What Happens in Brighton by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Author Collaboration Series, Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Georgian Era (1714-1837), New To Me Author, Non-Traditional Romance, Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

What Happens in BrightonWhat Happens in Brighton by Anna Bradley, Tracy Brogan, Kerrigan Byrne, Gayle Callen, Christy Carlyle, Sofie Darling, Eileen Dryer, Barbara Russell & Misty Urban

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Connected to Several of the Authors Ongoing Series

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Set in the enchanting seaside town of Brighton, England, where the sun kisses the shore and dreams linger in the salty breeze, a vibrant tapestry of souls will Vicar’s daughters and country maidens striving to ascend the social ladder, widows daring to seek a second chance at joy, and heartbroken singles clinging to the fragile hope of love. I enjoyed this collection a lot, but the following novellas really stood out to me:

Queen of Hearts by Anna Bradley – 4 stars: A bit of a love at first sight trope – To give her ailing brother a chance to take treatments in Brighton, seamstress Charlotte “Lottie” Bathurst, scrims and saves to let them stay for two weeks, but when they are robbed, she will either have to cut the visit short or gamble to recoup the lost funds. She dresses up as a young man and goes to Hart’s Ace, catching the notice of the owner Armitage Hart.

The Way We Were by Gayle Callen – 5 stars: A second-chance romance after losing a child – This was a very emotional story, Lucy Lawton and her husband Captain Reginald “Reggie” Lawton have been separated for a year, she doesn’t expect him back for two weeks, but learns he is already in England and was seen with another woman on his arm! Lucy goes to Brighton to confront him and to tell him she wants to lead separate lives. Only to learn who the woman really is and that her husband isn’t willing to give up on their marriage.

A Day at the Beach by Eileen Dreyer – 4.5 stars: Another second chance romance – After 6 long years, Phillip Long, the Earl of Everleigh has returned after being sold to a press-gang by his wife. He is back and wants answers, but what he finds is more questions! Eleanor Long, grieved deeply for her husband, and has stayed in England to protect Everleigh’s estate for their son – but it has been a fight with his grasping cousin. She is shocked when Phillip returns and accuses her of having him press-ganged and makes other accusations. Can they find the truth and their way back to each other?

A Night You Won’t Remember by Barbara Russell – 4 stars: After Lady Esther accidentally meets Alexander, the Duke of Richmond and mistakes him for someone else, they form a friendship. Later she is shocked to learn that he is the duke her mother has been trying to set up with! She hates to admit it, but she likes him and when the chance to see him again in Brighton comes up, she is excited to see him again. But a wild night with her social rival may ruin any chance she has with Alexander, when she takes his prized fencing foil and can’t remember what she did with it!

This anthology contains nine never-before-published novellas, some with connections to the author’s own series and with several different tropes, ensuring that there is really something for everyone in this collection! I highly recommend this collection and will definitely be looking up some of these author’s backlists!  My overall rating is based on an average of all nine novellas

*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. *

 

Heartsong by S.E. Wendel

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary, New To Me Author, Non-Traditional Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Heartsong (War of the Underhill)Heartsong by S.E. Wendel

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: War of the Underhill #1

Release Date: February 10, 2026

After years of barely scraping by Anna Kincaid is finally making progress in her life, she has a job at a museum that she loves and medical insurance which means she might be able to get her migraines under control. What she never expected was to have the museum attacked by masked men or to have the gargoyle statute she was hiding behind coming to life when she touched it and flying her away to safety. Nor did she expect the gargoyle to be so attractive, or that he would declare that she is his Heartsong”, which means she is his fated mate.

Frey is a Guardian, created over two thousand years ago from stone, blood and magick to protect the Druids in Albion. He was a great warrior and fought in the last battle against the Fae, who cursed his kind, by taking their magick and returning them to stone. He has spent years frozen in stone watching the world change and regretting never finding his mate, but when he ends up at the museum he feels something that he has never experienced, the feeling of his fated mate. When she touches him during a raid, he comes alive! He takes her to her home and tries to convince her that they are soulmates, but when morning comes, he turns back to stone, only to awaken when the sun goes down. Clearly the curse was not broken and Anna is in danger. What will it take to win her heart and break the curse for good?

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book by a new to me author, but I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed all the twists and turns! The story is fresh, interesting and I loved how the author incorporated Fae and mythical aspects into the story. I loved the relationship between Anna and Frey, each learning to trust the other and form a true soulmate bond. Anna is a very modern and relatable character, she is independent, suffers debilitating migraines, has a problem with trusting and accepting love, but it a very loyal person with a true heart of gold and Frey…he is just amazing. I did feel like the middle of the story dragged a bit and the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, it was amazing and I can’t wait for the next installment! If you are a fan of fated mates, forced proximity, steamy romantasy – this book will check all the boxes for you! Highly recommended.

*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. *