Top Five Reads of September 2023 – Historical Romance Books

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck (2023)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. This one has all the When Harry Met Sally vibes with Ari and Josh having horribly awkward run-ins with each other over the years, then becoming friends, and then making things messy with all their feelings. There’s so many time-jumps in this book that it’s labeled with nine different parts, but it’s very clear where we are in everyone’s lives. If this turns into a movie, you’ll be able to tell what era you’re in based on Ari’s hairstyle and clothing. Ari is a stand-up comedian with all sorts of aversion to commitment and thinks Josh is an arrogant asshole (who is weirdly romantic and believes in soulmates). He’s actually a chef with big dreams and wanting to distance himself away from his famous deli-owning father. We get to see the evolution of both Ari and Josh separately in both their relationships and their careers. When they finally meet again and strike up a reluctant friendship, they’re both at all-time lows and miserable company is somehow comforting for them. They keep things totally platonic, but it’s clear they have some emotional dependence on each other, complete with late night telephone conversations while watching a movie together (separately in their own apartments). It all blows up when Josh pushes for more and Ari freaks out (as expected). We get to see both points of view in this story and the humor mixed with heartbreak hurts in a good way. I love how small little details early in the story get remembered and called back to later on, in the best sort of inside jokes between Ari and Josh. The supporting cast of friends and family rounded out the story and it was nice to see how everyone interacted with each other. An amazing book and I will definitely be reading anything in the future that Kate Goldbeck writes.

Advance ebook provided by Random House Publishing via NetGalley.

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The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan (2022)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 3 of the Duke Hunt series. Kellan and his father have been swindling a country village by posting as the new duke and heir. The village people are out for blood and have chased after Kellan and plan to hang him. The local blacksmith Gwen believes this to be cruel and unjust so she tries to save Kellan by declaring that she’s in love with him, despite not knowing him at all. To prove that they’re actually in love, the banns are called for a wedding between the two. In the three weeks of their engagement, Gwen and Kellan come to an agreement for a marriage of convenience where Kellan will assist Gwen around the house and smithy. While Gwen insists on keeping the marriage platonic, we’ll see how long that lasts with the ever-charming and protective Kellan.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Bed Me, Baron by Felicity Niven (2023)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Bed Me Books series. Lady Phoebe asks her best friend George for bedding lesson since she’s newly engaged to a duke and wants to know what she’s doing in the marital bed. George has been her friend since childhood and has never noticed Phoebe in that way before, but now realizes that he’s attracted to her. The steam starts early and often in this book, but the idiotic pining that George has for Phoebe is apparent throughout the book. And all of these hints from everyone in his life that they thought he would have married Phoebe years ago grates at him. While Phoebe is trying to be content with her new fiance, she continues to seek George’s tutelage and approval every step of the way. It’s heartbreak all around as these two learn to connect with each other as adults instead of the roles they’ve played all their lives. While I was annoyed with the scheming of Phoebe’s friend and George’s sister, I was glad to see Phoebe finally stand up for herself and decide that she needed some time alone to think through her options. This book was emotional and angsty in all the best ways.

Advance ebook provided by Felicity Niven.

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The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy (2023)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 1 of the Sirens in Silk series. Anthony thinks he will finally get possession back of the family castle after his stepmother tragically passes away, but it turns out she left the castle to her cousin who has just arrived to visit from America. Raya doesn’t want or need a castle and is more than willing to sell it the Anthony at fair market value, but he also doesn’t have any money. These two argue their way to a truce while also ogling each other and trying to resist their simmering attraction. Add in the mystery of what has happened to Anthony’s missing relics and the suspicious nature of his stepmother’s death, and we’ve got plenty of plot to keep your attention on this book. I liked the overall set-up of the book, since I love a good property dispute trope, and I also liked the way that Anthony appreciated Raya’s financial competence. Both characters were extremely stubborn and there was maybe one too many instances of miscommunication in this story, when they should have just directly confronted the other person. Still, this was a steamy read with a nice set up of Anthony’s friends (who I’m hoping we will see in future books).

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Avon Books.

Seducing Mr. Knightly by Maya Rodale (2012)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 4 of the Writing Girls series. Annabelle has been in love with the newspaper editor and owner Derek Knightly for ages, but he has not noticed her in the least. Finally tired of being overlooked, Annabelle turns to her own advice column to ask the people of London for tips on how to attract her man. Meanwhile, Derek is being influenced by a marquess who has the ability to shut down the newspaper but also wants Derek to court and marry his sister. This scheme has the benefit of protecting the newspaper as well as gain entrance into proper society by marrying the sister of a marquess. Clearly, Derek has his own hang-ups being the illegitimate and unacknowledged son of an earl, and is a complete workaholic to prove his worth. As Annabelle starts to enact her schemes of wooing Derek, he’s completely baffled by her behavior and wondering why he’s suddenly noticing her. It’s pretty heartbreaking to watch him be completely oblivious to her efforts, proving that he really is the idiot that’s mentioned in her column. He finally does wise up to Annabelle’s charms, but there’s definitely a lot of drama along the way.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.