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ARC Book Review: Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Rachel Fordham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Beauty and the Beast meets A Light Between Oceans in historic small-town America where a wealthy reclusive bachelor and an unlikely ally join forces to solve a family secret and inadvertently find belonging along the way.

Early 1900s. When an accident leaves Sadie West’s family in dire financial need, she nervously leaves the land she loves to work in the Hoag duster factory. But sending all her money home means that she has nowhere to board, and she’s forced to take up residence in an abandoned building–a choice that throws her in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.

Recently returned from exile, and determined to keep his arrival a secret, Otis Taylor makes the impulsive decision to hire the woman he finds hiding on his family’s property with the strict instructions she tell no one he has returned. The dark halls of his boyhood flood him with memories he’s long tried to forget. The only bright light is the woman he has hired. Can the optimistic Sadie teach the wounded Otis to trust again? To love? Can the pair unravel the family secrets that have long cast a shadow over the mansion and those who reside within?

With the same heart as Rachel Fordham’s fan-loved previous historical novels, Beyond Ivy Walls takes readers on an emotional journey full of character development, historical nuance, and a deeply satisfying happily ever after.

Thank you to Austen Prose and Thomas Nelson for the gifted copy.

MISSING SOMETHING.

I adored the first book in this series so much I jumped at the chance to receive a copy of book two (these can be read as standalones with no issues!!). But then I feel like I struggled way more than I hoped for getting through it.

The Beauty and the Beast vibes were definitely woven into the story. I could see the nods to the original and how it was adapted for a historical romance setting. I loved the unique set up for the FMC and how she came to meet the MMC. They had some sweet moments throughout and there’s good themes too. I enjoyed the small faith elements too. The side characters were charming and added to the story too.

I had issues with the aura and writing style of the book. And it’s hard to explain but it came across as if it was written as if the main cast were younger characters and not fully grown adults. I had a disconnect and struggled to stay engaged reading.

The audiobook was fantastic though. I love having two narrators for both the male and female leads. I thought they did a great job and if you want to try this book, absolutely recommend this format.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisse
  • Content Warnings: child abandonment and abuse

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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: 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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