Katherine Lyons: A Secret Elixir

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251005278-a-secret-elixir

Book Blurb:

A Regency Romance with Forbidden Love, Secret Identity, and Bodyguard Protection.

By day, Janelle Caddick is the perfect baron's daughter—elegant, demure, and newly engaged to the powerful Lord Benedict. By night, she becomes Betty Gill, a skilled midwife slipping through London's tenements to deliver babies in places where no respectable lady would go. She's kept her dangerous double life hidden for years, until Major Gabriel Vance is assigned as her bodyguard.

Gabriel is Lord Benedict's right-hand man. When he discovers Janelle sneaking around, he expects scandal. What he finds instead is a woman risking everything to save lives that society has deemed unworthy.

Now Gabriel must choose: destroy Janelle by exposing her secret or protect her from dangers she can’t even see. Worse, the more time he spends guarding her, the harder it becomes to remember she belongs to his closest friend.

As Janelle fights to save mothers and babies, Gabriel fights his growing feelings for a woman he can never have. And Lord Benedict watches them both, hiding secrets of his own—secrets that could either shatter their world or forge something far more extraordinary than any of them dared to imagine.

In Regency London, a lady's reputation is everything. But some secrets are worth protecting... and some loves are worth every risk.

Tropes:

*High Gravity Audio Books ALC *Historical Romance *Fierce/Independant FMC *Body Guard MMC

*Marriage of Convenience *Arranged Marriage  *Secret Identity *Forbidden Love *Forced Proximity

*Class Difference *Love Triangle *spice *multiple POV's

Trigger warnings involved check prior to reading

Thoughts:

Janelle (FMC) from a young age learned to obey her father (the Baron)... all while continuing to do what she wanted in her spare time, as long as she was present and proper at the right times her father never took notice to what she was doing outside of this time and so began her secret work learning as much as she could on how to take care of those in labor first with animals then delivering human babies, her work means the world to her and it's incredibly important that whatever happens she be able to continue her role as Betty Gill the midwife.

Out of the blue Janelle arrives home late from a long night out caring for mother's and finds that her father has arranged a marriage for her with Lord Benedict a man she doesn't even know she is then told that she has to accept as her father already has agreed... at first against this idea since this is a stranger she then learns that her soon to be husband is frequently out of the country for work and can provide her with enough income to continue her work, she'll have time to get to know him prior to their wedding and she might grow to at least like him as a friend during that time.

Unfortunately Janelle has very little time with Lord Benedict but in his place he has sent his best friend and most trusted ally to escort her to events --> Gabriel is incredibly handsome, strong, and protective he is also annoying and far too nosy he has been looking into her life and doesn't approve he knows she's hiding something and he's going to find out what it is and stop this wedding before it's too late!

Naturally tempers flare over the course of Janelle and Gabriel's time together and passion ignites, though time spent together was very unwanted at first... it becomes hard to stay away from each other before too long especially once Gabriel finds out what Janelle's after hours activities are and begins to show up to see how he can help. 

Janelle and Gabriel were easy to like and I found myself wanting them to find a way to be together throughout the whole book just when one of them found a way to make things work something would fall thru making it seem unobtainable again.  

My heart truly went out to our three lead characters in this story all struggling with their own battles:

First we have Janelle who is an aristocrats daughter and because of that is forced to abide by society rules and regulations if word got out she was helping the under class/under priveledged members of the town it would be a true scandal... and that shouldn't be the case, proper medical care should be available to all not just the upper class that can afford it.  

2nd --> Gabriel is the son of a Duke and while you would think that would leave him in a better position than most... it doesn't because his mother worked in a brothel and he was born out of wed lock, this of course is not his fault but he was treated unfairly by everyone including his parents and still to this day his mother talks down to him.  He has gone out of his way to prove to himself and society that he is a man of honor and has shown his skills time and time again in battle and after for the crown.  

Then we have Lord Benedict he never believed that he would be in his current situation forced to marry someone he doesn't want to marry and produce an heir... his older brother passed away and the weight of his family's stress fell onto him.  He knows that he is playing with fire having his employee and closest friend escort his soon to be wife around town but he is a busy and powerful man and he knows that they will get through this together.  He has his own secrets but knows that Janelle has a big secret she doesn't want getting out and this is why she is the only woman that he can marry.

While I did see where the book was going prior to the end of the book I was hoping for a different outcome or at least a better conversation between everyone involved before things went too far, the ending is not your usual historical romance HEA.  This wasn't my favorite in the series but it was heartfelt and different from my usual historical romance choices which made for an interesting read.  

I received this ALC from High Gravity Audio books and the narrators were awesome!  I've loved them throughout the previous 2 books in this series that I listened to as well, I did go from the 2nd book to this 4th book but it can be read as a stand alone so I don't feel I missed out by not getting to the 3rd book in the series quite yet and plan to listen to the 3rd book soon.  

Trigger warnings include multiple physical assaults on Janelle (by her father) on page and mentioned that happened in the past.  Gabriel's mother is very emotionally abusive and allows her workers to treat him poorly as well.  

Have you read this book?/ Series?  What did you think? 

Katherine Lyons: The Truth Serum

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240499038-the-truth-serum

book blurb: 

Lady Rebecca has spent ten years trying to forget the boy who stole her heart—and destroyed her family. Now Lord Nathaniel is back, still recklessly charming and absolutely forbidden. A man who cares for nothing but his own pleasure.

Or so it seems. Beneath Nate’s carefully crafted façade are secrets that could tip the war against Napoleon. Nate is a spy, and he desperately needs Rebecca's help. But can she trust a feckless rake in defiance of their family feud and her brother’s mysterious plans?

When a marriage contract could bind her to a traitor, Rebecca turns to the most dangerous weapon of all—a mysterious truth serum that reveals not just lies, but the most inconvenient desires of the heart. And when the serum goes awry, half-dressed barons and ballroom scandals are the least of Rebecca’s problems.

In a world where trust leads to betrayal, can two childhood sweethearts overcome a decade of deception to save regency England—and each other?

Tropes:

*High Gravity ALC *Historical Romance  *2nd chance for Romance *Enemies --> more

*Forbidden Romance *hidden secrets *Spy/Espionage *Family Feud/Opposing Loyalties

*Scandal *Magical Potion (truth Serum)

Trigger Warnings: Gaslighting, animal Cruelty (mentioned not on page), DV --> some other things check your triggers 

Thoughts:

This story picks up where book one ended, while it can be read as a stand alone read them in order to get an idea of what happened prior to these events (not a problem if you don't it's not hard to catch up).

Lady Rebecca is considered "past her prime" being in her later 20's many of her friends have been married for years and have children... while she's been stuck in the country taking care of her ailing mother or her season has been cut short because her eldest brother is a hermit and doesn't want to leave his home for London and her 2nd eldest brother Fletcher is all about one person's needs... his own he can't be bothered to cart her about to different society functions he has manly things to do.  

When Lady Rebecca arrives to London this time for the season she is determined to at least have a full season before settling on someone she doesn't want to jump into anything she's been burned before and it cost her a lot.

Nate and Rebecca used to spend summers together in secret their family were rivals it started out as a friendship, then young love as they were both teenagers... only things came crashing down badly when Rebecca's father caught them in the hay loft the shock of it led to his early demise... or that's what her family like to tell her that her actions caused this tragedy.  Sadly since this event 10 years prior her family has been treating her as the help and she's tired of it... if only she could get access to the property that is in her dowry and the funds as well then she can live on her own away from everyone and be her own person.

Naturally her older brother Fletcher has other ideas as he introduces her to an odious man with less than proper intentions... now Rebecca just needs to find out what these intentions are, hearing about a shop that provided a love potion that caused the match of a duke his lovely bride to be... Rebecca needs to know what's going on if a love potion can work why not a truth serum?

Nate has been living with the Duke while recovering from an attack and when he finds that Rebecca is visiting with Kynthea (FMC from book 1) he can't help himself he has to see her again he knows that things ended on bad terms but he's always cared for her and he would marry her today if she would have him... upon seeing him she makes it clear that she does not feel the same way.

Rebecca and Nate continue to run into each other at different events and while out in town, it's easy to see early on that both still have feelings for the other but after so many years and all that has happened is it possible to forgive and move on?  Especially when her family would never approve of this match? 

Nate has a reputation as a care free rake but he's more than what people think of him... it's too bad that Rebecca can't see that too.

Once Rebecca uses the truth serum on her target it leads to some big truths the too good to be true man that her brother wants her to pair with is a womanizing brute... but this does make for a funny scene in the garden where the Baron begins to shed his clothes to discuss how impressive he is (he is not)... how can her brother expect her to marry this guy seriously he's the worst.  

This story has truly unlikeable characters that had me rooting for our lead characters to be together and have their happily ever after once and for all... since it was lost to them years ago this is a true second chance. 

There is a mystery as well of who is smuggling items to the enemies... they are at war and this is treason.  Nate who we know works for the government as a spy was already involved but Rebecca soon becomes closer than she ever thought she would be to danger... will they both be able to find who is behind these crimes?  

Both now older and wiser have lived and learned and Rebecca is no longer just willingly going to fall for Nate's charm... he really has to work for it (as he should).  This leads to a push/pull, will they or won't they that lasts a majority of the book especially since we know that her family is against this relationship even years later over some old family feud.

I listened to this as an ALC and the narrators did a beautiful job bringing this story to life!  Looking forward to the next in the series. 

Have you read this one?  what did you think? 

Katherine Lyons: The Love Potion

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231432999-the-love-potion

Book Blurb:

One splash changed everything!

Poor relation Kynthea Petrelli never dreamed she’d have a Season, but she is getting one…even if only as a companion to her younger, wayward cousin Zoe. Though Kynthea loves the girl, keeping up with her wild ideas is difficult, especially when Zoe sets her cap for England’s most eligible bachelor, and decides a love potion is the way to win his heart.

Unfortunately, it isn’t Zoe who trips and spills the potion on the oh-so-perfect Duke of Harle, but Kynthea. And before long, she finds herself the center of a scandal—and unexpectedly, the object of his desire.

As Kynthea’s reputation unravels, the duke can’t resist acting as her unlikely champion. But society expects him to marry for advantage and his mother is demanding a proper alliance. Yet the duke finds himself increasingly bewitched by the one woman he's forbidden to pursue.

It’s an impossible situation. But then, love potions aren’t for the faint of heart….

Tropes:

*High Gravity Productions ALC  *Historical Romance *Duke MMC  *Cozy read

*Companion to cousin FMC *slow burn *Spice *forbidden romance *Protective MMC

*Green Flag MMC 

Thoughts:

I saw this ALC pop up through High Gravity Productions and I jumped on it, I'm a big historical romance fan and this one did not disappoint! 

To start with we have Kynthia (FMC) she is smart, beautiful, mature and kind but due to her current lot in life after her parents passed away and her father left her in a great amount of debt she had no other choice but to ask for help from a relative, thankfully her uncle was willing to take her in as a companion to his daughter (her cousin) Zoe as she comes out in society.

The goal is for Zoe to marry by the end of the season both of her parents are older and want to see her settled... the sooner the better.  The biggest problem being that she is on the younger side of coming out to the ton at 16 and still prone to big dreams and bigger schemes.  She loves horses and is very knowledgeable when it comes to raising them and she knows that the Duke of Harle will fit her needs well he's a lot older... but he has beautiful horses and she knows with her help his stable can be the best in all of England.

Zoe getting an idea from her mother that she can gain Ras's (the Duke's) attention the best way by having a love potion created for him but finds when she goes to have the potion made it's going to be more difficult than she originally thought... no worries she'll come up with something. 

Only the plan gets of track when Kynthea ends up spilling the potion on the Duke instead of Zoe... then quickly ends up in a scandal when the local gossip newspaper prints about Kynthea and the Duke's encounter... What is she going to do now?  This could ruin not just herself but Zoe's chances at a match.

Ras is all about fair play and doesn't like that a gossip column can have such an effect on a bright young lady... in a sea of sharks (the ton) he protects Kynthea and her cousin Zoe from the worst of it but to do that he needs to continue to be seen with both of them.

There is a side story with something going on with Ras's friend (which I beleive will be picked up more in the next book and I'm looking forward to it). 

Zoe is immature (as expected for a 16 year old) and the Duke is fully against any kind of match with her he is far too old for her... and he doesn't want to wed for the size of his stables.  Kynthea while at first focused on helping her cousin get the guy she wants... finds that harder and harder to do once she gets to know Ras and the more she gets to know him she doesn't think she'd be able to handle them being together because she is falling for him.

This story was a sweet romance which starts with our leads building a friendship and it growing towards more, While Kynthea believes that there could only be one way for them to be together Ras knows that will never do and he's a Duke after all shouldn't he be able to have more of a say in who he marries?  

This was a great start to this new series it was funny and heartfelt I'm looking forward to the next in the series and I'm hoping that there is a story for Zoe.  If you enjoy Historical romances like I do don't miss out on this one! 

I was able to receive the ALC for this and narrators Persephone Lee & Christopher Tester did a beautiful job bringing this story to life!  

Chelsea Bobulski: A Deal with a Debutante

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236304632-a-deal-with-a-debutante

book blurb: 

She’s running from London’s marriage mart. He’s running out of time to save his estate. Neither planned on falling in love—but their hearts have other plans.

American heiress Calliope Hart is thrust into London’s high society against her will, all because her mother is determined to marry her off to an aristocrat. Despite being named “the debutante of the season” back in New York, Calliope wants nothing more than to avoid becoming another pawn in the social game.

Edward Chase, the Earl of Hayward, is on the brink of financial ruin. To save his estate, he must marry, and Calliope Hart is his last hope. When he boldly declares his intentions, she swiftly rejects him, making it clear she has no interest in marrying for convenience. Undeterred, Edward offers a deal: He will escort Calliope to all the best sights of London that she’s been dying to see if she agrees to visit his estate and consider what they could accomplish together.

What begins as a business arrangement soon sparks something much more complicated—an undeniable chemistry neither can ignore. But as their hearts begin to soften, both must confront their fears: Can Calliope trust Edward with her heart, and can Edward truly win her love when she’s convinced he only wants her fortune?

*Netgalley ALC 11/12  *Historical Romance  *Strangers to more  *Enemies (kind of) to more

*American Heiress x Earl down on his luck *Estate in shambles *outspoken FMC  

*he falls first  *no spice romance  *Edwardian *suggested Marriage of convenience *banter

*insta love (story is over a short time) *some no communication at times

Thoughts:

Calliope Hart is an American Heiress who was dragged to England by her mother on the hunt for a titled husband against her wishes she is thrust on society after having lessons in high society etiquette along with some other American Heiress friends.  While Calliope would love nothing more than to return to New York and continue her writing on older buildings and restoration projects her pushy mother continues to bring her to events.

Edward Chase (Earl of Hayward) has a large estate that many depend on but unfortunately for him his father made poor financial decisions and he owes more to creditors on the daily... he and his mother are both aware of the state of their finances and that the only thing at this point that will save them from a financial collapse is marrying a wealthy woman... in comes his latest plan to find the wealthiest heiress at the party his mother has thrown in order for him to find a bride and just ask for a marriage of convenience.

Calliope knows that she is being looked at not for who she is but for the wealth she can provide to these impoverished lords... and yet many are still snubbing her due to being nouveau riche... well she doesn't want to be with them anyways.  Meeting the Earl of Hayward at his ball they get off on the wrong foot when he asks for a marriage of convenience with no possibility of anything more between them... he feels he is just being honest and straight forward with his intentions he needs a big influx of money that their marriage can provide and he can provide her with the title that she is looking for (only he doesn't realize that it's her mother that cares about the title... not her).  

After Edward is swiftly rejected he makes an apology tour returning to London to find Calliope and make up for his poor behavior.  He agrees to play a bit of a tour guide to Calliope and take her to all of the sites she wants to go to in exchange for her to agree to give him a chance at showing her his home and thinking of his marriage proposal before rejecting him out right again.  

This was a cute enemies (kind of) to more story, there is no spice (just some passionate kisses) and some witty banter at times.  It was sweet seeing Edward and Calliope get closer together as the story progresses, I also enjoyed Edward's quirky family and Calliope's outspoken friends.  

I did struggle at times with the internal monologue on both sides about how they were starting to have feelings but know for a fact the other one would never have feelings for them... natually neither one of them are sharing their growing feelings with the other one for a good portion of the story (no communication).  

This was a lower stakes, lower drama story for the most part.  The FMC begins waffling towards the middle of the story when she is back and forth on her decision multiple times... girl make a decision!  

This was a sweet cozy read/listen the narrator did a great job with the accents swapping back and forth between English, American and even some Scottish accents.  If you are looking for a light easy read you might enjoy checking this one out.  I'm hoping this becomes a series would like to see if Calliope's friends get their happy ending.  

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this ALC!  

Wendy LaCapra: The Duke's Dearest Dilemma

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250150959-the-duke-s-dearest-dilemma
 

Willful Wainwrights 

Book Blurb:

A devastated bride. A broken-hearted groom. A marriage of convenience that changes everything.

When the Duke of Harbury swept sweet, mild-mannered Cassandra Wainwright into a scandalous waltz at Almack's, he only wished to mask a much older heartbreak from the ton’s prying eyes. But his rash act didn’t just destroy Cassandra’s future, it threatened the security of her four orphaned sisters. Honor-bound, he accepts her proposed marriage of convenience, while internally vowing to protect his shattered heart.

Marriage’s stark intimacy strips away Cassie's gentle façade, revealing a fiery soul neither she nor Harbury expected. At the same time, his small gestures of consideration and irresistible kisses reveal a devastatingly captivating man beneath his reserved exterior. And so, Cassie finds herself trapped between her newly awakened fury and her deepening desire as estate troubles mount, unearthing secrets that threaten their tentative bond.

Now, to save all they hold dear, Harbury and Cassandra must decide how much of their guarded hearts they are willing to risk.

*Netgalley ARC 2026  *Marriage of Convenience  *Scandal  *Slow burn *Guarded hearts  

*Feisty FMC  *Honor-Bound Duke  *Protective Hero *Growing into love after marriage 

*Broken heart  *Spice  *hidden secrets  *pining (MMC)  *historical romance  *mystery 

Thoughts:

I requested this book from Netgalley after reading the blurb, while it can be read as a stand alone I think I would recommend reading the story about our FMC's sister first as there are references to what happened throughout this book and since I hadn't read it I felt at times I was missing something with this story.  I do plan to read her sister's story it is in the Lyon's Den Series --> Marked as the Lyon's Marchioness.

The Duke of Harbury and Cassie end up in a marriage of convenience after a potentially scandalous situation occurs at a ball they were at together.  Cassie has been in the past very sweet and mild mannered and even though she was the one to suggest this marriage and how it would be in name only to protect her sisters from being targeted and losing their position in society, our heart broken Duke is willing to go along with it he was the root cause of the scandal and he's an honorable man.

The Duke is holding onto a past love he at one point thought he would wed another Lady (who happened to be his sister's governess)... but she has married another man... twice and he still finds himself pining over her... how could he possibly love anyone else when another holds his heart.

Cassie and The Duke (Edward) quickly find themselves being drawn to each other... Cassie feeling that things are one sided goes through various emotions as she navigates this new life as the Duchess with her husband who she already has feelings for but knows he still is in emotional turmoil over his former love.

I really enjoyed seeing Edward figure out that the closer he got to his wife and the more they spent time together even discussing estate matters together that maybe what he felt for the governmess was not love at all... but a mere young mans infatuation.  

There are some shady things going on with the estate manager and his dealings with the tenants, anonymous letters that don't make much sense and hidden rooms with missing items... leading to a bit of a mystery going on.  

When secrets are revealed as they usually are at the worst possible time... will it be too late for Edward to tell Cassie that feelings towards anyone else are in the past because she is his future?  

This was a sweet story of two people maybe a little bit broken from their past coming together and learning how to trust and love again.  

Thank you Netgalley, the author and dragonsblade for this early release copy.  

Sabrina Jeffries: Nearly a Bride

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239433326-nearly-a-bride

book blurb:

In this captivating new historical romance brimming with seductive twists and irresistible wit, an English nobleman is finally free from exile—but can his heart still be captured?

After more than a decade separated from his home and family, the Earl of Heathbrook returns to his London townhouse to face a new test: reclaiming guardianship of his younger brothers. His reputation as a rakehell, it seems, has followed him from detention inside Napoleon’s France and caused his own father to block Heathbrook’s rightful custody in his will. However, the clever rogue concocts a plan to restore respectability and rescue his siblings . . . by finding a “fiancée” with no strings attached.

Giselle Bernard is not looking to wed an earl with a wild past. All she seeks is a connected nobleman who can legally secure her new life in England and head off a mysterious stranger’s threats. Posing as Heathbrook’s bride-to-be would surely benefit them both. But as revelations come to light—the ill-fated young affair that left Heathbrook embittered, and the mademoiselle’s own guarded secrets—their engagement charade may unexpectedly blossom into a promise to love, honor, and cherish . . .

Tropes:  *Historical Romance *Fake engagement/fiance  *Rake  *spice  *Virgin FMC  

*opposites attract  *HEA  

*netgalley ALC 7/12  *family drama *family secrets

Thoughts:

The Earl of Heathbrook returns to London after a lengthy time abroad (Prisoner of war) after being held in France with his father during the war (Napolean) during that time he met Giselle Bernard and they developed a friendship that at one point both sides hoped could be more but their relationship was halted before it even began.  Coming home his father had passed away and his mother is gone too now his byounger brothers are in the custody of his mother's cousin.  

Now both older and not otherwise engaged Giselle (FMC) finds herself in need of help from her friend the Earl, her mother and herself are in the country without valid papers and someone is snooping around trying to out them for being in the country illegally and she goes to the Earl for help gaining legitimate paperwork to stay in England.  The Earl uses this as the moment to ask for a favor of his own he is in a court battle with his mother's cousin over who can be the guardian to his three younger brothers their father in his will did not give him custody and while he doesn't fully understand why he's going to do everything he can so they can come live with him... even if that means coming up wtih a skeme that involves a fake fiance.

The Earl has a known history of being a Rake and even though that was ancient history many still believe the stories and he knows that the courts won't look kindly on him if he is living a bachelor's lifestyle parading different women into his bedroom... he needs Giselle as much as she needs him at this point.  

What starts off as a friends with benefits (the benefits being what they can help each other obtain) leads to more since they have been attracted to each other but holding back for years... and when they finally come together it's fireworks.  

I obtained this ALC from Netgalley and I requested it not realizing it was the second in the series, while I think that it may have been intended to be a stand alone I would recommend reading this series in order if you are interested in this series so you don't run itno the same problems I came across. I feel that the narrator did a lovely job and I appreciated that she was able to do so many accents along with both male and female parts.

I struggled to get into this book to be honest, it was kind of boring at times with all the discussions about past events which I hadn't read about previously and it felt like maybe a lot of their previous relationship had taken place "off the pages" since I didn't know how much of their relationship was shared in the first book, the story frequently brings up the past and was somewhat repetitive at times with having the characters think something then discuss it with someone moments later.

The story discusses frequently our Earl's tendency to be a Rake but from evidence this was all in the past prior to him being a prisoner of war not current behaviors. The reasons why his father didn't want him to have custody of the younger brothers becomes more clear over the course of the book but is really based on the fact that a 16 year old boy is irresponsible... who knew that 16 year olds wouldn't be mature enough to be in charge of younger children full time?

There is a secret that comes out towards the end of the book that doesn't really add anything to the story and would only for the time period cause issues for those involved so I was confused as to why it was resolved the way it was.

I did end up appreciating how Heath and Giselle worked together and cared for each other and the brothers but I didn't ever feel the true build up of feelings it was kind of like they are friends pretending to be engaged to each other to more which led to more insta love. I do enjoy a happily ever after though.

I also felt that there were at times too many things going on with the plot that were weaving in and out of the story but the things that I thought would be the main plots were set aside to only be brought up sporadically a few times later in the story and then dropped or resolved in a few short paragraphs.

Overall this book was just ok for me, I might check out more of the series at some point to see if the other issues ever get resolved and to maybe have a better understanding of what happened in France.

Lenora Bell: Can't Get Enough of The Duke

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199820367-can-t-get-enough-of-the-duke

War hero Deckard Payne, Duke of Warburton, made a battlefield promise to become guardian to orphan Analise Crewe. He certainly didn’t agree to marry the girl! But that’s exactly what happens when he’s forced to wed her to save her honor.   

The last thing Analise wants is a loveless marriage to a broodingly handsome duke who lives in a gloomy castle and keeps his doors—and his heart—tightly locked. He’s determined to keep her at arm’s length—but she’s not easily deterred when there’s a tough case to crack. 

Warburton never wanted a wife. Especially an inquisitive and far-too-pretty whirlwind who upends his regimented life. Her sunny, winning ways charm everyone she meets and soon she’s unearthing buried secrets, plotting love matches, and shining light into even the darkest of hearts…his own. 

*Historical Romance  *Age Gap  *Grumpy/Sunshine  *Duke  *Scarred war hero  *forbidden romance *Spice  *Secrets  *musical retelling (Annie) *no communication *young/naive FMC *Marriage of convenience  *Netgalley ALC 5/12 *PTSD (MMC)

Thoughts:

Deckard Payne, The Duke of Warburton has been through it he has been to war and returned to England and society after a nasty injury that scarred his handsome face (don't worry he's still handsome) and on the hunt for Analise Crewe his new ward, he made a promise to one of his men on the battlefield that he would see his daughter safe and settled... and he intends to honor that promise... only when he returns home she is more difficult to locate than he initially thought she would be.

Analise had been the companion to a popular author however after she passed away and the ladies nephew who inherited his aunts estates took over he also felt that Ana should be part of his inheritance... not likely.  Fleeing in the middle of the night with not much she ends up at a boarding house in a less than reputable part of London, she's going to make a living off of her writing she knows it she just has to make the editor see how fabulous her story is... only when she gets there he is less than thrilled and would rather see her write a story in the series from her late author friend which she can do as her friend dictated the plot to her before she passed... Another problem is that Ana can't seem to keep her mouth closed and told the editor she had a noble fiance, naturally she has no one but that's something to worry about another day.

Ana is short on funds and about to be thrown out of her boarding house if she can't find a way to make some money soon... thankfully Dec finds her just in time, only she thinks he's there for an entirely different reason and tries to fight him off.  Once that ordeal is resolved she goes willingly to her new home where she has to start lessons on how to be a lady but that isn't for her she'll never be fit for polite society.  After a bit of a potential scandal leads to a marriage of convenience between our couple their roles change from ward/guardian to husband and wife pretty quickly. 

As for our couple.  I liked Dec he was a grumpy/brooding, handsome former rake with a lot of lived experience and had PTSD after returning from war at 35 he had been through a lot and it showed with how he presented himself.  Ana... I'm going to be honest she really frustrated me she was 18 but acted like an immature much younger teenager still, if she was told no she didn't take no for an answer she dug in and did things anyway even when told multiple reasons why something could potentially be dangerous the behaviors could lead to potential harm coming to herself and others.  

I just never fully believed that grumpy old Dec and naive Ana could... or even should be in a relationship with how she acted throughout the book.  I'm not opposed to age/gap tropes but this one just felt odd due to the immaturity gap of our FMC and MMC.   

There really wasn't much character growth for our FMC she remained to seem young and naive even though she had lived on her own for a time prior to becoming the Dukes Ward/fiance/wife and that left me pretty frustrated with her throughout.  Dec on the other hand has multiple secrets he's a good guy at heart but doesn't feel worthy of love and doesn't feel he can open his heart to others since he's emotionally damaged from the war and all of his previous losses.

I felt the pacing was kind of off for the story as you could see the feelings grow one sided from her while he remained closed off until an event happens when he realizes his feelings... this seems more rushed at the end and didn't feel natural.  I actually didn't know that it was an Annie retelling until I read some of the other comments but there are similarities... but Daddy Warburton should have picked a more mature woman.  

This one was just ok for me, I might check out the other books in the series to see if the musical turned historical romance worked better.  

Thank you to netgalley and the author for this early listen copy.  

Lauren Smith: The Scoundrel of Drury Lane

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/168506582-the-scoundrel-of-drury-lane

book blurb:

He was falsely accused and sentenced to die...

At nineteen, Christopher "Kit" Hollingsworth is spared the noose but sentenced to serve seven years in Australia as a convict. The men who betrayed him have plans to make sure he never returns to England. But Kit's strong will and thirst for vengeance ensure his survival.

Seven long years later, he returns to London but he's forever changed. Gone is the innocent, handsome young lad he'd been. Now Kit is a towering, muscular man of twenty-six with scars inside and out. He wants England to see the new him, the man who lost his soul, and he wants the three men who destroyed his life to forfeit theirs. The only light in his dark night is a beautiful, innocent young woman who paints the sets at the Drury Lane theater. There's just one problem...she's the daughter of one of the men who sent him to prison.

*Historical Romance *handsome lord  *plans for revenge *Lord x Painter FMC  *class differences

*some spice  *gruff MMC learning to feel again  *found family *loss of parents (in past) 

*Book sirens ARC 2026  *false imprisonment  *

*Trigger warnings (Harsh treatment while MMC was in penal colony leading to scars)

Thoughts:

I picked this one up without reading the previous books this is both the 7th book in the Scandals and Scoundrels of Drury Lane series (various authors) and the first book in this authors own series.  

To start with Christopher "Kit" Hollingsworth is a young and handsome lord's son but he is also on the naive side and ends up getting involved in a shady business deal with 2 other people as part of a shipping company unfortunately for Kit the other two work together to frame him for a crime he didn't commit and a "witness" gives false testimony against him sealing his fate thankfully his father is able to save him from a death sentence but it is reduced to 7 years in the penal colony of Australia where he has to regularly fight for his life and is overworked and often attacked. 

Seven years later Kit is no longer the young man full of visions of joy for his future but a solidly built man who has had a hard life but has come through these tough times stronger... and focused on revenge against the 3 men who had him falsely accused and sent away.

Upon returning home he learns that his father (the Earl of Kentwell) has passed away and he now newly back to town has to assume the role as the new Earl all while trying to navigate his life returning to normal... but it will never be truly normal it is just his new normal.  Thankfully he has several loyal friends who stood by him knowing he was wrongly accused and helped his father while he was away and to secure that the title of Earl would still be there waiting for him when they knew he would return.

Seeking his friends help to find out where the 3 men are located and form a plan of action as to how he is going to bring down his enemies he finds that one of the men has already passed away (the witness) but his daughter works at a local theater at first thinking she's an actress he goes to make inquiries only to find out she is a set painter and has to change tactics enticing her to come to his home to do his "returning home" portrait he is determined to know what she knows of her father's involvement in the plot to get rid of him and if she is living off of the wealth that he got from turning against him.

Only when he meets her he is instantly entranced by her beauty and kindness, she lives like a pauper so is she hiding the money or did she just never have any to begin with?  Early on Suzannah finds out who Kit is but agrees to continue to come to his home to do his portrait... we at first don't know if Kit plans to enact revenge on Suzannah or not as he is still set on revenge but she is starting to crack through his armor and bring out a softer side he hasn't seen in himself in years. 

The longer Kit and Suzannah spend together the more Kit's anger and emotional turmoil settles down he hasn't felt love in a long time but is this what he feels for Suzannah?  The story is somewhat repetitive in places and loses focus on the revenge plot that was a primary focus in the beginning somewhere around the middle but picks back up when Kit is now not only worried about his enemies finding him but what would happen now if they find out that he has more than himself to care about?

This was a sweet love story and I enjoyed watching Kit come back to life and find a new purpose the longer he spent with Suzannah.  The issues are all tied up by the end of the book I just wish this part had a bit longer to build it seemed to be done with and tidied up pretty quickly.  

I did have a somewhat difficult time keeping track of some of Kit's friends as they were introduced throughout and kind of all together during parts of the book so I was like "who is that again?"  I'm sure they will get easier to remember throughout the rest of the series I plan to read the next one in the series at some point.

I like how the epilogue leads into the beginning for the next book in the series it was a fun way to introduce our next FMC.  

Have you read this book?  Have you read any other books in this series what did you think?

RJ Steele: The Rake Who got turned into a Garden Gnome

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247760444-the-rake-who-got-turned-into-a-garden-gnome

Book Blurb:

When spirited Claire Chiswick first encounters Matthew, he’s no charming gentleman. He’s a sharp-tongued gnome with a chip on his tiny shoulder. Once a notorious rake who broke too many hearts, Matthew was cursed by a witch and has been stuck in his miniature form for years. There's only one way to break the he must make a lady fall in hate with him.

What begins as an unlikely friendship, fueled by banter and barbed remarks, slowly blossoms into something neither of them expected. Beneath Matthew’s grumpy exterior, Claire glimpses a man worth caring for... even if he insists on hiding behind sarcasm and stubbornness.

*Enemies --> More  *no spice  *historical romance  *handsome Rake  *novella *rom-com  *no spice *close proximity *insta love *Indie author

Thoughts: 

Claire is returning to the city for the season with her parents her mother is complaining about her spinster status and even though Claire knows that one of her mother's goals is to get her married this season she's tired of all the guys she meets in the ball rooms who fall at her feet with praises and who knows if they are even telling the truth... what she needs is someone who wants to be real with her... while she was hoping for a charming noblemen what she finds is a garden gnome.

Matthew was once a handsome rake he could get any woman he wanted and frequently did... until he crosses the wrong one and he gets cursed he has now been stuck in this small form for several years with no luck reversing this and getting his regular body back... knowing he needs to get Claire to dispise him he gets to work right away.

This book was just what I wanted for a title like this it was funny and charming, I did feel that maybe some of the barbed remarks were too mean and I actually would actually would have liked for this to be a longer read.  But it was cute and I read it in about an hour.  

Kathleen Ayers: Despite the Duke

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247552478

Alexander the Duke of Roxboro has a tragic history his father was attacked and left to die in the street with his mother on the run she is desperate for help, in an unknown (to her) area of the city (London) and very pregnant the ones that attacked her carriage and her husband are still after her but she manages to get to the midwife's home sadly she dies shortly after giving birth. ... there are some other things that happen here but don't want to give away more of this part of the story. 

Many years later our Duke is all grown up after being raised by his Uncle (father's younger brother) and he is known around for being a notorious Rake very handsome and has taken advantage of this on many occasions he is also known to drink in excess and gamble too much... thankfully he can afford it... his life is about to change drastically and he doesn't even remember what happened.

While out on the town with his best friend they go to many places but the night gets murkier as he has had too much to drink (again) and when he wakes up with a pounding headache in his own bed he is surprised to hear his Uncle is at his home along with a Lord Canterbell and his daughter (not even the beautiful one) they are after one thing... they want him to do the right thing after compromising her the night before in the gardens of the ball he has no recollection of even attending... or did he?  

Sophia has no filter she often speaks before thinking and has no desire to placate or bow to a man...even a Duke she has had enough of being compared to and found lacking when her older, beautiful, perfect sister is present and she is tired of parading around Ton events when she is well aware she isn't up to par with many other ladies her age... and even though she knows it's too good to be true she's had a few glasses of wine to get through the night she finds herself flattered when the Duke of Roxboro approaches her and leads her out to the gardens... very much alone only now other people have seen them together they shared a very unmemorable sloppy kiss and he deserted her after whispering sweetly about wanting to court her properly then just ditched her and there is gossip about her scheming to be a Duchess... now in the light of day he is claiming it wasn't him! The Audacity!...  In fact she would rather join a convent then marry this rogue.  

Our couple exchanges barbs all the while actually getting to know each other better and now being thrown together (whether they like it or not) since the Duke's Uncle has political aspirations and Sophia's father is high up in Parlament their wedding continues.  

Alexander is still foggy on that night but knows that he wouldn't attend that ball the lady hosting it hates him... this can all be cleared up when his friend returns he will help him remember the night only he hasn't left any word as to where he's gone.  Sophia now getting closer to the Duke than ever before notices that there are several differences in this man versus the man who led her into temptation in the garden... but if it wasn't Alexander... who was it?  Who would impersonate a Duke?

Classic enemies to more where they both can't stand each other and you watch the couple have a battle of wits and come to find that maybe they don't hate each other as much as they once thought... could this be in fact love?  When Alex finds himself on death's door the person who is there for him is the one he wanted to kick to the curb just recently.  Sophia can't let Alex die... she needs to tell him all the reasons she can't stand him the leading reason at this point being that maybe she can't live without him.

  *Netgalley *Arc read *enemies à More *Forced marriage *Rake  *Strong FMC

*mistaken identity *historical Romance *spice *slow burn *handsome Duke  *scandal 

*Ends on a Cliffhanger

Likes: 

Classic enemies to more where they both can't stand each other and you watch the couple have a battle of wits and come to find that maybe they don't hate each other as much as they once thought... could this be in fact love?  When Alex finds himself on death's door the person who is there for him is the one he wanted to kick to the curb just recently.  Sophia can't let Alex die... she needs to tell him all the reasons she can't stand him the leading reason at this point being that maybe she can't live without him.

I loved seeing Alex and Sophia turn softer towards each other once they let their guards down their passion was fireworks.  Sophia broke out of her shell of feeling insecure around her sister with her mother always putting her down and her steady, calm, intelligent nature served her well in an emergency situation.  She was a perfect match for the brooding, galavanting Duke and in turn he actually wanted to be a better person for her.  

Great start to this new series and I look forward to the next book.   

Dislikes:

I enjoyed the banter between our couple but did find some of it to be over the line and more into bullying and it happened maybe too frequently throughout the book I would have liked more of a getting to know you period for the couple and if there had been more time spent on the actual mystery of who was impersonating the Duke and what was going on with other shady dealings throughout the book.  But understand that we will likely get the remainder of this information in future books from this series.

Sandra Sookoo: Of Dukes and Forbidden Words

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243838816-of-dukes-and-forbidden-words

Barrington Combes-Mead Duke of Scarbourough finds an ancient Egyptian book while doing renovations to his townhouse, with his children grown and out of the house (unable to return due to poor road conditions) and being a widower around the Christmas holiday perhaps this is just the distraction he needs from feeling so alone during the holidays.

Barr wants to have the book translated before he decides whether to keep it for his personal collection or selling it.  The book is a bit on the erotic side (with pictures) and while at the library to find a translator he runs into Catherine Pickwick daughter of a professor she is used to research and has a love for ancient Egyptian culture... this just might be exactly who he needs to translate this book.

Cate agrees to work on the translation of the book and very soon after the couple falls into some extracurricular activities, Barr doesn't know what's gotten into him he hasn't been this enthusiastic about anything in quite some time she has brought some joy back to his life.  But when a possible curse attached to this ancient book begins to cause some "accidents" will he need to get rid of the book before it's translated?  When he does will he still be able to see his sweet librarian?  

Cate knows far too well from her previous relationships not to expect too much to come of this relationship either... if you could even call it that, he's a powerful Duke and she's a librarian not of nobility he couldn't possibly see her as anything more... or could he?

*Historical romance  *forbidden attraction  *class difference  *Handsome duke  *spice 

*MMC in 40's, FMC in late 30's  *ARC Read *Netgalley  *insta lust/love  *cozy read  *Spinster

Thoughts on this book:  likeable lead characters and side characters I really liked that our Handsome Duke was humble and kind towards his staff considering them friends and inviting them to his holiday festivities, and I liked that our leads were both a bit older than the usual historical romance couples.  This was a cute cozy quick read for me.  

Dislike:  While I wasn't expecting a literary masterpiece I do generally like more of a story to go along with my books, this book had so much spice (and it was a shorter book to begin with) that I found myself scrolling through pages to get back to some actual plot that didn't involve some form of disrobement... I just didn't feel that they knew each other well enough for things to progress so quickly.

Alexandra Vasti: The Halifax Hellions

 ARC read from Netgalley: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231127275-the-halifax-hellions

The Book is divided into two sections the first half of the story is called:  "In Which Margo Earns Her Shocking Reputation" where the story focuses on one twin (Margo) and how she feels that she did something terrible (even for her since she is considered to be a hoyden by society standards and her and her sister are constantly getting into mischief).  Margo feels that she pushed her twin sister Matilda into running off and eloping with an older man and wants to stop her from making a huge mistake.

Margo will go on her own if she has to but her older brother is out of town and even if he wasn't she doesn't want to worry their brother... she can handle this... She enlists his best friend Henry (a lawyer) who has been not so secretly in love with Margo since the moment he saw her tying a cherry stem in a knot ages ago (pretty much everyone can see that he's got hearts in his eyes for her but Margo).  

When Margo shows up at Henry's home by herself in the middle of the night and he sends her away he knows that it's the wrong move because he can't have the woman he's loved forever going on this mission by herself any number of things could happen to her... at least if he's with her he can protect her.  But is this a fools errand Matilda and her husband to be could already be well on their way to Scotland by now and who knows if they will even catch them.

Margo finds herself noticing things about Henry she's never noticed before on their trip together and when their carriage breaks down and they have to stay together in a cottage alone their relationship could change forever... When they catch up with Matilda will Margo's budding relationship with Henry end?  

Thoughts on this half of the book: It was just ok for me, there was heavier spice and not really as much of a story everything happened too quick and I felt that there could have been more done with the friends-> more, Brothers best friend trope than what happened especially since he's been in love with her forever.  The story weaves into Matilda's story at the end and when they catch up Margo has a moment of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.  I thought Henry was really sweet and maybe just the right guy to help settle Margo's wild ways.  Since this couple have known each other so long it was more like an insta lust/instalove situation since our guy was already in love.  I'm not sure how historically accurate it was but it was a quick entertaining read. 

Tropes:  *Twin Sisters  *Brother's Best Friend *solicitor MMC  *difference in social status

*novella *she's more experienced *FMC Fierce, independent and feisty *instalust/instalove

2nd Half:  In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint:

Christian (6th Marquess of Ashford) has a bad reputation there have been rumors of many things including whispers that he was responsible for his wife's death... he has not killed anyone, there are also rumors of his habits in the bedroom which have reached the attention of one of the Halifax hellions... Matilda.

Matilda is secretly an artist for a scandalous publication and when our leads meet it's because it has come to the attention of the Marquess that his likeness has been displayed in these crude manuals he is less than thrilled he has been trying to clean up his reputation mainly by staying far away from the ton and society events to give time for his reputation to get back in order he doesn't need this on top of the other rumors he is responsible for his younger sister and she is to make her come out soon these set backs are a disaster... and now her painting instructor has run off because she is not willing to be around him and his poor reputation.

Matilda has been admiring Christian from afar for awhile now and maybe her artwork did go towards his likeness... but she left things vague so that no one could really know for sure if it was supposed to be him... except for now that it's published some extra details have been added to the artwork to make it unmistakable for Ashford and when he confronts her about his situation with his sister needing a painting instructor she decides to step in to help... he wants nothing to do with this plan for her to step in as his sisters painting instructor only she is persuasive and he just can't stop thinking about her how did she so quickly get into his every thought?  

Soon they are on their way to his estate far away from London and her life there she leaves a letter to her sister saying they are eloping (which they aren't but she didn't want them followed)... over their trip it becomes harder for them to deny their growing feelings towards each other but our MMC is showing restraint he doesn't want to have a repeat of his first marriage and he is kind of upset that he already likes Matilda so much... but what will happen when they reach their destination? 

Thoughts on this book:  I enjoyed this book more than Margo's half I did appreciate the brief overlap so from the first to second half of the book so you could see things from Matilda's side.  I felt that this story since it was longer had more time to develop naturally.  There is less spice in this book and while there is discussions about Ashford's bedroom activities they are relatively tame with less spice than the first half of the book.  

Matilda is another independent, fierce FMC and Ashford met his match!  This book had that tension where you want them to just get together already -->  SLOW BURN.  To keep with the first half I'm not sure how historically accurate this was but it was a cute, quick read.  

Tropes:  age gap (older MMC); Twin sister; artist (FMC); protective MMC; novella; historical romance; fake relationship/elopement; grumpy MMC; one bed due to an unfortunate situation with a dirty stray cat and a bathtub ; slow burn; strangers -> more; banter; enemies à more; Vegetarian FMC 

Consensual bdsm (nothing extremely graphic, spanking, some restraint, etc), references to past sexual assault, infidelity and death of spouse

Have you read anything by this author?  Have you read these books?  What did you think?

Wendy Vella: The Honorable Rogue

 

The Notorious Nightingales book #5

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/229096572-the-honorable-rogue

Charles Thomas (MMC) is cousin to the Nightingales from the previous books while you don't have to read them in order other characters make appearances in each book so you'll have more of a back story if you do read the series in order.  What I also enjoy about Wendy's books is that several of her series have characters crossing over so it's like revisiting an old friend when I read the next book!

Charles is a clairvoyant along with his sister and cousins he has the ability to hear people's thoughts he has learned to control and block this out but it does come in handy at times during one of these times he ends up comforting a woman in need she has recently lost her fiancé in a tragic accident the interaction is brief but it makes a lasting impression on him and also her (Violet our FMC).

After some time has passed our couple ends up meeting again after leaving a book shop where Charles has purchased some gifts and also an older Russian book, he can't read it but the mysterious woman he met all that time ago said one of her goals was to learn Russian he wonders if she ever did learn.  Violet out shopping ends up getting her belongings stolen by street boys loses something very important to her a list of goals made by her fiancé even though it's been several years now she can't bring herself to get involved with another man... even though her mother is pushing for a match at this point with any titled man.  Charles gives chase and ends up injured Violet helps escort him home then begins a hidden friendship with Charles because her mother wouldn't approve.

The couple find themselves in the middle of a mystery when they find out that a wealthy man hid his fortune placed clues inside several of his Russian books then had them distributed to different bookstores across London in order to find the treasure all the clues must be collected and there are people out there who will stop at nothing to get these clues even if it involves stealing every Russian book, sneaking into wealthy members of societies studies to search for these books or even abducting people.  

When Charles finds that one of these hidden clues is in the old Russian book that he picked up he enlists Violet's help to translate but it turns out to be harder to get this to her when her mother starts to tighten up her being able to move as freely she does need to keep herself presentable to become a wife after all she has a list of eligible men... and Mr. Thomas isn't one of them.  

When nefarious individuals realize that Charles and Violet may have a piece of the puzzle they need they find themselves in real danger and Charles at this point will keep Violet safe he needs to protect her, could she possibly feel the same way towards him or will she always be in love with her lost love?  Could there be a future where they are together?  Where is the fortune?  Are they really closer than they even realized? 

I really enjoy Wendy's books they are a bit similar in some ways where you can always expect someone to be abducted and one or many of our other characters to find them.  Her books always have moments of humor and coming back to her books is always like coming back to a big welcoming family and I always put the next book on my TBR when I see one is coming out soon! 

I love the side characters family members and neighbors of their street they are so quirky and fun in a great way!  I can't wait for Mungo's story. 

*Historical romance  *strangers --> more  *clairvoyant MMC *big loving family *no spice just kisses

*mystery *paranormal *humor