A Secret Infatuation

by Jennie Goutet

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She never forgot the boy who defended her. He never dreamed she would remember.

Lady Sophia Rowlandson has spent years perfecting the art of quiet composure—broken only once, at a country picnic when she was fifteen. Branded a lackwit by an insensitive neighbor, she was rescued by the unexpected gallantry of his visiting friend. Mr. Harwood’s defens e lingered in her memory, and not even a separation of four years succeeded in dimming her admiration.

Felix Harwood remembered his friend’s lovely neighbor but had no expectation of seeing her again. After a period of four years during which he volunteered in the yeomanry, standing guard along England’s coast, he is now in London and ready to take his seat in Parliament. When he meets Lady Sophia again, he immediately falls under her charm and must fight to remind himself she is above him in station. Despite his determination to stay away, the appeal of her gentle nature shakes his carefully built resolve, and her kindness tempts him toward hope.

But society has claims of its own—and rivals eager to win her hand. As the gulf of class and expectation looms between them, Felix must decide: remain the dutiful man he has always been, or risk his hard-won future for the woman he has never forgotten.

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Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

General Historical, Georgian (1714, Regency (1811

Series

The Earl's Sisters • Book 2

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

November 29, 2025

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Human

Fiction Form

Novel

Great characters.

This was an enjoyable read, although the pace in the first half was a bit slow for me. Poor Sophia, she was unbearable shy, struggling to speak in company and worrying about it. Sophia is in London with her family and was having to attend balls. Many years ago, a young man had come to her aid, Felix Harwood and since then, she has always held him in high esteem. Now she meets him again and finds that her feelings for him haven’t altered. What she isn’t sure of is how he sees her. Felix has worked his way up in the world and was now an M.P. and worked in the Admiralty. He is very concerned about the plight of widows of soldiers and sailors. Felix was also,very aware of Sophia but feels his rank is beneath hers. It was good to see Sophia gain in confidence but there is someone who is determined to have Sophia as his wife and will do all in his power to achieve this. I can’t help but smile at Evo ( Sophia’s 14 year old brother and now the Earl), he really is a cheeky imp but also very aware of all that is going on. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.

Another great book from this author

A clean story. This is the second in this series, and is about the shy Lady Sophia, a forceful bullying son of a neighbour, and a vicar’s son who doubts he has the right to court Sophia.This is another well written book by Jennie. It kept me engaged without any of the need for sudden mysteries, hidden secrets or other such artifice that some authors use to bring drama. Here it is the all about the interaction between the three main characters, as Robert and Felix try for Sophia’s hand. But it’s not just about them. Sophia’s sisters and brother and Felix’s sister feature, there is Sophia’s friend Marie, and they have properly parts, which adds to the realism, not just mere mentions.Another winner from Jennie. Roll on book three.

Gentle, sweet and utterly lovely.

Another charming book by Jennie Goutet, the 2nd in the series The Earl’s Sisters.This story is simply lovely and follows the heart of Lady Sophia and her secret tendre for Felix, who not only defends her in her youth but encourages her quiet strength hidden beneath the perpetual shyness when they renew their acquaintance a few years later.This story is complicated by Robert, a young man of privilege and arrogance who believes Lady Sophia is his by right whether she likes it or not.As Felix is beholden to Robert’s father for his education, Felix is placed in an awkward position and is further hindered in his belief that he is not worthy of so high a ranking young lady.I felt this book was written with a softer and more gentle hand than Book 1 and honoured those whose voices don’t always carry weight simply because they aren’t encouraged to be heard.

clean and wholesome romance

A sweet story of a shy heroine who is strong for those less fortunate. She has a tender for the hero that is not fully realized until later.The hero is kind and dedicated to helping others who cannot help themselves. The path to reaching their goals is not always easy.Add to the mix a determined suitor and you have a wonderful story.The author creates life like characters within her world that weaves a sense of purpose for the characters.I recommend the book, series and author!I look forward to reading more from her.

A solid regency romance

[4.5 stars]Though of a slower pace and limited in action, this is an engaging and well written story. Relationship development abounds, professional, familial, friend, and romantic… even to the point of crisscrossing love triangles. But it’s all well done and works out nicely in the end.The FMC is painfully shy and socially awkward. She falls hopelessly in love with (the idea of) a gentleman after he defends her at age 15. By the time she meets him again 4 years later, she has built him up in her mind with obsessive hero-worship… But lucky for her, he turns out to actually be good guy 🤓The story is sweet as we watch the FMC grow into her own. There are many challenges and hurtles to overcome, but it’s not overly angst-ridden. Just a solid regency romance.Content:There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to chaste kisses. There is no mention of faith or God.