Tag: regency romance

Book Review: A Fall from Grace (Clavering Chronicles #1) by Jennie Goutet

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 236 pages
Author: Jennie Goutet
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: April 13th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She needs a champion. He needs one less person to worry about.

Selena Lockhart comes with neither fortune nor connections, and she knows better than to expect Society to give her a welcome—especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family’s sudden fall from grace and Selena’s betrothed to break off the engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little?

Sir Lucius Clavering is not married, but he may as well be, considering he is expected to escort his widowed mother to watering holes, round out the numbers at his married sister’s dinners, and come to the aid of his scapegrace younger siblings. It doesn’t help that single women and matchmaking mamas jostle each other for his face, fortune, and title so that he’s left without a moment’s peace.

When Selena shows up at Lucius’s doorstep looking for help, he is sure it’s another ploy aimed at cutting up his prized bachelor existence. Although his prejudice does not last long, Lucius fears his first reaction might have ruined his chances with her. How can he save her from Society’s teeth when she continues to hold him at arm’s length?

SUB-PLOT TAKEOVER.

Regency romances are hit and misses for me, but I always keep going back because I really do love them. This one was a bit of a miss for me, but I’m hopeful for the next in the series.

I liked the main characters, Selena and Lucius. And there was dual POV!! My absolute favorite in any romance. I love getting both sides of the story and this was no exception.

What dragged me down was how thoroughly the lesser plot took over the main plot. Selena was entirely engrossed in her duties and that was seemingly the only thing she could ponder on. Which is usually fine, when the whole book isn’t a romance. If that’s the whole idea I want the plot to further the romance, not feel like it’s own separate entity.

The moments Lucius and Selena were together were fantastic! Great banter, a bit swoony, all the things I love in a regency (I love any time a regency romance puts the couple together without anyone around, THE SCANDAL). But there weren’t enough interactions for me to feel fully invested. Things fell flat by the end when some really sweet sentiments were passed between them.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent because of gambling addiction and alcoholism

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Book Review: A Proper Scoundrel (Proper Scandals #3) by Esther Hatch

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Esther Hatch
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: May 10th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions—and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.

LOVED THIS STORY.

I’m so glad that I finally got to read Lord Bryant’s story!!! It was well deserved and beautifully written.

I adored Diana. I love the way she’s portrayed even a society/time period that didn’t look kindly upon a businesswoman. It’s fantastic seeing this in regency romances and I couldn’t get enough of her resilience and savvy skills to do what was needed.

And of course I looooved Lord Bryant. My sweet, tortured cinnamon roll soul. He met his match in Diana and their flirtatious banter was on point. The tender moments with hands touching, eyes locked had me swooning. I could use 100 more of those scenes and it would never get old.

Some of the antics were a bit different than I imagined for the story (like the Lady Emily sub-plot). That is my only minor complaint. This book had me loving every moment Lord Bryant swaggered into Diana’s rail business and Mrs. Oliver conveniently slipped away.

Everything was unconventional for a regency and their relationship and that is my favorite aspect of Hatch’s stories. They feel fresh and so incredibly romantic. I look forward to reading her next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: brief physical altercation
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse

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Book Review: Romancing Her Rival (Promise of Forever After #2) by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance Novella
Length: 156 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Love Letter Press
Release Date: August 5th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He stole her inheritance. She stole his heart.

Daphne Windham has depended upon one thing her entire life: inheriting her beloved great-aunt’s estate, Cheriton Hall. With her mother desperate to marry her off to the highest bidder, Daphne is relieved to escape to Cheriton for the summer—until she learns that her aunt has decided upon a different heir entirely. Cole Everard, the steward’s son and Daphne’s childhood friend. Former friend, that is.

Raised on the grounds of Cheriton, Cole Everard never imagined he would be named heir, but he is determined to prove himself worthy of the position. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done, especially when Daphne arrives claiming he is anything but worthy. Instead of their close friendship, Cole is met with cold indifference—which would sting much less if he wasn’t entirely in love with her…

Hurt and betrayed, Daphne believes her only choice is to undermine her new rival and reclaim what is rightfully hers. But that plan becomes increasingly difficult, what with Cole’s infuriating charm and kindness. When fate offers Daphne a second chance, will she take it or risk it all for the promise of love?

Romancing Her Rival is the second in a series of books about five friends. The other four novellas will be written by authors Sally Britton, Megan Walker, Heidi Kimball, and Arlem Hawks.

SMITTEN.

An absolutely charming regency novella. I was grinning for ear to ear by the closing scenes and I am falling more in love with Barker’s books as I go!

This is a super quick read (150 pages) and is excellently paced. I liked that there was enough background mentioned between Daphne and Cole to know that they had a history prior to the book. I feel like that’s always really critical for a novella. An established past helps fuel the connection we get to see on page.

And what a connection it was!! I immediately saw the chemistry between our main couple and I loved the progression of their romance. The critical conflict scenes weren’t out of bounds I I am here for a passionate confession of feelings accidentally in front of the other person.

Super smitten with this whole read. One of those moments wondering why it took so long for me to pick it up in the first place. Can’t wait to read more!

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: emotionally manipulative parenting

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Book Review: A Proper Charade (Proper Scandals #2) by Esther Hatch

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 224 pages
Author: Esther Hatch
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: May 1st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience’s elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister’s antics – but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.

Taken on as household staff by her brother’s former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth – and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn’t helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated that she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong – even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.

A DELIGHTFUL GEM.

Another great Esther Hatch read. Wow do I lover her books!! This was definitely no exception and I found myself continually smiling throughout.

I loved Patience! She was charming and boisterous. I thought the whole charade concept was humorous. I liked that Patience was full of heart and wanting to find growth within herself. She showcased a lot of great characteristics and this all played out so well.

Add in an admirable, just wanting to be loved hero, Anthony and I was smitten. They were able to be genuine with each other and both worked towards finding their place in the world. I was unsure how everything would work out between them, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t overdone. I actually thought it was all very romantic, and very Anthony (IYKYK).

So much of this was intensely sweet and made my heart want to gush. The only thing I didn’t like was how long a certain ex stuck around for longer than necessary [which is a reading pet peeve of mine]. Besides that, I love these characters, I love these unique regency stories and I’m so excited to read the next in this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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