Tag: historical romance

Book Review: The Truth about Miss Ashbourne by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 272 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: November 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Governess Juliana Ashbourne has dreams reaching far beyond the confines of her current position, hoping to someday establish her own school for girls. When she inherits a fortune from her late grandfather, she is shocked to learn that “someday” may soon be within reach. However, there is one condition: she must spend a month at the estate of Havenfield–with the very family who disowned her mother. Intent on securing the money she needs to start her school, Juliana accepts the invitation, vowing to guard her heart against those who shunned her all her life. 

But Havenfield is far from what she expects. She discovers a grandmother seeking forgiveness, a cold and disapproving aunt, and a painfully shy cousin. And then there is Mr. William Rowley. Though the heir to the estate is a merciless tease, Juliana finds in him a friend and confidant–and perhaps something more. As she struggles to make sense of her new place in the world, her stubborn independence clashes with a yearning to belong and the even more confusing desires of her heart.

ANOTHER WINNER.

Joanna Barker can do no wrong in my bookish opinion. I have sincerely enjoyed the three books (so far) that I have read by her. I love the way she crafts a story. There’s FANTASTIC banter that makes me all giddy and swoony, deep kisses that have my heart squeezing.

There’s also really solid character development. One of the biggest things I look for in a read. I loved Julianna’s growth and exploration of her self as she came to terms with her past and the options being opened for her now. It wasn’t an overnight solution and the progress made had me loving her all the more.

Enter in our heartthrob William Rowley. From a bit of a disaster meet-cute (at least to Julianna) to rousing confessions of love, I was hooked on him from the get-go. I loved how he gently teased her and taught her new things. Being a safe space to land, even if it took Julianna time to realize it.

The only thing that made me a little cranky was part of the final conflict. I think it would have been easily solved another way and I just didn’t like that it was dragged out. The last scenes were super sweet so props to bringing it back for me. That little complaint is no reason not to pick up this great regency.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (off page, discussed), grief depiction

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ARC Book Review: In This Moment (Timeless #2) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives–and everyone she knows in them–forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she’s asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she’s a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era. The mysterious British gentleman. The prickly, demanding doctor. The charming young congressman. She’s drawn to each man in different ways, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer.

With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

Thank you to Bethany House for a gifted copy.

LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

This book took me on a JOURNEY y’all. And I loved every moment. I read the first book as an audiobook so I wasn’t quite sure how it would translate to me reading in print, but don’t worry, Meyer’s crafts beautiful stories no matter the media.

I loved seeing how Maggie worked through deciding which place would be best for her to stay. Each time period is in a critical war era and clearly so much research has been done to bring the historical aspects to life. The transitioning chapters kept the pacing going and had me on pins and needles wondering what would happen next.

The romance starts off as a bit of a love square, but never fear, I loved the way each time period and love interest was handled. Even when I became undecided between the two I really appreciated how everything worked out in the end. It felt true to each of the characters.

I loved this book so much. I just have to say it again. The faith journey also hit me in the soul. I liked that it didn’t feel preachy or forced, but rather more real and impactful.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT BOOK.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes (Civil War, Pearl Harbor and 9/11), loss of life, chronic illness (celiac disease)

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Book Review: When the Day Comes (Timeless #1) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 3rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other without any time passing. On her twenty-first birthday, Libby must choose one path and forfeit the other–but how can she possibly decide when she has so much to lose?

EVERYONE WAS RIGHT.

This book made me STRESSED. And I don’t know why I sat on it for so long because it was worth all of the hype I remember seeing for it when it released. This took my avoidance towards time travel romances fly out the door because I loved the way this was written. It was easy to follow and easy to get wrapped up in the entire story.

I loved how there was just the right amount of twists and turns. There was intense moments and times I wanted to throw the book in rage (that good of kind of rage because the writing brings out all the feels). I could not stop listening and had to know what happened next. The romance with Henry was swoony and passionate. Libby was a formidable FMC and I loved her strength with things out of her control and relying on her faith and inner depths to get to the next day.

The ending was beautiful. I was begging the ending to work out as it did the whole book and I loved how it all came together!!

If you couldn’t tell, this is a, READ IT book from me. I can’t wait to read the next one!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian HIstorical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: spousal abuse/rape (not graphically on page, but mentioned), pregnancy and childbirth, mentions of wars (Revolutionary/WW1), loss of life

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ARC Book Review: A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: May 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.

Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

MY NEW FAVORITE.

Y’all. Here me out. Romantic suspense PLUS regency romance. It’s my new favorite thing. I looooved this so much!!!

Jack was heavenly swoony. I tabbed my book many times over at his glances and endearing ways. I loved his personality and there was off the charts chemistry between him and Ginny from the get-go. Fiery banter and passionate kisses and I am in love.

I loved Ginny’s tenacity and take charge nature. It’s not overwhelming, it’s empowering. She grows through putting the past behind, solving crimes, and doing what’s best for her estate. I also appreciate a great friendship and I adored that connection as well.

There’s the perfect balance between romance and suspense. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to know what happens next. Who took the watch? Who’s causing chaos? It’s such a unique dynamic for this genre and Barker’s writing is captivating. I LOVE her writing and will continue to read anything of hers I can get my hands on.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, gun violence, arson, attempted murder, loss of a parent

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