Tag: joanna barker

ARC Book Review: To Charm a Lady (The Cartwells #2) by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 312 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Rose Petal Press
Release Date: June 6th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Cora Atherton wants nothing more than to finally fall in love—real love, not the unrequited sort. When she is invited to attend a house party without her disapproving, overbearing mother, Cora leaps at the chance, desperate to make a match of her own. That is, until she finds that Oliver Cartwell is also attending the party. Oliver, the boy she has loved since she was a girl and the man she is determined to forget.A house party in the country is just what Oliver needs to distract himself from the shadows of his past. When he discovers that Cora, his sister’s best friend, is in need of a little matchmaking, he resolves to help her in her search for a husband. He quickly learns that no man is good enough for her, least of all himself. Why, then, does he find himself fighting his attraction to gentle, beautiful Cora at every step?As the two draw closer together, Cora is forced to confront the feelings that have tortured her for years. With her future on the line and a deadline fast approaching, can she trust that flirtatious Oliver has changed for the better—or will he leave her heart in pieces once again?

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

FLAWLESS.

I mean, I don’t even know where to begin with this review. When you love a book so incredibly much that you feel like no words will do it justice. This book made me actually tear up because it was beautifully wholesome and heated with the tension between Cora and Oliver. I loved how the house party was used to bring the forced proximity at the fore front and how many times Cora and Oliver got a chance to reconnect from their childhood. Cora and her unrequited crush had a grip on my heart and watching Oliver fall, and fall HARD was EVERYTHING.

There were so many moments I highlighted because this romance brings the sweeping tale of hope and change and growing into the person you want to be. I loved how low drama the plot was without slowing anything down. The will they/won’t they was impeccable and I hit that moment where I was BEGGING for a kiss to happen.

I loved all of the characters and the sweet friendships that blossomed. I loved getting to see Marigold and Tristan again. I loved the setting and atmosphere. I’m pretty sure this is my new favorite from Joanna Barker. She is a historical romance queen.

Overall audience notes:

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

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Book Review: Secrets and Suitors by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: October 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Reluctantly returning to London for yet another Season, shy Nora Hamilton has nearly given up hope that she will ever find the love match she longs for. After all, the one man she does harbor feelings for—her closest friend, James—has made it perfectly clear he views her as just that: a friend. With James traveling half a world away and Nora’s father pressuring her to marry for wealth and status, Nora is forced to set aside her desire for love and accept the future she has always dreaded.
Until James returns unexpectedly and Nora’s feelings once again rush unbearably close to the surface. Determined to save what is left of their friendship, Nora ignores her own heart and allows herself to be swept up in the London Season, soon finding herself the object of two very different gentlemen’s affections. Though she should be thrilled, both men come with a glaring fault: neither is the one man who holds her heart.

But there is much more at stake than heartbreak. When long-kept secrets are laid bare, Nora must face the fears that have plagued her all her life and decide what true love is worth.

THIS WAS SWEET.

I’ve made myself a mission to read Joanna Barker’s backlist and was happy to check this one off recently! I adored this friends to lovers romance. It’s just sweet. And I love sweet so dang much.

I do wish there would have been less suitors and more James, but that was my only small tidbit. I loved the character growth in Nora and learning how to be shy and strong and that those are not mutually exclusive traits. Seeing her Father and family fight to find peace and common ground again was wonderful. I love a tight family that may struggle, but you know the love is there.

A short and tender heartfelt romance and one that I really liked on audio!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief gun violence, loss of a sibling

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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: 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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