ARC via Edelweiss and AvonBooks

I read it in a few hours.

Ainsley Bourne is the oldest and last remaining unmarried sister at The Bourne Matrononary Agency. She has been in a battle of pride, wits and not falling in love with the rogue across the street - Mr. Reed Sterling. Mr. Sterling is a former Pugilist, and owner of the Gaming hell across the road, and will not be run out of business even though he was there first. Mr. Reed Sterling should be more annoyed at this woman across the street that stomps over to his establishment door to argue about the noise, the handbills and mentions a lot about how he doesn't wear a cravat.

A war between businesses begin, so does attraction.

Ainsley's past steps back into life at the same second Reed Sterling also walks into the room, and things go unpredictable and fast. Ainsley fighting for what she wants and realizing reality won't let her have it her way, she must choose her battles. Reed Sterling realizes the one action he wanted is not the battle he is going to get.

Excellent quick and dirty on Machiavelli and why it is/and always relevant.

ARC from Edelweiss and Avon for an honest review.

Viola Aster, the stepchild of the Wildes, is not a proper Wilde child, but her Stepfather loves her. She is the opposite of all the other Wilde children and is the shy one that would prefer a quiet life. She had made herself fall for the new but engaged Vicar.

The Duke of Wynter, family friend, comes to town realizes that he is intrigued by Viola and does what he can - nicely, to remove the apparent love Viola has for the Vicar to move to him. It's a fun book of couples coming together with the secondary character the Vicar and his fiancee play a more significant part than a standard second couple, which I found somewhat refreshing and makes it also more entertaining. Still, you need to read the book to find out why.

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience & Wallflower

ARC from Edelweiss and Avon for an honest review.

It was just delightful. Friends married to avert a ruin reputation. It was a sweet book.

BABY COLIN!

ARC from Edelweiss and Berkley for an honest review.

It was delightful RomCom, which tends to be the trend right now in Comptemory Romance, and I am down for it since RomCom Movies are left to make for TV channels and not like the ones I grew up. Overall, it was just lovely and easy to read for a few hours. It would make for a great movie on either screen.

Adopted brothers come together after the death of their Adopted mother in try to save their childhood home and the knitting store. With the help of the loyal shop assistant and long-time friend Kerry, Jesse, the youngest and most consider troubled brother attempts to revamp and get the store back up.

Tropes: Friends to Lovers & Close Proximity

ARC from Edelweiss and Berkley for an honest review.

It was a quick read for me, but for some reason, I had a hard time buying into the two main characters romance and honestly those the heroine should be with the brother.

ARC from Edelweiss and British Library Publishing for an honest review.

Meh.

All essays were by men. They were good, but it was heavy-handed in regards to males and their idea of intellect.

If one views it as history and sources of the male mind, it was readable.

It was unfortunate that the author couldn't find some Virginia Woolf or some other females with thoughts about books.