Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

The Wallflower Wager by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Book Publicity, Novella, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Wallflower Wager (Revenge of the Wallflowers, #20)The Wallflower Wager by Lana Williams

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Revenge of the Wallflowers, #20  & The Mayfair Literary League

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Wallflower Lady Prudence “Prue” Davies is no stranger to rogues, so when one literally falls at her feet, she knows better than to be charmed by a handsome face. But Silas Hayward, Viscount Windstead, seems different and he clearly loves his grandmother, so maybe she is wrong about him! But that illusion is shattered when she learns he is taking part in the “Wallflower Wager”, a bet made between rogues, the winner will be the first man to dance with 12 different wallflowers at 12 different balls. With her mind set, Prue sets out to unite the wallflowers and teach the rogues a lesson, but that was before she fell for Silas and realizes their only chance of being together would be if he wins. Can she have it all? Or will she have to choose between love and honor?

Silas Hayward, Viscount Windstead, needs money to save his family from financial ruin and his options for gaining that money are limited. He has an idea for a windmill design that he is sure could be successful, but he needs money to make a prototype – thus his participation in the wager. If that fails, he will have to marry an heiress and put his dreams and his heart on the back burner in order to help his family. He had all but resigned himself to a loveless marriage when he meets Prue and is smitten. But when his best chance at an investor is shot down, he realizes how much he cares about Prue and decides it is better to cut ties with her and do his duty. Even if it breaks his heart, but as any romance reader knows, love will find a way and Silas just has to trust his heart but is that a risk he is willing to take?

This was a very sweet novella with ties to the Mayfair Literary League. I really like Prue and Silas; they are both extremely likable and I love how they encouraged and boosted each other. Their road to HEA isn’t easy, but they are clearly “meant to be” and you can’t help but root for them. This book is the twentieth (yes, 20th) book in the Revenge of the Wallflowers series and can easily be read as a standalone title. I really liked this book and would happily recommend it to historical romance readers.

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

How the Wallflower Wins a Duke by Lucy Morris

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

How the Wallflower Wins a DukeHow the Wallflower Wins a Duke by Lucy Morris

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: July 23, 2024

After a humiliating experience during her first season, Miss Marina Fletcher, the daughter of a wealthy architect, has decided that marriage is not for her and has instead decided to dedicate her life to her true love; music. But her plan might be sidetracked when her very talented father, along with his greatest rival and their families, are invited by the Duchess of Framlingham to attend a house party, so she can get to know them better before deciding who to hire to design the family’s country estate, especially after meeting her son, the Duke. He is the most handsome man she has ever met and it is clear his mother wants him to marry, the problem is the Duke isn’t ready to marry and wants to travel, but his mother is relentless and soon Marina agrees to a fake betrothal with the Duke, that gives them both the freedom to pursue their own desires, it seems perfect, until it isn’t.

Brook Wyndham, the Duke of Framlingham, was never meant to be the duke, mocked by the ton as the Spare Heir Duke, he has been labeled a rake and a reckless gambler, but these smears to his reputation are lies. Brook joined the army at a young age and served in the wars, never planning on returning to his family. But when tragedy takes not only his father, but also his brother, he steps up to do his duty and lets the ton think the worst of him to spare his mother the humiliation. But he draws the line at marriage, Brook just wants to be free and longs to travel; to find himself, and his mother’s matchmaking attempts are getting annoying. He is ready to tell her off when he meets Marina. Though she is not classically beautiful, he is intrigued by her and forms a friendship with her. Then he comes up with an idea that will let them both have what they want, they will get engaged and have a long engagement, during which time, he will travel the world and she will pursue her musical ambitions without society’s censure. It is perfect, but that was before their feelings were involved and now Brook will have to decide if “finding” himself is worth losing the love of a lifetime.

I have read and enjoyed this author’s Viking romances and was eager to read her first Regency era romance. Sadly, this book didn’t captivate me as much as her previous books. The writing is good, but the story is not as smooth as her other offerings have been and I never really connected with her characters. The story has a lot of plot strings that honestly don’t really fit with the story and did nothing to advance the romance. Overall, it was a good read that I liked, but not a book I would read again.

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