I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Lord Tresham's Tempting Rival is a though-provoking and clever Historical Medical romance. It features Lord Ferris Tresham, a doctor who helps look after London's poorest people in need. He meets Anne Peverett at a ball and they are instantly drawn to each other, sharing a kiss.

Ferris is shocked to discover that Anne is a local healer who has been helping his patients with her holistic, herbal remedies. Initially he's not impressed and assumes she is a charlatan, however they eventually start working together and he gains more and more respect for her knowledge and medical skill.

I don't usually like medical romance, especially not medical historical romance, but this book definitely won me over. There were some interesting examinations of how the healthcare system worked in Victorian times, and the different types of medicine that you could find as well as women's roles within that. Anne becomes something of a forerunner of her time and I enjoyed watching Ferris being forced to confront his own prejudices.

The romance was very sweet, not particularly steamy, and also packed an emotional punch in places.

Historical romance with two non typical main characters. Both working in their own way to help the needy,they cross swords frequently. An enjoyable romance.

They shared an illicit kiss in the opening chapters then Anne Peverett is found to be a herbalist whereas Dr Lord Ferris Tresham is a medical Dr who despises herbalists who he sees as charlatans. Anne works for free whereas Tresham is lobbying the London medical council to finance medical support for those who need it. He moved in with her to monitor what she is doing before they are married. A professional and loving relationship slowly develops.

The book is interesting as it touches on the poverty of Victorian Britain - most couldn’t afford medical assistance and the sexism that prevents Anne from becoming a Dr. The book seems illpaced.They kiss in the first few chapters, he doesn’t trust her as he thinks herbalists are con artists but then moves in with her and establishes a professional relationship. An interesting read.
I was gifted this novel by Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review

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This was a unique historical romance that started right from the first secret kiss.

Ferris and Anne only want to help others. They are different sides of the same coin and share a passion for medicine. The only thing that stands in Anne's way is her gender. Meeting at a party they are enamoured by each other and sparks fly when their shared interests become known. More sparks then fly when Ferris finds out that Anne is a herbalist and daughter of a highly acclaimed country doctor. Though sceptical of Anne, Ferris must admit she has a way with patients that he can't ignore. As a team they are unstoppable. Having both suffered loss in their pasts are they able to trust or love again?

I found it interesting starting with a couple that shares a secret kiss in the first few chapters. It got directly into the relationship and then introduced the characters separately. I also found it interesting how Anne wasn't the typical woman from a much lower class that is so typical of historical romance novels. It gave the relationship a more even power dynamic despite gender.

Normally I gravitate to Mills and Boon for lighthearted simple romance but this book offers much more. There is drama and heartbreak in more devasting ways than your typical misunderstanding. The relationship built between Anne and Ferris involves the loss of children's lives and the harsh realities of the lower class. It tackles tough issues head-on and doesn't sugarcoat the harsh realities of life.

I did find it odd when Anne began living with Ferris before marriage and without gossip. I would've thought that this would've been scandalous of the time but nothing was made of it. I also found it bizarre how quickly Ferris changed his opinion of Anne from a Charlatan one day to his trusted medical partner the next. I was glad of the changed attitude but do think it could've developed at a slower pace over time.

Both characters had experienced loss in their past but I didn't think this was explained fully enough during the book. We are led to believe that both Ferris and Anne held themselves back from the relationship to avoid hurt. With a more thorough back story, I think this would've helped explain why this was.

Overall it was a pleasant read that I'm glad I tried.

An historical medical romance set in the slums of London when medicine was private, expensive, and usually only used by the upper and middle classes. Doctors were not ones to treat the poor as a general rule – as they could not pay.
So if the poor could not afford doctors, who did they go to when they were sick? Well basically no-one, poor hospitals – which were awful – or often when poor Victorians were sick they went to the local chemist where they could buy medicine. One popular treatment for both rich and poor people was the use of leeches. The leeches were supposed to suck toxins from the blood of a sick person and make them better. https://community.dur.ac.uk/4schools.resources/victoriandurham/health2.html
Where large populations were living in overcrowded areas there was a high rate of disease and people became ill after being in contact with sewage and dirty drinking water. The health of people living in the slums began to improve a little after the Public Health Act of 1848. This Act made local councils responsible for building drains and providing clean water. By the end of the 19th century streets were being swept and cleaned regularly to prevent the build up of dirt. This helped to prevent the spread of disease.
So it was very sensible of our enterprising heroine to make friends with pharmacists and chemists and use them as a source of her herbal remedies. And yes, it would naturally be women who would buy the remedies and administer them as it is now (!)
So for this era herbal remedies were cheaper and often more effective than the medicine practiced by the licensed doctors. After all, this was an era where doctors tended to wear the same clothes to perform surgery as they wore to attend childbirth, the idea of bacteria and hand washing was little known or practised. And herbal remedies were backed y hundreds of years of experimentation - which did not always mean that they cured or even alleviated and even were poisonous in cases but ...
So a book to reflect on poverty and its implications and to make one thankful for the National Health service and modern medicine.

Lord Tresham's Tempting Rival is the first book in The Peveretts of Haberstock Hall series by Bronwyn Scott.

Lord Ferris Tresham is a doctor who firmly believes that medical treatment shouldn't only be available for the rich. Anne Peverett is a woman who believes in herbal medicine. Believes in it and wants to share her knowledge with the poor people of London that can't afford normal medical help. The former wants to set up a travelling service taking medical treatment to the poor areas of London and is looking for funding from the medical board. The latter is happy to supply her herbal concoctions for free if necessary. That and her expertise. Ferris thinks that herbalists are dangerous charlatans and he comes up with a way to keep an eye on Anne and to get proof that the poor of London definitely need a medical service. Proof that the medical board are demanding.

What follows is a captivating story that deals with the social issues of the time and the differing views of the two classes. It, of course, also sees Ferris and Anne's relationship develop despite all the reasons it shouldn't. Is there any way that Ferris can see the value in Anne's work? If he can't then there is no way that they can even think of a future together despite the very real attraction they feel for each other.

I really enjoyed this book and am very much looking forward to the next in the series.

Set against a background of Victorian London, this historical romance is notable for its witty dialogue, the chemistry between Anne and Ferris and its focus on poverty and the role of women. Ferris is a dedicated physician, and Anne is a herbalist both want to make a difference in the health of the poor. Yet both are constrained, by the strictures, of Victorian society.

The historical details add to the story's authenticity as they bring to life Victorian London and the world of herbalists. The romance is full of internal and external barriers, but proximity and a mutual understanding draw the couple together.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Sharing a steamy kiss with Anne Peverett at a Christmas ball is utterly out of character for Dr Lord Ferris Tresham. He’s far too busy treating London’s poor to court anyone. Until Anne is revealed as the herbalist who’s been treating his patients with her homemade remedies!
Another well written book by the author, I loved both Ferris & Anne. He's the duke's son who'd far rather be treating the poorest in London & she's a country doctor's daughter & one of four siblings. I loved their witty banter, which was the highlight of the book for me. I also loved how they went from a passionate kiss to Ferris being truly horrible to Anne to finally finding love. A delightful read & I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Dr Ferris Tresham is a doctor with a heart, he wanted the best health care for the poorist of children. He was the man who would give the coat off his back to help, and he did. Anne was an herbalist and came to London to share her remedies. The main part of the story is set around Christmas.

I just loved Ferris and Anne, both strong characters and you couldn't help but want them to put aside their differences. I loved the nod to Florence Nightingale and how she started as a nurse and the advances to medical hygiene. I am fascinated with the apothecaries and herbalist of that time and really enjoyed reading about those in this book too. It just added that extra layer to this story. Loved the 'will they wont they' romance. Perfect to snuggle up with hot chocolate and a gingerbread biscuit.

The research and care is evident throughout the book. Anne heals with her herbs and supports the women in her area of London, the poultices and remedies are all describes and add real depth and flavour to the tale. The romance takes its time as both Anne, and doctor Ferris are protecting their cracked hearts but love grows. The inevitable misunderstanding breaks them apart but you just know that they’ll work through it and give you the deserved sweet ending.

I read this ARC for an honest review
all thoughts and opinions are mine

A really enjoyable historical M&B - really enjoyed the characters