Weekly Reads: October 28 to November 3, 2024

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey (2022)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Bellinger Sisters series. Fox is not a commitment kind of guy, but he starts a text-based friendship with Hannah after she leaves his small fishing town. And then when she’s back in town on location for a movie she’s working on, she’s also staying in his guest room. But everyone in Fox’s life has basically warned him away from Hannah and reinforcing that he’s not boyfriend material. Poor Fox has had it rough. But what he feels for Hannah is real and deep and lasting, aside from his own insecurity. Luckily, once Hannah realizes that she has feelings for Fox, she’s quick to believe the best in him and defend his honor. Loved it!

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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When the Duke Was Wicked by Lorraine Heath (2014)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 1 of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. Duke’s daughter Grace is looking to make a love match this season and does not want to be misled by a blackguard’s sweet words to gain her dowry. She recruits her childhood friend, former crush, and now debauched widower the Duke of Lovingdon to help assess her suitors. He says no since he’s not ready to re-enter society nor find love ever again, but then feels protective and surprisingly attracted to Grace. He knows that he’s still heartbroken after the loss of his first wife and daughter, so he has no interest in marrying again, nor in dallying with a proper lady like Grace. But of course, his resistance only lasts for so long as he attempts to teach her lessons about false promises and words of seduction.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November by Shana Galen (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 11 of the Rake Review series. Munro is the rake of the month, back in England at the request of his viscount brother. He fled the country years ago when the woman he loved rejected his offer of marriage and married his best friend instead. And he’s still hung up on her. And forced into proximity with her since Beatrice is now widowed and the sister of Munro’s brother’s wife. He drunkenly admits his feelings for her, which she refuses to believe, and then she decides to test his loyalty. The final prize is her hand in marriage, but she’s just so slow to trust him and she believes all of the terrible gossip about him. While Munro has been solicitous and dedicated to Beatrice’s tests, she’s really the one who needs to decide if she can trust him after all.

Advance ebook provided by Shana Galen.

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Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson (2022)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Phoebe is exceptionally paranoid and may suspect the next door neighbor of being a serial killer, but he’s actually just a really nice guy. She’s at her late father’s house cleaning it up and getting it ready to sell and working on her dissertation about serial killers at the same time. But see, Phoebe has a lot of growing to do here in terms of getting to know her younger brother, coming to terms with her estranged father’s death, and learning to trust an actual real live man. And Sam is the best of them, so he’s totally worth it. He’s an elementary school music teacher, super nice, great at commitments, and I’m not sure he has any growing to do through this story, but he makes for great supportive boyfriend material. If only Phoebe knew how to accept a relationship. But she’ll eventually figure it out.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood (2024)

Contemporary romance. Part of the Under the Mistletoe Collection. Quick novella. Jamie and Marc have known each other for Marc’s entire life since he’s Jamie’s best friend’s younger brother. And Marc has been in love with Jamie for ever, but they never did get together. Until he goes for it and then she rejects him, and now a few months later, they’re stuck together in a snowstorm. Feelings get discussed and resolved and things get steamy in pretty short order. Fun lil quick read.

Advance ebook provided by Amazon Publishing via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley.

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey (2024)

Contemporary romance. Part of the Under the Mistletoe Collection. Another super short steamy novella. Single mom and thrift shop employee Evie has charmed the pants off gruff and burly farmer Luke. Literally, he can’t find pants that fit at the thrift store. But he goes there just to see Evie anyway. She’s wary of men, but he’s an absolute girthy sweetheart. Quick and steamy read.

Advance ebook provided by Amazon Publishing via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley.

Freed by the Marquess by Stevie Sparks (2024)

Historical romance. Interwar-era England. Book 3 of the Lords of Desire series. Lady Caroline is running off to marry a man and it turns out he’s awful when she finds him in bed with the maid on their supposed wedding night. Well, after the husband disappears completely, she’s left in the care of her new father-in-law David, who actually is quite caring. They form a tentative friendship and then feelings develop even further, but David’s trying his best to be loyal to his son. But he can only resist temptation for so long when it’s clear they’re really fallen in love with each other. Steamy and emotional read.

Advance ebook provided by Stevie Sparks.

All by My Elf by Olivia Dade (2024)

Contemporary romance. Part of the Under the Mistletoe Collection. Co-workers at the their day job and co-workers on their holiday gig, Nina and William have been friendly and not-quite-flirting for months. They’re on the road in their side gig and get caught in terrible snowstorm traffic and end up cuddling for warmth. And then more than cuddling for more than just warmth. Quick, steamy read.

Advance ebook provided by Amazon Publishing via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley.