The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury

On By TracyIn Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery, New To Me Author, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and LiesThe Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Oxford Guide, #1

Release Date: September 1, 2026

In the fall of 1950, the Honorable Miss Ginevra “Gin” Bishop has started her Modern Languages studies as an underclassman at Oxford, hoping that this will finally help her move on from the grief of losing her mother. She never expected to be drawn into espionage or to be partnered with a man who seems like he can’t stand the sight of her. But it almost seems like Gin was born to be a spy, and when she learns that her father is planning for her life and inheritance, she is determined to finish her mission and claim her reward. She just needs to convince the taciturn Mr. Sidney Braithwaite, her fellow student and former military intelligence operative she was partnered with to cooperate!

Mr. Sidney Braithwaite has returned to Oxford after taking a year off after the war to heal and to help his parents settle into their new home. He hopes returning to his studies after a five-year absence will help him finally put the war behind him. But almost immediately “The Rook”, his intelligence handler from the war tries to pull him back into his spy ring, when whispers of treason abound and a librarian informant at the college is murdered. At first, he refuses, especially with a Gin as a partner, but she is more relentless than the Rook. And once again he finds himself drawn into the cloak and dagger world of spying. As he gets to know Gin, he grudgingly admits to himself that she isn’t what he assumed the daughter of a viscount would be, as she is incredibly intelligent, resourceful and very attractive. Together, they uncover much more than they were looking for and form a bond that neither expected.

I loved this story; it was so much more emotional and immersive than I was expecting. Gin and Sidney both entered the story with things in their pasts that haunted them, resentment and a true desire to change their lives, but neither expected to be drawn into a spy ring, or that doing so would help them find the answers they were looking for in their own lives. The story is filled with intrigue, murder, lots of suspects, great secondary characters, secrets, a bit of mutual attraction, a slow building but ultimately strong partnership, more than one twist and satisfying ending with the suggestion of more adventures to come! This book was hard to put down and left me wanting more, if you enjoy a good mystery with wonderful, strong characters, you need to read this book!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

Miss Wylde and the Wynd by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), historical-romance, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Miss Wylde and the Wynd (The Wynd Brothers #2)Miss Wylde and the Wynd by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Wynd Brothers #2

Release Date: August 22, 2026

Miss Georgiana “Georgie” Wylde has stowed away on the Trade Wynd’s ship the Charlotte Rose when it was in Italy, because her sister Grace had runaway from home to follow one the Trade Wynd’s sailors to England and Georgie is desperate to find her before she finds her sailor and ruins her life. But she never anticipated that the Earl’s younger brother would take a personal interest in her and would insist on accompanying her on her quest to find her sister. She also never imagined falling in love with a man that she could never have, she had done that before and didn’t trust the feelings she felt after such a short acquaintanceship, especially since they both have commitments to their families that cannot be set aside for something that might just be infatuation.

It was definitely not love at first sight when Mr. Damian Wynd, second son of the late Earl of Wyndham and the manager of Trade Wynd, the family’s shipping business, met Georgie. Damian has run the family business for years, and when he watched the Charlotte Rose come into port, he was shocked to see one of the sailors disembark and take off. He is infuriated that the man would shirk his responsibilities and scoffs when his niece Livia tells him that the sailor is not a man, but a woman. He takes off after her and after a chase, he finally manages to catch her and bring her back to their office. Lucky for her, his brother, the Earl recognizes her from her family’s bakery in Italy and doesn’t want to press charges against her, in fact, he offers Damian’s help to track down Grace. Damian is not happy that his ordered life is thrown into chaos by the reckless stowaway, but his protective nature will not let him let her go off alone. But he never imagined that he could fall in love in a matter of days, so despite his feelings, he knows he will have to let her go, it’s for the best, right?

If you enjoy a road trip romance, buckle up because this is a ride you won’t soon forget! Damian and Georgie are both wonderful characters, they are both loyal, and committed to their families, even to the point of ignoring their own desires. The trip that should have been only one day, turns into a cross-country trip, and the forced proximity leads to deeper feelings. They fall fast, but don’t want to trust their hearts or their commitments to what might just be a passing fancy. This story is filled with emotion, desire, family, warm love scenes, surprises, denial, a little heartache, and finally their HEA. Overall, I enjoyed this story and would happily recommend it to my fellow HR readers. This is the second book in the series but could easily be read as a standalone title with no problem.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *