Penelope Blue is a jewel thief married to a federal agent. A sexy federal agent who probably most definitely knows she's a jewel thief, but who probably doesn't know that she knows he knows, right?

This is a delightfully unique romance story, told in alternating times (past and present), to show how Penelope came to marry FBI Agent Grant Emerson, her nemesis, and how she came to realize she does in fact love the big, beautiful, intelligent man who may actually be her perfect match after all.

The story was slightly reminiscent of Mr. and Mrs. Smith and I especially enjoyed the witty, funny, and clever cat and mouse game between Penelope and Grant, two people at the prime of their game who fall in love with each other because of their strengths, not their differences.

What I only wish this had was a bit more on-page sexy times, as this is decidedly closed doors. That said, there is tension FOR DAYS, and despite being fairly light on overt sexual acts, I found myself quite turned on by the story.

I don't usually enjoy romances that carry the main story ARC over multiple books, but I think I'll make an exception for this one because it was so much fun.

Jack Reynolds, a lonely, lowly Yorkshire carpenter, discovers he's actually the heir to an earldom. He was given away as baby, as his mother feared his different colored eyes and his ungainly limp. When the only other viable candidate to take over the earldom dies, his family decides to bring him back into the fold.

Jack is ecstatic to join London society, especially since he's very eager to lose his virginity! He'd love to have a wife, raise a family, and he's hoping his title will now make him attractive to someone, anyone.

Alas, a terrible carriage accident lands Jack into a mild coma, from which he emerges a bit at a loss for why he was on the road at all. What he does remember is that he's a nothing from nowhere, a virgin, and he's madly attracted to his rescuer, the beautiful "wicked widow" Rosalin Nelson, "sex-therapist" to the ton.

For Rosalind, the beautiful man she helped nurse back to health is the greatest temptation she's ever had. She has a career helping the aristocracy have better sex lives, but her's isn't much to write home about. Rosalind may break her own rules to help Jack lose his virginity and he may just be her perfect match.

As their bond grows, the only threat to their happiness turns out to be Jack's memory.

A delightful little novella, with a hint to Christmas magic. I always love a good virgin-hero story, and this one is great!

Free copy received in exchange for a fair review!

Lord Stephen Hornsby is going blind, but before he does he's determined to enjoy all of life's best sights. He's especially keen on watching Lady Penelope Fisherton in the throes of passion, passion he knows he can give to her.

Penelope agrees to allow Stephen to try and seduce her, if he'll help clear her name of her terrible, abusive husband's death. She needs someone with good standing in society by her side, as her former brother-in-law is determined to prove she pushed her husband off that cliff. If found guilty, she will lose everything.

What follows is a suspenseful romance with very dark themes. Content warnings for mentions of off-page spousal abuse, physical abuse, pedophilia, rape, and sex trafficking.

From the description, I wasn't fully aware of how much the central mystery of the story would be, and I felt to the detriment of developing the relationship between Penelope and Stephen. I wanted more time with them on-page and not in bed. I also do not like stories where the woman convinces the man that he truly wants babies, when it is clear from the beginning he does not.

As for Stephen's "blindness," I wish he had in fact gone blind. Or that Penelope could not in fact have children (six years married and not one pregnancy?). But, fans of this author will find much to enjoy here

Free copy received in exchange for a fair review!

The Rook has existed on the edges of Byrne's Victorian Rebels series, and we finally have his book!

Lorelei is the only reason the man now known as the Rook has breath in his lungs. She found his brutally beaten, burned, and damaged carcass in a mass grave. She didn't give up on him, much like her menagerie of animals she's also nursed back to health. She fell in love with him, but knew she with her limp and her wicked brother would never be able to be with the man she only knew as Ash, the man with no memory and the damaged dragon tattoo.

So even though she gave him her heart and despite his promise he would always come for her, Lorelei wasn't surprised when her brother told her "Ash" had left.

Eight years later, Lorelei is on the verge being forced by her brother to wed an old lecher but is on the way to the church the Rook murders her brother and kidnaps her and her sister-in-law. And the Rook is Ash.

The Rook has finally come, like he promised, but the boy she knew and loved is now a soulless pirate. Or so he claims.

What follows is a beautifully tempestuous romance where a gentle soul brings back from the gates of hell a damaged man who does indeed still have a chance to find his HEA. Also, pirates and treasure! And kittens.

I love Troy and Ruby, so I was so happy to discover they have another story! Ruby risks her relationship with Troy to help her father one last time. We also discover there may be more of a connection between Ruby and her best friend Bowen. Hot and steamy, a perfect novella.

Free copy received in exchange for a fair review!


Despite being jilted at her own Christmas wedding barely a year ago, Ava finds herself preparing to walk down the aisle again this holiday season. Yes, it is for her brother and he's wonderful fiancee, but Ava is still not thrilled she'll again be the center of attention. Pitied.

Even worse it appears her first crush, the man who she was caught kissing as a young woman, her brother's best friend, is also back in Capetown for the wedding, something she finds out when he rescues her cat from the wildfire threatening her house and neighborhood. Great.

Noah, photojournalist and world wanderer, has finally decided to settle back down at home and try to rekindle is relationship with his father. He cut Ava out of his life after his best friend caught them kissing and warned him to stay away, but now that he's with her again, he can't help but wonder what if.

As the holiday magic of Capetown surrounds these two childhood sweethearts, maybe a Christmas miracle can bring them back together, this time for good.

Basically forgettable for me. I listened to the whole story, but felt pretty meh about it. The heroine is a sheltered daughter of a mobster who is suddenly launched out into the "real world" when her crime boss father is under investigation and she needs to be out of the way.

A series of fortunate events and kind strangers, along with white privilege, land her in the arms of a hot, alpha tattoo artist with a shop on Bourbon Street, New Orleans who gets her on her feet and is always there to pick her up before she hits the ground.

Bishop has never settled for anyone before, but of course his "cupcake" is the one to change it all for him. Uh, huh. I can't even remember her name.

I did appreciate that there were a few times the heroine called Bishop out for his behavior. The narrators were good, so at least there was that.

Well, that ended abruptly! I wasn't aware that I needed to jump on parts 2 & 3 while they were still available as free excerpts, but now I can't find them anywhere on eBook *sobs*. It appears the only way I can finish this short story is by purchasing a $4.99 audiobook. BOO.

Other than that, I loved this glimpse into the lead up of Anne and Danny's first hookup, alluded to in the beginning of Consumed (a book I adored).

So adorable and a wonderful prequel novella to the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series. What I love best about this series is the how Holiday presents a group of girlfriends who support each other, despite their quirks, and how each of them have real struggles and strengths.

So, while Elise is the "bridezilla" of One and Only, she isn't a caricature. Yes, she's a bride bent on having the perfect Pinterest day, but she is also a person who fell in love with a wonderful guy. So, getting to see Elise and Jay fall in love was just wonderful, sappy, and steamy.

Elise is 30, with a new interior design business, and she needs to start getting big clients right away. So, when a large investment firm asks for an interview, she's ready to make her case.

Jay Smith, 37, is ready to hire Elise as soon as she hotly criticizes his beige reception area. The only little tiny problem is that Jay realizes that not only is Elise talented and passionate about her job, she's absolutely beautiful and captivating.

While sparks fly, Jay vows to keep things professional. As the job nears to a close, they both can no longer ignore their chemistry.

For a novella, there is some lovely slow-burn moments leading to huge, big fireworks, and some very realistic issues the characters need to contend with. I absolutely adored the portrayal of consent in this story, as Elise and Jay figure out that Jay may be mild-mannered and predictable in the office, but is a definite boss in the bedroom. Also, it was great to see menstruation spoke about in a romance novel, something that rarely happens. Elise has endometriosis, leading to some major plot points I won't spoil here.

Read this book, read the series, and pre-order Jay & Elise's upcoming holiday novella now!

Elise Maxwell thought she'd never get pregnant. She was told her often crippling endometriosis would mean it was next to impossible and her husband Jay never wanted kids any way.

Well, as the holidays approach is pretty clear that Elise and Jay's active sex life has defied the odds, and Elise is definitely pregnant. And she definitely wants the baby. And she's definitely terrified that Jay will NOT be happy or want the baby.

Miscommunication and fear make this holiday romance novella a bit of nail biter, but by the end you'll be weeping with joy and happiness for Elise and Jay and chomping at the bit for the next Bridesmaids Behaving Badly title by Jenny Holiday.