Boston native Julianna Latham is out of place and clearly an unwanted guest in her aunt and uncle's London home. She knows her family is up to no goodBoston native Julianna Latham is out of place and clearly an unwanted guest in her aunt and uncle's London home. She knows her family is up to no good and sets out to prevent Oliver Chalford, the Earl of Winchcombe from being trapped into marriage by her scheming cousin. But when Jewel is caught in a compromising position with the earl herself, her uncle takes the opportunity to banish her to his far flung Scottish estate.
Ridiculed and feared because of the scar that bisects his face, Oliver has lived a reclusive life away from society. Now that his wastrel father is gone, Oliver must brave London to claim his seat in the House of Lords. He never expects to find a lady who doesn't shy away from his scar. When Oliver learns that Jewel has been sent away, he pursues her. A fake engagement between them soon becomes very real as they realize their fates are both entwined in her uncle's scheming and they fight to release her inheritance from her uncle's clutches and save Oliver and his reputation from accusations of insanity.
I really enjoyed this book up until about the halfway point when things went from delightful intrigue to a little too far-fetched. You risk spoilers ahead as I get my thoughts out. I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery aspects but when the steam was lost around halfway, the story just sort of gadded about and lost sensibility in some areas and it never really recovered. There were so many childish misunderstandings between Oliver and Jewel before they were honest about their feelings that the plot device got a bit overused. The whole idea of a peer being at risk of being sent to Bedlam is also too far-fetched, I think, just because no one would've had this kind of power over a peer. Oliver was very sweet and I think he fell for Jewel rather quickly just because she was the first woman to not be frightened away by his scar and I would've liked to see more real conversation between them. Jewel's constant insistence on returning to Boston, in the midst of war, to protect her father (somehow), with whom she admittedly wasn't close, just didn't make sense to me and came off as annoying naivete. I feel like Oliver especially deserved more from Jewel and I wanted to see more tangible good happen for him, although I'm glad he finally had someone choose him.
Inaccuracies and critiques aside, this book was well-written and I really thought we were headed for five stars until that halfway point breakdown. I'll still check out more works from this new-to-me author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Boston native Julianna Latham is out of place and clearly an unwanted guest in her aunt and uncle's London home. She knows her family is up to no good and sets out to prevent Oliver Chalford, the Earl of Winchcombe from being trapped into marriage by her scheming cousin. But when Jewel is caught in a compromising position with the earl herself, her uncle takes the opportunity to banish her to his far flung Scottish estate.
Ridiculed and feared because of the scar that bisects his face, Oliver has lived a reclusive life away from society. Now that his wastrel father is gone, Oliver must brave London to claim his seat in the House of Lords. He never expects to find a lady who doesn't shy away from his scar. When Oliver learns that Jewel has been sent away, he pursues her. A fake engagement between them soon becomes very real as they realize their fates are both entwined in her uncle's scheming and they fight to release her inheritance from her uncle's clutches and save Oliver and his reputation from accusations of insanity.
I really enjoyed this book up until about the halfway point when things went from delightful intrigue to a little too far-fetched. You risk spoilers ahead as I get my thoughts out. I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery aspects but when the steam was lost around halfway, the story just sort of gadded about and lost sensibility in some areas and it never really recovered. There were so many childish misunderstandings between Oliver and Jewel before they were honest about their feelings that the plot device got a bit overused. The whole idea of a peer being at risk of being sent to Bedlam is also too far-fetched, I think, just because no one would've had this kind of power over a peer. Oliver was very sweet and I think he fell for Jewel rather quickly just because she was the first woman to not be frightened away by his scar and I would've liked to see more real conversation between them. Jewel's constant insistence on returning to Boston, in the midst of war, to protect her father (somehow), with whom she admittedly wasn't close, just didn't make sense to me and came off as annoying naivete. I feel like Oliver especially deserved more from Jewel and I wanted to see more tangible good happen for him, although I'm glad he finally had someone choose him.
Inaccuracies and critiques aside, this book was well-written and I really thought we were headed for five stars until that halfway point breakdown. I'll still check out more works from this new-to-me author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sam Adamson is so close to catching a break that could make her acting career, so she deems it worth the risk to blow off her shooting schedule for thSam Adamson is so close to catching a break that could make her acting career, so she deems it worth the risk to blow off her shooting schedule for the chance to meet a Hollywood A-lister, only to ruin things by nervously blurting out an enormous lie. Contrary to what she so adamantly declared to said star, she doesn’t actually have an album inspired by his new film and now she has just ten days to come up with one and her co-writer clearly dislikes her.
Painfully shy electrician Jamie is content to remain in his comfortable routine and when gorgeous, rambunctious Sam barrels into his life, she turns everything upside down. Jamie may have an amazing voice and body, but he’s never even had a proper kiss and he’s certainly not interested in becoming famous, but he agrees to help Sam after a good bit of pressure from his mom and sister.
As their songs rapidly take shape, feelings also bloom between Sam and Jamie, but Sam’s lies are beginning to catch up to her and they come with consequences. When the talented pair are offered an amazing opportunity, it only makes the glaring differences between them that much more obvious, and it seems their burgeoning fame may tear them apart rather than keeping them together.
Sam and Jamie were an adorable pair of idiots, and their story was both hilarious at times and also stressful. Both of our MCs had painfully relatable anxieties and they stressed me out at times, making me want to yell at them both, but I also couldn't help rooting for them. They so obviously belonged together and just needed to get out of their own way. Thankfully, when they both struggled to do that, we had Fiona and Zoe to help them along. Jamie is the ultimate virgin hero if that’s your thing, and his struggle to cope with being bombarded by feelings that were totally new and overwhelming for him was both adorable and heart wrenching, but I loved seeing him gain the confidence to finally go after what (and who) he wanted. I was so relieved and satisfied when these two finally confessed their feelings for one another, instead of continuing to assume they each knew how the other was feeling, in the ultimate grand romantic gesture. This story was both hilarious and heartwarming for me and I’m close to saying it’s my favorite of the series, but I still can’t quite bump Rory and Zoe from that pedestal. This series has been a joyful escape for me, and I’m excited to see what’s next from Evie.
Evangeline Renshaw is happy with the life she’s built since abandoning her role as a courtesan and reinventing herself with a new identity as a respecEvangeline Renshaw is happy with the life she’s built since abandoning her role as a courtesan and reinventing herself with a new identity as a respectable widow. She has an important role as a patroness of the Phoenix Club and is content with her life, not desirous or a husband or love, until she meets the irresistibly charming Lord Gregory Blakemore. He wants to court her in earnest, but she’s only willing to allow him an affair with a predetermined end date.
Since the recent passing of his father and his brother’s marriage, Lord Gregory is finally able to turn his focus to the path he wants for himself, an appointment in the government. But when he meets Evie, he finds himself desiring something deeper with a woman for the first time ever, and she becomes a priority for him though she insists their affair must be temporary.
Gregory finds he can’t let Evie go so easily and as he reveals more and more of himself to her, she wonders if she could ever feel safe enough to reveal her true self to him. Unfortunately, the choice may be taken from her as others seek to ruin the life she’s built for herself and she may have to flee and reinvent herself all over again.
I must say I do have a few mixed feelings about this book. Though I loved the ending, I did spend quite a bit of the story feeling rather cross with Evie for the way she treated Gregory. The writing at the beginning of the book did feel rather stilted and explicit mentions of characters’ race rather than more nuanced character descriptions were a bit of a distraction from the flow and detracted from the story a bit since they were added with little finesse and felt random. Once the flow got back on track, I was able to get back into the story, but it did undermine the escapism of reading slightly. I was also a bit disappointed by Evie. Having loved her so much as a secondary character throughout the series, it was off-putting to find her to be so unlikable, at least at first, as a main character and she was very much in the way of her own happiness.
Evie and Gregory had an adorable meet cute with the puppy and I thought that was a nice touch. It’s also a good thing Gregory had the puppy or Evie wouldn’t have given him the time of day. I loved that we got a virgin hero who may have needed some instruction in the bedroom at first, but in the end, he was the one teaching experienced Evie how to love and have a real partnership. Gregory was just this sweet, precious baby of a character and it was immediately obvious that Evie was going to hurt him badly, so I spent much of my reading dreading that for him. On the flip side, I have to give Gregory kudos for bravely giving so much of himself to a relationship that he only hoped would go somewhere, despite every indication that it wouldn’t. So, hence my mixed feelings because I loved his bravery and optimism juxtaposed with her fear, but it was also incredibly frustrating to see him continuously giving so much that she just did not reciprocate. The relationship just felt so one-sided that I had a hard time getting over it. For instance, after a month of separation when Evie sees Gregory again, she doesn’t even greet him, fawning over the dog instead. That said, it was interesting to have the heroine in the position of learning how to love because we usually get heroes who need to learn this. Still, it made me cringe that Evie seemed so embarrassed by Gregory and that she never considered his feelings about anything to do with their relationship, instead focusing her concerns inwardly and on what others might say. Yet the colder she is to him, the sweeter Gregory was to her. This sort of thing is why I sometimes started think I may not be satisfied here and that she didn’t deserve him when she took him for granted so much. Fortunately, in the end I loved seeing Evie open up to Gregory and create a true marriage of equal partners with him, but their relationship up to that point definitely felt very one-sided. She did eventually recognize that she was standing in the way of her own happiness and missing out on so much because of her fears and I was glad to see her finally able to set those aside and be more of the kind, helpful Evie I liked so much in the previous books. I wanted the villainous element here to get their comeuppance, but I remain hopeful that will be forthcoming in the next book. I still find Evie’s close friendship with Lucien to be a bit odd given their previous sexual relationship, but I can’t wait for his story.
Since her father disowned her and her mother, Rosamund Burnell has quite a few problems to contend with. She and her mother are s3.5 stars rounded up.
Since her father disowned her and her mother, Rosamund Burnell has quite a few problems to contend with. She and her mother are stuck in England, far from their Texas home and she has few options. The most obvious coping mechanism is to pretend she’s still the oil heiress she seems to be and find a wealthy English lord to marry.
Now she’s met the aging Duke of Studborne, a man in need of an heir, he seems the answer to Rosamund’s prayers, and he seemed infatuated with her. Unfortunately, Rosamund’s attraction is only for the duke’s nephew, Benedict Studborne, a penniless scholar. She knows she needs to use her head and not her heart to ensure her survival and her mother’s, but when it becomes apparent that the duke’s courtship isn’t quite the infatuation it seems, Rosamund finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation.
It seems the disappearing maids at the Abbey may not have simply shirked their duties, but something far more sinister may be occurring within the Abbey walls and Rosamund will need help from the frustratingly strait-laced Benedict to get to the truth.
This book was definitely darker than I expected, but the narrator does a great job of bringing the listener into the story. This spooky, gothic tale is perfect for the fall/Halloween season and those who like to mood read. We definitely have instalove between Benedict and Rosamund as they don’t have too terribly many interactions together on page, but they were still a believable couple for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of the misunderstanding between them, but it resolved quickly and in a way that I found satisfying. This was a nice, quick story to get me into the fall spirit, and though it was rather darker than I expected, I enjoyed listening to it.
Lady Wilhelmina Bettesford isn’t interested in the social whirl or in finding a husband, but with six months before she can claim her inheritance and Lady Wilhelmina Bettesford isn’t interested in the social whirl or in finding a husband, but with six months before she can claim her inheritance and set herself up as an independent spinster, she has little choice but to comply with her new stepmother’s machinations. When said stepmother goes so far as to ask the ridiculously attractive barrister, Bram Townsend, to pretend to court Wilhelmina in the hopes of boosting other, more suitable suitors’ interests, he agrees. At first, Wilhelmina is furious, but when Bram explains that he’ll help her keep other suitors at bay and help her avoid an unwanted engagement, she realizes that their fake courtship will help her last another six months in her untenable situation.
Unfortunately for Bram, spending more time with Wilhelmina makes it increasingly difficult for him to remember that their courtship is meant to be fake because his feelings are quite real. He may not have a title or be able to trace his lineage, but Bram is ambitious, working his way up and fighting for justice with his eye on the position of judge. Escorting Lady Wilhelmina around in the evenings is a boon for him, allowing him to meet the right people while also helping her. But his biggest challenge will be making her see that marriage to him could be unlike anything she’d ever imagined, if he can just convince her to trust her feelings for him over her logical mind.
I never knew that what I really wanted to read in a romance was a solid group of male friends but here we are. Bram and his friends completely stole the show in this book and I adored them for their loyalty to one another and for the fact that they were open and clear in their brotherly affection for and support of one another. They joked and ribbed each other, but they were also very serious about helping Bram process his feelings and find his HEA. They even had a book club together, which of course just melted me. It was impossible not to be charmed by Bram and his friends and to root for him as he dealt with the realization that he didn’t actually want to be alone with nothing but his work and that his friends, though he loved them dearly, weren’t enough to fulfill him completely. Wilhelmina was harder to warm up to. She was incredibly judgmental and very presumptuous and I was just itching for her to finally stand up to her overbearing stepmother. Unfortunately, that never really happened to my satisfaction, but that lady did help Wilhelmina’s pompous father get out of the way of her HEA with Bram so that did redeem her a bit.
Fortunately, Wilhelmina did recognize her faults and tendencies to write things off before having tried them and she was willing to reevaluate her opinions, especially with Bram to challenge her. Really, these two challenged one another and I enjoyed seeing that blossom into the foundation of a true partnership. I loved how much they learned together, even exploring intimacies for the first time together. (Yes, we have an adorable virgin hero here). The character and relationship development between Bram and Wilhelmina was lovely for me, as such development always is, and I very much look forward to the rest of Bram’s friends finding their HEAs.
At the start of another ball season in Vienna, Maria Wallner is determined to see her family’s hotel, which she manages, restored to the prestige it oAt the start of another ball season in Vienna, Maria Wallner is determined to see her family’s hotel, which she manages, restored to the prestige it once held. She won’t let anything stand in her way, despite facing plenty of obstacles: her parents’ embarrassing thirty-year affair, apparently random attacks by assassins, and a disturbingly handsome American agent to whom she already owes her life twice now.
Eli Whittaker just wants to reveal the source of a leak of US secret codes, arrest them, and return to his well-ordered life in Washington, DC. His one lead is a letter sent from the Hotel Wallner, but when he checks in, he finds him swept into sheer madness awash with balls, spies, and a beautiful hotel manager in the middle of everything, one who just happens to keep finding herself in danger. Eli is prepared to disapprove heartily of all this frivolity and chaos, but he’s soon swept away by it all as his attraction to her grows.
Eli was just the sort of strong, quiet, somewhat broody hero I love, and it didn’t hurt that he was utterly competent and also happened to be a virgin. The intimacy that developed between him and Maria was incredibly well drawn and I was thoroughly convinced that they had indeed fallen completely in love and established a trusting bond despite the relative shortness of their acquaintance. Maria struggled to accept help, having never truly been able to rely on anyone before, but Eli showed her what was truly possible when it comes to relying on another person and in turn she showed him how to trust someone else with his heart and vice versa. In fact, Maria challenged Eli’s views and assumptions about everything, showing him just how much more he could truly have. I loved the give and take of their relationship, as well as Maria’s courage in revealing her feelings and the sheer maturity demonstrated by the openness of their communication. There was also plenty of intrigue and court secrets floating around to keep my interest peaked, though I would still say this was a very character-driven story. Even the supporting characters felt fleshed out and the narrator did a great job of making them come alive. I’ve never read anything from this author, nor have I read a romance set in Vienna, but I loved this one and it won’t be my last.
Joseph Rathborne-Paxton is tired of living in his brothers’ shadows and being underestimated at every turn. He took his father’s pious teachings to heJoseph Rathborne-Paxton is tired of living in his brothers’ shadows and being underestimated at every turn. He took his father’s pious teachings to heart more than his other brothers did and was the most affected when it all turned out to be false. He’s tired of being seen as merely the dutiful child and is eager to prove himself and he can think of no better way than ruining the villainous Montrose for good.
Ellen Garrett, an American ‘Dollar Princess’ is in London hoping for a new start and seeking a husband. But she’s too loud and free spirited to be a success in London society, making her even more determined to become the perfect English miss, with Joseph’s help. Ellen turns out to be exactly what Joseph needs to come into his own as a man and her fortune and skill at cards may be just what his family needs to come back from their ruination.
I think this is my favorite story in this series, mostly because I found this couple to be so wholesomely likable and the angst was low. Ellen has pursued Joseph for a couple of books now, but it was nice to see him agree with her that they belonged together, and I enjoyed seeing the two of them make that happen. I think we can all relate to the feeling of belittlement Joseph endures at not being taken seriously and I could definitely relate to Ellen’s dismay at not fitting in with the ladies of society. I loved that Joseph and Ellen both matured so much during this story, with him coming into his own as his own man, outside the influence of his father and brothers, and her realizing she could make her own society and had no need of false friendships with catty women. These two were a couple I could root for, and though they each had moments where they annoyed me, those thankfully didn’t last long, and their chemistry still shone through. I really started enjoying this one when Ellen and Joseph realized they had each other and that was enough, and they had no need to change themselves for anyone else. It will never not bother me that a book so well-researched in other respects still refers to the sons of a marquess as mere misters, but otherwise I have no real negatives on this one. It was satisfying to see Montrose dealt with and I found this to be a nice series wrap-up story.
Having inherited his father’s small barony, Lord Spencer Brightling was looking forward to assuming his responsibilities in Parli4.5 stars rounded up.
Having inherited his father’s small barony, Lord Spencer Brightling was looking forward to assuming his responsibilities in Parliament at the end of his naval career, only to have that future jeopardized by a cannon blast which left him without most of his hearing. He’s no longer eager to manage the crowds of London, in fact he no longer imagines he has a place anywhere.
Declan Shelton, gamekeeper to the Duke of Malton, has lived a mostly solitary life, with nature for his company. He is despised and mistrusted by the superstitious townsfolk who judge him for his ease with animals and his unique disposition. He’s never much minded since he’d prefer to be around animals anyway and doesn’t mind his isolation, until attractive and wounded Spencer wanders into the woods and Declan can’t help but be intrigued.
Declan helps Spencer see a way to rejoin the world again and adjust to his hearing loss, but when Declan is wrongfully accused of a serious crime by the villagers, Spencer must fight to secure Declan’s freedom and make sure he doesn’t drive him away for good.
I was really rather surprised at how deeply emotional this book was. Declan was a gentle, loving soul with an extreme lack of confidence after having lived such an isolated life, so it was nice to see him come out of his shell and gain some self-esteem after realizing he was loved. Spencer’s protective instincts were brought in the very best way by Declan’s gentleness, and I really enjoyed that we got the best of both worlds here with alpha and beta heroes. Declan also helped Spencer find meaning and purpose in his life after losing his hearing and helped him cope with the changes he was learning to make and that development was delightful to read. There was such tenderness between this couple, both in and out of the bedroom and I’d like to see that in more romances. Lately it seems as if sometimes the steamy scenes are just thrown in because it seems like a good time to have one (which, I have no problem with. I’m all for the gratification), but that was not the case here. Instead, that intimacy between Declan and Spencer was also part of the drive of the plot and them coming to know one another. I’m surprised to say that I found this to be a comforting read given the threat hanging over Declan’s head for most of the book, but with Spencer and his friends rallying around him so readily, I thankfully didn’t have a chance to be stressed about it. I think part of that blessed lack of stress was also since it was very clear these two were going to be together permanently, there was no game playing, no angst, and I loved that. I’m still surprised at how well this book worked for me and I think it’s now my favorite of the series so far.
Rather than pursue a husband as most girls of her station do, Miss Laura Hopkins’ unique circumstances permit her to use her char4.5 stars rounded up.
Rather than pursue a husband as most girls of her station do, Miss Laura Hopkins’ unique circumstances permit her to use her charm and fortune in other ways. She disguises herself and uses the alias of Lady Sterling to help mistreated young women escape from abusive employers. Laura is happy to meet out justice, even in a small way. She prefers to work alone, but that policy is challenged when her efforts against her latest target bring her face to face with none other than Lord Sterling.
Captain Jeremy Addison, reluctantly titled Viscount Sterling, prefers his work as a spy and codebreaker for the Crown to any sort of societal obligations his unexpected title brings. He’s been a part of various and sundry dangerous situations, but they haven’t left him quite as prepared as he’d like for the complication that is Lady Sterling. When their circumstances force them to pretend to be newlyweds in the home of an earl under suspicion, Laura and Jeremy are surprised to find they make a good team. There’s a real connection developing beneath the façade they’re putting on for the earl’s household and soon they begin to wonder if their risky pretend affection could become the real thing.
This was such a fun book. I’m thoroughly surprised by how much I enjoyed it given that I found the previous books in the series to be just okay. Jeremy was an interesting, multilayered hero, since he mostly came off as very gentle, more of a beta hero, but also had a strength and competence to him that was endlessly endearing. Laura was that rare breed of intelligent, independent heroine, who knows her own mind but is never shrewish or hateful to the hero. In fact, she went for everything she wanted, which included not shying away from her feelings for Jeremy and her desire to see if they could build a future together, even as he insisted he was unable to marry. Jeremy walked a fine line with his self-deprecating tendencies, but his mother set him straight in time for me to not be too annoyed by him and I loved that Laura stood by him and recognized the sweetness and gentleness that were inherent to him as a person. I also loved that we got a celibate, possibly virgin hero here, and though there wasn’t much of it, the intimacy between Jeremy and Laura was very sweet and felt very much integral to the development of their relationship, and I loved that both wound up being honest about their feelings for one another. This plot had plenty of intrigue to keep me entertained, but I was never stressed or annoyed by an overabundance of angst. This one is definitely my favorite of the series thus far.
Though it wasn’t a love match, Lady Miranda Hughes had a cordial relationship with her late husband, and she misses certain more physical aspects of mThough it wasn’t a love match, Lady Miranda Hughes had a cordial relationship with her late husband, and she misses certain more physical aspects of marriage. With her friends bringing news of rumored male courtesans available in London, Miranda decides to throw caution to the wind and secure one for a discreet affair during a Christmas house party.
Since his titled older brother has been in charge of the family’s finances, Roger Thornton has been cleaning up his messes and now is no different. With his sister’s dowry lost and a suitor in the wings, Roger needs funds fast and becoming a courtesan is the most expedient means he can think of. Roger and Miranda are well-matched from the start and their union rapidly becomes more than just a superficial affair, but when they are less than discreet, the scandal could cast a shadow on their chances to become more.
This was such a quick and delightful read! Darcy Stark’s narration drew me into the story so well and made Roger’s struggle with his speech impediment all the more real and made me want to bring him comfort myself. I loved that Miranda was a rather open-minded heroine and willing to give Roger a chance without making too many assumptions. The relationship between these two progressed very quickly but given their very clear chemistry, that worked and made perfect sense here. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella; it was well worth the listen, and I look forward to the next book.
Captain Benjamin Frakes, renowned war hero and now the head of the Society of Beasts, an under the radar club for men who prefer the company of other Captain Benjamin Frakes, renowned war hero and now the head of the Society of Beasts, an under the radar club for men who prefer the company of other men, is tempted to turn down the offer of three hundred pounds for one night of protection services. And yet, he can’t bring himself to do so thanks to his utter captivation by August Weatherby, the stranger boldly propositioning him.
August is merely playing a role. Thanks to his debts and his need to protect his invalid sister, he’s vulnerable to a lord who wants to bring down the Society of Beasts by ruining its members. August is being forced to find ruinous information about Frakes, even as he longs to have the captain introduce him to pleasure.
August soon successfully joins the Society and discovers new delights with Frakes behind its closed doors. With time running out to produce something for the man who is forcing him into this position, August finds himself increasingly torn by the realization that in order to save his sister he will have to betray the man he loves.
I definitely expected this to be a story of deceit and betrayal and, while those aspects are factors, this is mostly a story of forgiveness and redemption. Benjamin did not want to have feelings, to need or desire August for anything resembling permanence, but he couldn’t help himself. Those same feelings resulted in terrible pain for him at August’s betrayal, but their reciprocation also made it quite lovely when August tried his best to set things to rights. August knew what he was doing was wrong, but he couldn’t see a way out so he tried to mitigate the damage as best he could. I really liked that redemption arc for him. I kept wanting him to confide in Benjamin and ask for help, but I understand why he felt he couldn’t, especially seeing as he had no idea how to rely on someone else or be taken care of, having never experienced that kind of dependability from another person. I think, for all his reluctance, Benjamin also needed someone he could depend on, care for, and be taken care of by, so it was nice to see him finally allow himself to have that, even if it was clear he still would’ve preferred not to need anyone. I also liked that August’s sister, Leticia, felt like a fully developed character in her own right and I want to see her have her own story now. This was my first read from this author, but I really liked her writing style and I enjoyed the narration, so I will be checking out more of her work....more
Neve Kelly’s weird daytime nightmares have provided excellent fodder for the notebooks she creates, but otherwise, the visions of lovers dying togetheNeve Kelly’s weird daytime nightmares have provided excellent fodder for the notebooks she creates, but otherwise, the visions of lovers dying together on a battlefield are scaring her. Weirded still, a man dressed in a period costume, two weeks too early for Halloween, randomly appears in her living room, then disappears almost as quickly, leaving only a piece of note paper behind.
Will Yeats only wants to live a quiet life in the countryside working on his poetry. So, of course, he finds himself involuntarily time traveling, briefly visiting the home of a beautiful woman who sounds American. Will is drawn there again just in time to find her being sucked into a terrifying hole that has opened up in her ceiling.
The only way Will can think of to save Neve is to bring her back to his home in 1888 Ireland, where they learn that she’s from the future, a world where fairies no longer exist. Will has been having the same weird dreams as Neve and with the Morrigan’s meddling turning into a more sinister power grab than she’s ever tried before, Neve and Will must work together to save Ireland once more and avoid the tragic end portended by their mutual dreams.
There was so much going on in this book that I think it definitely requires a reread to catch everything, but it was the ultimate escape. There’s a bit of historical fantasy, romance, action, time travel and contemporary all rolled up into one here that I think will make this story appeal to a broad range of readers. A reimagination of the life of Irish poet W.B. Yeats in addition to the rest of the history of Ireland was also a pretty cool and unique touch. Will was a great hero, so sweet and gentlemanly, while also being noble and very much a man. Plus, he was a virgin hero and I’m a total sucker for that when it’s done well, as it was here. Neve did have to grow on me a bit, but I loved that fact that it didn’t take her very long to listen to what Will was saying, despite how far-fetched it seemed, and join with him to make things right. I also really loved that Neve did own up to her feelings for Will so readily and I actually surprised myself by loving the fact that although these two wind up in a committed relationship by the end, they’re not married yet. I usually hate it when my romances don’t end in marriage, but for these two, getting to know each other better with plans for a wedding later on was the proper fit for Will and Neve. I’m normally not crazy about time travel books, but I really did enjoy this one, that action made it quite the page-turner, and I love the crazy world of Fisher’s reimagined version of Ireland.
Since he was taken by a British Navy press gang, Captain Andrew Reeves was forced to make his own way in the world. Piracy was the answer for him and Since he was taken by a British Navy press gang, Captain Andrew Reeves was forced to make his own way in the world. Piracy was the answer for him and now he has more power and riches than most men could fathom. But his conquest is incomplete until he seeks his revenge against those who betrayed him, most especially the love of his life, Arabella Baines.
Bella and Drew made promises to each other once, but now she is on the cusp of marrying another. Drew won’t stand for it and kidnaps her on her wedding day, intending to act on every fantasy he’s ever had of her. Bella has only ever wanted Drew and with him returned to her at last, she submits to his possessiveness. As he learns the truth of what truly happened before, during, and after their separation, Drew begins to wonder if they can have a true second chance at happiness.
This was an excellent, actiony story. I was nervous about the kidnapping aspect and afraid it would make the hero too villainous, but it worked out just fine here. Drew’s whole-hearted devotion to Bella was spectacular even as his possessiveness gave him an air of danger. This was ridiculously steamy (in the best way) and the reunion between Bella and Drew was surprisingly romantic and sweet. There was angst but it was minimized by the fact that they were both open and honest with one another, so it wound up being just the right amount of tension. The setting was wonderful and very different from most of the historicals being published right now. I was drawn straight into this lush, tropical setting and into the storyline by the excellent descriptions and Darcy Stark’s fabulous narration. The action and the dash of suspense, as well as the steam and romance kept me engrossed in the story and I’d highly recommend giving it a try.
Adolphus Merrick, the Earl of Kendal, isn’t proud of the smuggling he got up to in the past, even if it was necessary. Now he owns a gaming den and guAdolphus Merrick, the Earl of Kendal, isn’t proud of the smuggling he got up to in the past, even if it was necessary. Now he owns a gaming den and guards an even bigger secret, one he’ll do anything to protect, even if that means marriage. He never intended to marry at all and doesn’t trust easily, but Kendal still can’t help but be a bit charmed by his intended.
Lady Sophia Stopford has tried to live her life fully and experience everything she can, but with her father forcing her into marriage, that carefree lifestyle is rapidly coming to an end. She’s desperate and will do most anything to escape the unwanted match, including haring off on a new adventure. But now the very man who gave her the idea has chased after her and is determined she should marry him instead. Sophia would like to resist, but there is more to the enigmatic Earl of Kendal than meets the eye and she can’t help being curious about him.
These two soon find themselves on a life-changing adventure, but there is danger too and the new passion flaring between them must be strong enough to keep them together.
This was a fun, quick read and I wound up really enjoying it. At first, I found the heroine to be rather vapid and naïve, which was annoying, but she grew on me and I liked her eventually, especially when she was with Kendal. I liked the road trip setting and forced proximity and Kendal was a great hero. I loved that he had such layers and vulnerability beneath his staid façade and that he and Sophia were able to confide in each other as neither had to anyone else before. I loved how protective Kendal was of Sophia and I’m now hoping his sister will have her own story as well.
Daniel Hayle, the Duke of Carlisle, has promised his mother he’ll participate in the London season this year and find a bride to protect the dukedom fDaniel Hayle, the Duke of Carlisle, has promised his mother he’ll participate in the London season this year and find a bride to protect the dukedom from his grasping cousin. But Daniel is more terrified of socializing in ballrooms than he was of fighting Waterloo, a battle that left him terribly scarred and with a formidable appearance that many find off-putting. He hopes a month visiting his mother’s friend on the Isle of Synne will give him a chance to practice socializing so that he can find a wife who can bear the sight of him.
Margery Kitteridge has spent the past four years mourning her husband’s death at Waterloo. She’s not ready to marry again but her body misses the physical aspects of marriage. When she agrees to help Daniel with his wife search, she doesn’t bank on the intense physical connection between them. When the two kiss, Margery decides Daniel is perfect for an affair. But as the two come to know each other, Daniel learns of an unexpected connection to Margery’s late husband and she must decide if she can set aside her old love to give the new a chance.
It took me an unusually long time to finish this book, partly because life got crazy, but also because I was savoring it. This story is well-written and has quite a bit of emotional depth, so I also found I had to take breaks from the sheer feelings it evoked. I adored shy, scarred, awkward Daniel. He was such a well-drawn character and he just made me want to give him a hug and take care of him. Margery was frustrating and had me wanting to shake some sense into her as she took so long to let Daniel in, but since Daniel was also afraid of being hurt again, the slow pace really did fit this couple. I loved how protective Margery was of Daniel and how she helped him find his confidence. I do wish that we’d had more time with Daniel and Margery on the page after they’d admitted their feelings for each other and maybe a bit more steam. I also think Margery confiding in Daniel would’ve made their relationship stronger and overall, I would’ve liked to see more communication from them, rather than the two of them fighting their feelings for the first 90% of the book and leaving us with only a taste of their loving relationship. Overall, however, this was a lovely story and I’m hoping for more books set on the Isle of Synne.
Blacksmith Lor Careston has lived a simple, peaceful life in a quiet village in the Scottish Highlands with his grandfather, Nikol3.5 stars rounded up
Blacksmith Lor Careston has lived a simple, peaceful life in a quiet village in the Scottish Highlands with his grandfather, Nikolaus. But when he returns from a supply run to find his village burned and Nikolaus missing and presumed dead, Lor is determined to have vengeance. Even though it means leaving behind the girl he loves, Lor decides he must learn to fight and travels to the Lowlands to seek out the Ludus Caledonia, a fight flub shrouded in mystique and mystery, but known for turning out warriors.
Lor quickly proves himself as a fighter and soon finds himself swearing fealty to the clan who destroyed his home, the Keiths, with the intention of destroying them from within. But when he learns his love, Isabail, is the daughter of the Keith laird, Lor finds his drive for vengeance tested, especially when it seems he may have been totally wrong about the clan who has since welcomed him as one of their own.
Somehow this was my first read from Kathryn LeVeque and I really did enjoy it. This was refreshing and different from what I’ve read before and I loved Lor as a hero. I also appreciated that Isabail was such a strong, fierce heroine, but she never unmanned Lor; if anything, she only showed just how strong he really was. These two were sweet together, but this was definitely low on the romance side with more emphasis on the action and fights. Nonetheless, I loved that Lor and Isabail kept proving themselves and their love for each other, always choosing each other and refusing to be separated. That was lovely and I’ll likely continue the series hoping to see more examples of such strong devotion.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Melissa Griffin has tried to make the most of a difficult life and is now the successful owner of an exclusive London brothel. She’s become fairly weaMelissa Griffin has tried to make the most of a difficult life and is now the successful owner of an exclusive London brothel. She’s become fairly wealthy, but stress has taken its toll on her health, leading to the necessity of a stay in the country to convalesce. Developing real feelings for the village curate was never her intention. It’s forbidden and she knows they can’t have a future together, but neither can she deny her feelings.
Magnus Stanwyck has never felt much temptation to forsake his vow to remain celibate until marriage, but meeting Melissa stirs all kinds of thoughts he’d rather not have. The woman is both beautiful and kind and all too soon Magnus’ heart is fully engaged. Though a simple curate, Magnus was raised the son of a marquess and is used to getting what he wants, which now includes Melissa. But with everything standing between them, their future happiness seems increasingly unlikely.
I have a lot of feelings about this book and not all of them necessarily good. Melissa’s struggles and the box society put her in made her very pitiable, especially given how much she truly enjoyed a simple life with Magnus. Despite that though, I couldn’t bring myself to like her and she got on my nerves more and more as the book went on. I know she was trying to protect Magnus, but he obviously didn’t want or need her protection, and a lot of what she kept from him and especially the ways in which she manipulated him were just unforgiveable for me. Magnus was no gem either, but rather spoiled and naïve, but he readily admitted to those weaknesses and owned them and I felt he deserved that same sort of honesty from Melissa. All that said, I did find this to be very well-written and extremely steamy and I will read more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Everett Jewel is the arrogant and always confident star of the London stage. He adores the spotlight, but his glittering facade hides a wealth of painEverett Jewel is the arrogant and always confident star of the London stage. He adores the spotlight, but his glittering facade hides a wealth of pain and feelings of unworthiness he harbors due to his nightmarish past.
Patrick Wrexham has never been loved or wanted by anyone. After growing up fighting for every scrap of food in an orphanage, he's used to being overlooked. This struggle led to his determination to protect the weak and now he's made a career out of that drive and his ability to blend in as a Metropolitan Police Officer. Patrick and Everett couldn't be more opposite, so of course Patrick has quietly been a fan ever since he first saw one of Everett's plays.
When his latest investigation into a child kidnapping ring leads Patrick to work with Everett, their respective skills make them a great team on a professional level, but the tension between them in other areas is palpable. When Everett takes his arrogant showmanship too far, it's up to Patrick to embrace feelings he never thought himself capable of and become the hero.
There was so much palpable tension here and it was delicious. That tension was perhaps drawn out a bit long, although on the other hand, I think the build-up was necessary for Patrick's character. I loved the furtherance of the kidnapping investigation and my only complaint is that things fell apart a bit near the end and all the main and supporting characters made decisions that seemed to come out of left field and felt very out of character. But things are also falling apart for our villains and I'm looking forward to the next story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Disfigured by time spent in fighting pits when he was a young boy, Gabriel Sauvageau has never known an affectionate touch in his4.5 stars rounded up.
Disfigured by time spent in fighting pits when he was a young boy, Gabriel Sauvageau has never known an affectionate touch in his life. He’s been the mastermind and enforcer behind one of London’s most notorious and ruthless smuggling outfits. Though he and his brother are working to leave that life behind and have changed their names and identities in an effort to start anew, Gabriel knows he still doesn’t deserve shy, innocent Felicity Goode. But he can’t stop himself from watching her, ensuring her safety, fantasizing about the soothing effects of her gentle nature on his tortured soul.
Felicity spends much of her time escaping the world in the pages of romance novels to find respite from her crippling anxiety and shyness, but she never plans to marry. She can scarcely even bring herself to form coherent sentences around men, but her father’s will stipulates she must marry into the aristocracy to inherit his vast wealth and successful shipping company. It’s the last thing she wants, and it makes her the target of many money-hungry suitors and several alarming threats on her life.
Felicity decides she must hire a bodyguard and when she literally runs into an obscenely large, rough-looking man on her stoop, she immediately knows he’s perfect for the job. Yet, paradoxically, the nerves she feels in his presence have nothing to do with fear.
There was so much going on in this book and it’s the first one I’ve read that has truly pulled me in for quite some time. I’m always a sucker for a virgin hero and this was even better as both Felicity and Gabriel were virgins who had to learn together. Neither was all that familiar with love or affection, especially Gabriel, who had only ever experienced pain and had only his brother to love. That learning here was lovely. Gabriel’s constant insistence on deifying Felicity did get a bit old but I loved that Felicity reminded him she had human flaws too and that they could be equal partners while bolstering one another’s weaker areas. The reunion of the family at the end and Gabriel’s outpouring of his feelings, and his realization that he now had a large family too, was heart wrenching in the best way. The undercurrent of suspense was just right and kept up a satisfactory tension in the story to temper the immense sweetness of the relationship developing between Felicity and Gabriel. I loved that Felicity was never afraid of Gabriel, even after seeing what he was capable of, and instead found her strength with and from him all the while slowly elevating his own sense of self-worth. I was so proud of her for going for what she wanted and refusing to let Gabriel push her away because he believed himself unworthy. My only complaint here is that the villain’s plan/reasoning really made no sense but I’m thinking this was intentional and meant to further illustrate madness. I adored the plot twist at the end but I’ll say no more about that, other than to recommend this series be read in order, as I merely bask in the warmth of two anxious people learning to conquer their fear with love.
Mr. Devan Farris is a vicar with a very rakish reputation, but what most don't know is that his wild ways are a carefully fabrica3.5 stars rounded up.
Mr. Devan Farris is a vicar with a very rakish reputation, but what most don't know is that his wild ways are a carefully fabricated ruse to keep his meddling brother, the Earl of Larkton, at bay. Devan knows his brother means well with his constant attempts to set him up with lovely heiresses, but Devan longs for a loving match like their parents had and won't settle for less. Despite his frustrations with him, when the Earl asks Devan to transfer to a new parish to check up on his ward, the young Marquess of Warwyck and his mother, Lady Avalon, to ensure she is not spending her son's inheritance, Devan reluctantly agrees; Devan doesn't want to interfere, but he's always found himself unwittingly intrigued by Avalon and takes the opportunity to spend some time with her.
Lady Avalon Warwyck has thoroughly enjoyed independence in her widowhood after a terrible marriage forced on her by her parents. She may be lonely, but she's got her ten year old son and her charity work helping women who've fallen into unsavory professions establish themselves in business. She's never wanted a man's company, but that all begins to change with the arrival of the new vicar. At first, Avalon tries her best to get rid of the loathsome Devan, but soon enough he becomes an integral part of the community. Now it's up to Devan to show Avalon the good-hearted man he truly is beneath his reputation, and help her regain her own confidence.
Devan was adorable in his utter cluelessness about women. Avalon would take several steps forward, only to take great leaps back and while this did grow rather tiresome, especially with her consistent regression to doubting Devan, it was also understandable given her past experiences and how shattered her confidence was. This element also gave sweet Devan more opportunities to shine as he reassured her. However, Avalon was very eager to take on everyone else's problems as her own and at times it was almost like she looked for things to come between her and Devan, even after she supposedly loved him. I kept forgiving her and understanding her motivations, but she just kept on and on. Even with Devan doing everything perfectly and treating her so well, she kept finding reasons to doubt him anyway and seemed not to care if that would hurt him. She'd say hurtful things and fling accusations at him and then retract it and say she didn't mean it, which I can understand to an extent, but the number of times this happened got to be rather tedious. Devan carried this book and though I liked it, it didn't hold up to how much I loved its predecessor. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book and will look forward to more in this series and from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Niki (mustreadalltheromance)
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