The Duke and the Lady in Red by Lorraine Heath (2015)
Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 3 of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. Rose is a swindler who sets her sights on the elusive Duke of Avendale. He’s so distracted by his desire for her that he almost falls for it. But then he catches her trying to leave town with his money and insist that she stays with him at his home for a week. Avendale has a long history of being selfishly debaucherous and Rose is really just trying to survive her tragic upbringing. It was so interesting to see the unraveling of Rose’s secrets over the story and Avendale’s kind and gentle responses to it. Loved all the twists and reveals in this one.
Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.
One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery (2024)
Contemporary romance/fiction. Standalone novel. This book was lots of fun! Our main lead is Julie, who is the matriarch of the family, and looking forward to a quiet Christmas alone with her younger secret boyfriend Heath. We get two other perspectives in this story: Blair (Julie’s daughter-in-law) and Dana (Julie’s daughter). The book alternates from the three characters’ perspectives with all the drama that ensues when they all decide to have a big family Christmas celebration at the family cabin. Blair and her husband have postponed their delayed honeymoon again, since he’s missing his late father. And with the big family Christmas, Blair has to bring her cold and emotionally distant mother along (we don’t like her much). Dana is heartbroken about being dumped recently and trying to be a newer better version of herself; but that will all start after Christmas. She’s also a bit upset her mother kept the new boyfriend a secret. We get more complicated when Heath’s kids join the trip too. Definitely lots going on here with a loud and boisterous family. This was a fun one to read, but don’t go in expecting romance to be the main plot.
Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Print book provided by HarperCollins via TikTokShop.
Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan (2024)
Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Standalone novel (but it seems like it could be the start of a series). Phoebe and Will were neighbors and childhood friends on the cusp of something more as they grew up, but then Will unexpectedly inherits a dukedom and their paths completely diverge. And then one day, Phoebe needs Will to help bail her out of jail and they’re thrown together again. She’s out searching for her missing student and he’s a duke with connections, so they team up to solve the mystery. Of course, they end up in more trouble than they bargained for, plus start an affair in the process. The longing and love and yearning is apparent with every interaction, but they’re stifled by their current stations in life. I also enjoyed the direct communication between the two and the set-up for potentially more stories involving Phoebe’s sisters. Loved it.
Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.
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