Tag: Historical Romance (Page 1 of 9)

BOOK REVIEW: The Worst Duke in London (Taming of the Dukes #3) by Amalie Howard

October 30, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Worst Duke in London (Taming of the Dukes #3)
by Amalie Howard
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Bridgerton meets 10 Things I Hate About You in this spicy enemies-to-lovers Regency romance from a "must-read author" (Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

Lady Evangeline Raine prefers animals to people and has no interest in marriage--much to the dismay of her flirty younger sister, Viola. Because their father has one rule: Viola may be courted, only if Effie has a suitor as well.

Saddled with debt, Gage Croft, Duke of Vale, is determined to rebuild his estates. When the owner of his vowels offers him a fortune to charm the impervious Lady Evangeline for the season so Lady Viola can be courted, the game is on, even if it means pretending to seduce an unconventional wallflower.

But Gage gets much more than he bargains for in an adversary who wants to make her own scandalous arrangement. Effie will go to London for the season, but only if Gage agrees to be her lover. Yet when their fake courtship leads to passionate feelings, will their indecent proposal end with the season or be the start of something real?

Review:

The Worst Duke in London was a take on 10 Things I Hate About You and I was here for it! I absolutely adored the characters, and the storyline was a lot of fun! With a wonderful HEA, I’m so happy I read this book!

Viola’s pretty face screwed up, her mouth twisting into a rancid moue. “Why must you be so wretched all the time? Can’t you just be normal for once?”
“Normal is overprized.”
Viola huffed

Lady Evangeline Raine could be as prickly as a porcupine when she wanted to be, but I absolutely adored her! Her lack of filter at times was so refreshing, and I loved how passionate she was about things close to her heart. And how deeply she loved those around her. With the cutest kitten meet cute, I couldn’t wait to see what happened between Evangeline and Gage next.

Something glinted in her eyes as she stared at him, a thawing and a bit of goodwill, perhaps. It wasn’t much, but it was there. Gage nodded back, but for some reason, when he should have felt elated at the victory, he felt guilt instead.

Gage Croft, Duke of Vale, was supposed to get Evangeline to London. His family’s debts would be wiped clean from Huntington, who wanted to court Evangeline’s sister. But from the moment Gage met Evangeline, everything went a little sideways. I loved watching how he was challenged by her. How he had to work to even get time with her. Even if they were both attracted to each other from the start. I was rooting for Gage every step of the way. He had the most beautiful heart, and I loved watching him help her out time and again without a second thought.

She wanted more.
Evangeline fisted her hands in his ruined coat, dragging herself to her knees and straddling his hips as she savaged his mouth, kissing him back as feverishly as he was kissing her. It was hungry. It was raw. It was real.

Watching the friendship blossom between them was heartwarming. Throw in some banter and memorable scenes and I was hooked. And the steam in this book was done fabulously! Each time it seemed to ratchet up! Yet as they grew close, secrets were kept. And I kept waiting for it all to blow up. Because I knew it would.

He wanted her body, her beautiful brain, her smiles, her caustic wit, her generosity of spirit… all of her.
And that terrified him.
Because he had to stay focused on what he was here for: three more weeks to resolve Asher’s debt.

With trust, honor, lies, jealousy, and secrets swirling through this story, it was so much fun to read! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for who the next book is about! I recently watched 10 Things I Hate About You, for the millionth time haha, and loved seeing little moments here or there that reminded me of the movie. So if you adore that movie and like historical romance, you should put this one on your tbr!

He made her feel… like she was the only one he ever saw. Like she was everything.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

August 28, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti by Alexandra Vasti
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In this steamy Regency romp, Lady Selina is determined to find the Duke of Stanhope the perfect wife―the only problem is she's starting to think that might be her.

Peter Kent―newly inherited Duke of Stanhope and recently of New Orleans, Louisiana―must become respectable. Between his radical politics and the time he interrupted a minor royal wedding with a flock of sheep―not his fault!―he’s developed a scandalous reputation at odds with his goal of becoming guardian to his half siblings. For help, he turns to the cleverest and most managing woman of his acquaintance, Lady Selina Ravenscroft.

Selina is society’s most proper debutante, save one tiny secret: she runs an erotic circulating library for women. When Peter asks for her help, she suggests courtship and marriage to a lady of unimpeachable reputation. (Which is to say, definitely not herself.)

But matchmaking doesn’t go according to plan. Peter’s siblings run rampant on Bond Street. Selina ends up in the Serpentine. And worst of all, the scorching chemistry between Peter and Selina proves impossible to resist. For the disreputable duke and his unpredictable matchmaker, falling in love just might be the ultimate scandal.

Review:

I absolutely loved Ne’er Duke Well! The storyline was heartwarming and fun, and the characters leapt from the pages! With a friends to lovers mixed with a trope I absolutely love but don’t want to say for spoilers, this book was so easy to love! I found myself laughing, smiling, and even sobbing too. If you’re looking for a historical romance novel to read, definitely let this be the one you pick up!

He wanted her, curse him for a fool. He wanted her so much he could barely stand the heat from her body at his side, the way her fingers held his arm through his jacket sleeve.

Selina was convinced that Peter Kent needed to be married, so he would be able to win custody of his half siblings. Btw, I absolutely adored half siblings, Freddie and Lu! They made me laugh so much! Lu was feisty and hilarious without even trying and I just wanted to scoop Freddie into a ball and give him the biggest hug ever. Peter having his hands full with them is an understatement lol. With Selina overseeing Peter’s prospective options for whom to marry, I couldn’t put this book down!

She swallowed and tried to turn her mind back to his marital endeavors. That was what she needed to think on. His marriage. To someone else.

While the interactions between Peter and Selina had me laughing out loud, Peter couldn’t help but be pulled to Selina. As he went along with her plans, I loved watching that friendship solidify. And Peter realizing that he was slowly falling for her. And while Selina couldn’t help but fall for his siblings, and all of their adorable antics, she couldn’t help but be charmed and fall for Peter too.

Oh God, she was going to hell, wasn’t she? She was here to explain why marrying her would ruin his life and tell him he ought to reconsider.
She was not here to lick him.

Selina was thoughtful, had the most fabulous family ever, but she had a huge secret. One that could ruin Peter’s chances at getting custody of his siblings. Which was why her being a viable option as his wife wasn’t feasible. As the story alternated between the two of them, you couldn’t help but love them both so much. Peter with his considerate, caring and good guy ways, and Selina with her heartfelt nature. Yet they could never be, or could they….

He pressed another kiss to her palm and she squeezed her eyes closed, fighting the urge to weep again.

The story unfolded in the most entertaining and hilarious way. The scandals kept piling up. And with steamy kisses, scorching hot detailed scenes, and confessions, this book pulled us along in the most wonderful journey. The side characters added so much heart. And I loved how this book had little extras, like at the beginning of the chapter the little sentence or two from a letter added so much depth to the story. I’ll be reading whatever this author releases next and that happily ever after was absolutely perfect!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this publisher, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: One More Betrayal (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #2, Carson Brothers #3) by Stina Lindenblatt

February 5, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

One More Betrayal (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #2, )
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Jessica and Troy’s exciting story continues in the second book of the HIDDEN SECRETS TRILOGY as passion and danger collide…

Despite Jess’s initial reluctance to get involved with ex-Marine Troy Carson, her friendship with him is growing to be something more. But love cannot exist without trust, and trust is something she can't afford—not when she needs to cling to the secrets of her past.

Not when she’s hoping to be part of her daughter’s life again. Too much is at stake if the truth gets out.

As Jess tries to put the pieces of her life back together after being wrongfully imprisoned for the death of her abusive husband, she recognizes her past life in a new friend. Refusing to let history repeat itself, Jess is determined to get her friend away from the man who is abusing her.

But in doing so, Jess’s past is at risk of being revealed, costing her everything she holds dear: Troy. Her daughter. Her life…

The dual timeline book is the second novel in Hidden Secrets Trilogy. The books in the trilogy have to be read in order. All other books in the Carson Brother series are standalone.

Review:

One More Betrayal was an emotional story that wove together the past and the present. This is the second book in the trilogy, and you definitely have to start with One More Secret. From there you start the journey of Jessica in the present, and Angelique in the past. And getting to see how their stories wove together in this book was beautiful!

Troy continues holding me and doesn’t push for me to tell him what’s wrong. He’s the stalwart against all my storms, supporting me when my base crumbles.
I’m not sure what I would do without him.

Jessica’s story started out with a bang, and kept at an intense pace until that last page. Accidents, near death experiences, and more will leave your head spinning. She had so much going on and it’ll keep you turning those pages to see not only what happens next, but to find out if she was okay too. Yet the whole time, my heart broke for Troy. He just wanted to love and help Jessica. So when Jessica took that scary step and did open up, there were still things she kept in the shadows and hidden from him. I understood her struggle with trust, and was thankful she had therapy, good friends, and Bailey in her life. But when she told others things before him, it hurt. I struggled deeply with that, and that made me lose the precarious connection I had with Jessica.

Johann steps out of the barn, his expression winter-storm dark. The pistol grasped in his hand is pointed at me.
“Where the hell are they?” Johann’s tone isn’t just angry.

We also spent chapters in the past with Angelique and Captain Schmidt, Johann. Angelique was a SOE agent during World War II. And Johann was forced to become a soldier for the Nazi’s, and now lived in the same house as Angelique and her ‘father’. This book made me love their story even more, since we got to completely learn about Johann.

The kind and compassionate man before me is a juxtaposition to what his uniform stands for.
“Thank you.” Johann’s voice is a whisper, the words meant only for me.

I loved watching Angelique realize what a good heart Johann had. Watching their trust, friendship, and more bloom was intoxicating. Their romance story was beautiful while also beyond impossible. Johann and Angelique felt like star-crossed lovers. So I treasured the moments they had together. The ball, the barn, the pond, her room. Each time they were together my heart soared. Yet I was terrified of what their future held too.

I’m still alive, so I’m holding on tight to that.

Sweaty palms were a given during both of the story timelines. When Angelique was on one of her missions, I was sick to my stomach and absolutely terrified she would get found out. It was torture reading through the pages watiting to see if she was safe or not. And then with Jessica, there were things I can’t mention that left me horrified and in terror for her and her safety. Both women had so much at stake and stacked on their shoulders. At least for Jessica, I was grateful for all of the times Troy stepped up and helped with a situation. I loved that he always had her back!

And with each kiss, tiny pieces of me the war has stolen are restored.

One More Betrayal had so many twists and turns within both of the stories. And those last few chapters I didn’t see coming. It’ll leave the reader desperately wanting to grab that next book now! So if you enjoy your romance with suspense, a little bit of steam, and one that will keep you on your toes, then this series may be perfect for you!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: One More Secret (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #1, Carson Brothers #2) by Stina Lindenblatt

September 15, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

One More Secret (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #1, )
by Stina Lindenblatt
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A steamy, dual-timeline romance about a survivor of domestic abuse starting her life over in a small town and the protective ex-Marine determined to save her…

After being wrongfully imprisoned for the death of her abusive husband, all Jessica Smithson wants is to start a new life where no one knows her true identity. Maple Ridge is the perfect place to hide from the media circus battling to know who really rid her of the man. A question she can’t answer.

The last thing she expects to find in the small idyllic mountain town is the good-looking and very persistent Troy Carson. From the moment he sees her, the ex-Marine is determined to help Jess with her anxiety attacks and to get to know her better. He’s determined to help her renovate the old house she bought—a house with secrets hidden behind the walls.

Heat simmers and grows between the pair, but Jess can’t risk getting too close to Troy. Can’t risk her own secrets being revealed.

So much is at stake if the truth gets out.

THE CARSON BROTHERS
ONE MORE CHANCE (Lucas & Simone, standalone)
ONE MORE SECRET (Troy & Jessica, book 1 of the Hidden Heart Trilogy)
ONE MORE BETRAYAL (Troy & Jessica, book 2 of the Hidden Heart Trilogy; coming Jan 2024)
ONE MORE TRUTH ((Troy & Jessica, book 3 of the Hidden Heart Trilogy; coming May 2024)

Review:

One More Secret was a small town romance that was filled with new beginnings, struggle and hope. While this is the second book in the Carson Brothers series, you can easily start with this book just like I did! After finishing this I bought One More Chance, so I’m excited to go back and read one of the other brother’s story! One More Secret brimmed with heart, second chances, and was an emotionally gritty and rugged read.

Savannah Townsend was gorgeous. Unforgettable. The two words my husband called me the first time we met.
Jessica Smithson is the one with the scars on her face. The scars the media never found out about.
I’m safe now. They’ll never find me.

With Jessica leaving prison, this story started off with a bang. She had served 5 of her 25 year sentence, since she had been convicted of killing her abusive ex-husband. The glimpses we got of her thinking about the past was beyond heartbreaking and more cruel and frightful than I ever could have imagined. Upon release, she moved to a quiet little town to start her new life. Somewhere that no one would know her, hopefully. The media had swarmed around her story, and she just wanted to disappear. As Jessica slowly started to put roots down, I was so proud of her. She tried to work, while avoiding triggers, and bought a house. But within that house, she found a box filled with items and journals. The journals told the story of Angelique D’Aboville who was a SOE agent in France during World War II. As Jessica and Angelique’s stories unraveled, I saw so many similarities between the two of them. And there came a point where I was just as invested in Angelique’s life and desperately didn’t want to leave my time with her. I had to know what happened next.

He puts his hand gently on my arm. My muscles instinctively tighten under his touch. He’s not my dead husband. He’s not my dead husband. He’s not my dead husband.

Jessica, previously Savannah Townsend, had so many insecurities because of how she was physically and emotionally damaged. Not only from her ex-husband, but also from her time in a maximum-security penitentiary. So each time she took the tiniest step forward, I was so nervous for her. That she would have another PTSD episode. That someone would figure out who she was. That her whole world would get blown up all over again. So I got why she was terrified of everything. I understood why she was so challenging for others to get to know her. And why her walls were higher than almost anyone I have read about. I wanted to connect with her, but it was challenging. Her past wasn’t her fault. Yet it was embedded into every single aspect and moment of her life. Thankfully Troy stepped into her life, and was the hugest of help.

But the effect Troy has on me makes me wonder if I was wrong. Maybe I’m not quite as broken as I believed. Not all my bits were smashed into a million tiny pieces and discarded.
And that’s… that’s kind of a relief. Not that I’m in any rush for that. Not yet.

Troy was someone that was so easy to fall in love with. He was kind, patient and had the most wonderful heart. He noticed signs of Jessica suffering from PTSD, and as someone who lost their friend to the battle of it, he wasn’t going to walk away from her. He tried his best and did everything he could to help her with it. It was beyond amazing the lengths he went to, to help Jessica mentally. And all the while, he tried to be just her friend. Even though he was attracted to her. Yet Troy definitely took some routes that make me nervous for him. And will probably bite him down the road. So I’m thinking all of my happy thoughts for him!

But even after what we just did, I don’t feel any closer to her. There’s still the wall between us.
And I’m not sure how I feel about that.

We also got the story from Troy’s POV, and he had an uphill battle trying to get to know Jessica. This story took place over several months and I loved watching an acquaintance slowly start to turn into a friendship between them. And as more time passed, that friendship started to slowly blossom to more. The length that it took to get there felt realistic to me. But even when Troy and Jessica pushed the limit of their friendship, and that was steamy!, Troy still didn’t feel like he completely knew her. And I understood his sentiment. I felt the same way in regards to being able to connect with her. It took me till about 4/5ths of the way into the story till I made that connection with her. And I’m so grateful I did!

I can’t see him right now as the enemy. He’s just a man who looks as though his own world is caving in on him in a way I hope to never understand.

This book wove two stories together. One of Jessica in the present, and another from the journals that Jessica found about Angelique the SOE agent during World War II. The lengths Angelique would go and risk her life left me terrified. There were moments that were so terrifying that it felt like if she took a breath too big, she could die. Nowhere felt safe and I questioned all of those around her. So by our 4th chapter with her, I was obsessed. I officially didn’t want to leave the past and had to know what happened next in her story. Angelique was so easy to like and connect with. As we got to know those around her, I became obsessed with Schmidt. Yet he was a part of everything she hated and was working against, but I kept holding out hope that there was more to him the meets the eye. I kept my fingers crossed that he would be one of the good guys! So where their story ended left me so excited for that next book! And I’m keeping my fingers crossed that sparks start to fly and that they can be more. The romantic in me just can’t help but wish for that haha.

“Please be okay. Please be okay. Please be okay.” My voice is a shaky whisper, a prayer, a plea.

Suspense wove its way into the end of these two stories, and one scene even made me cry. And that ending?! It was a brutal cliffhanger for both Jessica and Angelique! We’re left mid scene in perilous situations for both of them and I need that next book now please! If you’re looking for a memorable journey that intertwines the past and the present, definitely pick this one up! It brimmed with feelings that were both raw and real. And I’m looking forward to continuing this series!

PS I adored Butterscotch and Bailey! They were the cutest!

PPS There was a festival scene that had me screaming out loud because I was so happy with something Troy did haha!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: A Matter of Temptation (Unforgettable Love #1) by Stacy Reid

August 28, 2023 / Jen / 0 Comments

A Matter of Temptation (Unforgettable Love #1)
by Stacy Reid
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” Crawford is desperate. Having been ruined in the eyes of society years ago for one foolish, starry-eyed mistake, she spends her days secreted away at her family’s crumbling estate, helping her brother manage the land but not able to truly live life the way she’s always dreamed. When her brother admits to just how dire their finances have gotten, she takes it upon herself to procure employment…but the only one who will even consider the scandalous idea of a female secretary is the brilliant, ruthless, and infuriating Earl of Creswick.

Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, needs help if he wants to finally pass the reform bill he’s been championing for years and secure the vote for England’s most vulnerable constituents. Too bad help comes in the form of a woman with breathtaking nerve, fiery red hair, and a sense of humor to match.

Now temptation―disguised as a lovely, clever-mouthed devil―lives and works under Simon’s very roof. And Mina finally feels as though she’s truly living life to her wildest dreams. But even the most incendiary of kisses can’t incinerate Mina’s past…or the shocking secret that could ruin them both.

Review:

A Matter of Temptation was a forced proximity historical romance that was laced with laughter and love! With fabulous banter, a wonderful storyline and characters that were so easy to like, this was another huge win from Stacy Reid. If you’re a fan of historical romance, you definitely need her books in your life!

“Most men would have been appalled.”
“I am not most men.” His quiet voice held a sardonic note. “And allow me to say: you are not most women.”

Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” Crawford felt like she had to right her wrongs from the past. She had eloped, and now she wasn’t able to help her family financially by marrying someone. So watching her fix her twin brother’s issue was so much fun. I absolutely loved how Mina gained employment working for Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick….but I won’t say how. Other than it had me cheering for Mina every step of the way! And from that first meeting, it was glaringly obvious that there were sparks between them! Working with him was already pushing the envelope. Nothing more than that could ever develop between them.

Yet when his gaze met hers, his eyes gleamed with an expression Mina dearly wished she could interpret. A sharp sensation wrenched in the vicinity of her heart and Mina had to quickly look away.

Mina was so easy to love! I loved how bold, quick witted and insightful she was! It was so wonderful watching how passionate she was about her work and I loved seeing how happy she was with what she was able to accomplish. As Mina worked side by side with Simon, she seemed to read him so well. And established the beginnings of a wonderful friendship. So when there was some perilous action within the pages, I loved how it changed the trajectory of Mina and Simon. Not only did it show that she could be brave and fierce, but how Simon reacted will warm readers’ hearts!

He reached out and touched her cheek. “I love laughing with you.”
Such simple words, yet they slammed into her heart with the force of a hammer, for it sounded like he’d never had reason to laugh before.

Simon thought he could maintain distance from Mina, so I loved how he told her not to smile. As if that would work lol. His efforts were futile! Especially when he spent so much time with her, loved how hard she worked, and respected how clever she was. All the while thinking she was too pretty. So from the moment he had the scene with the puppy, I was a goner. Simon made me cry happy tears, he was such a good and kind man. Who also has a dirty mouth too. Yet Simon was to marry someone that went along with his station and reputation. His grandmother even had contenders picked out. And with the work he was doing, his image was everything.

When he kissed her, it was with such aching softness that her chest squeezed.

As they worked together, they couldn’t help falling for the other. Simon tried everything to ignore his need for Mina, but his desire ran too deep for her. So I loved watching them connect and become even more entwined with one another. And some of my favorite moments involved the bucket list. Kissing. Confessions. Gambling. But at the same time, the world was separating them. Because of who they both were and what was expected of them. I wasn’t sure how they could make it work, especially with Mina’s past, but I kept my fingers crossed!

“Don’t you know who I am?”
“The Earl of Creswick,” she whispered.
“I will be the shelter for the storm over our heads, Mina, you need not fear what I might lose. What I know I cannot lose is you.”

A Matter of Temptation was a fabulous, swoon worthy and steamy historical romance! And within these pages there was also politics showing the inequality of social and gender issues back then. I loved how that added to the story. I can’t wait to read whatever Stacy Reid releases next!