A Proper Facade

Author: Esther Hatch
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Proper Scandals #4
Pages: 248
Release Date: August 20, 2024
Publisher: Covenant Communications

​Mercy Rothschild has always been granted an unusually long tether by her parents, who have never pushed her to marry until she’s ready. She assumes that when the right man comes along, she will marry for love. However, even her long-suffering parents have their limits. As she embarks on her third Season, they begin to pressure her to find a match. And the Duke of Harrington is the perfect candidate.

Nicholas Kendrick, Duke of Harrington, follows the rules of the ton meticulously. When he determines that Mercy is the ideal candidate for a wife, he marches dutifully toward her along the courtship path. Desperate to extricate herself from Harrington’s advances, Mercy concludes that there is only one course of action: she must push her intended into the arms of another woman. But when Mercy becomes acquainted with the man behind the proper facade, her plans come crashing down as she realizes that stiff and proper Harrington might be the very man she’s been waiting for. If only she hadn’t been so successful in her plot to thwart her chances with him.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

​If you have been following the Proper Scandals series by Esther Hatch, then you will enjoy A Proper Facade, the fourth book in the series.

I have read A Proper Scandal and a Proper Scoundrel, but the book I missed, (A Proper Charade), was the one you need to read before reading this one. While it can be read as a standalone, I felt the Duke of Harrington's talk of his sister's "scandal" was not as scandalous as it was supposed to be and I felt like I had missed something.

As for the Duke and Mercy, I did enjoy their relationship, but I felt Mercy was too quick to judge and the Duke stuck in his ways. On the other hand, if they hadn't been that way, this would have been a very boring book! I was glad they were able to get over themselves enough to give each other a chance because this was a very sweet romance. They were perfect for each other. Each was amusing in their own way and I absolutely loved the ending!

My only disappointment was that this was not a faith-based book. There was not one mention of God throughout the entire book. However, if you like a clean romance (with kissing) you will probably enjoy A Proper Facade.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Covenant Communications through NetGalley for my honest review.

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