Weekly Reads; March 17 to 23, 2025

The Bastard Heir by Harper St. George (2025)

Historical romance. American West. Book 2 of the Gilded West series. Caroline is not happy about her parents’ stipulation that she get married before going to medical school, but she’ll deal with that after her trip out West for a family wedding. Except she runs into a bit of danger on the train and gets entangled with an outlaw, who just happens to be the brother of the groom at the wedding she’s attending. Castillo wants to make sure Caroline keeps quiet about his dual-identity, and she bargains with him to snag a fake courtship so her parents will stop nagging about marriage. But of course, these two are intensely attracted to each other, despite their very different goals in life. It’s high drama and high steam in this quick read.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

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Only a Duke Will Do by Sabrina Jeffries (2006)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the School for Heiresses series. This one will make a little more sense if you’ve also read To Pleasure a Prince, because Simon and Louisa feature quite a bit with that book. Basically, in the previous book, Simon was courting Louisa at the King’s request in exchange for political favors; she figures out the deception and uses her influence as the King’s natural daughter to have Simon sent to India. We start this book seven years later, Simon has returned, and the King is still playing tricks with him. Simon renews his attentions on Louisa, but she’s more wary now. Plus, she has the added fear of childbirth because her half-sister Princess Charlotte died during the process. It’s mostly a redemption story for Simon here, since Louisa is already pretty awesome. Loved seeing him soften for real and learn to stand on his own morals, rather than the political jockeying that he’s accustomed to.

Ebook and audiobook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake by Fenna Edgewood (2021)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Gardner Girls series. Claire and Thomas do not make good first impressions of each other, mostly because the stuck-up Thomas is wary of females in general. But he seems to always be coming to Claire’s rescue, even if she is irritated by him. This story takes place primarily in a small country village, so everyone is up in everyone else’s business and gossip plays a big role in the misunderstandings between Claire and Thomas. This book is a pretty close Pride and Prejudice retelling with a few little shifts on the character relationships. I liked seeing the angry banter between Claire and Thomas and him realizing he was an arse most of the time. Definitely an entertaining read.

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

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese (2022)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Wilmot Sisters series. Everyone gets off on the wrong foot here when autistic Bea and anxious Jamie are pushed towards each other at a party. He basically says the wrong thing all the time, coming off as an arrogant jerk when he’s really just tongue-tied, and Bea is the ultimate klutz that night spilling drinks on Jamie multiple times. Despite the horrible meet-disaster, their meddling friends and family trick them into a date. So Bea proposes they fake-date and then break up as revenge for the meddling friend group. And of course, in the time they spend together, they realize they’re a perfect fit. This book had so much cute witty banter, plenty of steam, and I loved how Bea and Jamie understood each other so well once they opened up to each other.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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To All the Earls I’ve Loved Before by Fenna Edgewood (2021)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Gardner Girls series. Widowed Gwendolen is in a whole heap of trouble, being threatened by one man and being evicted by another. Luckily, a duke named Angel is ready to save the day by proposing a marriage of convenience. He’s the ultimate himbo character with a bit of a carefree foolish demeanor, but his protective instincts are spot on. He’s basically the best sort of man, offering his name and home and all his worldly resources to protect Gwendolen and her five-year-old son. Even though they’ve agreed on a marriage in name only, it’s so easy for these two to fall in love and desire more from each other. Lots of twists and turns here with the villain of Gwendolen’s story and how more information is revealed as the story proceeds. Loved this one.

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