The Duke I Once Knew by Olivia Drake

This was a second-chance romance with the governess.  I really liked Abby.  She was selfless and devoted to her family who didn’t deserve her.  I liked how Max changed.  When he first arrived at his estate, he was arrogant and a jerk.  As he grew closer to Abby, he reclaimed his old self that had been shoved behind a society mask.

The one thing I wished there was less of was Abby’s family.  They were so selfish and and arguing over who she got to act as an unpaid house maid to next!  They didn't think to give her the season she missed out on.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you.

What a Widow Wants by Jenna Jaxon

Fanny has finished her morning for her cad of a husband.  She wants to embrace her new freedom that only a widow can have.  At a masquerade, Fanny encounters the man whose proposal she rejected years ago, Matthew, Lord Lathbury.

Matthew has one goal this season, to make Fanny his wife.  With Fanny doing everything she can do to set the tongues of the ton wagging, will Matthew be able to tame her?

What could have been a great second chance at love novel ended up with me screaming at the characters.  Fanny was selfish and annoying.  The book should have ended after the masquerade when Fanny rejects Matthew's proposal again.  Matthew should have found a new woman that would love him.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you.

Not the Duke's Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt

This is the first book in the Greycourt series.  After reading much of the Maiden Lane series, I was delighted with the start to this new series.  I liked the characters.  Freya is a strong woman making her own way in the world after a huge family disgrace. 

With this being the first book in a new series, it needs to have a beginning.  This is a strong beginning. 

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Love with a Notorious Rake by Karyn Gerrard

 Aidan Wollstonecraft has been recovering from an addiction to opium at a private sanatorium ran by Dr. Gethin Bevan.  While there, Aiden starts to fall in love with his nurse, Cristyn Bevan.  His entire adult life has been one party to drown himself and escape his family's curse. 

When he has recovered, Aiden decides he wants to make something of himself.  Aiden consults his father and grandfather and he is inserted into the role of an overseer at a corrupt mill.  His goal is to expose the illegal activities and shut down the mill.

Cristyn is stinging from Aiden's rejection and tells her father she wants to go to London to become a nurse.  Her father helps her get a position in a village with a fellow doctor.  She encounters Aiden at the mill.  Cristyn and Aiden have the opportunity to repair and renew their relationship.  Will Aiden be able to ignore the family curse and find his true love?


I really liked the historical detail in this book.  The main characters were different from the norm because Aiden is a recovering addict and Cristyn has enough practical training to be a doctor in her own right.  I thought the book was well written.

As I have not read the first two books (they are on my to-buy list now), I found the chapters that involved Aiden's family confusing.  Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you!

Desire (Determination Trilogy #3) by Lesli Richardson

Desire is the last book in the Determination Trilogy.  It is written mostly from the point of view of Christopher. 

I loved the relationship with Christopher, Shae, and Kevin.  There is just so much emotion in this book.  I didn't want to put it down and kept reading until it was done.  I was blown away.  The one thing I wish could have been part of the story was a little on Christopher's relationship with his brother.  Still, an amazing series.  I can't wait until the Devastation Trilogy.

Diligence (Determination Trilogy #2) by Lesli Richardson

Book 2 in the trilogy focuses on ShaeLynn and her relationship with Kevin, Christopher and her term as POTUS.  I loved her as President.  Shae is an amazing woman.  I love the dynamic of her relationships with Kevin and Christopher. 

There is just so much emotion in this book.  We learn more about Shae and how her relationship with Christopher started and how they brought in Kevin.  The twists and turns of this book were amazing.  I loved the book so much.

Dignity (Determination Trilogy, #1) by Lesli Richardson

I have been waiting for this book since the Governor Trilogy ended.  I was curious about Kevin Markos and if he was as big of an ass off the camera as he was during the interview with Owen.

Kevin Markos lost his job as a highly respected conservative TV news host and commentator after a meltdown on air after an issue hit him too hard and when he was pressured to defend the perpetrators.  His past is about to catch up with him.  Twenty years ago, after a week with Christopher Bruunt, he had to walk away and never contact him again.  Now, Christopher is working with Democratic Senator ShaeLynn Samuels.  Christopher knows the one person that can help Shae win the POTUS is Kevin.


This book hits the full range of emotions.  There is so much depth in the characters.  Kevin was amazing.  He went on a full journey to discover that it was OK to be himself.  Christopher was just wow.  I liked how Shae connects the two.

San Francisco Longing by Lila Dubois

This book literally leaves you hanging.  I can't wait to see how this ends.  You are sucked down Christina's rabbit hole into a world where she has no experience.  The book is so well written and descriptive.  I loved the characters.  When it ended on a cliffhanger, I was screaming.  I can't wait for the rest of this trilogy.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the author.  Thank you!

Decker by Eden Summers

This book opens by hitting with a hard punch and keeps delivering throughout the novel.  This is an amazing romantic suspense novel.  Decker is a member of a crime family that has been tasked with protecting the sister of the head of the organization.  There were several times in the book where I didn't expect the twists and turns the book took.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the author.  Thank you! 

The Earl I Ruined by Scarlett Peckham

This is the second book in the Charlotte Street series.  I could not put the book down.

Lady Constance Stonewell writes a gossip column in secret exposing members of the ton.  She has accidentally ruined the Julian Haywood, Earl of Apthorp when he was counting on a piece of legislation to save his family from ruin.  Constance comes up with a plan that they stage a fake engagement to salvage his relationship.

Julian has secretly loved Constance for years.  Her column shattered his heart.  Julian reluctantly agrees to Constance's plan.  When Constance discovers that her fake fiancee is not "Lord Bore", she finds herself falling for Julian.


I loved this book as much as I did the first book in the series.  I liked that Constance was a strong heroine.  She wasn't afraid to be wild and didn't care about her reputation - the wilder the better.  Julian was the perfect match for her.  He had hidden depths that only Constance could bring out.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you!

The Girl with the Sweetest Secret by Betina Krahn

This is a well-written book with colorful characters and a plot that takes twists and turns.  I enjoyed the American heroine, Frankie.  She doesn't want to be married but catches the eye of a German Duke.  The hero, Raynard, is a gossip and secret keeper in the ton.  He finds out what kind of person the Duke is and warns Frankie.  Her mother is a social climber who likes that her daughter has caught the eye of a Duke. 

I liked the family dynamic in this novel.  The book was a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you.

Owen by Melody Anne

I just could not get into the characters.  There was so much hurt and betrayal from when Owen left and stayed away or ten years.  Just stop.  I got it the first time.

I reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

The Duke of Kisses by Darcy Burke

I enjoyed reading this well-written book.  Francis "Fanny" Snowdon met David Langley when she was staying at her sister's estate over Christmas.  Only, Fanny told David that she was a housemaid and he told her that he was an apprentice to a steward.  There was an instant attraction that continues when the unexpectedly meet in London.

There is bad blood between the Snowdon and Langley families that may ruin their HEA.  Will Fanny and David get their HEA?

I just loved the characters in this book.  Fanny and David were great characters and the supporting characters just made this book a wonderful read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Tiger's Claim by Celia Kyle

One of my favorite genres is shifter novels and Celia Kyle is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors.

This is the second book in the series.  It can stand alone, but it is better to read the first book before you read this one.  Cole is a member of a shifter organization protecting members from anti-shifters.  He goes undercover and encounters Stella who is attempting to revenge her family.  The humor and sexual connection between Cole and Stella is great  It was a fast-paced book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you!

The Sheikh's Christmas Fling by Leslie North

Ana Rizzo is attempting to redeem her reputation as a top chef by cooking for the royal family of the tiny kingdom of Maatkare.  To succeed, she needs to win over the family's elderly cook and the middle son, Noel Yared.  Noel must give her the stamp of approval.  It will not be easy but she is determined to succeed to provide for her daughter.  Noel and Ana connect over their love of running.  Ana needs to resist playboy Noel, but can he win her love?


I enjoyed this novella and the characters.  It was a hot, quick read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you!

The Good, the Bad, and the Duke by Janna MacGregor

Lady Daphne Hallworth's family is leaving London for their country homes to celebrate the holidays.  When she has been accidentally left home alone, Daphne decides to use the time to focus on her dream of opening a home for unwed mothers.   Daphne discovers that her brothers former best friend, Paul Barslowe, Duke of Southart, is also bidding on the property.  On a trip to her solicitor, her reticule is stolen.  It contained her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family.  Daphne has to turn to Paul for help.

Paul Barslowe never thought he would be the Duke of Southart since he was a second son.  He inherited after his brother's death.  He wants to open a hospital to honor his brother's memory.  Paul discovers that Daphne is bidding on the same property.  When she turns to him to help her find her diary, Paul is reminded that Daphne was the one bright spot in his life. 

This book was absolutely delightful.  I could not put it down and stayed up much too late saying "just one more chapter".  I loved Daphne and Paul.  In his youth, Paul did everything to gain his father's attention.  It affected his relationship with his best friends.  This book is about Paul's healing and changing his character.  Daphne was a great heroine  She wasn't the typical London miss.  I liked her spunk and determination.


I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you!

A Matter of Indiscretion by Jackie Barbosa

Thomas Pearce is a new diplomat.  He is sent to France to rescue Sabine Rousseau who is the newly discovered illegitimate daughter of Britain's premiere. 

As Thomas speaks perfect French, thanks to his Grandmother, he poses as a long-lost cousin bringing Sabine her inheritance.  Sabine finds Thomas too attractive to think of as a relative and is released when Thomas tells her why he is in France.

Thanks to Sabine's uncle wanting to use Sabine as a ticket to curry favor with Napoleon, Sabine, and Thomas must make their escape.  As the journey to safety, they pose as amorous newlyweds.  It isn't too difficult of an act because they are wildly attracted to each other. 

I loved this well written erotic historical romance.  I liked Sabine.  She was self-sufficient thanks to her beloved step-father providing her with horses to breed.  Because of her business, she was very practical and wasn't the normal virginal heroine.  The romance between Sabine and Thomas was intense.  There was a point in the novel where I wondered how the author was going to give them an HEA.  I did like the ending.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you!

Earl to the Rescue by Jane Ashford

Gwendeline Gregory's parents have just died.  Her parents have neglected her for years.  As they lived the high life in London, they left debt.  The family estate is headed for auction and Gwendeline does not have a place to go or anyone to turn to for help. 

Alex St. Audley, Earl of Merryn arrives at the estate of acquaintances of his after the ton is surprised to find out that Roger and Annabella Gregory had a child.  Alex is expecting a young child with a nurse and governess.  He is surprised when he finds a young lady who should have already made her debut. 


This book was originally published in 1980.  It reads like an old Harlequin romance.  The plot moved slowly and was predictable. 

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you.

His Highland Pledge by Celeste Barclay

I normally not into the knight/medieval romance but I enjoyed this book.  It is about lovers that are separated by her parents and them finding their love again.  Magnus and Diedre had a handfasting when they were young.  When her parents found out, the immediately separated them and made Diedre become a lady-in-waiting to the king.

There is plenty of court drama and a villain that wants Diedre no matter how many times she tells him no.  The one thing I did not like about this book was Diedre's parents and what they did to her.


I received this ARC from Book Sprout in exchange for an honest review.