The Gentleman Was Right by Britt Belle (2024)
Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Greydon series. Younger brother to an earl, Edward is feeling pretty purposeless after his brother comes back to the family estate. He’s happy to have the chance to do something useful, so he goes to investigate increased expenditures at his brother’s seaside cottage. When he gets there, Violet and her sister have been pretending to be family cousins and staying there to avoid her fiance. The ever-helpful Edward quickly offers marriage as a solution and gets soundly rejected. It’s clear that Edward is smitten and hopes that true affection and love with develop, but Violet is exceedingly wary after the betrayal from her fiance. We eventually end up with a fairly straightforward marriage of convenience plot with Edward trying his best to win Violet over and Violet doing her best to avoid engaging any feelings. Predictable but enjoyable read.
Advance ebook provided by Britt Belle.
The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan (2024)
Contemporary romance. Standalone novella. Charming short story that was more adventure than romance, really. Mirren is out looking for a super rare edition of a book for her ailing great aunt and basically traveling up and down England to find it. Theo is the nephew of a not-so-nice bookseller who has assigned him to follow her and nab the book if she finds it. They run into each other a few times along her journey, with her not realizing that he’s following her. It’s mostly flirting and lots of treasure hunting. Fun and quick read.
Ebook accessed from Amazon Prime Reading.
Undercover with the Heiress by Alivia Fleur (2024)
Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 3 of the Tales from Honeysuckle Street series. Rosanna is a hotel heiress who is almost about to be engaged to a younger son of a lord, but then gets caught in a compromising situation with her stodgy neighbor instead. Phineas is not your average bank clerk but actually secretly investigating some sort of financial fraudster and Rosanna has now become entangled with someone dangerous. He marries her to protect her reputation and her person, even though the union is in name only. He hopes to solve the case and then set her free. Except Rosanna and Phineas are actually fairly attracted to each other, despite their opposite personalities. It was fun watching them learn to work together, to coexist, and to see the sparks fly. Best scene of the book goes to Phineas being super sweet to Rosanna’s younger brother.
Advance ebook provided by Alivia Fleur via BookSirens.
A Tempest of Desire by Lorraine Heath (2024)
Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 5 of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. Viscount Langdon has isolated himself on an island after a train accident leaves him with nightmares. And then one night, the storm washes up Marlowe, the most beautiful and desirable courtesan in London. He rescues her and learns that she was flying her hot air balloon solo and got caught in a storm. These two have been lusting after each other since first sight, but Marlowe is under the protection of another lord and is very loyal. Langdon also does not want to encroach on someone else’s territory, so he has tried very hard to stay away from Marlowe. But now, they’re stuck together and getting to know each other’s thoughts and personalities, making their connection all the stronger. This book is full of seductive flirting and yearning and longing. Another great book by Lorraine Heath.
Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley.
No Ordinary Duchess by Elizabeth Hoyt (2024)
Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Greycourt series. Elspeth and Julian are total opposites and also keeping secrets from each other. She’s looking for some ancient diary that’s hidden at one of his family estates and he’s just doing his best to keep his evil uncle from harming his sisters. There’s some terrible tragic backstory between their families from a decade ago, which causes Julian to be terribly wary of Elspeth. She’s all bright smiles and sunshine though and almost convinces Julian to let down his guard. He’s keeping secrets about his bedroom inclination (but it sure is steamy once Elspeth gets involved). Twisty and turny and there’s definitely an assassination attempt thrown in.
Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Print book provided by Forever Books. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.
The Surprised Dukes’ Heirs by Caroline Lee (2024)
Historical romance. Quick novella to serve as a bridge between the Surprise! Dukes series and Surprise Heirs series. It’s really just kind of an extended epilogue where we catch up with all the characters from the Surprise! Dukes series. This will make very little sense if you haven’t read that series. Everyone is gathered around at the holidays five years after the last book of the series. We’re pretty much just re-introduced to the nearly adult kiddos so we know who they are in the next generation series.
Advance ebook provided by Caroline Lee.
His Christmas Rose by Jane Maguire (2024)
Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 4 of the Rockliffe Dynasty series. Fairly quick novella. Lady Emily is about to get engaged to her suitor, who will be visiting her family at Christmas. When she goes for a walk, she runs into her neighbor (and former crush) Nate. And then she gets stuck at his house during a snowstorm and it stirs up all her old feelings for him. Nate’s back at home after having traveled for years and is adamant at upholding one of his father’s holiday party traditions. And he also realizes all that he’s missed along the years. As Nate and Emily spend time together, they argue, then reveal their secrets, and fall in love. It’s a fairly quick burn here as they’re only stuck together for a couple of days. Feels like this could be the end of the series.
Advance ebook provided by Jane Maguire.
Tall, Dark, and December by Tracy Sumner (2024)
Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 12 of the Rake Review series. American self-made man Weston is disgruntled at having been featured in the gossip column because he’s losing potential investors in his steam engine project. So his brother’s valet suggest he take some lessons in propriety from Lady Penelope. He’s instantly intrigued by her intellect, spark, and prim behavior. She’s equally charmed by him, but they keep their relationship professional to secure West’s status in society. Although he is drawn to her, he knows that as the illegitimate brother of a duke, that he’s not suitable for an earl’s daughter. He just needs to take the proper risks and offer for her anyway. Loved the steam and spark in this quick read.
Advance ebook provided by Tracy Sumner.
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