Tag: historical romance

Book Review: A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon #3) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: October 22nd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She Needed a Husband…

It’s been three years since Laura Hayes’s father died, leaving her and her invalid brother to subsist on the income from the family’s failing perfume business. But time is swiftly running out. What she needs is a husband, and fast. A noble gentleman who can rescue them all from penury. When a mysterious stranger arrives in the village, he seems a perfect candidate. But Alex Archer is no hero. In fact, he just might be the opposite.

He Wanted a Fortune…

Alex has no tolerance for sentiment. He’s returned to England for one reason only: to find a wealthy wife. A country-bred heiress in Surrey seems the perfect target. But somewhere between the village railway station and the manor house his mercenary plan begins to unravel. And it’s all the fault of Laura Hayes—a lady as unsuitable as she is enchanting.

From the beaches of Margate to the lavender fields of Provence, a grudging friendship slowly blossoms into something more. But when scandal threatens, can a man who has spent his entire life playing the villain, finally become a hero? Or will the lure of easy riches once again outweigh the demands of his heart?

SWOON.

My Mimi Matthews back list quest continues! I loved this one. The romance was utterly swoony and had me in a chokehold with the angst. I liked the way it was set up and how explosive the chemistry was between Alex and Laura. There were fantastic character arcs and I loved seeing Alex come to terms with his past. The epilogue brought about all of the happy feelings because I loved seeing where this journey took him.

I adored Laura and her ability to say what she means and to pursue her goals. I loved how she kept pushing forward even when the next thing kept falling apart. There were so many beautifully sweet sentiments between Laura and Alex that I was left in a puddle again and again.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: An Improper Scheme (Improper Agreements #3) by Audra Wells

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 292 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: October 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sleep—something Henry longs for yet cannot seem to attain. It had never been the case before, but since his younger sister Louisa has been out in society, he is plagued by dreams of failure. And to top it all off, an old acquaintance has asked for his assistance in watching out for another young lady during her first season. He should say no. But his good nature will not allow it.

Violet dreams of lords and balls, and is all that is innocent and naive. Soon after arriving in town, she finds out her brother-in-law has arranged for another man to keep an eye on her. In a moment of boldness, she turns the tables and asks for a favor of her own. But when she sees how much Lord Wood does for others, and not for himself, she decides to help him instead. Only, he does not know of her secret scheme, and would likely not approve of her methods if he did.

But what happens when they gain feelings for the one they are supposed to be helping?

An Improper Scheme is a clean Regency romance and the third in Audra Wells’ Improper Agreements series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it best enjoyed in order.

CHARMING.

This was another fun read in the Improper series. I adore Audra Wells writing style and I’m happy that I finally decided to pick them up. I love that they are shorter, lighter reads that bring plenty of swoon and heart. I loved Henry and Violet. They had a great opposites attract vibe and lots of good forced proximity moments.

I enjoyed the plot. I didn’t looove the shenanigans Violet and Louisa got up to, but that’s okay. I liked the growth from Henry and Violet and that they both got resolutions to things they were working through.

A cute read and I’m looking forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

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

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: May 2025

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May was a rough one y’all. Almost gave a book one star and had THREE two star books which is generally underheard of for me. Two were new to me authors so at least I tried some new authors??

Some of these reviews are already out and others will be out in the future!

  • Broken Souls and Bones (Stonegate #1) by LJ Andrews
  • [ARC] The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett
  • What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
  • To Steal from Thieves (Thieves & Kings #1) by M.K. Lobb
  • Watch Me (Shatter Me: The New Republic #1) by Tahereh Mafi
  • The Things We Water by Mariana Zapata
  • [ARC/ALC] Cruel is the Light (Cruel is the Light #1) by Sophie Clark
  • Silver Elite (Silver Elite #1) by Dani Francis
  • As You Ice It (Appies #7) by Emma St. Clair
  • [ALC] Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli
  • Even if It Hurts (Huntley Square #1) by Molly Barlowe
  • [ARC/ALC] The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom #1) by Rachel Gillig
  • [ARC/ALC] Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy #1) by Mimi Matthews
  • [Short Story] The Six Deaths of the Saint (Into Shadow #3) by Alix E. Harrow
  • The Geographer’s Guide to Romance (Love’s Academic #2) by India Holton
  • The Long Way Home (Magnolia Parks Universe #3) by Jessa Hastings
  • A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated #2) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • The Q by Beth Brower
  • [ARC] The Friendship Fling by Georgia Stone
  • A Guarded Heart by Heidi Kimball
  • All We Lost Was Everything by Heidi Kimball
  • Enchanted Kingdom (Enchanted Kingdom #1) by Tricia Wentworth
  • [ARC/ALC] The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw
  • Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
  • Rewind it Back (Windy City #5) by Liz Tomforde
  • Love Sick by Deidra Duncan
  • Caught Stealing (Southern Sports Sweethearts #1) by M.J. Padgett
  • [ARC/ALC] A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
  • Can’t Get Enough (Skyland #3) by Kennedy Ryan
  • [ARC] The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater
  • [ARC] Call of the Loon by K. Sinko
  • The Floating World (The Floating World #1) by Axie Oh
  • It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

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ARC Book Review: Every Hour Until Then (Timeless #5) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 20th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Gifted with the ability to time-cross between Victorian-era London and World War II Washington, DC, Kathryn faces two lives fraught with danger. In 1938 amid the looming shadow of war, Kathryn is invited to the London Museum as a guest curator to create a groundbreaking exhibit on Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror. As she delves into her grim research, she uncovers a chilling Her own sister is destined to become the Ripper’s final victim decades earlier.

In 1888, in a race against fate, Kathryn is assisted by her handsome childhood friend in hunting down history’s most elusive killer. As they unravel the threads of mystery woven through time, Kathryn must decide if she’ll unmask the murderer history has chosen to hide, forfeiting a life with the man she loves to save her sister.

Bestselling author Gabrielle Meyer presents yet another thrilling time-travel tale of intrigue, loyalty, and romance–threaded with suspense and decisions that could change history.

Thank you to the author and Bethany House for the gifted copy.

OH THIS BOOK.

I admit that this took me a little to get into but that ending?? The romance?? Got me in the FEEEELS. Now, it does seem a little insta-ish, but let it grow on you!! Trust the journey y’all.

My historical nerd self went down many a Jack the Ripper research hole after finishing this book. I love historical books that make me want to research. And I love reading historicals that cover different time periods than I generally come across.

And I adored the FMC, Kate. She was strong willed and learning but always seemed to genuinely be trying to take the next right step and I loved her courage. There were many good twists to the plot that ramped up my engagement as the pages moved. I also really adored the romance. It brought the swoon and the passion and the I would do anything to see you happy vibes that I am all over. We love a a man DOWN BAD.

I think this is easily one of my favorites of this whole series now and I have loved seeing the crossing timelines, family trees and all of the touches of faith too. What an incredible book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Time Travel Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: murder (off page but crime scenes are detailed), weapons violence, kidnapping

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