This was precious and heartbreaking and beautiful and sad and happy and real all at once. Amazingly written, the story is one that lives within you, wThis was precious and heartbreaking and beautiful and sad and happy and real all at once. Amazingly written, the story is one that lives within you, with every new page.
“We turn memories into stories, and if we don’t, we lose them. If the stories are gone, then the people are gone too.”
Genre: historical romance, historical fiction Tropes: different social classes, high born lady Series: Roguish Gentlemen #1 Cliffhanger: No Trigger WGenre: historical romance, historical fiction Tropes: different social classes, high born lady Series: Roguish Gentlemen #1 Cliffhanger: No Trigger Warnings: murder (mentioned) Set in the same world as: Imperious Lords series, Inevitable Love series, Ladies and Strays Rating: 4 ⭐ Spice: 2/5 ...more
“I’ve already instructed the others to keep their mouths shut.” “Even Hyacinth?” Penelope asked doubtfully. “Especially Hyacinth.” “Did you bribe her?” V“I’ve already instructed the others to keep their mouths shut.” “Even Hyacinth?” Penelope asked doubtfully. “Especially Hyacinth.” “Did you bribe her?” Violet asked. “Because it won’t work unless you bribe her.” “Good Lord,” Colin muttered. “One would think I’d joined this family yesterday. Of course I bribed her.” He turned to Penelope. “No offense to recent additions.”
This Second Epilogue was extremely fun. It was focused on Eloise's wedding and the way Colin and Penelope were going to inform her about Lady Whistledown's identity. I loved how it showed the beautiful bond between the two friends but also the lovely life and mischief that the Bridgerton family brings.
“Who would have thought we’d marry within months of each other?” Penelope mused. “Weren’t we meant to be old crones together?” “We can still be old crones,” Eloise replied gaily. “We shall simply be married old crones.” “It will be grand.” “Magnificent!” “Stupendous!” “We shall be leaders of crone fashion!”
It was sweet and funny, definitely worth reading for a little insight but, I think I should've read Eloise's book before this Epilogue....more
“Oh, my. Maybe we should do something.” “They’re not on the ground yet.” “Benedict!” “Normally I’d say to call the priest,” he remarked, “except that see“Oh, my. Maybe we should do something.” “They’re not on the ground yet.” “Benedict!” “Normally I’d say to call the priest,” he remarked, “except that seems to be what got us into this mess in the first place.”
The Second Epilogue gives Posey a chance at happiness, the story following her on a visit at Sophie and Benedict's country home. Here, Sophie is determined to find a match for her sister and, having been charmed by the smile of the new vicar, she had decided to arrange a meeting between the two of them.
“And he doesn’t even look at my bosom!” “Posy!” “It’s my only good feature.”
It was fun, but short. I was happy to see Posey finding some happiness and I guess it was also nice to see a glimpse of the future Benedict and Sophie have together....more
“I’m very clever,” Colin confirmed. “He bribed the housemaid,” Kate grumbled. “You bribed my valet,” Anthony pointed out. “So did you!” “I bribed no one,”“I’m very clever,” Colin confirmed. “He bribed the housemaid,” Kate grumbled. “You bribed my valet,” Anthony pointed out. “So did you!” “I bribed no one,” Simon said, to no one in particular. Daphne patted his arm condescendingly. “You were not born to this family.”
The second Epilogue shows a new game of Pall Mall between Kate, Anthony, Daphne, Simon, Colin and Edwina, 15 years into the marriage between Anthony and Kate. It's definitely fun and sweet, bursting with the spirit of teasing and sabotage that this game requires in the Bridgerton family.
“Stop looking like you’re enjoying this,” he ground out. “Ah, but that would be a lie, and it’s a sin to lie to one’s husband.”...more
Genre: historical romance Tropes: revenge, different social classes Series: Ladies and Strays #3 Cliffhanger: No Trigger Warnings: rape (mentioned),Genre: historical romance Tropes: revenge, different social classes Series: Ladies and Strays #3 Cliffhanger: No Trigger Warnings: rape (mentioned), attempted abduction Set in the same world as: Imperious Lords series, Inevitable Love series Rating: 3.75 ⭐ Spice: 2.5/5 ...more
"As I tried to tell you before, it was not he who asked me to find you." "Who, then?" "Someone who found it amusing to send Lord Sterling in pursuit of "As I tried to tell you before, it was not he who asked me to find you." "Who, then?" "Someone who found it amusing to send Lord Sterling in pursuit of Lady Sterling."
Genre: historical romance Tropes: reluctant allies, one bed, fake marriage, forced proximity Series: Love and Let Spy #3 (can be enjoyed as a stand-alone) Cliffhanger: No Spice: 2/5 Rating: 4.5 ⭐
I have received an ARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.
"Outrageousness can itself be a distraction."
This book was a delight! I couldn't put it down and I'm really looking forward to read the rest of the series! It was a definite page-turner and I enjoyed every second of it. It's the first time I'm trying something from this author and, even though Better Off Wed is #3 in a series, it was a great stand-alone that made me want to read the previous two books as well. And I'll definitely pick up future works signed by Susanna Craig.
》》The Plot《《
Laura Hopkins is a young lady who, assuming the alias of Lady Sterling, has decided to avenge the girls who have been mistreated or compromised by their employers. Even though some may call it theft and blackmail, Laura considers it the least bit of justice those girls deserve.
Captain Jeremy Addison, ex army and current spy for the Crown is surprised when his superior delegates him to find the notorious Lady Sterling and persuade her to lend her abilities as a spy for the Crown as well. Especially since the reason he was chosen for this job was his viscount title: Lord Sterling.
So when the two of them meet and are forced to pose as newlyweds, thing get interesting. Forming unexpected alliances, spying, playing chess, sharing one bed and being in a constant state of admiration and distrust are just the tip of the iceberg.
"It sounds like the plot of one of those ridiculous plays Aunt Mildred and Julia adore." "It sounds like a happy ending."
I loved this waaaay more than I was anticipating and I thought it had the perfect balance of romance and mystery. It was fast-paced, but the relationship between Laura and Jeremy wasn't rushed, as it was developed marvelously and in such a way that it wasn't only enviable, but also believable.
"Stab him, you mean?" "Yes, indeed." "Good heavens! Where?" "In whatever soft spot he is ungentelmanly enough to expose to you."
The side characters were also pretty well portrayed and the general feeling of authenticity was a great plus. There were lots of great scenes, like the moment they had to start playing newlyweds, discovering the peculiar set of chess or unexpectedly being poked by a book while kissing, the dialogs were always smart and enjoyable and the ending was fulfilling and nice.
"I am not sure whether to be proud or scandalized." "Be both."
Genre: historical romance Trope: class difference, childhood friend, forbidden love Series"I am not sure whether to be proud or scandalized." "Be both."
Genre: historical romance Trope: class difference, childhood friend, forbidden love Series: Sinful Wallflowers #3 (can be read as a stand-alone) Cliffhanger: No Spice: 1.5/5 ...more
“Listen to me, my deadly little pearl. Choose love. Always choose love. If the decision is between love and anything else, choose love.”
This was an e“Listen to me, my deadly little pearl. Choose love. Always choose love. If the decision is between love and anything else, choose love.”
This was an extremely enjoyable and catchy novel, with a strong and spirited female MC, romance, a bit of spice and some paranormal touches. It's the first book I've tried from Gail Carriger and it most definitely didn't disappoint.
From what I was able to gather, this book belongs to her Parasol Protectorate universe and, before starting Poison or Protect, the first book in the The Delightfully Deadly series (stand-alone romance novellas), it is advisable to read The Finishing School series, as it takes place beforehand and describes the world better. However, I enjoyed this one without having read the prequel, since Poison or Protect can be viewed as a stand-alone.
"Always inspire ardor or terror – it matters not which, for in society, they share the same sauce."
》》The Plot《《
The notorious lady Preshea Villentia is invited to a house party in the countryside, outside of London, and hired for two jobs: protect the Duke and prevent his first-born daughter from marrying Mr Jackson. Captain Gavin Ruthven, accompanying the upmentioned Mr Jackson, finds himself at the same house party with one mission: stop any assassination attempts on the Duke's life. Unfortunately, his main suspect is the unreasonably beautiful lady Villentia whose reputation precedes her.
“Are all the stories about you true, Lady Villentia?” She frowned. “All the ones that matter, I suppose. Why? Are you curious about anything in particular? Like most ladies, I dearly love to talk about myself.” “They say you’ve a poison you spread on your lips. That to kiss you would be deadly.” “What rot – how could I keep from poisoning myself?” “I would take the risk, even if it were true.”
》》Characters and Relationships 《《
The characters here reminded me a bit of Amanda Quick's novels: also historical steampunk romances, with females who knew what they wanted and refused to bow to the rules of society. I used to devour those in high-school, long before I've discovered GoodReads and I'm happy to see I can still enjoy this sort of writing.
▪️Lady Preshea Villentia
"Lady Preshea Villentia. The Mourning Star. Widowed too many times under suspicious circumstances, too smart to be caught, and too beautiful to be ostracized. She was like opiates – expensive, intoxicating, and deadly in large doses."
Trained as an assassin, extremely beautiful and definitely deadly, Preshea proved a very enjoyable MC.
▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven
"He smells like Christmas – fresh pine boughs and spices. What right has a man to smell so good?"
I swear he's a Hufflepuff. He's a huge Scottish cinnamonroll, tender but also a very well trained soldier.
▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven and Lady Preshea Villentia
“Lass, I want this clear – I’d apply for the position of fifth husband, if you’d permit.” “Oh, yes? Here I thought you desired a long and happy life.” “Aye, lass, but I’d as soon a shorter one with you than a longer one without.”
I enjoyed their banter a lot, as well as the way they were completing each other. Clearly a good match, a relationship that was very easy to follow and even easier to get fond of. One of my favorite moments with them was definitely their teasing the first time they were shown their rooms, on opposite sides of the same hallway, closely followed by them being interrupted by the ghost of Connie.
“You are very beautiful.” “I know.” “But, I’m thinking, damaged?” Preshea smiled. “Better to say deadly.”
While I didn't really hold my breath while reading it, there was little to none character development and I can't say it's one of those really great love stories that inspire hope, it's definitely worth reading when you're looking for some historical steampunk romance with quick wits, enjoyable figures and a happy ending. I'm not in love with it, but I did like it and, therefore, encourage you to give it a shot.
“You are so verra bonnie.” His voice was roughened by need. She opened her mouth to say something flippant, but… “Aye, you know it weel. But you dinna know it from me.”...more
I wasn't sure at first how many stars to rate this book. Truth be told, I started reading it after finishing the Netflix TV series based on it and I wI wasn't sure at first how many stars to rate this book. Truth be told, I started reading it after finishing the Netflix TV series based on it and I was partially disappointed because I kept expecting more. However, I was delighted and amused by the dialog and the characters' remarks and wits. It was easy to read and it reminded me a lot of the books from Amanda Quick. Did I like it? Yes. Will I re-read it? Probably no. But would I recommend it to anyone? If you want a funny and romantic happy-ending, this is a great choice....more
Redhead Haze
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