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This is the third book of the Scandalous Brides series. I would say this book would be okay as a standalone. It's probably a bit more enjoyable knowing the last book, but not necessary. The characters from the previous story, Camille and Keating, have quite a bit of page time, but you won't be lost or miss anything if you skip it. Sophia has a bit of page time as well as Adam in the previous book so you get to know their personalities a bit.
Sophia is our heroine and I did like her. I enjoyed her dialogue. She was quick, witty, optimistic and funny. Her life hasn't been the best. She's the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman and his maid and has never been allowed to forget it. Eventually, she came to find a place at the Tantalus Club. However, her father is done with dealing with the embarrassment and demands she leaves the club and marries a vicar. Sophia is invited to the Duke of Greaves holiday house party and she longs for once last chance for fun before she's married off and forgotten about.
Adam has a family problem that he finally must resolve. He has to marry by the age of 30 and sire an heir by 31 or all his unentailed property and wealth will go to his extremely unlikable viper of a sister and her son. Unfortunately the time has come, so he invites a hoard of eligible women to his Christmas house party.
So I think I liked the previous book in the series more than this. I still liked this one more than book one though. There's plenty to love about this book and so many adorable scenes. Yet something happened to not pull it together as strongly as it should have for me. It was low on feels and tension for me.
I think you will like this book if:
-you love a duke!
-you prefer an experienced heroine
-you loved those big house parties (I do!)
-forced proximity
-a bit of humor, lower on angst
-sex scenes but nothing overdone or super explicit
There was something about this book that had almost a contemporary feel for me. The hero referenced a naked pillow fight as a joke. Was that a thing back then? Probably. But it just brought to mind little teenagers with braces for me. They jump into sex pretty fast, some of the dialogue felt a little modern, there's condoms. None of these things bother me but just added up together in this book I think it just wasn't grabbing me like I wanted it to.
Still enjoyable! I have the final book in the series to read, but I'll probably wait a few weeks before picking it up.
Star rating: 3 1/2 round to 4
Number of books read by this author (including this one): 4 and 1 novella
Sophia is our heroine and I did like her. I enjoyed her dialogue. She was quick, witty, optimistic and funny. Her life hasn't been the best. She's the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman and his maid and has never been allowed to forget it. Eventually, she came to find a place at the Tantalus Club. However, her father is done with dealing with the embarrassment and demands she leaves the club and marries a vicar. Sophia is invited to the Duke of Greaves holiday house party and she longs for once last chance for fun before she's married off and forgotten about.
Adam has a family problem that he finally must resolve. He has to marry by the age of 30 and sire an heir by 31 or all his unentailed property and wealth will go to his extremely unlikable viper of a sister and her son. Unfortunately the time has come, so he invites a hoard of eligible women to his Christmas house party.
So I think I liked the previous book in the series more than this. I still liked this one more than book one though. There's plenty to love about this book and so many adorable scenes. Yet something happened to not pull it together as strongly as it should have for me. It was low on feels and tension for me.
I think you will like this book if:
-you love a duke!
-you prefer an experienced heroine
-you loved those big house parties (I do!)
-forced proximity
-a bit of humor, lower on angst
-sex scenes but nothing overdone or super explicit
There was something about this book that had almost a contemporary feel for me. The hero referenced a naked pillow fight as a joke. Was that a thing back then? Probably. But it just brought to mind little teenagers with braces for me. They jump into sex pretty fast, some of the dialogue felt a little modern, there's condoms. None of these things bother me but just added up together in this book I think it just wasn't grabbing me like I wanted it to.
Still enjoyable! I have the final book in the series to read, but I'll probably wait a few weeks before picking it up.
Star rating: 3 1/2 round to 4
Number of books read by this author (including this one): 4 and 1 novella
This story takes place in steampunk Victorian England, where potions can be used to enhance your mood, give you energy, make you more alluring...the sky is the limit if you have the money to pay. Mabel is over dancing with only her siblings husbands. For once she wants to forget her horrible nickname and truly enjoy a ball. When a too many loving friends and family try to help her, she is carried away by a herd of stampeding men. She escapes right into the arms of Drew, an 'Egyptologist' and long time friend.
I'd like to note that I adore that Stein's chapters have names and aren't just numbers. I love when authors do that.
This story was amazing. Stein's characters fly off the page with spunk and personality. This story was fun, funny, fast paced, sexy, it was PERFECT. I loved it. I adored how Drew professes his love.
This one was steamy as well, which I appreciate ;) . Lovely Christmas story!
I'd like to note that I adore that Stein's chapters have names and aren't just numbers. I love when authors do that.
This story was amazing. Stein's characters fly off the page with spunk and personality. This story was fun, funny, fast paced, sexy, it was PERFECT. I loved it. I adored how Drew professes his love.
This one was steamy as well, which I appreciate ;) . Lovely Christmas story!
Just finished. I think I give 3.5 stars.
The story itself is very good, imo. I found the writing unique and enjoyable to read. It was interesting overall and I enjoyed the twist.
However there was plenty that just didn’t do it for me. Spy novels are hard for me anyway as I usually don’t like all the intrigue, the lying/hiding, the politics that come into play.
The book wasn’t exactly filled with tension, steam and longing and that is a deal breaker for me for a favorite romance. Most scenes were fade to black or implied after the fact. I didn’t get a lot of “feelings” from either of the characters, they just didn’t quite come to life for me in that way, although I liked both of them.
From this book, I don’t think I’d continue with this series personally.
The story itself is very good, imo. I found the writing unique and enjoyable to read. It was interesting overall and I enjoyed the twist.
However there was plenty that just didn’t do it for me. Spy novels are hard for me anyway as I usually don’t like all the intrigue, the lying/hiding, the politics that come into play.
The book wasn’t exactly filled with tension, steam and longing and that is a deal breaker for me for a favorite romance. Most scenes were fade to black or implied after the fact. I didn’t get a lot of “feelings” from either of the characters, they just didn’t quite come to life for me in that way, although I liked both of them.
From this book, I don’t think I’d continue with this series personally.
Surrender by Pamela Clare
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall a really good book. I liked that it was different than what I’ve been reading lately (all England!). First of all, it takes place in America and it’s during the 1700s in the middle of the French Indian War. It’s fast paced, keeping you on your toes for what will happen in the brutal frontier.
Iain has been falsely accused of murder and forced into service for the English fighting the French. Annie has been seriously abused by her only remaining family and shipped off to America. Iain cannot help but save her and protect her with every breath in his body.
The chemistry between the characters is wonderful, I love them together. The book was a little busy to me though with a lot of emphasis on the antagonist in the book. Annie also says “Mercy!” About every chapter and that started to get on my nerves. Really, a great book though.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall a really good book. I liked that it was different than what I’ve been reading lately (all England!). First of all, it takes place in America and it’s during the 1700s in the middle of the French Indian War. It’s fast paced, keeping you on your toes for what will happen in the brutal frontier.
Iain has been falsely accused of murder and forced into service for the English fighting the French. Annie has been seriously abused by her only remaining family and shipped off to America. Iain cannot help but save her and protect her with every breath in his body.
The chemistry between the characters is wonderful, I love them together. The book was a little busy to me though with a lot of emphasis on the antagonist in the book. Annie also says “Mercy!” About every chapter and that started to get on my nerves. Really, a great book though.
Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin
Stand alone novel
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
Plot/Storyline:
Stand alone novel
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
Plot/Storyline:
