An Inconvenient Beauty (Hawthorne House)

An Inconvenient Beauty may be book 4 in the Hawthorne House series, but you wouldn't know it by picking it up off the shelf at the bookstore. It stands alone and I didn't feel like I missed anything by dropping myself into the series midway through (as we all know I'm wont to do).

The book reads like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with witty banter, memorable characters, a glorious English setting, and a swoon-worthy male lead. Hunter noted that Chris Hemsworth provided inspiration for the Duke of Riverton; I couldn't help but think of Colin Firth, myself. (Just keeping the P&P love going. I can't help myself. Still, I'll take Chris as a close second.)

Truly a delight to read, the book is perfect for fans of the aforementioned Austen show more (or Colin Firth ... ahem). A wonderful way to virtually cross the pond for an enjoyable, relaxing several hours.

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. show less

** 4.5 stars***

I am very sad that this is the last book of the "Hawthorne House" series. I have come to love reading about this family!

This book lived up to my expectations, and they were high. Kristi Ann Hunter always delivers a book with great characters and is fun to read.

In this story, the eldest son, and the Duke, is learning what it is like to love. He always appears put together and intimidating. He takes his role and Duke and head of the family seriously and does it well. He "thinks" that he can logically pick a bride and that all will be well, but that is not the way that love works. His thoughts and world are turned upside down when the beautiful Isabella Breckenridge has her first season.

I enjoyed the history in the book. show more This book takes place at the end of the War with Napoleon. Isabella's uncle is trying to force through legislation and uses others as pawns to sway the vote. The political manuring is fascinating.

This book is a perfect ending to a wonderful series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend all of the books. You won't want to miss any time with this family. It's a clean book with kissing and Christian themes.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. show less

What a beautiful romance! So creative in how it’s written. I love the way the characters think. The character Griffith is a Duke and carefully reasons everything out, sometimes with the help of his friend and brother-in-law who is equal to the task. He is pressured to get married and through his reasoning chooses one of the social debutantes who is not in the limelight, yet is on the fringe. Not the most beautiful, but socially prominent and acceptable. However, there are a few things he didn’t know when he was making his decision – like the fact that the girl was in love with someone else and she was using her cousin as a shield from him. And that her father was using her cousin as bait for his own political agenda - the cousin show more who is uncommonly beautiful and completely in the limelight. The story is very well woven, has good depth and held my interest through every line.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html. show less

This book would have made an excellent movie that I would watch several times over. You can picture the characters clearly in your head and play out the scenes as they’re really well descripted and well written. What surprised me the most while reading the book was how funny it was. It’s not a laugh out loud comedy per se, but there were scenes and encounters where you found yourself laughing out loud. I thought it was different. Not all regency romance novels are like this (most are lighthearted romances) so seeing some good funny scenes is nice and puts a different spin on things. (The lawn bowling incident haha!)

Isabella and Griffith were perfect together. They had the perfect chemistry, their intelligence was on par with each show more other and Isabella was exactly what Griffith needed. He was all about routine, and finding the answers to everything and being prepared. Isabella was exactly the opposite; she made him question his methods, and got him to realize not everything has an answer and sometimes just going with the flow helps brighten up life. The best part was although their romance didn’t start off as usual (love at first sight, etc) it was a gradual bond that lasted throughout the book.

What I didn’t really like was although the characters were great, and the comedy bits made the plot light and fun, it didn’t do much regarding the speed and pace of the plot. It dragged midway in the plot and it seemed to have slowed to a crawl and the change of pace changed considerably.

Aside from the slow pacing in the second half of the book, I enjoyed the characters. They were fun and likable, and the comedy provided some good light moments. Although this is part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone as well. show less

Author Kristi Ann Hunter continues her charming Regency-set series, "Hawthorne House", with Book Four, "An Inconvenient Beauty". The most honorable Griffith, Duke of Riverton, is a logical man, and he naturally applies his sense of order to his search for a bride. His lady of choice, Miss Frederica St. Claire, appears to be a suitable candidate, but she has one quality he can't quite fathom--elusiveness. To make matters more perplexing, Griffith is intrigued by Frederica's beautiful cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge, whose unfortunate family circumstances are taking their toll on her personal hopes for happiness. A mutual admiration develops between Griffith and Isabella, but dare they defy society and their own preconceived notions show more and take a great leap of faith toward love? A recommended series for lovers of inspirational Regency romance.

Book Copy Gratis Bethany House Books show less

This is the fourth book in the Hawthorne House series and it is fabulous. You do not need to have read the other three to enjoy this one but I recommend all of them. Both Isabella and Griffith are wonderful characters. They go through a lot to get together. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I loved getting to see more of what made Griffith into the brother, friend, and duke that he was.