Tag: historical romance

Bombshell ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Hell’s Belles

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: August 24, 2021

Publisher: Avon

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with a blazingly sexy, unapologetically feminist new series, Hell’s Belles, beginning with a bold, bombshell of a heroine, able to dispose of a scoundrel—or seduce one—in a single night.

After years of living as London’s brightest scandal, Lady Sesily Talbot has embraced the reputation and the freedom that comes with the title. No one looks twice when she lures a gentleman into the dark gardens beyond a Mayfair ballroom…and no one realizes those trysts are not what they seem.

No one, that is, but Caleb Calhoun, who has spent years trying not to notice his best friend’s beautiful, brash, brilliant sister. If you ask him, he’s been a saint about it, considering the way she looks at him…and the way she talks to him…and the way she’d felt in his arms during their one ill-advised kiss.

Except someone has to keep Sesily from tumbling into trouble during her dangerous late-night escapades, and maybe close proximity is exactly what Caleb needs to get this infuriating, outrageous woman out of his system. But now Caleb is the one in trouble, because he’s fast realizing that Sesily isn’t for forgetting…she’s forever. And forever isn’t something he can risk.

REVIEW

I have been waiting for Sesily and Caleb’s story for a very very long time and it did not disappoint! These two were always quarreling with each other and I loved their banter. Their quips and humor did not disappoint in Bombshell – the newest book in a new series by Sarah MacLean.

Sesily Talbot also known as “Sexily” has embraced her reputation. She is one of five sisters and they’ve never had it easy in society. Sesily and her gang of fierce and ruthless girl friends have decided to take on the worst men of London aristocracy. Those who deserve a lashing and worse are the ones that they are after. When one of these escapades almost goes south it’s Caleb Calhoun, the American that comes to Sesily’s rescue.

Caleb can’t seem to stay away from Sesily no matter how hard he tries. He’s hiding his own secrets and it’s best if he doesn’t become entangled with Sesily. But everywhere he turns, she’s there. Taunting him with her warmth and light. Will Caleb be strong enough to stay away from Sesily…or rather will Sesily let him stay away?

Oh, how I loved these two. Already I was anticipating their story and once I started reading Bombshell I could not put it down. It was funny, so swoony and the suspense had me hooked in! I love not only the romance, but also the colorful characters that we are introduced to.

As always, Sarah MacLean had the perfect amount of angst, romance and humor balanced out in Bombshell. While sometimes the first book in a series can have a lot of word building or seem tedious, I never felt that way with Bombshell. I already need every single one of the Hell’s Belles stories – a few who I’ve maybe guessed already!

Definitely add Bombshell to your TBR and grab it when it releases August 24, 2021!

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A Lady’s Formula for Love ARC Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: The Secret Scientists of London Series #1

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: February 8, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

What is a Victorian lady’s formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humor and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry—it’s elemental.

Lady Violet Hughes is keeping secrets. First, she founded a clandestine sanctuary for England’s most brilliant female scientists. Second, she is using her genius on a confidential mission for the Crown. But the biggest secret of all? Her feelings for protection officer Arthur Kneland.

Solitary and reserved, Arthur learned the hard way to put duty first. But the more time he spends in the company of Violet and the eccentric club members, the more his best intentions go up in flames. Literally.

When a shadowy threat infiltrates Violet’s laboratories, endangering her life and her work, scientist and bodyguard will find all their theories put to the test—and learn that the most important discoveries are those of the heart.

REVIEW

Widowed Lady Violet Hughes is on a top secret mission for the Crown. But as with all top secret missions, her life may very well be in danger. Soon Violet is under the protection of bodyguard Arthur Kneland.

Arthur takes his duties very seriously. Rule #1 for Arthur is to never get too close to the person he is supposed to be protecting. The growing attraction between Arthur and Violet has him concerned. Violet’s life is potentially in danger and Arthur needs to keep a clear head and his wits about him if he is to protect her. Will his sense of duty prevent Arthur and Violet from becoming more than a working relationship?

I loved A Lady’s Formula for Love! This book had the perfect amount of humor, mystery and such a sweet and sexy romance between Arthur and Violet. I will admit that I haven’t read a lot of bodyguard romances, but…sigh, this one was so good.

Grumpy + sunshine gets me every time and Arthur was such a grump (but I still loved him). I loved his dry wit, but also how much love he has to give. If Arthur is grumpy then Violet is definitely the epitome of sunshine. Not only does she have an amazing refuge for women scientists to reside in, but she loves them all equally. She is smart and witty, but is fighting her own doubts and insecurities. These two together brought out the best in one another and their romance was equally swoony.

Although A Lady’s Formula for Love was my first book by Elizabeth Everett, I already can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out! Pick up A Lady’s Formula for Love if your’e looking for a romance featuring women in STEM, a bit of mystery and a swoony, steamy romance.

All Scot and Bothered ARC Review

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All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Genre: Historical Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Series: Devil You Know #2

Release Date: September 29, 2020

Cassius Ramsay deals in black and white. Either you’re innocent or guilty and he persecutes you as such. Being Lord Chief Justice of the High Court it is his duty after all. Ramsay also happens to be the half brother of Piers the Duke of Redmayne. Ramsay has been on occasion in the same vicinity of Cecelia and finds himself watching her and a growing attraction to her.

Although part of the Red Rogues along with Alexandra and Francesca, Cecelia felt deep loneliness and sadness growing up. She was an orphan and the person she had thought was her father treated her so cruelly. She suddenly finds herself owner of a gambling establishment – an establishment that Chief Justice Ramsay wants nothing more than destroy. When Cecelia’s life becomes endangered, Ramsay has no choice but to keep her safe while they figure out who is trying to destroy her establishment and hurt her in the process.

I had a hard time feeling the chemistry between Ramsay and Cecelia. There was simply too much going on in the plot for me to fully enjoy their romance. The last quarter of the book dragged for me, and I honestly had a hard time staying interested in the story.

I really enjoyed How to Love a Duke in Ten Days, and although All Scot and Bothered fell short for me, I am looking forward to Francesca’s book – The Devil in Her Bed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

The Devil of Downtown Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe

Series: Uptown Girls #3

Genre: Historical Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥

Jack Mulligan has one rule he lives by Qui n’avance pas, recule – who does not advance retreats. He is the Kingpin in New York – ruling over his territory ruthlessly. Jack has everyone he needs in his pocket and he doesn’t do anything without a favor in return.

When Justine Greene crosses paths with Mulligan – she is in dangerous territory. She knows how dangerous Mulligan can be, but still she is left with no choice but asking him for help in solving a case that she is working on on behalf of her charity. Mulligan is willing to help Justine, but he doesn’t offer his services freely and of course there will be a favor in return.

This favor is what starts the unusual relationship between “do-gooder” Justine and Kingpin Mulligan. When their dalliances with one another become more frequent and they begin to long for each other – will either of them stand a chance to be with one another?

I absolutely LOVED The Devil of Downtown. The chemistry between Mulligan and Justine was explosive from the moment they met with one another. The sexy times between the two were next level hot hot hot.

The way Justine was able to see underneath Jack’s tough exterior and not be judgmental about his upbringing said a lot about her character. But how long do they have with one another before they realize that their worlds do not align. How could a Kingpin possibly have a future with a woman who is set on doing good in the world.

There were quite a few times where this book brought me to tears. And I ached for both Jack and Justine. I wanted there to be a way that these two made it work and I was rooting for them until the very end.

I’ve read a quite a few historical romances and honestly this was one of the first ones that I have read that was set in America. I truly enjoyed learning about New York in the 1800’s and it was a refreshing change in scenery from typical historical romances that are set in London or Europe.

This was my first novel by Joanna Shupe, but most definitely won’t be my last! I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series!

The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean Book Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Scandal & Scoundrel Book #3

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I first was recommended Day of the Duchess while listening to the Read Me Romance podcast. Tessa Bailey was discussing married couples in romance novels and recommended this book. Over the past year, I have come to the realization that I love romances that deal with married couples. Marriage of convenience has always been one of my favorite tropes, but I am also loving romances that deal with couples who have been married and how they navigate through the highs of marriage and the lows of marriage.

Sarah MacLean is a fairly new author to me, but I like her style of writing. Over the past year I have read two Sarah MacLean books, Brazen and the Beast and Wicked and the Wallflower and I enjoyed both of them. I have quite a few of her backlist books still left to read, but decided to dive in to The Day of the Duchess

In The Day of the Duchess, our main character Seraphina has returned to England (from America) and plans on opening her own pub. Problem is, she’s still married and therefore anything that she owns is outright her husband’s. That’s right Seraphina is still married to the Duke of Haven, Malcolm Bevingstoke. Therefore, in order to achieve her dream of owning her own pub she must divorce the duke. I love a second chance romance and this story had the perfect elements of it. The flashbacks in the past intersecting with what was happening currently were so wonderfully placed.

Sarah MacLean has a wonderful way with words and I always feel the perfect amount of angst when reading her books. The Day of the Duchess was no exception. There were so many moments when tears were silently falling down my face because of the complicated relationship between Malcolm and Sera.

I loved seeing Sera with all of her sisters. I read this story out of order, but it can be read fine as a standalone. Now I can’t wait to go back and read the other Soiled S’s stories (especially Caleb & Sesily 😍)!

Overall I really enjoyed this book. There were parts of the book that didn’t exactly sit right with me, which had me knocking down a star.