Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

How (Not) to Hate a Duke by Jennifer Haymore

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

How (Not) to Hate a DukeHow (Not) to Hate a Duke by Jennifer Haymore

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title (with characters from Earls Rush In)

Release Date: February 19. 2024

Heiress Georgiana Milford is tired of the social whirl and fending off fortune hunters and is impatiently awaiting the arrival of her older sister who has been in Nova Scotia for 9 long years, so when her dearest friend Charlotte suggests that she join her and her husband at a house party for a couple weeks, she happily agrees. But her happiness is extinguished by the arrival of her family’s country neighbor and archenemy, Theophilus “Theo” St. Clair, the new Duke of Desborough, and an unfortunate encounter with a hawthorn bush. After that fiasco, she can’t wait to get to the country, but when she arrives she is in a for surprise, the duke is also a guest. She wants to leave, but Charlotte convinces her to stay and begs her to give the duke a chance, swearing that she has known him for years and that he is nothing like his vile father. She promises to try and is shocked to realize that she has misjudged Theo, and after getting to know him, begins to fall for him. But what future could they possibly have? Her father hates him and Theo has done nothing to improve his image in her father’s eyes. Is happily ever after possible or will she have to sacrifice one love for another?

Theo St. Clair inherited a nightmare from his father, the former duke aka the Duke of Despots. The estate is in disrepair, the fields are fallow, the tenants leaving, the villagers and his staff don’t trust him and to make matters worse, his neighbor Thomas Milford is spreading rumors about him and undermining all of his attempts to make improvements. Theo is at his wits end with the estate and when he is called to London to deal with his younger brother Sebastian’s gambling debts, things just get worse when he encounters Georgiana Milford in Hyde Park and is blamed for the damage done to her gown. He tries to make it up to her by offering the use of his carriage to get home without anyone seeing her, but his offer is met with contempt. Thankfully, Charlotte, the wife of his best friend Lord Trevelyan is there and manages to smooth things over. Later when Trevelyan suggests he take a break from his troubles and join them at the Merrick’s house party, he jumps at the chance. But when he arrives and finds that Georgiana is a guest, he wants to leave, but Trevelyan convinces him to give Georgiana a chance, telling him that if he can prove to her that his intentions for the estate are honest, then maybe she can get her father to back down. But the more time he spends with her, the more he realizes that she is the only Milford he wants to impress. They declare their love, but when her parents arrive, it is clear that her father will never approve of him. He can’t lose her, but neither can he make her choose between him and her family. Will love find a way or was it doomed from the start?

This was a well-written, nicely done Enemies to Lovers story that gives readers a new twist on an old trope. The book is filled with wonderful characters, misconceptions, great secondary characters, spelunking, steamy love scenes, heartbreaking revelations, painful choices, true love, and finally a hard-earned HEA complete with an epilogue. I liked this book, but to be honest, I wasn’t a fan of Georgiana at the start of the book, she was very closed-minded and judgmental, but once she was able to put aside her preconceived notions about Theo, she became his fiercest defender and redeemed herself. Aside from that, this was a very entertaining and steamy read that was a fresh take on an old trope and a book that I am happy to recommend. Although this is touted as a standalone title, it is worth mentioning that it features characters from another one of Ms. Haymore’s standalone titles “Earls Rush In”.

*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.*

The Earl’s Debt by Constance Remillard

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Earl's DebtThe Earl’s Debt by Constance Remillard

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Worthy Peers, #1

Release Date: February 5, 2024

John Malcolm Malvern, the Earl of Sedrich needs a rich bride to save his indebted estate which is sinking further into debt each day thanks to his wastrel brother James, but so far he has had no luck. Malcolm was once in love and had his heart crushed, leaving him wary of deeper emotions, so when he meets Anne Merritt, a refreshing young woman at a ball, he is surprised at his initial reaction to her, he finds himself drawn to her, something that hasn’t happened in a very long time. He chats with her and is completely charmed, so much so, that he wonders if she could be the bride he has been looking for. Even when he learns that she is penniless, he can’t seem to walk away, and when his situation changes and his need for a bride becomes urgent, it seems like he may be able to have the bride of his choice after all. But when his brother shows up with his own bride in tow, things get heated and his budding relationship with Anne is put into jeopardy.

Miss Anne Merritt, the penniless ward of Lord Armitage, had no expectations that this ball would be different from any other, but she was wrong, she meets a handsome stranger and gives him advice on finding a bride. Later he charms her German governess/companion, they share a dance and then cigarette before parting ways. Anne wishes she could be the bride he is looking for, but not only is she penniless, has no dowry and she owes her guardian quite a bit of money, as he paid her father’s debts when he died. She longs for a family but has accepted that she will probably never marry, so when her uncle announces that he has found her a husband, she is shocked and dismayed when she learns that her betrothed is old enough to be her grandfather and has already buried four wives. She rebels, but it does nothing but anger her guardian and gets her locked in her room to await her betrothed. But when her guardian sends her to meet her groom, she is shocked to be delivered to Malcolm. Will this be the start of the life she has always wanted or will it end in heartache?

This was a very good debut novel by a new to me author. The story is interesting and while the plot is not a new one, the author does give her readers a fresh take on the “marriage of convenience” trope. The book features a strong, somewhat outspoken heroine, a once-bitten, twice-shy hero, secret identities, deception, good friends, evil villains, an Aunt who is calling the shots, warmish love scenes, a few triggers, a few tears, a duel, and finally a well deserved HEA complete with an epilogue. This was a good book for a debut novel and the writing does show promise, but I did feel like there was a lot going on and at times it became a bit too much. It also tended to get somewhat wordy, but I am sure as this author continues to write, she will find her stride and only get better. I was impressed by the author’s notes where she details her research and admits where she took a bit of creative license. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to my fellow HR readers, but would suggest that you check out the author’s content warning as the story does contain a few scenes that might be troubling/upsetting to some readers.

3.5 stars

*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.*