Book Reviews Archives - Page 14 of 115

A Bet, A Rake and A Wallflower | Historical Romance Reviews

May 30, 2021

It’s time for some more mini-reviews. I really like doing these, I get to share a quick few thoughts and books that I either loved or hated to read. Today’s reviews are all on historical romances that I have read recently. I’m sharing my thoughts on To Love and to Loathe (The Regency Vows #2) by Martha Waters, The Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower #1) by Eva Devon and The Wallflower Wager (Girl Meets Duke #3) by Tessa Dare. Here we go.

To Love and to Loathe (The Regency Vows #2) by Martha Waters

Pages: 384
Publish date: April 6th 2021
Publisher: Atria Books
ISBN: 9781982160876
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are infamous among English high society as much for their sharp-tongued bickering as their flirtation. One evening, an argument at a ball turns into a serious wager: Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds.

So shortly after, just before a fortnight-long house party at Elderwild, Jeremy’s country estate, Diana is shocked when Jeremy appears at her home with a very different kind of proposition.

After his latest mistress unfavourably criticized his skills in the bedroom, Jeremy is looking for reassurance, so he has gone to the only woman he trusts to be totally truthful. He suggests that they embark on a brief affair while at the house party—Jeremy can receive an honest critique of his bedroom skills and widowed Diana can use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover.

Diana thinks taking him up on his counter-proposal can only help her win her wager. With her in the bedroom and Jeremy’s marriage-minded grandmother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, helping to find suitable matches among the eligible ladies at Elderwild, Diana is confident her victory is assured. But while they’re focused on winning wagers, they stand to lose their own hearts.

To Love and To Loathe:

I received an e-arc of The Love and To Loathe by Martha Waters in exchange for an honest review this has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

This was a fantastic historical romance. I didn’t know what to expect from this one, I hadn’t read anything from the author – but after my interview with her, I knew I had to pick up her books.

The Love and To Loathe follows Lady Diana Templeton and she strikes a bet with the Marquess of Willingham, Jeremy. Known for their sharp tongues and bickering, this time it’s getting real. Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds. But as Diana tries to match Jeremy with a woman, she can’t help but spend time with him and then they strike another deal.

Diana was a delightful protagonist. I loved her quick tongue and the fact that she never gave up. She was seriously just a blast to read. I love that while she had this facade, the reader also gets to see her vulnerability throughout the book.

Photo by Halanna Halila on Unsplash

Jeremy was an interesting love interest and protagonist. While I didn’t love him as much as Diana, I did like seeing him evolve throughout The Love and To Loathe. I loved that he wasn’t a flat character, and the reader can see him really take on Diana.

I adored these together! Their banter was off the chats and I simply didn’t want to put the book down because of them. I was expecting there to be more sexy time considering their second deal. I just felt that it lacked throughout the book. There aren’t many historical romances I’ve read where a widow is one of the protagonists. And I felt that I wanted more from them.

Overall, I loved reading The Love and To Loathe by Martha Waters. It was a great romance, an intriguing plot and I could not put it down. I can’t wait to go back to the first book in this series and then the rest of the books. If you are looking for a new historical romacne authors – then pick this series up.

The Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower #1) by Eva Devon

Pages: 306
Publish date: February 9th 2021
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
ISBN: 9781682816134
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, likes his life in a certain order. Give him a strong drink, a good book, and his dog for company, and he’s content. But when he goes to his library and finds a woman sitting in his chair, petting his dog, what starts as a request for her to leave quickly turns to a fiery battle of wits, leading to a steamy kiss that could ruin them both if they were caught.

So of course, damn it all, that’s when Edward’s aunt walks in and thereafter announces Miss Georgiana Bly is the future Duchess of Thornfield.

Georgiana was content to be a spinster, spending her days reading and working to keep her family out of debt. But now her days are spent locked away with a growly duke, learning how to be the perfect duchess, and her nights spent fighting the undeniable attraction to a man who was never meant for her.

As their wedding day approaches, the attraction between them burns hot and fierce, but is it enough to melt the duke’s chilly facade?

The Spinster and the Rake:

I received an e-arc of The Spinster and the Rake by Eva Devon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

I didn’t know too much about this book or the author before I started reading The Spinster and the Rake. I picked it up because it sounded really interesting and something that I would love – and in the end, I ended up really enjoying it.

The Spinster and the Rake follows Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield who doesn’t want much with life. He is pretty content with the way things are going. But when the Duke’s aunt interrupts and fiery battle the Duke and Miss Georgiana Bly things change, very quickly. Now engaged both Edward and Georgiana need to learn to live with the changes in their lives.

Edward is grumpy and is the type of male that wants things to go his way. And it’s all turned on its head when Georgiana comes into this life. He is the type of protagonist that I hate to love. He can be mean sometimes, but you can also see his soft side that he tries to hide.

Photo by Thomas Kelley on Unsplash

Georgiana is very similar to Edward in many ways and I think that is why they clash so much. And while he wants to have his quiet life, Georgiana wants to do as much for her family as she can. As much as any women can. And as the novel goes on we get to see why she is this way.

From the start, I was hooked by the fantastic romance. I also love a grumpy male that doesn’t want to fall in love, but then is taken about with how quickly he falls. Georgiana and Edward both break down each other’s walls. And then the reader really gets to see them for who they are. Edward and Georgiana were fire and ice and I adored it.

Overall I had a great time reading The Spinster and the Rake by Eva Devon. It’s not my favourite historical romance out there, but I will pick up more books in this series and by this author. The romance was great, the pilot was great and I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. It’s a good introduction to historical romance as well.

The Wallflower Wager (Girl Meets Duke #3) by Tessa Dare

Pages: 368
Publish date: August 13th 2019
Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 9780062672155
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

They call him the Duke of Ruin.

To an undaunted wallflower, he’s just the beast next door.

Wealthy and ruthless, Gabriel Duke clawed his way from the lowliest slums to the pinnacle of high society—and now he wants to get even.

Loyal and passionate, Lady Penelope Campion never met a lost or wounded creature she wouldn’t take into her home and her heart.

When her imposing—and attractive—new neighbour demands she clear out the rescued animals, Penny sets him a challenge. She will part with her precious charges if he can find them loving homes.

Done, Gabriel says. How hard can it be to find homes for a few kittens?

And a two-legged dog.

And a foul-mouthed parrot.

Also a goat, an otter, a hedgehog . . .

Easier said than done, for a cold-blooded bastard who wouldn’t know a loving home from a workhouse. Soon he’s covered in cat hair, knee-deep in adorable, and bewitched by a shyly pretty spinster who defies his every attempt to resist. Now she’s set her mind and heart on saving him.

Not if he ruins her first.

The Wallflower Wager:

I love this series and I put off reading this one because of the delay of book four. But I couldn’t hold myself back any longer and I had to read it – and I loved it oh so much.

The Wallflower Wager follows Gabriel Duke hasn’t had the easier road, and it everything in him to get where he is now. Lady Penelope Campion is a sucker for a wounded creature. And she can’t help herself and has to take them home and mend them. When the Duke of Ruin moves next door, Lady Penelope doesn’t know what is about to hit her, but neither does Gabriel.

I’ve been hanging from Penelope’s story from the start. She is a lovely, intriguing and captivating character and protagonist. I love that she cares so much, it just makes my heart warm. Her warm nature just jumps off the page and makes everything so much better. I adore her love for the broken and fixing them as she could. The reader is also able to see her growth throughout the novel and it was fantastic.

Photo by Piotr Łaskawski on Unsplash

Gabriel on the other hand is rough around the edge. He has his hard exterior that Lady Penelope tries to break down – but that isn’t easy. Right from the start, you can see that Gabriel is taken aback by Penelope and her nature. He hasn’t encountered someone like her before. It takes some time for him to get used to her – but he actually never really does.

The romance in this one was fantastic. I loved the banter between Gabriel and Penelope. The tension was fantastic. I also love how they were around one another. They both have their own walls up for different reasons and as The Wallflower Wager goes on we get to see them slowly fall for one another – before they both even realise it.

Overall The Wallflower Wager is a fantastic inclusion to the ‘Girl Meet’s Duke’ series by Tessa Dare. I’ve loved everyone that I have read and I cannot wait for more. I also can’t wait to read more Tessa Dare – which I hope to soon. This one is full of fantastic banter, a lovely romance and many laughs. If you haven’t picked up this series yet and love historical romances – then please do.

And there we go, those are some mini historical romacne reviews. Have you read any of these? Are you planning on reading any of these books? What is a historical romance book that you have loved recently? Let’s Chat!

Retellings and Dark Romances | Mini Romance Reviews

May 20, 2021

It’s time for some more mini romance reviews – it’s been a while since I’ve done some. So today I’m sharing my thoughts on Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight and A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone #1) by Scarlett St. Clair. These are both recent romances that I have read this year, and both of them were a little out of my comfort zone.

While I love reading retellings, especially mythology bases ones, I haven’t read many that are also romances as well. And while I have read on the darker side of romance, Den of Vipers is way darker than I have read before. Anyway, let’s get into it.

Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

Pages: 654
Publish date: July 10th 2020
Publisher: –
ASIN: B08818YQB5
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel—The Vipers.

They run this town and everyone in it. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses.

Yes, sold me.

They own me now.

I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant. These men, they look at me with longing. Their scarred, blood-stained hands holding me tight. They want everything I am, everything I have to give, and won’t stop until they get just that. They can own my body, but they will never have my heart.

The Vipers? I’m going to make them regret the day they took me.

This girl? She bites too.

Den of Vipers:

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked Den of Vipers up. I saw it floating around the bookish community, especially the romance community and it caught my eye. Like I said I haven’t read many dark romances before, but I wanted to give this one a go. And while I did really enjoy it, this book is not for everyone.

This is a dark, complicated, reverse harem romance that has some very questionable moments. Den of Vipers by K.A Knight follows Roxy as she is thrown into the world of the Vipers. Into their complex, messy world. She doesn’t know what to do with herself. Roxy wants out. She wants to be free, but soon she starts to feel at home. The power starts to creep up on her, the violence. Soon Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel aren’t just the men that are keeping her, but so much more.

Photo by Ed Leszczynskl on Unsplash

As I’ve said Den of Vipers is not for everyone. It’s not for most people really. It’s explicit, harsh and doesn’t hold back. The characters and grey, but more on the dark side of life. Some things happened throughout the story, that if they happened in real life – I would hate. However, in the context of the book – it sorta works.

I really enjoyed all the protagonist of Den of Vipers. Roxy is hard and doesn’t take shit from anyone. Ryder is the leader and the protector, Garrett is the one that is dark and mysterious but will scare you. Kenzo is one of the more ‘normal’ vipers. And then there is Diesel, who I can’t even begin to explain Diesel.

If you aren’t used to dark romances, reverse harem’s and very complicated characters and stories this is not for me. Please don’t just dive into this book. It’s not an easy read. There were times where I had to just put the book down and rejig my brain. But if you enjoy reading dark things – it’s a great read. Just be ready for it.

Overall Den of Vipers was an intense, dark read that I wasn’t expecting to like as much as I did. There are things that happened that took me a while to comprehend, but this is a dark romance that doesn’t shy away. The romance was interesting and not something I’ve delved into reading much. If you are looking for something different and entertaining then this is for you. If you are looking for something dark and questionable, then this is for you.

A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone #1) by Scarlett St. Clair

Pages: 299
Publish date: May 23rd 2019
Publisher: –
ASIN: B07S9HLL34
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shrivelled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist.

Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favourite bets are rumoured to be impossible.

After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.

The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—and it’s forbidden.

A Touch of Darkness:

Mythology-based retellings are my favourite, hands down. Because of that, A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair was an easy pick up for me. It’s a modern romance between Hades and Persephone retelling, what more can I ask for? I’ve read a few modern mythology retellings here and there, but not a whole lot, so this was still new to me. And I loved it.

A Touch of Darkness follows Persephone as she tries to find her place. Instead of her powers flourishing, she kills. She can’t keep things alive. Now in the mortal world, she tries to keep in the shadows as a journalist. Then she makes a deal with the devil – with Hades. Now in contract with Hades, Persophone needs to create life in the Underworld, or she will be stuck there forever.

Persephone was a great protagonist. With all the retellings I have read, there hasn’t been many that had her as the main character. So it felt like a fresh start for me. There were many bumps for her, but I enjoyed that a lot. I loved that I didn’t love her right from the start. She is complicated, sometimes a mess but that is what makes her such a good protagonist.

I adore the first meeting between Persephone and Hades. It was hot, mysterious and left me wanting more. The tension between these two was fantastic! I wanted more and more. I also really enjoyed the banter between the two of them. The back and forth. Because of all this, the romance was fantastic and something that I really enjoyed reading.

Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash

While there were things that happened that were predictable – I don’t hate that. I like that I can guess things and figure out what’s going to happen next. But this didn’t take away from the book at all. It actually made me want to continue reading even more.

Overall, A Touch of Darkness is a great read. Like most books it has, its issues, however, I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the romance. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I already have book 2 and I’m hoping that I can get to it soon. Hades and Persephone are fantastic together and I’m intrigued to see where the story is taken. This is a hot and sexy modern retelling that keeps the reader wanting more.

Have you read either Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight or A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair? What did you think of them? Are you planning on reading them? What are some of your favourite dark romances? What are some of your romance mythology retellings? Let’s Chat!

For more dark romances check out my reviews on Hades Hangman series by Tillie Cole and Dead Man Walking by Giana Darling. For more retellings check out some of my favourite retellings and the 5 reasons why I love The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.

Series Review: Sinful Wallflowers by Stacy Reid

Mar 14, 2021

A little while ago I was asked to review the second book in the Sinful Wallflowers series by Stacy Reid and it sounded fantastic. So I picked up the first book My Darling Duke before I started the second. And let me tell you I had a fantastic time, so today I thought I would share my thoughts and feelings on My Darling Duke and The Wicked Marquess. Let’s Go.

My Darling Duke (Sinful Wallflowers #1) by Stacy Reid

Pages: 377
Publish date: December 31st 2019
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
ISBN: 9781640637450
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Miss Katherine Danvers is a desperate wallflower. Her family is on the brink of financial ruin, and it is up her to save her mother and sisters from a life of indignities. So she transforms herself into the incomparable Kitty Danvers, the fiancée of the enigmatic and reclusive Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton—once dubbed the mad, bad, and dangerous catch of the Season.

Ten years ago, society and the woman Alexander Masters loved called him a monster, after a tragic accident left him scarred and confined to a wheelchair. His heart exists in cold, lonely exile until he learns he has a fiancée—a deceptive, clever, and utterly intriguing woman he’s never met. Miss Danvers will now learn the consequences of engaging herself to the beast, for Alexander is determined to make her his. Soon, they are involved in a chase, a clash of wills, and though he once vowed to never love again, he burns for the enchanting Miss Danvers. And denying his heart may cost him an exquisite love that happens only once in a lifetime.

My Darling Duke:

I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this one. I hadn’t heard too many things about Stacy Reid, but she had been on my tbr for a little while. And then I started reading this one and couldn’t stop. My Darling Duke was such a fantastic historical romance that hit all the right spots. I also adored the fact that also has disability representation!

My Darling Duke follows Miss Katherine Danvers who will do anything to save her family, including becoming the fiancée of Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton. But he doesn’t even know it. Alexander hasn’t existed in society for ten years. After an accident that left him both scarred and confined to a wheelchair. Then he learns he is to be wed. So he returns to society to meet this Kitty Danvers.

I seriously loved this book and I was not expecting to love it as much as I did. I knew going in that the plot sounded like something I would enjoy, and there is disability rep so that already had my attention. From the start, I adored the characters both Kitty and Alexander was just fantastic. Totally different from one other but they fit each other so well.

Photo by Sara Darcaj on Unsplash

Kitty was such a light throughout the book, she would do anything for her family even if it meant that it would hurt herself. But I also loved how brave she was. Alexander was rough and moody, but as the novel went on the reader can see his gentler side.

I think the disability rep was really well executed in My Darling Duke. Especially for a historical romance. It was fantastic to see and I loved that he got to see both the struggles with living with a disability, but also the highlights. And that life isn’t just about it. Alexander was both physically and mentally scarred and Kitty doesn’t fix him. But she helps him on the path of healing himself.

Overall, I loved reading My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid. It was fantastic and a great introduction not into this world but into Stacy Reid, who I will be reading again soon. Kitty and Alexander were adorable and perfect together and I loved seeing them fall in love. This is a fantastic historical romance. And I think you should pick it up for sure.

Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2) by Stacy Reid

Pages: 383
Publish date: December 29th 2020
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
ISBN: 9781682815199
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam is too witty and bookish for her own good. No gentleman of the ton will marry her, so her parents arrange for her to wed a man old enough to be her father. But Maryann is ready to use those wits to turn herself into a sinful wallflower.

When the scandal sheet reports a sighting of Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury, climbing out the chamber windows of a house party, Maryann does the unthinkable. She anonymously claims that the bedchamber belonged to none other than Miss Fitzwilliam, tarnishing her own reputation—and chances of the dastardly union her family secured for her. Now she just needs to convince the marquess to keep his silence.

Turns out Nicolas allows for the scandal to perpetuate for his own reasons… But when Maryann’s parents hold fast to their arranged marriage plan, it’ll take a scandal of epic proportions for these two to get out of this together.

Her Wicked Marquess :

After finishing My Darling Duke I know that I had to start on the second book as soon as I could and I’m so glad that I did. This was a blast to read and while in the same world as My Darling Duke, it had a different tone and that was really great to see.

Her Wicked Marquess follows Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam, whose parents want her to marry someone more than twice her age. But Maryann has a plan. When it’s reported that Nicolas St. Ives is seen climbing out of chamber windows, Maryann admits it’s hers. With her reputation now tarnished, she hopes her parents while let this marriage go. But it’s not always that easy.

I adored Maryann and Nicolas together. They were serieusly fansastic togehter. I was laughing and cheering for them the whole book. I loved the banter, the connection and everything else between these two and I loved seeing them together. It didn’t really matter if it was a romantic scene or not. They were just fantastic on the page.

Maryann was a fantastic female protagonist. I loved her so much. She knew that she didn’t want her parents to decide who she married and she stood by that. Maryann stood up for herself. She was prepared to ruin herself. I also love that she gave Nicolas a run for his money it was fantastic. Nicolas was also fantastic. He was hard to love at first, but it didn’t take me long for me to fall in love with him.

I think Her Wicked Marquess was the perfect sequel to My Darling Duke. While you don’t have to read the first book to understand the book. I highly recommend that you do. I love how friendships are explored in both of them and I can’t wait for book three.

Overall, I loved Her Wicked Marquess as much as the first book. The romance was clever and smart. While the characters were intriguing and had fantastic banter. The romance was spot on. It was sexy and innocent at the same time, and I loved seeing Maryann and Nicolas fall for one another. It was just a fantastic read and a perfect sequel.

And that is it for this post. If you couldn’t tell, I loved both of these books and think you should pick this series up for sure. Also a little while ago I had the lovely chance to interview Stacy Reid where we talked all about romance and more. You can check out the interview now.

Have you read the sinful wallflowers series by Stacy Reid? What did you think are you planning on reading it? Let’s Chat!