Review: Engaging Sir Isaac by Sally Britton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

She swore she would win the baronet’s heart in order to break it, never dreaming she would lose her own in the process.

Millicent Wedgwood will never obtain her rightful place in Society, which means she will never have an advantageous reputation, marriage, or fortune. All because Millie's sister eloped years before. But there is a chance to rise above that disgrace if Millie will take part in a dare. If she can win the baronet who insulted Lady Olivia, and then shatter his heart, she will earn back her position in Society with Lady Olivia’s sponsorship.

Sir Isaac Fox returned from war with one less arm and a weight upon his soul. Where once he easily charmed Society, he now prefers to remain quietly alone at home. With a failing estate to manage, Isaac is determined to be more responsible and less foolhardy, which leaves no time for romance. Certainly no time for the infuriatingly enchanting Miss Wedgwood.

When Millie realizes her game has put her own heart in jeopardy, she risks losing everything she has so desperately sought to replace in her life. And though Isaac refuses Millie's advances, he cannot deny her charm. But falling for Miss Wedgwood would mean reentering society and losing the peace he has found since the war. Can they find a way to heal their hearts together? Or will Millie's deception ruin them both?

My Review

I was not prepared for the game that would be played in this story! I don't normally enjoy head games between characters, but this one worked for me- because I could see the conflict in Millie as she is a puppet in the hands of her parents and Lady Olivia. I was rooting for her to make her own choices and yet I could see how she felt like she had no choice, especially when social blackmail is involved. She has a wonderful growth arc in the book as she is befriended by Isaac's group of close-knit friends in spite of his mistrust and learns to be stronger than she knows.

Isaac is going through his own struggles as his wartime experiences have left him a very different man- brooding, grumpy, and tormented. I loved how his sister and friends that in turn starred in the previous books in the series don't just make meaningless appearances, but are an integral part of the story and continue to be the primary supportive relationships in his life. The chemistry between he and Millie ebbed and flowed as they both had hidden or private sides that they had difficulty sharing, but eventually grew to know the genuine person behind the facade.

The tension grows steadily and it really felt like a nail-biter as Lady Olivia gets more ruthless and Millie is torn as she becomes more loyal to her new friends. It was fun to have Olivia's brother Lord Neil befriend Millie in a platonic way and help her surreptitiously, since he played the part of the villain in the first book. It set me up to be thrilled when I learned that he will have his own book!

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

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Don't miss the other books in the Inglewood series . . .

Review: Abraham by Jennifer Beckstrand

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Known as “The Peanut Butter Brothers” for their Wisconsin family business, hardworking Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim have their plates too full for romance—until their little siblings decide to play matchmaker . . .

With their house full to bursting since Mammi and Dawdi moved back in, the Petersheim twins know the only way to get their bedroom back is to get their older brothers married off. But Abraham is so shy, he’ll barely speak to girls. Still, they’ve noticed how he looks at Emma Wengerd at church. Emma is so talkative, Abraham’s quiet ways wouldn’t matter a bit. Soon, the boys have hatched a scheme that sends Abraham right to Emma’s door—and her chicken coop . . .

Abraham doubts that pretty, popular Emma would be interested in him. Yet when he finds himself by her side, having to straighten out the twins’ mischief—more than once—he can’t help imagining a future with her. And the more time they spend together, the more Abraham realizes that perhaps no matter how many boys buzz around Emma, with faith, it’s only the right one that counts . . .

My Review

The first book in this series was delightful, and I can't believe I loved this one even more! Alfie and Benji, the youngest brothers, are highly entertaining and mischievous in a way that's endearing and makes me laugh out loud. They are on a mission to get their older brothers married off so they no longer have to sleep in the basement, and they are single-minded about it. I love how they make friends with Emma and bring her and Abraham together in situations they wouldn't normally find themselves. It allows Abraham to shine in his own right as he does thoughtful things for Emma and she is able to get to know him on a deeper level. Of course conflicts, self-doubt, and miscommunications arise and muddle up the waters of their blossoming relationship, but this journey with the boys, their illicit secret dog, a girl, and her beloved chickens is one that I'll be reading again! Great chemistry and sweet romance balance perfectly with humor and themes of community and belonging.

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

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Don't miss the other books in the Petersheim Brothers series . . .

Book One

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Book Three

Releases June 2020: Available for pre-order

Review: Reclaiming His Past by Karen Kirst

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

No Possessions, No Memories, Not Even a Name!  

The wounded stranger found on Jessica O'Malley's property has no idea who he is. And Jessica would be foolish to trust him after being proven so wrong about a former suitor who turned out to be a criminal. But Jessica's wariness toward the newcomer is soon turning to interest…and hope.

Until he knows his true identity, "Grant" can't make a life in this quaint Tennessee town. He certainly shouldn't be thinking so much about the feisty redhead with beautiful, guarded eyes. But even as he fights to keep a distance from Jessica, his feelings for her grow. And he can't help but wonder if he'll want to return to his old life when his past is revealed.

My Review

Amnesia is a fun and interesting trope as the mystery of a character's unknown past conflicts with their present, holding them back while they are trying to move forward. Grant's appearance is suspicious because of his gunshot, and even though Jessica nurses him back to health, he still has a long way to go to win her trust. His personality is one of a protector, so he naturally falls into the role despite Jessica's resistance. There is great romantic tension throughout the book as they grow closer, and the unfolding mystery brought an element of suspense.

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

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Don't miss the other books in the Smoky Mountain Matches series . . .

Review: Timeless Victorian Collection: A Note of Change by Esther Hatch, Nichole Van, Annette Lyon

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Can a single note can change a life, start a romance, or drive two people apart?

Waiting for the Post by Esther Hatch
Now that Harrison Chase has finally made his fortune as a working man, he will risk it all to save his factory workers from starvation. In the middle of his charge to reverse the Corn Laws, his housekeeper helpfully mails a letter she finds languishing amongst his things. A six-year-old love letter. With no other choice, he rushes back to his childhood home on Christine Stone’s estate. If he can’t get his hands on that letter before she does, Christine will discover what a pitiful and pretentious fool he had been. The one thing he hadn’t counted on was the mail being delayed. Now Harrison must decide which is worse—waiting with Christine as he not-so-slowly falls back in love with her, or leaving, knowing once she reads his letter he can never return.

A Ring of Gold by Nichole Van
Viola Brodure longs for something more from her life. So when that something more arrives in the form of a letter from the renowned Highland Poet, Ethan Penn-Leith, she seizes her chance. After all, Mr. Penn-Leith merits every swoon-worthy adjective Viola can muster. What woman wouldn’t want to be in her shoes? But after journeying to Scotland and meeting the poet himself, Viola faces a difficult question: What happens if you don’t want the thing you thought you did?

A Rose by Any Other Name by Annette Lyon
As an orphan whose only home has been the Foundling Hospital, Rose is tasked to work in the fine houses of Bloomsbury. She knows her duty—take care of the family upstairs and never forget her place. But her traitorous heart won’t follow the rules, and she falls in love with Oliver Withey, a man far above her station. Though she feels like she’s found a home in Oliver’s arms, his mother has other plans for her oldest son—and marrying a servant isn’t one of them. She’ll do anything to keep Rose and Oliver apart, including making a devil’s bargain that ensures they’ll never see each other again. When a mysterious old woman appears, she seems to have answers to Rose’s past. Could those long-held secrets hold the key to the future with Oliver that Rose longs for?

My Review

Another lovely collection of Victorian-era romances from some of my favorite authors! When these Timeless collections have three stories instead of six, they are each longer and I feel like they have the time to really develop the characters and the story within the novella format.

Waiting for the Post by Esther Hatch is one of my favorites of this collection- 5 stars! I loved Christine's friendly personality and it's easy to see why Harrison fell in love with her as a youth and did so again so quickly when they are reunited. He doesn't feel worthy of her as a self-made successful tradesman when she is of a higher class in society. Her family's estate is at risk so some complicated dynamics come into play. Her brother who is also Harrison's friend brings some humor to the dialogue and it was a pleasure to read as this meant-for-each-other match overcame the miscommunications and hesitations to find their happily ever after.

A Ring of Gold by Nichole Van is another 5 star story! The setting in Scotland was amazing and I loved the way the author was able to portray the accents and customs. Viola is a spinster author so she seems to have a measure of independence, but it only extends as far as she follows her father's advice. Their adventure to Scotland to meet a poet she admires- and gives a public "shout out" to in her latest book- quickly spirals out of control when he and everyone decide that they would make an excellent match. It was funny how the author portrayed him with his success but also revealed how his process worked. His brother is the epitome of a manly Highlander and Viola can't help but form an unlikely friendship with the unassuming man who has poetry in his soul.

A Rose by Any Other Name by Annette Lyon was different than the other stories in that there wasn't as much character development and the focus was more on the plot. The villain of Oliver's mother was the driving force behind the conflict and while I liked the interesting setting, the story fell flat for me when it became rather melodramatic. I think that other readers will still enjoy the story, but it wasn't my cup of tea, especially as a follow up to the first two stories. I would rate this one 3 stars.

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

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Don't miss the other Timeless Victorian Collections . . .