A Game of Hearts

by Joanna Barker

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If you can't join them, beat them.

Marigold Cartwell has only one goal: to defeat her long-time rival on the archery field. She knows she can outshoot irritating, cynical Tristan Gates, but the local bowmen’s society—the one he belongs to—refuses to allow women to compete. Spurred on by their rejection, Marigold decides to start a new society. Naturally, it has only one rule: no men.

Tristan Gates is used to Marigold Cartwell always getting her way, so he is far from surprised when she forms her own society. He knows how relentless she can be, something he learned firsthand facing her at the targets. But Tristan has enough worries of his own, what with his bachelor uncle falling in love with a fortune hunter. He has no time to entertain Marigold’s ambitions.

However, after a visit to the seashore ends in disaster—and scandal—Marigold and Tristan soon realize how little they know about each other. The strained tension between them quickly turns to simmering attraction, but an important archery competition looms ahead. Lines are drawn all around them, with Marigold and Tristan on opposite sides, and neither can afford to lose. Yet winning might be the very thing to tear them apart.

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Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

Regency (1811–1820)

Series

The Cartwells • Book 1

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

October 18, 2022

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Human

Fiction Form

Novel

Delightful!

Absolutely loved this story! Dynamic characters, an engaging story, and a heroine and hero with fantastic chemistry. One of the best regency romances I’ve read in a while - worth staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish.

A Toxophilite's Delight

Not sharing in the heroine's obsession with archery, (also shared by the hero) I could not find much interest in this novel. Despite them being at daggers drawn they were obviously meant for each other.She is understandably annoyed to be barred from taking part in some competitions but the book felt very trivial indeed. Could she not find something more useful to do?

Ahh, my heart!!

4.5 ⭐️I’ve been on a Regency kick lately, which has been surprising me!Ever since this book came out, I’ve been hearing great things about it. And while I was initially on the fence for the first third of the story, after the mine scenes (ikyky) I was absolutely SOLD. 😍 Seriously, there was so much plot & character development there — it blew my mind!It’s a story of expectations & assumptions with rivals/enemies-to-lovers, archery competitions, sweet family dynamics, and tender themes & growth. Plus, you can’t help loving Tristan & Marigold!

Perfectly balanced

I fell in love with the characters, their chemistry, their bickering, their willingness to talk, to communicate when was necessary. It was exactly what I needed.