Look Before You Leap - (Miss Prentice's Protegees) by Virginia Heath (Paperback)

About the Book

"In this hilarious second installment of a Regency romance series, a single lord is forced to settle down...and when a houseparty brings a happy-go-lucky lady's companion his way, his grumpy heart is unexpectedly warmed. Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount of Wennington, was publicly humiliated when a reckless romantic gesture went very wrong. Despite that, his mother held tight 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 30, there's not a grandchild in sight. His heart now lies with his land and work is his life. In desperation, his mother decides that if he refuses to venture back into society to find her future daughter-in-law, the only solution is to bring society to him via a weeklong houseparty to find one for him. The first Guy knows about her plan is when her hand-picked gaggle of debutantes arrive at his estate, all competing to be his wife. After failing miserably as a governess, Lottie Travers isn't proving to be any better at being a lady's companion. As the only girl in an all-male household growing up, she's developed several bad habits she can't shake and that keep getting her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice's teachings, Lottie still climbs a tree better than she embroiders, and still cannot seem to curb the desire to gallop astride a horse in breeches whenever an opportunity arises. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages to keep it afloat, she's determined to conquer her wildness once and for all and concentrate on her career. Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one that catches Guy's eye, as much as he tries to deny it. And succeeding in her new role is easier said than done for Lottie when the Wennington Estate is filled with horses and she can't help but feel a spark around the grumpy Lord. By the end of the week, will the two of them remain stuck in their ways, or will they learn that they may just be the perfect match?"--

Book Synopsis

In this hilarious second installment of a Regency romance series, a single lord is forced to settle down...and when a houseparty brings a happy-go-lucky lady's companion his way, his grumpy heart is unexpectedly warmed.

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?

Review Quotes

"Sparkling...With a plot as rollicking as it is sweetly romantic, this is Regency-era romantic comedy done right." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"[A] wit-infused Regency spin on the grumpy-sunshine trope with a particularly delightful pair of protagonists who trade plenty of sharp quips and a few steamy kisses while bonding over their shared love of horses and riding." --Booklist

"Funny and heartfelt." --Library Journal

Praise for Miss Prentice's series

"An enjoyable new Regency series." --Library Journal

"Equal parts witty and romantic, ​A​ll's Fair in Love and War is a page-turning Regency charmer. Virginia Heath's writing is top notch, sparkling with her trademark humor. I was smiling (and swooning) all the way through." --Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author

"A thoroughly charming slow-burn romance between a fastidious captain and a feisty governess, accompanied by a trio of rambunctious children and one willful pup. A delightful read!" --Amalie Howard, USA Today bestselling author of Never Met a Duke Like You

"Readers never tire of a down-on-her-luck heroine and a hero who needs to lighten up, and Heath provides both in this entertaining romp along with puckish children, busybody servants and mischievous dogs." --BookPage

"A really fun rom-com, that hits all the right notes." --Red Carpet Crash

"All's Fair in Love and War is a truly delightful tale of two very opposite people who both learn a little bit about each other's needs and wants. And the children bring quite a bit of fun into the story with their own different backgrounds. A totally entertaining romp ensues." --Romance Reviews Today

"All's Fair in Love and War made me absolutely excited to see what's up next for this group of enterprising young women - which is the best compliment I can give any romance series." --All About Romance

About the Author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl, it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Now her Regency rom-coms (including the Wild Warriners and Merriwell Sisters series) are published in many languages across the globe. Thirty-two books and four Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.