Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Road Trip with a Rogue by Kate Bateman

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

Road Trip with a Rogue (Her Majesty’s Rebels, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Her Majesty’s Rebels #3
Publication Date: 7/29/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 333

This book was fun, witty, romantic, exciting, and thoroughly entertaining from the first page to the last. I always enjoy this author’s writing style and the way she develops her characters. So it’s no surprise that I absolutely loved Daisy and Lucien—they’re perfect for each other.

It was also a pleasure to revisit Tess and Justin from the first book, and Harry and Ellie from the second. I’m assuming this is the final book in the series, as Daisy is the last of the three original characters to find her happily-ever-after.

In this story, Daisy Hamilton’s latest assignment for the King & Company agency turns out to be far more complicated than expected. The mission seems simple: intercept the coach carrying Violet Brand to prevent her from eloping to Gretna Green. All Daisy knows is that the coach bears a golden lion on the door. So when she stumbles upon such a coach being attacked by highwaymen, she leaps in to save the day—only to realize she’s stopped the wrong one. And to make matters worse (or better?), the man inside is the one person in the world who could steal her heart.

Lucien Vaughn, Duke of Cranford, is exasperated by his romantic, overly dramatic nephew, Peregrine (Perry) Hughes. Nineteen-year-old Perry is head over heels for Violet Brand, whose father disapproves of the match. In a desperate attempt to end the drama, Lucien encourages them to elope to Gretna Green—and promises to do everything he can to ensure the marriage happens.

Lucien and Daisy share a bit of a past. He’s a friend of all her brothers, and the bold, curious Daisy has been known to sneak around to spy on their gatherings. Lucien has always taken her breath away—and nothing has changed when he steps out of the coach she’s just “rescued.” Being the clever rogue he is, Lucien convinces Daisy to let him help chase down the eloping couple.

The emotional push and pull between Lucien and Daisy was a delight to watch. Their constant scheming and counter-scheming to outwit one another made for some truly enjoyable reading. While Lucien’s grand gesture was touching, I personally didn’t find it quite as memorable as Justin’s from the first book. Still, this was a charming, thoroughly satisfying romance, and I highly recommend it.

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Don’t You Forget About Me by Shana Galen

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

Don't You Forget About MeBarbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: 7/15/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 110

From the first page where Marjorie comes to and finds herself in a cave rapidly filling with water to the last page with Simon’s unique proposal, this is a wonderful story filled with excitement and delightful characters. You never go wrong when you choose a book written by this author.

Marjorie Clawson is one of, if not the, best spies in the Home Office. She’s worked hard at her craft and has built quite a hard shell around herself because being one of the very few female spies is a difficult thing. The males she works with respect her because she’s tougher, harder, and just downright meaner than they are, so they have no choice. So, how did Marjorie come to be a nice, caring, even loving person? Well, she just got hit on the head and lost her memory. OH!

Simon Burrows works at the Home Office as well and cannot imagine why Marjorie Clawson absolutely hates him. Yes, she’s cold and hard with the other spies, but it seems she has taken a particular dislike to him. Sometimes, that is really hard to bare because he’s really infatuated with her and it’s really hard to hide it.

Simon and Marjorie are sent on a vital mission in Cornwall, where they are to deliver the location for a weapons drop to smugglers delivering weapons to a British contingent near Spain. Without the delivery of these weapons, many British lives will be lost. Marjorie is the only one who knows the drop location, and when she loses her memory, the mission is in jeopardy.

SPIES!! Whoopee! I love spies, and mysteries, and romance, and this book has them all. I really liked Simon and Marjorie as they worked through the mystery, the memory loss, and finally found their way to their own HEA. This is a novella, so it’s a quick read, but the story never feels shortchanged. I can definitely recommend this book and this author. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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