This book is an essential book on all the major world/regional events since WWI for the dominant Cultures/Regions of the world. Is it Western/American-centric? Yes. But it is a good premier on HOW the United States sees the world. It would probably be reading material in a lot of college classes in the Fall and beyond. Simple, reasonably short, and to the point.

For me, not a lot of information is new because I read about this all the time. But this is an excellent book that would make a great starter or first book for someone who wants to know America's viewpoint and how the US sees its involvement or how it sees other cultures politically.

I got an ARC from Edelweiss and Penguin Press in return for an honest review.

It was an enjoyable summer story that involves acting in a Ren Faire.

There is a slight Teacher trope.

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

I enjoyed this because she doesn't divulge everything. It was a "simple" memoir, and there weren't pages upon pages of deep thoughts. She wrote about her life and the ups and downs but didn't dwell. It sounds like she doesn't dwell on the past, so why should she in the book.

I didn't know anything about her than her brand. So I was coming to this memoir pretty blind about the person, and I didn't mind that lack of details, it was more than I had to begin. I enjoyed the photos of the book.

It was short, under 300 pages and I found it a fast read, I read it in a few hours total.

I received an arc from Edelweiss and Viking for an honest review.

The problem is that I can't write anything without giving away spoilers! Seriously, about 35 percent in, I was yelling at Sarah MacLean in what she was doing to the characters - in the right way. It was something I have never read in a romance novel. She can write a redemption grovel romance novel like no one. I did like that Devil, and Whit keeps popping in but letting Grace take the led, as much as they wanted to do their damage. I liked that the truth of that night that the Bareknuckle Bastards ran away, slowly comes out and changes everything. The book, I think, has the most extended playtime with a year played out through the book, which is nice because it allows previous couples to appear.

So good. I had to stop for a bit for a dinner break; otherwise, I was going to inhale this book within hours.

I cannot wait for the actual book in two months to reread this book and the entire series.

It was a high end to the series, and I am looking forward to the next installment, Hell's Bells, because that group sounds delightful.

I received an ARC from Edelweiss and Avon in return for an honest review.

You had me at the nickname "Vicar of Vice" for Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, Cassius Gerard Ramsay. He is trying to stop sin on the streets of London. He is straightlaced and doesn't believe in anything that gives pleasure - at least the last eight years anyway. Except for the woman, he is reluctantly pining for who is his best friend's wife's good friend.

On the day that Cecelia Teague inherits a gaming hell from an Aunt, she never met and became known "Scarlet Lady" the proprietor. The establishment is raided and accused of selling women against their will to men in London. She denies everything because she doesn't know anything. She is also in disguise as the Scarlet Lady, and she lies her way through a meeting she doesn't understand. The man who is loaded this over her is none other than the Vicar of Sin, Cheif Lord Justice Ramsey.

He doesn't realize that the woman in the disguised is the person that he has been dreaming about for the last few months since he saw her, is now the owner. He yells and threatens to kill her. She is confused with the man that she is unnerved by and the version of the man doing his job because they are different. After a kiss and a bombing of the gaming hell, the truth comes out that she is the owner and the woman he wants and protects. But he is conflicted because what he wants goes publically against everything he believes.

To protect her and others, he takes them to his childhood home in Scotland. Passions flare-up, truths are discovered, and the danger follows.

I read it in one sitting, I finished it, and the sun was rising. It happens.

Tropes: Enemies/Friends-to-Lovers, Mystery subplot

TW: This is talk of women sold against their will, but nothing happens on screen and it more conversation, plot moving than anything.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and St. Martins for an honest review.

Young widow, Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, takes residence of a new house that has a boarding house in the back that will be for girls who love family in the from the Seas, like her husband. However, that move brought Lord Lyon, son of the two-timing Earl of Marksworth, on the other side of her fence. None of the meetings are appropriate; the old lady with a spyglass across the street isn't helping. Instant attraction, children interfering, and not want to lose the freedoms make this a slow burn book that is under 300 pages.

Why get married again, if the first time wasn't great. Being a young widow has perks, and Adeline would rather have the perks than to be married again - when she doesn't have to be. Lord Lyon would like to settle down with all the perks marriage would bring, and he would like those perks with Adeline. Battle of wills and desire that both share, but Adeline doesn't want to lose what she now has.

The book is a slow burn and things start getting interesting about 40/8 chapters in, it kept my interest. I would recommend it.

Tropes - Young Widow, Friendmies to Lovers

A received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's for an honest review.

Delightful, light, and perfect summer read.

When Isabel Buchannan's mother returns from a two-week vacation back to Highland, Georgia, with a Scotsman of her own, and his nephew follows a few days later attempting to return his uncle to Scotland, things take an interesting turn. Both men are smitten with the Buchannan's. Both volunteer to help the Highland Games (in Georgia) to be more authentic. However, both men are lying who they are, the Earl and Next Earl. Feelings and kilts rise, and everything rides on the games and love.

I got an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's for an honest review.

You are a daughter that inherited her late father's shipping business and to keep your male cousin who is after your money, and the only way to get that is to marry you, you might do something outlandish in to be independent. Georgiana Caversteed decided she is going to wed a man/criminal that is headed for the gallows so she can be married and widow in sort order and then free to live her life as we please.

She marries Benedict William Henry Wylde, but little does she realize that he is the second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. She knows the name when she hears it and sees him saunter into a ball a few weeks later and realizes her husband is very much alive, and her plan for freedom is muddled. Benedict knew right away who she was when she said her name, and he didn't have a choice not to marry her when he was undercover in prison. But know that he has a wife, he would like to keep her because she is a breath of fresh air to his life.

Trope: Marriage of Convenience, Mystery subplot

I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an honest review.