If you loved watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson and reading the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, then this is the book for you!

This was the first book I’ve read by Sophie Irwin and was delighted with every moment.
I’ve in recent years became very captivated by regency era romances and I’m so glad I was able to find another author to read.

The banter was top tiered, especially after Lord Ashford found out the ruse. Reminded me a little of Viscount Bridgerton when trying to outsmart Kate in The Viscount Who Loved Me.
I absolutely loved how Miss Lydia didn't give in and actually stood her ground on what she wants in a marriage.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions my own.

Pragmatic Lord Ashford, heir to a Dukedom, is in search of a wealthy wife. He has to persuade his father that he has formed a romantic attachment to any future bride before the marriage is approved. Lydia Hanworth appears to be the ideal candidate, a well-behaved girl with money. He's sure that his father will believe the marriage is a love match rather than a marriage of convenience, for who would believe that the strictly conventional Lord Ashford would choose to marry a girl who's wealth comes from trade, unless he was in love with her.
Spirited Lydia has dreamed of a love match but under the control of her aunt and uncle, finds herself engaged to Lord Ashford whose less than romantic views on marriage she has overheard. Invited to a select house party which will culminate in the announcement of the engagement, Lydia has to persuade Lord Ashford to break off the engagement within the ten days of the visit. With the help of her brother, she puts her ever more outrageous plans into action.
A light hearted and amusing book it also touches on more serious topics such as the plight of women in the early nineteenth century.
At times anachronistic, this is still an enjoyable read with well drawn characters and a plot which has enough individuality to make it worth the few hours it will take to read.

This is a delightful book. Sophie Irwin uses inimitable English language from past times to her extraordinary advantage.
Lydia finds that she must shake off her acquired suitor in 10 days using fair means or foul. Does she manage this?
Very engaging and engrossing.

Oh I loved this book!

This was my first Sophie Irwin, and I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the most romantic, funny and heartfelt regency romances I've ever read. Irwin wrote a novel that was seemingly hilarious and captivating. There is so much that goes on in this book that I will definitely urge readers to go in as blind as possible like I did. Usually, I don't find romcoms too funny, but I found myself laughing out loud and smiling from ear to ear! I loved all the characters in this book and even though it is unlikely I would love a sequel just to see some of these characters again!
I loved this so much and I think about it every day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a copy to read!

I adored this! Sophie Irwin is a must-read author for me - I loved her last two books and I was absolutely not disappointed here.
It’s pretty much exactly what it says on the tin; How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, regency edition. I looooved the nods to Bridgerton and Pride and Prejudice (iykyk) - Sophie certainly knows her audience!
The characters are compelling and likeable - even when they’re being unlikeable - and the whole concept is just genius. We all know how rigid the societal expectations were during the regency period and Sophie plays with it in the best way. Lydia was hilarious and I couldn’t help but love Ashford too.
I giggled my way through it, kicked my feet at points and just had the loveliest time. 10/10 no notes.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. I was thrilled you approved my request. All opinions my own.

I loved Sophie Irwin's first novel (A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting). So much so I have the illumicrate special edition of it! So I was absolutely thrilled to receive an eArc of this

Irwin writes true historical fiction rom cons, that are genuinely funny! While I'm often not the biggest romance reader, there's something about her writing that just absolutely works for me.

While they have a regency setting, they have a great balance of the feel of the time with a wonderfully modern twist. Think the vibes of 2020's Emma, or the Bridgerton TV series (without the 🌶️)

This is such a fun read. And made me question why I haven't read her other novel (A Lady's Guide to Scandal) yet, despite owning a beautiful edition of it 🙈

This is a delightfully scatty and hilarious laugh out loud Regency Romance, perfect for fans of the Bridgerton series.
Lydia Hanworth is promised in marriage to Lord Ashford, by her long suffering Aunt Agatha and Uncle Edmond. Lydia is appalled, but accepts the proposal with many misgivings.
The announcement will be kept secret for ten days, at which time it will be announced at a Ball being hosted by Lady Phoebe, the cousin to Lord Ashford. Lydia has ten days to behave so badly that the engagement will be broken off and quietly forgotten. That is the plan.
However, true love has other ideas. Opposites attract and the reader is treated to a veritable feast of playful and deliberate social gaffes, faux pas and really childish incidents that makes the reader fall in love with both of these characters long before they accept the growing attraction to each other.
Regency novels have never been so much fun, not so much the old fashioned “ bodice rippers” , but these show a growing awareness of social standings, the disgrace of divorce, and how money really does make the world go around. There are themes of coercive control, blackmail, theft, and cruelty towards both to humans and beasts, and an awareness of male love.
Lydia is faced with the social disgrace of banishment from polite society if her plan works, is she willing to risk this? She wants to marry for love, an unknown concept in these times, love grows as marriage matures.
The traditional happy ending is slightly subverted, but these two stubborn and proud people are given extra time to find out what works best for them.
There is a wonderful sense of the ridiculous throughout this novel which almost reads like a farce.
I rated this as a five star read. My thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollinsUK, the publishers, for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave this review to both Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

Lydia Hanworth is utterly baffled when the rich and handsome Lord Ashford proposes to her. Pressured into accepting the proposal, Lydia has ten days before the engagement is announced to convince him to end it.

This was a really fun and charming enemies-to-lovers historical romance. I always enjoy historical romances set at a country house; it’s a fun way of forcing all the characters together. I enjoyed the dynamic between the lead characters. I also really liked Lydia’s close relationship with her brother Pip. There was quite an interesting secondary storyline that I also liked.

Sophie Irwin’s bio states that she wrote her dissertation on Georgette Heyer and World War II, and I can definitely see the Heyer influence in her books. Irwin’s romances feel like more modern versions of Heyer’s Regency romances, though maintaining the same period setting. I’m also desperate to know more about the conclusion of the dissertation!

I enjoyed this light hearted story a lot. It was a romp through time of a betrothed couple whose engagement has been agreed upon by Lydia’s parents and the Marquess of Ashford. Lydia and her brother Pip are to spend 10 days together at the house of his cousin Lady Phoebe and her husband Lord Waldo and some other house guests.

Lydia decides to spend the 10 days doing all manner of ridiculous things in the hope that Ashford withdraws his proposal.

This is like the child of Bridgerton and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. It has some very funny moments and with the addition of supporting cast of characters the book becomes more of a Miss Marple.

All in all it is a great little book of escapism

Historical fiction is not always my thing, but after reading Sophie Irwin's previous two books I have come to realise that historical romance specifically (and particularly when written by Sophie) is my thing.

This book captures all of the elegance, romance and regality of the regency era whilst also being accessible, funny and swoon worthy. I loved the play on How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and following Lydia's antics in her bid to totally put off the Lord who wants to marry her for convenience had me laughing out loud. Lydia and Lord Ashford were the epitome of grumpy sunshine and if only they were able to see past their own stubbornness, they may have realised their love for each other sooner. But where would the fun be in that?

I had a great time with this book. It was a lot of fun and was fantastic company whilst I was travelling at the weekend. I can't wait to read more from Sophie Irwin and hope that her book is the talk of the ton.

This was such fun. It’s been a while since I genuinely laughed at a book and so it was a real treat to be giggling through most of this one. Lydia and Ashford were so well matched, each trying to best the other. A total delight.

How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days by Sophie Irwin is a fun romp, full of charm and wit and is the perfect book to pick up if you are in need of a lighthearted distraction.
Lydia is in need of a husband if she is to avoid being shipped off to her miserable Aunt in the country, so when the rather eligible Lord Ashford proposes it seems like the perfect opportunity, however nothing is as it first appears. Lord Ashford has his own reasons for choosing Lydia and romance does not factor into his calculations, and Lydia is accepting out of desperation rather than desire. Neither party are thrilled by the plan but when Lydia learns more about his motivations she decides that she needs to escape the engagement without creating a public scandal and so she is determined to make Lord Ashford end the arrangement before it goes public in ten days time , something that he cannot do if he is to save his estate.
This is a cute take on enemies to lovers, with more than a passing nod to the film How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, as you may have guessed from the title. Though quite funny at first, some of the actions Lydia takes to try to end the engagement did get a little repetitive over time and did cause the character to feel a little grating. Her saving grace was her quick witted banter with Lord Ashford, the interplay between the couple was a real highlight. I also really appreciated the growth in Lord Ashford's character over the course of the book, he was quite "modern" in the way he reflected on his actions and tried to learn and grow from his mistakes. The secondary plot ,a mystery involving some stolen jewels did not seem needed, I found myself wondering why it was included, but it did result in a couple of funny moments.
This is a charming light hearted escape , one that will be enjoyed by many readers I am sure
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .

My Review of How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days by Sophie Irwin
(4 stars) – A Regency rom-com with heart, humor and a touch of mystery

I had a great time with this one. Sophie Irwin brings her signature charm and wit to a story that’s part romance, part comedy of errors, with a little mystery thrown in for good measure.

The banter was a real highlight for me. It was genuinely funny and sharp, with a cast of characters that made the world feel full and alive. Lydia is a relatable heroine, and while I wasn’t the biggest fan of the “she falls first” dynamic (not my favorite trope), I still found the romance satisfying overall.

Pacing-wise, the story moves quickly for most of the book, but I did feel the ending dragged a bit, especially after such a dynamic start. That said, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. This is a great pick for fans of Regency romance who like their stories smart, funny, and a little unconventional.

Well she did lose him didn't she? And in such a fun way too... and her brother helped and he , no doubt, would continue to do so, whenever he could.
An enjoyable romp through the manners of the so very upright English aristocracy of the period. Houseparties, assemblies and country mansions of immense gaudiness , all encompassed.

A fun read, nicely styled, with interesting characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and Sophie Irwin for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Did you like the film “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”? If you did then this book is for you!

Miss Lydia Hanworth receives a proposal from the rich, handsome and titled Lord Ashford. There is one problem, she does not want to marry him. However the engagement is not to be announced for ten days.. Can she be jilted before the engagement is announced to save her reputation?

Having previously enjoyed Sophie Irwin’s previous books; “A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting” and “A Lady’s Guide to Scandal”, I knew this book was going to be an instant winner for me. I love the conflict in her stories against the Regency setting of her books where a show of the ankle was deemed scandalous.

Initially both Miss Lydia Hansworth and Lord Ashford are so unlikeable (that is the point) they grow on you as their enemies to lovers dynamic blossoms. I enjoyed Lydia’s tactics to force Lord Ashford’s hand to call off the engagement. However these two idiots are just as stubborn as each other which makes for a great read. Sophie Irwin’s writing is easy to read but oh so quick and witty!

You will enjoy this if you are a fan of the Bridgerton series and the TV show The Gilded Age.

I loved this comedy romance. There were countless laugh out loud moments normally based around the two lead characters. The male would eventually become a duke and was arrogant and hidebound by the expectations placed on him. The female from a trade background wanted to marry for love such that when he proposed she did all in her power to put him off. Cue the mayhem at a house party. The book was more than that though, having strong female characters who knew their own mind and who were aware of their limited choices in life while the men were often privileged, boorish and obtuse. There was a nicely devised plot, making this a highly satisfying read. I was sad to reach the end

I’m such a fan of both Sophie Irwin’s writing and early 2000s romcoms so I knew that How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days would not disappoint, and I’m so glad to say it didn’t. Although it touches on some difficult topics such as classism, misogyny and emotional abuse in the 19th century, it is done so in a way that provided realism but didn’t bring down the overall uplifting tone of the romance.

Told with Irwin’s signature humour. the novel details Lydia and Ashford’s love story as its central focus (of course) but it was the host of supporting characters that made it such a fun read. Pip’s idiosyncratic obsession with Bow Street and his devotion to Lydia were particularly compelling, and I was pleasantly surprised to see some LGBTQ+ representation, something which is often sorely lacking in regency romances.

Overall I really enjoyed this one, and will absolutely pick up whatever Sophie Irwin writes next.

This book was a surprisingly cute, regency type enemies-to-lovers romp with a healthy sprinkle of “I hate how much I love you” energy. While I’m not typically a historical romance girly, this felt like a fun and lowstakes dive into the genre, with just enough Bridgerton-style social scheming to put my pop-culture knowledge to work.

The Premise
Miss Lydia Hanworth finds herself unintentionally engaged to Lord Ashford, and she is not pleased. She's got ten days (conveniently the length of a country house party) to sabotage the match and avoid social ruin, preferably by getting him to break it off first. Shenanigans ensue. So do feelings.

What Worked:
Ashford. An emotionally intelligent MMC? In historical fiction? A man who hears feedback and… actually adjusts his behavior? Revolutionary. His growth felt authentic and well-earned.

The tone. Light and witty, even as it touched on heavier topics like grief and domestic abuse. It didn’t get bogged down in the darkness, but also didn’t completely gloss over it either.

Pacing. A fast, digestible read that’s perfect for a slump. It didn’t demand a lot emotionally... the story was just good vibes with a little spice of drama.

Banter and chemistry. The second half, in particular, had some genuinely sweet moments and laugh-out-loud exchanges.

What Didn’t Quite Work:
Lydia’s behavior (early on). Her sabotage efforts bordered on childish and selfish, and while I understood her motivations, they made her hard to root for at first. She seemed to disregard others’ feelings in her mission to escape the engagement, which made the humor feel more mean spirited than playful in places.

The subplot. While thematically connected (particularly to Lydia’s journey toward empathy), the domestic abuse arc felt a bit jarring against the otherwise light tone. It offered important depth, but I’m not sure it integrated seamlessly with the rest of the narrative.

Historical accuracy? The rules of the regency world seemed to apply only when convenient. Lydia’s antics would likely have caused a scandal, but somehow she skates through relatively unscathed.

Final Thoughts:
Despite a shaky first half and a few tonal mismatches, this ended up being a charming, quick read with a refreshing male lead and a romcom spirit that shines brightest once the characters start genuinely engaging with one another. If you like your historical romance with a modern flair and just enough substance to anchor the fluff, this one might surprise you in a good way.

3.5⭐️
When Lord Ashford proposes to a very surprised Lydia Hanworth she is too stunned to speak, she has met him once and wasn’t much impressed. However her Aunt and Uncle, who took her and her brother in when their parents died, are so excited that aristocracy has proposed that they take her stunned mumbles as an acceptance and it seems Lydia is now engaged.
The engagement is to be kept a secret for ten days and announced to society at a masquerade ball thrown by Lord Ashford’s cousin.
Lydia and her brother Pip devise a cunning plan to give Lord Ashford no choice but to call off the engagement and they have ten days to do it.

A very enjoyable and lighthearted book. I did find it a bit waffley in the middle and Captain Prett was a simply awful character (by design I’m sure, very much a Gilderoy Lockheart character) and I was annoyed that Lydia lost all her gumption while he was around. However the last quarter of the book picked up and had a good ending.

The American spelling of “apologize” made my eye twitch mind you. A book that is set in England with an English author should not have American spellings.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the arc in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tropes : Romcom, enemies to lovers, secret engagement, marriage of convenience.
Vibes : Regency romance, house party, search for true love, hunt for a thief, secret plotting.

I had so much fun reading this book, it was filled with so much humour, ridiculous plans, strange pranks, and of course lots of love!

The dynamic between Lydia and Ashford was absolutely everything I could have hoped for. How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days is one of my all time favourite movies, and this was such a fantastically well done regency retelling! I absolutely adored watching Lydia's increasingly unhinged attempts to embarrass Ashford into jilting her, unfortunately for her, Ashford was every bit as stubborn and refused to be the one to call things off!

Watching their full blown war of pranks, snide remarks, and outfit mishaps as they try to outdo each other had me genuinely laughing out loud at our chaotic duo! I loved seeing them both get more and more flustered as they quietly plotted against one another, and watching the dynamic ever so slowly shift from a stubborn rivalry into something more playful and surprisingly sweet.

There's a fun little mystery subplot involving the investigation of some missing jewels and I really enjoyed this as a quick pallet cleanser to break up the tension between Lydia and Ashford! It added an extra layer of tension and I found myself analysing all the characters along with Pip trying to figure out whodunnit!

Sophie Irwin has such a lovely way of writing characters, I started off disliking most of the party guests, but by the end I found myself softening up and sympathising with many members of the group. We get to see little snippets of how they are below the surface and it's a lovely reminder that really all anyone wants is to be loved and accepted for who they really are.

Thank you so much for the ARC!