ARC Book Review A Noble Scheme (The Imposters #2) by Roseanna M. White

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House Fiction
Release Date: March 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Gemma Parks is known throughout high society as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talent to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the elite firm’s members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren’t for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his soul in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma not only to restore the missing boy, but also to win back the only woman he’s ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham must devise a noble scheme to save the boy’s life and heal their hearts.

Christy Award-winning author Roseanna M. White whisks you away to Edwardian-era England in an exhilarating tale of glamor, intrigue, and romance set among high society’s most elite–and most dangerous–families.

Thank you to Bethany House Fiction for the eARC.

UNEXPECTEDLY DEEP.

Since this was book two in a series I didn’t read the summary and found this book much heavier than I expected. Not a bad thing, but a thing to note to be prepared to read the trigger warnings first.

Once the plot started to unfold my heart started to hurt. The second chance romance between Graham and Gemma was fought for. The resilient nature of both of them to stubbornly hold on to things and watching those walls crumble was beautiful. I loved how faith was worked into this story and the meaningful moments that were given to these characters to find a way back home.

The mystery was good, I enjoyed the themes throughout the book and how the story was uncovered. I think the Imposters group is a great little found family and I like seeing them work together to solve the crimes before them while supporting each other through their trials.

I’m very much looking forward to Yates book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a baby (recounted and discussed throughout), kidnapped children, near suicide, loss of a child (recounted)

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ARC Book Review: The Trials of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #3) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 645 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Angels are calling, and so her hunt begins.

After the devastation on Daminius, Ophelia threw herself into restoration to cope with her losses. Two months later, answers to an ancient curse still evade her, a queen threatens her life, and war rages in the southern mountains. Despite her scars and the loved ones lost, Ophelia knows she must move forward for her people.

When a note arrives with the clue they’ve been hoping for, Ophelia and her friends embark on a journey that will test their bonds and their faith in the Angels.

Ophelia must unravel legends while navigating a budding romance and trying to hold the Mystiques together–even if it means sacrificing herself.

The Trials of Ophelia is the third installment in the new adult romantic fantasy series, The Curse of Ophelia. With roots in Greek mythology, heartrending love stories, found family, and a unique fantastical world, this series is perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Chloe C. Peñaranda, and Sarah J Maas.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

LOVED IT.

I am just absolutely hooked on this series. I am in love with progression of both the story and the writing. Each book has gotten better and better and the way I love these characters is INTENSE.

The pacing here is slowed down a bit, but NOT in a bad way. There’s clearly a build to the last two books and I am anxious to see where those go. This also allowed for amazing character growth across the entire cast. I loved seeing both main romantic pairings (trying not to say specifics because spoilers) lean on each other and take steps on their own. This book is engaging and still has those intense action scenes where you’re not sure who’s going to make it back out.

PLUS. There were some amazing reveals that had me questioning the entire world and I love that. This world and magic system is growing even more and I love how the it’s been laid out. And I love that this book has spice without overshadowing the story. Emotional depth and connection is my favorite and there’s that in heaps here.

Another beautiful installment. I am obsessed with many scenes throughout (and my kindle highlights will back me up). If you’re now seeing this review, go back and start this series!! Absolutely worth it.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open door; low-moderate explicit; light innuendo
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of alcohol/drug dependency, discussions of sexual assault (not on page), recounted child abuse, torture, PTSD

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Book Review: One Iridescent Night (The Iridescent Series #1) by Brianne Wik

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Brianne Wik
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 29th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When the clock strikes twelve, the magic is just beginning.

Between her cruel family, the loss of her mother, and the unexpected departure of her best friend Liam, young Evelyn was forced to endure a life full of loneliness, anxiety and mistreatment. 

Seven years later, seventeen-year-old Evelyn discovers that one magical night can shift everything she thought she knew.

Reunited with an all-grown-up (and oh-so-handsome) Liam, Evelyn finds herself unexpectedly introduced to her mysteriously magical grandmother that she never knew she had, and the dashing Prince Ryker, that she never thought she’d like. Caught between love and fear, Evelyn is thrust into a world she’s never known, with new threats she never expected and new changes she doesn’t understand.

Welcome to a world made dangerous by hidden magic, where a young girl must find her place and her voice while trying to survive the trauma she’s endured most of her life. One Iridescent Night takes you on an enchanted journey filled with hope, romance, and mystery.

INTRIGUED.

I’ll be the first person to say love triangles aren’t really my thing. I have to be in the right mood to deal with the drama that arises inevitably when so many parties are involved. I have had this sitting on my kindle for months and the mood hit and HERE WE ARE. I CAN’T DECIDE WHO I LIKE MORE.

I feel like both of the love interests are balanced well. I’m kind of waiting for one of them to snap (more or less) and to see some differentiation within Ryker and Liam. I’m hoping with the expansion of plot in the next book we’ll see some tough decisions made and that will give both of them larger character dynamics.

Evy was a good FMC. She’s on the softer side (nothing wrong with that! Just a note) and also carries that strength too. Going through hell and back and being able to find hope and mercy too is a pretty incredible feat.

I don’t know the last time I read a Cinderella retelling. With that fact I really liked this one! There’s clear allusions, yet it strays enough to keep things interesting and not a worn down fairy tale. I am very much interested enough to see how book two goes.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses + very light innuendo
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse, child abuse, whipping, loss of loved ones (on and off page)

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ARC Book Review: Happily Never After by Lynn Painter

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Lynn Painter
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Their name? The objectors.

Their job? To break off weddings as hired.

Their dilemma? They might just be in love with each other.

When Sophie Steinbeck finds out just before her nuptials that her fiancé has cheated yet again, she desperately wants to call it off. But because her future father-in-law is her dad’s cutthroat boss, she doesn’t want to be the one to do it. Her savior comes in the form of a professional objector, whose purpose is to show up at weddings and proclaim the words no couple (usually) wants to hear at their ceremony: “I object!”

During anti-wedding festivities that night, Sophie learns more about Max the Objector’s job. It makes perfect sense to her: he saves people from wasting their lives, from hurting each other. He’s a modern-day hero. And Sophie wants in.

The two love cynics start working together, going from wedding to wedding, and Sophie’s having more fun than she’s had in ages. She looks forward to every nerve-racking ceremony saving the lovesick souls of the betrothed masses. As Sophie and Max spend more time together, however, they realize that their physical chemistry is off the charts, leading them to dabble in a little hookup session or two—but it’s totally fine, because they definitely do not have feelings for each other. Love doesn’t exist, after all.

And then everything changes. A groom-to-be hires Sophie to object, but his fiancée is the woman who broke Max’s heart. As Max wrestles with whether he can be a party to his ex’s getting hurt, Sophie grapples with the sudden realization that she may have fallen hard for her partner in crime.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC.

HILARIOUS.

This book made me LAUGH and I love when that happens. Lynn Painter hands down writes some of the BEST banter and that was still prevalent here. I really loved the chemistry between Max and Sophie. And the shenanigans they found themselves wrapped up in were charming.

I did think this book had a LOT of language (especially for it being only 300 pages). It started to take me out of the story, as did the extra romance scenes towards the end. I would have rather seen more relationship development other than physical because Sophie made me want to shake her a few times.

I love how fast these books are and that they bring joy to my day. I thought the objector idea was hilarious. And I adored Sophie’s roommates. They were the perfect snarky addition. There were a lot of fantastic swoony moments and the kissing scenes were some of my favorite. There was plenty of goodness here and I will keep waiting to hear about Painter’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very high
  • Romance: 3+ open door; moderate explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating

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