Tag: historical romance

ARC Book Review: The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles of London #4) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: November 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love.

Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.

Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.

After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….

Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted copy.

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL STORY.

I love the way Mimi Matthews crafts stories. They are intricate and detailed with complex characters that I just love every time. I loved Stella’s tenacity and watching her really learn to love who she is and not hide behind anything. And the way Teddy worked to be at peace with his situation and finding his ultimate partner in Stella.

This was the best ending to this series and I loved seeing all of the previous Belles and characters from prior books too. The slow burn nature of Stella and Teddy’s romance was just what the plot needed. The swoon is there and so is the heartfelt journey of two people meant for each other.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: An Improper Proposal (Improper Agreements #4) by Audra Wells

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 268 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She had sworn to never fall in love, but one man changed all the rules . . .

Louisa Morgan never intended to fall in love, so when the stuffiest of men offers to marry her for the sake of convenience, it feels like an offer from heaven itself. Things change, however, and the rigid Duke of Boroux begins to wax poetic, doing his best to win her hardened heart. But love was never to be on the table, and Louisa isn’t sure she wishes to play his risky game.

Robert, the Duke of Boroux, tired of society and its demands, decides to take matters into his own hands. Instead of a silly wife only after his title, he will ask a lady who knows her own mind and may just be the perfect woman to become his duchess. But when things beyond his control change his perception of what a marriage should look like, his entire world is turned upside down. Now his greatest struggle is to convince the woman he is falling in love with to love him back.

What will happen when two obstinate people are on opposing sides and neither will relent?

RATHER OBSESSED.

I loved this book y’all. It lines up there with book one in this series as a favorite. Audra Wells deserves way more hype and love for her historical fiction books. I have enjoyed this entire series and I can’t wait to hear about future books.

I looooooved that Robert was a stoic man who had to learn to let people in. I loved that he fell first and worked to actually show who he was and how he and Louisa could have a good and loving life together. Louisa did frustrate me a smidgen with how stubborn she was being over something that didn’t make total sense, buuut this book caught me at a good time for reading and I let it be. I loved all of the pugilism aspects and the protectiveness, the kissing scenes, the forced proximity, GIVE IT ALL TO ME.

It’s a short and fast paced book that really brings the heated swoon. I loved many of the quotes and general themes. I adored these characters and this one just stole my heart.

Overall audience notes:

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

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ARC Book Review: Across the Ages (Timeless #4) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction + Romance
Length: TBD pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: November 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Caroline holds a deep secret. Existing in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. Searching for answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother that hints at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, chasing the mysteries of her mother’s past, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother’s last known location. Amid treacherous waters, she crosses paths with Marcus Zale, a ruthless but handsome pirate, and finds herself caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances. Meanwhile, in 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have strayed from their upbringing into the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to protect her parents from the truth that could shatter her father’s career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous speakeasies of St. Paul, Caroline enlists the help of police officer Lewis Cager, a childhood friend. But when her family’s future is put at risk and loyalties are tested, Caroline is faced with a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

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

BEAUTIFUL.

This book found me at a great time (and low point) in my year when I needed reminded of some very key facts about life. I loved the faith themes woven throughout about forgiveness and making positive choices and the right ones for your own life. It came together in this powerful way that resonating across the plot in those final chapters. I was surprised by some of those moments (in a good way) that they took a direction I wasn’t expecting.

I thought the romance plot for this book was awesome. I appreciate that every book has a different feel with the romance and that it’s not repetitive. This allowed space for a nice platonic friendship and a romantic swoony one too. I loved the side characters and all of the well researched historical aspects too. I loved seeing Caroline’s growth and self discovery and her resilient nature to figure out key elements of her past.

Another fabulous book for this series you won’t want to miss.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: miscarriage (side character), infidelity (side characters)

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ARC Book Review: The Gentleman’s Confession (Matchmaking Mamas #3) by Anneka R. Walker

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Anneka R. Walker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: October 22nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Inexperienced in love, Jemma seeks help from her best friend, Miles, unaware that he has secretly loved her for years.

Brookeside, England, 1822

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Trapped by his own selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if he’s brave enough to confess his feelings to Jemma before she is whisked away forever.

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

I’M TRYING.

I have realized that friends to lovers is a trope I struggle to get on board with and this unfortunately became another case with reading this book. I thought the writing was just fine and I did like the characters, I didn’t love the plot choices though.

There was too much focus on Miles and the girl that everyone thought he was supposed to be with even if there wasn’t any legs for that plot line to stand on. I was tired of hearing about Lisette and how forceful Jemma and others were about the situation. I didn’t mind the dating lessons and thought those provided good opportunity for some closeness.

I’m not going to keep going on here, this one wasn’t for me, and that’s okay.

Overall audience notes:

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

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