3.5 stars. I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series. Something is inherently missing from the book. I thought the Bellamy series is more enjoyable. abused-heroine class-difference enemies-to-lovers ...more10 s Chels331 447

Very solid. Sometimes in LaViolette's historicals I'm "Oh I wish I was reading about that character instead. I will get my wish eventually! charming-rake hidden-aristocrat historical-victorian ...more6 s Jenn (The Book Refuge)2,182 3,382

Well, this one felt very unique, as so many or S.M. LaViolette's do. I d Bal and his family so much and I can't wait to get more of them. They just seem so GOOD, even if a bit on the eccentric side.

I really felt for Tori, what a tough situation she was in, she kinda drove me up a wall but what else could she do? There was always so much at stake and she's NEVER had anyone pick her first.

Still, I think we stretched the conflict too far and then rushed the ending. But it was a lovely slow burn

4 Stars
3 on the spice scaleage-gaps historical-romance ku-2023 ...more5 s Pam Bereznak1,341 81

Sometimes in my you will see the words, "this is a favorite author". Well, since 2015 and over 2800 reads and having read hundreds and hundreds of different authors I only have 25 “favorite” authors that I have read every one of their books (in my genre). S.M. LaViolette (aka Minerva Spencer) is one of those authors. I have only been reading her books since 2021 and I have already read 12 books of S.M. LaViolettes and 16 books as Minerva Spencer. I just love her writing.

I don't give you normally see. Sometimes I'll see that a reviewer will repeat everything from the authors book description which is ridiculous. Personally, I don’t even read those anymore, even with a new author, so I am totally surprised on all aspects of the story. I don't want any hints or spoilers of what may happen in the story. I have no idea what the book is about before I start reading it.

I have to say this book was very different. It was mostly because the background of the family and where they came from that was so very different. Once in London, the obvious similarities to other “ton” stories are familiar but their history is very unusual. It was also late 1800's which is not really my favorite. I'm more of a Regency snob. There were some areas that you could tell it was modern but not too modern for me not to read.

I loved Balthazar and Victoria. I have to admit it did take a bit to get started but once it got to about chapter 5 or 6, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I loved their situation and how they handled it. I loved their personalities. I loved how they were with each other. Sex was super hot. All the things that make a great read to me.5 s2 comments Margaret2,691 21

A fresh take on romance when five siblings from a commune in America arrive in England with a previously unknown brother. Who knew there were communes in America in the 1870s! When the new Duke of Hastings, his fiancée and his five siblings arrive at the country estate, Bal's reputation follows. Absolute fodder for the London gossip sheets. Immediately drawn to the housekeeper, Mrs. Victoria Dryden, his wastes no time in hot pursuit. The lady has her secrets. A lively cast of characters makes for moments of frustration and humor. How could you pass up reading a book that keeps you totally engaged? Keep in mind, Spencer is known for her raw, explicit sexual encounters.
HOT, HOT, HOT!!!
I already love this series! How long must we wait for the next book?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book gifted by the author.4 s Janet4,395 48

Meet the Hales, a wild, wealthy, and witty family of loveable misfits who are about to take London by storm. Balthazar and his siblings are living the good life in the utopian community of Canoga, New York. When their father dies, the five Hale siblings discover two disheartening truths. First, they have an older brother, Zeus none of them knew existed. Second, this stranger is not only the heir to an English dukedom, he’s also their new legal guardian. Before the Hales know it, all five siblings are dragged to England to take their places in strait-laced, stuffy ton society, where their guardian expects them to make respectable marriages. All Balthazar wants is a way out but he has promised Zeus he'll stay for two years, plus if he marries a respectable woman he'll inherit a fortune, which will see him & his siblings set for life. Arriving at the Duke’s country seat Bal meets Victoria Dryden, housekeeper cum steward of the crumbling pile
The start of a new series & another well written book with wonderful characters & a fast paced delicious romance. I loved both Bal & Victoria, he's the peacemaker of the Hales & has been wrongly defamed by the press, she’s a hardworking woman with secrets in her past plus she's older than Bal. Their attraction sizzles & just keeps getting hotter & hotter but it’s their verbal banter, which raises this book above the norm. I also really d the other siblings & look forward to their stories. An engrossing, captivating romance
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
3 s Sally Jask-eh156 4

this book starts off the new series with a real bang. The historical aspects of the story were really the best part for me. The Ny cooky communities are fascinating and the author does a great job weaving details into character motivations. I did miss this Author’s usual H bad boy with a heart of gold. Balthazar does not really do anything shitty enough to qualify as bad. But overall loved the intro to the Hales and cannot wait for the rest of the series3 s River35 5

Meh. I wanted a fun Regency romance, found this Victorian one with an intriguing premise—a family raised in a utopian community in New York discovers they have an older English brother who inherits a Dukedom. But the aggressively modern language and behavior of the characters was really distracting and the characters didn’t ring true. The sex was more porny than steamy imo and lacked a sense of real romance or tension. 2 s K. King682

I had a hard time rating this book. On the one hand, I loved the unique Hale family; their scenes together are some of my favorite in the book, but on the other hand, because of all the time given to their backstory and setting them up for future books, the romance between Balthazar and Victoria wasn't given the time it needed. It's well over halfway through the book before Tori and Bal have any honest discussion of deeper feelings. Then from there, things almost take on an insta-love quality because the next thing I know, they declare their love for one another.

In the end, the Hale family is what I ended up loving the most about this book, and I found myself more interested in other family members than Tori and Bal. Lastly, I don't know if there was a reason for doing so, but I found it distracting in the first few chapters that Victoria's nickname was spelled two ways: "Tori" and "Torie." At first, I had to ensure the author was still referring to the same person. It seems she eventually settled on Tori.age-gap class-divide opposites-attract ...more1 Mary Ellen43

I found myself more intrigued by the siblings than the main character in this one.1 Holly194

4??
surprisingly a bit dissapointing.

Balthazar and his siblings come from a free love commune in america but then discover that they have an older brother who has recently become a duke in england. They move to his estate for the promise of money and a better life. Victoria is the housekeep of the Hale's estate and is trying to forget her troubled past but its coming back to haunt her and her son. When Bal and Tori meet there is instant dis but throughout the book as they discover more about each other they begin to fall in love.

i really enjoyed the characters in this. i thought they were really well thought out and complex. but i felt the ending just fell flat. it didnt go where i was expecting and it felt too small and rushed. there were too many plot points and moving pieces. the conflict between Balthazar and Victoria could have been fixed if they just talked to each other, and the outside conflict didn't feel big enough! i also wished that her son Jamie was in it more and we could have seen the relationship between Bal and him more.

but until the ending i thought this book was really good. im so intrigued by zeus especially! i loved the glimpses of his personality we got. and im very excited to see Io and Mastersons relationship and how they will finally get past their animosity!

i think this series has a lot of potential and i will keep on reading it but this one just fell flat for me unfortunately. Lissa1,286 6

Zeus was raised by aunt and uncle after mom died. He didn't know about the commune kids and they didn't know about him. Not clear how they found out about each other.
Zeus - quiet authoritative, honorable
Bal - big bodied, study chemistry, interested in farming, soil, inventing machines. First lover sold story painting him as rake, involved in constant orgies, etc, family peacemaker
Io - Strong willed, forthright, hates Zeus secretary Masterson, believes in women freedom, helps women in trouble.
Apollo/Pol - want to raise horses, introvert
Ares - wants to be carpenters, friendliest
Eva - turns 21 in Bal book. Fun loving, loves all things British. Very egalitarian and fun loving and friendly to all
Edith Barrymore - Zeus best friend sister. BF died in civil war. Z proposed after. Edith is heiress. ALl the siblings hate her.
Susan Barcley - Edith downtrodden cousin/servant
Corbin Masterson - Zeus other college friends, now his secretary. Dines with family but not welcomed by siblings. Io hates him, he tries to keep her from indescretions.1 Deborah Cleaves1,314

A miss for me,.

As much as I normally adore this author’s work, this one had a sexual point of view I found objectionable. To a certain extent, the Hale family are exemplary folks, but Balthazar’s addiction to ‘frank’ sexuality and language was often at odds with the novel’s emotional climate. The ‘proposal’ was more proposition than romance. I want to marry you because I’m tired of sneaking around to have sex with you [expressed far more vulgarly] is just plain insulting and more than a tad demeaning. Somber conversations interrupted with imperious demands for skirts to be hiked so Bal has sexual access is offensive. The steam in this novel came from repeated condescending behavior and imperative sexual demands more off-putting than romantic. WTH was her turn on? Even she caves to describing herself as ‘dirty’ in their relationship. Not what I look for in a heroine. Kindle Reads181 2 Read

Brava! An original twist on Victorian romance

All the things you love about American descendants of nobility being compelled back to England and more.
If you think this is same old standard trope, surprise!
A great twist on the background of the heart stopping American hero truly sets a different stage for a passionate love story. Additional elements to love- interesting and charismatic siblings, strong heroine, and villains worth loathing.
Only one infinitesimal criticism, I wish the resolution with villain hadn't been so neatly packaged. But it doesn't detract from great story.
(Note: steamy open door bedroom scenes)
Highly Recommend! Zena1,949 11

What a mismatched family the Hales are – each member has his or her own strangeness, but actually in a rather nice way.
I really d Balthazar. He is the ‘Spare’ and in order to inherit a vast amount of money he has to marry a suitable young lady. But, marry? Totally against his upbringing in the strange utopian community where he lived most of his life. That is, until he falls head over heels for the lovely Victoria, a lady with secrets and an ex who doesn’t want to be her ex.
I loved this story with all it’s strangeness, funny bits and passionate ones too. The characters are a delight too.
This one is a ‘thumbs-up’ from me! Karen Hackett785 7

BALTHAZAR: THE SPARE by S.M. LaViolette, Book 1 of the Hale Saga Series: American In London

All five siblings are dragged to England to take their places in a strait-laced, stuffy ton society, where their guardian expects them to make respectable marriages. All Balthazar wants is a way out until he meets Mrs. Victoria Dryden, a woman with secrets that could destroy them both.

S.M. LaViolette is no shrinking violet when it comes to writing this sexy Victorian historical romance features enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, opposites attract, and enough steam to sizzle the pages in BALTHAZAR: THE SPARE. Kavita Menon21 1 follower

Fabulous Read

Absolutely loved this book - all the characters in this book were so unique and interesting, the main two characters were portrayed as such beautiful people and the author has written so meticulously about each character that you want to more about them individually as well as together.The interaction between the characters is amusing, touching and exciting. I could read this book many times more.Looking forward to all the other books in these series, just hope they come out soon. Shelly312

Mrs. Victoria Dryden is a very capable housekeeper who has a very big secret. Balthazar Hale is an American farmer who has been labeled by the press as The Wicked Spare. The chemistry between the two is undeniable but circumstances push them apart at every turn. Great story with wonderful, strong characters in all of the Hale siblings! I can’t wait for the next book!

I received a free copy of this book from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own. Natalie Brooks1,261 19

3 stars. I didn’t find this book as good as this author’s books usually are. Her note at the end helped explain why: this is the first book in a series, so a lot of time is spent introducing everyone and the situation. I didn’t how little time the main characters spent together, as it didn’t allow for a relationship to build enough for their love to be believable.

I do look forward to the rest in the series! Valerie281 2

4.5 Stars!!

Such a refreshing take on historical romance! Definitely an original plot with a hero I 100% can get behind! Did take off 0.5 stars as I felt there was a bit of a lack of connection but I did love both MCs and rooted for them!

Also sign me up for a modern-thinking, big sensitive woke king (who also happens to be a millionaire), is a skilled lover and is obsessed with his woman. Sigh, I need a Balthazar.

Can’t wait to read on and get to know the fam more! comfort-reads historical-romance Susan D118 1 follower

Oh Ms LaViolette, you’ve done it again! A wonderful book: imaginative, intriguing and different. The characters are well rounded, the dialogue believable and it holds everything I want in a book. I read through the night to complete it, and enjoyed ever moment - I’m waiting with bated breath to read Io’s story and the rest of the series. Enola M Bloomfield34

Well damn!

Can I have a Balthazar?!
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