Book Review: Silver Bounty (The Royal Rose Chronicles #2) by Victoria McCombs

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 320 pages
Author: Victoria McCombs
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Release Date: January 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

NEVER TRUST A PIRATE

Emme is tasked with getting rid of the king, but kings are not an easy target, and this one is bent on purging his lands of pirates. As Emme’s job becomes increasingly dangerous, she learns to survive the pirate way—cunning and merciless—while consoling herself with one fact: she’s just doing what it takes to get home.

But when Emme mistakenly takes out the wrong man, not even the protective pirate captain can save her from the consequences. In a string of betrayals, one thing is certain. You can never trust a pirate.

SOFTEST PIRATES.

Don’t ask me how I’m smitten with the softest pirates ever, but apparently I’m trying to balance all of the dark and bloody fantasies I’m usually reading.

This was a good middle book that carried the plot well. I liked the direction of the story and that it was multi-POV. The romance is still the sweetest and just makes you smile. There’s some good twists and I was genuinely curious where things were going to go.

I’m definitely interested in the next book and want to know how things conclude. I enjoy these characters and the high seas adventures. You never know quite who’s good and who’s bad.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, loss of life

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Book Review: Winning Winnie’s Hand (Men of the Isles #1) by Deborah M. Hathaway

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 430 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 21st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s no damsel, but dang…this knight in shining armor kinda makes her want to be.

Born into a driven and successful family, Winnie Knox tries—and fails—to impress her parents and siblings as she bounces from career to career, year to year. In a last-ditch effort, Winnie takes on consulting work at a stately home in England, hoping to gain a nice bit of prestige as she improves the massive British estate.

In true Knox Fashion, Winnie dives headfirst into her new position. In true Winnie Fashion, she ends up with her car headfirst…in the mud. But what does she see coming to her rescue? Nothing short of a knight in shining armor.

Literally. A knight in shining armor. On a horse. What century is this again? Well, whatever it is, Winnie doesn’t mind lingering in it if she gets to stare at a man like him all day. This job is going to be a walk in the park.

Of course, nothing is ever as easy as it should be with Winnie as she puts her foot in her mouth and straightaway offends the knight—who just so happens to be someone far more important than the simple thespian he appears to be.

But Winnie Knox is a professional. She can charm anyone.

Can’t she?

This is the first book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this enemies-to-lovers, boss/employee romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order.

TRUE E2L.

One of the hardest tropes I have a hard time finding written well in contemporary romances is enemies to lovers. And this had it. I loved how Winnie and Matthew battle. It was heated and you could already feel the romantic tension between them. What’s even better is I loooved the character arcs for both leads too. The realization that both had been in the wrong and how they worked to apologize and show through their actions that they had been wrong initially.

The festival was a fun additive and I loved seeing all of those aspects too. The English countryside was so charming. I liked the adventures they went on and the little angst filled moments inbetween.

I do think this felt a little long (420 pages for a contemporary is a feat). But that was my only issue. Bless the day when Winnie stood up to her Dad and told him all of the things he had been feeling. I felt as triumphant as her when that moment happened.

This is a sweet book and I will without a doubt be reading the next one!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Forever Reign (The Elementals of Iona #2) by V.B. Lacey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 500 pages
Author: V.B. Lacey
Publisher: Fiction & Fates Press, LLC
Release Date: April 23rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nothing could have prepared Sebastian and the elementals for what occurred on the beaches of Iona three months ago. In the aftermath of loss and betrayal, they’re left to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives, recovering in their separate corners of the world. That is, until the long-lost kingdom invites them back to their shores for a festival of peace.

Isolated to the spirit plane, Isla Vasileia has received a quest from the ancient gods.

Ever since Isla took the magic from the elementals, the balance of nature has been greatly altered. Violent disasters have wreaked havoc across the kingdoms, decimating villages and tearing families apart. To bring the world back into balance, what was taken must somehow be restored.

When Isla finds herself back on the beaches of Iona, she reunites with Bri, Sebastian, and the former elementals, and they are thrust into a world of secrecy, fear, and lies. Danger lurks around every corner, but so does new love and a chance for a happy ending. Isla is once again caught in a game amongst gods, racing against fate and time to save the kingdoms from destruction, forced to make a decision that will change her world forever.

One way or another, the end will come for all.

A GOOD CONCLUSION.

After some mixed feelings with book one, I was hoping this would capture my attention a bit more, and it did! I thought the writing was even better and I fell in love with these characters. I love found family and I love multiple POV and I thought this was handled really well.

The romances had some swoony moments and I liked that there were multiple ones to pay attention to. I loved seeing more of the world and how the elements were coming together to solve the final arc of this story.

I did have a few pacing issues, and I think this lacked some *intensity* for me. It had an epic fantasy feel but put into a shorter series so a few things weren’t quite all the way there.

Minor issues aside, I’m very happy with how this wrapped up. I loved the character arcs, the feels and where everyone ended up. I look forward to more books from Lacey!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: brief attempted sexual assault, recounted sexual assault

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Book Review: The Matrimonial Advertisement (Parish Orphans of Devon #1) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 348 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: September 4th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She Wanted Sanctuary…

Helena Reynolds will do anything to escape her life in London, even if that means traveling to a remote cliffside estate on the North Devon coast and marrying a complete stranger. But Greyfriar’s Abbey isn’t the sort of refuge she imagined. And ex-army captain Justin Thornhill–though he may be tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome–is anything but a romantic hero.

He Needed Redemption…

Justin has spent the last two decades making his fortune, settling scores, and suffering a prolonged period of torture in an Indian prison. Now, he needs someone to smooth the way for him with the villagers. Someone to manage his household–and warm his bed on occasion. What he needs, in short, is a wife and a matrimonial advertisement seems the perfect way to acquire one.

Their marriage was meant to be a business arrangement and nothing more. A dispassionate union free from the entanglements of love and affection. But when Helena’s past threatens, will Justin’s burgeoning feelings for his new bride compel him to come to her rescue? Or will dark secrets of his own force him to let her go?

I’M A SUCKER.

I’ve read quuuite a few Mimi Matthews books now and I will say, she does use some of the same tropes/characters every few books. BUT, I am a sucker for a wounded hero and a woman on the run and quite frankly, it still hasn’t gotten old so HURRAH.

I loved this book. Fantastic chemistry, a bit of suspense and the right level of drama. I adored the connection between Justin and Helena. They were such a match and had me all swoony. I love the protection and communication and working things out even when things got hard.

It’s a fast audio read and had me all up in my romantic feels. Excited to continue this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door (married couple)
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, mentions of asylums and mistreatment, mentions of battles, grief depiction

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