Forever Your Duke by Erica Ridley

 I have loved the plot thread of the last of the books in the series and this is like the topper on the wedding cake.  It was a wonderful novella where the outrageous spinster got her own HEA with a charming Duke.  The series ends with the Duke of Nottingvale's annual Christmas Party.  He has promised his mother to finally find a bride.  Of all of the eligible young women, the woman that catches his attention is a spinster with outrageous behavior.  He gets his HEA with the woman that makes him want to live.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.  Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

How to Fool a Duke by Mary Lancaster, Violetta Rand

 I loved everything about this book.  It was an amazing read and I was sorry it had to end.  I liked that Sarah finally got her HEA with the man that was perfect for her.  Leonard got the missing part of his life and his own HEA.  I can not wait for the next book!

An Unexpected Temptation by Sophie Barnes

This was an amazing novella and I hated when it ended.  I loved the characters of Robert and Athena.  Athena was a young woman that marched to the beat of her own drum.  Robert was her brother's best friend.  Athena had humiliated Robert by standing up at his wedding and announcing that the bride loved her brother not Robert.  After six years, Athena attempts to apologize to Robert only to be stuck at his house in a blizzard.  

I enjoyed this second chance at romance.

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

When a Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt

Wow!  This was a great romance.  I was hooked from the first chapter to the end and didn't want to put it down.  

I liked that Gideon was a strong character that wasn't a noble.  Messalina was the perfect heroine for him.  This was a well written novel with great characters.

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

A Proposal of Marriage by Cheryl Bolen

Rebecca Peabody is basically looking for a marriage of convenience so she can continue to write political essays under a pen name.  She proposes an arrangement to John Compton, Earl of Aynsley.  John is a reform politician and 23 years older than Rebecca.  That is the part of this book that I couldn't get around.  I thought the age gap was too huge.  I also wish the book had a little more steam to it.  

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

Her Lady to Love by Jane Walsh

 This book was the first f/f historical romance that I have read.  I struggled with reading the book because I did not like Jacquie and her best friend (and former lover) Bea.  They were both quite selfish and demanding.  I didn't think that the relationship between Jacquie and Nora was well developed.  I actually liked Phin better than Jacquie.

I was sad that this book was missing likable characters and character development.

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

Gone With the Rogue by Amelia Grey

 I read the first book in this series and loved it.  For me, this book fell flat.  The book started off strong with a cute way the hero and heroine meet.  But, from there, it just didn't develop.  I ended up not liking the heroine.  

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

The Formidable Earl by Sophie Barnes

This book is definitely a historical romantic suspense - with this book.  There is a mystery of who killed Ida's father, one that Simon is determined to solve.  I liked the characters.  The book was engaging and fast paced.

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

Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

 This was a book that I had originally put down and marked as a DNF.  (Not good, right?)  I decided to give it a second chance and I was glad I did.  I loved the book.  Avalon is an amazing heroine.  She deserved every bit of happiness she got from her relationship with Devan.  And Devan was a wonderful hero.  I liked how he grew to love Avalon with a true devotion.  This was such a fantastic book!

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

Ten Days with a Duke by Erica Ridley

 Again, this is another wonderful story in this wonderful series.  I loved the second chance at love/enemies to lovers trope.  I liked the characters and how they developed.  While part of a series, it reads as a standalone.  It was a well written book.  My only complaint with this book is I wish it was longer.

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

Scot Under the Cover by Suzanne Enoch

 This was a slow smolder romance.  I loved the banter between Miranda and Aden.  She intrigues him, but her family situation has her forced into an engagement she doesn't want.  I liked the sub-plot of trying to get Miranda out of that horrible arrangement.  I did not like her brother.  I really hope that Aden's sister finds a better choice for a husband.

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

Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake

Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride.  He is planning on accepting the arranged marriage to his cousin that his uncle wants until he meets Natalie Fanshawe.  Natalie is an American who promised her best friend as she was dying to take her young son back to her family in England.  As an American, Natalie is outspoken and doesn't care for the aristocracy.  

There was a chunk of this book that I just skipped.  I did not like how Natalie and Leo were treated at Leo's grandfather's home.  It was really unnecessary to the plot.  I did like the characters of Natalie and Hadrian.  

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

Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett

Lady Charlotte Wentworth had her one season where she was the biddable female the ton expected from debutants.  She left London in disgrace after being ruined by the new Viscount Amesbury.  Lottie settled into her families estate then her brother died followed by her mother.  When her father sank into a depression, Lottie took over running the estate and gained a strong confidence.  Seven years later, her father has pulled out of his depression and has arranged a marriage for Lottie.  Lottie does not want to marry the man so she goes to London to find a husband on her own terms.

When Lottie meets Viscount Amesbury again, he realizes that she is very a very different person.  Ethan finally has the chance to make up for ruining her season.  Lottie takes Ethan up on his offer and along the way, sparks fly and a second chance romance develops.

I really enjoyed reading this novel.  It was a great debut novel for the author.  It was fast paced with great characters.  I can't wait for the next book.

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

 

All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne

 All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series.  It can be read as a stand alone.

I loved 98% of the book.  I liked the pairing of Cecelia and Ramsey.  He was the perfect balance for her.  Cecelia was a strong heroine, yet in many ways directionless and Ramsey helped keep her in direction.

Without rehashing the plot, there were two points that I felt that didn't flow and were rather awkward.  Overall, the book is amazing.  The writing is intense and has the feeling of a historical romantic suspense.  Again, Kerrigan Byrne hit it out of the ballpark.  She is one author that I will one-click on any of her books.

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

One Night with a Duke by Erica Ridley

Jonathan MacLean is subconsciously trying to outrun his past by never returning to the same town twice.  He is getting a new investment off the ground when he is trapped in Cresmouth aka Christmas by a blizzard.  

Angelica Parker is the town jeweler.  She left London to prove to herself and her family that she is just as good of a jeweler as her older brother.  As a black woman, she has to prove that her creations are equal to any other artist.  She has been given a commission of making ornaments for the new town Christmas Tree.  

I really love the standalone novella feel to the series.  However, this book seemed more rushed than the others.  There are some details missing.  Angelica could not possibly manage the demand of her business without either an apprentice or shop clerk.  I liked the characters and how they both had issues to overcome.  

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

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!