Sweet and tender

I really enjoyed the relationship between Emma and Josephine. And the tender reserved relationship Emma has with Luca is beautiful.

I thought the narrator did a great job with the accents as well as the Italian. I read this before I listened, and the narrator helped a lot.

1 person found this helpful

Loved it!

I adore everything I read by Sally Britton and this book did NOT disappoint! A wonderfully written story with fantastic characters. Ms Britton has a knack for doing her research and portraying that research with a smooth flow in her fictional writing. I really enjoyed this story and am loving the series thus far.

The audiobook and the story is just as great as the reading. The narration is great! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

It’s slow…. very slow and disjointed.

I wanted to like this story but it just never developed .
The characters and story were flat.

don’t waste your time or credit

Well written

I love how much historical research Sally Britton puts into her books. She makes the story more real with putting in events that happen in the world around them. While the love story is the main plot of the book, she always puts more in that keeps me intrigued and makes the characters come alive.
Clean Romance, I never have to worry about a heated kissing scene that I would need to turn off if my kids came in the room or that goes into more detail than needed. Kept sweet and sigh worthy without going too far.
This reader is clear to understand. She portrays different accents well and I always know which character she means to be talking. She adds emotion and character strengths without going overboard. Always happy to find a book read by Jessica Elisa Boyd.
Can't wait for the next in the series!

Good narration, quick, light romance.

This is a good quick read (listen). I liked the elements slightly different from most regencies- a main character from Italy and exploring that culture, etc. The narrator has a soothing voice and it was enjoyable to listen to.

Engaging

Luca, the Conte di Atella, is the new ambassador to England from the newly formed Kingdom of the Two Sicily's To cement ties with England, he decides to take an English bride. The daughter of a duke appears to be the most advantageous option, but Lady Josephine's companion advises him the lady is not interested in marriage. Undaunted, Luca asks Miss Arlen to help him but will he fall in love with the companion instead of the lady?

This was a sweet, enjoyable story. I've never read anything by this author, and though it is the second book in the series, it stands on it's own well enough. The characters were engaging and interesting. The details of the time and how it would be as a foreigner were handled very well.

The one thing that rubbed me wrong was Emma Arlen, and her place in the castle. She is actually the duke's ward, but everyone only sees her as a companion. I didn't quite understand how this came to be. She was an heiress in her own right, but no one knew. Why?

Overall, it was a sweet romance and well written. I listened to the audiobook version. The narrator did a fantastic job with the voices and bringing the characters to life.

I received a free copy from the author and all opinions expressed are my own.

A quiet romance

4.5 stars rounded up

This is the second book in the Clairvoir Castle romance series, but can be read as a standalone. I hadn't read the first one, Mr. Gardiner and the Governess, but I wasn't lost or confused at all. Although, I probably would have enjoyed the cameos of characters from that book more had I read it.

Emma is asked by Josephine to keep Luca, the Conte di Atella, entertained because she knows he's looking to marry a lady of high birth, and she considers herself too young to be married just yet. Of course Emma agrees to help her out but is surprised when she finds herself starting to have feelings for the charming Sicilian.

I liked how intelligent Emma is. She didn't shy away from conversations most would have considered not suitable for women. She was well read and knew how to state her thoughts in a respectful manner. She was in an unusual position as a ward of the duke and companion to his daughter, but with her own income. I liked Luca too. He was willing to do what he needed to do for his family, and his country but he also knew how to enjoy simple things such as food and the company of others. He and Emma making pasta was one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved the unexpected little plot twist and the ending.

I think the narrator Jessica Eliza Boyd is fantastic. Her accents and emotions are wonderfully done and it was easy to distinguish which character was which while listening.

A delightful, sweet story

This book was a lovely experience. I have quickly become a Sally Britton fan and want to read all of her books. Her characters are well-thought out and developed, the stories are sweet and beautiful, and the writing is *really* good. I would recommend Sally Britton to anyone who enjoys clean historical and Regency romances, and this book in particular to those who want a sweet, gentle love story they can lose themselves in for a few blessed hours.

Emma and Luca are both fantastic characters. I loved Emma’s interest in politics and ability to hold her own in “men’s” conversations; her desire to be heard and understood and the way she could so diplomatically handle various different personalities and situations; and her genuine interest in the world and people around her. I loved Luca’s history and deep-seated desire to serve his country well; the way he can humbly accept that he needs to change and seeks for correction when he is certain he needs it; and how hard he worked to do a good job. I also loved how much he cared for his family. Even though we never see them, the few times they are mentioned you can feel how his care for them comes through on the pages.

I loved how naturally the regard between the two grew and their interactions were so good. The scene at the boat races; the pasta making (oh goodness the pasta making! All the heart eyes! Swoon!); the magnolia tree; the horse race; the embassy. So many sweet scenes filled with romantic tension. I just want to go back and reread those senes. I loved them so much!

I admit that Josephine made me a little crazy. I know she’s high-ranked and always has everything given to her, but she came across a bit self-centered to me. I expect we’ll see more of her in future books and I look forward to seeing her growth. I liked Andrew but not how much he baited Josephine and caused uncomfortable tension for others. (Is the next story in series theirs, perhaps?) The Duke and his son are good people. I have no good words about Torlonia.

This book really is so sweet and was a lovely escape from my crazy world for a bit of time. Now please excuse me. I have a chapter on pasta making I must go read.


AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Read by Jessica Elisa Boyd—this audiobook is *fantastic*! Jessica is a phenomenal narrator. Her accents, knack for emotional resonance, and inflections are perfect. She has varying voices for the different characters so most of the time one can tell who is speaking just by the “voice” she employs. An absolutely pleasure to listen to. I could listen to her read anything.



Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

**Many thanks to the author for the free audio copy, which was offered and asked to review if desired. These are my very own thoughts.

great story!

great story! great narrator! I especially enjoyed this audiobook because it was super helpful with the Italian words (: it was beautiful to hear them, I could not have read/pronounced them correctly on my own.

A sweet and heartwarming romantic story!

A Companion for the Count is a sweet and heartwarming romantic story of a kind and gentlemanly Italian count and a loyal and caring companion to a duke’s daughter. It is a lovely and charming story and I truly enjoyed it! I especially loved how we knew that the Count and the Emma would end up together, but the journey to that point was extremely interesting and full of twists and turns before reaching the inevitable happily ever after. With a cast of side characters that includes the hero and heroine of the first book in the series, there is plenty of good humor and entertaining wit to fill out the romantic storyline. I was asked to review the audiobook version of this story, and I have to say that I loved the performance of the narrator. I did find the Italian accent used for the hero and his secretary to be a bit distracting, but it did not take away from the story and I actually got quite used to it in the end. Whether you try the audiobook or the printed book, I highly recommend A Companion for the Count to lovers of sweet and clean romantic stories that warm the heart and transport you to England during the Regency era!

I received a copy of the audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review, and my thoughts are my own. I really did love it!