Top Five Reads of June 2023 – Historical Romance Books

Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh (2018)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 5 of the Westcott series. This book starts at the same Christmas family gathering that ends the previous book. By this point, it makes the most sense to have read this series in order to keep all of the Westcott family members straight, even though a family tree is printed in the beginning of each book. Colin is the younger brother of Wren (from Book 3) and joining in on the Westcott holiday celebrations; while he is enjoying the celebrations, he’s a bit wistful that his own family does not have this sort of affection for each other and considers searching for a bride next Season and taking responsibility for his estate, where his mother currently resides with her entourage. While he is considering the young eligible ladies in attendance as potential brides, he’s mostly enamoured of Elizabeth, who is the older sister of Alex (Wren’s husband) and nine years older than Colin. Elizabeth is widowed to a man who turned violent with drink and has not been interested in remarriage; however, seeing all the happy couples around her has made her lonely and she may actually consider marriage this upcoming Season. Colin and Elizabeth form a bit of a connection, with good conversation, light flirting, and even a kiss, but Elizabeth feels too old for Colin and Colin feels too immature for Elizabeth. They do eventually agree to a dance together at every ball they both attend during the Season. When we get to London a few months later, they fulfill the promise of the dance, but are actively courting other people, while Colin contends with his mother’s machinations. It’s interesting to see how these two people end up having honest conversations about their traumatic pasts and somehow end up together to everyone’s surprise. And as always, I love the ever-supportive Westcott family.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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Marrying Off Morgan McBride by Amy Barry (2023)

Historical romance. 1880s Montana. Book 2 of the McBrides of Montana series. Meddlesome little sister Junebug is at it again by putting an advertisement for a mail-order bride for oldest brother Morgan. She can feel Morgan itching to get back out on the cattle trail and hopes to snare him a wife to keep him at home. Pip answers the ad and sets off with her granny to come meet Morgan; she’s been overlooked and rejected her whole life due to her plain looks, but hopes that Morgan will appreciate her skillful cooking and housekeeping skills. With Junebug’s scheming and dishonesty, both Pip and Morgan are in for surprises and disappointment, despite both of their attraction for the other. When Morgan tells Pip to go home without listening to her at all, she decides to confront him and demand that the marriage go through. He’s still packing up to leave town and has no intention of changing his plans. This book was funny and sweet and heartbreaking in all the right places and we get to finally see Pip stand up for herself and Morgan start to listen more than he talks. And Pip’s granny is the absolute best.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Portraits, Passion, and Other Pastimes by Charlie Lane (2023)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Art of Love series. A financially irresponsible marquess puts his family’s livelihood in danger by overspending money on art and frivolity, rather than care for his estate. When his eldest son, Raph, learns of the financial state when the steward quits, he’s shoulders the burden of responsibility to keep them afloat. Unfortunately, he also needs to dismiss his sister’s governess, Matilda, because there’s no money to pay her, but he promises to always help her find a suitable position. Fifteen years later, the marquess has passed away and Raph is still struggling with all the bills. His father has donated all his art, leaving none for his children to sell, except for five items which each person must earn by creating a piece of art themselves and presenting it to their mother for approval. With no talent and not enough time for frivolity, Raph knows that he will not be able to come up with anything to his mother’s standards; nevermind the loud wailing and grieving that his mother is doing to distract him. He decides to hire his mother a companion and seeks out Matilda as the best candidate. She has served as a governess and a companion in the past fifteen years and will soon move to her own cottage. While she rejects the offer from Raph at first, the lady she’s currently serving suggests they go together to help the marchioness with her grief. Raph is also attempting to save the estate by marrying an heiress, but does not feel anything for the ladies he’s courting. With everyone back at the marquess’ estate, Raph and Matilda spend more time together and try to resist their attraction. After all, Matilda is used to a life of work and solitude and Raph needs to marry for money. It was interesting to read all of the family interactions in this story and the support they all have for each other, despite the begrudging feelings towards the old marquess’ spending habits.

Advance ebook provided by Charlie Lane via NetGalley.

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Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston (2023)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Standalone novel. Widowed viscountess, Cora, is being challenged over the custody of her two young children. She comes up with a scheme for a fake fiancee to help bolster her upcoming case to retain physical custody. Nate is the second son of an earl and a dissolute rake who has been cut off from funds from his older brother. Knowing that Nate needs the money and that he owes her a favor, Cora sets up a contract with Nate for the arrangement, which includes him coming to her country estate for two weeks while her in-laws are also in residence. What follows is a slow realization for Nate of Cora’s strength and determination and him figuring out that he can’t just be a screw up forever. While he interacts with the kids and supports Cora’s struggles, Nate does a lot of growing up himself, even if Cora doesn’t quite trust him yet. This book gets a lot of hype for being very swoony, and it certainly is, but the winning point for me is how believable Nate’s transition into fatherhood is and that he realizes that he can bring support and happiness into this family that he wants very much to be a part of.

Ebook purchased via Amazon.

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What a Gentleman Wants by Caroline Linden (2006)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Reece Family series. Marcus, Duke of Exeter, is always getting his brother out of scrapes, but this one is pretty bad. Younger twin David gets into a carriage accident and ends up in the care of a vicar’s widow; he offers her a marriage of convenience, but at the last moment, forges his twin brother’s name on the marriage register instead. Hannah has agreed to marry David since she has little other alternative after the death of her husband, and brings her daughter with her to London where they’ll set up house while David is away on business. Of course, Hannah doesn’t know that David is the brother to a duke and that he signed Marcus’ name on the marriage. When Marcus finds out and confronts Hannah, he at first wants to pay her off, but then convinces her to stay with him temporarily to appease his overexcited sister and stepmother. It’s a tangle of lies, but Marcus and Hannah are attracted to each other under all that stubborn bickering. Add in a counterfeit money plot in the background, and we have some potential for danger.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.