Rogue to the Rescue by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Series Crossover, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Rogue to the RescueRogue to the Rescue by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone with ties to Westbrook & Valentine series

Release Date: April 21, 2021 (previous published in It’s Raining Rogues anthology 5/2025)

When Lady Victoria Westbrook is accosted by an angry man while leaving the Westbrook House for Women and Children, her brother-in-law Sebastian Valentine insists that she have a personal guard stay with her until the man is captured. Unfortunately, the man he has chosen is his brother Benedick Valentine, a Thames River Police Officer and a man Victoria once believed herself in love with. She adamantly refuses to let him stay but is overruled by both men. Victoria resigns herself to an uncomfortable night with the man who stole her heart and then broke it when he learned who she was.

Benedick Valentine has done his best to avoid Lady Victoria since the anonymous house party they both attended months ago, where he fell head over heels for her and she rejected him as soon as she learned who he was. He knows it is for the best, because she is too far above his reach and he has nothing to offer a woman like her, but despite that, he still loves her. When they finally confront each other about their last night together, they realize that they both misunderstood the other, but for Benedick that revelation doesn’t change the fact that he is not good enough for her. But is Victoria willing to accept that decision or is she going to fight for their love?

I originally read this novella in the “It’s Raining Rogues” anthology and loved the story, so if you missed that book, you have gotten a second chance to enjoy this book! This story is a series crossover with both the Westbrook and Valentine families and Victoria and Benedick are amazing together! The book has a misunderstanding trope, class difference, second-chances,a bit of danger, a bit of heat, and finally a well-deserved HEA complete with an adorable epilogue. I loved this book and I am happy to recommend this title – especially to readers who love Ms. Charles’ Valentine and Westbrook series, but trust me, you don’t have to have read those books to enjoy this novella!

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

 

Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

ThistlemarshThistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 21, 2026

Though Faeries had not been seen in England for over a century, Misneach “Mouse” Dunne had always been fascinated by Faerie lore thanks to her mother and planned to study Faerie anthropology at university, but life had other plans. When the great war steals her beloved cousin and leaves her brother a mere shell of himself, she abandons her dreams of Faeries and travels abroad to become a nurse and to try and save her brother. But when their uncle dies and she is named as his heir, she returns to Thistlemarsh Hall. If she can meet the terms of her uncle’s will and either restore Thistlemarsh or marry within 30 days, the estate will be hers, if she fails, she loses everything and the estate goes to a much-despised distant cousin. The task seems impossible, until she meets Thornwood and does the one thing no mortal should ever do…make a deal with a Faerie.

Thornwood has been waiting for almost a century to be freed from the spell that frozen him in stone. Now he is free and needs Mouse to help him exact his revenge. But when his magic is thwarted by protection spells, he will need Mouse even more to help him break the spells and restore Thistlemarsh to its former glory. Only then will he be able to find the prize that has kept him motivated for years. He never imagined that he would actually fall for a mortal, but Mouse is unlike anyone he has ever known. But in order to attain his revenge, he will have to betray her and ruin any chance for a HEA.

This was a vivid story by a new to me author. And while I enjoyed the story, I have mixed feelings about this book, I liked the idea of the story and the magic was well defined, but it was a bit wordy, parts of the story dragged and apparently in this England primogeniture doesn’t apply. Mouse and Thornwood have a very slow burn / enemies to friends type of relationship and while they declare their love, I honestly wasn’t feeling the romance. Overall, it was an interesting, immersive read and while it does drag a bit and the romance is very young adult, I did enjoy the book and would happily recommend it to those who enjoy a no-heat fantasy romance.

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