Tag Archives: Historical romance

Courting His Countess by C.J. Archer

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Courting His Countess
Author: C.J. Archer
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2013

Thoughts

It’s been a little while since I picked up any historical romances. Which made this a wonderful novella to use to dive straight back into this genre. Plus, although I’ve read other C.J. Archer novels, this is also my first foray into the more traditional feeling historical romances that she likes. Both things that I thoroughly enjoyed. And made me want to jump right back into another historical / regency romance. And more C.J. Archer stories. A quick, easy and light read. One that I will most definitely enjoy reading again.

I love that this is a historical romance that talks about many of the social graces and nuances that that entails. Yet, it touches on some of the battles that women still face today. In this, it is that there is a bit of controversy surrounding the marriage of the lead couple. Yet, instead of dealing with it, the husband just up and leaves. Leaving her with the fall out. Thomas may do this to try and mitigate the consequences of his actions, but, he in fact actually makes everything a whole lot worse. It’s this lack of understanding to the social morays and utter bullshit that women often face that I found really interesting. After all, it’s still bullshit and nonsense that happens today.

I love that this story starts with Thomas trying to undo the dumbassery of his past actions. And, although you can already guess that those decisions weren’t optimum, it takes a while for all of the foolish decisions to come to light. I love how you spend the whole time hoping for their happily ever after, and also thinking that Thomas is an absolute fool. All in all, this was fun and enjoyable, and I’m so glad that it was such a good happy ending.

<- More C.J. ArcherThe Mercenary’s Price ->

Image source: Goodreads

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Duke in Search of a Duchess by Jennifer Ashley

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Duke in Search of a Duchess
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Regency Bon Bons #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This was a very quick and simple read. A wonderful fun and light novella that I really enjoyed reading. It was a nice historical romance with enough drama to keep me entertained, but not so much that it was too dramatic for such a short read. I enjoy the simplicity of a good story and the enjoyment of a nice romance without having to deal with too much angst sometimes. And this fit that bill perfectly.

I love that Courtland is driven and happy in her independence. She embraces being considered quirky and just genuinely enjoys her existence. However, when she talks about her deceased husband, my heart does break a little for her. I can’t imagine being married to such a useless human being. And the fact that even she admits that whilst she loved him, he didn’t love her, all the more painful. Courtland is such an adorable, happy and loveable character that you can’t help but hurt for her.

Contrastingly, Ashford is almost painfully rigid. I can’t imagine being so rigid that your own children use your actions to track the time of day. I understand how someone would need that rigidity to get over the death of his wife, but he definitely takes it to extremes. Courtland perfectly balances him out, and since I love the opposites attract trope, I lapped all of this up. Courtland is also able to bring out a sense of joy and happiness not only in Ashford, but also in his children. There were many cute and sweet moments that had me grinning from ear to ear.

This is my first historical romance novella by Jennifer Ashley, and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. Ashley is able to create wonderful characters you can’t help but love, and do so in a humorous and subtle way that had me laughing out loud. Duke in Search of a Duchess was a fantastic read full of machinations and plots, one that I seriously enjoyed and look forward to reading again.

<- More Jennifer AshleyA Kiss for Luck ->

Image source: Jennifer Ashley

Neanderthal Seeks Duchess by Laney Hatcher

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Neanderthal Seeks Duchess
Author: Laney Hatcher, SmartyPants Romance
Series: London Ladies Embroidery #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Since this is a historical romance remaining of Neanderthal Seeks Human, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect out of this story. But, wow, this was brilliant. And very cleverly done. I loved how the key aspects of Regency Romances (that I love) were captured and used to retell an amazing tale that I already loved.

Even though this is a retelling, Neanderthal Seeks Duchess is a great story that stands all on its own. Although many key moments from Neanderthal Seeks Human were used, the way that Hatcher was able to spin things in a myriad of unexpected ways. The Meet Cute was adorable, the hints of the future stories, and Quinton’s ability to woo Jane were all fantastic.

I’m a total sucker for a good regency romance (second fastest growing shelf in my collection at the moment). That Hatcher is able to combine this love with my other pretty encompassing love for Penny Reid worked really well for me. I’m glad that Well Acquainted is already out (I just have to save the money). I’m so excited to see how Elizabeth and Nicholas’ relationship is modified for the world of regency romance.

Like everything in the Smartypants Romance world, I loved this story, the writing was brilliant, the characters sassy and delightful, and the plot line had enough going on that I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Now I just have to exercise all kinds of self-control to not run straight out and buy the next book in the series.

<- More SmartyPants RomanceWell Acquainted ->

Image source: Booktopia

My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway

Book Review,
Overview

Title: My Dearest Enemy
Author: Connie Brockway
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 1998

Thoughts

I really, really, really wanted to like this. In fact, I wanted to like it so much that I gave it MUCH more of a chance than I normally would. But, alas, I just couldn’t connect to the characters!

To me, this book read a little clunky. As I said, I loved the premise and the story line wasn’t too bad. But I just wasn’t able to connect to the characters, in particular, the women in this story. For me, personally it is that connection to the characters that is really important when I love a tale.

Since I didn’t love this book and found it hard to connect to… well, anyone, I think I’ll leave this review here. Maybe a story to try again another day, I don’t know.

<- More historical romanceMore historical romance ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Once Upon a Duke by Erica Ridley

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Once Upon a Duke
Author: Erica Ridley
Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I was a bit tentative to read this at first – I mean, a story set around Christmas. And dukes and… yeah, it just sounded kind of kitschy. But, whilst it was fairly predictable and stereotypical, it was epically fun and special. The whole idea of the spirit of Christmas was woven throughout the storyline beautifully. And, it was incredibly fun to find some of those little easter eggs of Christmas tales that Ridley managed to weave through the storyline.

One of my favourite easter eggs was most definitely the partridge in a pear tree… I can only assume that the other 12 days of Christmas presents will find their way into the rest of the books about the 12 dukes. It may not be Christmas time at the moment – but that carol has definitely been echoing in my head since I read the name of the series…

I like that Noelle (and I JUST got that Christmas name), is focused on community and love. She is such a sweet lead, and if I find that a bit of an unrealistic characterization, it is still just beautiful. After all, she is the one who falls in love with a humbug and decides to spend the rest of her life with him… not a choice for the faint of heart.

This is a great second chance love story. The fact that it is set in a village lovingly called Christmas and features a humbug and woman named Noelle… well, it just makes it all that much cuter. I might have found it a little bit too sickly cute at times. But, overall, I think that this was incredibly enjoyable and a nice, fun and light read.

<- Making MerryKiss of a Duke ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

As a final book in the Smythe-Smith Quartet, I was intrigued to how everything would tie together. Plus, although Iris only makes her first memorable appearance in The Sum of All Kisses, it was intriguing to know what was going to happen in her happily ever after. Not going to lie though, I wouldn’t mind finding out about the happily ever after of Daisy. Regardless, I did thoroughly enjoy how The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy rounded out this quartet and left me feeling very happy and content.

I love that Iris is completely suspect of her new husband, but also happy to try and find a good ending. She isn’t taken in by his actions and doesn’t fall for his underhandedness. But, she’s also willing to try and find the good in him and love him. Honestly, with his big secret and trickery, I don’t know if I could ever forgive him myself. But, Iris is smart and good, even when she has every right not to be. She’s also pretty determined and underhanded herself when she wants to be.

Richard’s secret is somewhat predictable considering the era in which this story is set. It’s still pretty harsh and horrible for Iris, and I did wonder how the reveal and subsequent battle would evolve. But, it was still seriously predictable. Luckily for me, I read these regency romance novels for their simplicity and predictability. There is enough of a surprise throughout the evolution of their relationship that I couldn’t put this down though. Not that it’s hard for me to sink deeply into a book.

I absolutely adored The Secrets of Richard Kenworthy. I didn’t necessarily feel quite as connected to the characters as in other Julia Quinn books, but I also couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen to them next. Ultimately I think what I loved the most about this book was the way in which Iris was able to deal with an untenable situation in the best of ways.

<- The Sum of All KissesMore Julia Quinn ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Sum of All Kisses
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

Every time I pick up a Julia Quinn novel, I know I’m going to love it and that I’m in for a treat. I do like to put a little bit of time between my reads so that I don’t start to feel the same same about regency romances. But it doesn’t seem to matter if I’ve read 4 in a week, or nothing for a few months… I love all of her books that I’ve read. Sarah and Hugh’s story is no different.

I enjoy the poetry of the cousin of the man whose life Hugh kinda screwed up is the one he ends up with. I also like that Sarah just takes all of the needless drama of the men and fixes it. In like one moment of her cracking it. A good reminder of the power of women.

Hugh’s background is probably the most abusive if the heroes I’ve read in the Julia Quinn books. In fact, his father absolutely horrified me. I like that they kind of got control of him in the end. But the bustard is still terrifying and I just can’t imagine marrying into such a horrifying legacy.

Iris has a bit of a cameo in the other Smythe-Smith books, but she has a lot more of a presence in this novel. It just makes me look forward to reading the next book in this series all that much more…

<- A Night Like ThisThe Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy ->

Image source: Julia Quinn

Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie - Penguin Books Australia

Title: Marry in Secret
Author: Anne Gracie
Series: Marriage of Convenience #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 23rd October 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: If they didn’t know they couldn’t fuss, couldn’t ask me endless, impossible questions.

Synopsis

Heiress with a secret
Lady Rose Rutherford – rebel, heiress and exasperated target of fortune hunters – has a plan to gain the freedom she so desperately desire: a marriage of convenience to the biggest prize on London’s marriage mart

Hero with a past
There’s just one problem: the fierce-looking naval officer who crashes her wedding and claims to be the dead husband she secretly married when she was still a schoolgirl.

A very inconvenient marriage
Broke, embittered by betrayal and with a secret agenda of his own, Thomas Beresford needs Rose for only one reason – her fortune. Her family knows it. Thomas knows it. But Rose refuses to accept it, and when she takes matters into her own unpredictable hands, Thomas finds himself in an infuriating predicament: He’s falling in love with his wife….

Thoughts

Rose is such a pillar in the first two Marriage of Convenience books that I’ve been seriously looking forward to finding out more about her story. The fact that she’s actually been married the whole time this series has been going?!?!?! FANTASTIC. And so, very, expectedly Rose.

There are so many little secrets and tragedies that are revealed throughout this novel. Ones that you kind of guess at, and ones that you just didn’t see coming. I love that Rose and Thomas are able to keep me on my toes throughout. And most of all, that they keep me guessing from that very first moment.

Marry in Secret also hints at the final story in this series. One that I’m sure will be just as exciting and cute as the first three. But, I digress. Unlike some romances, this pulls in the first 2 couples repeatedly and beautifully. So not only are you finding out about Rose’s happily ever after, you get to keep track of Em and Lily’s as well.

I completely adored the joyful sweetness of this tale. There was just enough drama to pull me in, but mostly it was just… damn cute. A perfect way to drift away for the afternoon on a cloud of love.

<- Marry in ScandalMarry in Scarlet ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Answer the Wicked by Kim Lenox

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: Answer the Wicked
Author: Kim Lenox
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 5th August 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Her crisply issued instructions echoed in the cavernous space.

Synopsis

Malise is a nurse for the elderly, a career she chose in no small part due to the fact that she could hide. But, when her favourite patient reveals his hidden past, she might find that she can no longer hide from the world… it could be the best outcome ever though.

Thoughts

This started put a little slow. And I also couldn’t quite figure out where the “romance” fit in. And, honestly, even at the end, I’m not entirely sure where the romance factor supposedly fits. But, all in all, it wasn’t a bad story.

I did like the mystery and fast pace of this story. I enjoyed how Malise managed to weave in bits of her own past while we canoned into the future. It was a good way to constantly keep the story engaging and entertaining.

All in all, this was an easy read to finish the The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 collection on. It certainly wasn’t my favourite, but I did enjoy it, and would maybe even read it again.

<- The MajesticThe Mammoth Book of Perfect Crimes & Impossible Mysteries ->

Image source: Amazon

Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Be Mine Tonight (Brotherhood of Blood, #1) by Kathryn Smith

Title: Be Mine Tonight
Author: Kathryn Smith
Series: Brotherhood of Blood #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 27th – 28th June 2021
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Oddly enough, that realization wasn’t annoying so much as it was warming.

Synopsis

I am called Chapel…

For nearly six centuries I have roamed the night, a mortal man no longer. Would that I could undo the past – when I entered the sanctuary of the Knights Templar to wrest from them the Holy Grail, only to discover the chalice I raised to my lips was not the sacred relic but a hellish cup of damnation. Now I shun the day and all things human, driven by an ungodly thirst. And yet…

Never have I known a maiden the like of Prudence Ryland, whose beauty and spirit awaken a heart I feared long cold and dead. But her young life is slipping away, and she also seeks the deliverance of the Grail – unaware that the cost of her search could be her soul. I must help Prudence, for in six hundred years, no other woman has stirred my passions so. But dare I tender to my beloved that which she most desires – the sensuous “gift” of forever that is both rapture and a curse: my immortal kiss?

Thoughts

This was one of those books that I was like “eh, eh, eh, WOW.” It took quite a while for me to warm up to the storyline. But, once I got there… wow was I happy. It happened about a third / half the way in. Then, I really, really wanted to know what was going on. I also cried at one point.

I bought this book because I read a novella in this series which intrigued me. But, honestly? I had no idea what to expect or even what time period this would be in. I was pleasantly surprised that this read like a regency romance. Just with a much more intense paranormal spin.

Chapel is kind of a fool and a little bit too whiney for my taste in lead men. Plus, the constant need for retribution was just… seriously dude? You’re 600 years old!!! Grow the hell up! Luckily, Pru agreed and kicked his butt multiple times with her frustration at his stupidity. It made him more likeable since Pru found a reason to like him in spite of his stupidity…

All in all, this was a fun start to a series. Yes, there was this beautiful part towards the end that had me crying. But, mostly it was a good, easy read. I particularly liked how the story ended… leaving plenty of opening and intrigue for the next tale in the series.

<- More Kathryn SmithNight of the Huntress ->

Image source: Goodreads