Book Review: Drinker of Ink by Shannon Castleton

March 9, 2024January 18, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 393 pages
Author: Shannon Castleton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

California, 1991

“I only ever talk to this journal. Is there an alternate universe? Another planet? Please could you beam me up, Holy Father?”

Paris-born Vivienne Lebrun longs for a different life. One where she doesn’t attend college three thousand miles away from her family in New York City. A life where she is sophisticated and has kissed many men, both standing up and sitting down, like the lovers in Rodin’s sculpture. In that life, she would skip her final year of school and start writing books and working at a New York bakery. And her French mother wouldn’t (possibly, maybe) be dealing with the return of cancer.

In her real life, all Vivienne can do is obsessively catalog her longings in her journal.But as a new semester begins, she enrolls in a poetry class taught by Peter Breznik, a handsome Yugoslavian graduate instructor. In a heartbeat, she’s taken by his spell-casting blue eyes, his almost-smile, and his romantically-worn canvas satchel. Soon—though Vivienne suspects she’s stumbled into a dream—Peter is talking to her in chance library encounters about poems, future plans, and his violently unraveling country. And Vivienne is not just writing her fantasies, but wondering if she might (possibly, maybe) be singled out by the universe to live one.

Until struggles intensify for both their families—Vivienne’s mother’s health, Peter’s brother’s recklessness in war-torn Croatia—and they are pulled by demands beyond their control. Through distance and heartbreak, can Vivienne and Peter find one another and choose the life they had dreamed of together?

WELL.

I fear this may have been a case of over-hyped for me. Y’all I wanted to love this as much as everyone else I had seen read this before I got my copy and I tried. And while, I absolutely tabbed multiple places in my book and thought it got progressively better, I couldn’t quite give it five stars.

The first half was slowwww and I struggled with the family dynamics + Vivienne. There were things I could not find a way to connect to and while I understood the theme and setting of these choices, it was not meant to be.

The second half was much better. I adored Peter. Like I said previously, plenty of places to mark and swoon over. Writing wise, it was beautifully written. Poetry really isn’t my thing but I could appreciate the way it was used her. And who knew that I would actually really enjoy the 1990’s setting? Also wild to call that historical fiction in any context.

I really felt the depth in those later sections and seeing the growth of the characters too. A lot of raw and poignant moments that I’m grateful the book made it too. It was lyrically dramatic and my soul was caught up in this love story at last.

I love a good book written in journal entries. It’s different than what I usually pick up and I would love to read the author’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Fiction Romance
Language: very little
Romance: heated kisses
Violence: low-moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of war, loss of a loved one (multiple), a loved one with cancer

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ARC Book Review: An Unlikely Proposition (Unexpected Seasons #2) by Rosalyn Eves

March 6, 2024February 19, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Rosalyn Eves
Publisher: Fierce Reads
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A standalone companion to An Improbable Season , this Regency romance ⁠― perfect for fans of Bridgerton ― is about following your heart, pursuing your dreams, and falling head over heels in love.

Eleanor did not come to London to be proper and boring. After the death of her husband and a year of mourning, the seventeen year old wants nothing more than her independence and to have a little fun. She’s hardly looking to remarry, despite pressures from her late husband’s nephew, who is keen on obtaining her inheritance. Eleanor quickly devises a plan that includes a fake engagement. What’s not a part of the plan? Falling for a dashing, quiet man outside of her social circle – a man who is not her betrothed. Can she survive the Season with her heart and her fortune intact?

Thalia is determined to begin afresh after a disastrous first Season in London. No romantic distractions, but only her work as a poet and newfound companion to Eleanor. Determined to get her poems published, she struggles to be taken seriously as a female writer. As the spring progresses, Thalia does not expect to take interest in a man from her past (a man who is engaged to her employer, no less!), but some feelings demand to be felt even if the timing isn’t quite right.

Rosalyn Eves’s An Unlikely Proposition is a transportive Regency drama that captures the sparkle of London, thrill of friendship, and swoon of new love.

Thank you AustenProse PR and Fierce Reads for the gifted copy.

CHARMING.

I really enjoyed this! Another charming and delightful read in this standalone series. I love the London atmosphere and the balls and intriguing romances that come about.

Eleanor and Thalia both had a lot of character and I liked seeing their growth throughout the book. Eleanor needed to learn to lean on others and I was so happy to see how things worked out for her in the end. Thalia meanwhile, gained confidence in her writing and the courage to pursue her passions. Add in two handsome men and this brought a smile to my face.

A few small tidbits that kept me from that full five stars, but a genuine enjoyable read nonetheless. I like the voices the author creates for these characters and the drama and hope that flows throughout. If you’re needing something on the lighter side with a bit of swoon, I would absolutely recommend this (or book one! Which can be read on its own too).

Overall audience notes:

YA Historical Romance
Language: none – low
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse (recounted), attempted sexual assault (one brief incident)

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ARC Book Review: An Inconvenient Letter by Julie Wright

March 5, 2024February 21, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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

February 26, 2024February 23, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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: