Winning The Gentleman By Kristi Ann Hunter

Winning the Gentleman

by Kristi Ann Hunter

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Hearts on the Health

ISBN: 9780764235269

I was incredibly excited when I was asked to join the launch team for the second book in Kristi Ann Hunter's Hearts on the Heath series. I will devour anything she writes! Thanks to her and the publisher for sending me my copy of the book.

Summary:

Aaron Whitworth hasn't had control over most aspects of his life, but he's always taken pride in being an honorable businessman and better-than-average horseman. When both of those claims are threatened, he makes the desperate decision to hire the horse trainer of a traveling circus as a temporary jockey for his racehorses.

Sophia Fitzroy knows that most horsemen don't take her seriously because she's a woman, but she can't pass up the opportunity to get away from the tumultuous world of travel and performing. As she fights for the right to do the work she was hired for, she learns the fight for Aaron's guarded heart might be an even worthier challenge.

As secrets come to light, will Aaron and Sophia's past vulnerabilities be an insurmountable stumbling block, or will they sacrifice their former dreams and forge a new one together?

My Review:

Well, she's done it again! Winning the Gentleman was an incredibly satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable story!! I was excited to read Aaron's story because he needed to fall in love. And, along comes Irish Sophia to turn his world upside down. Not just his world, but the world of the horse racers in Newmarket.

When dear Oliver gets them into a pickle, Aaron's way out really cracks me up. The poor fella. And Oliver is just as daft as ever. I was really fascinated by Aaron's relationship with the men (and their ladies) around him. He's created this reality for himself that I think we can all relate to in a way. What we believe about ourselves and others can fashion itself into a type of reality. What's him grow through that is great to "watch".

Sophia has spunk and determination for reasons beyond what people see. I liked her a LOT. She gabs and gabs and doesn't know how to stop. At one point she says, "I'm very good at rambling. I'm not very good about stopping." Talk about something that'll get under Aaron's skin. hahahaha The two of them don't have much choice but to spend some time together, as much as Aaron tries to find ways to stay clear.

I have a deep love of horses, and that was a huge draw for this book, aside from the author's fantastic writing. I love the way she portrayed Sophia's love for them, especially Rhiannon, her Andalusian. It's easy to understand Aaron's appreciate of her affection and knowledge of them.

One of my favorite parts to this story is having many of the characters from Kristi's previous stories here. They way they rib each other as well as champion each other just warms my heart. They're thick as thieves and it's easy to enjoy their camaraderie. They're the kind of friends I would've wanted back then. Also, nothing wrong with them having a bit of power to wield when necessary.

Can we talk about possibly my favorite character in this story? Miss Hancock had me smiling every time she showed up on the page. A no nonsense kind of woman who has made her place in their community and seemingly enjoying it to the fullest is my kind of gal!

I have so many tabs in this story that I don't even know where to start with the quotes I want to share! I can't wait for book 3 to come out. I'm so impatient for it!

About the Author:

Kristi Ann Hunter (www.kristiannhunter.com) is the author of the Hawthorne House and Haven Manor series and a 2016 RITA Award winner and Christy Award finalist. Kristi graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in computer science but always knew she wanted to write. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia.