Tag: historical romance

ARC Book Review: An Inconvenient Letter by Julie Wright

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Julie Wright
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Complications arise when Marietta’s secret love letters are accidentally found by the wrong man.

1828, the London countryside

For years, Marietta Stone has harbored a secret infatuation for the handsome Frederick Finch and has poured out her deepest feelings in a series of passionate love letters that she keeps in a locked drawer. But when Marietta’s private letters are accidentally delivered to Frederick’s house, she must retrieve them immediately before they fall into the wrong hands. If the letters were read by anyone else, the resulting scandal could jeopardize her reputation.

Gerard Hartwell has no time for infatuations, courtship, or even love. He must find a wife with a substantial inheritance if he wishes to save his late father’s bankrupt estate. When he accidentally discovers Marietta’s love letters at his cousin Frederick’s estate, he strikes a bargain with her. If she helps him court her older sister, Anne, he will return the letters and help Marietta win Frederick’s heart.

Marietta agrees, and the two quickly pretend to be courting in order to spend time with their individual love interests. Yet, what appeared to be a straightforward bargain becomes complicated when Gerard realizes that the more time he spends with Marietta, the more he wishes he could court her for real. But can he persuade Marietta to give him a chance when her heart might belong to another man?

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC.

WELL.

I loved the author’s previous book and was excited to pick this one up but this was lacking in a lot of facets for me. This felt like a book rather than a story. I wasn’t wrapped up in any of it and had a low emotional connection to anything happening.

Not to mention the rampant miscommunication, not only between the romantic pairing but also side characters too. It would have been way too easy to have a conversation about what was happening rather than literally running away or letting someone explain themselves before judgement.

And I was missing the romantic connection. Mentions of past childhood aspects were brought up, but that didn’t add to the present storyline. It felt like a false experience was being created that I never got around to being invested in.

It’s a short, quick read. And there are some good scenes and moments throughout. I didn’t hate any of the characters (besides the bickering mothers because that was ridiculous). Everyone kind of did their thing and this won’t be one I remember all that well.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical/Regency Romance
  • Lanugage: none
  • Romance: kiss
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: Sensibly Wed (Bradwell Brothers #1) by Kasey Stockton

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 344 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Felicity Thurston is caught alone with a man at a ball, she must marry him to avoid a ruined reputation. What she doesn’t know—he’s the brother of the man she loves.

I, Felicity Thurston, suffer from an incurable case of nerves. They attack with great zeal when I find myself the center of attention, regardless of whether or not I have taken measures to subdue them, and they have often made social gatherings unbearable. So when I met a man last summer who connected with me on a deeper level, I was certain at once that he could be the one. Henry Bradwell was both easy to converse with and an avid reader, and I spent the last eight months determining how I might contrive to further our acquaintance.

So when I snuck out of the ballroom during a veritable squeeze and found myself alone with a gentleman, it was my desire to vacate the room before we were discovered. Fate had other plans. Leading gossips of the ton discovered us in what appeared to be an intimate embrace, and to save both of our families’ good names, we opted to marry.

It was only after agreeing to the wedding that I discovered my husband-to-be was not only a Bradwell man, but a brother to the man I love. And there is nothing I can do about it now.

I LOVED THIS.

Which took me by surprise. I hadn’t intended on picking it up but the audio was out and my friend loved the anxiety rep in it so here we are!

I also loved the anxiety rep. It read true to how my anxiety tends to present itself and I liked that Felicity learns what best helps or hinders her and how to overcome things she truly wants to do. And I looove arranged marriages like this. It was super sweet. James was incredibly kind and loving from the get-go. I honestly loved that this didn’t have an enemies vibe, but a let’s make the best of this situation vibe. It worked perfectly and had me head over heels for the connection between these two.

My one little tidbit was that I wanted less Henry & Mother-in-law drama. Pieces were fine but it got to be a bit much towards the end.

I just really enjoyed listening to how James and Felicity found a way to make things work. Finding activities they both loved doing together. Trying activities the other found enjoyable and all of the one bed (still clean!!) moments were heart melting. I love whispered conversations in the dark and give me all of the comfort moments. Fantastic audiobook, great read, definitely going to get my hands on the next one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of anxiety and anxiety attacks

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Book Review: In Spotlight and Shadow (Doors to the Past #11) by Rachel Scott McDaniel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Christian Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Release Date: February 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Elise Malvern has a habit of letting people down. Her former boyfriend who hoped she’d be his bride. Her grandfather who hoped she’d take over the family’s auction company. But mostly she’s disappointed herself. What’s the point of pursuing her passion as a violinist, if she is too scared to audition for a seat in the Pittsburgh Symphony? Her internship at the elegant Heinz Hall places her in the wings of the stage, but never on it. By accident, she discovers an old stage prop. Her instincts tell her there’s more to the paste necklace than meets the eye. Whether a good idea or not, she accepts help from a childhood friend, who happens to be country music megastar—Peirson Brooks. Peirson and Elise share a history; one she doesn’t care to repeat. The more involved they become in the mystery, the more things get tangled, including her heart.
 
A century earlier…
Sophie Walters longs for center stage, her name on the marquee, and all that jazz, but climbing her way into an acting career is more difficult than she imagined. Having spoiled all her chances in Hollywood, she returns to Pittsburgh, accepting an insignificant role in a popular production. She watches her dreams pass by from behind the curtain at the illustrious Loew’s Penn Theatre. She finally gets the coveted spotlight, but not for her talent. No, her surge to fame is all one terrible mistake. Somehow, she’s suspected to be a notorious jewel thief known around Pittsburgh as The Mirage. The man she pleads for help is none other than the man she jilted at the altar five years before, Sterling Monroe.

SWEET ROMANCES.

I really enjoyed this one! This was my second McDaniel book and I would easily continue picking them up. I love the themes and the characters are well written. Filled with strengths and weaknesses to work through.

The mystery element here was a lot of fun. I would not have guessed the final reveal and actually thought it was in of itself an interesting twist. There’s some intense what’s going to happen next moments that had me listening to this in one day (side note: loved the audiobook).

I thought both romances were super sweet. They were both second chance romances (with different reasonings) and I thought all of the moments were tender. Elise and Sophie both had plenty to learn about themselves and finding forgiveness within their actions and things out of their control.

Just one of those really solid books. Easily recommend if you’re okay with Christian themes (I’d say a moderate faith vein throughout) and looking for past/present timelines!

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and weapons violence, theft, grief

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Book Review: The Work of Art (Somerset Stories #1) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 392 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: July 23rd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An Uncommon Beauty…
Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland — a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero…
Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her — and her heart — in more danger than ever?

STUNNING.

I just want to sit and read Mimi Matthews books all day. She is the QUEEN of closed door historical romances and I am obsessed.

This marriage of convenience story hit me in the feels. I adored our FMC Phyllida. She was filled with compassion and kindness and continually looked at the glass half full. All she wanted was a safe space to land and thank heavens for our unlikely hero, Arthur. Super swoony, PROTECTIVE (my kryptonite) and a wounded soul who found healing through love. And I love all of the heat that is still very much present without wide open doors. It’s tender and passionate. Everything I love seeing in romance books.

I thought the plot was interesting and I liked the little bit of mystery and intensity brought about by the awful Duke. I adored all of the dog content and how they played a true role in the story too. I just really love the way Matthews crafts stories. Her writing is gorgeous and fluid and brings about all of the emotions.

I am turning into a super fan and will not be turning back.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents, war injuries, PTSD, gun violence, animal attacks, near death experiences

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