Month: July 2023

Kiss Me Like A Rogue by Shannon Gilmore

On By BarbaraIn Author Collaboration Series, Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Kiss Me Like a Rogue (Wicked Widows' League #18)Barbara’s rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Wicked Widows League #18
Publication Date: 7/11/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 168

If ever you find yourself deep in a hole, just keep digging. At least that appears to be the philosophy of Caden Landon Scott, the Duke of Justamere when he is mistaken for a solicitor by the lovely widow upon whom he has just called to inquire about a land purchase. He should tell her the truth, but … After all, she really does need help … And, those lips surely look as if they want him to kiss them … There is plenty of time … He’ll tell her later …

Baroness Fredda (Freddie) St. George is fearfully afraid. After a chaste marriage to the kindest, sweetest man on earth, she is in danger of losing everything he had tried to do to save her. Her brother and sister-in-law are trying to get the marriage annulled by declaring her a fortune hunter who took advantage of an ailing man and by claiming the marriage was never consummated. What to do? What to do? When a woman from the Wicked Widows League approaches Freddie at her husband’s funeral and offers help, she quickly realizes they might be the resources she needs to fight her in-laws. What she needs is a solicitor and someone to make sense of the estate books – and a friend, she could really use a friend.

The whole thing quickly spirals out of control and Cade bypasses opportunity after opportunity to tell Freddie the truth. What will happen when she finds out who he really is? He knows she will find out; he’d just like to be the one to engineer the circumstances when she does. Right…

When Freddie does find out, in the worst way possible, she is deeply hurt and deeply angry. Then, to have to pretend she’s never known him… and then, her sister-in-law, the hateful, spiteful witch has set her cap for him… Oh! My! Sparks are going to fly, heads are going to roll, and Cade may never manage to dig himself out of that hole. But he wants to – so badly. Can he convince her? Can she forgive him?

I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining read with lovely characters and a well-paced plot. I haven’t read any of the other Wicked Widows League books, but I do know that each of them can be read as a standalone. Perhaps this story has inspired me to read the novella detailing the beginning of the League. Curious minds want to know.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Midnight Marquess by Collette Cameron

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

The Midnight Marquess: A Sweet Regency Family Saga Romance (Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides Book 3)Barbara’s rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars
Series: Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides #3
Publication Date: 7/3/23
Period: Regency (1826) – Lymington
Number of Pages: 163

Adolphus Westbrook, the Marquess of Edenhaven, heir to the Duke of Latham, is hiding out in the quaint sea village of Lymington. He wouldn’t agree that he is hiding out, he’d tell you he was monitoring some of his investments in the area – and he is, but he is also hiding from the constant barrage of scheming matchmaking mamas and their spoiled debutante daughters. He just needs a break and what better place than this quiet village where people only know him as Ab Westbrook? Here he can be himself, relax, meet real people, and not worry about which debutante might be hiding around the next corner.

Aurelie Lemieux once lead a privileged life in France, not an aristocratic life, but very comfortable. After her step-brother was falsely accused of treason and hung, she had to flee France with his two children and nothing but the clothing on their backs. She took refuge with an ailing, elderly aunt in England. Since they couldn’t afford the upkeep on her aunt’s home, they all moved to a more affordable cottage in Lymington. It was a lovely, quiet place and the cottage was respectable and quite lovely. However, the very best part was the lack of aristocrats – she despised them. Aristocrats took everything from her – her hopes, her dreams, her home, and they made orphans of two of the sweetest children on the earth. No, the fewer aristocrats she saw on this earth, the better she liked it.

From the ‘meet cute’ to the HEA, this was a lovely tale with endearing characters and only the slightest hint of a villain. Not really even a villain – more a bully – and quickly dispatched. Adolphus slowly chips away at Aurelie’s disdain for aristocrats with each kindness he shows others – with each generosity given. On the other side, Aurelie slowly whittles away at Adolphus’ belief that she is just another female out to trap him into a marriage he doesn’t want.

If you are looking for a well-paced, nicely-written story with lovely characters and no steam, this is the book for you. You’ll quickly come to care for all of the characters as you root for them to find the family and love they are craving. I hope you will enjoy meeting Aurelie and Adolphus along with Nathalie, Remi, Aunt Marie, and Antoinette the cat (who made it all happen). Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews