First of all, that cover. I love it and it immediately made me want to read this book.

Synopsis:
It is a truth universally acknowledged that love is never smooth sailing.

Captain William Hawksmoor of the Royal Navy never expected to inherit Kingscastle, his family's estate, and finds himself all at sea when he does so. Especially when he learns that he must marry within a year or be forever dealing with trustees.

As the new Marquis of Athelney, the captain takes command of Kingscastle and discovers much to be done to set it in order. He must also contend with his aunt, Lady Willoughby Hawksmoor, who is determined that her daughter will be his wife. When she discovers he is far more interested in Eleanor Burgess, her underpaid and much put-upon companion, Lady Willoughby shows she will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

This is a lighthearted Regency romance read and I am here for it. I definitely recommend.

This is a book where the secondary characters and plots outshine the main characters. Overall, I liked the book but found the romance of Eleanor and Lord Athelney to be the least interesting part of the story. Also, while speaking of romance there wasn't much of it.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I totally loved this book. I love this time period and I enjoyed it all. I loved the story, the banter and even got mad at the aunt which is proof of the good writing in my opinion!

This is a sweeping love story filled with intrigue and romance. I love the plot of a new pier of the ton has to search for a wife. I liked the characters just as much as I loved the entertainment. I like how the story reads at a swift pace. The excitement and romance was a thrill to read.

Captain William Hawksmoor, a half-pay Captain in the Royal Navy, currently without a command is surprised to find that, despite being the youngest son of a youngest son, he’s inherited an estate (Kingscastle) and a title (Marquis of Athelney). The only stipulation is that he should marry before the trustees can release the estate funds to him. So far, so Regency romance. What makes this a bit different is that much of it is told from William’s point of view and concentrates on him learning how to be a Marquis, seeing a tailor, acquiring a valet, when for the last fifteen years he’s needed nothing but his naval uniform. But William rises to the occasion. He has to cope with a vicious aunt (living in the estate’s dower house) and a monstrous flood, but he has allies (who are involved in a sub-plot romance). Lady Willoughby Hawksmoor, the harridan aunt, is determined that William should marry her timid daughter, but William realises that his aunt’s paid companion, Eleanor Burgess, is more to his liking. It all works out the way you might expect, but the journey is interesting. This is a very ‘clean’ romance, don’t expect sexual romps as in Bridgerton.

It was an interesting read. Style was unique and plot was good. Looking forward more books of this author.

FINALLY DONE are my first impression. Had a hard time digesting the words, but was a good story after all. This is unusual to my historical romances, and somehow long in explanation with words from Shakespearean time. Though this is a story based on that era, but reading it is not that easy to understand.

Thanks to Allison & Busby publishing, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I have not been compensated for this review and am leaving it voluntarily.

First, let me say that the cover of this book is beautiful. Presumably, it's the main character purposefully striding across his new estate which perfectly represents his character.

Captain William Hawksmoor suddenly becomes a Marquis and must marry in order to have access to funds to maintain his estate. His practicality serves him well in his new role and his integrity make him a favourite for everyone except his aunt This book is extremely well-written, with subtle humour. The new lord being something of a fish out of water is amusing and his military background provides a stark contrast to the expectations placed on him by his domineering aunt.

Eleanor is competent, intelligent and has a sense of humour. She, quite rightly, holds out for real affection from William, without seeming overly dramatic. And her endurance of her employer shows a strength of character which makes her endearing.

Descriptions of the pastoral surroundings and the other characters give the landscape and the people life - it's all very relatable and enjoyable to read.

The side romance between Anne Greenham and Harry Britton provides a sweet interlude to the Eleanor & William's tumultuous relationship.

This is not a fast-paced book - it's more like a pleasant ramble through the countryside than a high-speed chase at times, but there are moments of drama and action which move the story along beautifully.

This is a book to be savoured rather than devoured, so if you're in the mood for a lovely story about likeable people (except for one very unlikable person) then this is the book for you.

Kingscastle by Sophia Holloway is a standalone romance novel, but I found it engaging and it wrapped up satisfactorily for me. I chose this novel off of NetGalley, and thought, by the description, that it might fit into the romantic suspense genre rather than romance. I feel that it wasn’t very suspenseful, but it was a nice, clean romance. I was given a free copy in exchange for a review, and all opinions expressed here are totally my own. I’d give this novel three out of five stars.

Captain William Hawksmoor, related to and often confused with the recently deceased Lord William Hawksmoor, has just inherited the family estate from his erstwhile cousin. He doesn’t want the estate, but accepts the obligation placed upon him of looking after his lands and the people that live on them. He less likes the stipulation that he must marry within two years and produce an heir. Even less palatable is his Aunt, Lady Willoughby, who’s a nagging stereotype of old, entitled gentry.
Even with all of the unpleasantness, Lord Hawksmoor takes the estate in hand as is his duty. He hires a new steward, recruits the vicar’s sister to redecorate, and begins to settle into his new life. In the back of his mind, he’s thinking of his obligation to marry, and even has a candidate in mind - although it’s not his cousin like his Aunt would prefer. To make things more complicated, the object of his (reciprocated) affections is Miss Eleanor Burgess, his Aunt’s paid companion. Their attraction is plain to everyone but the two of them, and Lady Willoughby spends most of her energy aiming to keep the two of them apart. Will she succeed?


I found Sophia Holloway’s writing style to be very engaging. Although the story is mostly focused on William and Eleanor’s perspectives, Holloway occasionally gives us insights into other characters, and usually closes them with a wry and amusing comment. I really liked this feature as it did make the characters a lot more realistic, and let readers have an insight into different personalities. Holloway’s style is also uncomplicated and straightforward, which makes the characters’ inner comments that much more amusing.
Now, on to the plot: I thought it was acceptable and very straightforward. The main challenge to the love story was Lady Willoughby, and her meddling led to a second, more minor complication. The plot definitely could have been more complicated and the challenges more unusual than the grumpy, elderly, interfering relative, but the writing quality and the characters were pretty solid, and there were only a couple of plot holes that distracted me.
First, Eleanor is working for Lady Willoughby as her companion, and could end her employment by accepting William’s offer. For some reason, she didn’t realize this through the whole book and was determined to keep in Lady Willoughby’s good graces to keep her position, even after she realized that she loved William. I don’t understand why she didn’t just go talk to him and accept his proposal soon after that. Second, there was a moment when a child fell down a well on William’s estate and William went down to rescue him. My issue with this is that these are village children, clearly used to doing hard work, and able to identify a well and the danger it posed. I wish some clearer explanation had been provided of how the child got down the well!
My only other criticism of this book is that Lady Willoughby was just a little too villainous. I didn’t like her at first, and held that opinion all throughout the book, but Lady W never showed one aspect of redeeming quality about her, which I wasn’t a fan of. She was just a fairly flat character, with no why to her actions, and I think that could have been improved upon (she wouldn’t have had to be nice by the end, mind you, just something to have made her a little more real).
All in all, if you want a clean, dirt-free, historical romance book, I think Kingscastle will amuse you and be a satisfying read with a happily-ever-after ending. I enjoyed reading it and would read another book by Sophia Holloway in the future. I did see that the book mentioned that she has a mystery series under another pen name, so I might try those as well.

I read this book for a blog tour.

http://ramblingmads.com/2021/11/27/blog-tour-kingscastle-sophie-holloway/

Kingscastle
by Sophia Holloway
#Kingscastle Allison & Busby

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

A lovely traditional, clean Regency romances that I throughly enjoyed reading!

Captain William Hawksmoor of His Majesty’s Royal Navy never inspired to be nothing more than a Navy man. So when certain things come to light he is astonished when unexpectedly inherits a marquessate. As the fifth Marquis of Athelney, heir to the title and vast estates. The Marquess of Athelney comes certain obligations, requiring him to marry within a year. Adjusting to land legs he takes command of the family seat at Kingscastle.

Lady Willoughby will stop at nothing to see her daughter Charlotte the next Marchioness of Athelney. Eleanor Burgess is an underpaid companion to the malicious Lady Willoughby Hawksmoor.

A sweet budding romance with great character development and complex relationships. The authors descriptive prose and richly atmospheric setting, are brought to life with unique details, making for a highly compulsive read.

The writing was witty and proper--Austen-esque. I especially enjoyed Eleanor and William's personalities, both pragmatic and sensible at their core but they could show some heartfelt emotion when the situation called for it. The author took pains to use period appropriate vernacular, but it didn't come across as superfluous. I thought it was just enough for a modern mind to breeze through without getting caught up in too much antiquated language. In fact, a few of the characters' exchanges had me smiling at their cleverness. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2 out of 55.

The first ebook to be finished this year.

I was unsure if I'd read the story, but I was craving some regency romance, so I gave it a try.

I like how William did not accept the sudden position of Marquis but later embraced the title, yet did not forget that his heart would always be as a naval captain.

At the start, I admired Eleanor's fierceness and determination, but in the latter part of the story, her personality lacked spark. She became hard-headed and jealous, which I think too much about.

I did enjoy the book because it also incorporated the supporting characters, but I was definitely rooting for another ending.

Thank you to Allison and Busby and Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a regency era novel of a naval sea captain turned marquis and how he finds love. This novel had a great story line and I loved all the characters, Lady Willoughby was atrocious! The writing and vocabulary seemed at times that the author was using very arachic and erudite words and phrasing. The ending left me wondering about Septimus--did he marry Charlotte? What of the villagers from the flood? It seem a rather abrupt end. Great read over all, clean and enjoyable!!!

This book is very much like a Pride and Prejudice story. A wealthy gentleman falls in love with much less endowed but enchanting woman. Even though I knew how it would and I really enjoyed the story.

One day a captain in the Royal Navy and content to be married to his career; the next he’s a Marquis in need of a wife. An old-style Regency Romance from a new to me author caught my eye and I didn’t hesitate to grab it up for a light, gently-paced engaging tale.

William Hawksmoor is a good commander and well respected. He’s perfectly happy with his place in the cadet branch of the family. In fact, he delivers a staggering frown to the family lawyer who is in disbelief that Captain Hawksmoor doesn’t want to be Marquis of Athelney after the close deaths of uncle and profligate cousin. Being told he has to be married within two years or forever have the funds left in the hands of the trustees is just more woe. Hawksmoor is a military man and this helps him adjust and make the most of matters including the main estate having fallen into disorganization and disrepair as the old Marquis grew feebler and his calculating, forceful aunt, Lady Willoughby, determined to marry him off to her second daughter, Charlotte. Too bad he has a penchant for Lady Willoughby’s sensible and bright companion, Eleanor Burgess, instead.

Kingscastle has in the blurb that it is for Bridgerton fans. I enjoyed a few of the Bridgerton books and many other Regency authors so I can say with some certainty that this was not much like Bridgerton. I think the comparison will do this book a disfavor when people come looking for more Bridgerton. This one is closer to books in the style of Georgette Heyer or Carla Kelly, rather. In fact, there were a few scenes that were more than nods to some Heyer book moments.

I settled into the storyline right away and enjoyed the set up and introduction to characters and situation. The author has a brilliant grasp of Regency Era and I happily enjoyed descriptions of life, dialogue, and style. It is a book given to gentle scenes and pacing with the exception of Lady Willoughby’s obnoxious over the top moments that were funny to me because she was so extreme. How so ever did this woman not end up the victim of accidental-on purpose hit her with the carriage I do not know? No one liked her and she had no redeeming qualities.

Speaking of characters. Interestingly, the main characters were not easy to know as some of the secondary characters like his naval lieutenant friend who came to help him get things organized at the castle or the local vicar and his sister. There are a few different plot threads going on with romance in the air for several. William and Eleanor are the main players, but their romance is not dominant. They were at the forefront of the story, but not as a developing couple- though yes, they are understood to be a romance pair. They have few scenes together and this is not so great because in the latter half of the book Eleanor seemed to alter in character. She goes from being loaded with common sense and seeing her fellow human creatures rather well to someone who chooses to believe an always conniving, spiteful Lady Willoughby about William. This is especially off-putting because William is fabulous. If he has a fault as a character, it is to have no real faults.
I sound like this book seems loaded with drama, but it is rather low-angst and I appreciated that. I even appreciated that there was plenty going on beyond the main romance as William gets Kingscastle in order and thwarts his aunt’s plans. It seemed a well-balanced book with all that went on though as I indicated before, I could have used a bit more William and Eleanor developing their romance.

So, in summary, Kingscastle was sweet, easy and delightful. I hope the author writes more Regency romances. I would recommend this one for those who enjoy sweet, slow burn historical romance.

Kingscastle is a clean Christian romance with two nicely mature characters who eschew the sturm and drang for an understated romance. That said, it feels like it tries a bit too hard to read like a Jane Austen but ends up being far too muted and with a noted lack of character and relationship development. Somehow, it just feels shallow when it should have more nuances.

Story: Upon the untimely death of his rakish cousin, Captain William Hawksmoor leaves the navy to take up the position of Marquis of Athelney. It is an obligation he neither wanted nor appreciates, especially since he discovers he must marry immediately and secure an heir. His Aunt pushes her shy and mousy daughter at him but William finds her companion, Eleanor Burgess, far more interesting. For where Lady Charlotte has no personality at all under her mother's heavy thumb, Eleanor is intelligent, kind, and intriguing. But Eleanor's standing is not high enough in society to be a Marquis' bride and William's Aunt is determined to ensure Charlotte takes the title.

Most of the book is a) William being a fish out of water trying to relearn the ways of a nobleman after having been at sea most of his life; b) Eleanor dealing with Lady Willoughby's selfish and entitled personality. It does get old, especially since we rarely see the main characters together due to Lady Willoughby's machinations.

I did very much like that both personalities were quietly competent and mature and certainly did not miss the silly melodrama rampant in so many romances these days. And yet, what was missing was the depth of emotion and feeling as we would get in an Austen. There is some humorous banter but the story somehow came off feeling very shallow.

The characters follow good Christian values so if you are looking for a spiritual romance, this is likely a good place to start. Both are in middle age (30s to 40s) and so you don't have all the melodrama of the young. However, if you prefer a more secular read, this might be more problematic.

In all, not a bad read but still missing a certain spark of depth to elevate it to a great read. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

A nice change in that the main character was a navel officer not a duke. Was a man of the people he came to be in charge of.

I'm a huge fan of Georgette Heyer and something in this book reminded me of her stories.
It's an entertaining and compelling story, I had fan and rooter for the lovers.
A well written story featuring fleshed out characters and a vivid historical background.
I wasn't a fan of the aunt but liked the plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Unfortunately, a DNF at about 35% for me. I LOVE regency era romances and usually find myself tearing through them in one sitting but this one was too slow of a burn --- I could not get into the flow of the writing or the romance of the characters at all. Disappointed because it seemed like an interesting plot line with a lot of potential, but I had a hard time with the sudden back and forth between POVs and the insta-love between the main characters.