A charming and delightful romance between an author desperate to keep her secret and the duke that couldn’t stop thinking about her.
The fact that CarA charming and delightful romance between an author desperate to keep her secret and the duke that couldn’t stop thinking about her.
The fact that Caro was an author of lurid novels made her even more interesting and the best parts were when she modeled her heroes after Dorian and other people started to notice. Caro’s cousins were hilarious and so supportive without asking questions. But frivolity aside, this book had plenty of depth uncovering the truth about Dorian’s marriage and Caro walking a fine line concealing her author identity.
This book was a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the light-hearted writing style, witty dialogue, and there was plenty of sizzling chemistry between Caro and Dorian. I can highly recommend it if you like steamy historical romance.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A scoundrel meets his match in this sweet, childhood friends-to-lovers romance.
It was hard to pin down Lilliana’s personality. Her actions were mostlyA scoundrel meets his match in this sweet, childhood friends-to-lovers romance.
It was hard to pin down Lilliana’s personality. Her actions were mostly in reaction to what was happening around her. Lilliana’s love for Hadrian, initially at least, was heavily based on the boy she remembered. She knew very little about the man when they were married. Not that there was much to know about Hadrian. He lived a fairly one-dimensional life that was mostly aimed at irritating his father. Hadrian probably didn’t know himself that well either. He had some introspective moments after reconnecting with Lilliana, but for the most part he was pretty selfish in his decision-making. Until all his ill-advised chickens came home to roost and he was forced to change.
I must say though that the author did an excellent job of describing Hadrian’s anguished thoughts on how his selfish actions had affected others and what it might mean for his future.
Overall, I liked this story, but I can’t say that I had strong feelings about Lilliana or Hadrian or their relationship.
Clearly Amelia was in desperate need of some kind of adventure to break the monotony of her life. She just went along with everything that Leopold saiClearly Amelia was in desperate need of some kind of adventure to break the monotony of her life. She just went along with everything that Leopold said, not even a token resistance to be had. I suppose that just illustrated how well entrenched she was in society's expectations of her. Leopold had crushed on her for quite a while now and he was very solicitous towards her during the entire ordeal, despite his rough looks, upbringing, and current occupation. The majority of the story was the two of them interacting at his estate, with Leopold in contact with his friends to get updates on their case, and Amelia trying to figure out what she wants.
Overall, I liked this story just fine, I just wasn't that invested in them as a couple. The investigation into the duke was intriguing. This book is part of a series, but stands well on its own. I haven't read any of the previous books and this didn't bother me at all.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Childhood rivals become lovers in this beguiling and fun romance.
August was unpleasant as a child and that is how Hazel remembered him. So
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Childhood rivals become lovers in this beguiling and fun romance.
August was unpleasant as a child and that is how Hazel remembered him. So she was thoroughly discombobulated when he showed up at her friend’s matchmaking house party, looking nothing like the spoilt little brat she used to know and loathe. August, on the other hand, was completely enchanted by Hazel, even more so after he realized who she was.
August’s efforts to capture Hazel’s attention were amusing, as well as their initial sniping. And then they slowly realized that maybe a person can change and that the past didn’t necessarily define you. They had some beautifully tender moments between them that gradually shifted their attitudes towards each other.
I enjoyed the author’s light-hearted writing style. And even though this is more of a novella, the pacing ensured that everything fit in really well, without feeling rushed or incomplete. This is a lovely series if you like steamy historical romance.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Was I hooked by that book? Oh, yes. The story drew me in and left me feeling wrung out at the end.
Shades of Gray comprises three parts that have all been released separately as well, Duty Bound, Honor Bound, and Glory Bound. It follows the lives of two soldiers on opposites sides of the Civil War. Alex Hunter is the fearless leader of a group of Confederate soldiers, determined to defend their land against the Union. Andrea Evans has made herself indispensable to the Union side as a spy and a messenger.
I give the first part, Duty Bound, a solid 5 stars. Every meeting between Hunter and Audrey was electrifying. They both show so much determination and grit. The first part was over before I knew it. It's a good thing I can jump right into the next one.
I wasn't so enamored of the second part, and give it 3 stars. This part is important in that it brings Alex and Andrea in close proximity. It also gives them the chance to get to know each other a bit outside of their war personas. I didn't particularly like Andrea in this part. She was almost as annoying as Victoria at times, and that is saying a lot. But she was also struggling with her convictions and how they fit in between the side she is fighting for and the man she is falling in love with.
The third part gets 5 stars again. It was unbelievably emotional. Everything is coming to a head and Andrea is forced to pick her side. I can't remember the last time it happened, but I cried big fat tears at the end.
The battles, the armies and their encampments, the fear, the gruesomeness, the despair of war are described in vivid detail. The author cleverly focuses on specific characters and specific events to draw a picture of everything that is going on.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Was I hooked by that book? Oh, yes. The story drew me in and left me feeling wrung out at the end.
Shades of Gray comprises three parts that have all been released separately as well, Duty Bound, Honor Bound, and Glory Bound. It follows the lives of two soldiers on opposites sides of the Civil War. Alex Hunter is the fearless leader of a group of Confederate soldiers, determined to defend their land against the Union. Andrea Evans has made herself indispensable to the Union side as a spy and a messenger.
I give the first part, Duty Bound, a solid 5 stars. Every meeting between Hunter and Audrey was electrifying. They both show so much determination and grit. The first part was over before I knew it. It's a good thing I can jump right into the next one.
I wasn't so enamored of the second part, and give it 3 stars. This part is important in that it brings Alex and Andrea in close proximity. It also gives them the chance to get to know each other a bit outside of their war personas. I didn't particularly like Andrea in this part. She was almost as annoying as Victoria at times, and that is saying a lot. But she was also struggling with her convictions and how they fit in between the side she is fighting for and the man she is falling in love with.
The third part gets 5 stars again. It was unbelievably emotional. Everything is coming to a head and Andrea is forced to pick her side. I can't remember the last time it happened, but I cried big fat tears at the end.
The battles, the armies and their encampments, the fear, the gruesomeness, the despair of war are described in vivid detail. The author cleverly focuses on specific characters and specific events to draw a picture of everything that is going on.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Darcy Burke’s first foray into a historical murder mystery was an appealing mix of clever detective work and a touch of the paranormal.
Hadrian’s newfoDarcy Burke’s first foray into a historical murder mystery was an appealing mix of clever detective work and a touch of the paranormal.
Hadrian’s newfound ability was vague at the best of times, but it worked well because the reader discovered the possibilities at the same time as Hadrian. Tilda was already an established investigator, but with this case she had the opportunity to expand her skills. The two of them had to exert themselves to their limits for every piece of evidence.
I found it to be a bit slow in some areas and maybe the case could’ve been solved a bit faster, but all the various parts of this whodunnit competently fit together. Tilda and Hadrian were very meticulous in their investigation.
This is not a romance, despite all the private thoughts and occasional longing glances to the contrary. Tilda and Hadrian formed a solid friendship and I do hope that they will have plenty of more cases to solve together.
I can recommend this if you like historical fiction with a murder and plenty of suspense. Oh, and don’t forget Hadrian’s puzzling power.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cameron and June’s journey back to each other was fraught with feelings of betrayal and it definitely wasn’t easy or comfortable.
I was wondering how the author was going to get June out of her loveless marriage, and that outcome was quite a doozy. June and Cameron had suffered ever since they were cruelly and deliberately kept apart when they were young and very much in love. Cameron was quite mean to June initially and I felt really sorry for her. She was just trying to survive.
There were a lot of plot lines to keep track of, between June and Cameron’s past, June’s present struggles, and her husband’s nefarious dealings. The story was maybe slightly too short to explore all of these with enough detail, so it felt a bit jumbled together at times and not that easy to untangle. And while I commiserated with June and Cameron, I wasn’t all that invested in their relationship. They did have some emotionally charged moments together, which I enjoyed.
This is shaping up to be a very entertaining series and I can highly recommend it if you like steamy historical romance.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
An absolutely delightful romance about letting go of the past and embracing the good in life right now.
Rory was inherently a good man, just buried under so much sadness and confusion on how to handle all the bad things that had happened to him. And it was this trait that turned him from a taciturn grump to an invested father. Genevieve and Rory were perfect for each other. Their electric chemistry was evident throughout and I eagerly anticipated every charged intimate moment. The interactions between Rory, Frances, and Genevieve were emotional and heartwarming.
Later on it became apparent that this curse-breaking could play out in different ways and it was excruciating to watch the three men try to figure it out. The pacing was spot on, and I loved how it all unfolded. By the end, I was feeling so much hope for these three couples and their futures.
I can highly recommend this entire series if you like steamy historical romance with a marriage of convenience. It’s not strictly necessary to read them in order, but I think it will make more sense that way, especially for the progression of the curse.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
This series just keeps getting better and better. The clever and witty writing style draws you in and makes you feel as if you are in that parlor in TThis series just keeps getting better and better. The clever and witty writing style draws you in and makes you feel as if you are in that parlor in The Grand Palace on the Thames. Speaking of parlors, there is one scene where the group has to decide on what book to read aloud next that had me laughing, the dialogue is superb. Dot is still one of my favourite characters, but all of them add so much dimension and pure reading pleasure. As for Dominic and Catherine, they had spades of chemistry between them and I enjoyed their emotional relationship journey. Usually, I'm not bothered by an age gap, but for some reason this one didn't sit that well with me at all times. But Catherine is plenty mature despite her youthfulness and she handled difficult situations with poise and grace. This series is well worth it if you like steamy historical romance. I think it's best to read this series in order....more
A berserker and a tinker make an unlikely love match while thwarting the efforts of a power-hungry, demented neighbour.
I loved Elizabeth’s unabashed aA berserker and a tinker make an unlikely love match while thwarting the efforts of a power-hungry, demented neighbour.
I loved Elizabeth’s unabashed appreciation of Stephen’s physical form and his reciprocal feelings of admiration. Elizabeth took charge of the situation and Stephen, and he was happy to let her. All he wanted was to work on his inventions and for the world to leave him alone. And then, for Elizabeth to be a part of it all. They were definitely two unusual personalities, but they fit together so well.
The Wynchester’s devious scheming and obvious enthusiasm were very catching, and I felt completely immersed in their efforts and exuberance. As usual, I enjoyed every moment of this farcical battle and the way the family banded together. This is not your garden-variety historical, that’s for sure.
I look forward to Jacob’s story, even though that will probably be the end of this wildly entertaining series. This is the book for you if you like steamy historical romance with over-the-top characters, and can to suspend disbelief for a moment.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
With plenty of witty banter, this light-hearted brother’s-best-friend to lovers romance had me smiling all the way through.
I enjoyed everything about this book. Vander and Letty had a connection right from the start and it showed in their frank back-and-forth, which included plenty of teasing. Their attraction was always slowly simmering under the surface, just waiting for Vander to catch up to what was happening. Vander’s inner voice was almost like a whole extra character on its own.
Even though this is a novella, it never felt rushed and their relationship had plenty of time to develop at just the right pace. The details about the insurance company and Vander’s ideas for it were interesting and served to show us Vander’s intellectual strengths.
I can highly recommend this entire series is you like steamy historical romance.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
The red-headed, green-eyed triplets that stoked up some superstitions and prejudices just by existing made for a fun and intriguing plot de
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The red-headed, green-eyed triplets that stoked up some superstitions and prejudices just by existing made for a fun and intriguing plot device.
I loved the Duke’s no-nonsense proposal (that he also promptly forgot about) and Edwina’s presumptuous appearance in his life. Rick was a very likeable character. He exhibited a quiet stoicism about going through with the wedding, but not in a resentful way. He was more than willing to accommodate Edwina’s wishes and to ensure his future sisters-in-law’s happiness.
I liked the story just fine. But Edwina very stubbornly stuck to her promise to her father and continually ignored her sisters’ own desires. Every time it seemed that she might soften her attitude a little bit, something happened to further cement this idea in her mind.
This is the second book in the Say I Do series. I haven’t read the first one yet, and this one worked very well on its own.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
Watch Henry and Julia quietly fall in love in this charming romance while their families scheme and plot around them.
It’s Raining Rakes in April is thWatch Henry and Julia quietly fall in love in this charming romance while their families scheme and plot around them.
It’s Raining Rakes in April is the fourth book in The Rake Review series, one book for each month of the year written by different authors. And reminiscent of Bridgerton, it comes complete with its own scandal sheet, The Rake Review, penned by the Brazen Belle. Mr. April in our calendar of rakes is the missing Duke of Ridgefield, posing as Mr. Henry Pope.
Henry wasn’t so much a rake as masquerading as one while biding his time until his real identity could be revealed. But Julia assumed he was one when they met and that’s all that mattered. Their flirting was steaming up the pages and I loved them together.
This short story was wholly complete and it never felt like anything was rushed or missed. The relationship between Julia and Henry developed at a good pace and they found the best ending together.
This is a fun series if you like steamy historical romance. Each book stands well on its own.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Another Davies and Montgomery finally go after what they want in this delightfully fun romance.
Lenore was a remarkable and resourceful wom
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Another Davies and Montgomery finally go after what they want in this delightfully fun romance.
Lenore was a remarkable and resourceful woman who lived a very interesting life. For all that she had set her sights on Rhys from the moment they met, she didn’t pursue him in an overly aggressive way. In fact, he had no idea how she felt about him. Granted, he did his best to stay out of her way, so that explained how he missed the signals. I thoroughly enjoyed their antics on the treasure hunt and how their families colluded to throw them together. Rhys and Lenore made falling in love seem effortless and exciting.
There were editing issues with the wrong characters’ names being used, which had me going back a few times to try to sort through it, but that didn’t take away too much from appreciating the story.
The Rake Review is a diverse and interesting series and I can recommend it if you like steamy historical romance. ...more
This book feels like it had two very distinctive parts: how Torie and Dom got together and then their trials and tribulations after marriage. The firsThis book feels like it had two very distinctive parts: how Torie and Dom got together and then their trials and tribulations after marriage. The first part was very intriguing. Right from the start it was obvious that Torie and Dom were meant to get together, but how that was going to happen when he was engaged to her sister and showed no signs of breaking the engagement, that was frustrating and tantalizing. I loved Torie with her generous heart. She was just so hard on herself and constantly diminished her own accomplishments. The descriptions of Torie's paintings and what she wanted to represent was brilliant and thorough. I am much like Dom in that I can appreciate a beautiful painting, but the deeper meaning behind it will probably escape me. And like other reviewers, my feelings about Dom also dipped between very high and very low. ...more
The Mad Duke discovers there are things worth living for in this touching story of redemption.
Mad Duke March is the third book in The Rake
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The Mad Duke discovers there are things worth living for in this touching story of redemption.
Mad Duke March is the third book in The Rake Review series, one book for each month of the year written by different authors. And reminiscent of Bridgerton, it comes complete with its own scandal sheet, The Rake Review, penned by the Brazen Belle. Mr. March in our calendar of rakes is Alexander Blackwell, the Duke of Tyrone, aka the Mad Duke.
I’m starting to think this Brazen Belle is more like the Reckless Reporter. She sure seems to like spreading unfounded or exaggerated rumors.
The Mad Duke was less a rake and more a man trying his best to drown his pain in alcohol. This, of course, led him to make stupid decisions (you don’t say?) and put Emily in his path of perpetual mayhem. One forced marriage later and Emily was struggling to come to terms with her new circumstances. Turned out Tyrone’s self-destructive tendencies were no match for Emily’s stubbornness.
Tyrone’s slow ascent to decent humanhood was painful and emotional. Emily’s nurturing nature kept her determined to help him get there. There was an enormous growth arc for Tyrone, but it all made sense and was very believable. And it wasn’t all smooth sailing either. I liked the two of them together.
This is a fun series if you like steamy historical romance. Each book stands well on its own.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
Two disillusioned people, who are supposed to be enemies, find love amidst a curse in this delightful romance.
Henry and Katie were both captivating characters. From the start, Henry saw her for the brilliant person she was, underneath the birthmark that she was taught to be ashamed of. Katie kept her promise of standing by Henry and never leaving him to fight his demons on his own. It was amusing and charming to see Henry trying to make sense of the curse and the witch.
Henry’s gambling addiction was portrayed extremely well. We could clearly see and understand his obsession and how strong a hold it had on him, the push and pull between his compulsion and his conscience. It ruled his thoughts, until he discovered the wildfire of attraction burning between him and Katie. If they weren’t kissing each other, they were thinking of kissing each other. The story never implied that Henry’s addiction was miraculously solved, but that it would be possible for him to manage it in the future with help.
There was a spot in the middle that slowed down somewhat, but overall the pacing was just right. I cannot wait to read Rory’s story and see how the curse situation gets resolved. If you like steamy historical romance with down-on-their-luck characters, then this is the series for you.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rolé - Hooked By That Book
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