Review - A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden

A Scot to the Heart, the second book in Caroline Linden's Desperately Seeking Duke series, is just as good as the first! Andrew St. James is the presumptive heir to the Duke of Carlyle, but he's just an army captain, and not prepared for the role at all. The Duchess of Carlyle gives him six months to become a respectable gentleman, and he is determined to do just that. When he gets to Edinburgh to tell his family, however, he meets the vivacious widow, Ilsa Ramsay. Ilsa has lived her whole life under the thumb of first her father, then her husband. Now, she's finally free to do what pleases her, and intends to live her life to the fullest. When she meets Drew, her friend's brother, though, all her plans might go out the window.

This book was very fun - the characters are great, both are infinitely likeable and very believable as well. Their path to falling in love is filled with such joy that it's a pleasure to read. The climax of the story is unexpected and very riveting. There is no third-act breakup common in novels, which felt unusual - I kept waiting for it to happen but it didn't - and it didn't need to, which is nice. Because the majority of the conflict was external, they could just be together. I love it.

Overall it's a great story. Great characters, unexpected plot, and a good amount of steam. Also, ghosts! Definitely read this book if you like Linden's other work. I am for sure looking forward to the next book in this series!

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Review - Scoundrel of My Heart by Lorraine Heath

Scoundrel of My Heart is the first book in Lorraine Heath's new Once Upon a Dukedom series. The hero of this book, Lord Griffith Stanwick, is the brother to the heroine of the last book (Beauty Tempts the Beast) and this book does overlap somewhat. However, I believe that this book can be read without having read the other books first.

Lady Kathryn Lambert must marry a titled gentleman in order to claim her inheritance: a lovely cottage by the sea, where all of her fondest childhood memories take place. Lord Griffith Stanwick, her closest friend's brother, is a second son and so will never inherit. Raised as a spare, Griff dreams of making his own way in the world. When he learns of Kathryn's trouble, he sets out to help her achieve her dream of her cottage: by convincing a duke to court her. Finally with her future in her sights, Kathryn should be overjoyed, but can't help but miss the younger son who understood her so completely.

As always, Heath does an amazing job of creating characters you just can't help but love. In Beauty Tempts the Beast, the Griff that we saw was surly and unreliable, however here in Scoundrel of My Heart we get to know him much more intimately and you can't help but fall in love with him, too. Kathryn is fiery and headstrong. There is a scene where she is trying to make an impression on a man who is looking for a quiet bride who won't bother him, but she can't hold her tongue at all, and I found myself cheering her on. They are a wonderful couple, and though the road to their happy-ever-after is difficult (is it ever easy in a Lorraine Heath book?) the payoff is so completely worth it.

I loved this book, would highly recommend. I can't wait to read the next one!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager.

Review - The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere by Anna Bradley

The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere is the third in Anna Bradley's Swooning Virgins Society series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Georgiana Harley is a member of Lady Clifford's school, which does some clandestine investigating (it seems, it wasn't exactly spelled out). When a duchess asks her to find a missing person and not tell anyone, it seems like an easy enough task. Until, that is, the duchess' brother butts in. Benedict, Lord Haslemere, is London's most beloved scoundrel, and Georgiana can't stand him. Benedict, likewise, could do without Miss Harley and her sharp tongue. When the missing person case starts to unravel, however, they have to work together to solve a mystery six years in the making.

This book is very action-packed, and so so much fun. A little bit enemies-to-lovers, and a pretty slow burn. Bradley does a great job with making the plot and character development progress pretty evenly, with both being dependent on the other.

I can't wait to read more from Bradley, both of the books I've read of hers are really good, with amazing characters and mysteries that you want to unravel as much as you want the leads to get together.

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Review - One Thing Leads to a Lover by Susanna Craig

 This book is great! I was excited to read One Thing Leads to a Lover after liking the first book in the series, Who's That Earl. The series is called Love and Let Spy, but the first book didn't have a whole lot of spying, so I wasn't expecting much here, either, but was very pleasantly surprised!

Amanda Bartlett is a young widow, and her wishes are constantly overridden by her overbearing mother and the guardian appointed to her sons by her late husband. Her life, as she sees it, is overwhelmingly dull. Until, that is, she finds an old French book by mistake. The book is actually a very important codebook, and Sir Langley Stanhope, a spy codenamed the Magpie, is tasked with getting it back. When the book goes missing, however, Amanda and Langley have to work together to retrieve it. There is a ton of action and, of course, romance.

Overall this was a great book! Craig does a great job of balancing plot and character development, with both progressing side-by-side. There is some on-page intimacy, and it's done very well. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review - The Wrong Marquess by Vivienne Lorret

First off, Vivienne Lorret is legitimately one of my very favorite authors. Her books create worlds that I don't want to leave, and find myself still thinking about days later, wishing I could unread them just to experience them again for the first time. I've probably re-read her books more than any other romance authors, just because I love them so much. 

I had already pre-ordered The Wrong Marquess when I received an e-ARC, and I'm so glad that I did. There are some books that you just want to have a physical copy of, just to have them, and this is one.

Elodie Parrish has been waiting for her impulsive neighbor to propose for years. All her plans hinge on him being the one. When her path crosses again and again with Brandon, the Marquess of Hullworth, however, she starts to wonder if her plans are so concrete, after all.

In all romances, the main characters have to be right for each other (obviously), but Lorret creates characters that are just so perfectly perfect for each other, and it's amazing. In The Wrong Marquess, Ellie is a worrier, and is anxious about things a lot. Brandon, who is "odious and overbearing", however, sees through her insecurities and gently helps her overcome them.

One of the things I think Lorret does best is the pining hero. In quite a few of her books the hero is doing some serious longing, and honestly it's like catnip to me - give me alllll the yearning!! Brandon is *sigh* so amazing.

I loved this book so so much, and can't wait for the next installment in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/HarperCollins for the ARC! (Note that this in no way affected my review, all opinions are my own.)

Review - First Comes Like by Alisha Rai

 

I love Alisha Rai's work, even though I've only read a few. I was super excited for First Comes Like, the third book in her Modern Romance series. Overall it was a great book and excellently written. I have to admit, though, I was looking forward to some super-steam, and this book just didn't have it. Honestly, though, it wouldn't have made sense with these characters for them to be super intimate, so I get it, totally, but still a little disappointed.

Jia is a social media influencer. She has all her websites and videos, etc. She starts talking to an Indian TV star online, and when he comes to Hollywood to break in to American TV, she goes to meet him - except he has no idea who she is! One thing leads to another (romance reasons) and they agree to a fake relationship for both of their benefit, except, of course (!) they catch feelings.

This book felt like it moved really fast! I don't know that I got a great idea of the characters - I wanted to live with them longer? Be more in their heads? It just felt very plot-driven (which isn't a bad thing), but I wanted I guess more feelings. 

In any case, I'd recommend First Comes Like, and can't wait for Rai's next book!

Review - The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington by Anna Bradley

 The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington by Anna Bradley is a great read if you're looking for romance with a side of mystery/suspense! Cecelia is a member of the Clifford School, where she's learned to investigate and solve mysteries. When a friend of the school becomes engaged to "The Murderous Marquess", Cecelia is sent to find out if the rumors of his involvement in his late wife's death are true. She goes undercover as a maid to get to the bottom of the mystery. Gideon, Lord Darlington, wants a new mother for his young niece, and he doesn't trust the new housemaid. For one thing, she's far too pretty to be a maid...

This is the first book by Anna Bradley that I've read, and I wasn't sure what I was getting in to. The title threw me off a little, to be honest. However, the farther I got into the book, the more I enjoyed it. Cecelia was a wonderful character with a quick wit and was unafraid to speak her mind, even knowing it could jeopardize her whole mission. Gideon was a big softie (of course!) and it was nice to see him grow as well. 

The biggest plot of this book was the mystery - a "white lady", rumored to be the late marchioness' ghost, has been seen haunting the grounds of Darlington castle. Bradley does an excellent job of feeding clues throughout the book, and the climax feels natural and satisfying. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.