What the Hart Wants by Emily Royal

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

That said, this is supposed to be the first book in a series.  I felt like I was dropped in the middle of the second act of a play without any playbill.  This is the first book that I have read by the author.  I thought it would be fine since this is the first in the series.  This book read like it was the continuation of another series, one that I didn't read.  It was very hard to keep up with the characters and figure out who they were.  

Misleading A Duke by A.S. Fenichel

If you haven't read the first book, please do yourself a huge favor and read it first.  This is the second book in the series and builds on the first book.

The Wallflowers are a group of young women who were sent to a School for Young Ladies because they didn't fit society's or their parents expectations.  Faith didn't like that she was engaged to Nicholas Ellsworth, Duke of Breckenridge without knowing him.  The Wallflowers do a little espionage and discover who he is. 

I liked the fast paced, rom com / suspense feel to the book.  The Wallflowers are great characters.  I like the bond they created.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and Kensington.  Thank you very much!

Garden of Hope by Daphne Bloom

 I have been reading Historical Romance for thirty-five years.  I got an Advanced Reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a very hard time reading the book because it is written in first person POV.  I absolutely HATE first person.  To me, it lacks the depth of third person POV.  I also think it has a total contemporary feel.  I just could not finish this book which was sad.  The blurb gave so much promise.

The Black Lion by Victoria Vale

The Black Lion is a historical pirate romance with a second chance subplot.  Bella and Drew were childhood sweethearts.  Bella's father refused to let them marry because Drew couldn't provide the life she was accustomed to.  Bella was devastated when she received word that Drew had been killed two years after he went to serve in the British Navy.  Three years later, Bella realized that she had to get married.  As a daughter of a slave woman and master, Arabella had been raised as a daughter of the house after her father's wife had died.  She realizes as a daughter of a slave, no matter how genteely raised, she needs to make a good marriage or her half-sister would turn her out of the house when their father died.  On the day of her wedding, Drew stops it, full of rage, seeking vengeance.  

I will admit that I had an issue at first with Bella and Drew's parentage.  After Drew re-entered the scene, the dynamic of the book changed and it just flowed.  I loved the pirate theme of the book.  The book was well written and the characters were wonderful.  This was a story that I couldn't get enough of.

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

When You Wish Upon a Rogue by Anna Bennett

Sophie was an independent young woman who was part of a secret group called "Debutante Underground.  They meet to discuss a weekly advice column and to give support to each other.  She knows her time is limited with her friends because her father has lost everything.  She meets Henry Reese who is the new Earl of Warshire.  Henry is suffering from PTSD and survivor's guilt.   The one last thing I would call Henry is a "rogue".  He is the tortured hero.

I liked the slow build of the relationship between Sophie and Henry.  What drove me crazy was Sophie's family.   She needed to stand up to her family and tell them that she was not going to marry the man her parents wanted to.  

There were several scenes in the book that seemed disjointed or not fully developed.  Beyond that, I enjoyed the book and thought it was a good read.

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

To Catch an Earl by Kate Bateman

 Alex Harland was a second son and dedicated rake when he first encountered  the mysterious woman at a ball before he left for war.  Alex has returned to England and due to his service, he is now the Earl of Melton.    As an agent for Bow Street, Alex is pursuing the notorious thief, Nightjar.  Little does he know that they are the same person.

Emily Danvers is the daughter of Nightjar.  She is being blackmailed into assuming her father's identity to reclaim France's crown jewels.  She encounters Alex Harland and realizes he is the man she met years ago at the ball when he stole a kiss from her.

Now Emily has to stay one step ahead of Alex before he finds out she is the thief he is looking for.  Alex will do anything to protect Emily once he realizes she is the thief he has been searching for.

I was hooked on this book from the first chapter.  I liked the characters.  Emily was the fiery heroine devoted to helping her family.  Alex was the brooding hero trying to find the mysterious woman who had stole into his subconscious.  The book was fast paced and the banter between Emily and Alex was perfect.

This book was a great escape.

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

Dawn with a Duke by Erica Ridley

This is the ninth book in the "12 Dukes of Christmas" series.  It had a different feel to it.  Lady Isabelle feels bad when her chaperone gets sick, but she uses the opportunity to have the freedom and independence her station as a duke's daughter doesn't give her.  Pretending to be a widow, she meets the handsome Calvin McAlistair.  Isabelle discovers that she needs Calvin because without him unbuttoning her dress, she is trapped in her clothes!  As their relationship develops, Isabelle finds out more about Calvin and helps him.

I liked how Isabelle changed while she was at the inn.  She was able to develop her personality from a daughter of a duke to an independent young woman.  Calvin was a determined business man who was making his future better.  He didn't expect to find the woman he desired while snowbound at an inn, but he did!

I really wish that the end of the book could have been developed more and the book was longer.  It was one of the best books in this series.  

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