Review - Once Dishonored by Mary Jo Putney

Once Dishonored by Mary Jo Putney is the fifth book in her Rogues Redeemed series, but the first book of hers that I've read. It works well enough as a standalone, although there is quite a bit of backstory that is missing, but Putney does an admirable job of filling in the gaps enough to follow the story.

Once Dishonored focuses on Lucas Mandeville, Lord Foxton, who has returned to London after the war in dishonor. There he immediately meets Kendra Douglas, a recent divorcee' whose scandalous trial has made her a pariah. Lucas recognizes a kindred soul, and sets out to help Kendra regain what is most important to her - her son. 

Overall this book was enjoyable. There was a twist midway through the book that was unexpected and felt a little shoehorned, and I really felt the romance between Kendra and Lucas wasn't given enough room to breathe, I had a hard time believing they were truly in love as for most of the book they just seemed like friends. The book was very plot-driven, and featured lots of characters from previous books.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Review - Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath

Lorraine Heath is a master storyteller, and Beauty Tempts the Beast underscores that decisively. The final book of the roller coaster that is her Sins for All Seasons series, Beauty Tempts the Beast is an absolute gem of a story.

Althea Stanwick, previously of Mayfair, has found herself living precariously in Whitechapel, and perilously short on options. When Benedict Trewlove, known as Beast, proposes to hire her to train the women under his protection etiquette, she pushes the deal farther: he must teach her seduction, so that she can become a courtesan and master her own destiny. Against his better judgement, Beast agrees, but will the lessons prove to be too much for them both?

There are so many things I love about this book. All of the Trewloves come back and we get to spend time with all of them. A self-righteous lord gets put in his place. A snobby lady gets a big snub. Heath excels at building atmosphere - without using over-the-top descriptions, you still get such a sense of place, as if these were actual places you could visit, and in fact miss after you're done reading.

The characters are just amazing in this book. I've been looking forward to Beast's book since When a Duke Loves a Woman (book 2 of this 6-book series) and it was definitely worth the wait. Althea is wonderful - very clear-headed and yet still optimistic. I really enjoyed that Beauty Tempts the Beast didn't have a "big misunderstanding" - the characters were open an honest with each other through it all. 

I'm so very sorry to be done with the Trewlove family, it has been a wonderful series that I know I'll be rereading again soon! I would absolutely recommend this book! 

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon and NetGalley.

Beauty Tempts the Beast is available 29 September 2020!

Review - The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

The blurb on this book says it is "very close to perfect", which seems like a tall order to fill. After all, how can a book possibly be perfect, or even nearly so? The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune, is perfect. Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He evaluates the orphanages where children who are magical live, and makes sure they are safe and taken care of, while always remaining objective and impersonal (as is clearly stated in the Rules and Regulations). When he gets assigned to evaluate a very special orphanage, however, he is forced to question everything he knows.

This book is beautifully written, there's no other way to say it. Klune deals with very heavy issues around prejudice and complacency, but does it with such a deft hand it's unbelievable. The characters are fantastical but at the same time so heartbreakingly realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, fantasy reader or not. I can't wait to read more of Klune's work in the future.

Review - No Offense by Meg Cabot

 No Offense is the first book of Meg Cabot's that I have read, and the second in her Little Bridge Island series. When Molly Montgomery, the new children's librarian for Little Bridge Island finds an abandoned baby in the library bathroom, she has no idea she will be swept into solving a string of crimes across the island. Sheriff John Hartwell knows who is behind the recent thefts, but without any hard evidence there's nothing he can do. He certainly doesn't need a nosy librarian poking her nose into his case! However, John and Molly find themselves thrown together and sparks fly.

This book was a cute, light read. There was very little angst, and the mystery was a fun subplot. The characters were likable enough, although I didn't really feel like you got to know them all that well, or very deeply into their heads. For a quick, lighthearted read it was a good pick, and one I would recommend.

Review - Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert

 

Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert is just simply delightful. Fun-loving Conrad has had a string of bad luck over the past year, so when the opportunity arises to go to the biggest convention for Odyssey, the card game that he loves, and play in the tournament, Conrad jumps at the chance. The downside: having to drive from New Jersey to Las Vegas with Alden, an uptight guy who is his biggest enemy. Five days in a car together, though, can change a lot.

This book was awesome and just so fun to read. It has all the best tropes - enemies to lovers, road trip, only one bed (!), forced proximity, all of it. The whole trip is really well-researched, which was awesome, but the characters are what really shine. Alden and Conrad are both so well thought-out, just utterly believable. Watching them put aside their differences and fall for each other is a treat, and though you know the final conflict is coming, it's done so well and so perfectly that I'm still reeling.

On top of all the fluff, Albert deals with a lot of real issues. Both Conrad and Alden have a lot of struggles they are facing, and Albert handles all of these topics very thoughtfully.

I would absolutely recommend this book, and can't wait to read what Annabeth Albert puts out next!

Review - Her Husband's Harlot by Grace Callaway

 

Her Husband's Harlot by Grace Callaway

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Her Husband's Harlot by Grace Callaway is the first book in her Mayhem in Mayfair series. This book I feel falls into the erotic historical romance genre, and it is VERY steamy! The book starts in a brothel - Lady Helena is desperate to confront her husband, Nicholas after their disastrous wedding night, and when she finds an invitation to a notorious brothel among his things, she hatches a plan to corner him. However, he thinks her one of the workers, and seduces her instead. Nicholas grew up an orphan on the streets, only to find out as an adult that he's actually the legitimate son of the Marquess of Harteford. Now trying to navigate the challenges of the peerage while still maintaining his business, Nicholas is overwhelmed, and doesn't want to sully his perfect aristocratic wife with his base desires.

Honestly, this book was a quick, easy, fun read, however I didn't really like either of these characters. I felt the entire conflict between them could have been solved with a couple of honest conversations. Helena was submissive and didn't show any backbone, and was entirely too forgiving (um...her husband went to a brothel and slept with a prostitute - it was her, but still.) Nicholas was whiny and downright cruel to her - he was trying to push her away to "protect her" but was really just mean.

I hadn't read any erotic historic romance before but would again based on this book.

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Review - Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

This book, Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, was amazing! I read this one because of all the rave reviews floating around the web, and I was still blown away! Luc has never met his famous rock-star father but has lived in his shadow nonetheless, with tabloids taking any chance to paint him with the same bad-boy paintbrush as his father. When his latest exploits threaten his job, Luc must find a "respectable" boyfriend in time for a big event. As it turns out, straight-laced barrister Oliver also has an event looming that he'd rather not attend solo, so they decide to fake a relationship until then. All too soon, though, their fake relationship starts to feel more real than any of their recent real relationships, but can they stop pretending?

Ugh, this book. Seriously soooo good, and just thinking about it gives me the warm and cuddly feels. Luc and Oliver are super different in so many ways - Luc is a total slob, Oliver is a neat-freak; Oliver is a vegetarian, Luc loves meat; Luc thinks one-night stands are perfectly fine, Oliver would rather not kiss someone he doesn't like. However, they are both so damaged by family and romantic relationships that they are actually so great for each other. I loved the way Hall slowly built the relationship, and how authentic it all felt. The side characters were also all amazing - Luc's friends, Oliver's friends, and Luc's coworkers all felt fleshed out - like if you were wandering down the street you might bump in to them.

This is a single-POV romance told from Luc's point of view. The intimacy mostly happens off-page. I definitely recommend this book and will be looking forward to reading more from Alexis Hall!