Romance at the Royal Menagerie by Ruth J. Hartman Book Review

Book Summary:
Francesca Hartwell adores cats of every kind. Lions, leopards, tigers. And they all love her. Good thing she gets to see them every day, since her father is their caregiver in the Tower of London’s Royal Menagerie. She’d love to find a man with whom she could share her love of animals, but so far, no one has stolen her heart. And there’s the added snag that whoever she marries must not have anything to do with nobility, as her mother had left her and her father for an earl.

John Fairgate has three rules given to him by his uncle. Inherit the title of baron upon his uncle’s death. Give up ornithology. And marry a childhood acquaintance. The first two, John will abide by, but won’t like. But the third, marrying a shrew who makes his skin crawl, he simply cannot do. Meeting Miss Francesca Hartwell at the zoo, however, has given him other ideas for a wife. But she’s not titled or wealthy. How will he be able to convince his uncle that she’s the woman of his heart?

Purchase on Amazon Kindle or Astraea Press

About the Author:

Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats, and her nights spinning sweet romantic tales that make you smile, giggle or laugh out loud. She, her husband, and their three cats, love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats, Maxwell, Roxy and Remmie, sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's. You know how selfish those little furry creatures can be.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, Jeep driving, farmhouse-dwelling romance writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women and the men who adore them. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her penchant for insisting all of her books have at least one cat in them. Or twelve. But hey, who's counting?

Connect with Ruth on her Blog * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

My Review:

This was my very first time reading a Regency type romance novel. I will admit I never was sure if I would enjoy them as I am not a huge history person. When Ruth apprached me to ask if I would review this book I thought why not? can't hurt right? So I said yes and here is what I thought about the book.

First off I did have to get used to the way the characters spoke in that time. I am not sure when it was that it took place but it took place in a day with people of Titles and a big "class" separation. Francesca has grown up around cats, BIG cats as her father is a Zoo worker. Her mother left when she was 9 years old, she ran away with a man and not just any man a Earl. This is the backdrop to understand where Francesca's fathers dislike for people/men with a title comes from. Francesca spends her time talking with the cats at the zoo but has to stay on the outside of the cages during the day, at night though she sneaks in to visit her big feline friends.

One day a gentlemen visits the zoo and makes acquaintances with Francesca, they find that they both have a big love for cats and Francesca is there to save Mr. Fairgate when the gate to one cage opens. This storyline is written at a great pace that you get to really know the characters and I felt I was able to form a likeness to Mr. Fairgate (John) and Francesca. They are both sweet mannered and easy to like. Their spark forms at first sight. We later find out that Miss Cartwright wants to marry Mr. Fairgate as they are of the same class and have known each other for many years. Miss Cartwright is not a likable character, she is a snotty gold digger. All she is wanting is to have a man with loads of money. She hates the Zoo and cats.

This is a cute sweet romance with an olden day feel while courting and proper appearances/class are in need. I felt myself falling in love with the main characters and routing for their love. Hoping they can over come the division and find happiness by the end of the book. I was actually sad to put down the book at the end as it would have been interesting to read more about Francesca and John. This book is a must read if you like regency and sweet romances. There isn't any swearing or hot love scenes, just cute innocent love/courtship. It was very well written that I was super excited to get an advanced review copy of Love Birds of Regent Park which will be out September 10th. Come back to see my review on it the same day!

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars!