A thoroughly enjoyable romp through the marriage market of Regency London. What can a young woman, disinclined to marry, do in the face of a marriage proposal from a very eligible bachelor who seems disinclined himself. She is threatened with something worse, an extradition to a country relative, so she must take things in hand herself. She has ten days to turn things around, and she certainly does that, to wonderfully hilarious results. It is very charming, and had me hooked from the start, very well written and with a wonderful list of characters. It should be televised.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!

When Lydia Hanworth, an heiress, unexpectedly finds herself engaged to a future duke the only course of action can be to make herself so unmarriagable that he has to break the engagement. But what if she realises that’s not what she really wants?

I love a good ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” trope book so I knew I was in for a treat with this one and it definitely delivered. Amazing plot and the dialogue was just so engaging.

I loved this story, hugely amusing. I often found myself laughing out loud whilst reading it. This is a perfect book if you love the Bridgerton era but are wanting something light-hearted and funny. The relationship that develops between Lydia and her Lord is brilliant and you can exactly imagine them trying to best one another. Would recommend.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

The Marquess of Ashford, one of the highest-ranking peers in England, wishes to marry Miss Lydia Hanworth. She doesn’t want him but is forced to accept his proposal.

His father, the Duke of Ashford, wishes to keep the engagement secret for ten days and publicly announce it during Lady Phoebe’s esteemed masquerade ball.

When Lydia and her brother, Pip, are invited to Lady Phoebe’s house for the days leading up to the ball, Lydia has a cunning plan. She will make herself as disagreeable, rude, and eccentric a creature as she potentially can.

She has ten days to be jilted by Ashford. After all, what can go wrong?

I love Sophie Irwin’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint. I was laughing so hard at Lydia’s capers, and trust me, she had many tricks up her sleeve.

I really liked Ashford as a character; he reminded me a little bit of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. However, there were layers in Ashford and barricades that he put up to protect himself.

Another person I liked was Lady Phoebe – I immediately knew that something was wrong in her marriage, and I admired her strength towards the end.

Be prepared for some hilarious moments, but also sad ones. This book has it all!

Thank you to HarperCollins for approving my NetGalley request.

This was an easy to read historical romance, a genre that I wouldn't normally pick up. Felt it has a slightly dark side to it too! I would be interested in reading further books concentrating on some of the other characters.

This was a nice and amusing enemies-to-lovers story where the lead characters clearly had strong chemistry.

It was a little slow to start, but it really picked up in the second half, thanks in part to a crime-focused subplot that seemingly came out of nowhere but proved to be a welcome addition.

The pranks that both characters played on each other ranged from clever and witty to downright farcical, and that sojourn into the silly pulled me out of the plot more than I would have liked.

It was easy enough to read, and a good deal of fun, but I don't think it'll stay with me for long.

‘How To Lose A Lord In Ten Days’ is an entertaining regency rom-com with a twist… it BEGINS with wealthy (and quite handsome) Lord Ashcroft proposing to Miss Lydia Hanworth. Lydia is a somewhat unconventional choice for such an eligible bachelor, who had well-regarded ladies - and their mothers - chasing him all season, but he is insistent that she is the one for him and her family are delighted!

Happy ever after in chapter one? Not quite… Lydia has zero interest in a loveless marriage but can’t say no to his offer, so decides she must make him jilt her before their engagement ball.

This book felt thoroughly modern and immersively rooted in Regency England - I loved the country house setting of most of the novel and the important side plots. The main couple’s banter was hilarious, and I really enjoyed how the dynamic between them evolved throughout the tale as Ashcroft realised the true position he had put Lydia in, and she gained awareness that the life of a Lord isn’t all sunshine and riches.

Overall, this gets 3.5 stars from me. Th story took a little while to get going in my opinion, but at its best it reminded me of a cross between Bridgerton and Sarah Hogle’s amazing ‘You Deserve Each Other’ (which is one of my total faves!)

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Harper Collins UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A really fun and playful read that had me hooked! I completely fell into this story and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. I couldn't get enough of the dynamic between Ashford and Lydia, with their fierce competition and all of Lydia's cunning to boot. Her brother, Pip, added a good dose of humour - a quirky and lovely older brother with a passion for investigation, those nobles didn't know what they were in for! Pair that with Lydia's outrageous attempts to deter Ashford without ever having to end the engagement herself, and his desperate attempts to reconcile the woman he first met with this menace. Ashford and Lydia bounced off each other well, and I loved that we got both of their points of view in this story. It was certainly a slow burn but it was fantastic. Lydia is absolutely formidable (the ending! I was a little bit in love with her at the fountain scene) and I greatly admired her cleverness and how shameless she was in her efforts. to ditch her future husband. There are some fantastic side characters alongside Pip, and Lady Morton and Lady Hesse's battle was also fun to see play out. There's a side plot of mystery as well, a love triangle or two, and a forbidden romance so this book really delivers. Plus, it's based on one of my favourite films and it's really made me want to do a rewatch. I'll be picking up Sophie Irwin's other books pronto as I really enjoyed this one!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This was a fun, fast-paced regency romp with just the right amount of scandal and slow-burn tension. Lydia is smart, independent, and definitely not looking to marry Lord Ashford, whom she barely knows and certainly doesn't love. But when circumstances push them into a secret engagement, sparks fly and the countdown begins. Ten days might not seem like much, but between secret schemes and help from her brother, a lot can happen. Perfect for fans of clever heroines, reluctant romance, and a dash of period drama chaos.

I forget how many times I have watched the movie How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, but I haven’t forgotten how fun it was to watch Matthew McCounaghey and Kate Hudson play pranks on each other and fall in love. If you are looking for something like that, something with humour and romance, but set in the Regency era, then How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days is perfect for you.

We have two protagonists. Miss Lydia Hanworth, an heiress with no interest in a marriage of convenience who just wants to be left alone with her books. And Lord Ashford, eligible, but in need of money to run his father’s estate and, for this reason, he needs to marry a rich woman and Miss Lydia, with perfect manners and a substantial dowry, meets his requirements. After a quick marriage proposal that is everything but romantic, Lydia has no choice but to accept it, but she has every intention to make him regret it. A house party in the countryside is the perfect setting for Lydia to lead Lord Ashford to call off the engagement. Armed with colourful and ridiculous dresses (there is a large number of feathers), bad manners, and a twin brother set to make use of his detective skills, Lydia is ready to do anything to reach her goal, but she doesn’t expect to meet her match in Lord Ashford.

Hilarious, cheerful, immersive, romantic, and full of surprises, it’s a good thing that I started reading it during the weekend, because I couldn’t put it down. I am a fan of Sophie Irwin. I love her writing and I have enjoyed all her novels, but How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days may be my favourite so far!

Lydia Hanworth is pushed into accepting a proposal of marriage from Lord Ashford, this is to be kept secret for ten days until it is officially announced. When invited to a weeks gathering with Lord Ashford she decides to make it so that he breaks off the engagement, rather than suffer from the damage to her social standing if she breaks it off.
I was cringing at what Lydia was doing to try to dissuade him from going through with the engagement, which was the the idea. At the same time Ashford's manner was so cold and clinical that it was difficult to feel any sympathy for him. As the story continues you begin to understand both their reasons for their actions, with the added mystery of a theft to investigate. It gives an insight into the times and the expectations that the aristocracy have to live up to to counter the advantage that they have. A fun but thoughtful story that I did really enjoy.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

When Lord Ashford turns up at Lydia Hanworth's family home, he naturally assumes she will want to marry him. I mean why wouldn't she, he's soon to be a Duke and her family were wool merchants just 2 generations ago? Unfortunately for Lydia she becomes too stunned to answer Ashford's proposal coherently and it gets taken as a yes! Now she risks becoming a social pariah if she rejects him, and that's without considering where her aunt and uncle will send her to live. Lydia and her brother Pip get invited to a country house party with all the leading members of the ton, and when it ends in 10 days, Ashford's father is to announce their engagement, giving her 10 days to force him to jilt her.

This is a fun regency romance full of the usual wit and humour of Sophie Irwin's previous books. The shenanigans get sillier the longer the characters are together, and eventually he starts to cotton on, so both of them are at it. But the characters also have depth, with both of the leads having lost parents alongside all the other societal struggles around arranged marriages, sexuality and abusive partners. Don't get me wrong, it's still light and fun but there's decent subplots, including a crime for Pip to investigate, surrounding the mayhem!

When Ashford, heir to a dukedom, offers for Lydia, her guardians are ecstatic. Ashford wants to keep the engagement secret for ten days to allow his father the pleasure of announcing it, and this plays into Lydia's hands because she has no desire to become a duchess. What follows is an ill-fated house party where Lydia acts in an increasingly bizarre fashion to get out of the engagement without loss of reputation. The story highlights deeper issues amidst the banter and romantic gestures. There is an authentic cast of characters and two likeable protagonists, whom the reader invests in. I like the witty dialogue, the romance and the humour of this engaging Regency read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This book was all I hoped for an more. When I saw the front cover and read the title I was dying to get my hands on a copy being a huge fan of the film by a similar name.

This book was hilarious from the first few pages:
Lydia's description of herself -"Why, she was barely better born than Aunt Agatha’s pug and given the fastidious Ashford had already rejected several diamonds of the ton, Lydia did not think pug was the level at which he wished to settle."
Honestly, I had tears running down my face.

Rich, handsome, and titled Lord Ashford, has every lady in England longing for his hand in marriage. However, he only wants the hand of Lydia. Marriage is the last thing she wants, so she tried everything she can to free herself from the man of the moment. The more the pair fight against their pairing the more they fall in love. Lydia is a force to be reckoned with but Lord Ashford laps it up. There is no bodice ripping in this book, but it is full of delightful, witty rivalry and banter.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a copy of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars.
I did enjoy this book and some parts made me chuckle. Some of the antics that Lydia got up to, took some courage, particularly those in a very public place. They did seem to go on for a longer while than necessary though. There was more to the way Ashford behaved than appeared at first, especially when his background was told. There are other factors in the story concerning several other people. It does have a satisfying ending for all concerned. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a fun read this was!

From the cover and title alone, the ending was fairly predictable, but the journey to it was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read. Think Bridgerton and the shenanigans that goon between young 'lovers' and you will get the picture.

Lord Ashford needs a wife, and has no interest in seeking a union based on love - a generous dowry is what he needs. Lydia's aunt and uncle believe she needs a husband, and Ashford is the perfect solution to their predicament. Unfortunately, Lydia does not agree and spends an enormous amount of energy trying to drive Ashford away and to get him to jilt her by exploring any means possible to public humuiiate herself and him and make it quite clear how unsuitable a candidate she actually would make as Lady Ashford. Lydia wants to marry for love and on her own terms.

There are many other minor characters in this book, including Lydia's eccentric brother, Pip, who add to the comedic elements. However, it is not all farcical and there are some truly moving moments and eye-opening plot twists which makes this a much more unpredictable read that you would have initially anticipated.

Be entertained, but don't be surprised if you get caught up in the drama far more that you might have expected!

Loved this joey twist on a regency romance. It was tongue in cheek and really funny in parts which kept me wanting to read it. Perfect summer read, especially if you are a bridgerton fan and need a fix. Very enjoyable read

Missing Bridgerton, I was very intrigued to read this regency romance, as it's fairly unusual for a young lady to wish to break off an engagement with a future Duke.
Without spoilers, I can honestly say that this book had me in stitches and literally crying with laughter. This is a quick fun read, there's a lot of entertaining characters and a more serious subplot - making this book a perfect holiday read, enjoy!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the review copy.

How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days is Sophie Irwin’s delightfully cheeky twist on Regency romance, borrowing the bones of a beloved rom-com (you know the one) and giving it a historical spin—with a rebellious heroine, a persistent suitor, and a ticking ten-day clock.

Miss Lydia Hanworth doesn’t want to marry. Lord Ashford doesn’t want to marry just anyone—he wants her. When social and familial pressure forces Lydia to accept Ashford’s proposal in secret, she hatches a plan to make him call it off himself… before the ten days are up and the engagement goes public.

It’s war. And it’s a lot of fun.

The dynamic between Lydia and Ashford is engaging, with sparks flying and motives clashing in entertaining ways. There’s also a light mystery subplot, which adds texture but doesn’t overshadow the romance. That said, much of their emotional development happens between the lines—so while the ending feels earned, the heart of the romance feels slightly underbaked.

Still, this is a fun, fast-paced read with a modern sensibility. Rom-com fans will love the nods to genre tropes, and Irwin’s wit shines as always. A playful battle of wills with just enough scandal to keep things interesting.

This review has been posted on publication day (31/07/2025) to Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DMw54yyNgXX/), Amazon.co.uk and Waterstones.

How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days was all fun and games until it wasn't.

With absolute chaos and mayhem between Lydia and Lord Ashford, Sophie Irwin spun a brilliant and very meaningful, heartfelt story. With the title reminding me so much of the film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, this story definitely delivered while also giving so much more that made it its very own. Strategically utilising the societal rules and expectations of proper Ladies and Lords of that time, the antics between Lydia and Ashford were endlessly entertaining. It was also not just about them though (although majority of the time it was), it was also about the other people around them. This made the story more complex, exploring wider and more serious themes, adding a mystery as well to the eccentric, rom-com Regency romance that brought me to this book in the first place. I was hooked from the very beginning.

This was the first book in a long time that I struggled to put down. Sophie Irwin keeps upping the bar in the Period Romance Genre. I really liked A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting, and loved A Lady's Guide to Scandal, but How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days is just brilliant. It is my new favourite. A delightfully smart and witty rom-com Period Romance with serious undertones giving it more depth, I couldn't have asked for a better story.

I of course, have every single one of these books (How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days preordered). They bring me joy.

Thank you HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for an early uncorrected proof of this ebook in return for my honest review. This was such an easy review. This book was just what I needed for a cosy winter read.