My Brown-Eyed Earl by Anna Bennett
⭐
This title started out well and was interesting but fizzled quickly and I decided to give it up.
Margaret Lacey, Meg, is in need of employment to help keep her supposedly mad uncle out of debtor's prison and to take care of her sisters. She reluctantly accepts a position with William Ryder, Earl of Castleton, a man from her past who has just been given custody of two young girls.
I was going to say that Meg and Will must fight their growing attraction to each other, but they really don't. Not even a little. More on that in a moment.
This started out well and I was fully invested in the story and really enjoying it. There was some good humor and I found myself smiling often while reading. I liked both Meg and Will and was really looking forward to seeing their story play out.
And then.
And then they kissed, a little early in the book for my tastes but I could've dealt with that. If there hadn't been a scene with kissing and touching shortly after. All this without them really spending much time together or getting to know each other. I had a feeling the book was going to become nothing but sexy times and decided I was done.
I think there's some potential for a good series here, anyway, and I will be checking out the next book.
-Reader
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Thursday, January 19, 2017
A Little Less Angst for Me, Please
I have recently watched the first two episodes of FX's period drama starring Tom Hardy. I rarely know exactly what's going on (Tom's mumbling is often hard to understand) but I know enough to be entertained and to look forward to the third episode. I also know that I really, really like James Delaney (minus the incest, because ew) and that part of me would love to read about a hero (or anti-hero) like him. But then I remember: angst driven romances wear me the hell out emotionally and I just can't handle many of them.
Now don't get me wrong, I OCCASIONALLY love a good angsty romance. Occasionally. I stopped watching Supernatural sometime after season 9 because the fun episodes were so few and far between and I was so drained after each episode that it would take days for me to move on to the next. Angst driven novels affect me the same way. After I read one, it takes me a few fun novels to fully recover. My husband has told me multiple times throughout our marriage that I am the only person he knows that can take things so seriously while not being serious about anything. And it's true, I am completely like that. I'm not made to take a lot of seriousness at once and I refuse to do so with my reading, which is supposed to be enjoyable.
I have been very lucky in life. The biggest hardships I've ever had to deal with were my parents' divorce (and subsequent hating each other enough to never speak again) and the deaths of my grandfathers and one grandmother. I have been lucky in that my husband and I fell in love while laughing and having fun together and that twelve years later we STILL have fun together. However, I am not so naive that I don't realize that many people don't lead a nice life like I have. I'm well aware of it, in fact. But surely those people still have some happy times, something in incredibly short supply in angst driven romances. Forgive me for not understanding how two people can fall in love without there being any happiness between them at all. If there is no happiness between them until the end, what is the real incentive to be together, except maybe survival? I want to believe my hero and heroine just can't stay away from each other, and it's hard for me to believe that when they don't seem to enjoy being together.
That brings me to my final reason for avoiding such novels (except every once in a while, when I think my heart can take it): I can't buy into a happily ever after when no one is happy until the last chapter and epilogue of the book. You can't expect me to believe that two people that have had hard lives and have been so incredibly unhappy even while falling in love will suddenly be forever happy. It just makes the HEA hard to swallow for me. And I want to believe that love cures all, because sometimes it really does.
-Reader
Now don't get me wrong, I OCCASIONALLY love a good angsty romance. Occasionally. I stopped watching Supernatural sometime after season 9 because the fun episodes were so few and far between and I was so drained after each episode that it would take days for me to move on to the next. Angst driven novels affect me the same way. After I read one, it takes me a few fun novels to fully recover. My husband has told me multiple times throughout our marriage that I am the only person he knows that can take things so seriously while not being serious about anything. And it's true, I am completely like that. I'm not made to take a lot of seriousness at once and I refuse to do so with my reading, which is supposed to be enjoyable.
I have been very lucky in life. The biggest hardships I've ever had to deal with were my parents' divorce (and subsequent hating each other enough to never speak again) and the deaths of my grandfathers and one grandmother. I have been lucky in that my husband and I fell in love while laughing and having fun together and that twelve years later we STILL have fun together. However, I am not so naive that I don't realize that many people don't lead a nice life like I have. I'm well aware of it, in fact. But surely those people still have some happy times, something in incredibly short supply in angst driven romances. Forgive me for not understanding how two people can fall in love without there being any happiness between them at all. If there is no happiness between them until the end, what is the real incentive to be together, except maybe survival? I want to believe my hero and heroine just can't stay away from each other, and it's hard for me to believe that when they don't seem to enjoy being together.
That brings me to my final reason for avoiding such novels (except every once in a while, when I think my heart can take it): I can't buy into a happily ever after when no one is happy until the last chapter and epilogue of the book. You can't expect me to believe that two people that have had hard lives and have been so incredibly unhappy even while falling in love will suddenly be forever happy. It just makes the HEA hard to swallow for me. And I want to believe that love cures all, because sometimes it really does.
-Reader
Monday, January 9, 2017
Ready Set Rogue by Manda Collins Review
Ready Set Rogue by Manda Collins Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️
While I didn't love this book, I didn't hate it, either, and found there was a lot to like about it.
Miss Ivy Wareham is one of four intelligent young women chosen to inherit Lady Celeste Beauchamp's home in order to further her studies. A gifted linguist, Ivy is all too happy to leave her parents' chaotic home and embark on a new adventure.
Torquil Beauchamp, Marquess of Kerr, refuses to believe his beloved aunt would leave the home she opened to him and his cousins to four young ladies she never even met. He arrives at her home with the intent of proving the ladies duped his aunt until it becomes apparent that her death wasn't as innocent as it first appeared.
Honestly, the beginning of the book was probably the best part of it. I loved the way Quill and Ivy first met and the setup for the rest of the book was great. I even laughed a couple of times during their first meeting.
The secondary characters in this book were great. I loved the other bluestockings (especially Daphne) and would like to read their stories when they come along. Unfortunately, I felt like the secondary characters were at times more entertaining than Quill and Ivy.
The worst thing about the entire story was the insta-lust. They meet and fall in love in around 3-4 days (give or take). The romance (if you can call it that) felt rather rushed and I'm still uncertain what they fell in love with about each other. I wondered if the love scene happened so early on so that the rest of the book could be spent solving the murder mystery.
In addition to that, I felt like some questions were left unanswered and like I didn't know the hero at all. He mentions or thinks about having an unhappy childhood at home with his parents several times but I didn't see anywhere where he expanded on that and explained why.
Overall, I found this to be a decent read. I think there's the potential for a fun series starting with this book. I would love to see the ladies compete for the house and fall in love along the way. I will be checking out the next book in the series.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
-Reader
⭐️⭐️⭐️
While I didn't love this book, I didn't hate it, either, and found there was a lot to like about it.
Miss Ivy Wareham is one of four intelligent young women chosen to inherit Lady Celeste Beauchamp's home in order to further her studies. A gifted linguist, Ivy is all too happy to leave her parents' chaotic home and embark on a new adventure.
Torquil Beauchamp, Marquess of Kerr, refuses to believe his beloved aunt would leave the home she opened to him and his cousins to four young ladies she never even met. He arrives at her home with the intent of proving the ladies duped his aunt until it becomes apparent that her death wasn't as innocent as it first appeared.
Honestly, the beginning of the book was probably the best part of it. I loved the way Quill and Ivy first met and the setup for the rest of the book was great. I even laughed a couple of times during their first meeting.
The secondary characters in this book were great. I loved the other bluestockings (especially Daphne) and would like to read their stories when they come along. Unfortunately, I felt like the secondary characters were at times more entertaining than Quill and Ivy.
The worst thing about the entire story was the insta-lust. They meet and fall in love in around 3-4 days (give or take). The romance (if you can call it that) felt rather rushed and I'm still uncertain what they fell in love with about each other. I wondered if the love scene happened so early on so that the rest of the book could be spent solving the murder mystery.
In addition to that, I felt like some questions were left unanswered and like I didn't know the hero at all. He mentions or thinks about having an unhappy childhood at home with his parents several times but I didn't see anywhere where he expanded on that and explained why.
Overall, I found this to be a decent read. I think there's the potential for a fun series starting with this book. I would love to see the ladies compete for the house and fall in love along the way. I will be checking out the next book in the series.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
-Reader
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Lady Claire is All That by Maya Rodale Review
Lady Claire is All That by Maya Rodale Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Absolutely loved it!!
Lady Claire Cavendish is by all accounts a bit odd. She wears spectacles and will talk endlessly to anyone willing to listen about her love of math. She wields her intelligence like a weapon to keep suitors at bay until her sisters' futures are secure.
Lord Fox is not an intellectual by any stretch of the imagination and sees Lady Claire the same way everyone else in the ton does. Until the day he makes a fateful wager that he can make her the darling of the ton and begins to learn Lady Claire adds up to more than meets the eye.
I will admit that I wasn't a big fan of Fox from Lady Bridget's Diary although even after three readings I can't quite remember why. Maybe it was because he was already betrothed but I wasn't a huge fan of him being Claire's suitor...until I read the book. I fell in love with Fox right along with Claire and thought he was perfect for her in the end.
I liked Claire a lot too, especially when she gave her reasons for trying to drive others away. I really enjoyed reading about her journey from assuming there was no substance to Fox to learning what a good man he was.
The plot was not a heavy one, and I love those. I'm embarrassed to admit it took me way too long to realize I was reading the historical romance version of She's All That (I blame the fact that I've only watched that movie once in my life). The result was a fun and easy read with two great main characters and lots of fun secondary characters too.
I've already preordered the next book in the series and can't wait to read it!!
-Reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Absolutely loved it!!
Lady Claire Cavendish is by all accounts a bit odd. She wears spectacles and will talk endlessly to anyone willing to listen about her love of math. She wields her intelligence like a weapon to keep suitors at bay until her sisters' futures are secure.
Lord Fox is not an intellectual by any stretch of the imagination and sees Lady Claire the same way everyone else in the ton does. Until the day he makes a fateful wager that he can make her the darling of the ton and begins to learn Lady Claire adds up to more than meets the eye.
I will admit that I wasn't a big fan of Fox from Lady Bridget's Diary although even after three readings I can't quite remember why. Maybe it was because he was already betrothed but I wasn't a huge fan of him being Claire's suitor...until I read the book. I fell in love with Fox right along with Claire and thought he was perfect for her in the end.
I liked Claire a lot too, especially when she gave her reasons for trying to drive others away. I really enjoyed reading about her journey from assuming there was no substance to Fox to learning what a good man he was.
The plot was not a heavy one, and I love those. I'm embarrassed to admit it took me way too long to realize I was reading the historical romance version of She's All That (I blame the fact that I've only watched that movie once in my life). The result was a fun and easy read with two great main characters and lots of fun secondary characters too.
I've already preordered the next book in the series and can't wait to read it!!
-Reader
Saturday, January 7, 2017
The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes Review
The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes Review
⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed this title and will read the next, but felt some romance was missing.
Miss Megan Windham has resigned herself to the fate of marrying Sir Fletcher Pilkington in order to keep a mistake from her youth from coming to light and destroying her sisters' chances of finding happiness. Then she meets Hamish MacHugh, the newly minted Duke of Murdoch and Megan finds herself suddenly unable to settle for a man she doesn't want.
Hamish, known in whispers as the Duke of Murder, is haunted by memories of war and wants nothing more than to forget his new title and leave England. Until he meets Megan Windham and decides maybe some extra time in England is just the thing.
This book was entertaining and I liked it. I thought the pace moved along well enough and I didn't get bored. However, I feel like there wasn't much of a romance here. They met, liked each other, messed around a bit, and suddenly they're in love. Normally I can find certain passages that really show off the romance developing and that I want to bookmark, but not so much here.
Whether it was intentional or not, I was reminded of Beauty and the Beast by some things in this book. Hamish's harsh reputation being the opposite of his true nature and everything about Sir Fletcher put me in mind of the Beast and Gaston, respectively. And I loved that. That's my favorite romance trope and it was unexpected here.
I found the plot to be very entertaining, more so than the romance. I wasn't upset by this because it was nice to have a break from so much internal conflict.
I enjoyed this title enough that I will definitely be reading the next.
-Reader
⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed this title and will read the next, but felt some romance was missing.
Miss Megan Windham has resigned herself to the fate of marrying Sir Fletcher Pilkington in order to keep a mistake from her youth from coming to light and destroying her sisters' chances of finding happiness. Then she meets Hamish MacHugh, the newly minted Duke of Murdoch and Megan finds herself suddenly unable to settle for a man she doesn't want.
Hamish, known in whispers as the Duke of Murder, is haunted by memories of war and wants nothing more than to forget his new title and leave England. Until he meets Megan Windham and decides maybe some extra time in England is just the thing.
This book was entertaining and I liked it. I thought the pace moved along well enough and I didn't get bored. However, I feel like there wasn't much of a romance here. They met, liked each other, messed around a bit, and suddenly they're in love. Normally I can find certain passages that really show off the romance developing and that I want to bookmark, but not so much here.
Whether it was intentional or not, I was reminded of Beauty and the Beast by some things in this book. Hamish's harsh reputation being the opposite of his true nature and everything about Sir Fletcher put me in mind of the Beast and Gaston, respectively. And I loved that. That's my favorite romance trope and it was unexpected here.
I found the plot to be very entertaining, more so than the romance. I wasn't upset by this because it was nice to have a break from so much internal conflict.
I enjoyed this title enough that I will definitely be reading the next.
-Reader
Thursday, December 29, 2016
The Duke by Kerrigan Byrne Review
The Duke by Kerrigan Byrne Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was the first title I've read by Kerrigan Byrne. It won't be my last, but I do need some recovery time and some lighter fare before I tackle another novel this serious.
Once upon a time, Imogen Pritchard was a young woman forced to work for an unscrupulous man by night to pay her deceased father's debts and a nurse by day to support herself, her mother, and sister. One of those nights was spent comforting a soldier right after he lost his entire family and before he left for war.
Collin Talmage, Duke of Trenwyth, has never forgotten his night spent with a prostitute named Ginny and has spent years searching for her. He's returned from war a broken and angry man and directs some of that anger at his new neighbor, Imogen. That is, until he realizes that Imogen is in danger and he doesn't want anyone else protecting her.
I really liked Imogen and thought she was a strong heroine. I don't particularly remember any TSTL moments from her. I liked that she did what she had to to take care of herself and her family. I did, however, miss what was so bright and happy about her, as Cole put it. She didn't seem to me to be any happier than he was.
That thought brings me to Cole and how incredibly dark the story was. I love a hero with a dark past that is trying to overcome it but Cole and the entire story were so incredibly dark. I'm going to need to read two or three lighter stories just to get past it. So I was definitely invested in the story and their feelings, which is always a good thing.
Honestly, I felt like there wasn't much in the way of an actual romance here (hence the three stars). Usually when I finish a romance I can think of at least a few instances when the romance began to blossom and I love those moments. I didn't get that with this book. They meet in the beginning, they don't like each other for part of the book, and then suddenly they love each other and it's HEA. Makes the HEA harder to believe.
Reading this made me kick myself for giving The Highwayman to the library without actually reading it first, but I need to read something more fun before picking up another from this series.
-Reader
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was the first title I've read by Kerrigan Byrne. It won't be my last, but I do need some recovery time and some lighter fare before I tackle another novel this serious.
Once upon a time, Imogen Pritchard was a young woman forced to work for an unscrupulous man by night to pay her deceased father's debts and a nurse by day to support herself, her mother, and sister. One of those nights was spent comforting a soldier right after he lost his entire family and before he left for war.
Collin Talmage, Duke of Trenwyth, has never forgotten his night spent with a prostitute named Ginny and has spent years searching for her. He's returned from war a broken and angry man and directs some of that anger at his new neighbor, Imogen. That is, until he realizes that Imogen is in danger and he doesn't want anyone else protecting her.
I really liked Imogen and thought she was a strong heroine. I don't particularly remember any TSTL moments from her. I liked that she did what she had to to take care of herself and her family. I did, however, miss what was so bright and happy about her, as Cole put it. She didn't seem to me to be any happier than he was.
That thought brings me to Cole and how incredibly dark the story was. I love a hero with a dark past that is trying to overcome it but Cole and the entire story were so incredibly dark. I'm going to need to read two or three lighter stories just to get past it. So I was definitely invested in the story and their feelings, which is always a good thing.
Honestly, I felt like there wasn't much in the way of an actual romance here (hence the three stars). Usually when I finish a romance I can think of at least a few instances when the romance began to blossom and I love those moments. I didn't get that with this book. They meet in the beginning, they don't like each other for part of the book, and then suddenly they love each other and it's HEA. Makes the HEA harder to believe.
Reading this made me kick myself for giving The Highwayman to the library without actually reading it first, but I need to read something more fun before picking up another from this series.
-Reader
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
The Scottish Duke by Karen Ranney Review
The Scottish Duke by Karen Ramsey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was the first title I've ever read by Karen Ranney, and I've already preordered the next title.
Forced to become a maid after her father's death, Lorna Gordon has admired Alex Russell, the Duke of Kinross from afar. When he hosts a ball in his home, Lorna grabs a chance to sneak into the ball and have a scandalous encounter with Alex that leads to even more scandalous consequences.
Alex has had trouble trusting others his entire life. When he learns of the results of his night with a beautiful stranger he assumes she only wants money or his title. He soon learns, however, that Lorna wants neither and that she is an enigma he desperately wants to understand. Each will have to learn that sometimes a little trust in another is required for a happy ever after.
I really enjoyed this title. I wasn't bothered by the early sex scene but I was quite happy that the rest of the book was not spent with Alex not knowing who Lorna was. I'm reading another title with a similar beginning and the hero still doesn't know who the heroine is. It would get tiresome reading two books like that at once.
Lorna was a fantastic heroine. Sure, she had a TSTL moment at the beginning but she ended up paying for it and it was her only moment like that. I loved her independence and spirit. I really appreciated the fact that she didn't just fall into being a duchess like she was born to do it like you sometimes see in historical romances.
Alex was a bit harder to get to know, which was appropriate because he was harder for Lorna to get to know too. He was capable of being quite a jerk when he wanted but who isn't? Happily, his turnaround wasn't a whiplash inducing quick one at the very end. His coming to care for Lorna was slow and believable.
I found this title to be very entertaining and am looking forward to the next!
-Reader
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was the first title I've ever read by Karen Ranney, and I've already preordered the next title.
Forced to become a maid after her father's death, Lorna Gordon has admired Alex Russell, the Duke of Kinross from afar. When he hosts a ball in his home, Lorna grabs a chance to sneak into the ball and have a scandalous encounter with Alex that leads to even more scandalous consequences.
Alex has had trouble trusting others his entire life. When he learns of the results of his night with a beautiful stranger he assumes she only wants money or his title. He soon learns, however, that Lorna wants neither and that she is an enigma he desperately wants to understand. Each will have to learn that sometimes a little trust in another is required for a happy ever after.
I really enjoyed this title. I wasn't bothered by the early sex scene but I was quite happy that the rest of the book was not spent with Alex not knowing who Lorna was. I'm reading another title with a similar beginning and the hero still doesn't know who the heroine is. It would get tiresome reading two books like that at once.
Lorna was a fantastic heroine. Sure, she had a TSTL moment at the beginning but she ended up paying for it and it was her only moment like that. I loved her independence and spirit. I really appreciated the fact that she didn't just fall into being a duchess like she was born to do it like you sometimes see in historical romances.
Alex was a bit harder to get to know, which was appropriate because he was harder for Lorna to get to know too. He was capable of being quite a jerk when he wanted but who isn't? Happily, his turnaround wasn't a whiplash inducing quick one at the very end. His coming to care for Lorna was slow and believable.
I found this title to be very entertaining and am looking forward to the next!
-Reader
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