Book Review: His Disinclined Bride (Seasons of Change #7) by Jennie Goutet

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 270 pages
Author: Jennie Goutet
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 28th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She agreed to marry on impulse; he agreed for money.

Kitty Stokes never imagined she’d be so weak as to sacrifice herself on the altar of family obligations, but when her brother impresses upon her that her only alternative to marriage with Phineas Hayworth is to play nursemaid to his own children, Kitty agrees against her better judgment. On her wedding day, the certainty she has made a grave error is only outweighed by the realization that it’s too late to back out now.

Phineas Hayworth refrained from setting eyes on his new bride before their wedding day. It was the price he forced himself to pay for being so mercenary as to contract a marriage with a wealthy merchant’s sister to save his estate from foreclosure. Her beauty, therefore, comes as a shock, as does her icy treatment, which he cannot but secretly feel he deserves. He swears an oath he will not approach her for an heir unless the invitation comes from her.

As Phineas sets out to repair the estate, dismiss lazy servants, and bring Kitty to Bath to present her to local Society, he finds his wife to be more enchanting than he could have hoped for, even in a love match. Kitty continues to hold him at arm’s length, although he suspects her feelings for him run just as deep. As Phineas’s love and desire for his wife grows, the oath he swore her begins to suffocate, and it soon becomes clear he must win her over completely or spend the rest of his life in a loveless marriage.

SUPER SWEET.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I started this, some solid reviews from friends made it sound up my alley. I think I can definitely say it was! I seem to be in a regency romance mood and I’m not mad about it.

The premise of this with an arranged marriage was fun and different. I loved the relationship development and the way Phineas worked towards forming a bond with Kitty. I was also appreciative of Kitty not being totally obstinate and stubborn about her situation. It was a much better read with both wanting to make things work even if it took ironing out some creases first.

I didn’t feel this was overly dramatic. The side plots helped move Phineas and Kitty towards each other and it was pretty cute watching them flounder around with their emotions. A few perfectly regent kissing scenes and I was touched by it all.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: On the Second Day of Christmas (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair #4) by Deborah M. Hathaway

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 228 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: November 21st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Slipping on the ice is bad enough—being treated by the physician she rejected years ago is simply unbearable.

Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair
Sweet, Regency Christmas Romances

Five Christmas romances and the Frost Fair that started them all

Headstrong and independent, Miss Lucy Lincoln wishes to find a husband who shares her taste for adventure. Until then, she is determined to live her life without regrets. Well, except for the one she already has—humiliating poor Benjamin Kent after his unwanted marriage proposal years earlier. After an accident at the Frost Fair draws that same insecure gentleman to care for her injury, she finally asks for forgiveness. But Dr. Kent, now a respectable gentleman and physician, is unwilling to accept her apology.

Benjamin Kent wants nothing more than to live out his days in peace and seclusion away from London Society—and away from his memories of Lucy Lincoln. But when his conscience forces him to treat the woman, he cannot pass on the opportunity to finally let her know that she no longer has him under her spell.

Rather than being relieved with Benjamin’s indifference, Lucy struggles to accept the fact that little, shy Benjamin now shows irresistible confidence—and an unsettling apathy toward her. When sparks smolder between them, though, Benjamin must fight to keep his old feelings in the past, and Lucy must realize before it’s too late that either Benjamin has changed…or her own feelings have.

This is the fourth book in the clean and sweet Regency romance Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair series.
Although this second chance romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order.

A GREAT RESOLUTION.

I’ve made it through four of these books now, and they’re totally predictable and have some of the same characteristics. BUT, they are also easy reads with adorable romances and subtle moments that I’ve really enjoyed diving into. Quick Christmas regency romance reads.

I liked that this one differed from the others in the overall plot. Lucy had to try and regain Benjamin’s confidence and right several wrongs of their past. It made for great banter that had me smiling and loving the connection they were reforming. Some of the side characters were a touch too much, but they seemed to add contrast to the main’s.

Ben and Lucy both had flaws and I loved seeing those along with them growing and recognizing how they both could work together. This installment was incredibly sweet and I have been loving all of the holiday vibes.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: slips & falls, nearly falling into an icy river

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Book Review: All is Mary and Bright (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair #2) by Kasey Stockton

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Regency romance
Length: 243 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Golden Owl Press
Release Date: October 24th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s found the woman he wants to marry—it’s a shame she is already engaged to someone else.

Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair

Sweet, Regency Christmas Romances

Five Christmas romances and the Frost Fair that started them all

This is the second book in the clean and sweet Regency romance Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair series. Although this forbidden love romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order.

HAD ITS MOMENTS.

This was cute, but definitely didn’t love it as much as the first in this series (and I have now put together that each book is by a different author too). There was charm here, I was hoping for a bit more though.

The plot dragged throughout. There were continual tangents about Pride & Prejudice. And I didn’t feel like it even fit in the story? I get where some allusions were made between the two novels, but it took me out of the book each time it talked about P&P.

I enjoyed Andrew so much. He was an amiable and alluring love interest who really seemed to mesh well with Mary. I liked how they bounced off each other and were able to communicate about there pasts and the things they struggled with. I don’t think it needed the extra fiance (not a love triangle, it was a contract of marriage for convenience) to make things come together.

The atmosphere is incredibly Christmas and holiday. I love that and it has me wanting to continue this series. Quick romances with a lot of pleasing aspects overall. Can’t wait to continue!

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: a bad slip and fall causing a concussion

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Book Review: Her Silent Knight (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair #1) by Ashtyn Newbold

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency romance
Length: 183 pages
Author: Ashtyn Newbold
Publisher: Three Leaf Publishing
Release Date: October 10th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Sir Edmund catches Miss Selina in a forbidden courtship at the frost fair, she asks for his silence. But he has a request to make in exchange, and it may cost Selina her carefully guarded heart.

CHARMING.

I can’t wait to read more of the books in this series because I really enjoyed this one.

Selina and Edmund were a charming pair and the love triangle kind-of happening honestly didn’t phase me at all. It’s clear from the start where things are going and I appreciated the transparent everything was between them. Edmund and Selina had some cute banter and moments. For a quick-paced romance I didn’t feel the rush. Probably, also because it’s a regency romance and I always feel those tend towards a faster pace.

I loved the setting. Christmastide on the river Thames. It felt atmospheric and romantic. The writing was great and I felt invested from the start. This had some solid kiss moments and the ending was predictably adorable. I love a good Hallmark-y romance read during the season and this was wonderful.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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