Tag: shadow mountain

ARC Book Review: The Duke’s Bargain by Megan Walker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Megan Walker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: May 5th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ruined by scandal, Georgiana bargains with a duke to regain her place in Society. But their pretend friendship sparks real love, risking reputations, duty, and unexpected happily-ever-afters.

Eight months after a stolen kiss ruined her reputation, Miss Georgiana Wood is a recluse, cast out of Society without any hope of ever finding a suitable match. Longing for redemption, she never expects her salvation to arrive in the form of a handsome, temperamental duke.

After a failed bargain left the Duke of Marlow without a promised wife and heir, he must face courtship a final time. He plans to entice his future bride with a priceless family heirloom—one now in the possession of Miss Wood, who agrees to return it if he takes her on three outings in London during the Season to restore her reputation.

As the pair navigate Society’s expectations and whispered gossip, Marlow begins to see Georgiana as an ally and a friend. Her wit and courage, grace and allure far exceed that of the eligible ladies he intended to court, and soon, he’d do almost anything to secure her happiness.

As Marlow wrestles with duty and desire, Georgiana begins to hope that she could be loved for who she truly is. When hearts are tested, truth and secrets revealed, will love be enough to risk it all?

Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Megan Walker for the gifted copy.

AHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I don’t even know how to put this review together because I can’t fathom how to explain HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK. It took me exactly one chapter to lock in and be glued to this book. It was an immaculate concept of OH MY GOSH WHEN ARE Y’ALL GOING TO KISS. I can’t tell you how many times I shouted that at Marlow & Georgiana. Which honestly, is my favorite way to be. This was full of YEARNING to the nth degree. And we got this cinematic masterpiece in dual POV? I’M DECEASED.

I loved everything. Every scene. Every moment. Every character. IT WAS ALL AMAZING OKAY? I didn’t want this book to end. The nuanced and deep connection Marlow and Georgiana formed sent me to the stratosphere. The late night moments were romantic and swoony and once again, you’ll be shouting at every glance, touch, and longing look across the way.

It’s stunning in all ways and is easily going to be one of the best romances I’ve read this year!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: physical altercation

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ARC Book Review: We Are Never Getting Together by Janette Rallison

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Rating: ★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Janette Rallison
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this reverse Parent Trap, two feuding teenagers pretend to be in love to keep their parents apart, but love has other plans. A clean YA rom-com from USA Today best-selling author, Janette Rallison.

Madeline and Cooper have had bad blood since junior year when she beat out his sister for the lead in the school play. Ever since, it’s been one petty escalation after another—plastic-wrapped cars, glitter bombs, and even a derogatory viral video. When their latest prank lands them in the principal’s office with their single parents in tow, Madeline and Cooper are shocked to find that their parents have hit it off and now have plans for a dinner date.

Horrified by the prospect of their parents falling in love, Madeline and Cooper reach a truce. To keep their parents apart, they’ll pretend their feud is over and that they’re in a relationship. They’re positive that by fake dating, their parents will realize their relationship is a terrible idea and stop seeing each other. But the longer their fake relationship continues, the more they discover that there may be things they actually like about each other. How long are Madeline and Cooper willing to keep up the ruse before they have to face the consequences of their actions?

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the gifted copy.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

This made me incredibly cranky. On so many levels y’all. Lets get into it.

I did not like the writing style. Some things seemed out of pocket and haphazardly thrown in. The “banter” was weak and the drama was eye roll worthy x1000. I understand these are high school aged characters but I’ve read many books with the same age that still have them act their age and have the right kind of drama aligned for the novel. I wouldn’t give this to my kids to read because they wouldn’t get anything out of it.

I didn’t like that they were fake dating each other, while dating other people. I didn’t like how the parents relationship was “resolved” or how Madeline and Cooper’s relationship was “resolved.” It was all very gimmicky and like I was watching a bad Disney Channel movie.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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ARC Book Review: A Love Most Daring (Bow Street #3) by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: March 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From best-selling author Joanna Barker: Proper romance meets page-turning mystery in this captivating tale of danger, redemption, and love worth fighting for.

After years of whispered gossip and quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific attack tied to a chilling high-profile murder case gripping the city.

Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it’s clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal-stained Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and lingering glance fans a slow-burning connection—one neither of them expected and neither can resist.

With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring risk of all.

Thank you Shadow Mountain and Joanna Barker for the gifted copy.

THE SWOOOOOOON.

This felt very Pride and Prejudice coded to me. In allllll the best ways. Add in some suspense and I became a goner. I could not get enough of each and every page. I LOVE both of these characters and the banter will have you giggling and kicking your feet like none other.

I’m a sucker for forced proximity that doesn’t feel forced and the natural way of the romance was amazing. Stuck in a home together? FOR PROTECTION? Say less. I loved the impeccable slow burn and the intensity of feelings you could feel coming off in waves from Beatrice and Alexander. I also forgot how much I love in historicals when they use their first name??? Good heavens.

I loved the setting, I loved the mystery of the suspense and how the added elements only increased my enjoyment. Everything is balanced beautifully and I know you’ll have a hard time putting this one down. READ IT OKAY.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild-moderate
  • Content warnings: attempted murder, weapons violence

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ARC Book Review: The Maid of Sherwood Forest (A McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance #2) by Sian Ann Bessey

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 296 pages
Author: Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Mariah thought Robin Hood was just a legend—until time pulled her into his world and the outlaw stole her heart.

Nothing about Mariah Clinton’s passion for archery or her work as a sous-chef in contemporary London prepares her for the moment she’s pulled into another time—and another life. One minute, she’s stepping into McQuivey’s Costume Shop to rent a medieval gown. The next, she’s standing in a castle kitchen in twelfth-century Nottingham—with no idea how she got there or how to return to modern time. Forced to pose as a kitchen servant, she must draw on ingenuity and courage to survive in a world in which she shouldn’t exist. But when her skill with a bow draws the attention of outlaws in Sherwood Forest, she’s swept into a conflict that is more dangerous—and more thrilling—than she could ever have imagined.

Robin Hood has spent years outwitting the sheriff, protecting the innocent, and keeping his men one step ahead of Prince John’s reach. But when he crosses paths with a mysterious archer who shoots like no woman he’s ever met, he knows she’s hiding something. Her words, her ways, even the fire in her eyes—none of it belongs in his time. Yet the more she stands at his side, the harder it becomes to imagine Sherwood Forest without her.

Mariah is torn between a past she understands in modern-day London and an uncertain future with an outlaw who has stolen her heart. But as the sheriff’s grip tightens and betrayal looms, one truth becomes clear—some choices are impossible to undo, and love, once found, is not so easily left behind.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for a gifted ARC.

NOT FOR ME.

I’m just going to accept that this series isn’t for me and take a step back. I don’t think the writing was bad or anything along those lines. The story itself was lacking something that made me want to keep picking it up. It felt like I was reading any movie or historical article I’ve read about Robin Hood without adding anything new. The romance is also a bit insta-lovey and I wanted a deeper connection between them.

So while not for me, I know plenty of people who will love this more than me and I hope you do.

Overall audience notes:

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

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