Review: Marry in Scarlet

I have read and adored all of Anne Gracie's series and I was ecstatic to receive George's book MARRY IN SCARLET--the latest in the Marriage in Convenience series--for review! I’ve loved all of Anne Gracie’s books and thinks she is Historical Romance’s most underrated author. Everyone who loves HR should be reading Anne Gracie!

Quick and Dirty Mini-Reviews {6}

Back for another edition of Quick and Dirty Mini-Reviews! I fell into a huge blogging slump with less than zero motivation so here's a few highlights of some of my favorite reads over the past few months...and longer...Enjoy!

The Opposite of Love is one of Hannah's all-time favorite books and I knew at one point I had to give it a try...and I was SO happy I did! I loved this book. There are so many quiet elements to this book that had me thinking about it long after I shut the final page. At it's core, it truly is the making of a family. I loved reading about Emily's journey to the family she's always wanted and felt like she'd been missing. I adored her relationship with her grandfather. I loved that she was imperfect and had flaws and struggled to figure out what she wanted in life. I loved that it was about family. This book was a slow delve in Emily's life and being in her head and living her story was a fantastic journey. It's one of those beautiful books that doesn't shout at you to listen, it sits back and lets you absorb it's message slowly and long after the final page is turned. I was thinking about this book and certain moments from it for days after reading it. If you're looking for a story about family that takes a roundabout way to get there but is beautiful in its quiet moments...this book is for you. 

UK Recap Fit For a Queen // Books Abroad

If you've been following on the blog or Instagram, you know that Hannah and I were traveling in the UK--but kind of don't bring it up or I'll cry all the tears of sadness that 1. I'm no longer with her 2. I'm not in the UK anymore and 3. I'm no longer with Hannah. I didn't think it was possible to love her more but it was! I am mourning the loss of this trip still today but I digress. While we were there, we did a UK Recs series for books, TV/Movies, and places we love; we thought we would do a parallel 3 day recap talking about books, what we did, and a back home mug life!

While I didn't read that much while I was away, I did manage to get a few books read via planes, trains, and late nights. I'm also very happy to report, with the exception of one, all the books I read were freaking great! When I travel, I tend to load my kindle with fun romances or adult contemporary or review books from fav authors I've been saving which did not changed for this trip. My first choice books for this trip were STILL ME by Jojo Moyes, HOW TO WALK AWAY by Katherine Center, MARRY IN SCANDAL by Anne Gracie, FATAL THRONES by an assorted array of authors, and some Julie Garwood rereads!  Hope you enjoy!

Love Can't Be Quantified

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake // Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord // Eleven Scandals to Start To Win a Duke's Heart

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 432 // 357 // 367

Source: Bought and Borrowed
Publisher : Avon Books

Goodreads

A Marriage of Convenience

"I've been so alone for so long. Surrounded by people, yet essentially on my own, and facing a lifetime along--and I thought I was content with that, 
honestly I was. 
But last night, when people...came forward to support me...I was un, unwommaned by their generosity."

--Anne Gracie, Marry in Haste

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: Berkley Books

Pages: 320

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017

Source: ARC provided by publisher

Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts

The Belle
When I saw Anne Gracie had a new book in a new series I was beyond fangirling. Since getting The Perfect Rake as a Christmas gift and falling in love with it and every book of hers since, there’s been now 9 total, I was SO excited to get this for review! This new series is about marriages of convenience and it did not disappoint.

A Family Affair

"Reformed rakes make the best husbands."

--Julia Quinn, The Duke and I

The Bridgerton Series

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon

Source: Bought & Borrowed

Goodreads

After being pushed towards this book by Alexa and then knowing Sarah read and loved it, I knew I had to finally read the infamous Bridgertons...and it was one of those series that I WISH I would have read sooner! The prologue immediately engaged me and endeared me to the hero. Legit, almost had tears...okay maybe the vision was a little blurry. I digress. The Bridgerton family overall steals the show. Eight children ranging from 9 years old to almost 30, this family of siblings and their matriarch are amazing! Funny, honest, loyal, and did I mention funny? I loved them. I knew almost immediately I would be reading this entire series! Daphne is the heroine and fourth oldest, and in order to try and garner some positive attention on the marriage front she makes a deal with Simon to look like they are together. He never wants to get married so he doesn't want to be hassled and showing interest would keep other women off his back. Recipe for love if you ask me, and it is. I loved how they go together. I love that they both let down their guards and were so easy going with one another. I especially love when authors give us books when the couple gets together and then has to work through problems after marriage. Love love love this! If you love witty banter, sibling relations, and a bit of Victorian Gossip Girl, you need to check out this series!

Rating: Backstage Pass

For Queen and Country

   

Books: The Lion's Lady | Guardian Angel | The Gift | Castles
Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publication Date: Early 90's--There's so many editions it's hard to tell to be honest

Source: Gifted from Alexa and Bought

Goodreads

Love is in Season

The Chance Sisters

The Autumn Bride // The Winter Bride // The Spring Bride // The Summer Bride

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 310 // 324 // 320 // 319

Source: Bought and Review Copies Provided by Publisher
Publisher : Berkley Sensation 

Goodreads

Sisters of Virtue

Books: The Perfect Waltz | The Perfect Stranger | The Perfect Kiss
Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publication Date: November 2005 | June 2006 | January 2007

Source: Bought

Goodreads

Quick and Dirty // Mini-Reviews {3}

There's been a handful of books I've read lately that I haven't reviewed fully but still wanted to give them their just due. This group of mini-reviews are a few historical romances I've read and really enjoyed lately.

Overall I loved the story and the dynamic between Alex and Lily but I was shocked at how the intimacy happened between these two characters. It was...kinda skeevy and I just felt icky about it. It...wasn't good. I mean, at the end of the encounter it was good and I understood the general point of what Kleypas was going for but how the characters got there just didn't sit well with me. So much so I knocked off a whole star for it but don't let that deter you from reading. It's still a great story, I loved the dynamic between Lily and Alex. He is a total alpha if not for a little bit of an asshole but just what Lily needed and just what he needed. Their hate-to-love dynamic was a lot more hate but it just was even better when the sparks started flying.
General Admission

When A Rake Falls, He Falls Forever

"'Have I told you how lovely you look tonight in that sage gown?'
'Yes. But I think you talk a lot of nonsense. 
And I asked you to stay away from me.'"

--Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Pages: 360

Publication Date: July 5th, 2005

Source: Gifted to me by Betty, thanks love!

Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts

The Belle

This book was SUCH a fantastic surprise! I have never previously heard of this book or author but it came as a very thoughtful Christmas present from Betty. I was in a bit of a DNF slump and I wanted something fun and swoony to get me out of a bad book binge. And it totally did! This book was fun, sassy, snarky, and all things swoony.

Always Love a Highlander

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pages: 351 // 323 // 305

Publication Date: August 30, 2011 // September 27, 2011 // October 25, 2011

Source: Bought

Goodreads

In Bed With a Highlander

"It simply isn’t a woman’s nature to be silent for prolonged periods of time."

I really enjoyed this book! I read the second book of the series first because the synopsis sounded great and it was a random pick at the library not knowing it was a series and then went back months later and read this one. You would think seeing these characters in the second book would hinder my reaction to reading because I “knew” how it ended—so not the case! Ewan and Mairin story surprised me with how much emotion I felt. Mairin is kidnapped due to her parentage, goes through a horrific ordeal with a man who tries to marry her for her inheritance, and ends up with the son of the laird of the McCabe clan. Let me tell you how much I love kids in stories…I LOVE KIDS IN STORIES!! Ewan and Marin’s courtship has a lot of obstacles but I loved watching them figure it out. And then you add the adorable that is Crispen, the son, and it’s just on another level.

Seduction of a Highland Lass

"You’re my dream, Alaric McCabe. And I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment your horse dumped you at my cottage. I spent so much time being resentful and lamenting the circumstances of my life, but ’tis true that I wouldn’t change a single thing because then I would have never known your love."

This book his me like a Mack truck. In my newfound love of historical romance, I was browsing the carousel at the library and this cover caught my eye—duh—and then I read the synopsis and the heroine’s name is BASICALLY my own! That NEVER happens! And she’s a healer!! Fate, obvi. But I had no idea that by the end of the book I would have tears streaming down my face with how beautiful and selfless their love is with each other. It is a forbidden romance of sorts and Alaric falls in love with Keeley after he is wounded…while on his way to meet his betrothed for an arranged marriage. DUN DUN DUN. The tension and love they have is on another level. While I hated that neither one felt like they could speak their truth fully because of the obligations Alaric has to his family and clan, it drove the conflict. It was equal parts frustrating and delicious and while I usually hate this, it 100% made sense for the context of the book. The end…THE END??!!? Is AMAZING!!! That’s all I can say! Read this!

Never Love a Highlander

"Methinks marriage has made my brother soft...’Tis a shame when a puny lass has to save his arse." 

I LOVE this series! Love so hard. Rionna was fucking on point of being such a badass warrior bitch AND this feminine woman, I couldn't get enough. Caelan was also fantastic. His gruff demeanor and protectiveness over Rionna won my heart. I loved the banter and dynamic between them and the push and pull. It is an unconventional and odd situation that Rionna is still going to run her clan but she has this warrior husband who is supposed to help but is not really the leader. I love that Caelen didn't act like a huge caveman douche...all the time. How he eventually was able to let go and see how powerful and independent and intelligent Rionna is really won me over. This is seriously probably one of my favorite Highlander series and we all know there are a TON out there. Maya Banks is incredible with her setting and this final book just solidified that further. I want more from this family! 

Backstage Pass

If you love strong women, strong men who are brought to their knees by strong women, and the Scottish Highlands...this series is for you.

Curiouser and Curiouser

"In the fairy tale you mentioned last night, I would probably be the villain. 
But it's possible the villain would treat you far better than the prince would have."

--Lisa Kleypas, Tempt Me At Twilight

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 373

Publication Date: September 22nd, 2009

Source: Bought

Find on Goodreads

Previous Books in Series: Mine Till Midnight & Seduce Me At Sunrise

Goodreads Description 

He was everything she'd sworn to avoid.

Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal—only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust.

And she was everything he needed.

Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy—except to open his heart. All his life, he has held the world at arm’s length…but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all...

Mini Review

No, no, no, no, NO! I lied!! This…THIS book is my favorite so far!! Poppy is so totally me where I am at emotionally right now that I just GOT her! Ok but let me back up. *deep breath* Poppy has had several failed London seasons and after a chance meeting with Harry Rutledge, the owner of Rutledge Hotel, her chance at a fairy tale happy ending goes up in flames. Harry is manipulative, cunning, and all things sexy. She is attracted to him but doesn’t want to be because her heart lies somewhere else. Harry has never felt this way before and after circumstances *cough* bring them together, the infamous hate-to-love trope begins. I. Loved. This. So. Hard. I love Harry’s devious qualities, I found them completely endearing. But even more than that I loooooved his tenderness towards Poppy. When she is hurt he is just too adorable for words with how he acts. And Poppy? Her open heart to him warms my own cold heart. I adore how patient she is with him and how hard she works to understand and accept him. Before she meets Harry she goes through some heartbreak with feelings of inadequacy because of her failed seasons and my heart just felt for her. I understood her struggle so completely that my heart was just breaking for her. I was legit crying, tears running down my face because I could feel her pain so acutely. I love this. I love feeling on point with a character’s emotions and just when I think Lisa Kleypas can’t surprise she speaks to my soul and kicks me in the chest with feels. Amazing. Harry and Poppy’s dynamic and relationship is just delicious and I loved their banter and sarcasm and arguments. OH! And the staff of Rutledge? To die for. Love love love times a million.

Backstage Pass

"You seem to think you have a choice...
Love chooses you. The shadow moves as the sun commands."

--Lisa Kleypas, Married By Morning

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 341

Publication Date: May 25th, 2010

Source: Bought

Find on Goodreads

Previous Books in Series: Mine Till Midnight & Seduce Me At Sunrise & Tempt Me At Twilight

Goodreads Description 

He is everything she wants to avoid...
For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters—a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges' older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response—and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

She is not at all what she seems...
Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine's respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever—unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires...

Mini Review

The sexual tension between Leo and Catherine has been building for quite awhile now and I loved seeing it come to fruition--finally! While I have really come to adore Leo's snark and pseudo-aloof personality, it was Catherine who I really came to love while reading. Her past lends a major part to the story and her hesitation in getting close to Leo and I loved how this evolved. Leo needs to marry and while that is a pressing matter to him in order to keep his family at the home they all just built, his concern for Catherine outweighs that at the best of times. Unfortunately, while I love all the Hathaways, this book is the weakest to me. It's not bad by any means but when all the other books are so stellar and memorable, this one pales in comparison to its predecessors. I still enjoyed it but it just didn't shine like the others. But by no means don't NOT read it! Read it in succession and you might be pleasantly surprised.  

General Admission

"I would never want to be a conventional person.
They're usually dull and superficial."

--Lisa Kleypas, Tempt Me At Twilight

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 332

Publication Date: June 29th, 2010

Source: Bought

Find on Goodreads

Previous Books in Series: Mine Till Midnight & Seduce Me At Sunrise & Tempt Me At Twilight & Married By Morning

Goodreads Description 

She harbors a secret yearning.

As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted... and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man—just to avoid spinsterhood?

He is a world-weary cynic.

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul—and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep... and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love—and a passion that can't be denied. .

Mini Review

*le sigh* I loved this book. First of all, I've said this before but I love letters. There is something so inherently romantic about writing letters that I just wanna clasp my hands together, put them against my chest, tilt my head, and swoon. Seriously. I just die over letters!! Okay, I gotta calm down. *deep breath* Beatrix's story starts out with deception when one of her superficial, awful friend Prudence is leading on a man in the military who has written to her and she refuses to write back. Bea feels compelled to write him back and sign her friends name. From there we have a passionate set of letters between Beatrix and Christopher who both fall for the other one until Bea can no longer go on with the deception and breaks off writing. When Christopher comes back he is determined to find Prudence who he can only assume wrote the letters. He encounters Beatrix several times prior to finding Prudence and you can tell from their initial encounter sparks are happening. I really loved how this relationship played out. Christopher fights his feelings for Beatrix and her oddness, he searches for those same qualities in Prudence and obviously comes up blank, and meanwhile Christopher's sister-in-law who knows the secret slowly pushing him in the right direction to figure it out. I loved watching Christopher come up short with Prudence when he was so initially infatuated with her looks and finding out once he gets to know her she has nothing upstairs. I just loved this. I don't even know why but I loved the secrets and deception and the unveiling. While I usually am annoyed with secrecy, this just worked. Especially when Christopher was obviously falling for Beatrix before knowing she wrote the letters. But that is not the only obstacles our couple faces. Christopher is a man who spent years at war and comes back hardened, finding it difficult to adapt to society. His problems were handled so well and I just loved how Beatrix knew exactly how to comfort him. And on the flip side, Beatrix with all her love for animals and eccentricities, Christopher accepts and loves her just as she is, oddness and all. I thought it was amazing how unique and odd she was and I mean odd in the best way ever. Who wants to be normal? I don't. Their courtship and love for one another has a lot of bumps but every single one brought them together and I cried and sighed and just swooned like hell over how much I loved them and their story...*sigh*

Backstage Pass

The Hathaway series as a whole is one I would DEFINITELY recommend! It is fun, emotional, heart-warming, snarky, swoony, and 100% romantic. The characters are almost as beloved as my Wallflowers and that is saying a LOT! If you love historical romance, quirky characters, and strong women and men...this series is for you.

Love is Blind

"Be bold.
Take what you want in life.
Never walk away from it."

--Lauren Smith, Her Wicked Proposal

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Pages: 390

Publication Date: January 19th, 2016

Source: eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

Previous Books in Series: Wicked Designs & His Wicked Seduction
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Description 

He doesn’t need his eyes to uncover her true beauty.

The League of Rogues, Book 3

Cedric, Viscount Sheridan, is cursed. Once the ton’s golden boy, the loss of his sight has left him a reclusive shell of man. His days of womanizing, horse racing and pistol shooting lost forever.

Offered the chance to recapture a small part of his old life, he can’t refuse—even if it means accepting the shocking proposal of the infamous ice maiden, Anne Chessley.

Still reeling from her father’s death, Anne’s deepest wish is to avoid the hordes of fortune hunters who will soon be beating down her door. Proposing marriage to Cedric is an act of desperation, his unexpected acceptance a strange and wonderful dream.

His only stipulation: she must respond passionately and wantonly in his bed. Her agreement barely crosses her lips before he begins a sensual assault on the icy walls bitter secrets have built around her heart.

Yet even as they catch a glimpse of true happiness, betrayal is poised to sweep them away on opposing tides of danger.

Warning: Contains an outwardly aloof heroine with a secretly tender heart, a once-notorious rake who isn’t quite as rusty at seduction as he feared, and a band of rogues who join together to make sure happily-ever-afters do come true.

I adore this series. So, so, so much. The third book in Lauren Smith's League of Rogue series does not disappoint. Cedric and Anne have been dancing around each other for awhile. After Anne's beloved father dies she needs to ward off all the fortune hunters so she offers her hand to Cedric, who knew her prior to her father's death and trusts him so an extent. Cedric, recently blind from an attempt on his life, has been interested in Anne for years. He leaps at this opportunity but with one caveat...she must be willing to be intimate with him. A cold bed partner he does not want. Scandalous, right?!

The chemistry between Anne and Cedric is intense from the start. Anne fights her feelings for Cedric so the journey to their happiness is fraught with one step forward, two steps back. While the romance comes, what I loved most was their friendship. They have an amazing understanding of each other and how Anne helps Cedric feel like himself, like a man, is beautiful. I loved how she didn't see his blindness as a weakness. I loved how Cedric didn't give up on her and cultivated her feelings for him.

The plot takes a turn I never saw coming but I loved it. It was so greatly ironic in the best way that I was laughing to myself while reading certain parts. Lauren writes amazing dialogue and banter. The quick wit of these characters never ceases to bring a smile to my face. Speaking of banter, I have to say again how much I love the League. They are so loyal to one another and love each other so deeply that while the romantic aspect of the story is great, the friendship between the men is on another level. I love how much they care for one another and the lengths they go to protect one another. This comes into play at one point and I just swoon with their love for one another.

This book not only has an amazing romance and story between Cedric and Anne but it also sets up the story for future books. Oh, my gosh cannot WAIT for the next book who I hope it's going to be. Eep!!

Reserved Seating
If you love witty banter, tortured heroes, and bromances...this book is for you.

A Love To Last The Ages

"I have been told I have a calming effect with my hands.
I would rub your back, caress your hair
until you drifted off peacefully."

--Karen Marie Moning, Kiss of the Highlander

Genre: Adult Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Dell

Pages: 396

Publication Date: September 1st, 2001

Source: Gifted to me by the lovely Isalys, thanks love!

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: Beyond the Highland Mist & To Tame a Highland Warrior & The Highlander's Touch

Goodreads Description 

 A laird trapped between centuries...

Enchanted by a powerful spell, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar slumbered for nearly five centuries hidden deep in a cave, until an unlikely savior awakened him. The enticing lass who dressed and spoke like no woman he’d ever known was from his distant future, where crumbled ruins were all that remained of his vanished world. Drustan knew he had to return to his own century if he was to save his people from a terrible fate. And he needed the bewitching woman by his side....

A woman changed forever in his arms...

Gwen Cassidy had come to Scotland to shake up her humdrum life and, just maybe, meet a man. How could she have known that a tumble down a Highland ravine would send her plunging into an underground cavern — to land atop the most devastatingly seductive man she’d ever seen? Or that once he’d kissed her, he wouldn’t let her go?

Bound to Drustan by a passion stronger than time, Gwen is swept back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where a treacherous enemy plots against them ... and where a warrior with the power to change history will defy time itself for the woman he loves....

I've been waiting to read this book of the series since the beginning. Isalys raved about it Drustan and how swoony the book is and even with those expectations I still loved the book for so many reasons. Gwen was the first and foremost among them. She travels to Scotland partly to *ahem* lose her virginity and really fall in love. She wants so badly to be loved and feel those emotions that I couldn't help be be there with her emotions. I could relate 110% to her and I couldn't wait to see how her love story played out. She discovers Drustan, who has been cursed to the future, after she falls down a hill and quite literally falls on top of him. (Oh, hello sir.)

After they meet it is a series of unfortunate events. Drustan doesn't want to believe he's in the future, Gwen doesn't want to believe he came form the past. It is hilarious watching them try to communication and learn each other as they travel to where his home would be. Drustan is all kinds of sexy and adorable to Gwen. He's attracted to her in a primal way and she can't believe somebody as charming and gorgeous as he is would be interested in her. While a lot of people can't stand the self-deprecating heroine and want her to just "get over her issues," I really enjoy this kind of heroine. Like attracts like, what can I say?

After traveling with him into the past, a few more problems arise but no plot spoilers from me. I will say the most important thing about this book...it is swoony.as.fuck. I read a lot of love stories and romance books and THIS is one of the great ones. It is so acutely romantic and poignant in feelings that I just felt so much while reading. It was just amazing. Blew my heart wide open and I can't even give details or describe why it affected me so much but it did. The dynamic between not only Gwen and Drustan but Drustan's family is on point. I fell in love with all of them and it made the book that much better. While I enjoyed the previous books in the series, this one is the absolute best!

Backstage Pass
If you love swoon, true love, and feels...this book is for you.

Night and Day It's Cinderella

"It seemed any young woman at odds with her place in life--
might find a happier home within the pages of a book."

--Tessa Dare, Any Duchess Will Do

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 375

Publication Date: May 28th, 2013

Source: Borrowed from Library

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Companion Series: A Night To Surrender & A Week To Be Wicked & A Lady By Midnight

Goodreads Description

What’s a duke to do, when the girl who’s perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season--or any season--but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training"...and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure--a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess--can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

I always love when you start a book or series and you end up really falling in love with it in a completely unexpected way...this is how I feel about Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series. It started as a 'Alexa recommended this and it should be good' read and morphed into a series I find equal parts hilarious and off-the-charts sexy. But what I always take away mostly is the humor. I laugh OUT LOUD while reading. It is so funny! The mental commentary from our characters is so self-deprecating and witty that I have to stop reading at points because I'm actually laughing out loud. Griff, our hero, is no exception. There's one scene in particular where he accomplishes a physical feat and, of course, he acts like it's nothing when in his head he's saying most likely he pulled something and will pay for it later. I die. Love.

While Griff is hilarious, our heroine is nothing to scoff at. I love Dare's heroines because they are fierce, intelligent, opinionated, and witty as all hell. Pauline is a tavern waitress and farmer's daughter, and from the beginning she plays her own game. She is also hilarious! OMG her first interactions with Griff and his mother, I just can't. It's too good. And then you add in the sentiment of her sister who is a little mentally delayed and your heart is beating for her.

While I'm on the topic of characters, I have to talk about the Duchess. Talk about a character who came out of left field and stole my heart! She is rough in her demeanor because, duh she's a duchess, but once you get past the phlegm--read the book--she is a sweetheart. Her actions and motivations are pure and her dynamic with Pauline is probably legit the best part of the book for me. I just adore how the Duchess takes her under her wing and tries to make her into a duchess...and her plotting getting Griff and Pauline together is so legit.

The story is somewhat of a Cinderella fairy tale...and I loved every minute of it. Pauline's fascination with the dresses and parties while also have a blunt opinion of the higher classes was a great combination. Her attempts at failure but also success were great. The moments with Griff were...smeltering. Like...wow. I was fanning myself at one particular scene because HOT DAMN does Dare write some sexy scenes. Wowza. Approve.

We also get a lot of emotion from our characters because Griff is harboring a secret. The plot and pacing is well-done and I like that Dare doesn't give us a huge allusion so his 'secret' but rather it is slowly revealed how closed off he really is. I really appreciated and loved this!

Reserved Seating
If you love historical romance, hilarious banter, and sexy scenes...this book's for you.

Protected By A Rogue

"Perhaps a woman could be sweet,
but if she was demure and obedient as well 
that would deprive a man of all the joys of a complex woman,
and a woman ought to be complex.
Simple things and simple people are quite overrated."

--Lauren Smith, His Wicked Seduction

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Pages: 321

Publication Date: November 11th, 2014

Source: Gifted to me by the author, thanks Lauren!

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: Wicked Designs

Goodreads Description

Can the League’s most wicked rakehell be tamed? Or has this Rogue fallen too far?

The League of Rogues, Book 2

Horatia Sheridan has been hopelessly in love with Lucien, her brother’s best friend, ever since he rescued her from the broken remains of her parents’ wrecked carriage. His reputation as London’s most notorious rakehell doesn’t frighten her, for under his veneer of cool authority she has glimpsed a man whose wicked desires inspire her own.

Lucien, Marquess of Rochester, has deliberately nurtured a reputation for debauchery that makes every matchmaking mother of the ton quake with fear. His one secret: he is torn between soul-ripping lust for Horatia, and the loyalty he owes her brother.

That loyalty is put to the test when an old enemy of the League threatens Horatia’s life. With Christmas drawing near, he sweeps her away to his country estate, where he can’t resist granting her one wish—to share his bed and his heart.

But sinister forces are lurking, awaiting the perfect moment to exact their revenge by destroying not only whatever happiness Lucien might find in Horatia’s arms, but the lives of those they love.

Warning: This book contains an intelligent lady who is determined to seduce her brother’s friend, a brooding rake whose toy of choice in bed is a little bit of bondage with a piece of red silk, a loyal band of merry rogues and a Christmas love so scorching you’ll need fresh snow to extinguish it.

The Bromance
*sigh* Again, the bromine steals the show. This group of men steals my heart. I love them so much that I am foaming at the mouth for more of their stories. Their deep love for one another to protect each other from their shared enemy is so heart-warming. I just can't say enough good things about them except love love LOVE!

The Tension
The conflict with an old enemy continues to be a source of conflict and drives a lot of the plot. Because of this, we find half our beloved characters in Kent with Lucien's family during the Christmas holiday. There, we get the amazing tension between Lucien and Horatia and I loved the give and take of their relationship. Don't get me wrong, some delicious things happen before this *coughMasqueradecough* but I loved the revelations that occurred in their relationship being in Kent with Lucien's family...especially his mother. Oh, my gosh his mother is one of my favorite characters! Funny, manipulative, conniving, I loved everything about her meddling in her children's love lives. It was not only hilarious but effective. The history between Lucien and Horatia is deeply rooted and also complicated. Lucien's confusion as to his real feelings for her was endearing. I loved that Horatia was unrelenting in her feelings no matter how long it took for Lucien to get there. She was steadfast and strong and I loved that about her. Lucien was a hot freaking mess but I still loved him. Typical man, can't blame him really.

The Holiday Cheer
I looooooved that this took place during Christmas. I could feel myself in the old mansion with snow falling on the ground and all the holiday excitement. I loved the funny moments with the snowball fights, it was such a great contrast to all the seriousness of the threat. It created a fantastic atmosphere for the book and I would definitely suggest this as a holiday read. I loved the setting...especially the cabin...*cough*

Reserved Seating
If you love a wounded but strong heroine, a tortured hero, and a sinfully delicious love story...this book's for you.

A Lady and A Beast

"Whatever soul I had, Katie, I think I placed it in your keeping twenty years ago. 
And now, it's as if...every time we kiss, you give a little piece of it back."

--Tessa Dare, A Lady by Midnight

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Avon 

Pages: 374

Publication Date: August 28th, 2012

Source: Borrowed from Library

Find on Goodreads

Previous Books in Series of Companion Novels: A Week to Be Wicked

Goodreads Description

A temporary engagement, a lifetime in the making . . .

After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove—but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she'd look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiancé. He claims to have only Kate's safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?

Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate's happiness. He wants what's best for her, and he knows it's not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It's the toughest battle of this hardened warrior's life . . . and the first he seems destined to lose.

The Story
In this book of this series, we get Kate and Thorne's story. Kate is a music teacher in Spindle Cove and Thorne is a Corporal in the militia. These two seem to draw the worst in each other and bump heads whenever the opportunity presents itself. They seem drawn to each other in the worst ways and Kate can't get a read on Thorne and he does his best of avoid her. The 'hate' to love trope is one of my favorites! The tension between the two is high and when we get glimpses of Thorne's sensitive and protective side, watch out. You don't want to mess with him. The plot begins when strangers come to town claiming Kate might be their long-lost cousin and a Lady in society all along. Thorne doesn't trust them and pretends to her her fiancee to be able to protect her interests. *sigh* From there they have an intense tete-a-tete and it is delicious.

The Heroine
Kate is a fantastic character. Orphaned young she never felt love and has yearned for it her whole life. She remembers one phrase said to her as a child, 'be strong, my Katie' and has held on to that one spot of light in her life forever. She knows she was loved at one time but cannot remember it. She seeks it and knows it will come to her. Her reaction to her potential family is endearing and my heart just goes out to her. She wants a place to belong and how she finds it is the best part. THE BEST PART, YOU GUYS! No spoilers, just read it. It really is fantastic!

The Hero
I won't lie to you, Thorne made me swoon so hard with his juxtaposition of outward appearance vs inner thoughts. He scowled at anyone who crosses his path, he is brusk, appears to have no feelings, and isn't all the pleasant to be around. Inside, he is vulnerable (but will never admit it) and has feelings (and will always deny this). He believes he isn't good enough for Kate and is still struggling with his past and indecent beginnings. His journey...wow. One of my favorites EVER! I mean, I so got a Beauty and the Beast vibe and the lengths he goes to for Kate surprised me so much! I never saw it going the way it did and I am SO happy it did. I sat reading looking like a stupid fool because I couldn't stop smiling. Shit is serious between me and Thorne and don't be shocked to see him on some future book boyfriends lists...*swoon*

The Love
Like I touched on above with the story, the hate to love dynamic is amazing. The push and pull, does he or doesn't he love me, and fighting for the ones you love are all common themes. The tension is tight and I loved every second of these two fighting like cats and dogs...and then making up. There are some really beautiful moments between them when they have to step in and intervene for the other. I loved the arc of their story and will definitely be read again by me. 

Backstage Pass
If you love beast-type men, hate to love stories, and all the swoon...this book's for you.