Author: Vivienne Lorret
Publisher: Avon
Release: February 21, 2023
Series: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #5
Pages: 384
My Review: 5 Stars
I almost screamed when I got approved for an ARC on Netgalley. Ever since finishing the previous book I have been anxiously awaiting this one. I started reading last night and finished this afternoon. I had to pause the book to go to class and it almost killed me. Meg is such a great heroine and I really enjoyed her story. Lucien is a mixed bag, but overall a positive. He's also the epitome of a genius idiot. So smart, but so so dumb. I found it slightly odd that something that was in the back of the previous book didn't actually come up in here until over halfway through. This made it so I was waiting for that moment to happen and kept being surprised when it wasn't here yet. I felt that Lucien could have had a slightly stronger grovel, given how long he didn't believe Meg about some things. All in all, I really enjoyed it!
Synopsis:
In USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret's latest romance, a young lady engages in a steamy flirtation with a bespectacled, studious duke while on holiday, only to return with more than just memories...
After being jilted, Margaret Stredwick has sworn off men and marriage. What she needs is a holiday. But a detour along the way takes a surprising turn that leads Meg to him. And soon she starts to wonder if she should indulge in one grand flirtation before she's firmly on the shelf.
The instant Lucien Ambrose, Duke of Merleton, finds a strange woman touring the halls of his ancient estate, he knows the minx is up to something. So, when a family heirloom is stolen, it's clear who the culprit is. She may tempt him beyond reason, but he isn't about to let her get away, even if he has to chase her across the continent.
Meg never imagined that anyone would mistake her for a notorious thief, known for seducing men to distraction. It's the most thrilling thing ever! She eagerly plays along. . . until she finds herself falling in love with a man who has no idea who she really is. And by the time she returns to her ordinary life, she discovers that her grand flirtation won't be a secret for long. Apparently, she brought home an unexpected souvenir...
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Author: Grace Burrowes
Publisher: Forever
Release: April 26, 2022
Series: Rogues to Riches #7
Pages: 383
My Review: 5 Stars
I initially started this book when I was lucky enough to get an ARC through NetGalley, but then life happened and I didn't end up reading the rest of it until I picked up a finished copy. Once I dove in for real, I devoured Never a Duke. Ned is a great character from the earlier books, and it was so exciting to have him get his own book.
Starting off the book, Ned is approached by Rosalind, who needs his help. Her maid has gone missing and Rosalind doesn't think she ran away. Ned and Rosalind quickly discover that many young women are going missing, all ones that wouldn't be missed enough to be looked for.
The mystery of the missing women is mixed well with Ned and Rosalind's romance. While Ned has been living with the Wentworth family for around 10 years, he still isn't seen as truly upper class. That means a relationship with Rosalind, a fancy lady, should be off limits. But what starts as clandestine meetings for innocent purposes quickly heats up. I loved watching them fall for each other, and while they had to put in some hard work to make their happily ever after, it was definitely worth it!
Synopsis:
A proper lady must choose between society or the untitled gentleman who has stolen her heart in this captivating Regency romance.
Ned Wentworth will be forever grateful to the family that plucked him from the streets and gave him a home, even though polite society still whispers years later about his questionable past. Precisely because of Ned’s connections in low places, Lady Rosalind Kinwood approaches him to help her find a lady’s maid who has disappeared.
Rosalind is too opinionated—and too intelligent—and has frequently suffered judgment at the hands of polite society. Despite her family’s disdain for Ned, Rosalind finds he listens to her and respects her. Then too, his kisses are exquisite. As the investigation of the missing maids becomes more dangerous, both Ned and Rosalind will have to risk everything—including their hearts—if they are to share the happily ever after that Mayfair’s matchmakers have begrudged them both.
Author: Vivienne Lorret
Publisher: Avon
Release: May 24, 2022
Series: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #4
Pages: 384
My Review: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book! Full review to come.
I'm not gonna lie, it's been so long since I read this book that I don't really remember what happened. More specially, what happened in the second half. The set up of the book is great though! Prudence and Leo are a phenomenal couple. Prudence needs assistance recovering some personal objects, and finds that Leo might be the perfect partner in crime. While Leo can live up to the name "Savage", he can also be sweet and caring. Leo has been burned by love in the past (quite badly I might add), and is hesitant to care for Prue at first. But she's rather lovable, and inevitably he gives in to his heart.
I wanted to throttle some of Prue's family members when they showed up, but luckily she had both Leo and her friends for support. And at the end, we get a sneak peek for the next book, and I absolutely need it right now! I can't wait for Meg's book and might die in the meantime!
Synopsis:
In USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret’s latest steamy romance, a determined debutante discovers that making a deal with a notorious rake might just give her more than she ever bargained for…
Ruined debutante Prudence Thorogood lost everything when she was ousted from polite society, including her inheritance. Now she’ll do anything to take back what’s hers… even if she has to steal it. Accepting a scandalous offer from Lord Savage seems like the perfect solution to disguise her criminal intentions from the ton. Until she discovers that there’s more to this scoundrel than meets the eye.
Leo Ramsgate, Marquess of Savage, has everything except for a heart. That organ dried up long ago after a devastating betrayal. Since then, he vowed never to trust or love again. He ensures that his dalliances are mutually satisfying, but always temporary… until he meets the reserved Miss Thorogood. Not one of his previous lovers has ever beguiled him the way she does. Not one has made him want to break his own rules. Not one has tempted him to keep her… forever.
Prue has every intention of disappearing from London after their affair ends. But her plan falters when she finds herself falling hopelessly in love with a man who may never love her in return. With time running out and so much at stake, she cannot help but wonder…
How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart?
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Author: Alexis Hall
Publisher: Forever
Release: May 24, 2022
Pages: 460
My Review: 5 Stars
I loved A Lady for a Duke! A great queer historical romance! While I have read some great queer historical before, I believe this is the first one I've read with a transgender main character. While I can't speak to representation itself, I definitely found the characters and their story compelling. Viola is determined to leave her past behind to make her new self, even if that includes her former best friend, the Duke of Gracewood. But family and circumstance throw them back together. While Viola initially hides their shared past, Gracewood eventually figures out who she used to be known as. Despite his initial feelings of betrayal, a fragile truce is formed between Viola and Gracewood for the sake of his sister, who is coming out in society.
With the backdrop of high society and the events of the season, Viola and Gracewood slowly find their way back to each other. And lucky for them, they have loving family cheering them on. I loved all the characters in this book and can't wait to read more by Alexis Hall!
Synopsis:
A lush, sweeping queer historical romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Manda Collins!
When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.
Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.
As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.
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Author: Eva Leigh
Publisher: Avon
Release: September 27, 2022
Pages: 384
Review: 4.5 Stars
I love Eva Leigh, so of course I was going to read this book! I was lucky enough to get an ARC and immediately began reading it. This review will be on the shorter side, since I forgot to write one up immediately after reading it and the book has faded a little in my mind. I really liked the characters of Finn and Tabitha. Finn deals with some challenges that have made life hard for him. He's used to being made fun of, which makes it hard for him to reach out to others outside his circle. Tabitha is in a similar boat for different reasons. She is incredibly intelligent, but that doesn't mesh with the fancy lady her parents want her to be. If you've read the first book, you know Finn is under orders to get married if he wants to get his inheritance. Those issues I mentioned mean that he didn't exactly want to woo someone, so a marriage of convenience with Tabitha, who wants to get away from the ballroom, is perfect. My one complaint about the book is the dark moment. I felt it was overdone and made the happy ending a little harder to feel. Besides that, I really loved this book and recommend the whole series!
Synopsis:
USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh continues her Last Chance Scoundrels series with a steamy romance between two opposites--a rogue with a taste for wagers and a bookish wallflower--who marry for convenience... but neither bet on falling in love.
Finn Ransome is an expert on Lady Luck, which is why he refuses to take a chance on love. Experience has taught him that he's happier at a gaming table than around people he will, inevitably, disappoint. However, the clock is ticking on his father's matrimonial demands. But the only woman to catch his eye is a bluestocking who would never consider a rogue like him.
After a disastrous first Season, Tabitha Seaton decided to focus on books instead of ballrooms. She hopes to join the Sterling Society, a collective of the most brilliant, influential minds in London. Except, they will never admit an unmarried lady. Now Tabitha needs a husband, and a notorious, handsome gambler may be her best bet.
Finn and Tabitha are opposites who have no intention of wagering on a love match, and a calculated marriage of convenience solves all their problems--with no risk to their hearts. Once married, however, their potent attraction boils over into a deep passion that neither expected. When a painful mistake drives the new lovers apart, Finn will risk it all to prove a scoundrel and a wallflower are a winning pair...
Places:
That's all for part one! Hopefully I'll get the next one up later this week or next week! What romance novels have you been reading recently?
