I don't have much to say about this one except I didn't love it as much as I expected to. I found the beginning of this book disjointed and confusing I don't have much to say about this one except I didn't love it as much as I expected to. I found the beginning of this book disjointed and confusing (probably because I didn't read the book that came before this one even though this is a standalone) and I didn't always feeling the yearning between the two main characters.
I thought Catherine/Ying Ying was an outstanding heroine, she was so interesting and had many qualities you don't normally read in a historical romance. I wish I saw more heroines like her in my romance novels....more
When Lady Dane's husband unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself in a predicament with the her late husband's family and custody of her 3.5 stars
When Lady Dane's husband unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself in a predicament with the her late husband's family and custody of her children. To resolve this, she enters into a fake relationship with Nathaniel Travers who owes her a favor. But as the two spend time together, and Nate spends time with Cora and her children, the entire family begins to become attached as outside forces threaten to tear them apart.
One of those solid I liked it but didn't love it kind of books. I feel like the author could have shaved off a good 50-100 pages of this book and it would have been a 4 or 5 star read, but stretches of this book felt like a bit of a slog to get through. I really liked Nate as a romantic hero because he was flawed but did his best to learn and grow and improve upon himself. Cora was also solidly okay in that I didn't have strong feelings about her either way. Overall one of those books where I enjoyed it, but it didn't hit me as hard as it did other readers (as I can see by the reviews)....more
When Maddy Mooney immigrated from Ireland to America, the last thing she expected was becoming a maid not even paid for her work. When her e 4 stars!
When Maddy Mooney immigrated from Ireland to America, the last thing she expected was becoming a maid not even paid for her work. When her employer abandons her in a small town in Montana, Maddy finds herself desperate for a train ticket out of there. Kit McBride's little sister Junebug, has a proposition for Maddy: pretend to be Kit's new bride, and Junebug will buy Maddy a ticket home.
I actually read this series out of order, the second one first and then this one. I wish I had read them in order because while I really enjoyed Morgan's story, I think I would have gotten more out of it had I read this one first. I really enjoyed this story a lot, it had a lot of fun characters the best being Maddy, Junebug and Kit. I love the idea that a child can scheme so well and yet so badly at the same time and all of the hijinks that ensue. It was a fun ride to listen along and I'm hoping we get a third book in the series sometime soon....more
I was excited to read this book as I read the first book The Duke Heist years ago and found Tommy to be a very intriguing character and was 3.5 stars
I was excited to read this book as I read the first book The Duke Heist years ago and found Tommy to be a very intriguing character and was eager to read her book. I will say, it was harder for me to focus on the plot in this book, there was a few subplots that seemed to be mixed together and none of them got their flowers. A fraud crime, Phillipa trying not to get married off, the establishment of free libraries; all were great but I felt it might have worked better if the focus was more on just one than all.
I really loved the chemistry between Tommy and Phillipa, I love that from the moment when Tommy opened up to Phillipa she did her best not to keep secrets and didn't anguish about lying, I appreciated that a lot. I've seen comments about the author needing to establish Tommy's gender identity more firmly and I whole-heartedly disagree. I don't think we need to label people unless they wish to be and I am glad the author didn't give us labels. Tommy is unapologetically herself and I loved her for it.
This book is a three star read for me mainly because I found it hard to focus on and was easy to put down and walk away from. I still very much enjoyed it and would happily read more from Erica Ridley....more
The second book in the Regency Faerie Tales series, I ended up enjoying this book way more than I thought I would.
Effie, a housemaid, has fallen in loThe second book in the Regency Faerie Tales series, I ended up enjoying this book way more than I thought I would.
Effie, a housemaid, has fallen in love with a man well above her station. When Effie bumps into fae Lord Blackthorn, she is hesitant to accept any help from him knowing deals with the fae don't always go as planned. But Effie makes the deal to become a lady, and must give him ten thousand stiches in return.
This book focused on inequities of the time it's set, much like the first book. But having this book set from the perspective of a maid showed more of the downstairs viewpoints than the first novel did. Lord Blackthorn was a fun character and I loved seeing the dynamic of him and Effie since the two were so different. Despite focusing on serious issues this is also a fun romantic series and I'm excited to read the third book....more
Really enjoyed learning new historical aspects from this book such as the pottery and the ambulance classes. Also enjoyed a lot of the small town humoReally enjoyed learning new historical aspects from this book such as the pottery and the ambulance classes. Also enjoyed a lot of the small town humor interspersed throughout the story.
I had some trouble with the writing, it feeling repetitive and some changing plot points took away from my overall enjoyment....more
Not too much historical, not too much fantasy, this was a great story about someone who never felt as if they were enough. Honestly had such a great tNot too much historical, not too much fantasy, this was a great story about someone who never felt as if they were enough. Honestly had such a great time listening to this book, would love to see more fae/faerie books like this one....more
I really wanted to like this book as we don't see a lot of Jewish historical romance, but I didn't care for thI dnf'd this about 30-40% of the way in.
I really wanted to like this book as we don't see a lot of Jewish historical romance, but I didn't care for the writing style and thought it was boring. ...more
Set in 1948, this book follows Madeline as she moves to a remote town in New York to live as a companion to the reclusive writer Victor. Ther 3 stars
Set in 1948, this book follows Madeline as she moves to a remote town in New York to live as a companion to the reclusive writer Victor. There she also meets his neighbor Audrey, and remarks on a romantic adventure with the two of them.
This book is no plot and no vibes which is fine, but also zero conflict/stakes and not much character growth led to a fairly surface level reading experience. I did really enjoy the little moments of this book, there were lots of things that had a great takeaway. But I wish the three characters had worked through some of the conflicts presented to them rather than just everything falling perfectly into place. It's also nice to read about adult trans characters in a historical setting and (view spoiler)[ nothing bad happens to them on the page which was refreshing (hide spoiler)]....more
This is a case of personal preference. This book is low plot and no angst (as I am now realizing is this author's trademark) and quite honesDNF at 46%
This is a case of personal preference. This book is low plot and no angst (as I am now realizing is this author's trademark) and quite honestly I really need a plot and at least a little bit of angst....more
I'm not doing a typical review for this book I am just going to list pros and cons
Pros: -Interesting historical facts about Mexican immigrant 2 stars
I'm not doing a typical review for this book I am just going to list pros and cons
Pros: -Interesting historical facts about Mexican immigrants to England during the war, France invading Mexico, etc... -Positive depictions of Hispanic characters -Truly beautiful/stunning/gorgeous book cover
Cons: -Literally zero plot until about 60-70% of the way into the book -Lackluster romance with profoundly unsexy spicy parts -Little to no character development, they were all just oddly fully formed and not much growth happened -Rushed ending
I wanted to like this one more than I did, I *might* be willing to read a book about one of the other sisters but I am not sure at this point....more
Let me preface this by saying, there is a lot about this book that is very 90's problematic and would not pass a present day debriefing, but 4 stars
Let me preface this by saying, there is a lot about this book that is very 90's problematic and would not pass a present day debriefing, but that being said I enjoyed it immensely.
Jessica Trent is a young woman who has no desire to marry and has a keen eye for rare objects. When her brother introduces her to the Marquess of Dain, there's an immediate attraction between the two of them. But Dain thrives off of playing the villain and neither one of them likes the idea of marriage.
I won't say much more because it'll give away the plot, but Loretta Chase is probably one of my favorite historical romance writers. And I'm saying that after only reading one book. Her writing style was captivating and I was completely sucked into the story from beginning to end. Were there plot holes and things that didn't make sense? Absolutely. Did I still enjoy myself while reading this book. ABSOLUTELY. It was fun to read a complicated hero (even if he gave incel vibes at the beginning of the book) and Jessica was such a fun heroine. She put up with none of Dain's crap and it was a delight to read along....more
Morgan McBride is the oldest of all his siblings and returned home to take care of them when his parents couldn't. But now, Morgan is gettin 4 stars!
Morgan McBride is the oldest of all his siblings and returned home to take care of them when his parents couldn't. But now, Morgan is getting restless and wants to leave Buck's Creek. That's when his sister Junebug hatches a plan to get him to stay and orders him a bride from The Matrimonial News. Pip shows up in Buck's Creek expecting to get married, but is shocked to fine out her betrothed has no clue she was coming.
I adored this historical western romance by Amy Barry. I went in somewhat blind, and even though I hadn't read the first book I was able to follow along easily and enjoy the characters. The strongest part of this book for me was the secondary characters and the character growth of Pip. I love that we got a tall curvy heroine whose beauty was overlooked until she was able to blossom into her better self. Junebug and Grandma were an absolute hoot and their antics had me smiling while listening to this book. The weakest part for me (and why it's not five stars) was Morgan and his romance with Pip. The man never really made the effort to get to know her until the end and I had trouble believing they would be happy together in the long run....more
A really sweet grumpy sunshine romance that takes place in the summer of 1960. After graduating college, Caleb needs a ride to Los Angeles for a new jA really sweet grumpy sunshine romance that takes place in the summer of 1960. After graduating college, Caleb needs a ride to Los Angeles for a new job. When Caleb can't afford the bus ticket, his classmate Peter Cabot offers to give him a ride. At first the two men seem to have nothing in common, but after long days spent together in cars and motel rooms, something more begins to develop.
This short novel was such a breath of fresh air. Grump sunshine dynamic with a dusting of them both being adorably blind at some points, I loved following along with these two on their road trips. Even though they are driving through the south during the 1960's, the car and enclosed motel rooms created safe spaces so these characters could be themselves without fear overwhelming the story. I really enjoyed reading this and now need to read way more of Cat Sebastian's backlist....more
I really don't have much to say about this book except I wish it had been historical fiction/spy thriller without the romance. I loved reading about sI really don't have much to say about this book except I wish it had been historical fiction/spy thriller without the romance. I loved reading about spies during the Civil War and knowing most of these characters were based on real people was really cool. But the romance was very lackluster, it brought down the book honestly....more
This was such an odd book for me, because when I was reading it, I did enjoy it for the most part. I listened to about 30% of the audiobook, but foundThis was such an odd book for me, because when I was reading it, I did enjoy it for the most part. I listened to about 30% of the audiobook, but found my mind kept wandering and I was missing crucial information without realizing it. So I quit that and physically read the book and had the same issue. I saw another review here saying the writing style made it easy to skim, and I would agree. I found my eyes wandering and had trouble focusing. And it's not a bad book in any way, I just found that whatever format I read it in, the writing style made it hard for me to focus.
So in theory, gay magicians historical romance would a winner for me, and in a way it was. This is one of the few romance novels lately where I didn't skim the sex scenes (which I usually do) and I loved the opposites attract trope between the two main characters. I was just not able to be completely pulled into the book and the plot and it felt like a lot of hard work. Reading for pleasure shouldn't be hard work. ...more
What would you do if you traveled through time, only to return years later with no explanation of why you left? Four years ago Rosalind tra 4.5 stars
What would you do if you traveled through time, only to return years later with no explanation of why you left? Four years ago Rosalind traveled from the 19th century to present day, leaving behind her beloved husband and infant son. Now, she has found a way back and yet she does not know how to explain her absence in a way that will be believed. Disguising herself as a governess, she returns to her husband and son (without them knowing it's her). But someone doesn't want Rosalind there and will do anything to keep her away.
Kelley Armstrong is a favorite of mine, and lately she seems to really love writing time travel books set in Victorian times (I don't mind, they are highly entertaining). This is the second in a series and can be read as a standalone, but I think it would be less confusing if one read A Stitch in Time first. I listened to the audiobook and found I didn't want to stop listening, I loved following along with Rosalind as she reacquainted herself with her family and how she navigated a very complicated situation. The mystery thrown in was a tad bit predictable but I enjoyed it all the same....more
Loading...
