Tag: historical romance

ARC Book Review: No Match for Love by Karen Thornell

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Karen Thornell
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: September 2nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lucas Berkeley has a secret—one he cannot risk anyone discovering. After all, a future marquess belongs in drawing rooms, not underground boxing circles. Yet with a painful past and a need to control every aspect of his life, it is his only outlet. And when his brother begins to court the one woman who could ruin everything, Lucas needs the secret diversion more than ever.

Lydia Faraday is exhausted from living a life in which she has no say. When her taciturn guardian drags her to London intent on marrying her off, she determines to thwart his plans. If she is to have freedom in any aspect of her existence, it ought to be with whom she marries. And when a solicitor turns up with new information, she thinks that just might be possible. Or it may complicate her future further.

 When Lucas and Lydia become entangled in a dangerous scheme, they cannot help but become closer, even as the obstacles between them grow. The last thing either is looking for is love. But their hearts have different plans.

Thank you to Austen Prose and Covenant Communications for the gifted copy.

WELL.

I wanted to love this and I don’t know if it was totally a me issue or if I just had a disconnect with this book. A lot of the writing felt stagnant. It was missing an aura of romance and the characters didn’t have a lot of those crucial connection moments to build up to the kissing scenes I love.

I did like these characters. Lydia learned to stand on her own and I liked her personality and demeanor. I still don’t know how she was all of a sudden medically trained enough to perform stitches?? But I guess that’s a question for another day.

Lucas was good too. He was endearing and kind. I liked the effort he put into helping others and learning to let go of his guilt. His brother was sweet too and I loved the addition of Charles to the story.

I found the plot to be somewhat incohesive. It felt like two stories were happening and they didn’t smoothly come together. I found myself having a hard time picking this up to finish.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low; some blood depiction
  • Content Warnings: physical altercations, physical assault, sexual assault (unwanted kissing)

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ARC Book Review: So True a Love by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 341 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: September 3rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

LOOOOVED IT.

Joanna Barker is just my favorite. I love her books so much and this newest release was a gem too. I love the combination of historical romance + romantic suspense. There is the perfect air of mystery throughout that leaves you guessing and flipping the pages. Add in a lovely swoony romance and this is the ultimate combination.

I loved Verity! I loved how unique and dynamic she was. How clever and filled with a lot of tenacity to do things on her own and learning to let others in and find that trusting piece she had been missing. And of course I was smitten with Nathaniel. He melted me into a puddle and was protective and brave and wanted to be Verity’s partner. Not once trying to overstep. I loved the way the came together and the tender quiet moments they found along the way.

I enjoyed the side story that worked back into the plot (do I spy maybe a future story???). I loved the close friendships and getting to see Jack and Ginny again too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance + Suspense
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: brief gun violence, kidnapping

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Book Review: A Lady’s Guide to Scandal (A Lady’s Guide #2) by Sophie Irwin

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Sophie Irwin
Publisher: Penguin books
Release Date: July 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Internationally bestselling author Sophie Irwin brings us another fresh, witty take on a romantic escape led by a deeply lovable heroine determined to start living on her own terms

When shy Miss Eliza Balfour married the austere Earl of Somerset, twenty years her senior, it was the match of the season–no matter that he was not the husband Eliza would have chosen.

But ten years later, Eliza is widowed. And at eight and twenty years, she is suddenly left titled, rich, and, for the first time in her life, utterly in control of her own future. Instead of living out her mourning quietly, Eliza heads to Bath with her cousin Margaret. After years of living according to everyone else’s rules, Eliza has resolved, at last, to do as she wants.

But when the ripples of the dowager Lady Somerset’s behavior reach the new Lord Somerset–whom Eliza knew, once, as a younger woman–Eliza is forced to confront the fact that freedom does not come without consequences, though it also brings unexpected opportunities.

SCANDALOUS.

Another great read for this series. I love the whole vibe of these historical romances. They’re humorous and on the lighter side while still covering some solid character growth and plot arcs.

This book is a love triangle (if that wasn’t obvious) and I actually didn’t mind it all that much. There’s good push and pull but at the same time, I did feel like there was a clear choice from the beginning and VERY happy that it went the way I hoped. There were lots of good sweet moments and I adored the ending!!

I thought Eliza was a beautiful character. Flawed, weighed down by duty and in need of a fresh start. She definitely went through plenty of emotional turmoil to get there, BUT get there she did and that’s what we want. I hope there’s going to be another book in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse (recounted)

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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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