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Showing posts with label Change of Heart series. Show all posts

Friday, April 17, 2026

Lies and Letters: Change of Heart Series - Book 3 by Ashtyn Newbold

I previously reviewed Mischief and Manors, the first book in the Change of Heart Series. I expressed how delighted I was to find such an entertaining series "built around characters with charm and wit". The second book, Seaside Scandal, was equally as enjoyable as the first. However, this third book, Lies and Letters, has thus far been my favorite, but that reason had nothing to do with charm or wit.

The main character in Lies and Letters, Charlotte Lyons, was one of the characters in both of the previous books. She was definitely not a likable character. She was a cunning, deceptive, self-centered, vain, backstabbing, fortune & title seeker who didn't care who she hurt in order to get what she wanted, including other women who thought she was a trusted friend. There was absolutely nothing about Charlotte that made her admirable or desirable aside from her physical beauty. That beauty may have attracted men, but once they looked past the surface, they lost interest completely.

We knew some of Charlotte's background from the previous two books, but we learn all about her in Lies and Letters. Her mother has trained her to harden her heart against emotions and to secure a future of fortune. A titled husband was most important for societal success. Charlotte was even a malicious and cruel liar when it served her purposes.

Surprisingly, as much as I disliked Charlotte in the first two books, I couldn't help feeling very sorry for her in this book. I even wanted her to have a life filled with love, instead of the hatefulness she had been taught all of her life.

Sometimes people get what they deserve. Other times, they are fortunate enough to start over and get a second chance. Then there are times when they get both. There is nothing like a fiction book to make everything so crystal clear. Real life is a lot messier, but isn't that one of the main reasons we enjoy reading fiction?

Lies and Letters Synopsis

Lies and Letters: A Regency Romance
(Change of Heart Book 3)Check PriceWhen the Lyons family discovers their father/husband has lost his fortune gambling and ruined their reputation socially, Charlotte's mother plots a way for her daughter, Charlotte, to restore their standing. Mr. Lyons is excelled to France. Mrs. Lyons goes to live with her wealthy cousin. Charlotte and her sister, Clara, are sent away from London to the northern coast of England to pursue an Earl who is too far away to know what has happened to their family. Her mother has made it clear that Charlotte must succeed!

Upon arrival at Craster, Charlotte is immediately disgusted by the dismal place. She can't imagine having to live the rest of her life there, but she steels herself to the fact that she has no choice. She must get the Earl to marry her and restore her family's standing. In order to do that, she "uses" every means available to place her in the path of the Earl, including threatening his brother. She has fortuitously come into possession of an old love letter he wrote. Charlotte insures him she will send that letter to a young woman in town to force him to marry her or risk ruining the girl's reputation. As a gentleman and truly kind person, James will not harm the girl and the family that has been his friends for many years.

Noting Charlotte's education and social training, James recommends her to his brother for the positions of governess to his daughter. Clearly, that will put Charlotte exactly where she need to be ensnare the Earl.

But, Charlotte, herself, is the one who ends up being ensnared and the costs are exorbitant and life changing.

There are definitely some unexpected twists in this Regency Romance.

Books by Ashtyn Newbold Previously Reviewed on ReviewThisReviews.com

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Friday, February 20, 2026

Mischief and Manors Book Reviewed

I have recently started reading through the Change of Heart book series by Ashtyn Newbold and I have not been disappointed.

This entire series is a very romantic, very entertaining series built around characters with charm and wit.

Book 1 of the series is Mischief and Manors. The title describes well what a reader should expect. The mischief element is introduced by the two young brothers in the story. Manors is also clear in reference to the homes. Changing the spelling to "manners" would also have been appropriate since having the proper manners in society definitely matters.

Romantics at heart always love books with gentlemen and heroes. This series is based on women who need a real gentleman and hero in their lives. All Regency Romance novels are written based on a time period in the past when woman have little or no control over their own lives. Happiness and romance are secondary to financial security and marriage arrangements may not include the woman's personal considerations.

Synopsis of Mischief and Manors

Annette Downing and her two young brothers are orphans who were taken in my their uncle's widow when their parents died 5 years before the book's beginning. Ruth Filbee is a cruel, selfish, and viscous woman who didn't want the children, but also didn't want to be criticized publicly for not taking them in.

Mischief and Manors:
A Regency Romance (Change of Heart Book 1)Check PriceWhen Annette and her brothers were invited to spend the summer at Kellaway Manor, Annette couldn't get away from her aunt and the town of Silton fast enough. Even though she thought she had found a way out of Aunt Ruth's house by accepting the vicar's marriage proposal, it would not be a love match. Simply an escape from her aunt's abuse and guardianship. She hoped to have time away from all of the stress by visiting her parent's friends, the Kellaways.

Annette had visited the Kellaways in the past with her parents, but her brothers had never been there. She knew their mischievous antics could cause problems, but she hoped she would be able to instruct them. She had done the best she could to raise her young brothers, but she knew she needed help. The need for help was another reason why she was considering the vicar's proposal.

Dr. Owen Kellaway remembered Annette, and she certainly remembered him and his own mischievous ways when he was young. After all, when she was previously there, he had led her into an "adventure" that ended up with her being hurt.

Owen was immediately drawn to Annette and her dedication to her little brothers. The more he learned about their lives, the more he wanted to help them, but Annette wasn't interested in a relationship with Owen. However, she did realize he could help her instruct and properly teach her brothers to be gentlemen. She finally agreed to a proper friendship. She had no desire to be taken in by his charm or flirtation, but she thought she was safe to have him as a much needed friend.

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It is pretty evident early on that Annette and Owen's friendship will develop into a love relationship. However, Annette's aunt had accepted the vicar's proposal for Annette and she has threatened to send her brothers to an orphanage. No matter who Annette marries, her aunt is still her brother's guardian and has total control over them.

As with any "Cinderella" story, you really want to see the wicked guardian's plans thwarted.