Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey (2023)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Vine Mess series. Hallie is the local florist in a vineyard town in Napa who’s basically walking catastrophe. And when her childhood crush Julian is back in town to write his novel, she’s out there planting flowers in his front yard. He’s totally drawn to her at first sighting, even though he forgot that he met her once before in high school. They’re total opposites who really need to avoid each other, but the insta-lust/crush/obsession is taking up all their brainspace. Julian has his own issues of anxiety to work on, but he ends up enjoying all the chaotic time he spends with Hallie. The book was funny and steamy and emotional all in one. A great read.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Print book provided by HarperCollins via TikTokShop.

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.

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.

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Dalliance with the Duchess by Sara Bennett (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Disgraceful Duchesses series. Widowed duchess Sophia is trying to move on from her husband’s cruel influence and his crony friends, but an investigator Nicholas asks for her help in finding out if his old friend is in trouble. She goes back to visiting with and gaming with her late husband’s friends to see if the young man is in danger. As she reports back to Nicholas about the friend, she recalls a time when she had a masked intimate encounter with Nicholas at the pleasure gardens. She believes that he didn’t know who she was and never discussed it, but of course he knew exactly who she was and they renew their dalliance in the present. This book was short and steamy with a tiny bit of mystery and intrigue, especially when we find out that Nicholas has been searching for his sister who has been missing for the past decade. A quick read that was entertaining.

Advance ebook provided by Dragonblade Books via NetGalley.

An Affair with a Notorious Heiress by Lorraine Heath (2017)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 4 of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. The Marquess of Rexton is supposed to be courting young Miss Gina at the request of her uncle to improve the girl’s chances of finding a suitable match. Unfortunately, Rexton is more preoccupied with Gina’s older and scandalous sister Tillie. The Countess of Langdon went through a horribly scandalous divorce involving being unfaithful to her husband with a footman and is pretty much unacknowledged by the ton. She and Rexton have an instant spark of passion for each other and spend most of the time bickering when Tillie is supposed to be chaperoning Rexton’s outings with Gina. Unfortunately, Rexton cannot simply court Tillie instead, since her reputation makes her an unsuitable wife for Rexton as the heir to a duke. It’s all a mess and Rexton really needs to get over his want for a spotless reputation.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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.

Diamond in the Rough by Christi Caldwell (2022)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Carmichael Saga. Glain is known throughout the ton as an ice princess, but really her spark was totally snuffed out by her overbearing duke of a father. When her sister runs off to a lending library, she crosses words and wits with the manager there. Abaddon knows that as someone who grew up on the streets, he’s not suitable for a duke’s daughter, but they start a flirtation that turns into more anyway. I liked how Abaddon was not impressed by Glain’s status and prodded at her to reveal her hidden depths. Enjoyable quick read.

Advance ebook provided by Christi Caldwell.

Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses by Lorraine Heath (2017)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 4.5 of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. We pick up immediately after Book 4, at the wedding of Rexton and Tillie. Where younger siblings Andrew and Gina are busy lusting after each other. After a quick little eavesdropping misunderstanding, they’re off on nighttime adventuring and believing that they’re ill-suited for each other. Quick novella that was full of flirtation and steam.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

When the Lord Adored Me by Lydia Lloyd (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Part of the Rake Chronicles series. Lady Petunia is off on an adventure through Europe with her mother after rejecting her best friend Lord Edgar’s proposal. And when she’s busy with another man, she realizes she made a horrible mistake and would rather be with Edgar. As soon as she gets home, she goes to belated accept his proposal, but he’s spent the past year trying to get over her and realize that they’re total opposites and might not be able to build a marriage together. Somehow, they end up in a 12 days of Christmas bargain at Edgar’s brother’s townhouse that’s used for liaisons. We’re in for a steamy treat for most of the book, but still with amazing emotional connection and depth. Loved this quick and dirty read.

Ebook provided by Lydia Lloyd.

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Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey (2023)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Melody and Beat are the offspring of a legendary rock duo who broke up for unknown reasons 30 years ago. They’re approached by a television network to team up and get their mothers back together. We get to watch all sorts of chaos unfold, while still seeing the instant connection between Melody and Beat. Super fun and chaotic and super steamy. Plus, bonus blackmail of Beat and the drama that’s involved there. I enjoyed this book a lot and it was a fun holiday read.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Fun combination of a romance with a cozy mystery. Maggie and Ethan have been thrown together on a Christmas trip to an old manor that belongs to a famous mystery writer. When the old lady disappears, Maggie thinks it’s a test, but then it seems that someone amongst the holiday guests really is trying to cause harm. Maggie and Ethan then need to team up to solve the mystery and keep each other out of harm. Maggie is basically skeptical of Ethan’s motives and attitude, not realizing that this man clearly has a crush on her. The romance was super sweet and charming while the mystery kept me reading. Super fun book to read.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Print copy provided by HarperCollins.

Love in Bloom by Lucy Eden (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Emma is having the worst day ever driving to the will reading of her late grandparents, which also involves an awkward first meeting with farm manager, Dan. It also turns out she inherits her late grandparents’ farm and does not know what to do with it, since she’s been estranged from them for the past twenty five years. When her regular life blows up, she escapes to the farm to learn what she can about the past. She learns a lot about how to rely on others (like the handsome and kind Dan) and how to integrate into small town life. Plus, the farm has a bonus secret that explains the town’s reliance on it. Flirty, steamy, and emotional book. Loved it.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.

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.

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.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

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Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Read an introduction to fanfiction

Learn more about sources for reading fanfiction

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Follow me on Instagram at @randomolive

Shop my handmade bookmarks on Etsy

Support this page with a donation

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Dalliance with the Duchess by Sara Bennett (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Disgraceful Duchesses series. Widowed duchess Sophia is trying to move on from her husband’s cruel influence and his crony friends, but an investigator Nicholas asks for her help in finding out if his old friend is in trouble. She goes back to visiting with and gaming with her late husband’s friends to see if the young man is in danger. As she reports back to Nicholas about the friend, she recalls a time when she had a masked intimate encounter with Nicholas at the pleasure gardens. She believes that he didn’t know who she was and never discussed it, but of course he knew exactly who she was and they renew their dalliance in the present. This book was short and steamy with a tiny bit of mystery and intrigue, especially when we find out that Nicholas has been searching for his sister who has been missing for the past decade. A quick read that was entertaining.

Advance ebook provided by Dragonblade Books via NetGalley.

The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt (2022)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. LaRynn and Deacon had a summer fling as teens that left them both heartbroken and now they’re stuck as co-owners of their late grandmothers’ home. In order to have enough money to fix it up to sell, they need access to LaRynn’s trust fund. They enter into a marriage of convenience to do that, all while angrily bickering with each other. But they really just still have a simmering attraction for each other and are resentful of how things turned out when they were younger. They each have to improve their communication skills and trust in each other. Super angsty and emotional with lots of sexual tension.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

Love in Bloom by Lucy Eden (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Emma is having the worst day ever driving to the will reading of her late grandparents, which also involves an awkward first meeting with farm manager, Dan. It also turns out she inherits her late grandparents’ farm and does not know what to do with it, since she’s been estranged from them for the past twenty five years. When her regular life blows up, she escapes to the farm to learn what she can about the past. She learns a lot about how to rely on others (like the handsome and kind Dan) and how to integrate into small town life. Plus, the farm has a bonus secret that explains the town’s reliance on it. Flirty, steamy, and emotional book. Loved it.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.

Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November by Shana Galen (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 11 of the Rake Review series. Munro is the rake of the month, back in England at the request of his viscount brother. He fled the country years ago when the woman he loved rejected his offer of marriage and married his best friend instead. And he’s still hung up on her. And forced into proximity with her since Beatrice is now widowed and the sister of Munro’s brother’s wife. He drunkenly admits his feelings for her, which she refuses to believe, and then she decides to test his loyalty. The final prize is her hand in marriage, but she’s just so slow to trust him and she believes all of the terrible gossip about him. While Munro has been solicitous and dedicated to Beatrice’s tests, she’s really the one who needs to decide if she can trust him after all.

Advance ebook provided by Shana Galen.

The Hellion’s Secret by Jess Michaels (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the About an Earl series. This book overlaps a little bit with Book 1 of the series. We get the romance here between a rakish but upstanding earl and the runaway daughter of a marquess who is now a prizefighter. Esme had run away from her cruel cousin after her father’s death and has a new life now as a masked boxer. She tries to avoid interacting with society since she has fallen pretty far from her previous station. When she interacts with Finn at a club, she’s instantly skittish and tries to avoid him, despite her attraction to him. Finn is basically obsessed with the woman who turned him down and even more intrigued when he finds out that she’s a boxer. He’s preoccupied by thoughts of her and wants to spend more time with her. But he’s skeptical of his own feelings, being unsure if he’s capable of love after witnessing his parents’ toxic marriage. Tons of steam plus the ongoing threat of discovery by Esme’s cousin.

Advance ebook provided by Jess Michaels via NetGalley.

Golden Lord by Mary Jo Putney (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Dangerous Gifts series. This romance is between adoptive siblings who have known each other since children. Cade and Tamsyn are both gifted persons who work for the Home Office and are sent to escort the British ambassador back to England from France. While there, Cade gets captured and Tamsyn needs to come to his rescue. We get a lot of action and fast-moving plot here, along with a controversial sort of romance. Cade has been secretly in love with Tamsyn for years, but suppressed his feelings for her. And she has seen him as a brother for all these years, until circumstances have forced her to see him in a new light. It’s interesting how they discuss the subject with each other and grapple with what it would mean for their larger family. But really, we spend a lot more time on the capture/escape plot, which is much more interesting. I enjoyed this book a lot and am curious if there will be more books in this series.

Advance ebook provided by Kensington Books via NetGalley.

Freed by the Marquess by Stevie Sparks (2024)

Historical romance. Interwar-era England. Book 3 of the Lords of Desire series. Lady Caroline is running off to marry a man and it turns out he’s awful when she finds him in bed with the maid on their supposed wedding night. Well, after the husband disappears completely, she’s left in the care of her new father-in-law David, who actually is quite caring. They form a tentative friendship and then feelings develop even further, but David’s trying his best to be loyal to his son. But he can only resist temptation for so long when it’s clear they’re really fallen in love with each other. Steamy and emotional read.

Advance ebook provided by Stevie Sparks.

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.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Learn more about Kindle Unlimited

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Read an introduction to fanfiction

Learn more about sources for reading fanfiction

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Follow me on Instagram at @randomolive

Shop my handmade bookmarks on Etsy

Support this page with a donation

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

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.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Learn more about Kindle Unlimited

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Read an introduction to fanfiction

Learn more about sources for reading fanfiction

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Follow me on Instagram at @randomolive

Shop my handmade bookmarks on Etsy

Support this page with a donation

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Fun combination of a romance with a cozy mystery. Maggie and Ethan have been thrown together on a Christmas trip to an old manor that belongs to a famous mystery writer. When the old lady disappears, Maggie thinks it’s a test, but then it seems that someone amongst the holiday guests really is trying to cause harm. Maggie and Ethan then need to team up to solve the mystery and keep each other out of harm. Maggie is basically skeptical of Ethan’s motives and attitude, not realizing that this man clearly has a crush on her. The romance was super sweet and charming while the mystery kept me reading. Super fun book to read.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Print copy provided by HarperCollins.

Tale of the Heart Queen by Nisha J Tuli (2024)

Fantasy romance. Book 4 of the Artefacts of Ouranos series. Fourth and final book of the series where we see our main characters finally defeat the villain and claim victory. The last book ended on a cliffhanger, so we get to find out what happens in the immediate aftermath. And then there are tons more hoops for Lor and Nadir to jump through before they find their happily ever after. While the action was interesting, it got a bit repetitive after awhile. I did enjoy the side story of Gabriel and his struggles with the aftermath of revealing Atlas’ deception. Overall, a solid conclusion to the series.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

Love in Bloom by Lucy Eden (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Emma is having the worst day ever driving to the will reading of her late grandparents, which also involves an awkward first meeting with farm manager, Dan. It also turns out she inherits her late grandparents’ farm and does not know what to do with it, since she’s been estranged from them for the past twenty five years. When her regular life blows up, she escapes to the farm to learn what she can about the past. She learns a lot about how to rely on others (like the handsome and kind Dan) and how to integrate into small town life. Plus, the farm has a bonus secret that explains the town’s reliance on it. Flirty, steamy, and emotional book. Loved it.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews (2024)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novella. Super quick short story. Tilly is a soon-to-be divorced vacation rental property associate who is squatting in one of the vacant houses until she can move into her next apartment. And then the owner George shows up, so she hides in the attic. And of course he figures out she’s there. Super quick read and very sweet. It makes me want to read more from this author.

Ebook accessed from Amazon Prime Reading.

Chasing the Duke by Tracy Sumner (2020)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Standalone novella. Classic brother’s best friend type of romance. Camille has had a long-standing crush on Tristan, but moves on when he joins the army. Upon his return, she’s grown into a beautiful woman but also betrothed to someone else. He’s dealing with his own stress from surviving the war, but is willing to make the effort to win Camille. Short and steamy quick read.

Ebook purchased via Amazon.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Learn more about Kindle Unlimited

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Read an introduction to fanfiction

Learn more about sources for reading fanfiction

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Follow me on Instagram at @randomolive

Shop my handmade bookmarks on Etsy

Support this page with a donation

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur (2024)

Contemporary romance. Part of the Under the Mistletoe Collection. Quick novella. Super quick little romance here with Everleigh who is spending Christmas at her late grandmother’s house and fireman Griffin who consistently comes to her rescue. Her stay in town is only temporary and the fireman is all sorts of charming, so she tries her best to resist at first. But that only lasts for so long.

Advance ebook provided by Amazon Publishing via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley.

Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria (2024)

Contemporary romance. Part of the Under the Mistletoe Collection. Quick novella. The upstairs neighbor Theo is all sorts of cute and charming and Evie tries her best not to make a fool of herself in front of him. But he also has a massive crush on Evie, so it all works out in the end anyway.

Advance ebook provided by Amazon Publishing via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley.

Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath (2014)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2 of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. Lady Ophelia is one of the snootiest debutantes around and is constantly disparaging the commonborn Drake, even though he was raised by a duke and duchess. When she washes up ashore the Thames with no recollection of her memory, Drake decides to play a trick on her and tell her that she’s his housekeeper. It’s terrible of him and he knows it and he swears he’ll tell her the truth the next day, but then she says something snotty, and it makes him mad all over again. Interestingly though, now that she’s lost her memories, she’s actually a much nicer person and Drake is able to let down his guard around her. They grow closer together, but Drake feels a mix of guilt and protectiveness towards her. Plus, there’s the mystery of how she ended up in the river in the first place, which makes Drake even more protective. Tons of emotional angst while we wait for Drake to get in trouble for his sins.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt (2022)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. LaRynn and Deacon had a summer fling as teens that left them both heartbroken and now they’re stuck as co-owners of their late grandmothers’ home. In order to have enough money to fix it up to sell, they need access to LaRynn’s trust fund. They enter into a marriage of convenience to do that, all while angrily bickering with each other. But they really just still have a simmering attraction for each other and are resentful of how things turned out when they were younger. They each have to improve their communication skills and trust in each other. Super angsty and emotional with lots of sexual tension.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

Wish Upon a Christmas Candle by Anne Gracie (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Standalone novella. Widowed Ellie and her daughter Amy live alone in a cottage when an injured stranger lands on their doorstep. Ellie provides him with shelter and warmth, but the poor man doesn’t remember who he is when he wakes up. Despite not knowing anything about the man, Ellie ends up falling in love with him anyway, and he with her. This book was a super quick read, but I enjoyed the caring and emotion that developed between the two main characters, especially as the man came to Ellie’s defense against the slimy squire.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey (2023)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Melody and Beat are the offspring of a legendary rock duo who broke up for unknown reasons 30 years ago. They’re approached by a television network to team up and get their mothers back together. We get to watch all sorts of chaos unfold, while still seeing the instant connection between Melody and Beat. Super fun and chaotic and super steamy. Plus, bonus blackmail of Beat and the drama that’s involved there. I enjoyed this book a lot and it was a fun holiday read.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Hellion’s Secret by Jess Michaels (2024)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the About an Earl series. This book overlaps a little bit with Book 1 of the series. We get the romance here between a rakish but upstanding earl and the runaway daughter of a marquess who is now a prizefighter. Esme had run away from her cruel cousin after her father’s death and has a new life now as a masked boxer. She tries to avoid interacting with society since she has fallen pretty far from her previous station. When she interacts with Finn at a club, she’s instantly skittish and tries to avoid him, despite her attraction to him. Finn is basically obsessed with the woman who turned him down and even more intrigued when he finds out that she’s a boxer. He’s preoccupied by thoughts of her and wants to spend more time with her. But he’s skeptical of his own feelings, being unsure if he’s capable of love after witnessing his parents’ toxic marriage. Tons of steam plus the ongoing threat of discovery by Esme’s cousin.

Advance ebook provided by Jess Michaels via NetGalley.

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