Book Review - The Viscount's Daring Miss

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources and Lotte R. James for inviting me on this book tour and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

The Viscount's Daring Miss by Lotte R. James

Synopsis:

When her best friend and employer is injured, groom Roberta 'Bobby' Kinsley feels compelled to help him. She agrees to step into the saddle and compete in an endurance horse race to help secure his ancestral home. Yet the minute that Bobby comes face to face with her opponent - arrogant yet infuriatingly charismatic Lawrence, Viscount Hayes - it is clear that it won't just be the competition that has her heart racing!

Review:

I was very excited to read Lotte R. James’ latest book. I previously read and massively enjoyed The Housekeeper of Thornhallow Hall, by the same author. I was not disappointed.

The Viscount’s Daring Miss is set in the 19^th century. Lawrence and Julian’s families have had an ongoing dispute over land for many years, and the two men decide to have an endurance horse race from Land’s End to Jocelyn Bay, to settle the matter once and for all. Julian is injured just before the race and Bobby, who is like a sister to him, offers to compete in his place. The race takes place between July 14th - July 23rd, 1838, and brings adventure and danger to those taking part. Lotte’s wonderfully descriptive writing paints a beautiful picture of the landscape that they ride through.

The petty quips between Bobby and Lawrence at the start of their story made me laugh. As they get to know each other, their attraction grows and the banter they share gives way to flirtation. I was fully prepared not to like Lawrence, and mentally cheered when Bobby called him a toad. However, he ended up being just as likeable as her. I really liked the relationship that forms between them, they both had difficult pasts and a level of understanding develops between them. They bring out the best in each other.

I loved Bobby as a character, she is courageous, confident, feisty, and independent. I like how forward thinking and unrepressed she is, especially for the time. She rejects what society expects of her, she loves horses and working in Julian’s stables. She has no intention of marriage or complying with what a 19th century woman 'should' do.

I adore horses and when I was younger, I regularly went horse-riding, so I really enjoyed the equine element of the story. I loved the strong bond that Bobby had with horses. Another element of the story that was lovely, was Bobby and Julian’s friendship and closeness. She had bravery for volunteering to race instead of her injured friend, and he placed his trust in her when there was so much at stake.

I haven’t read a historical romance like this before. Once again, Lotte has written a fresh, memorable, unique, and thoroughly enjoyable book. 

You can buy your own copy of The Viscounts Daring Miss here

Author bio: 

Lotte James trained as an actor and theatre director, but spent most of her life working day jobs crunching numbers whilst dreaming up stories of love and adventure. She’s thrilled to finally be writing those stories, and when she’s not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration, or nestling with coffee and a book.

You can read the rest of the reviews on the book tour: