Weekly Reads: September 2 to 8, 2024

I Will Steal You the Stars by Alivia Fleur (2024)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Part of the Scandalous Daughters of Duke Street series. Quick novella with two former childhood friends who met at an orphanage. Enzo is the local crime boss in the slums who is visited by old friend Mina who needs help stealing her wages from the fancy house where she was dismissed. In the course of teaming up together, they reconnect and rekindle their affection for each other. Enzo is generally conflicted about rising above his current station, but also tries to encourage Mina to reach beyond her life working as a maid. It’s a quick low-angst sort of romance here and it was nice to see working class main characters.

Advance ebook provided by Alivia Fleur via BookSirens.

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli (2023)

Fantasy romance. Book 1 of the Artefacts of Ouranos series. The story mostly follows Lor, a human female prisoner in the most desolate prison in the Aurora territory. She is somehow tossed into the Sun Trials to compete against nine other women to win the hand of the Sun King. Lor is skeptical of the process and wonders why she was entered in this deadly competition in the first place. She’s at extreme disadvantage since she’s a mere human and not fae plus she has not had all the ladylike training that the other competitors have. She seems to have earned the favor of the king, and enjoys his attentions, but she’s unsure if she can trust him. We also get glimpses of the story from Nadir’s point of view, the Aurora prince who is investigating the mysterious disappearance of one of the prisoners of the territory. Lots of plot, not much romance, and the underlying question of why Lor is so special. This is Book 1 of a four-book series, so plenty more plot to come.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org

The One With the Duke’s Curvy Bride by Eliana Piers (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Part of the Curves and Cravats series. Super quick little tiny novella with childhood friends Philomena and Henry. They’re all at a house party that Henry’s mother is throwing to find him a wife, and Philomena is not one of the selections. When Philomena and Henry are stuck in the library together, he starts to see her in a new and attractive light, but she doesn’t believe that he returns her longstanding feelings. It all wraps up fairly quickly when he declares his intentions for her. Bonus, they get stuck in a cottage together during a rainstorm.

Advance ebook provided by Eliana Piers.

The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere by Anna Bradley (2021)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Swooning Virgins Society series. In the previous book, we’ve seen hints of some animosity between Georgiana and Lord Haslemere and we get to find out why in this one. Basically, Georgiana catches two girls from the school out at night involved in some footraces with Lord Haslemere, Benedict, and she instantly has a poor impression of him. Several months later, Benedict’s sister comes to the Clifford School to investigate the disappearance of her friend Clara, who’s been gone for six years, but has recently been sighted. We get a tangled knot of rumors when Georgiana shows up at a masquerade to investigate and Benedict eavesdrops on her conversations. He’s concerned about the rumors about his sister having an affair and basically inserts himself into Georgiana’s business. Everything is way more convoluted than we expect, and we get to see Georgiana and Benedict grow closer along the way. Super interesting and engaging plot.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm

Clean Point by Meg Jones (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Super interesting set-up here with tennis player Scottie being banned from the sport after confirmed use of performance enhancing drugs. Her father/coach/mentor was the one who drugged her without her consent, and when she finds out, she turns herself in and quits tennis altogether. Two years later, a former coach wants her back in the game and paired with her father’s former rival, Nico. He has his own issues with a slow recovery after knee surgery and it seems like playing as mixed doubles partners with shake things up. We start with being misunderstood arrogant enemies and slowly work up towards friendship, partnership, and more. It’s steamy and emotional all in one, especially as Scottie opens up about what happened with her father. Loved it. Would definitely read more from this author.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Three Sins and a Scoundrel by Tracy Sumner (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 6 of the Duchess Society series. We finally get the backstory for the suspiciously proper Jasper Noble. We first met Jasper in an earlier book in the series, where it seemed like he was a low-born rookery thug, but has suspicious slips of etiquette, suggesting that he may have a higher class upbringing. We find out here that he is actually Crispin Sinclair, the son of a lowly baron who had his heart broken when his childhood friend and neighbor, Cece, marries a decrepit old earl. Crispin re-invents himself when he’s working as a spy for the crown and becomes Jasper in the process, leaving his old life completely behind. It’s almost twenty years later now, Cece is widowed, and she’s coming to London to get her man back. Except she’s fumbling all over the place and even I’m not sure what it is that she wants. Jasper’s doing his best to protect his heart and feelings and Cece is saying she’s asking for an affair, but she might also be amenable to more. I enjoyed seeing the bickering and flirting and steam between these two, plus all the advice Jasper’s friends are trying to give him. Excellent conclusion to the series.

Advance ebook provided by Tracy Sumner.