Review - The Return of the Duke by Lorraine Heath

The Return of the Duke by Lorraine Heath
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book by Lorraine Heath, as always! The Return of the Duke is the third book in this series, centered around the sons of the former Duke of Wolfford who was hanged for treason. Marcus Stanwick was the heir, and had spent his life preparing to be a duke. For the past year he’s been trying to find the people who led to that future being taken. That search leads to his father’s former mistress, Esme Lancaster, who he quickly realizes is much more than what he assumed.

I really enjoyed this book; Marcus and Esme are both very well written characters who just can’t keep their hands off each other. Esme is a spy, so if spy romances aren’t your thing you might want to skim this one, but honestly I didn’t feel like she got much in the weeds. One thing this definitely has is competence-both Marcus and Esme are extremely capable, and each admires that in the other. This wasn’t quite a tear-jerker for me the way some of the others have been, but I still really liked it and will definitely read whatever she writes next!

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Review - Built to Last by Erin Hahn

Built to Last by Erin Hahn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this second-chance celebrity romance, Built to Last by Erin Hahn. Shelby and Cameron were child stars together, growing up in the bright lights of LA. Now, the nearly-thirty year old Shelby refinished furniture with her house-flipping dad and loves being out of the spotlight. A reality show, though, could ensure his early retirement, as well as show everyone she’s no longer the party-girl she was. The only catch is that the studio wants to bring in Cameron as her co-star. Her first love who has twice abandoned her-how can that possibly work?

Hahn does a great job making these two feel like real people. This book is pretty low-angst, they’re basically gone for each other from the start (in the best way). Very sweet with some spice, definitely recommend. Hahn is also (I hope) tee-ing up Shelby’s best friend’s story and I can’t wait to read it!

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Review-Hook Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey know just how to tear my heart out, rip it up, stitch it together and put it back in again. Fox and Hannah’s story was just amazing from start to finish. This is friends-to-lovers on crack, for real. Hannah’s job brings her to town and she ends up staying in Fox’s spare room. The close quarters force both of them to face what their long-distance friendship really means. 

Hannah has so much moxie, she’s goals for sure, but Bailey made her so nuanced and layered and vulnerable. She’s every girl who’s been afraid of speaking up for herself, and when she forces herself out of her comfort zone it’s just too perfect. 

Honestly, though, this felt like Fox’s book to me. Through him, Bailey takes a magnifying glass to toxic masculinity and what growing up hearing only one thing about yourself can do to a person. Of course he’s a romance hero, so he works on his shit and figures it out, but a lot of his narrative hit close to home with comments you hear all the time. 

I’d 100% recommend this book, the writing is amazing quality, the pacing is great and the characters are phenomenal. Bailey is quickly becoming a must-buy for me and I can’t wait for whatever she writes next!

 

Review - A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman

A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Daring Pursuit is the second in Kate Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on the Montgomery and Davies families, who have been feuding for centuries. The first book, A Reckless Match, was one of my 2021 favorites, so I couldn't wait to read the second installment. Bateman didn't disappoint! This book was just as much fun as the first!

Carys Davies has been scandalizing the ton for two years, and none moreso than Tristan Montgomery, her archenemy. When Tristan finds out a secret that Carys would rather hide, however, they enter into a deliciously intriguing bargain (sex deal!!). They agree to be "enemies with benefits", the only problem is they can't seem to remember that they're supposed to be enemies.

I loved the characters of this book so much. The angst-level was just right, with both pining for the other, and it was just such a delight to read. This can definitely be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend reading the first book just because it's amazing as well. I can't wait to read the next entry in this series!

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Review - Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score

Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score so, so much. I wanted to go and live in this town, and I definitely want stories for all the other characters!

Maggie Nichols runs a super-successful house-flipping YouTube channel. She's seriously close to hitting 1 million subscribers, and hopes flipping a century-old Victorian mansion will push her over the edge. She has her time in tiny Kinship, Idaho planned - and it doesn't include hot, charming local landscaper Silas Wright. Silas has lived in Kinship his whole life, and knows and is known by everyone. Maggie's nomadic life couldn't possibly suit him.

*Sigh* This book was wonderful. Score did such an excellent job creating these multi-dimensional characters that just seemed to move right into my brain. The DIY-details were not over-the-top, which was nice. The best part of this book was the side characters. Silas has a huge family that is all up in everyone's business, and Maggie has a partner who was awesome.

Score served up a book about love, home, and found family that is just perfect. I can't wait to read more from this author!

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Review - Rules for Engaging the Earl by Janna MacGregor

Rules for Engaging the Earl by Janna MacGregor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in Janna MacGregor’s Widow Rules series, Rules for Engaging the Earl is a good read. Constance, along with two other women, found out they’d all married the same man upon his death. Heavily pregnant, Constance writes to her old friend, Jonathan, Earl of Sykeston to ask him to marry her and save her reputation.

Injured in the war and with the nebulous threat of a court martial hanging over him, Jonathan is reclusive but would do anything to help the girl who had meant so much to him.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and thought this one was good as well. MacGregor uses this book to tackle some heavy issues. Jonathan has a lot of trauma from the war and from trying to find his footing both literally and figuratively. Constance is almost unbelievably cheerful and kind-hearted. While she eventually finds her voice, there were several points that I was upset she was allowing herself to be treated in the way she was. This book felt heavy, and the HEA was very hard-won.

I did enjoy Rules for Engaging the Earl and can’t wait to read Beth and Grayson’s story!

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Review - The Duke Goes Down by Sophie Jordan

 

I finally finished Sophie Jordan’s The Duke Goes Down! I started this one a while ago, but then I had a bunch of library holds come in so I stuck it on the back burner, but it’s seriously so good!

Perry Butler was the Duke of Penning until it was discovered that he wasn’t actually legitimate. Now he’s living with his mother and trying to find an heiress to marry in Shropshire, which would be significantly easier if it weren’t for the salacious rumors circling about him. Imogen Bates is the vicar’s daughter, and can’t forget how cruel Perry has been all her life. The ladies of her father’s flock deserve better than to be married solely for their money.

This is a delicious slow-burn, enemies to lovers book. Sophie Jordan does such a fantastic job of telling a story expertly, layering emotions and exposition and action seamlessly. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

5⭐️