Vying for a Groom

Author: Sophie Leigh Fox
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Love, Most Ardently #2
Pages: 159
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Publisher: Mellow & Mayhem Publishing

A lady’s companion and a Royal Navy captain are secretly involved…but not with each other.

Alarmed after receiving news of her adoptive parents’ perilous missionary assignment to India, Cassandra Lawton leaves her position as a companion to seek solace with her only remaining family in Surrey. At Heighbury Manor, the dutiful Cassandra reconnects with her childhood friend, now a ruggedly handsome groom. Their difference in class forces them to conceal a budding romance. As she struggles to navigate these new feelings, Cassandra’s hopes are challenged when an unexpected rival appears.

After Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, Royal Navy Captain Sir Raleigh Burgess returns home ready to settle down and marry. But the woman to whom he was forced to become engaged after being caught in an intimate embrace refuses to announce their plans to wed formally. After receiving a stark warning that casts doubts on her character, Raleigh’s misgivings about his betrothed further complicate his future.

Whilst visiting Heighbury Manor, Raleigh forms an immediate connection with Cassandra. Suspicious of the groom’s duplicitous advances despite his own concealed relationship, he attempts to protect Cassandra’s virtuous character. Raleigh’s frustration multiplies when his betrothed appears and stirs up Heighbury Manor with a shocking revelation.

Will Cassandra’s hidden romance ruin her lifelong friendship with the groom? Will Raleigh’s coerced proposal unveil his bride-to-be’s deceitful intentions?

After lies are exposed and romances are shattered, who will be left vying for a groom?

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Reviewer: Rick Norris

Vying for a Groom by Sophie Leigh Fox is a pleasant story of the challenges and emotions of the English gentry and aristocracy. I recommend this book if you are a fan of slow-paced, 19th century period English literature.

Alarmed after receiving news of her adoptive parents’ perilous missionary assignment in India, Cassandra Lawton leaves her position as a paid companion to seek solace with her only extended family in Surrey.

At Heighbury Manor, the dutiful Cassandra reconnects with her childhood friend, now a ruggedly handsome groom. Their class difference forces them to conceal a budding romance. As she struggles to navigate her new feelings, Cassandra’s hopes are challenged when an unexpected rival appears, Sir Raleigh Burgess.

After Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, Royal Navy Captain Sir Raleigh Burgess returns home ready to settle down and marry Lady Genevieve Waterford, who forces him to conceal their engagement.

Whilst visiting Heighbury Manor, Raleigh forms an immediate connection with Cassandra. Raleigh’s frustration multiplies when his betrothed appears and stirs up Heighbury Manor with a shocking revelation.

I love some of the language used by the author which reflects the dialog or thoughts of the book’s period, like the word “dalliance” which originated around the 14th century: “James explained how he’d inadvertently snubbed Willa at a ball the very night he had discovered the lady’s dalliance with D’Arby.”

The author also displays wit in some conversations, for example: “Raleigh grinned. “Your face betrays you, Miss Lawton. Yours is an open canvas.” [She retorts] “I wasn’t aware that you were a patron of the arts, Sir Raleigh.”

I find the story to be slow-paced but deliberate, allowing the reader to sink into the characters’ emotions, absorbing their cultural challenges that muffle their true intentions.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for an unbiased and objective review.

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

I absolutely adored the first book in the “Love, Most Ardently” series, so you bet I was happily anticipating this one. I quickly snapped it up to read and post my honest thoughts!

At first, I thought this was going to be a love triangle from what took place in just the first two chapters. I am definitely not a fan of those! Upon reading further, I found that was not the case in this novel. Both Cassandra & Sir Raleigh were secretly involved with other people when they first met. An instant connection was formed, but there was no way to make it a reality between these two. Cassandra was in love with the head groom, Charlie, and Sir Raleigh was engaged due to a compromised situation with a lady. What a complicated mess they found themselves in! I loved how Fox (eventually) worked everything out in the end.

This was an angsty, emotional and deeply involved story that drew me in because I just HAD to know what happened at every twist and turn. Fox certainly knows how to write a story that includes a bit of drama, scandal and intrigue. I also loved revisiting Willa and James from the first book, it always makes me wonder what happens to these wonderful characters. I love when an author somehow includes them in the sequel novel!

I’m giving this a four-star rating because the end left me with a couple of important questions that left me hanging.

All in all, this was a delightful tale, and I think anyone who enjoys Regency romance with all the elements I mentioned above will love it. Fox also includes a faith thread that warms my soul. Hopefully, there will be a third book?  

I received a complimentary copy from the author through Interviews & Reviews and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are mine alone. 

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