Weekly Reads: April 24 to 30, 2023

Lots of shorter, relatively low-angst books this week, which are really quick to read.

About an Earl by Diana Lloyd (2020)

Historical romance. Georgian-era England. Book 2 of the What Happens in the Ballroom series. Julianna attempts to prevent her cousin from compromising an earl into marriage but gets caught kissing him herself. Oliver is a scarred reclusive earl that is not often seen in society. After the scandal, Julianna’s uncle packs her up and sends her to Scotland without entertaining Oliver’s offer of marriage. Oliver chases after her to offer protection, but finds his own troubles when he returns to his country estate. Apparently, as the scarred and reclusive gentleman, his claim to the House of Lords and his sanity is being questioned. Julianna tries to help by declaring them engaged, but she’s about ready to jump back on a ship to the Americas to rescue her imprisoned father. There’s a ton of different nefarious plots going on here with both parties being insecure in the other person’s affections, but it was still entertaining overall.

Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla. Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

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The Affair by Lily Maxton (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Sisters of Scandal series. Novella-length story. Elizabeth is out of mourning and ready to wear colorful dresses again; when she escapes from the rain, she meets a handsome rake of a bookseller, Cale, and is intrigued by him. Somehow Elizabeth is being courted by her late husband’s cousin and heir while also being pursued by Cale for an affair. She ends up starting an affair with Cale, even knowing that he is uninterested in marriage and their differences in social station may impede a serious relationship. Quick read that resolves fairly quickly, but still really enjoyable.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Last Lord Standing by Diana Lloyd (2023)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the What Happens in the Ballroom series. Headstrong daughter of an earl, Libby, dances with a stranger at her birthday ball. Kerr, the second son of a second son, is somehow tasked by three of his friends to keep Libby distracted from other suitors while they’re considering her as a potential bride. Kerr and Libby soon form a friendship of sorts and spend more time together. This one is another story from Lloyd that has lots going on in a short amount of time, but what stands out here is Kerr’s instant attraction to and respect for Libby, and Libby’s strength and independence. Despite all the chaos and drama surrounding them, I appreciated the connection between the two and their lively relationship.

Advance ebook provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley.

The Wager by Lily Maxton (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Sisters of Scandal series. Novella-length story. Outspoken sister Anne is trying to steal a copy of a scandalous memoir by a courtesan and runs into Michael, the earl that her sister had refused for marriage the previous year. They start a flirty bit of letter exchanging and then some flirtatious wagering when they’re in the same town. When they’re caught in a compromising situation together, they’re pressured to marry, even though Anne doesn’t want to marry someone who’s in love with her sister. Another quick and straightforward romance to read from this series.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Love Match by Lily Maxton (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Sisters of Scandal series. Novella-length story. With Olivia’s older sisters settled and married, her mother is now trying to make a suitable match for the shy and bookish Olivia. At a house party, Olivia’s non-flirtatious demeanor has caught the attention of William, a mere mister who’s known to be a flirt. They start a dalliance while at the house party despite having no intention of courting or marrying. I think I liked this one best out of the three novellas since William was so good at defending Olivia when needed.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

To Love a Scot by Jennifer Haymore (2023)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Prequel novella of the Highland Knights series. This book is an updated edition of A Highlander’s Heart (2015). Claire and her husband Rob have been estranged for the past year after an argument following the death of their one year old son. When Claire’s informed of his position in the battle against Napoleon, she decides to go to him before it’s possible too late. They re-unite on the battlefield after it’s all over, glad for his survival, and slowly make progress towards reconciliation. However, they still have starkly contrasting communication styles and approach to emotions, so there’s much to overcome there. Additionally, this book sets up the series of Scottish soldiers turning into a group of agents working for the Home Office, bringing the group of men back to England (and onto their own separate romances).

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

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The Spinster and Mr. Scott by Jennifer Haymore (2023)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Highland Knights series. This book is an updated edition of Highland Heat (2015). This story takes place at the same timeframe as the prequel. Lady Grace, daughter of an earl and a spinster, has escorted her sister Claire to the battlefield to search for Claire’s husband. While there, Grace has made herself useful by caring for the wounded soldiers. She meets Duncan, one of her brother-in-law’s sergeants and forms a connection with him. Despite the social class differences between them, they converse easily and quickly fall in love. This was a relatively quick story to read with things progressing pretty predictably until we head into treacherous territory with a disapproving father and an insurgent group the men are investigating.

Advance ebook provided by Jennifer Haymore via NetGalley.

The Unaffected Earl by Suzanna Medeiros (2018)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Landing a Lord series. This book starts directly after the events of Book 2. Rose’s father has confessed to treason, but she doesn’t believe that he is truly guilty. In trying to prove his innocence, she teams up with Brandtford, who is known to be cold and aloof and seems to have ties to spywork. And it just so happens that these two have been pining for each other all Season, despite Rose’s popularity among the gentlemen and Brandtford’s coldness.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Unsuitable Duke by Suzanna Medeiros (2020)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 4 of the Landing a Lord series. We follow Brandtford’s sister Ellen in this story, widow to a cruel husband, and her childhood friend Charles, who is now a duke. Apparently when they were young, Charles pushed her away as a friend, and then when he realized she grew to become an attractive young woman, she was already betrothed. Now out of mourning, Charles is taking the chance to court her, even though Ellen doesn’t trust his motives.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Written in My Heart by Caroline Linden (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Standalone short story. Like, really short. Just five chapters and two people pining for each other. Jane and Ethan grew up together in the same town and when he went off to war, she promised to write him letters every week. After three years, he’s finally returned and realizes his feelings for her. Super sweet bit of fluff.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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The Unexpected Marquess by Suzanna Medeiros (2021)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 5 of the Landing a Lord series. We’re continuing this series with a time jump since the previous book. John Evans, brother to Louisa and Catherine from Books 1 and 2, is back in England after having been at war for 10 years and has surprisingly inherited a marquessate from a very distant relative. He finds that his predecessor has left behind a niece, Amelia, who is in residence at the estate. She’s trying to hide the fact that she’s writing a novel and modeled the hero after John after he rescued her while she was in disguise as a barmaid in London. There’s a smidge of angst with her hiding her identity, but it doesn’t last long.

Ebook purchased via Amazon.

The Unwilling Viscount by Suzanna Medeiros (2022)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 6 of the Landing a Lord series. This one is about one of John’s friends, Viscount Ashford who we met in Book 5 and Amelia’s friend Mary. Ashford is being pressured by his mother and sister to marry, even though he is not looking for a bride. When he meets Mary again in London, he decides she will be perfect for a fake courtship to get his mother off his case. Mary has been living with her spiteful sister since her parents died and is making steps towards her independence this Season. The fake courtship between Mary and Ashford does not last long until they both realize they’re truly attracted to each other.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.

The Baron’s Return by Suzanna Medeiros (2023)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 7 of the Landing a Lord series. The third of the friend group from Book 5 and 6 is a baron who has had his heart broken when a lady cruelly rejects him and marries another. After the heartbreak, Gideon joins the army, becomes a rake, and is distrustful of women. Abigail is finally out of mourning from the much-older husband that her father forced her to marry. With Gideon back in England, she tells him that they have a daughter together, and then he declares that they’ll marry. He’s got no intention of falling in love again, but she’s determined to win him back.

Advance ebook provided by Suzanna Medeiros via BookSprout.