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

August 28, 2024July 18, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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

August 13, 2024August 9, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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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Book Review: The Matrimonial Advertisement (Parish Orphans of Devon #1) by Mimi Matthews

August 9, 2024June 28, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 348 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: September 4th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She Wanted Sanctuary…

Helena Reynolds will do anything to escape her life in London, even if that means traveling to a remote cliffside estate on the North Devon coast and marrying a complete stranger. But Greyfriar’s Abbey isn’t the sort of refuge she imagined. And ex-army captain Justin Thornhill–though he may be tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome–is anything but a romantic hero.

He Needed Redemption…

Justin has spent the last two decades making his fortune, settling scores, and suffering a prolonged period of torture in an Indian prison. Now, he needs someone to smooth the way for him with the villagers. Someone to manage his household–and warm his bed on occasion. What he needs, in short, is a wife and a matrimonial advertisement seems the perfect way to acquire one.

Their marriage was meant to be a business arrangement and nothing more. A dispassionate union free from the entanglements of love and affection. But when Helena’s past threatens, will Justin’s burgeoning feelings for his new bride compel him to come to her rescue? Or will dark secrets of his own force him to let her go?

I’M A SUCKER.

I’ve read quuuite a few Mimi Matthews books now and I will say, she does use some of the same tropes/characters every few books. BUT, I am a sucker for a wounded hero and a woman on the run and quite frankly, it still hasn’t gotten old so HURRAH.

I loved this book. Fantastic chemistry, a bit of suspense and the right level of drama. I adored the connection between Justin and Helena. They were such a match and had me all swoony. I love the protection and communication and working things out even when things got hard.

It’s a fast audio read and had me all up in my romantic feels. Excited to continue this series!

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: very little
Romance: closed door (married couple)
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, mentions of asylums and mistreatment, mentions of battles, grief depiction

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ARC Book Review: Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories #5) by Mimi Matthews

July 30, 2024July 7, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 230 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: July 30th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Victorian bluestocking with a passion for lost causes attracts the unwilling attention of a frost-hearted viscount during her tumultuous debut season in Bath in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s fifth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series.

West Country beauty Hannah Heywood may be quiet with fashionable strangers, but when it comes to animals in need, she has no trouble finding her voice. Newly arrived in Bath for her very first season, all she desires is to find one like-minded gentleman. A man of warmth and compassion, as sensitive to animals as he is to people. But if such a man exists, he dare not approach her. Not with the tall, blond, and menacing Viscount St. Clare standing in the way.

James Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has often been described as a sentient block of ice. A man so cold and dispassionate, he would never suit a young lady of Hannah’s disposition. And she would certainly never suit him. Focused on repairing his family’s infamous reputation, James requires a diamond of the first water. The daughter of a duke or a marquess, at least, not a simple country girl with a passion for four-legged creatures.

And yet, there’s something about conscience-driven young Hannah that draws James, first to Bath, and then into one increasingly hare-brained scheme after another. She confounds him at every turn, subverting his expectations and threatening to do what no lady has succeeded in doing before—thawing his ice-cold heart.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

OH SO SWEET.

This was a short book that packed such a sweet punch. I loved Hannah and James’ love story!! It had a Pride and Prejudice vibe that I was smitten with and I loved seeing James grow over the book and he realized how blinded he’d been holding too much control in his life. James letting himself loosen was EVERYTHING. He’s easily one of my favorites.

I adored Hannah and how strong she felt in her convictions. I loved that she didn’t settle and waited for that love match she wanted. It was wonderful seeing a more shy character too and how that played into the plot. There’s a lot of cute animals and allllll the family member sightings you could want. Another fantastic read from Mimi Matthews!

Overall audience notes: