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The Viscount's Forbidden Flirtation: A Regency Enemies to Lovers Historical Romance
Four soldiers face their greatest battle yet—in the Regency marriage mart! Be enthralled by the second installment of A Season to Wed.
A dance with temptation…
sets his world ablaze!
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Hart finds himself in urgent need of a wife—inheriting the viscountcy relies on it. But while he’s dutifully spinning the season’s jewels around society’s ballrooms, he finds himself desiring the one woman he shouldn’t covet…
French émigrée Seraphine Mounier is as beguiling as she is vivacious, but Ezra knows she has no interest in the marriage mart. What’s worse, she represents the very enemy he fought at Waterloo. As an undeniable connection sparks, resisting Seraphine seems one battle Ezra’s destined to lose!
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
A Season to Wed
Book 1: Only an Heiress Will Do by Virginia Heath
Book 2: The Viscount's Forbidden Flirtation by Sarah Rodi
Book 3: Their Second Chance Season by Ella Matthews
Book 4: The Lord's Maddening Miss by Lucy Morris
A dance with temptation…
sets his world ablaze!
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Hart finds himself in urgent need of a wife—inheriting the viscountcy relies on it. But while he’s dutifully spinning the season’s jewels around society’s ballrooms, he finds himself desiring the one woman he shouldn’t covet…
French émigrée Seraphine Mounier is as beguiling as she is vivacious, but Ezra knows she has no interest in the marriage mart. What’s worse, she represents the very enemy he fought at Waterloo. As an undeniable connection sparks, resisting Seraphine seems one battle Ezra’s destined to lose!
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
A Season to Wed
Book 1: Only an Heiress Will Do by Virginia Heath
Book 2: The Viscount's Forbidden Flirtation by Sarah Rodi
Book 3: Their Second Chance Season by Ella Matthews
Book 4: The Lord's Maddening Miss by Lucy Morris
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
6 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 30, 2025
A Napoleonic War hero with daddy issues and a prickly French émigrée? Say less. Sarah Rodi's Regency debut was a lovely read about family, identity, and authenticity.
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Hart, heir to a viscount, has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He encouraged his friends to enlist to fight Napoleon, thinking it would be a few months and they'd return covered in glory. Instead, it turned into years of grueling battle that left them all scarred—both visibly and invisibly. Now Ezra is back in England, and the viscount has ordered him to marry and secure an heir. Ezra feels the pressure, as the viscount can cut off his allowance and inheritance if he doesn't comply.
French émigrée Seraphine Mounier moved to England as a young girl to escape The Terror that killed her parents. She and her brother live with their aunt and uncle and have been welcomed by Queen Charlotte, but are otherwise ostracized from society because of their nationality. When Seraphine's family is attacked by an anti-French group, Ezra feels responsible due to his recent statements to the press and offers her family a place to stay. He can't help being attracted to Seraphine’s beauty and force of personality—but she is not at all the kind of wife the viscount would approve. Seraphine can’t stand Ezra after his words put her family at risk, yet she finds herself drawn to him as well. They both should be on the hunt for spouses this season, but what are they supposed to do when the person they can’t stop thinking about is the only one they can’t have?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love the Napoleonic War hero trope. Give me a man who signed up to fight Napoleon and returned to Regency society any day of the week. Ezra is a particularly interesting hero because he was so gung-ho about enlisting. He wanted to impress the viscount and carve out something of his own in a world where he owned nothing. His complicated relationship with the viscount and with his inheritance colors every aspect of his life—from his decision to fight, to his actions on the battlefield, to how he approaches finding a wife. Their dynamic is complicated and messy but ultimately really worked for me.
Seraphine grew up in a hostile environment as a French girl living in England. Though she moved there at the age of five and has almost no memories of France beyond their harrowing escape from The Terror, she’s consistently treated like an outsider. And in 1816, after years of war and poor harvests that have led to hunger and economic strife, anti-French sentiment has made her life particularly difficult. She’s 26 and has never considered marriage—not because she doesn’t want it, but because she doesn’t think any man would accept her independence or her charity work with the émigré community. More than that, she’s afraid of the rejection she believes is inevitable. I really enjoyed seeing multiple sides of the émigré experience through Seraphine. We learn a lot about her life but also about those who came to England with far fewer resources and now rely on the kindness of others to survive. It’s a strong reminder of the human cost of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars that we so often see as the backdrop to Regency romances.
Sarah Rodi normally writes Viking romances for Harlequin—I read one just last week that might be the best Viking romance I’ve read all year. This was quite a departure for her. I did miss the heightened emotions of her Viking books; Sarah shines when her characters are cornered. My favorite parts of this novel were when Seraphine and Ezra confronted the bigotry and violence directed at the French. Those moments had the emotional intensity of a Rodi Viking romance, just in a ballroom instead of a longhouse.
This book did get a little psychoanalysis-heavy for a Regency, in my opinion. The characters were a bit too self-aware for what felt realistic for the era. But I still really liked it—I read it in one sitting! 4.5 stars.
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Hart, heir to a viscount, has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He encouraged his friends to enlist to fight Napoleon, thinking it would be a few months and they'd return covered in glory. Instead, it turned into years of grueling battle that left them all scarred—both visibly and invisibly. Now Ezra is back in England, and the viscount has ordered him to marry and secure an heir. Ezra feels the pressure, as the viscount can cut off his allowance and inheritance if he doesn't comply.
French émigrée Seraphine Mounier moved to England as a young girl to escape The Terror that killed her parents. She and her brother live with their aunt and uncle and have been welcomed by Queen Charlotte, but are otherwise ostracized from society because of their nationality. When Seraphine's family is attacked by an anti-French group, Ezra feels responsible due to his recent statements to the press and offers her family a place to stay. He can't help being attracted to Seraphine’s beauty and force of personality—but she is not at all the kind of wife the viscount would approve. Seraphine can’t stand Ezra after his words put her family at risk, yet she finds herself drawn to him as well. They both should be on the hunt for spouses this season, but what are they supposed to do when the person they can’t stop thinking about is the only one they can’t have?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love the Napoleonic War hero trope. Give me a man who signed up to fight Napoleon and returned to Regency society any day of the week. Ezra is a particularly interesting hero because he was so gung-ho about enlisting. He wanted to impress the viscount and carve out something of his own in a world where he owned nothing. His complicated relationship with the viscount and with his inheritance colors every aspect of his life—from his decision to fight, to his actions on the battlefield, to how he approaches finding a wife. Their dynamic is complicated and messy but ultimately really worked for me.
Seraphine grew up in a hostile environment as a French girl living in England. Though she moved there at the age of five and has almost no memories of France beyond their harrowing escape from The Terror, she’s consistently treated like an outsider. And in 1816, after years of war and poor harvests that have led to hunger and economic strife, anti-French sentiment has made her life particularly difficult. She’s 26 and has never considered marriage—not because she doesn’t want it, but because she doesn’t think any man would accept her independence or her charity work with the émigré community. More than that, she’s afraid of the rejection she believes is inevitable. I really enjoyed seeing multiple sides of the émigré experience through Seraphine. We learn a lot about her life but also about those who came to England with far fewer resources and now rely on the kindness of others to survive. It’s a strong reminder of the human cost of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars that we so often see as the backdrop to Regency romances.
Sarah Rodi normally writes Viking romances for Harlequin—I read one just last week that might be the best Viking romance I’ve read all year. This was quite a departure for her. I did miss the heightened emotions of her Viking books; Sarah shines when her characters are cornered. My favorite parts of this novel were when Seraphine and Ezra confronted the bigotry and violence directed at the French. Those moments had the emotional intensity of a Rodi Viking romance, just in a ballroom instead of a longhouse.
This book did get a little psychoanalysis-heavy for a Regency, in my opinion. The characters were a bit too self-aware for what felt realistic for the era. But I still really liked it—I read it in one sitting! 4.5 stars.
April 11, 2025
Part of 'A Season To Wed' series. The Viscount's Forbidden Flirtation is the second book, but believe me when I say it is so easy to read as a standalone.
Sarah Rodi writes such immersive books. Whether I'm transported to the Viking age or the Regency period, I find every book I read such an enjoyable experience.
This particular book is set in the Regency period. We are introduced to Ezra, a man who has not long returned from the Battle of Waterloo in France. He and his good friends all signed up together and found the war lasted longer than anyone expected. They are all home and trying to settle back into the life they left behind years previously.
Ezra knows he needs a wife of good standard for the society circles his father, the Viscount, expects Ezra to keep in line with. From the moment he meets Seraphine, all ideas of marriage go out if his head. She is everything he doesn't need. A French immigrant, fiesty and very independent, Seraphine, frustrates and confounds him like no one else ever has.
This is the ultimate enemies to lovers read. I was obsessed by their personal growth as I read. These two needed each other so much for so many different reasons. I thought Seraphine was such a strong woman, standing her ground as she did.
Ezra is a complex man. His background keeps him emotionally frozen, and Seraphine is the flame to thaw him out. It just takes a while for him to realise! Yet again, Sarah Rodi has created a romance with a bit of heat, if you get what i mean. Uplifting and such a delightful story. Thanks to the author for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Sarah Rodi writes such immersive books. Whether I'm transported to the Viking age or the Regency period, I find every book I read such an enjoyable experience.
This particular book is set in the Regency period. We are introduced to Ezra, a man who has not long returned from the Battle of Waterloo in France. He and his good friends all signed up together and found the war lasted longer than anyone expected. They are all home and trying to settle back into the life they left behind years previously.
Ezra knows he needs a wife of good standard for the society circles his father, the Viscount, expects Ezra to keep in line with. From the moment he meets Seraphine, all ideas of marriage go out if his head. She is everything he doesn't need. A French immigrant, fiesty and very independent, Seraphine, frustrates and confounds him like no one else ever has.
This is the ultimate enemies to lovers read. I was obsessed by their personal growth as I read. These two needed each other so much for so many different reasons. I thought Seraphine was such a strong woman, standing her ground as she did.
Ezra is a complex man. His background keeps him emotionally frozen, and Seraphine is the flame to thaw him out. It just takes a while for him to realise! Yet again, Sarah Rodi has created a romance with a bit of heat, if you get what i mean. Uplifting and such a delightful story. Thanks to the author for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
July 12, 2025
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!!
There isn’t a single thing that I didn’t love about it, the enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love tropes, so having them both here was a win-win! The story is deeply emotional, witty, fun and original.
It’s so refreshing to read a regency romance that has a bit of oomph!🥰
It is everything you could want from a Regency Romance;
Conflict and drama
Banter and bitterness leading to passion.
One hell of a first meeting between the main couple.
One gloriously gorgeous and flawed war hero with his own trauma to work through.
One steadfast and resilient heroine who doesn’t take sh*te from anyone and has her own battles to fight.
A little spice and lots and lots of simmering tension.
Honestly, it’s wonderful!
Ezra is absolutely delectable; flawed, complex, passionate, roguish, charismatic, fiendishly good looking (though I do need more mention of how good his arse looks in breeches😜) those who have followed me for a while will know of my love of a man in uniform; put a Napoleonic War hero Infront of me and you’ve hooked me. (I blame growing up with Sharpe!).
Ezra isn’t your typical Viscount. I won’t say too much as it would spoil his story, but the usual way of aristocrats and titles doesn’t quite apply to him. There are complexities and shadowy falsehoods which follow him, because of his start in life, there is a certain loneliness about him, and also an anger and resentment. His upbringing wasn’t the norm, and that weighs heavily upon him.
There is a really beautiful scene between him and his adoptive father (the Viscount) where all their feelings are finally revealed. There is so much sadness and hate within Ezra; it boils over, and that alone causes frictions within the story, and I really liked that vulnerability about him, and I do love how his views change and that well-hidden compassionate side is out there for all to see.
But as with all romances, there has to be lightness to the dark and that comes in the form of Serephine!
Serephine is a marvel; she’s not had the easiest start in life, and she has to face a lot of prejudice. I thought that aspect of the story was really interesting and handled beautifully by the author. It’s not the easiest storyline, and some of the actions and attitudes towards her and her family are awful. Serephine and her family aren’t treated fairly by all, judged too harshly, and there is very little kindness shown towards them, and that’s because they are French. I do think that the aftereffects of the Napoleonic war and people’s attitude aren’t portrayed enough, so again, bravo to Sarah Rodi for bringing it to attention.
The animosity towards the French after the war is palpable, despite Serephine and her family fleeing for their lives during the revolution, she feels no love or friendliness. Ezra doesn’t make life easier with his own views, but our Serephine is a tough cookie. A sharp-tongued, determined and feisty heroine who is slightly wild and makes the hero equally wild (in all other ways, I can tell you).
Yup, this is chuffing brilliant!!
I loved the start, it’s the best first chapter I’ve read in ages! I am also a big fan of a prologue/epilogue, and to have Ezra’s story all laid out for all to see is enlightening, and it was refreshing to learn the complex nature of his history and how that led him to join Welly’s army with his three best friends. Then fast forward seven or so years and the story opens in great style (very Sharpe), duelling at dawn, Ezra’s need to vent and hold a firearm again and the appearance of a Boudica on horseback to put him in his place, so obviously our hero falls instantly for the fiery Serephine.
It’s quite a start, and from those few pages I was completely hooked!
I love, love, love the bitter and confrontational relationship between Serephine and Ezra, at times it’s quite explosive. They both have strong personalities and even strong views. Yet the fizzling chemistry and tension draw them closer and closer until they finally realise that maybe they aren’t as different as they first thought. Their journey is emotional; the progression from bitter enemies to tender and eventual spicy lovers is natural and so enjoyable to watch play out.
I said at the start of this review, and I’ll say again I LOVED this book, it’s Sarah Rodi first Regency and even though I have loved all of the Medieval romances I’ve read of her, I do hope that there will be more regency stories, or even a different era all together (I’m hoping for Victorian/Gothic, I know you can do it Sarah!!).
The Viscounts Forbidden Flirtation is the second book in the Season to Wed series, I have read (though still have my review to write) and loved the first book; Only a Heiress will Do by Virginia Heath, and I can say you can very easily read these books as standalone stories. This is going to be a wonderful series, and I can’t wait to read the other two books, which are sitting on my Kindle, so they will be my next reads!
Highly recommended, an absolute must-read if you love Regency Romance with a little edge!
There isn’t a single thing that I didn’t love about it, the enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love tropes, so having them both here was a win-win! The story is deeply emotional, witty, fun and original.
It’s so refreshing to read a regency romance that has a bit of oomph!🥰
It is everything you could want from a Regency Romance;
Conflict and drama
Banter and bitterness leading to passion.
One hell of a first meeting between the main couple.
One gloriously gorgeous and flawed war hero with his own trauma to work through.
One steadfast and resilient heroine who doesn’t take sh*te from anyone and has her own battles to fight.
A little spice and lots and lots of simmering tension.
Honestly, it’s wonderful!
Ezra is absolutely delectable; flawed, complex, passionate, roguish, charismatic, fiendishly good looking (though I do need more mention of how good his arse looks in breeches😜) those who have followed me for a while will know of my love of a man in uniform; put a Napoleonic War hero Infront of me and you’ve hooked me. (I blame growing up with Sharpe!).
Ezra isn’t your typical Viscount. I won’t say too much as it would spoil his story, but the usual way of aristocrats and titles doesn’t quite apply to him. There are complexities and shadowy falsehoods which follow him, because of his start in life, there is a certain loneliness about him, and also an anger and resentment. His upbringing wasn’t the norm, and that weighs heavily upon him.
There is a really beautiful scene between him and his adoptive father (the Viscount) where all their feelings are finally revealed. There is so much sadness and hate within Ezra; it boils over, and that alone causes frictions within the story, and I really liked that vulnerability about him, and I do love how his views change and that well-hidden compassionate side is out there for all to see.
But as with all romances, there has to be lightness to the dark and that comes in the form of Serephine!
Serephine is a marvel; she’s not had the easiest start in life, and she has to face a lot of prejudice. I thought that aspect of the story was really interesting and handled beautifully by the author. It’s not the easiest storyline, and some of the actions and attitudes towards her and her family are awful. Serephine and her family aren’t treated fairly by all, judged too harshly, and there is very little kindness shown towards them, and that’s because they are French. I do think that the aftereffects of the Napoleonic war and people’s attitude aren’t portrayed enough, so again, bravo to Sarah Rodi for bringing it to attention.
The animosity towards the French after the war is palpable, despite Serephine and her family fleeing for their lives during the revolution, she feels no love or friendliness. Ezra doesn’t make life easier with his own views, but our Serephine is a tough cookie. A sharp-tongued, determined and feisty heroine who is slightly wild and makes the hero equally wild (in all other ways, I can tell you).
Yup, this is chuffing brilliant!!
I loved the start, it’s the best first chapter I’ve read in ages! I am also a big fan of a prologue/epilogue, and to have Ezra’s story all laid out for all to see is enlightening, and it was refreshing to learn the complex nature of his history and how that led him to join Welly’s army with his three best friends. Then fast forward seven or so years and the story opens in great style (very Sharpe), duelling at dawn, Ezra’s need to vent and hold a firearm again and the appearance of a Boudica on horseback to put him in his place, so obviously our hero falls instantly for the fiery Serephine.
It’s quite a start, and from those few pages I was completely hooked!
I love, love, love the bitter and confrontational relationship between Serephine and Ezra, at times it’s quite explosive. They both have strong personalities and even strong views. Yet the fizzling chemistry and tension draw them closer and closer until they finally realise that maybe they aren’t as different as they first thought. Their journey is emotional; the progression from bitter enemies to tender and eventual spicy lovers is natural and so enjoyable to watch play out.
I said at the start of this review, and I’ll say again I LOVED this book, it’s Sarah Rodi first Regency and even though I have loved all of the Medieval romances I’ve read of her, I do hope that there will be more regency stories, or even a different era all together (I’m hoping for Victorian/Gothic, I know you can do it Sarah!!).
The Viscounts Forbidden Flirtation is the second book in the Season to Wed series, I have read (though still have my review to write) and loved the first book; Only a Heiress will Do by Virginia Heath, and I can say you can very easily read these books as standalone stories. This is going to be a wonderful series, and I can’t wait to read the other two books, which are sitting on my Kindle, so they will be my next reads!
Highly recommended, an absolute must-read if you love Regency Romance with a little edge!
July 11, 2025
When a marriage is needed, but not wanted
After the war, and the sacrifices after Waterloo, being a French emigrée isn’t easy, as you are seen as the enemy, even if Seraphine Mounier and her family moved to France even before Waterloo. So while it is customary for young women to find a match for marriage, not only does her background makes it difficult for Seraphine to find a match, but she doesn’t want to find a husband. Because no matter what Regency society may dictate, Seraphine does not want to be bounded, as she knows that marriage will kill her spirit and it won’t allow her to follow her passions and her vivacity. And then she meets Colonel Ezra Hart, who has returned from Waterloo and is being seen as a war hero. In order to inherit the viscountcy, he must marry. But while the eligible women are lining up for him, marrying is the last thing he truly wants. But when Ezra and Seraphine meet, something sparks between them, despite their many differences. And let’s not forget that French and English just don’t work… Or will Love be stronger than everything that could break them apart?
I have got to know this amazing author through her Viking stories, making me swoon with each book not only over those strong Nordic men, but also with just great stories with strong female characters and a quest for love, whether the characters were searching for it or not.
And now a new era has started for Sarah Rodi, the Regency era. So of course I was curious to discover if Sarah would be able to pass her talent from Viking to Regency.
It cannot be easy to stand out in an era where so many books already exist. It would be easy to fall in the trap of becoming thirteen in a dozen. But beside my curiosity, I also had a lot of faith in this author and I knew she would succeed!
I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for Seraphine and her relatives to leave her home in France, to seek a better future. It may seem so easy to do, the prospect of a better life, but let’s not forget it wasn’t an easy time when they all moved, with many sacrifices that have been made.
Being in a different country is already not easy, but being seen as ‘the bad guys’, as the French are being seen as the enemy, I truly felt sorry for Seraphine.
But on the other hand, I also liked her. She has this fire in her. A fire she won’t allow anyone to get extinguished. Seraphine knows that she isn’t making things easy for herself, but she wants to remain true to herself. And while she knows that marrying into society may help her and her family, with being French and her vivacity, shoe doesn’t know if there is someone out there for her. Nor does she knows if she wants to get married at all, as it will restrict her.
Restrict her, because we get to see that not only she would do anything for her loved ones, even at the risk of her own reputation, but we also see her kind heart towards others. Others that may be connected in a way, but are in fact total strangers.
And we also see that Seraphine understands people better than anyone else. We see this especially with Ezra. She sees what nobody else sees, she sees the demons that are haunting him.
Ezra… where to start with him? My heart broke already reading about his background and his upbringing. And then I cannot even imagine the horrors he must have lived and seen at Waterloo.
He is trying to find his feet again after the war, and just in his life. It is expected from him to find a perfect match, but he is clearly struggling with how his life should actually look like.
But it was sweet how he can always rely on the help and support of his best friends. No matter what, he will always have them by his side.
While at first I was understanding of what Ezra has been through, I found it a tiny bit difficult to truly like him. Not because he is a bad person, searching for redemption, but because perhaps there may have been signs that he may be prejudiced too, especially towards the French.
However, the more I got to know Ezra, the more I realized that I was wrong. And that in fact, Ezra is a, yes scarred person, but also a wonderful person. Not only is he very loyal, but he is also an open person. In the sense that he doesn’t judge people based on what other say, but he makes his own opinion based on what he actually sees himself.
Of course, like is mandatory in these kind of books, the main characters initially don’t get along. Yet it was delightful to read how slowly Seraphine and Ezra are growing closer. How Ezra is even ready to risk everything to help Seraphine in time of need, even when they barely just know each other. Because that is just who Ezra is, someone that helps whenever he can.
And Seraphine is the kind of person that won’t allow Ezra to lose everything, even if it will cost her everything…
Seeing their friendship develop, despite all the odds against them, truly warmed my heart.
Because they show us that love for sure can work in mysterious ways, and that perhaps it gives us not the person we expect, but the person we need. As Seraphine and Ezra are very different in so many aspects, they are so alike in what truly matters…
Sarah Rodi proves with this heartwarming story that her talent isn’t just limited in Viking stories, but that in fact, Sarah can write amazing stories taking place in any era, in every setting! And I absolutely enjoyed reading this book!
After the war, and the sacrifices after Waterloo, being a French emigrée isn’t easy, as you are seen as the enemy, even if Seraphine Mounier and her family moved to France even before Waterloo. So while it is customary for young women to find a match for marriage, not only does her background makes it difficult for Seraphine to find a match, but she doesn’t want to find a husband. Because no matter what Regency society may dictate, Seraphine does not want to be bounded, as she knows that marriage will kill her spirit and it won’t allow her to follow her passions and her vivacity. And then she meets Colonel Ezra Hart, who has returned from Waterloo and is being seen as a war hero. In order to inherit the viscountcy, he must marry. But while the eligible women are lining up for him, marrying is the last thing he truly wants. But when Ezra and Seraphine meet, something sparks between them, despite their many differences. And let’s not forget that French and English just don’t work… Or will Love be stronger than everything that could break them apart?
I have got to know this amazing author through her Viking stories, making me swoon with each book not only over those strong Nordic men, but also with just great stories with strong female characters and a quest for love, whether the characters were searching for it or not.
And now a new era has started for Sarah Rodi, the Regency era. So of course I was curious to discover if Sarah would be able to pass her talent from Viking to Regency.
It cannot be easy to stand out in an era where so many books already exist. It would be easy to fall in the trap of becoming thirteen in a dozen. But beside my curiosity, I also had a lot of faith in this author and I knew she would succeed!
I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for Seraphine and her relatives to leave her home in France, to seek a better future. It may seem so easy to do, the prospect of a better life, but let’s not forget it wasn’t an easy time when they all moved, with many sacrifices that have been made.
Being in a different country is already not easy, but being seen as ‘the bad guys’, as the French are being seen as the enemy, I truly felt sorry for Seraphine.
But on the other hand, I also liked her. She has this fire in her. A fire she won’t allow anyone to get extinguished. Seraphine knows that she isn’t making things easy for herself, but she wants to remain true to herself. And while she knows that marrying into society may help her and her family, with being French and her vivacity, shoe doesn’t know if there is someone out there for her. Nor does she knows if she wants to get married at all, as it will restrict her.
Restrict her, because we get to see that not only she would do anything for her loved ones, even at the risk of her own reputation, but we also see her kind heart towards others. Others that may be connected in a way, but are in fact total strangers.
And we also see that Seraphine understands people better than anyone else. We see this especially with Ezra. She sees what nobody else sees, she sees the demons that are haunting him.
Ezra… where to start with him? My heart broke already reading about his background and his upbringing. And then I cannot even imagine the horrors he must have lived and seen at Waterloo.
He is trying to find his feet again after the war, and just in his life. It is expected from him to find a perfect match, but he is clearly struggling with how his life should actually look like.
But it was sweet how he can always rely on the help and support of his best friends. No matter what, he will always have them by his side.
While at first I was understanding of what Ezra has been through, I found it a tiny bit difficult to truly like him. Not because he is a bad person, searching for redemption, but because perhaps there may have been signs that he may be prejudiced too, especially towards the French.
However, the more I got to know Ezra, the more I realized that I was wrong. And that in fact, Ezra is a, yes scarred person, but also a wonderful person. Not only is he very loyal, but he is also an open person. In the sense that he doesn’t judge people based on what other say, but he makes his own opinion based on what he actually sees himself.
Of course, like is mandatory in these kind of books, the main characters initially don’t get along. Yet it was delightful to read how slowly Seraphine and Ezra are growing closer. How Ezra is even ready to risk everything to help Seraphine in time of need, even when they barely just know each other. Because that is just who Ezra is, someone that helps whenever he can.
And Seraphine is the kind of person that won’t allow Ezra to lose everything, even if it will cost her everything…
Seeing their friendship develop, despite all the odds against them, truly warmed my heart.
Because they show us that love for sure can work in mysterious ways, and that perhaps it gives us not the person we expect, but the person we need. As Seraphine and Ezra are very different in so many aspects, they are so alike in what truly matters…
Sarah Rodi proves with this heartwarming story that her talent isn’t just limited in Viking stories, but that in fact, Sarah can write amazing stories taking place in any era, in every setting! And I absolutely enjoyed reading this book!
April 15, 2025
The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation is a delicious Regency romance by the talented Sarah Rodi.
This is Sarah’s first Regency romance, and I sure hope it’s not her last. I am a big fan of Regency romances, so getting my hands on a new book and series is always exciting. This is the second book in the A Season to Wed series and can be read alone. Each book in this series is written by a different author, which I just love. I like to remind readers who are new to Harlequin Historical books that these books are meant to be fun, romantic, quick reads and usually have a page count of a long novella. This just means that the plot moves along quickly, which is how they are designed to be. Now, don’t be fooled. There is still plenty of detail and depth in these books. I am a huge Harlequin Historical fan because I know that I can devour the story in one afternoon or on a Friday night, and I always enjoy the easy, breezy love story that is unfolding on their pages.
Now let’s chat about The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation. I really enjoyed this book. It has all those qualities that I love in a Regency novel, but Sarah also includes a new story element that I have not seen in a Regency romance before. As the title gives away, this is a Forbidden romance, and I would also say there is a dash of enemies to lovers in the mix in this story. This book stands out to me because the animosity between the English and French was front and center in the plot. Seraphine is French; her family fled France as enemies to the state when she was a little girl, but she and her family come to realize the English have little to no love for any French refugees living in their country. Ezra has just returned from the Napoleonic Wars and has his reasons for distrusting anyone who is French. As you can imagine, things between Seraphine and Ezra don’t get off to the greatest start. Ezra has made his dislike for the French known publicly, and Seraphine will never forget or forgive the distasteful comments Ezra has made about the French. This intense animosity instantly intrigued me because I wanted to see how Sarah would bring these two characters together. Not only do Ezra and Seraphine’s personal beliefs create this conflict, but there is also this larger animosity held by English society towards the French, which creates an even bigger and more challenging conflict these two will have to overcome to be together. I like how Sarah handled this aspect of the book. It added a lot of depth and richness to the story.
I enjoyed both Seraphine and Ezra as main characters. They were interesting and captivating characters that you were instantly drawn to. Both characters have to deal with personal struggles. Ezra is dealing with demons that come from fighting in a war and a strained relationship with his father. Seraphine is well aware of the fact that she and her family are considered to be outsiders in the English Ton and find it hard to conform to English society’s rules. Both characters are also pressured by their families to get married. I liked their chemistry. Seraphine doesn’t hold anything back and is a spitfire when it comes to her interactions with Ezra. She puts him in his place, which I always love. Ezra is a softy and is quick to realize that his public opinions about the French have negatively affected Seraphine and her family. He is set to make amends for any wrongs that may have befallen her family because of what he had said. Both characters are struggling with this growing dilemma they are facing. They obviously have growing feelings for each other, but they know that Society and Ezra’s father will frown upon any relationship. I loved their interactions, and Sarah did a great job at capturing what makes a forbidden romance so delicious.
The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation is a swoon-worthy romance by the talented Sarah Rodi.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
This is Sarah’s first Regency romance, and I sure hope it’s not her last. I am a big fan of Regency romances, so getting my hands on a new book and series is always exciting. This is the second book in the A Season to Wed series and can be read alone. Each book in this series is written by a different author, which I just love. I like to remind readers who are new to Harlequin Historical books that these books are meant to be fun, romantic, quick reads and usually have a page count of a long novella. This just means that the plot moves along quickly, which is how they are designed to be. Now, don’t be fooled. There is still plenty of detail and depth in these books. I am a huge Harlequin Historical fan because I know that I can devour the story in one afternoon or on a Friday night, and I always enjoy the easy, breezy love story that is unfolding on their pages.
Now let’s chat about The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation. I really enjoyed this book. It has all those qualities that I love in a Regency novel, but Sarah also includes a new story element that I have not seen in a Regency romance before. As the title gives away, this is a Forbidden romance, and I would also say there is a dash of enemies to lovers in the mix in this story. This book stands out to me because the animosity between the English and French was front and center in the plot. Seraphine is French; her family fled France as enemies to the state when she was a little girl, but she and her family come to realize the English have little to no love for any French refugees living in their country. Ezra has just returned from the Napoleonic Wars and has his reasons for distrusting anyone who is French. As you can imagine, things between Seraphine and Ezra don’t get off to the greatest start. Ezra has made his dislike for the French known publicly, and Seraphine will never forget or forgive the distasteful comments Ezra has made about the French. This intense animosity instantly intrigued me because I wanted to see how Sarah would bring these two characters together. Not only do Ezra and Seraphine’s personal beliefs create this conflict, but there is also this larger animosity held by English society towards the French, which creates an even bigger and more challenging conflict these two will have to overcome to be together. I like how Sarah handled this aspect of the book. It added a lot of depth and richness to the story.
I enjoyed both Seraphine and Ezra as main characters. They were interesting and captivating characters that you were instantly drawn to. Both characters have to deal with personal struggles. Ezra is dealing with demons that come from fighting in a war and a strained relationship with his father. Seraphine is well aware of the fact that she and her family are considered to be outsiders in the English Ton and find it hard to conform to English society’s rules. Both characters are also pressured by their families to get married. I liked their chemistry. Seraphine doesn’t hold anything back and is a spitfire when it comes to her interactions with Ezra. She puts him in his place, which I always love. Ezra is a softy and is quick to realize that his public opinions about the French have negatively affected Seraphine and her family. He is set to make amends for any wrongs that may have befallen her family because of what he had said. Both characters are struggling with this growing dilemma they are facing. They obviously have growing feelings for each other, but they know that Society and Ezra’s father will frown upon any relationship. I loved their interactions, and Sarah did a great job at capturing what makes a forbidden romance so delicious.
The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation is a swoon-worthy romance by the talented Sarah Rodi.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
April 3, 2025
French emigree, Miss Seraphine Mounier first meets Ezra Hart, heir to Viscount Hart when she tries to prevent a duel between Erza and her brother Henri, Baron Mounier. She is too late, but thankfully Erza deloped and apologized for the insult he paid to Henri, when he made derogatory statements about the French immigrants in England. This doesn’t pacify Seraphine, and she makes it clear that she doesn’t like Erza and wants nothing to do with him. But their paths keep crossing and the more time she spends with him, the more she softens towards him. Erza needs a noble wife with an impeccable background and there is no way the Viscount would accept her. She tries to distance herself from him, but Erza can’t seem to take a hint and when disaster strikes, he is her hero, and she falls head over heels for a man she can’t have. Too bad falling in love doesn’t guarantee a happy ending.
Ezra Hart is the heir to Viscount Hart, but that is not a right he was born to, and it is conditional. When Ezra was just 10 years old, the Viscount’s son died and he approached Ezra’s parents with a proposition, Ezra would come to live with them as their son and the Viscount will make him his heir and in exchange, he would give Ezra’s father a home and a living. Ezra missed his family, but had no contact with them, and never felt like he belonged with the Viscount. So, when the opportunity to go to school came, he was happy and made some lifelong friends, friends he convinced to go into the military with him when they finished school. He fought for years and now that the war is finally over and he has returned to England, his is trying to come to terms with his life. His experiences in the war skewed his feelings towards the French and while in his cups one night he made some awful comments that ended up published. Words he regrets and after meeting Seraphine, he will do whatever he can to make things right. He would love to make Seraphine his wife, but his inheritance is conditional and without the Viscount’s approval, he has nothing to offer her.
This was a well-written and interesting story with a very unique plot that touches on sensitive issues regarding prejudices and social status. I liked Erza and tried to be understanding of his original opinions of the French immigrants in England, especially as he had just returned from the war. I also tried to give the same empathy to Seraphine who had lived in England most of her life but was still treated like an outsider, yet I had a hard time warming up to her. However, I had a hard time believing she was as ostracized as she claimed, as she and her family were accepted into the highest echelons of society and had no shortage of invitations. Yes, there were a few people who were nasty – but that was more about jealousy than xenophobia. This was a very fresh story, but it did have a lot of etiquette errors – by my count Seraphine was ruined at least three times and seemed to have no concern for her reputation. Overall, I liked the story and thought the author handled the sensitive plot points very well. This is the second book in an author collaboration series but could easily be read as a standalone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Ezra Hart is the heir to Viscount Hart, but that is not a right he was born to, and it is conditional. When Ezra was just 10 years old, the Viscount’s son died and he approached Ezra’s parents with a proposition, Ezra would come to live with them as their son and the Viscount will make him his heir and in exchange, he would give Ezra’s father a home and a living. Ezra missed his family, but had no contact with them, and never felt like he belonged with the Viscount. So, when the opportunity to go to school came, he was happy and made some lifelong friends, friends he convinced to go into the military with him when they finished school. He fought for years and now that the war is finally over and he has returned to England, his is trying to come to terms with his life. His experiences in the war skewed his feelings towards the French and while in his cups one night he made some awful comments that ended up published. Words he regrets and after meeting Seraphine, he will do whatever he can to make things right. He would love to make Seraphine his wife, but his inheritance is conditional and without the Viscount’s approval, he has nothing to offer her.
This was a well-written and interesting story with a very unique plot that touches on sensitive issues regarding prejudices and social status. I liked Erza and tried to be understanding of his original opinions of the French immigrants in England, especially as he had just returned from the war. I also tried to give the same empathy to Seraphine who had lived in England most of her life but was still treated like an outsider, yet I had a hard time warming up to her. However, I had a hard time believing she was as ostracized as she claimed, as she and her family were accepted into the highest echelons of society and had no shortage of invitations. Yes, there were a few people who were nasty – but that was more about jealousy than xenophobia. This was a very fresh story, but it did have a lot of etiquette errors – by my count Seraphine was ruined at least three times and seemed to have no concern for her reputation. Overall, I liked the story and thought the author handled the sensitive plot points very well. This is the second book in an author collaboration series but could easily be read as a standalone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
July 2, 2025
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Sarah Rodi leaves the Viking era behind and steps into the elegant world of the nineteenth century with her debut Regency romance, The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation.
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Hart is in desperate need of a wife. He must find a suitable bride as a condition of the viscountcy he’s inherited and although his good looks and title have attracted their fair share of admirers, Ezra has realised that the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with is the one he cannot – and should not! – have: French émigrée Seraphine Mounier. Ezra fully intends to keep a lid on his growing feelings for the intriguing French woman and focus on finding a biddable bride. However, he quickly realises that resisting Seraphine might be far easier said than done…
With her joie de vivre, effervescent spirit and zest for life, Seraphine turns heads wherever she goes. Men might fall at her feet, however, Seraphine has neither the time nor the inclination for romance and she balks at the thought of matrimony. No man is worth giving up her freedom and independence for, however, Seraphine hadn’t counted on Lieutenant Ezra Hart, who gets under her skin in a way no other man ever has before…
Ezra’s plans to keep Seraphine at arm’s length fly out the window as fate conspires to throw the two of them together at every turn. Ezra is not used to losing battles, however, he never imagined that he would find himself losing his heart to a woman who represents the enemy he fought against at Waterloo! Will Ezra manage to steer clear of Seraphine? Or is he about to realise that she’s the only woman he could ever want by his side as his wife?
I’m a huge fan of Sarah Rodi’s sweeping Viking romances and I was looking forward to her first Regency romance – and, as expected, wasn’t disappointed. Effortlessly capturing the sophisticated spirit of the nineteenth century and written with style, flair and panache, The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation is an absolute triumph!
I adored Seraphine and Ezra and their journey to their happy-ever-after was one that was tender, touching, sensuous, funny and an absolute delight from start to finish.
An enchanting Regency romance from a very gifted writer, The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation continues to cement Sarah Rodi’s standing as one of historical romantic fiction’s brightest and most exciting voices.
Sarah Rodi leaves the Viking era behind and steps into the elegant world of the nineteenth century with her debut Regency romance, The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation.
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Hart is in desperate need of a wife. He must find a suitable bride as a condition of the viscountcy he’s inherited and although his good looks and title have attracted their fair share of admirers, Ezra has realised that the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with is the one he cannot – and should not! – have: French émigrée Seraphine Mounier. Ezra fully intends to keep a lid on his growing feelings for the intriguing French woman and focus on finding a biddable bride. However, he quickly realises that resisting Seraphine might be far easier said than done…
With her joie de vivre, effervescent spirit and zest for life, Seraphine turns heads wherever she goes. Men might fall at her feet, however, Seraphine has neither the time nor the inclination for romance and she balks at the thought of matrimony. No man is worth giving up her freedom and independence for, however, Seraphine hadn’t counted on Lieutenant Ezra Hart, who gets under her skin in a way no other man ever has before…
Ezra’s plans to keep Seraphine at arm’s length fly out the window as fate conspires to throw the two of them together at every turn. Ezra is not used to losing battles, however, he never imagined that he would find himself losing his heart to a woman who represents the enemy he fought against at Waterloo! Will Ezra manage to steer clear of Seraphine? Or is he about to realise that she’s the only woman he could ever want by his side as his wife?
I’m a huge fan of Sarah Rodi’s sweeping Viking romances and I was looking forward to her first Regency romance – and, as expected, wasn’t disappointed. Effortlessly capturing the sophisticated spirit of the nineteenth century and written with style, flair and panache, The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation is an absolute triumph!
I adored Seraphine and Ezra and their journey to their happy-ever-after was one that was tender, touching, sensuous, funny and an absolute delight from start to finish.
An enchanting Regency romance from a very gifted writer, The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation continues to cement Sarah Rodi’s standing as one of historical romantic fiction’s brightest and most exciting voices.
April 2, 2025
The Viscount’s Forbidden Flirtation is part of the ‘A Season To Wed’ series with three other authors, all taking one of four friends who returned from the Battle of Waterloo following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. This is the second book released so far but it works well as a standalone as I had not personally read the first book and felt it was not detrimental to my enjoyment of the book.
I loved the way in which Ezra and Seraphine met, Ezra having just attended a duel against Seraphine’s brother Henri over disparaging words Ezra had been quoted as saying in a pamphlet about the French following the wars. Henri and Seraphine had fled France with their aunt and uncle during the revolution almost twenty years earlier after their parents had been beheaded. This was a true enemies to lovers story, as Seraphine was angry because of Ezra’s words in the pamphlet and Ezra in addition to his wartime experiences had also been forbidden from being involved with any French woman by his father.
The way in which they helped one another heal from their childhood experiences was heartwarming and adorable. I really enjoyed their personalities. Ezra was so kind and thoughtful in spite of the damage he had from childhood, he was a born leader and was definitely someone to rely upon. Seraphine was so independent, and determined to help those worse off than herself.
I spent so much of my time smiling while I was reading this book, and honestly, it was such a feel-good read,.
I loved the way in which Ezra and Seraphine met, Ezra having just attended a duel against Seraphine’s brother Henri over disparaging words Ezra had been quoted as saying in a pamphlet about the French following the wars. Henri and Seraphine had fled France with their aunt and uncle during the revolution almost twenty years earlier after their parents had been beheaded. This was a true enemies to lovers story, as Seraphine was angry because of Ezra’s words in the pamphlet and Ezra in addition to his wartime experiences had also been forbidden from being involved with any French woman by his father.
The way in which they helped one another heal from their childhood experiences was heartwarming and adorable. I really enjoyed their personalities. Ezra was so kind and thoughtful in spite of the damage he had from childhood, he was a born leader and was definitely someone to rely upon. Seraphine was so independent, and determined to help those worse off than herself.
I spent so much of my time smiling while I was reading this book, and honestly, it was such a feel-good read,.
April 20, 2025
A life that both Seraphine and Ezra don’t fit into and yet they have to keep hiding who they really are...
One wrong word and Ezra finds himself duelling with a Frenchman, and suddenly fate brings him to a woman he shouldn’t desire – but can’t stop thinking about. Seraphine is a French émigré who keeps her distance from society to protect herself. After Ezra’s remark about émigrés, she wants nothing to do with him. But when her family faces injustice, Ezra steps in to help and tries to fix his mistake.
As they spend more time together, their hatred slowly turns into something deeper. I loved watching their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey filled with sweet, forbidden moments and real emotion. The class divide, the drama, the slow-burn to sizzling romance – it kept me hooked!
Seraphine is strong and kind, and Ezra is charming but struggling with his own worries. Their chemistry is real, and I couldn’t stop reading as, wanting to know how their love would survive against the weight of prejudice and the expectations of Ezra’s father. And – voilaaa... Sarah Rodi knows how to please her readers, the turn of events is truly satisfying and delightful.
This story has everything I love. A fascinating dramatic Regency setting, emotional depth and a love that grows when and where it shouldn’t!
One wrong word and Ezra finds himself duelling with a Frenchman, and suddenly fate brings him to a woman he shouldn’t desire – but can’t stop thinking about. Seraphine is a French émigré who keeps her distance from society to protect herself. After Ezra’s remark about émigrés, she wants nothing to do with him. But when her family faces injustice, Ezra steps in to help and tries to fix his mistake.
As they spend more time together, their hatred slowly turns into something deeper. I loved watching their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey filled with sweet, forbidden moments and real emotion. The class divide, the drama, the slow-burn to sizzling romance – it kept me hooked!
Seraphine is strong and kind, and Ezra is charming but struggling with his own worries. Their chemistry is real, and I couldn’t stop reading as, wanting to know how their love would survive against the weight of prejudice and the expectations of Ezra’s father. And – voilaaa... Sarah Rodi knows how to please her readers, the turn of events is truly satisfying and delightful.
This story has everything I love. A fascinating dramatic Regency setting, emotional depth and a love that grows when and where it shouldn’t!
April 15, 2025
What an absolutely delightful historical romance. When Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Hart meets French emigree Seraphine Mounier she has come to stop a duel between him and her brother Henri. She is headstrong and not impressed with Ezra at all after he wrote some very damaging comments. Back from fighting at Waterloo, he is expected to find a wife during the current season and is feeling under pressure to do so but needs so he can inherit the viscountcy. Both have pasts that make them wary of trusting others and have led them to become independent. Although they initially don’t get on circumstances lead to them actually liking each other and could their friendship then develop into something more? I totally fell in love with Seraphine and Ezra and became very invested in their story. I really like Sarah’s writing style and thought this flowed and was paced just right with some drama, some steamy bits and brilliant interactions. Great descriptions of the characters and the locations in this book that is ultimately about love, friendship, facing the past and fighting for what you believe in.
April 1, 2025
Ezra returns from Waterloo with internal and external scars, but like most things in his life, he hides them and only shows the world what they expect to see. The wildness that made him a brave war leader has no outlet in polite society. Seraphine is French. She escaped the French Revolution with her brother, aunt, and uncle. Her grudging acceptance by society means she prefers the company of fellow émigrées rather than the Ton. Seraphine and Ezra meet in an explosive situation, and they remain confrontational until they get to know one other and find commonality. The conflict and passion make this an emotional read, and you invest in the characters. Regency society is viewed from a different perspective, giving the story a uniqueness. I like the passion between Ezra and Seraphine and their increasing emotional commitment to each other.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
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March 1, 2025Historical Fiction, Sagas, Victorian Historical Fiction, Regency Romance
Miniseries
A Season to Wed (Book #2)
Miniseries
A Season to Wed (Book #2)
April 9, 2025
I loved Ezra and Seraphine's story. Reading this book reminded me of why I love historical romances. The setting and characters pulled me right in.
September 23, 2025
A Viscount’s son would have a courtesy title, right? He wouldn’t be a mister. There were other historical flubs in this one, but the overall story was cute.
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