sweetly told. Honest, caring, characters, strong supporting characters, and fun setting. Loved the tender moments between Honoria and Phil as the story is told from alternating points of view. Sweet fall, and lovely novel. Plus are the fun vocabulary nuggets that JG includes.
October 5, 2022
I loved this charming book in my favorite genre of friends to lovers. Such a sweet telling of two very like-able lifelong friends coming to know each other again after a length of absence. Watching them begin to trust and help each other again, then love blossoming, was inspiring and fun to see unfold. Without giving any spoilers, I appreciated the author’s afterword since the start of the enmity between their fathers, which was the main obstacle between them, then became part of the solution, but I had thought it just a tiny bit far-fetched, lol, before the afterword. I love that this author puts lots of research into her books and is historically accurate as well as beautifully written.
October 12, 2022
A lovely new series from Jennie Goutet! Set in Lincolnshire, focused on the lives of the landed gentry, and filled with lovable characters. Honoria, the strong female main character, and Philip, the caring and struggling male main character, make a lovely couple when they finally get everything all sorted out. A plot twist and historical details combined with beautiful descriptions of Lincolnshire made this a well-written Regency romance. I always appreciate author notes at the end that share the historical facts of their research and how it all ties into the book. Looking forward to the next book to see who gets their love life sorted out next! I did receive an ARC of this book, but the opinions shared are my own.
October 12, 2022
A gentle bucolic romance set in the English countryside, Honoria Basset has had a tendre for her best friend's brother for some time. However, Gus is somewhat careless with Honoria's heart, that is until it would appear that Philip Townsend is taking an interest in her. Unfortunately, whilst Philip has far more honor and credibility than Gus, the enmity between their fathers goes a long way toward making it a forbidden match. The plot is fairly slow-moving, but nevertheless keeps the reader's interest throughout as the characters invite one into their everyday lives. When Philip realizes that Honoria returns his feelings, he knows that he is up against a brick wall when it comes to Mr. Bassett, but in a surprising turn of events, his past actions force Mr. Bassett into seeing him differently. The plot comes to a successful, although somewhat unexpected conclusion, bringing about the desired result. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
December 2, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this Regency romance about a forbidden love between neighbors. I love this type of trope! The author did a fine job of developing the characters and the narrator was fantastic. I'm excited to read or listen to more books by the Ms. Goutet as she is a new to me author.
*I was given a copy or the audio narration by the author. This is my honest opinion.
*I was given a copy or the audio narration by the author. This is my honest opinion.
October 5, 2022
Jennie Goutet excels at weaving a story around strong, believable characters. I enjoyed wondering “will she choose him? Or will she choose him?� Not with just one character but with two! Only one is resolved. I hope the other is resolved in her next book, which cannot come fast enough for me.
October 7, 2023
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!
January 17, 2023
Made me smile.
October 22, 2023
It started out great. There were multiple interesting characters introduced. A couple of old friends having to navigate their relationship now they are grown and less at ease due to societal expectations of young men and women. A beautiful but mysterious widow entering the neighbourhood with her young boy seems to be in fear of her overbearing brother in law. A kind but ailing mother and a seemingly strict but loving father. A distant and ratheer disagreeable prospective sister in law. There is even an interesting agricultural project.
But then it fell flat. The heroine went from having been in love with one suiter her whole life to wanting to marry another man asap in like 24 hours. What caused this change? Well her previous love interest danced with her then talked to another lady of their party the next day. Obviously that shocking behaviour propelled her out of love and in to the arms of the next available man. The writing concerning the romance seemed immature. Even in the time period set people usually did not exchange one sympathetic look and then headed straight to the parents to ask for the intended's hand in marriage. Then all other story lines were seemingly abandoned. Which would have been more bearable if the romance had been more convincing or the main characters had more than one defining quality - her passion for healing and his inability to run his estate.
All that said I have hopes for this writer. Her set up and the writing was generally good. If she started really exploring her characters, their relationships and gave them some depth, her writing would certainly be very enjoyable.
But then it fell flat. The heroine went from having been in love with one suiter her whole life to wanting to marry another man asap in like 24 hours. What caused this change? Well her previous love interest danced with her then talked to another lady of their party the next day. Obviously that shocking behaviour propelled her out of love and in to the arms of the next available man. The writing concerning the romance seemed immature. Even in the time period set people usually did not exchange one sympathetic look and then headed straight to the parents to ask for the intended's hand in marriage. Then all other story lines were seemingly abandoned. Which would have been more bearable if the romance had been more convincing or the main characters had more than one defining quality - her passion for healing and his inability to run his estate.
All that said I have hopes for this writer. Her set up and the writing was generally good. If she started really exploring her characters, their relationships and gave them some depth, her writing would certainly be very enjoyable.
October 12, 2022
#BookRevew: A WHIMSICAL NOTION by Jennie Goutet
Many of the regency books are about the “ton� and I enjoy reading them. I hope to read more books of those who lived as landed gentry and we have another one. This is just a breath of fresh air for me. The cover is lovely and in my favorite color.
A Whimsical Notion was a sweet and tender romance. It’s a friends-to-more and forbidden romance. Honoria and Philip's first encounter at the blackberry patch is funny. Honoria had a visible blackberry juice stain on her mouth and Philip was really trying hard not to laugh.
It was a delight to read Honoria’s interest in running the household. Her caring nature was perfect for her love to create salves or anything beneficial to one’s health. Due to his family’s financial issues, Philip had to work hard and make decisions to remain solvent. They are both hardworking people and I appreciated them for that.
I liked Honoria’s close relationship with her parents. Their time together was precious. The storm and everything that happened after were some of my favorite parts of the book. I felt all the overflowing emotions and I even shed a tear.
I always liked the author’s writing. This one had good conversations, few slow parts and overall an entertaining read. I look forward to the next one. I want to know more about Arabella.
Rating: 4 stars
Series: Daughters of the Gentry #1
Pub date: 12 Oct 2022
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Many of the regency books are about the “ton� and I enjoy reading them. I hope to read more books of those who lived as landed gentry and we have another one. This is just a breath of fresh air for me. The cover is lovely and in my favorite color.
A Whimsical Notion was a sweet and tender romance. It’s a friends-to-more and forbidden romance. Honoria and Philip's first encounter at the blackberry patch is funny. Honoria had a visible blackberry juice stain on her mouth and Philip was really trying hard not to laugh.
It was a delight to read Honoria’s interest in running the household. Her caring nature was perfect for her love to create salves or anything beneficial to one’s health. Due to his family’s financial issues, Philip had to work hard and make decisions to remain solvent. They are both hardworking people and I appreciated them for that.
I liked Honoria’s close relationship with her parents. Their time together was precious. The storm and everything that happened after were some of my favorite parts of the book. I felt all the overflowing emotions and I even shed a tear.
I always liked the author’s writing. This one had good conversations, few slow parts and overall an entertaining read. I look forward to the next one. I want to know more about Arabella.
Rating: 4 stars
Series: Daughters of the Gentry #1
Pub date: 12 Oct 2022
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 12, 2022
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.
November 12, 2022
Wow! This book is SO GOOD! It is sweet, heartfelt, romantic, and so much more! Whenever I picked up “A Whimsical Notion�, I was whisked back in time to the Regency Era, and went on an emotional journey with this story.
Firstly, I absolutely LOVE this cover! So elegant and lovely!
Jennie Goutet is one of my favorite authors! Her writing style is detailed, researched, and, as the reader, I am pulled in from the first page to the last. Her passion for writing and the story she is telling is so clear, and I was immersed in the world and the character’s lives. The setting vividly and viscerally also jumps off of the page, and I could envision each and every moment.
This story is both a friends-to-lovers romance, as well as a forbidden and slow-burn type romance.
(Possible Spoilers!)
Oh my goodness, I so found myself pulling for Honoria and Philip. They truly understand one another, and bring out the best in each other. Both are so kind, caring, and loving, and even with some challenges along the way, it is so clear they are each other’s happily-ever-after. How does it all work out? You will just have to read to find out!
If you enjoy historical romance, I highly recommend this book! I hope this series continues for a long time, and I simply can’t wait to read what Ms. Goutet writes next.
Thank you so much to the author, Jennie Goutet, for the beautiful review copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Firstly, I absolutely LOVE this cover! So elegant and lovely!
Jennie Goutet is one of my favorite authors! Her writing style is detailed, researched, and, as the reader, I am pulled in from the first page to the last. Her passion for writing and the story she is telling is so clear, and I was immersed in the world and the character’s lives. The setting vividly and viscerally also jumps off of the page, and I could envision each and every moment.
This story is both a friends-to-lovers romance, as well as a forbidden and slow-burn type romance.
(Possible Spoilers!)
Oh my goodness, I so found myself pulling for Honoria and Philip. They truly understand one another, and bring out the best in each other. Both are so kind, caring, and loving, and even with some challenges along the way, it is so clear they are each other’s happily-ever-after. How does it all work out? You will just have to read to find out!
If you enjoy historical romance, I highly recommend this book! I hope this series continues for a long time, and I simply can’t wait to read what Ms. Goutet writes next.
Thank you so much to the author, Jennie Goutet, for the beautiful review copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 19, 2022
“A Whimsical Notion� is a beautifully written story by Jennie Goutet. I savored every moment of reading this book! The setting is lovely, the characters are very three-dimensional, and the wit and banter exchanged between Honoria and Philip is delightful. Honoria is a compassionate, caring, and fun character. Philip is kind, considerate, dependable, and sweet. They both have such bravery and strength of mind. I enjoyed seeing how steadfast and unwavering their love for each other is. It is also great to see how the themes of family and friendship are expressed in this work. Christine, Gus, Theo, and Mrs. Northwick were also fun characters to get to know. I am very interested in seeing what the next book in the series has in store for them! I loved reading about the Stuff Ball. The writing was so vivid that I felt as if I were in attendance. In addition to the author’s creativity and beautiful writing style, I am also very impressed with all of the research that was done in preparation for writing this book. Which even included the author and her husband visiting Lincolnshire to conduct research. I highly recommend reading “A Whimsical Notion�! It is a gem of a book and is now one of my favorites. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it is released. Thank you very much to the author for sending me a copy of “A Whimsical Notion.� It was an absolute pleasure to read.
October 7, 2022
New Series!
‘Did he have any interest in her, she wondered, or was he simply being noble?�
This first book in Jennie Goutet’s Daughters of the Gentry series was a slow-simmering, very pleasing childhood friends-to-more romance that introduced characters I wanted to know more about. Combined with rich background details, it felt like it could be a Regency drama playing out like a Jane Austen movie. Only the book version is better because Ms. Goutet has a way of painting with words that allows your imagination to picture the details. A history of feuding fathers serves as the biggest obstacle to future happiness between Honoria Bassett and Philip Townsend and I was curious to see how events would transpire, especially among the increasingly complex interactions of friends and family members. From this series I look forward to learning more about the gentry class of this time period and with the background already presented, I am eager to read Arabella’s story!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are completely my own.
‘Did he have any interest in her, she wondered, or was he simply being noble?�
This first book in Jennie Goutet’s Daughters of the Gentry series was a slow-simmering, very pleasing childhood friends-to-more romance that introduced characters I wanted to know more about. Combined with rich background details, it felt like it could be a Regency drama playing out like a Jane Austen movie. Only the book version is better because Ms. Goutet has a way of painting with words that allows your imagination to picture the details. A history of feuding fathers serves as the biggest obstacle to future happiness between Honoria Bassett and Philip Townsend and I was curious to see how events would transpire, especially among the increasingly complex interactions of friends and family members. From this series I look forward to learning more about the gentry class of this time period and with the background already presented, I am eager to read Arabella’s story!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are completely my own.
October 13, 2022
I’m all in for anything by Jennie Goutet. She weaves a good story with wonderful characters and immaculately researched history.
This was a beautiful tale of friends to lovers with a bit of a love triangle thrown in. Who will she choose? Will Honoria’s father ever overcome his prejudices? How will Philip revive his estate and make it profitable? What about Gus?
I especially liked:
Honoria’s rescue from the fire
Philip’s “healing� burns
The vine climb up to and through the window
The softening resolve of Mr. Bassett
I’m looking forward to the next book. I’m hoping to find out the mystery of Mr. Northcott and the reason for his influence. I’m also hoping that Theo will be the next main character.
This was a beautiful tale of friends to lovers with a bit of a love triangle thrown in. Who will she choose? Will Honoria’s father ever overcome his prejudices? How will Philip revive his estate and make it profitable? What about Gus?
I especially liked:
Honoria’s rescue from the fire
Philip’s “healing� burns
The vine climb up to and through the window
The softening resolve of Mr. Bassett
I’m looking forward to the next book. I’m hoping to find out the mystery of Mr. Northcott and the reason for his influence. I’m also hoping that Theo will be the next main character.
October 16, 2024
Jennie Goutet has a way with words that draws the reader in. The worlds she create are captivating and lovely. The main characters in this story, Honoria and Philip, are strong but kind and honorable. I very much enjoyed the premise of the book � friends to more � with some interwoven adventures. The supporting characters are wonderful as well and add depth to the story. I am looking forward to reading the second book� to see whose romantic life is sorted next. My only reason for not giving it five stars is that I feel that the pace is a bit slow.
I received an advanced copy of this well-written book. This is my honest opinion.
I received an advanced copy of this well-written book. This is my honest opinion.
October 5, 2022
Another delightful romance from one of my favorite authors. This was a simple tale, and true love prevailed over obstacles once more. That plot never seems to get old, and Ms. Goutet always has characters that delight me. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in this new series. I greedily read this one in just a day.
I don’t know that this is the most memorable of books, but if you’re a fan of Regency romance, you’ve got to read it, and all of Jennie Goutet’s other novels too. Her writing is excellent, and she creates satisfying stories that benefit from her dedicated research.
Thank you to the publishing team for an advance copy!
I don’t know that this is the most memorable of books, but if you’re a fan of Regency romance, you’ve got to read it, and all of Jennie Goutet’s other novels too. Her writing is excellent, and she creates satisfying stories that benefit from her dedicated research.
Thank you to the publishing team for an advance copy!
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