York Family Series by Victoria Dahl / Historical Romance Book Series

A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl (2010)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 1 of the York Family series. Younger sister of a baron, Marissa, has gotten herself caught in a compromising situation with a man who she doesn’t want to marry. Marissa is shallow and flighty and just wanted to find some pleasure (even though the fumbling man she was with did not provide it). But with the potential for scandal, her baron brother insists that she marry. Her other brother’s friend Jude steps up and volunteers for the job, despite him being the illegitimate son of a duke and someone who has completely escaped Marissa’s notice until now. Jude has been intrigued by Marissa’s wickedness and hopes to make her his wife in truth. She’s just hoping for a fake engagement for the time-being until the scandal blows over and she can get back to dancing and frivolity. I generally don’t love books with shallow spoiled women, but somehow this one works, with her slow realization that she really is callous and cruel towards Jude. There’s also a lot going on with other characters at the house party and it’s fun to see how the players all interconnect. And there was a nice set-up her for brother Aidan’s story next.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

It’s Always Been You by Victoria Dahl (2011)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2 of the York Family series. Aidan, second son of a baron, had loved and lost when his sweetheart died at sea. After that tragedy, ten years prior, he turned into a cold and unfeeling rake. In a small shipping town on business, he sees a woman that looks like his old sweetheart, Kate and follows her into her shop. Well, it turns out Kate didn’t die and her parents lied about the death and married her off to a plantation owner in Ceylon. After suffering a horrible marriage, she’s fled and built a new identity and business in England. While Aidan and Kate reconnect, find out what thwarted them all those years ago, Kate is still keeping secrets about her marriage. Enjoyable read, even if somewhat predictable.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.