My review of Christi Caldwell's A SURE DUKE

 

A SURE DUKE
Historical Romance

 

 

AUTHOR:
Christi Caldwell

RELEASE DATE:
January 09, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Montlake

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781662503849

RATING:
5

AUTHOR LINK:
http://christicaldwell.com/

 

 

Lady Alexandra Bradbury has always been curious about her eccentric neighbor’s rooftop dealings. She sneaks off to see for herself, only to encounter the eldest McQuoid son. When disaster leaves her family destitute, Alexandra agrees to a loveless betrothal to an influential yet cold marquess. However, another crisis forces her to travel with Dallin. Alexandra never forgot their magical rooftop interlude. Will Alexandra do what is expected of her? Or will she risk her family’s ruination to be with Dallin?

Lord Dallin McQuoid is the future Earl of Abingdon. He is more interested in the stars than the ton’s gossip and glittery intrigue. Dallin confronts a would-be intruder, only to discover the beautiful yet proper Alexandra Bradbury. When they are to meet again, a year later, he overhears a conversation that alters his opinion of her. However, Dallin finds himself traveling with the lady to prevent a catastrophe from happening to both their families. Can Dallin ignore his heart? Or will he risk family ruin to claim Alexandra as his own?

I could not help but empathize with Alexandra. She is a woman who has always done what is expected of her, regardless how it chafed. Alexandra knew no other way until Dallin. He and his family’s unique dynamics opened her eyes to other possibilities. I like that. What I admire the most about Alexandra is her willingness to sacrifice herself for her sisters. She wanted to safeguard their future happiness and security.

Dallin is such a love! He knows how the peerage views his family’s unconventional interests and ways. And Dallin is not bothered by it. I adore that about him! He is also fiercely protective over his large, boisterous family, even though some annoy him. What I love the most about Dallin is how he differs from other aristocratic lords. He does not look down on servants or commoners. Instead, Dallin treats them as equals and with common courtesy.

A SURE DUKE is the third installment in Christi Caldwell’s historical romance series, MCQUOIDS OF MAYFAIR. I strongly suggest reading this delightfully fun series from the beginning. The first book shows the McQuoid families’ quirks and eccentricities. The second explains what started the strife between the McQuoids and the Duke of Talbert. I practically devoured this book in two settings, even forwent sleep to finish.

I just want to say I fell in love with this Scottish family since book one. They are not your typical snobbish, aristocratic family. I cannot stress how happy I am that the author decided to write more books about them. I do hope (hint hint) that Christi will pair a McQuoid with the jilted son AND daughter of the Duke of Talbert. That would be a fun enemies-to-lovers story!

Review for Christina Britton's THE DUKE'S ALL THAT

 

THE DUKE’S ALL THAT
Historical Romance

 

 AUTHOR:

Christina Britton

RELEASE DATE:
February 06, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781538710449

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
http://christinabritton.com/

 

 

Iain MacInnes, the new Duke of Balgair, receives startling news about his late wife: that she is not dead but currently living on the Isle of Synne. He wants a divorce; however, he first needs to bring Seraphia before the Court of Sessions to gain one. Iain tries to keep his heart closed to her, but the trip to Scotland brings eye-opening revelations. Can Iain convince Seraphina to stay married to him? Or will he lose her all over again?

Miss Seraphina Athwart co-owns a circulating library on the Isle of Synne.  She will do anything to keep her tragic past secret from her sisters and friends, even accompany her estranged husband to Scotland. However, they both discover the vicious lies that tore them apart thirteen years ago. Will Seraphina accept their second chance? Or will she allow her inner demons to keep them apart for good?

Iain is a man ruled by anger. He channeled that emotion to help him better improve his station in life. I like despite his need for revenge, Iain never once mistreated Seraphina during their trip. He did keep an emotional barrier between them to protect himself, which is relatable. I also like how, once the truth was revealed, Ian did not keep his anger towards Seraphina. He did war between whether to continue with the divorce or attempt to win her back.

Seraphina had endured so much horror and suffering. She, like Iain, is a victim of a lie. I admire the many sacrifices Seraphina made to protect and to ensure her sisters’ futures. They even managed to make a new life for themselves on Synne without any man’s assistance. There were times when I wanted to throttle Seraphina. I understand her altruistic reason for continuing with the divorce. Respect it even.  I just wished the truth about her past would come out sooner so they could work it out.

THE DUKE’S ALL THAT is the third book in Christina Britton’s historical romance series, SYNNEFUL SPINSTERS. The story can easily stand by itself. There is no on-going plot spilling over from the previous ones. Bronwyn and Ash and Katrina and Sebastian, the couples from the other books, make appearances. I wonder if this is the last of the series, especially after the revealing development with the two remaining oddments.

I wanted to love this book like I did the previous two. I just had trouble getting invested in the characters and the storyline. It just fell flat with me. I honestly expected Seraphina’s father to play a more villainous role in the story. I think that would have helped me engage with the characters’ plight a bit more. I thoroughly enjoyed Phineas, the parrot, and his penchant for inappropriate phrases. He livened up the story.

Review for Julie Anne Long's MY SEASON OF SCANDAL

 

MY SEASON OF SCANDAL
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Julie Anne Long

RELEASE DATE:
April 23, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Avon and Harper Voyager

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780063280953

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
http://www.julieannelong.com/

 

 

Lord Dominic Kirke is a Mp renowned for his stirring speeches in the House of Commons. After his house catches fire, he stays at a unique boarding house near the docks. Dominic encounters a wholesome country girl with an uncanny ability to penetrate his cynical armor. Against his better judgement, he helps Catherine with her season. However, his help comes with repercussions. Will Kirke’s reputation ruin Catherine’s chances amongst the peerage? Or will she encourage him to love again?

Catherine Keating is the only daughter of a small-town physician. She travels to London to experience a Season and to possibly find a suitable husband. However, Catherine soon learns that is far more cutthroat than she imagined. At her boarding house, she meets a cynical yet closed-off gentleman. Even though Dominic may be her only ally, he is all wrong for her. Can Catherine learn to hold her own amongst the Ton? Will she be able to resist Dominic’s sardonic allure?

Dominic is the reason why I picked up this book. I could never resist a broody, standoffish, cynical hero. And he did NOT disappoint me! I love how protective Dominic became of Catherine. He wanted to keep the snobs from the peerage from dimming her inner light. Dominic liked that Catherine was not conniving or fake like others in his social sphere.

I can see many people not liking Catherine. She does come off too Mary Sue at times. However, I think she counter-balances Dominic perfectly. She is sunny and wholesome to his dark and jadedness. I like how Catherine can see the real Dominic beneath all that cynicism. Plus, she does not retreat or balk at his cutting personality or wit.

MY SEASON OF SCANDAL is the seventh book in Julie Anne Long’s historical romance series, THE PALACE OF ROGUES. This story can stand alone. Sadly, I have not read the previous six books. That did not hinder my ability to follow the plot and storyline. Fans of this series will like that Delilah and Tristan from LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER, book one, and Angelique and Lucien from ANGEL IN A DEVIL’S ARMS, book two, make frequent appearances throughout the book.

The only nitpick I have is the ending. It got a little long-winded. There were parts that sounded more like the author “telling” readers the couples’ future. All-in-all, I enjoyed the plot and characters enough to pick up future books by this author.