Tag: historical romance

ARC Book Review: Miss Beresford and the Beast (Daughters of Somerset #1) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 294 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: August 25th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A spirited Victorian beauty with a fondness for fairytales unwittingly falls under the power of a beastly, scandal-plagued nobleman in the first book in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s new Daughters of Somerset series.

Charlotte Beresford has spent far too long under the iron rule of strict governesses and unflinching finishing school teachers. When she’s offered a brief window of freedom—an invitation to spend the summer with a recent acquaintance in a remote corner of Yorkshire, far from societal expectations—she jumps at the chance. Never mind that her new friend is odd, their chaperone questionable, and the village rumored to be cursed. Charlotte knows how to look after herself. All she must do is show a friendly face, keep her wits about her, and—above all—avoid the derelict manor house that stands on the edge of the moors…

Battle-scarred and bad tempered, Magnus Sterling never intended to return to England, let alone Yorkshire. But now he’s inherited the title, it’s his responsibility to settle his late father’s affairs. It should be simple enough to do without riling up the superstitious locals. Indeed, they don’t even need to know that the infamous son of the equally infamous Earl of Eversleigh is back on British soil. Magnus will keep to himself, and to the crumbling manor house, and for once in his miserable life avoid any cloud of scandal. A straightforward enough plan, or so he believes, until he catches sight of the bold, auburn-haired intruder infiltrating the grounds of his estate…

Thank you to Mimi Matthews for a gifted eARC.

SWEET RETELLING.

I liked the Beauty & the Beast nods and the interpretation Mimi Matthews went with this historical. One of the more unique opening *meet cute [disasters]* I’ve read and I thought a good use of an amnesia moment.

I really enjoyed Charlotte and Marcus together. I loved the sunshine x grump dynamics and the soft banter between them. You can easily see Magnus falling and YAYYY for having dual POV because I desperately needed his thoughts and feelings too. Things do move quickly (and I do wish they had been slower) but I thought MM kept the focus on Charlotte and Magnus so you got to see their relationship develop through plenty of proximity.

The mystery kept me curious and I loved the derelict home and crumbling walls. I loved how well Charlotte saw every layer of Magnus and did not shy away. It made my heart burst seeing Magnus receive the love in return he’s been after his whole life.

I adored getting to see past characters and the epilogue where even more of them showed up. There’s something magical about having read so many books by an author that you see the evolution of characters + children over series and how they come back into play at times. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: head injuries, gun violence (recounted), loss of life (recounted)

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Book Review: The Heart of War by Olivia Snow

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 364 pages
Author: Olivia Snow
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

London, 1815

If love is war, then London’s marriage mart is a battlefield—and Helena Weston is its most cunning general. As the diamond of the season, Helena has never struggled to collect suitors. But when her father’s fortune collapses, she faces the unthinkable: marriage not as a conquest, but as survival.

Using Sun Tzu’s The Art of War as her courtship playbook, Helena has only two months to secure a husband rich enough to save her family from destitution. She selects three candidates for her scheme, including Edmond Hawke, a handsome newcomer to London with a mysterious past and an insufferable tendency to jeopardize her carefully laid plans.

With her future on the line, Helena must decide what victory truly means—and whether surrendering to love is the most strategic move of all.

QUITE GOOD.

I ate this up. I was a sucker from a reel I saw and here we are. This was a solid historical romance that I can totally recommend. Even if I have a few caveats.

One of those being the girl vs. girl drama. I just get tired of that narrative and while I would have been fine with an instance (maybe even two) I was not okay with it being such a larger part of the plot. It was aggravating and frustrating and I really just need Sybella to go away. My other caveat is how long it takes the FMC, Helena, to DO anything. She talked a lot of game but the follow through took much longer to achieve.

I did think the romance was a unique case that I haven’t come across (off the top of my head) before in historical romance. I loved the MMC’s back story (would have loved his POV too!). I liked how earnest he was and how gosh dang down bad this man was for Helena. I am a sucker for the small and subtle moments because that’s what makes a lasting romance and this book delivered. I also adored the little side plot with Mrs. Sweete. I loved how tight the friendship was between Helena and Mrs. Sweete. Definitely needed more of that.

I would totally be interested in reading another book from Olivia Snow. This was a fun find and for my closed door readers this was kisses only too!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: sexual assault, physical altercations, minor injuries, loss of a parent, emotionally abusive parent

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ARC Book Review: A Lass Beloved (The Earls of Cairnfell #2) by Nichole Van

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 310 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Florenza Publishing
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lord Matthias Kinsey lives under an unlucky star. Born without a right hand, he once spent a Season in London and vowed never to endure such humiliation again. But after years of living as a semi-recluse, Lord Matthias has grown tired of merely enduring life. In a bid for change, he lets a castle deep in the Highlands.

Cecily Armstrong once had everything a young lady could desire—social position, wealth, . . . a husband. But life hasn’t gone as she expected. Widowed and penniless, she now must work for her bread.

When Lord Matthias arrives at his new home, he instantly recognizes his new housekeeper as Miss Cecily Moulton, the reigning beauty from his brief time in London. Didn’t she marry some English lord years ago? What has happened to exile her to poverty and a life in service?

As Mathias takes tentative steps to build a life for himself, Cecily must decide if she has the courage to reclaim her own. Perhaps, together, they can even help each other find happiness. The one thing they can’t do is fall in love. Because a gentleman does not—under any circumstances—court his housekeeper.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

HOW DO I CONVEY.

Oh my love for Nichole Van and her romance stories. Every one is a delectable, swoony journey. I adored both of these characters so much and I looove getting dual POV in romances. It really can bring a story to the next level.

I loved the intimacy between Matthias and Cecily. That man is SO DOWN BAD. And it is the sweetest kind of protective love. They banter and push each other outside of comfort zones and watching the walls crumble is EVERYTHING. I’m just obsessed with the personal character grown for both Cecily and Matthias.

Add on top some well placed danger/suspenseful moments and this one was easy to eat up. They had that genuine chemistry from the get go. And I ended up really loving how the ending all came together. Goodness gracious Van’s books NEVER GET OLD.

Also, as a side note, I am already chomping at the bit to get my hands on the next two stories.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild-moderate
  • Content warnings: spousal abuse (recounted, moments of PTSD), ableism, stalking

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Book Review: A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1) by Audra Wells

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 316 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hannah Gibbons is no stranger to being seen as little more than her dowry—a prize to be claimed by eager suitors for their own gain and a tool to be used by her parents to elevate their social status. So whenever Hannah’s impetuous nature strikes, her parents assume their name sullied, and pack up and move away to start fresh. But now Hannah has more at stake—friendships, and even love, are on the table, and she is determined not to lose it this time.

Lord Noah Bradley, a man of kindness and quiet integrity, has long dreamed of marrying, but when his heartfelt proposal to Miss Margaret Lewiston is rejected, his spirit is shattered. Left to face the sting of heartbreak, he struggles to regain his footing as life’s unexpected challenges—both in his relationships and his work—threaten to overwhelm him. But his new friendship with Miss Hannah Gibbons begins to help him find comfort and solace.

Will Noah’s heart find new hope in the woman who has become his greatest ally? Or will he remain too lost in the shadows of his past to recognize the love right in front of him?

THIS WAS SWEET.

Audra Wells is easily one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her books hit so well every time and I adored the soft and gentle nature in Noah. And I loved his mindset about being who he wanted to be and figuring things out on his own. Noah had this endearing quality that was easy to love. I wish he was a bit less oblivious to Hannah (and a little less of his ex) though.

Hannah was easy to love. I loved her quirky nature and relatable characteristics. There was a genuine nature to the friends to lovers trope that I did like a lot.

Truly though it was a charming read with many memorable moments. It was swoony and fast paced and so much ground was covered. I loved the hints towards future books and I am just happy to be here with another Audra Wells series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low

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