Review - Exposed by Kristen Callihan

Exposed by Kristen Callihan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the first three books in this series on audiobook, and from the first time Rye and Brenna were together, sniping at each other, I knew I wanted their book. Luckily, Exposed released just weeks after I finished listening to Managed, so I didn't have long to wait!

Kristen Callihan knows these characters so well, and makes them so real that they jump off the page to yell at you. It's overwhelming and amazing and so so much joy to read.

Rye is the bassist for Kill John, the biggest rock band in the world, and Brenna is their PR manager. They've known each other for years and bickered constantly. Brenna is aloof and guarded, and Rye is the "fun guy". (Almost grumpy-sunshine, except they are both so much more nuanced than that.) When Rye overhears Brenna confessing that she is craving intimacy without strings, he knows he wants to be the one to satisfy all of her cravings.

However, what they both know but neither want to admit is that what's between them is so much more than physical, if they can only be brave enough to ask for it.

AAAA the pining and longing in this book tore me apart! Callihan does such a great job putting so much in to her books and unpacking such difficult themes so deftly! She doesn't pull punches, and it's wonderful.

I loved this book, would definitely recommend!

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Review - Ensnared by Innocence by Larissa Lyons

Ensnared by Innocence by Larissa Lyons
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The premise of this book, Ensnared by Innocence, was what drew me in. The heroine, Francine, needs to be betrothed for a few months until she reaches her majority and takes control of her inheritance. She asks one of the ton's biggest rakes, Lord Blakely, to pretend to be her fiance for that long. He agrees, but he has a secret - he turns in to a lion.

The story was delightfully bonkers, and for the most part I enjoyed the plot. My biggest issue with this book was the language. The author stated that she tried to keep all terminology, etc. period-appropriate, and it's obvious they did a lot of research toward that goal. My problem is that I'm not reading this book in 1812, I'm reading in 2021 and I don't know what a lot of those words mean. The phrasing really slowed down the pace of the book and made the writing feel "clunky", whereas I think if she had just written what she meant directly it would have came across a little easier.

The introduction of Blakely's brother near the end of the book felt abrupt and a little shoehorned in, and while I appreciate that the author was setting him up for his own book, it was still very unexpected, and I wish the characters had explored that a little more.

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Review - A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman is a truly fantastic historical romance book. Full of adventure, longing, and wit, it's a book that's just a joy to read from start to finish.

Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies' families have been enemies for centuries. Gryff has been antagonizing Maddie since they were children, and now that he's returned from the war, nothing has changed. When Gryff and Maddie stumble across a nefarious plot, however, they'll have to work together, and who ever heard of a Montgomery and a Davies working together?

Honestly this book is great, it was so much fun to read, I couldn't put it down. This is childhood enemies to lovers done perfectly right. There is a ton of action and plot in the book, but it doesn't ever feel like it overpowers the romance, which is really the story. Bateman has set up several other couples as well, and I can't wait to find out whose story we'll get next!

Review - West End Earl by Bethany Bennett

 Wow, where to even begin with West End Earl by Bethany Bennett? Bennett's first book, Any Rogue Will Do, was phenomenal and I fell in love with it immediately, but you never know if a second book will live up to a first. Let me tell you, she knocks it out of the park with West End Earl. 

Ophelia Hardwick has been masquerading as her dead twin brother for over a decade. If she can last until "Adam" comes of age, she'll receive the inheritance that is her due, but she has to steer clear of her grasping uncle until then. As Adam, Phee works as a steward/assistant to Calvin, the Earl of Carlyle, who is always having to clean up his father's messes, and must give his sister a grand debut, not to mention manage the finances of himself, his father, and several friends who come to him for investment advice. He couldn't function without Adam Hardwick, aka Puppy, who is also one of his closest friends and confidants. When Cal finds out that Puppy is actually a girl, he also realizes he's wildly attracted to her. Of course, she's been in love with him for years, so everything should be fine and dandy, except of course it isn't - between his wayward sister, her terrible uncle, and his father's meddling, it seems like they'll never find their happy-ever-after.

This book could have gone in so many ways. The main female character has been parading as a man - and continues to as well. Bennett is so careful, though, and handles this whole situation with such ease and aplomb, it's astounding. It never feels condescending or insensitive. Cal is a great character, and so is Phee. She's not afraid of telling him like it is, and is utterly unapologetic about who she is. The whole book is so matter-of-fact and it's just a joy to read.

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Bethany Bennett is one of my auto-buy authors, and I can't wait to get this one on my shelf, too.

Review - A Wicked Bargain for the Duke by Megan Frampton

 Megan Frampton's A Wicked Bargain for the Duke is the third book in her Hazards of Dukes series - all of which are wonderful, and this one is no exception. Thad had no expectations of ever being a duke, but now that he is he plans to run it with the same military efficiency he's known for. To that end, he makes a list of attributes he must have in a duchess, and somehow finds them all at his first social event. Lady Jane is perfect - except for her pesky sister, Lavinia, who is too loud, too opinionated, and far too sensual to ever be his duchess. Until, that is, they are caught in a compromising position and forced to wed. He proposes a bargain: they produce an heir, then they can lead separate lives. Lavinia agrees, but decides that if they're going to be intimate, she'd better enjoy it!

This book is so good for so many reasons. Frampton is so aware of the power dynamics and is so careful with them - Thad is constantly aware that Lavinia is at a disadvantage in their relationship, and tries to even their footing however he can. Lavinia is determined to make the best of her situation, and is fiercely loyal. 

SPOILERS!!!

One thing that really stood out to me while reading: Lavinia is secretly a romance author, and her books are gaining wild popularity. Her half-brother is pretending to be the author at signings and events, but all the work is Lavinia's. During a reading at their home, Thaddeus realizes that Lavinia is the true author of the novels, and this is the "low point" for the novel, as he is livid. However, what really stuck out to me is the reason for his ire - he isn't upset that she has this secret, he's upset that she didn't trust him enough to share what he realizes is an essential part of herself with him. It's so sweet and heartbreaking all at once, proving that Frampton is a master.

Overall, this is a wonderful book, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!!

Review - Outrageous by Minerva Spencer

Quick review: Fun road-trip romance with a spunky outspoken heroine and a jaded hero.

I really enjoyed Outrageous by Minerva Spencer. It took me a little while to really get in to it-the heroine is 16 years younger than the hero and it felt a little squicky, but it was something that was addressed and turned in to a joke, and by the end of the book I was over it.

Eva de Courtenay is 19 and wants to protect her brother from the Earl of Vesil, Godric, who has been antagonizing him all Season, so she kidnaps him. Only a day out Godric is free of her, and now that they've been alone together in a carriage her reputation is ruined, so off to Scotland they go to get married, since he's suddenly seen the error of his ways. (Side note - his villiany is entirely off-page and I believe a major plot of the book preceding this one which I haven't read. In the first chapter he "wakes up" and realizes he's being ridiculous, which is a little "hand-wavey" but I let it slide for romance reasons.) On their way to Scotland they are besieged by pretty much every calamity that can happen to a carriage, and overall the whole book is just shenanigans, which is a lot of fun to read.

Quick facts: Dual POV; not crazy-steamy but definitely not closed-door, either. There are like 4 intimate encounters with sex-on-page.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and will be reading the next book for sure! 

Review - A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor

A Duke in Time is the first book in Janna MacGregor's The Widow Rules series, and it is delightful. Katherine's husband abandoned her immediately following their wedding breakfast, and now he's dead. Upon the reading of his will, Katherine finds out he not only married her, but two other women as well, and spent all of their dowries. Christian, her husband's brother and the Duke of Randford, is determined not to fix any more of his ne'er-do-well brother's messes, but there's something about Katherine he just can't resist.

This book was wonderful, I really loved Katherine's character. She runs a successful textile business and is willing to do what it takes to make it a success. Christian is a former soldier and is trying to find a way to help other soldiers who have come home to nothing. Both of the protagonists are trying to do so much to help other people, and it's so nice that they can get their own HEA. 

I will definitely be reading the next book in this series when it's available! Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy!