"Captain Trevillion was stepping down awkwardly. He was in severe black and rather resembled an ill-tempered crow."

Worth the read just for this line about my favorite grumpy Captain. Also nice to see many characters/couples enjoy the holidays. Artemis gets a smooch from Maximillian and her emeralds back too.

I was bored and Mateo's "inner voice" Alpha was squicking me out a bit.

So, romance reader confession, this is my first Courtney Milan *ducks and hides*. I haven't read her work not for a lack of wanting to, I was just waiting for the right time, and that time is now!

This started a little slow for me, I was concerned that the Hugo was the Duke's right hand man, seeking to make sure the Duke would be able to get his Duchess back, no matter if that meant the "problem" of Serena needed to go away. This concern was quickly dissolved when Hugo and Serena began exchanging their barbed letters, and from there I was sold and devoured this novella in a sitting.

CW rape (off page, in the past), discussion of "not forced" vs. "forced" sex, physical violence

There are so many great scenes and quotes, from the letter exchange, to Hugo just being so enchanted by Serena's dogged perseverance and snarky responses, to the "he's safe" feelings Hugo inspires. Sigh. There's a great discussion of what it means to consent to sex, and that despite "letting" the Duke have sex with her that Serena did not have any power and it was in fact forced.

Serena's pregnancy is handled extraordinarily and Hugo is just a peach. Of course he had to go through his little song and dance about not wanting a "real marriage" and that he was a nobody with nothing to offer (EXCEPT HIS MUSCLES AND HIS LOYALTY AND HIS OBVIOUS LOVE YOU DOPE), but I knew it would be okay!

Also, Milan understands the female gaze. I adored the hairpin scene, when Hugo uses Serena's hairpins to allow her to consummate their marriage. She has all the power and control, and it is sexy consensual sex and so good.

Anyway this is mostly incoherent but I loved it can you tell? Go read it all!

I've been waiting for this book for so long, and I don't think it could have come at a more perfect (or needed) time. Allie Brosh opened my eyes with [b:Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened|17571564|Hyperbole and a Half Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened|Allie Brosh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1409522492l/17571564._SY75_.jpg|24510592] so many years ago, and while this tome is definitely tinged with more darkness, it a worthy successor.

Now that I'm a mother to two of my own impetuous children who, while not probably quite on the "Richard" level of creepy, definitely give me a run for my money and sanity a lot of the days. Seeing an adult unpack their childhood in this way really helps me be a better parent to them. We'll all be okay I hope.

I'm so glad I bought this for my keeper shelf. I'll be returning to it often.

Not working for me at all. There's too much "you can't touch my sister/daughter" stuff going on, and it is very insta-lust. The heroine was 12 last she saw the hero, and he is instantly kissing her face the moment he re-meets her (doesn't recognize her even though she's working in her family's bakery and he was best friend with her brother). The couple isn't talking as much as I'd like, and she's desperate to have him have sex with her without explaining to her family she's an adult and can do what she wants.

If you think in the year of our lord 2020 I'm going to want to read about a Nice White Lady liberal who realizes the rich, conservative is her perfect match you have another thing coming. Awww, isn't it sweet how he rolls his sleeves up to his forearms while forcing Americans to go out and vote during a pandemic?

No.

Gilded Age USA setting. A plucky perfume salesperson convinces starchy banker to pretend to be her husband leading to forced-proximity and only-one-bed on a TRAIN. A delightful novella.

I am a huge fan of the Walsh series by Kate Canterbary, but this spin-off series of novellas so far has been okay. Orientation features a burly gym teacher instantly falling for the new, uptight science teacher, and the time hopping forward kept making me feel like I was missing out on parts of the romance I wanted to know.

A short, quick read fine for fans of the Walsh-a-verse.

CW: parental death (in the past), cheating (in the past, not of between love interests), angst

I rounded up my initial review, and I had honestly totally forgotten I had read this! In my defense I was about ready to pop with my second kid at the time and it was four years ago when I wasn't reading as much romance as I have now.

That said, I had a rollicking good time rediscovering this classic, a romance that I've been told blooded many of my mutuals on twitter.

I did a live tweet which you can find here: #bBride20

"You've done the impossible, love. You've actually united our clans.
"You've made Andrew a very rich man."
"No, Jamie. I'm much richer. I have you."

my poor dead soul is REVIVED. #bBride20

I read this book because of [a:Sarah MacLean|1598076|Sarah MacLean|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1499444204p2/1598076.jpg]'s Read More Romance book list, which I highly recommend checking out!

Set in 1100's Scotland, Laird Alec Kincaid is forced to choose an English bride from a bevy of sisters. The father tries to hide beautiful Jamie (his favorite), but Alec discovers her and chooses her anyway, despite her clear disdain for the Scottish "barbarians" and her opinionated ways. Jamie is none too thrilled with the marriage because it is rumored that Alec's previous wife either committed suicide, or was murdered. To no one's surprise, they both fall for the other, but circumstances may cause harm to their relationship, or to Jamie herself.

I enjoyed reading this book, but you can tell it is a bit "older" than my normal choices. Jamie is a strong heroine, but there was still a lot of "Oh no, don't do that but of course I really mean yes" moments. Still, there were some fun moments.

Spoiler alert (I am terrible I know), I'm pals with the author on Twitter and she was a panelist at the library virtual program I hosted this year, so I am a bit biased in this review. Others have also written better, more thorough reviews so please check them out!

But, for real, Spoiler Alert is a truly magnificent romance. You'll get weepy from the author's dedication and throughout, at times laughing through some misty tears and then swooning too. Dade writes such wonderfully sincere and sensitive characters, and April and Marcus are some of her best.

I'm charmed and delighted every time I imagine Marcus writing his fanfic, and mooning over his internet best friend. I'm but a casual observer of the fic communities, but this book both rewards the deeply invested fans and those like me who may be ready to jump in after reading this romance.

Plus, the secondary characters! I am so ready to hear more stories (ALEX) from these background baes.

Funny, tender, and wonderfully romantic, I loved this book so much.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!