Category: Historical Fiction

Categories
Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Paranormal Supernatural Survival

A LAND SO WIDE

BY Erin A Craig. Pub Date 9-9-25

Rating:

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Like everyone else in the settlement of Mistaken, Greer Mackenzie is trapped. Founded by an ambitious lumber merchant, the village is blessed with rich natural resources that have made its people prosperous—but at a cost. The same woods that have lined the townsfolks’ pockets harbor dangerous beasts: wolves, bears, and the Bright-Eyeds—monsters beyond description who have rained utter destruction down on nearby settlements. But Mistaken’s founders made a deal with the mysterious Benevolence: the Warding Stones that surround the town will keep the Bright-Eyeds out—and the town’s citizens in. Anyone who spends a night within Mistaken’s borders belongs to it forever.

Greer, a mapmaker and eccentric dreamer, has always ached to explore the world outside, even though she knows she and her longtime love, Ellis Beaufort, will never see it. Until, on the day she and Ellis are meant to finally begin their lives together, Greer watches in horror as her beloved disappears beyond the Warding Stones, pursued by a monstrous creature. Determined to rescue Ellis, she figures out a way to defy Mistaken’s curse and begins a trek through the cold and pitiless wilderness. But there, Greer is hunted, not only by the ruthless Bright-Eyeds but by the secret truths behind Mistaken’s founding and her own origins.

Playfully drawing from Scottish folklore, Erin A. Craig’s adult debut is both a deeply atmospheric and profoundly romantic exploration of freedom versus security: a stunning celebration of one woman’s relentless bravery on a quest to reclaim her lost love—and seize her own future.”

THOUGHTS

Erin A Craig understands how to write atmospheric settings, interesting characters, and stories that take bites of folklore and ties them tightly to strands of simple and realistic settings. Each one is like a delicate web made from the delicate memories of life, knots of horror, and amber droplets of love and yearning that traverse along its edges.

Basically, I’m a fan behind all the waxing poetic.

A Land So Wide is an interesting mash up of manifest destiny and ancient evil, clashing on the shores of untamed wilderness. At times of felt like a condemning parallel to how the colonies were settled, with an eldritch horror in place of disease. I cannot explain that further, you will just need to read it. I enjoyed the characters and the ending. Craig always leaves us devastated yet satisfied, and, as always, waiting for the next story to burst forth from her brain and into our greedy hands.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pantheon for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest, fair review.

Categories
Historical Fiction Mystery Romance Survival

The Madness of Miss Grey

By Julia Bennet

Rating: 4*s Madly in Love

Available now from Julia Bennet!

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Everyone thinks Helen Grey is mad but, despite ten years imprisoned in a crumbling Yorkshire asylum, she’s managed to cling to sanity. When a new doctor arrives, she sees an opportunity. William Carter may seem like an honorable man but she’s sure he’ll prove easy to seduce…and trick into helping her escape.

Will would never bed a patient, no matter how tempting she might be. But once he realises Helen’s been imprisoned for no good reason, he’s determined to save her. They need to work together but freeing her won’t be easy, not when her mysterious benefactor is determined to keep her locked up and hidden from society forever.

When Helen is entangled in her own trap and begins to fall for Will too, she must fight not only for her liberty but for her right to love.”

REVIEW

This is a dark historical romance with themes of mental and some physical abuse. Our MCs are not the typical handsome duke and debutante. No, this is a house of madness and explores the dark times when a woman could be committed for little to no reason at the whims of the men who were their appointed guardians. Helen does not present with “Madness”, something William Carter figures out quickly during their interactions. She does suffer much abuse at the hands of her supposed caregivers, which William finds himself often in need of intervening. Yet, despite his findings, it seems that someone outside of the hospital is taking great pains to see she does not emerge from this dark place. As Helen and William try to figure out a way to get her out, feelings begin to develop between them that may set their lives on fire.

Part mystery thriller, part forbidden romance, with the slightest sprinkling of horror. I really liked this dark historical romance. ❤️

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Categories
Historical Fiction Romance Spicy🌶️

Heartbreaker

Hell’s Belles #2

Sarah McLean, Pub Date Oct 18, 2022

4*s Best Enjoyed when you want a truly delightful adventure romance with some Praise Kink

Publisher’s Synopsis

“A Princess of Thieves: Raised among London’s most notorious criminals, a twist of fate landed Adelaide Frampton in the bright ballrooms of Mayfair, where she masquerades as a quiet wallflower—so plain and unassuming that no one realizes she’s the Matchbreaker…using her superior skills as a thief to help brides avoid the altar.

A King of Reputation: Henry, Duke of Clayborn, has spent a lifetime living in perfection. He has no time for the salacious gossip that arises every time the Matchbreaker ends another groom. His own reputation is impeccable—and the last thing he needs is a frustrating, fascinating woman discovering the truth of his past, or the secrets he holds close.

A Royal Match: When the two find themselves on a breakneck journey across Britain to stop a wedding, it’s impossible for Clayborn to resist this woman who both frustrates and fascinates him. But late-night carriage rides make for delicious danger…and soon Adelaide is uncovering Clayborn’s truths, throwing his well-laid plans into chaos…and threatening to steal his heavily guarded heart.

THOUGHTS

Hell’s Bells is a great series by the AMAZING Sarah MacClean. This wasn’t my favorite of the three, that honor belongs to book 3, Knock Out, but it was still fun to experience Adelaide and Henry’s relationship from chase to spice.

The cat and mouse aspect lead to a fantastic emotional growth arc that was somewhat expected but no less delightful. The danger they faced added a layer to the plot that helped move the story along, but also really illustrated why Adelaide was so closed off and the obstacles that the Duke must overcome to be with his lady.

I really did enjoy this series. It has a very strong FMC vibe that it shares woth the best modern historucal romance renderings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Categories
Adventure Historical Fiction RomCom Spicy🌶️

Accidentally His

by Sabrina Jeffries

Rating: 4*s

NOW AVAILABLE FROM KENSINGTON BOOKS

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“As a viscount’s heir, Rafe Wolfford is obligated to take a wife someday. But she must be the right sort of wife—not too independent, and not inclined to delve into his escapades as a spy. The forthright, perceptive Lady Verity is altogether the wrong choice. But Rafe’s courtship is merely a ruse to discover whether Verity or anyone else associated with Elegant Occasions is leaking crucial information to the French. That mission is all that
matters—until fate, and desire, intervene.

After enduring one disastrous engagement, Verity won’t easily open her heart again, preferring to devote herself to Elegant Occasions. Rafe is charming, handsome, and kisses like the very devil, but she knows he’s harboring secrets. Still, when her ex-fiancĂ© tries to ruin her reputation, Rafe offers his hand. For the sake of her family and business, Verity has little choice but to accept. Yet turning this arrangement into a true marriage will require daring and trust—which neither will embrace easily, making surrender all the sweeter . . .”

REVIEW

This is the culmination of the Designing Debutantes series. We FINALLY get the story about the mysterious man that Verity has seen following and spying on the sisters throughout the series, and it’s everything you wanted and expected. Intrigue, strong women  taking care of themselves even with incredibly supportive partners, and spice between Rafe and Verity that we have come to expect from Sabrina Jeffries.

If you love historical romance and haven’t picked up this series, you are missing out.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the free copy in exchange for a review!

Categories
Adventure Historical Fiction Romance Spicy🌶️

A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal

By Darcy McGuire

Rating

Available Now from Boldwood Books

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Secret femme-fatale in training Millicent Whittenburg needs to escape her unpleasant betrothal. Taking matters into her own hands, she plans her eventual ruin! Then she can disappear from society to carry out the Queen’s deadly missions. Step 1: seduce the one man who despises marriage more than her!

However, she hugely underestimates her target. Major General Beaufort Drake. Fearsome private investigator, he’s notoriously cold and visibly battle scarred. But Millie’s scandalously public kiss awakens a deeply suppressed desire in Drake. Instead of allowing them both to succumb to shame he does the unthinkable, and offers for her hand in a convenient marriage.

Nothing prepares them for the fireworks when a fearless damsel collides with a dangerous Major General! And as their secret missions align they face their hardest test on the glittering battlefield – a week long wedding house party where there is nowhere to escape…only new and wicked lessons to be learnt!”

REVIEW

This was my first in this series and it was so great, even without reading the official first. I love the “mission” that the couple has in common–very important work fighting human trafficking!

The sparks certainly fly between our MCs and despite how they started the relationship, they are stronger together fighting for a similar cause. However, I think my favorite part of these books is how absolutely supportive our MMCs are with their counterparts. Although, if they weren’t, I don’t think the FMCs would hesitate to show them the what-for!

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Categories
Historical Fiction Romance Spicy🌶️

In Want of a Viscount

Final Novel in the Chessman series –NOW AVAILABLE

by Lorraine Heath

Rating:

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“American Leonora Garrison has come to England in desperate search of investors to keep her family business afloat but instead finds surprising pleasure when she visits an exclusive ladies’ club and dares to kiss a stranger, who leaves her yearning for more.

With a libertine for a father, Viscount Wyeth, more commonly known as Rook, vowed to live his life above reproach, with nary a hint of disgrace. Until one night, he takes a mysterious beauty into his arms, a lady who tempts him to cast his sterling reputation aside in favor of more wicked pursuits.

When fate reunites the couple, they are torn between desire and duty. Leonora may want the viscount, but she needs a stakeholder not a lover. When caught in a compromising situation that places everything they hold dear at risk, they must determine how best to win. However, in this scandalous game, nothing except love takes all.”

REVIEW:

The Chessmen series as a whole is a fantastic historical romance adventure, but I especially loved In Want of a Viscount.

Our MC Lenora is inventive and secretly adventurous. She is on a mission to save the family business, a beloved memory of her late father. Her brother and mother could care less, but she’s bound and determined to save her father’s legacy. While visiting a club for women, she is offered an opportunity to kiss a stranger. She decides to take a chance and gets more than she bargained for when she ends up kissing Rook, who is filling in for an employee at his brother’s club. Sparks fly, but they part–never thinking they’ll see one another again.

We know where this goes. Of course they see one another again, and that spark of passion is still intense. It leads to lots of spice and plenty of tension, which–wow. I truly loved the plot and the characters were very well thought out, but I wouldn’t expect less from Heath.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Categories
Historical Fiction Romance

Much Ado About Margaret

By Madeleine Roux, Pub Date October 22, 2024

4*s. 2 🌶️. A historical romance for the bookish.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Margaret Arden yearns to live like the passionate and daring women in her novel. The idyllic life at Mosely Cottage with her two younger sisters and mother is fine, but Margaret wants more than the demure and dainty existence she’s known. After a particularly brutal rejection from an annoyingly attractive publisher, Margaret fears being forced into marriage to protect her family if their financial situation doesn’t improve—until her cousin’s glamorous wedding masquerade brings her onto a collision course with scandal, notoriety, and even love.

Captain Bridger Darrow is starting over after fighting for his country. Now home, he is struggling to save his family from destitution and succeed in a new venture of passion: book publishing. It’s all going rather poorly, until he stumbles upon loose pages of an astonishing novel while in attendance at his dearest friend’s wedding. Bridger knows he must publish it. But upon meeting the author, Bridger is stunned to discover that he—she—is a woman, and he has already told her off in grand fashion.

While Bridger is keen to gain her trust and rescind the initial rejection, Margaret can’t help but be skeptical of his intentions. Sparks fly between the two, just as the wedding of the season starts to descend into chaos when a masked dance leads to a case of mistaken identities.”

My Notes:

I really enjoyed Madeleine Roux’s House of Furies, so when I saw she was taking a foray into historical romance, I knew I need to check it out. I’m pleased to say that this was an excellent step into historical romance.

Margaret’s character build is fantastic as is Bridger’s. I enjoyed Margaret (Maggie)’s will to flout the expectations of her overbearing aunts who want her to marry well and pay for the sins of her mother, who married for love. However, Maggie absolutely adored her father and received her pension for storytelling from him, which is why she has written a book in his honor that she is desperate to get published. 

That’s how she initially gets into it with Bridger, who is a book publisher. She brings her book to a salon after having sent it to his publishing office without response. Bridger, who honestly didn’t give the manuscript much of a chance in the first place, turns Maggie down in a most embarrassing fashion. Of course, the embarrassment was not necessarily on purpose – with his less than excellent father on his death bed and his older brother Paul off gambling and galivanting when he should be preparing to take over the family title, the former soldier-come-publisher doesn’t have much patience for social affairs. Unbeknownst to either, this will not be the last time they will see one another. 

Upon his arrival at his best friend Lane’s country house wedding, he finds himself once again face to face with Maggie, who just so happens to be Lane’s cousin. Neither expected to see the other, but they find themselves in a series of events that thrust them together in the most unpleasant – or perhaps very pleasant – of ways.

The above is all well and good, but what the synopsis does NOT talk about is the scandal that happens at the wedding. The bride, Ann, a delightful woman of British/Indian descent, is seen kissing another man the very evening after her nuptials…or is she? As Maggie and Bridger pursue the real culprits, they find themselves stuck at an Inn in a storm with a one bed room and the perpetrator onto them. 

It also doesn’t talk the issues that their adventure above will cause. There was plenty of mystery, heartbreak, enemies to lovers and one bed to keep anyone. Truly awful and unredeemable characters as well as survivors finding love. The Tertiary characters are also fantastic, and I look forward to seeing what else Roux can do with the genre. 

Thanks so much to Netgalley, the author, and Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for the above honest review. 

Categories
Historical Fiction Romance Spicy🌶️

The Duke Starts a Scandal

By Sophie Jordan, Pub Date Oct 23 2023

5 Stars, 3 🌶️🌶️🌶️ . This was my favorite installment in the Duke Hunt series!

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“A duke with secrets. 

Lucian, the newly minted Duke of Penning, has much to prove— to himself, his family and the ton. Craving spotless respectability, he must find an aristocratic wife. Unfortunately, he can’t keep his eyes—and thoughts—off his deliciously distracting housekeeper. Such a dalliance can only mar the facade he’s constructed to protect his sisters’ future from the demons of his past…but this fiery passion is a temptation he cannot resist. While Susanna may not the bride he needs, she is everything he desires. 

 A woman with a past.

As the housekeeper to one of the grandest estates in England, Susanna Lockhart has worked determinedly to become all that is proper and efficient, and she never steps over the line. Romance is an indulgence for the upper class, not for her—and most especially not with her employer. But every smoldering glance from the surly, handsome duke calls to the long-buried reckless wanton inside Susanna. A love between them can never be, but will Lucian and Susanna risk being together…Even if it starts a scandal…”

My Two Pence:

The Duke Hunt was a great Jordan series. I am a sucker for spicy historical romance, and this entire series was less of the Ton and set in a provincial town. That did not at all detract from the story or time period. If anything, that made it feel far more delicious.

This installment – unfortunately, the final one – was especially tasty and had a healthy dose of my favorite enemies-to-lovers trope. The story is based on the actual duke arriving to the estate and finding a housekeeper that has been employed there for quite a while. The country manor has been under her care since the last (actual) duke was in residence, as is basically the only home she has ever known. Then the two start butting heads with how the house should be run. But at some point, that animosity turns into something far more delicious, and the risks reap their own rewards.

The spice is great and Sophie Jordan is definitely one of my autoread authors. She never sacrifices plot for spice and the tension in her books is absolutely mouth watering. I highly suggest her to anyone, and The Duke Hunt series in their totality as well!

Thank you to Sophie Jordan, Avon Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Categories
Historical Fiction Romance

Never Wager With a Wallflower

By Virginia Heath, Pub Date Nov 7, 2023

4*s, 2 Spice. Another delightful romance rom com from Virginia Heath!

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is a selfless academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.

For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hall in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago.

While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?”

Showing My Hand:

This is the final installment in the Merriwell Sisters series. The series is great, you should really check it out!

The final installment follows Venus, the youngest Merriwell sister, a few years after the first book. I highly suggest reading at least the first one to give you a good idea of who Galahad is and is not, and also the shared history between the two. 

Venus and Galahad are rivals. Venus, who spend the majority of her time at a London orphanage reading books and helping with the children, is wanting to find a way to expand the building into the one next door for the purposes of housing the growing population of parentless kids in London. As she seeks out the new owner of the property to request the building be donated to the cause, she runs into a familiar face, one belonging to a person she once tackled to the ground in an ill-placed bid to protect her sister from harm. 

Galahad is the proprietor of a very successful gaming hell near the docks, thankfully grown and long separated from the machinations of his wicked father that brought him from America to London. He is looking to expand into Covent Garden and build his empire further, and he has found the absolute perfect place to put his plan in action. Unfortunately for him, he’s not the only one with eyes set on the building in question. Venus Merriwether, who once tackled him in his cousin’s garden in at night in a fit of protective rage, is also vying for the property which is connected to the orphanage she holds dear. Despite how attractive he finds the now adult woman who rivals the goddess for which she is named, he almost has his very dreams in his grasp and he refuses to let her tackle those from him as well. 

In the end, it comes down to a bet between the two. However, they do not realize yet that the true stakes are more than just the building and their dreams, but also their hearts. 

This book had a lot of heart. There was also a lot of adventure and some side characters that I really hope to see in future Heath books. The orphaned twins were absolute CHARACTERS and I hope she has plans to expand their stories. I was a little sad by the end of this one. I really enjoyed the whole thing, including Venus’s trips to the gaming hells and the fact that she was very intelligent and her family refused to play cards with her because she was so good. But she definitely met her match in Galahad, and Galahad never expected Venus. It was a rivals to lovers romance and one of my favorite tropes. 

All books are now available. I highly recommend this series if you like a good historical romcom with a little spice!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Virginia Heath for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. 

Categories
Historical Fiction Romance Spicy🌶️

Not That Duke

By Eloisa James, Pub Date July 25, 2023

4.5*s. 4 🌶️. Excellent bookish romance with great spice.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“The Duke of Huntington has no interest in an eccentric redhead who frowns at him over her spectacles…until he realizes that she is the only possible duchess for him.

Bespeckled and freckled, Lady Stella Corsham at least has a dowry that has attracted a crowd of fortune-hunting suitors—which definitely doesn’t include the sinfully handsome Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, who laughingly calls her “Specs” as he chases after elegant rivals.

And then—The worst happens. Marriage.

To the duke. To a man marrying her for all the wrong reasons.

How can Silvester possibly convince Stella that he’s fallen in love with the quirky woman he married? Especially after she laughingly announces that she’s in love—but not with that duke. Not with her husband.

Review:

First of all, yes–of course I loved it. Eloisa James put a lot of herself into this one and I’ve never felt more connected to one of her characters. Short? Check. Curvy? Check. Freckled and bespeckled? Check. Super bookish? I have a book blog. Not sure who would argue with that one, so check. …Secretly lusty? It’s possible.

Second – the publisher’s synopsis leaves so much out. This was such a great, spicy book. Yes, there’s sort of an enemies to lovers situation going on, but it’s more of an enemies to friends to lovers situation.

Stella has been made to feel like a sore thumb of the ton since her debut. With her freckles and spectacles, only her dowry seems to be attracting anyone. However, she’d honestly rather be by herself living next to a bookstore than married to a man who doesn’t care for her in some way as a person. Especially Silvester Harwood, the most eligible bachelor in Britain – and a duke. But she knows that wouldn’t pan out as he seems to be in love with Yasmin, a gorgeous French debutante with easy, infectious smiles.

Silvester is very fond of Yasmin, even though his eccentric mother has set her cap on him marrying the sharp witted and also somewhat eccentric Stella. He truly does not have designs for her, though he does find her to be quite intelligent and good for a conversation. However, when they go for a picnic and Stella falls in the water trying to get help his mother out Silvester is met with Stella’s unexpected curves that have been hidden behind what has previously been deemed fashionable but didn’t even hint at the luscious creature in front of him. This is all completely unbeknownst to Stella.

Silvester and Stella soon become friends with the help of her kitten, Specs, and neither knows the depth of lust they feel for one another. And secretly, Silvester’s thoughts of Stella are less chaste than anyone might expect.

This book gets pretty spicy at times. I gave it four chilis because the scenes were written very well and the fact that Silvester was basically reduced to a primal being in his lust for Stella. This also got me in my chest a few times. I really felt the feelings Stella had regarding not being first for Silvester. Everyone wants to be somebody’s someone, and just because she wasn’t conventional didn’t make her any less deserving of feeling beautiful and loved. She felt inadequate, but she had no idea how untrue that was.

Thanks to Netgalley, Eloisa James, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.