Showing posts with label Jessica Scarlett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jessica Scarlett. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Review: A Lady on the Chase by Jessica Scarlett


My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

 

Synopsis

Her father promised her to one man.
She promised her heart to a second.
Until she meets the third.


Lady Alicia Kendall has it all: wealth, beauty, suitors--and a history of creating scandals. The only thing she doesn't have is her best friend and man of her dreams, Henry Crawley. When Henry announces his plans to join the Regulars, her father's adamant disapproval of him deepens and prompts a deal to be struck:

She has two weeks to secure Henry's proposal, or she must give him up forever and marry a man of her father's choosing.

Alicia agrees. But when one of her attempts goes awry, she gets a begrudging proposal from someone else entirely--Matthew Wycliffe. The most condescending man ever to walk the face of the earth, and her newly-discovered nemesis.

If only to avoid yet another scandal, Alicia accepts Mr. Wycliffe's offer. After all, with the deal she struck with her father, she'll never marry the man anyway. But as they endure dark castles, hot-tempered soldiers, and hidden secrets brought to light all in their quest for a proposal from Henry, Alicia notices something different about the insufferable, grumbling Matthew Wycliffe. And she wonders if perhaps the proposal she wants is the one she's already received.


My Review

It was hard to know what to think while Alicia is professing love for childhood friend Henry but using Matthew's grudging proposal to buy time to avoid an alliance with Lord Hawthorne who has an uncanny knack for interrupting romantic interludes and overhearing furtive plans. What a love triangle! Her motivations for pursuing Henry are subconscious and it is not until later in the book that they are revealed to herself and the reader through Matthew's skilled observations. I think my favorite parts of the book are observing Matthew and the way he holds himself aloof but is secretly caught off guard by Alicia. Their interactions are fraught with tension and chemistry, despite her supposed animosity for him and his supposed indifference to her. What banter! I don't blame her for her frustrations with Matthew, and they each give as good as they get. Highly entertaining! Definitely going on my re-read list!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Wycliffe Family series . . .







Thursday, July 30, 2020

Review: A Lily in Disguise by Jessica Scarlett


My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

One woman. Three identities. A handsome lord trying to unmask them all. 

To escape the scandals tied to her name, Lillian Markley has gone by an alias for eight years. It was the only way for her to get a reputable job and save enough money to reunite with her sister in America. But when Lily is suddenly let go just as she’s about to reach her goal, she’s offered a salary she can’t refuse in exchange for the unthinkable:

She must masquerade as an heiress at a country estate for the summer.

Being exposed means facing prison, or worse—never seeing her sister again. Run-ins with kidnappers, a suspicious young boy, and a dangerous gentleman who knows her secret quickly has Lily spouting lies as often as she sips her tea—all while battling her growing feelings for Peter Wycliffe, the smiling host who seems to best her at every turn.

Nothing is as simple as it seems. And as the falsehoods begin to mount, Lily must use her arsenal of wits to keep her three facades separate, while preventing Peter—and herself—from discovering the true woman beneath them all.

My Review

This was such a fun read! The complexities of Lily's various personas kept the plot interesting and moving at a steady pace. I loved Peter with his teasing personality and really felt for him as he falls for Lily but is confused by her as well. She is just trying to keep her head above water as she interacts in society and all the complications that arise. There are issues of trust, jealousy, betrayal, and forgiveness, all interwoven with Lily's ultimate resolve to leave England and these new relationships to join her sister. I enjoyed the characters and the way the author allowed me to connect with their emotions and experiences- the desperation, confusion, attraction, friendship, and romance. The scenes with Lily and Peter's fun banter were my favorite, especially since there is a strong undercurrent of longing on his part and apprehension on hers. The secondary characters rounded out the story well and I hope the author writes more with them as main characters. I'm excited to read more from this author! Definitely a must read for fans of sweet Regency romance.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)



Don't miss the prequel novella in the Wycliffe Family series . . .


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Synopsis

When Mary Raynsford's lifelong friend, Ellis Harrington, returns from Tour and says he aims to marry within six months, Mary hatches a plan to thwart his efforts. It simply wouldn't do for him to find a bride. Especially if it's not her.



About the Author


Jessica Scarlett grew up in rural Utah, where lots of wide-open space served as a blank canvas for her rampant imagination. Along with being an author, she is a songwriter and a huge Broadway fan, so don’t be surprised if she hears the people sing or defies gravity on a regular basis.

Being mother to two crazy-eyed kiddos, she has been forced to develop a deep appreciation for humor—which is probably why she laughs so much at her own jokes. Though Jessica currently writes regency romance, she loves dashing heroes from all eras in history, and hopes to one day branch out. 

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