draft horse publishing

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 232 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Draft Horse Publishing
Release Date: January 22nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He expected a quick visit. He left with a wife instead.

Charles Shepherd is in no rush to marry. With good looks, a comfortable fortune, and considerable charm, he’s certain love will find him eventually. Unfortunately, his mother has other plans.

Returning home for a short visit, Charles reluctantly agrees to meet Miss Marie Oakley—a woman as fortunate as he in both looks and manners. What is meant to be a simple introduction, however, ends in a sudden marriage, and Charles, who values his freedom above all else, is livid.

Mercifully, Marie is as uninterested in the marriage as he is. After a disastrous first day together, they strike a mutual bargain: do whatever it takes to end the marriage as quickly as possible. Charles is determined to reclaim his independence and find love on his own terms. But as forced proximity turns into reluctant understanding, he must face an unsettling possibility—what if the woman he’s trying to leave is the very one he can’t live without?

SO I LOVED?

Big fan of this marriage of convenience/arraigned marriage concept. It’s a short book but I think it packed enough for me to really fall into the swoon of this story. I loved the enemies to lovers vibes and how well the sharp and biting banter was between them. You could see the soft moments slowly pulling them together and it was well timed.

And even when I about thought things would go awry there was some COMMUNICATION and ARGUMENT (arguments don’t have to bad!!) that made me love Charles and Marie all the more. It’s a clever read and only 6 hours on audio if you’re looking for a great historical romance!

Overall audience notes:

Historical romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 362 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Draft House Publishing
Release Date: March 17th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What happens on an Irish bus tour stays on an Irish bus tour…”

This is the second book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this clean, road trip, forbidden romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order.

TAKE ME TO IRELAND.

This was such a sweet read. The instant connection played out super well and I didn’t even notice how short the time frame was until it was mentioned in the book.

I adored allllll of the food and traveling content. I felt whisked away to Ireland and was totally immersed in the setting. It’s clearly well researched and a well loved area for the author.

Alongside the setting I loved the tight friendships showcased with Finn and the guys. I don’t think close relationships between men is in enough romance books and I loved getting all of the text sequences and moments with them.

I really felt the chemistry between Maisie and Finn and hot dang appreciated a realistic third act. I thought things went the way they had to and rolled around to the best kind of ending. I’m going to need all the book recs involving a guy who chases (in a romantic cute way y’all) because it is suddenly a new favorite.

Overall audience notes: