Tag: historical romance

ARC Book Review: Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 248 pages
Author: Rachel Kelley Stones
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: July 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hannah Hadley is a permanent fixture in London Society and well on her way to becoming a spinster. Despite her beauty and kind disposition, Hannah has accepted the harsh reality of her situation: she will never marry. Continually affected by an illness from her youth, Hannah acknowledges her chances of entertaining potential suitors, at least respectable ones, is slim.

To members of the ton, Jonathan Carter is undeniably unsuitable. Though he is in possession of a massive fortune and is handsome as well, there remains an insurmountable black mark against him: his is new money. Even so, he’s caught off guard when his enchanting neighbor, Miss Hadley, flatly rejects his offer to dance. Despite their rocky introduction, however, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But when circumstances force Hannah from her home, the couple’s warm association comes to an abrupt end. Now, Jonathan must find a way to rescue the woman he just might love or risk losing her forever.

Thank you to the author and Covenant Communications for the ARC.

GREAT DEBUT.

I enjoyed this one a lot! Hannah was such a wonderful FMC and her resilient strength shown throughout the whole book. She doesn’t let her disability define her and I loved seeing her define her self-worth and place in society.

There was even DUAL POV with Jonathan too. I adored him as well. I liked seeing his self reflection and growth as he acknowledged mistakes, made apologies and pursued Hannah. They were a sweet pairing and I liked all of their interactions.

A charming story that gets some intense scenes towards the end. I liked the pick-up in action and the rush I felt flying through pages wondering if Jonathan and Hannah were going to make it back to each other. Filled with redemptive characters (and some villains that in no way deserve redemption), a nice level of drama and a satisfying romance, I thought this was a great debut and I look forward to more books by this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: ableism, loss of sight, loss of a father (recounted), brief assault, physical injuries

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction + Romance
Length: 405 pages
Author: Amy Harmon
Publisher: Lake Union
Release Date: April 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From New York Times bestselling author Amy Harmon comes the saga of a young woman who dares to chart her own destiny in life and love during the American Revolutionary War.

In 1760, Deborah Samson is born to Puritan parents in Plympton, Massachusetts. When her father abandons the family and her mother is unable to support them, Deborah is bound out as an indentured servant. From that moment on, she yearns for a life of liberation and adventure.

Twenty years later, as the American colonies begin to buckle in their battle for independence, Deborah, impassioned by the cause, disguises herself as a soldier and enlists in the Continental Army. Her impressive height and lanky build make her transformation a convincing one, and it isn’t long before she finds herself confronting the horrors of war head-on.

But as Deborah fights for her country’s freedom, she must contend with the secret of who she is—and, ultimately, a surprising love she can’t deny.

LOVED WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING.

I honestly don’t even know how to write this review because this book consumed my soul and I loved it so much. It made me feel proud to be a woman and want to shout to hear these untold stories more. I LOVED Deborah Samson. Her courage and bravery. Choosing a hard path, but the path that gave her hope and freedom. I loved the way she carried herself and her resilient, hard working nature that bled into those around her. Deborah is the type of female leads in books that make me love reading.

The romance was completely different than I expected, IN THE BEST WAYS. I loved the age gap, forbidden romance and all the intense and passionate feelings between Deborah and [redacted because I don’t want to spoil]. They had amazing chemistry and I was GLUED to my page anytime they were in the same scene because the magnetic pull between them yanked me along too. I am a puddle after the way everything worked out and wrapped up in the end.

This book was incredible. I expected no less from Amy Harmon (one of my top five authors ever). I love the beautiful way she crafts a story and brings all of these historical aspects to life. I am in awe every time I come to the closing pages. This book needs to be read by all.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: vague fade to black; closed-door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes (Revolutionary specifically), indentured servitude, loss of life, loss of loved ones, brief mentions of abuse and parental abandonment

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: Appointment in Bath (Somerset Stories #4) by Mimi Matthews

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: June 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A chance meeting between the sheltered daughter and the forward-thinking son of rival Victorian families sparks a forbidden romance in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s fourth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series.

Shy and stammering Meg Burton-Smythe has spent the whole of her life living on the fringes of local society. She’s more comfortable with her daydreams than she is with people. But when a dashing, golden-haired hero rides to her rescue one morning, she dares to hope that her dreams might finally come true. There’s only one problem: her handsome rescuer is the son of her father’s sworn enemy.

Ivo Beresford doesn’t believe in clinging to the past. Freshly returned from a lengthy grand tour, he’s looking to the future, eager to spearhead the building of a new railway extension in Somersetshire. But an unexpected encounter with Meg Burton-Smythe, the isolated only daughter of his parents’ oldest foe, sets the past and the future colliding.

Resolved to put ancient grudges to rest—at least where innocent young ladies are concerned—Ivo encourages lonely Meg to embark on a secret acquaintance. After all, what harm can a friendship do? It isn’t as though there’s any danger of the two of them falling in love…

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

I LOVE MEG.

She was the best part of this whole book. I LOVED her journey. She learned who she was, stood up for herself to those around her and just did the dang thing. I loved her character and she’s a new favorite.

And I’m obsessed with this whole series. I love that we get this second generation of stories now because I’m even more in love with the whole family. I adored Ivo as well. He went on a good journey too and I appreciated his sunshine energy. The balance of friendship to romance was well paced and you could feel the tension between these two, even though the romance is forbidden (you know you want to read it now).

I’m such a Mimi Matthews fan. Her books add this perfect level of edge to the historical genre without adding spice. There’s romantic ball scenes, horse rides through the countryside and secret meetings. I LOVED IT ALL.

Overall audience notes:

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

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 29th, 2004
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In every life there is a turning point.

A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer — the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets.

WICKEDLY GOOD.

Sometimes I think I’m funny.

Any who. This didn’t surpass my love for Anthony’s story buuut I did think it was a great read! A great audio book read that I adored.

Poor Michael cracked me up. Wow do I love a man smitten from FOREVER. I did appreciate how that situation was handled and that no gray area cheating or anything like that occurred. It made me be able to connect to the new romantic relationship development between Michael and Francesca.

Francesca was a lovable heroine who worked past her grief to find a new love in life. Allowing herself to feel and be open to experiences that could once again leave her in heartbreak. She had some endearing qualities about her and I loved watching the friendship turn into pure romance.

The conflict was dragged out a little bit further than I was hoping. At the time I figured it would be resolved it wasn’t. And it did get a little past my spice comfort level. But besides that, I’m reading randomly through the Bridgerton series and enjoying them immensely!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: three open door (one very long)
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: infertility, miscarriage, sudden loss of a husband

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph