Review - Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh

Eva Leigh's Union of the Rakes series continues in Would I Lie to the Duke, which features Noel, the Duke of Rotherby and Jessica McGale. Jess is desperate to save her family business, so she masquerades as an aristocratic widow to gain entrance to an investors event to try to gain funding. There, she meets Noel, who is jaded with having sycophants follow him around all the time. Jess' no-nonsense attitude is a breath of fresh air and he is instantly drawn to her sharp intellect. Jess is also attracted to him, but knows that while she is deceiving him they can never have anything real together.

After reading the first book in this series, My Fake Rake, I was very eager to read Rotherby's story. This book was good, but also very unexpected. Jess and Noel were both very well-written, and the story moved quickly. Leigh added a lot of subtle nods to current trends (the Bazaar was very reminiscent of Shark Tank, and one of the prospective businesses was a communications organization making use of sparrows - called "Chirp") which was amusing.

Overall I would recommend this book, and am looking forward to the next book in the series. The group of gentleman - the Union of the Rakes - is such a great idea, and I love reading about how this group of men from very different walks of life are so supportive of each other over such a long time.

Thank you to Avon/HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my review!

Review - My Kind of Earl by Vivienne Lorret

Vivienne Lorret’s books are automatically on my-must purchase list, and My Kind of Earl shows yet again why that is. Her books are consistently amazingly well-crafted stories with tight plots and well-developed characters.

My Kind of Earl features Jane Pickerington, plain, wallflower, bluestocking, eldest of eleven children. She and her friends are writing a book on how to determine a gentleman from a scoundrel, and in her research Jane meets Raven. Black-haired and silver-eyed, Raven is the second-in-command at a very successful gambling club, and he’s fought his way to be there. Abandoned as a baby at an orphanage then sold to a workhouse, Raven has learned the hard way that you can’t rely on anyone. When Jane learns about Raven’s odd birthmark, however, she believes he could be connected to a family of aristocrats with a mysterious past, and together they search for the truth.

I loved both of these characters so much. Jane is so refreshingly different. Her quirks, which set her apart from society endear her to Raven, who is himself so different from your garden-variety rogue. Both are outsiders, which is relatable to almost anyone, as is the longing they both feel to belong and to be valued. This is a truly heartwarming story that packs just enough heat!

Overall this book is amazing. I’m loving the Rules of Scoundrels series, and I can’t wait to see what Vivienne Lorret comes up with next!

Thanks to Avon Romance, HarperCollins and NetGalley for the advanced review copy of this book!

Review - My Favorite Duke by Bianca Blythe

Bianca Blythe's My Favorite Duke is the second book in her Duke Hunter's Club series. The book focuses on Lady Juliet and the Duke of Ainsworth, Lucas. Juliet is betrothed to the Duke of Sherwood and couldn't be happier, except that he never attends events and she hasn't seen him in almost a year. Lucas poses as a bumbling botanist to hide his true vocation as an agent of the crown as well as a duke. When Juliet decides to sneak to the Duke of Sherwood's castle to investigate some untoward rumors she's heard, she is waylaid by Lucas, and she has to rethink who is, in fact, her favorite duke.

I really wanted to like this book, unfortunately it just didn't really work for me. The author had some really good ideas and all the bones of a great story were there, it just seemed like a lot of scenes were rushed, or not enough description was given to really become invested in the action. I couldn't really sympathize with either of the main characters, it seemed like the actions they took weren't considered (or the reader wasn't informed of their considerations). At one point Lucas tells Juliet that he loves her, and she says "we can be friends" brightly. Then he left. What did he feel about that, what did she feel about that? It's never explained, and was honestly a little frustrating. Again, the plot was solid with a lot of twists and turns, I just felt the characters needed to be fleshed out more so that we would be invested in the action.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy of this novel in exchange for my review.

Review - Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig

Who's That Earl, by Susanna Craig, is the first in her new Love and Let Spy series. Thomas Sutherland is a spy who, through a quirk of inheritance, suddenly becomes the Earl of Magnus, the castle near the small Scottish village where he spent summers growing up. Since he has no interest in giving up his profession, he goes to Dunnock castle to sort things out and get back to spying. However, the castle is being leased to the reclusive writer of scandalous Gothic novels, Robin Ratliffe. Robin Ratliffe, though, is none other than Jane Quayle, the girl Thomas fell for seven years ago before being called away on duty. Robin is receiving death threats, and Thomas is ideally trained to get to the bottom of the situation.

This was a really fun, quick book to read. I really enjoyed both Jane and Thomas, and the way that Susanna Craig handled the tension between them was very well done. I sympathized with both characters' struggles - Thomas being reluctant to drive a wedge between his new title and his old friends; Jane craving her independence. Jane's dogs were an adorable addition to the story as well.

The mystery of the letter-writer seemed to be wrapped up rather quickly - I would have enjoyed having more hints or a bigger glimpse into his motivation, but recognize that the true story is Jane and Thomas.

I really enjoyed Who's That Earl and will definitely be reading more by Susanna Craig!

Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the review copy!

Review - Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

I really struggle to find words to express how much I loved Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert. This book is chock full of humor and sexiness and intimacy and heart - in short, it's pretty much everything you could want in a book.

The story centers on Dani Brown (sister to the titular character of the first book in the series, Get a Life, Chloe Brown), a post-graduate student, who prays for a no-strings-attached bed partner. She has goals and plans, and they don't include a relationship. She does, however, have time to flirt with Zafir Ansari, the really hot security guard at work.

A series of mishaps leads to a video of Zaf and Dani going viral, and the resulting fame brings attention (and funding) to Zaf's struggling nonprofit - helping young boys deal with their emotions through rugby. Zaf suggests to Dani that they fake a relationship, and what could go wrong with that?

I honestly can't remember the last time I laughed so much while reading a book. Hibbert's writing game is on point in this novel in every aspect - I literally can't think of any criticisms. I loved the characters so much - both were so incredibly deep (i.e. real people). Their happy ending seemed like a shot in the dark, but I'm so glad that they got there.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it's seriously that good.

My rating: 5/5 stars

Review - Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai

My Rating: 5/5 stars!!

Alisha Rai’s Girl Gone Viral is utterly fantastic and a joy to read. The book follow Katrina, a former model who is now plagued by anxiety and so tries to be as anonymous as possible. When a photo of her in a coffee shop goes viral, she fears that the life she’s carefully built for herself will be ruined. Jas, her trusty (and hunky) bodyguard steps in to help her out.

The character building in this novel is top-notch. Both Katrina and Jas are such believable, likable characters. They both have their own problems they are dealing with, but watching them come together to overcome them is just great. I loved reading the back-and-forth from both points of view, which were full of with and vulnerability.

The way that Rai tackles such timely and poignant issues in this book is impressive. Characters deal with anxiety, PTSD, family issues and the lack of privacy inherent in an increasingly online world. She raises some really interesting  questions that keep you thinking after you've finished the book.

I can’t wait to read more by Alisha Rai.

Review - About a Rogue by Caroline Linden

"I don't dare touch you or kiss you, because I might combust on the spot if I can't have all of you." Max St James, About a Rogue

First of all - I LOVE this book. All caps. L-O-V-E. I've read a few of Caroline Linden's other work, all of which was good and I enjoyed; About a Rogue is exquisite. 

This is the first book in her new series- Desperately Seeking Duke. The dukedom of Carlyle has lost its only direct heir, and with the present duke in ever-declining health the Duchess seeks out any other heirs - a Scottish army captain and a notorious rogue. 

The rogue is the hero of this novel - Maximillian St James. However, this is a bad boy with a heart of gold. He leverages his shot at a dukedom to propose a partnership with Samuel Tate, owner of a very successful pottery business, including marrying his sweet, calm daughter Catherine Tate. Catherine, however, is in love with another man, and her younger sister, Bianca convinces her to elope on the eve of the wedding, which results in Bianca being forced to marry Max instead.

This isn't quite an enemies-to-lovers story, since Max never views Bianca as an enemy. In fact, he may be one of the sweetest, most patient male protagonists I've read! The chemistry between Bianca and Max builds steadily and is delicious to read. The climax of the book hits hard and fast, and is oh-so-satisfying. 

Linden does an exceptional job writing passion. Both romantically and otherwise. Bianca's passion for her pottery business is conveyed expertly, as is Max's passion to prove himself.

I am so glad to have received this ARC from Harper Collins and the Avon Historical Romance Readers group on Facebook. I can't wait for the next book in this series!!