Review for Suzanne Enoch's BETTER THAN A DUKE

 

BETTER THAN A DUKE
Historical Romance

 

  

AUTHOR:
Suzanne Enoch

RELEASE DATE:
March 03, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Tor Publishing Group

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781250331205

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://suzanneenoch.com/

 

 

Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, needs a wife – one proper enough to prepare his daughter for her future in the ton. He believes he found the perfect candidate. However, his new neighbor comes bursting into his life like a tempest. The woman does not fit the criteria Becket desires for his daughter’s tutelage. But he finds that he enjoys spending time with her and her son. Which woman will Beckett choose? The prim and proper lady? Or the improper one who loves both him and his daughter?

Iris Silbern is a down-on-her-luck widow. She has no intention or desire to remarry. Iris and her ten-year-old son are forced to rely on and stay with her aunt and uncle. They forcefully encourage her to agree to a match with a wealthy yet elderly duke. Iris finds a fellow kindred spirit in her next-door neighbor. She knows that she is the wrong sort for Beckett’s daughter. Will Iris sacrifice herself to ensure her son’s future? Or will a better offer present itself to her?

Beckett and Iris have so many things in common. Both are widows from disastrous marriages, they are dedicated to their children, and their old friends deserted them. Beckett and Iris also understand where the other is coming from, why they do what they do for their children, and etc. Kindred spirits. I also like how they met once at Iris’ coming out… it makes me think “right people, wrong time.” It was too soon for them to connect and come together at that time.

Beckett is a sweetheart. He instantly took to Edmund, even encouraged a friendship with his daughter. That makes him an upstanding, teddy bear in my book (the world needs more men like that). And Iris! I love that she refuses to be bullied by men and their chauvinistic views. Iris is not afraid to bloody noses or speak her mind. She does not conform to what the ton believes a woman must behave.

BETTER THAN A DUKE is a cute, stand-alone historical romance novel by Suzanne Enoch. I have been a long-time reader and fan of this author. Of course, I could not pass up reading this book. And it does not disappoint. The store does indeed have a PARENT TRAP vibe to it, which made it entertaining to read. Rebecca and Edmund really helped the story come to life for me. I found myself either grinning or giggling at her banter and antics.

And oh boy did the author make me really despise both Beckett and Iris’s family members (well the ones involved in the story). I could have cheerfully throttled them plus Pauline and the dirtbag duke. The only nitpick I have - I wanted Iris’ aunt and uncle and Beckett’s mother to get some form of retribution done to them. I guess I am a little vindictive like that.

Review of Sofie Darling's "A LADY'S ROGUE TO RUIN"

 

A LADY’S ROGUE TO RUIN
Historical Romance

 

AUTHOR:
Sofie Darling

RELEASE DATE:
October 28, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0FHBSNHT5

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://sofiedarling.com/

 

 

 

Blaze Jagger is the illegitimate son of an impoverished and lascivious marquess. He now owns the majority stakes in an exclusive gaming establishment in London. Blaze seeks shelter from the rain in a circulating library owned by his partners’ siblings. He happens to meet the youngest Calthrop – a stunning yet brilliant entrepreneur. Blaze knows that he is wrong for Viveca, but he cannot seem to deny the woman her request. Can Blaze comply with her request without damaging her reputation? Or will Viveca ruin his work relationship with her elder brother and sister?

Lady Viveca Calthrop is the youngest sister of a duke. She and her sister opened a circulating library in London. One rainy afternoon she happens on Blaze in her establishment and discovers his secret. Viveca offers to teach him how to read in exchange for a taste of his world. During their first interlude, she learns there is far more to Blaze than what everyone knows. And Viveca wants to know more about the fascinating man, even court ruin to do so. Can Viveca convince Blaze to ignore the difference in their stations? Or will she be forced to lose him?

I am so happy that Blaze gets his happily ever after… and with a Siren (aka Calthorp)! I had a feeling that the two would pair up from DEVIL TO PAY, book four. Blaze is my favorite hero of all time from Sofie Darling. I love his devilish and infectious personality. He made the story so much fun to read! What I adore the most about Blaze is his innate nobility. He looks after (and gifts) the few people he lets into his heart. Blaze also gives back to the less fortunate. He is the total opposite of his father.

Viveca is a woman who knows her own mind. She does not let the differences in statuses dictate who to let into her life. If something interests her, she pursues it. I love how Viveca is not impressed or infatuated with the ton’s amusements. She finds them tiresome and a complete waste of her time. She rather do something more meaningful or purposeful.

A LADY’S ROGUE TO RUIN is the sixth book in Sofie Darling’s historical romance series, ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND RACING. It is best to read this series in proper order. Characters from the prior books make appearances and/or mentioned throughout the story. Two years have passed since the great horse race that the previous six novels covered. It is nice to see how the couples from the previous book continue with their lives, having children, etc. I have a suspicion that Saskia Calthorp and Liam Cassidy – the brother of Gemma from book one, ODDS ON HE RAKE – will be the next pairing. And I fear their book will end the series.

I do have one nitpick. And the reason why I did not give this book a five-star rating, even though I devoured it in two days. I kind of expected some form of confrontation between Blaze and his lech of a father. I really wanted to see Blaze put his father through the wringer for his past deeds (to him, his mom, and Bea). But nada. I felt disappointed and let down.

 

Review: H.L. Dawson's "Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro

 

EMIKA AND THE SEKAI NO KAMI NO KOKORO
Fantasy / Fantasy Romance

 

 

AUTHOR:
H.L. Dawson

RELEASE DATE:
July 21, 2025

PUBLISHER:
---------

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798264221293

RATING:
2 (DNF)

 

 

Emika is a Reitsumeyoke – dispeller of twisted warped gods called sugami. When the voice of the mountain god falls silent, and the sugami threat rises, she must search for his secret shrine. Emika’s only companion is Mu, a minor god burdened by a curse.

The story takes place in a fantasy, Japanese-style world. A big thing that perked my interest. However, I struggled to get into the story and connect with the characters. I think if the author toned down on the prose and terminology geared to that world, the story would have flowed better for me. Yeah, she offered a glossary – which helped – at the beginning. It just felt like every other paragraph had such words. That got too repetitive and off-putting for my tastes.

Sadly, I “DNF” this book. This is rare for me. It usually takes me two to four days to finish a book. In two weeks, I managed to read 23%. I am pragmatic enough to know when to call it quits on something that holds no interest.

As a fellow anime lover, I can see the Inuasha and Noragami influence. I am a huge fan of the former anime (I have the Sesshomaru plushies to prove it!). Emika reminded me somewhat of Kikyo – the being bound to spiritual duty to the people of their village.

What I did like is the illustrations on each new chapter page.