Tessa Dares A Night to Surrender was a very pleasant read! It’s the first in her spindle cove series of 5 books.

I didn’t have high expectations for this book because I haven’t heard much talk about it, it’s always A Week to be Wicked, Do You Want to Start a Scandal and Any Duchess Will Do that I hear praise for. It took a bit for the book to pick up for me but I ended up enjoying it. It’s definitely not my favorite in the series but it was funny, sweet, and sexy.

Bramwell, or Bram, is our hero who comes to spindle cove to set up a militia after being discharged from service for being shot in the leg.

Susanna is our fiery haired, freckled and bossy heroine. She has gathered all of her injured ducklings in spindle cove and has created a society where they can truly heal.

I will say both MC had some personality traits that just made them not my favorite characters. But they still ended up being likeable. Especially about 1/2 through the book when you got to know them a bit better.

This book has humor, some action, a few scenes with Miranda and Colin, which are just adorable. I can’t believe I’m saying that either because it’s usually a pet peeve of mine (that I really really do need to try to get over) when other characters butt their way into the story. Perhaps it was better because I’ve already read their story so I was like awwww instead of foaming at the mouth 😂

This story also spent some time setting up spindle cove. After reading this I can clearly picture it and the villages inhabitants. I don’t think I’d reread this story but I’m glad I have read it. I will have to see if I can find book 3

3.5/4 stars

Betsy Wilde just wanted friends when she was younger. Sent off the school, she quickly realized what mattered would be marrying on the highest tiers of the ton, a Duke. The beginning of the book takes place with her ready to secure that proposal.

Jeremy, a recovering war veteran, has been lurking around Lindow Castle for awhile. He especially adores lurking around the billiards room, whether or not he likes to admit it's because that's where Betsy spends her time. He does suffer from episodes of PTSD as well as immense guilt from his time fighting the Revolutionary War.

So, I didn't hate this book. But I didn't LOVE it either. Its got a lot going for it, I think there's plenty of people who would enjoy this story. Its fun, a bit silly, some of it had me laughing out loud. It's a cute, sweet love story with a slow burn, building layer after layer of a relationship. The steam was on the lower end to me. There's a handful of scenes all squished together at the end. A few kisses before that. To me, the story was more about them getting to know each other and the whole life at the castle. There's some absolutely adorable scenes in here. I LOVE when the title/cover actually ties in to the book, and this fits here. When Jeremy keeps telling Betsy “Say no to the duke!” It just melts my heart a bit each time. Really cute love story here.

My absolute favorite parts of the this book were any scene with Aunt Knowe. She is hilarious. She needs her own book, or novella. Seriously I would read about that hilarious old lady. Love her.

Things that just dropped the stars for me...was that I got bored. The steam was lower, the tension was there a bit then would fade, then it kind of came back, but it was never really strong and building like I enjoy.

As far as the series, I think this one probably felt similar to me to the first book, Wilde in Love #1, though I liked that one a bit more. I didn't like Too Wilde to Wed #2. The heroine just bothered me immensely and ended up ruining that book for me. I did like Borne to Be Wilde #3, probably about the same as Wilde in Love #1. I'm not sure what one my favorite in the series is so far, maybe #1, but I doubt any of them will be rereads for me.

I'm excited for Viola's book. She was cute in this story and I'm excited for her to come in to her own. And I like the play on the title, Say Yes to the Duke for #5

Loved this book! It gave some great ideas to make sure my son is getting what he needs from his speech pathologist. It covered a few types of therapy that I was curious about learning more about (like PROMPT), and also suggested Easy Does It for Apraxia, which I bought and plan on implementing at home. We've also started some plant based omega 3s to see if they help my son at all. I highly recommend if you child has a speech impediment at all.

Thorvald is indebted to the jarl. He keeps a secret of Thorvald's that he would prefer never sees the light of day. Thorvald is his best warrior so when the jarl decides he needs his enemy's daughter for the perfect revenge, he sends Thorvald to take the princess.

Alodie loves and happily serves her princess. To protect her, she suggests impersonating her for negotiations, though she never dreams they would dare kidnap the princess.

I think you might like this story if you enjoy:
-enemies to lovers trope
-kidnapping trope
-Viking time period (700s)

I thought this story was okay. It isn't anything that I wanted to stay up all night and read, but it wasn't bad. There were some funny parts. I think it was just missing something for me. Maybe a bit of that tension? I think I wanted more from Thorvald. Maybe I expect for from a Viking, I just wanted more...assertiveness? He came off rather weak through much of the book because of the jarl's power over him. It wasn't bad though. I also disliked that the heroine wasn't a virgin. Just a personal preference. I also didn't love that Alodie called them demons non stop. It's in there like 150 times, a bit much. This book just didn't make me feel much. I didn't feel Thorvald's big secret was enough to make him act the way he did.

Safety warning: sexual assault of heroine's mother

I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kate comes from a family of smugglers and has learned a plethora of medical skills. Now a competent surgeon, she is asked to teach at Haverhall School for Young Ladies.

Harland is a Baron and also a doctor. He is involved in smuggling to save his family and has the perfect cover between his doctor calls and titled privileges.

This book has quite a bit of action. I liked that it was rather different than the usual historical read. However, I thought the heroine was quite rude and aggressive with the hero through the first quarter of the book. Nothing about her personality was welcoming or engaging. Yet, at not even a quarter through the book, the hero was smitten with her. I just didn’t get it. It felt like insta love with nothing concrete to back it up. Then a few pages later he admits he’s besotted. This lowered the star rating for me because it didn’t feel the relationship grow into this. That’s what I love about romance is that tension build up and I felt like this book missed it.

I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rachael Miles is a new author to me! Unfortunately I wasn't in love with this book.

Lena has been abandoned by her partner close to the opening of her artistic panorama. Workers have begun to go missing, and all that was left for her was a note telling her to "RUN".

Clive is a surgeon, promising to solve the murders of 6 men to date.

They meet when Lena meets a friend of a friend and begins painting lessons with her daughter.

This book, I think a lot of people would like. If you enjoy a mystery aspect especially, this plot just keeps on going with that.

For me, I just found the romance so boring. The book itself isn't boring, but I read romance for the romance. 20% in they had barely had a conversation. One that lasted only a few moments. Just a snoozefest to me.

It does start to pick up a bit after that. But I read past 50% and just gave up. I feel like this story is much more murder/mystery with a hint of romance versus romance with a hint of mystery to drive the plot along. So not for me, sadly.

I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a book from 1991 that is being rereleased to ebook version. It takes place during the reign of Elizabeth, mostly at her court and a small bit in Sweden.

Rugar has come to the English court as an ambassador for Sweden, but he comes bearing a grudge. Corinna has been sheltered and protected her whole life. She is invited to Elizabeth's court to be one of her maids of honor and they meet.

So this book. Well, there was a lot I really liked about it! And yet, a lot that bothered me. I think you should try this book if you are interesting in reading about a different time period. Seeing the court during Elizabeth's reign was fun, different. Betina Krahn did a great job of pulling me into that world, experiencing the fun and drama of court life as it could have been. If you like a busy plot you might like this. If you want to read about Elizabeth and her reign, you would probably like this too. The queen is in this book a lot and interfering in their relationship.

There's a bit of tension, a few kisses, a few scenes. I wouldn't say it's overly steamy, but its not clean. Middle of the road.

Thing things I didn't like about this book was it felt like it was all shenanigans. There was always SOMETHING going on. It never seemed to be just about the two of them. Someone was always being abducted or manipulated and just non stop drama. I felt like the book was half about the queen and half about their relationship. The other thing that bothered me was that Rugar was actively attempting to get with other women after he met and liked Corinna. Nothing ends up happening and he was always thinking about driving her out of his head, but it still bothered me. It only lasts a chapter or so, but still.

Anyone else try Betina Krahn? I don't think I've ever heard her talked about. I would definitely try another one of her novels though

I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A new author for me! This books is 2nd in the Clan Kendrick series.

Donella is being cast out of the convent, the nuns saying she just doesn't have what it takes. Our hero Logan is the one to escort her back to her family. This couple gets roped into all sorts of scenarios together. You might like it if you like action, lots of characters, and/or Scottish romance. If you've read this author prior and have enjoyed, I'm guessing you would enjoy this as well.

Me, however. I was not a fan. I am abandoning this book at 55%. I feel nothing but annoyance. I don't care about the people, I'm overwhelmed by the large cast of characters, there's no tension to me and too many other things that have yet to be addressed or resolved for me to hope I will come to care for them in the last 45%.

I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.



***EXTREME SPOILERS***
***THE NITTY GRITTY OF MY DISLIKES***

Spoiler

As soon as they meet, they snip at and are snide to each other. There's no reason for this animosity other than they are just rude, unlikeable people. The beginning of this book seemed just so negative, and using language like 'moron' repeatedly, that I looked up some words. The book uses 'moron' 10 times, some form of 'idiot' 40 times, some form of “annoy” is 34 times, and some form of 'hate' 29 times. It was just unpleasant for me to read. Literally her first words to Logan are “Excuse me, are you going to stand there gaping at me all afternoon? Will I have to go down to the inn and fetch the carriage myself?” Not being given any back ground about why she is exactly leaving the convent or her past history it just makes her come off to me as someone I wouldn't want to be around. It continues non stop. He's annoyed with her. She's annoyed with him. I can't stand either of them. Another lovely Donella line, “I will pray that you keep your blasted mouth shut.” Yes, yes let's ALL do that, please?

As Logan and Donella finally get a carriage on the road to her Uncle's, they are held up and an abduction of Donella is attempted. Donella obviously knows something about this, why this is happening, but the reader is left in the dark along with Logan. When Logan questions her, she repeatedly blows him off and gets rude.

They get to an inn, and it just gets weird. The innkeeper is acting weird, they go to bed, the innkeeper locks Donella in her room. The innkeepers wife lets them out. You do find out a bit more about the whole abduction reasoning, but not much. You find out Donella was locked in her room so a second abduction attempt could take place. This part irritated me because Donella and Logan sat with the innkeepers wife and discussed plenty of information and plans...with the wife of the person who attempted to kidnap you?! Really. Logan is concerned about the kidnapping attempts....obviously. Donella thinks “Blast. Why couldn't he let it go?” Why can't he let it go? People are shooting at him. Chasing him. You are screaming you're locked in your room. Just let it go Logan, geez must you be so high strung?

They go to another inn. Ruffians follow them there and they must run again! The plot is just non stop shenanigans. At least with all the running, the snapping at each other has taken a back seat. They go to some cottage, where he carries her in. She has an injured foot from wearing too large of boots. Another Donella thought - “She found herself irritated that he seemed more worried about her family's possible wrath than he was about her condition”

WHAT?! Literally all these words came out of Logan's mouth in the few pages prior:

“I'm worried about that limp.”
“Sit down and take off your boot.”
“You don't have to prove your mettle to me, it's foolish for you to suffer if there's something I can do about it.”
“Take your damn boot off. I will not have you suffering”

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. This lady is delusional. Did she not hear any of that? Oh, well. They spend the night together in the cabin, snuggling up for warmth.

Alasdair, Donella's cousin, arrives in the morning to help and catches the two together in bed. Talks abound about marriage to repair the damage done to Donella's reputation but she says she will be going to another convent soon.

Logan goes home to his family and we have 2 whole chapters about utter nonsense. Endless characters are introduced. Endless things are talked about that have already happened, many must have their own stories already I'm guessing by the mini backgrounds given about...everyone! It felt like I was reading an epilogue for a different book that I haven't read yet. Perhaps this part would be enjoyable if you've kept up with all of her work. Then the same thing happens with Donella's next chapter, although it was a bit more plot driven. Still 3 chapters to say that she will visiting the Kendricks and it was an extremely boring 3 chapters.

I just don't care anymore. The rest could be good. Hopefully everyone else loved it, but this book was not for me. If I try this author again, I will start at the beginning of a series to hopefully cut down on the previous character talk.

Contracted As His Countess by Louise Allen
Secrets of a Victoria Household #3

2 stars

Madelyn has been raised in a different century. Well, not really, but because of her father's obsession with medieval castles she has a lived a sheltered lifestyle of a few hundred years earlier. Her father's dying wish was for her to wed Jack Ransome.

Jack is a titled gentleman but has no lands to manage. Until he attends a meeting with Madelyn and she proposes a marriage of convenience.

I initially liked the premise of this book. It had promise to be unique, have some humor, and pull it all together in a love story. Yet, this book just didn't do it for me. I didn't find any humor in the situation of Madelyn's eccentric medieval dress and mannerisms taking storm in London. Instead I found myself cringing multiple times. Talking to her in my head “Noooooo, don't do that!”. Their relationship almost turned into enemies, at least it seemed to be non stop bickering and sizing each other up. Not trusting each other. The non stop talk about how hideous the heroine was. Well, they didn't use those words but it was stated how plain she was so many times that's what it turned into. This gown cut made her look like this and the gown color made her look like that and the droopy ringlets made her look like this. I kept waiting for her to have some sort of transformation or the hero to fully accept her medieval eccentricities but it didn't really happen. The sex is lackluster. I didn't care if they were together. And that's just not how romance should be.

I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Guy becomes an earl upon the untimely death of his brother. Guy harbors a secret that he worries could cost him his estate and freedom - and possibly send him to asylum.

Abigail grew up an orphan and lives for studying and drawing plants. She goes to Guys estate to draw the elusive ghost orchid.

Guy and Abigail both have a lot of baggage and secrets. I liked that these were revealed in pieces as the book went on, instead of slammed together at the end. However, I feel like because of all the extra things going on, they remained virtual strangers in the story. I felt like they didn’t spend a lot of time getting to know each other. It was more of an attraction at first sight feeling. There’s deception and mistrust coming into play, but they didn’t have a problem sharing their bodies with each other, and that felt very wrong. I can’t enjoy the physical side unless the emotional connection is there, and I didn’t feel it in this book. There’s a side story with Abigail’s sister Dora that I think takes away page time from the main characters who desperately needed it.

I also didn’t like how the problem came between them of their class differences and it being a huge obstacle in their relationship, then it was basically ignored at the end.

Overall I felt like this book had just way too much going on for there to be a focus on the romance. However if you like an action packed book with lots of bombshell revelations, this might be a hit for you. Sadly for me, it was not my cup of tea.

I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.