- Title: A Gentleman’s Promise
- Author: Penny Hampson
- Publisher: PP&M Publishing on March 11, 2021; 2nd Edition
- Genre: Historical Romance
- Pages: 221
- Formats Available: Paperback & Digital
- Rating: 4/5
Trigger Warnings: Murder & Attempted Murder
Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Penny Hampson for providing me with a digital copy of A Gentleman’s Promise with a request for an honest review.
Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Order Now: Amazon US (Affiliate Link)
A Gentleman’s Promise Blurb
A docile wife is what he wants. A husband is the last thing she needs. Can a quest for a killer teach them that they are both wrong?
Emma Smythe and her brother arrive at Easterby Hall to discover that a handsome stranger has laid claim to their ancestral home and the family title. Have her relatives been murdered, and is her brother next? Determined to find the answers, she has no option but to trust the gentleman who insists that he will help. But danger appears in many guises, and for a woman intent on remaining single, her intriguing protector may prove the biggest threat of all.
The attempts on Richard Lacey’s life begin when he inherits a title and a rundown estate. A coincidence? He’s not so sure. Problems multiply with the unexpected arrival of Jamie and Emma Smythe. Long thought dead, they too are potential targets. Richard thinks he wants a docile, obedient wife, but will the task of keeping headstrong Emma safe from danger change his mind?
Embroiled in a sinister mystery, can Richard and Emma work together to catch a killer? And will this dangerous quest teach them that what they both wish to avoid is exactly what they need?
Filled with intrigue, unexpected twists, and faultless period detail, this slow-burn romance is a must-read for lovers of classic Regency fiction.
My Review
Penny Hampson tells us a story of love, loss, and acceptance in her tale, A Gentleman’s Promise. I have never been so happy to read a book where folks from all walks of life find love and acceptance as they are. This acceptance is unheard of in a lot of Regency romances. I want to thank Hampson for her insight and inclusiveness.
When I first read through this book, I grew wearier and wearier of Emma and her willfulness. Not because she was willful, but because her portrayal annoyed me. Right to the last page, I wanted to cause her harm. However, Richard wasn’t much better, but I could, at least, tolerate him.
Meeting Frances makes forgiving these faults almost easy. Emma and Richard welcome him into the fold like the prodigal. Frances finds the love of a family. This acceptance, above anything else, is what made me adore this book. Wheatley is an ass in his own right, but the reasons for his jackassery redeemed him in my eyes.
I loved the ending of this novel. When it all came to pass, everyone got to live happily ever after. I know that most romances end with a happy ever after, but this one was special. It gave me all the feels. It wasn’t just boy wins girl, but every single character in the book, including the “villain,” gets to be happy. It is rare but so lovely.
I award A Gentleman’s Promise 4 out of 5 stars. If you want a romance that ticks all the boxes, you might consider reading this one. It put a smile on my face, and I bet it will for you too.
About the Author – Penny Hampson
Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel, which was shortly followed by more in the same genre. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past?
Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).
Thank you for reading and reviewing my book, Kimberly. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it.
It was my pleasure Penny. Thank you for writing this book. You brought to life something that I am proud to have been a part of.