Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

Saved by the Belle by Shana Galen

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Saved by the Belle (The Royal Saboteurs #3)Saved by the Belle by Shana Galen

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Royal Saboteurs, #3

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Fresh off his first mission with the Royal Saboteurs, Hew Arundel is enjoying a visit with his friend Charles Randall and Charles’ very pregnant wife Lydia. He enjoys dinner with them and then insists on leaving early, as it is clear that Lydia is not feeling her best, Hew is looking forward to a quiet night, but while waiting for a hackney, he is attacked and stabbed, just as Lydia calls to Charles that she has gone into labor. A doctor is called, but Charles knows he can’t tend to both Hew and Lydia, so he makes a desperate plea to George Howard for help. With Hew’s family out of town, Charles has limited options, Mr. Howard’s youngest daughter is married to Lydia’s brother so he is family and someone he can trust to care for his friend.

Isabelle “Belle” Howard and her father are surprised when they get a message from Charles asking them to come immediately, they barely know the Randalls, but they close up their tea shop and rush over. They are shocked to learn that Charles needs them to care for his friend, who according to the doctor, might not survive the night. Belle is annoyed, but they agree to take him in, she is then shocked by her immediate attraction to him. Belle survived smallpox as a child and is scarred, something she is very self-conscious about and something that has caused her pain in the past. She is sure no man would ever want her, not only is she scarred, but she is bold, outspoken, and doesn’t suffer fools. They nurse Hew and by some miracle, he survives. She is annoyed that she finds him even more attractive and charming now that he is awake, but she is sure that he would never want a girl like her. Little does she know that her scars don’t bother Hew and he likes her spitfire attitude, but Hew has been burned once and refuses to risk his heart again. They try to ignore their attraction, knowing it can go nowhere as they will soon part. But when it is clear that the attack on Hew wasn’t random and now Belle and her father are in danger, Hew knows that he will do anything to keep Belle safe. But Hew will soon learn, Belle is not like any woman he has ever known and she is not willing to wait to be rescued nor will she let ghosts from the past steal her happiness.

This is a well-written, nicely-paced adventure featuring two very flawed, yet likable characters. Hew and Belle are clearly perfect for each other, but they both let past hurts cloud their judgment and Hew just can’t seem to let his past go. I understood his reasons, but he just held on to it way too long. As usual, this author treats readers to an engaging story filled with action, witty banter, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, danger, spies, tea, and a sweet declaration scene leading to their HEA. This is the third book in the series, but there is enough backstory given that you could easily read this as a standalone title. I loved Belle and Hew’s story and I am happy to recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

*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.*

A Pretend Betrothal by Lana Williams

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A Pretend Betrothal (The Mayfair Literary League, #2)A Pretend Betrothal by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Mayfair Literary League, #2

Release Date: February 28, 2023

Lady Tabitha “Tibby” Malton has loved Michael Shaw for as long as she can remember, but her relationship with Michael is firmly in the “friend zone” and he shows no signs of seeing her as anything more than a friend. To complicate matters, Tibby’s mother has become increasingly needy and socially withdrawn, yet she demands Tibby’s attendance. Tibby fears if she doesn’t do something soon, she will spend the rest of her life as her mother’s companion with no chance of love or a family of her own. So when her friend Pheobe from the Mayfair Literary League suggests that they each should make a bold move to capture the attention of their secret crush, the “For Better or Worse” agenda is launched and Tibby vows to be brave enough to follow her heart. She approaches Michael and asks if he would be willing to engage in a pretend betrothal with her, she tells him she hopes that the thought of Tibby marrying might encourage her mother to rejoin society and be less dependent on Tibby, she also thinks it will stop Michael’s mother from pressuring him to marry. At first, he refuses, but later agrees, so now she has to make him fall in love with her.

Michael Shaw is the second son of an earl and has recently sold his commission in the military after spending the last ten years in service. He has returned home but feels a bit lost and not sure what to do with the rest of his life. He is surprised by Tibby’s proposal and declines because he worries that it could ruin her reputation, but with his mother pressing him to marry and Tibby assuring him she isn’t worried about her reputation, he agrees and soon he is seeing his dear friend in a new light and discovering that he can’t seem to stop kissing her. He is wondering if she would consider a true betrothal, but before he can broach the subject, he learns of the Mayfair Literary League’s mission and feels betrayed. Can they overcome her deception or has she lost her chance at HEA?

I enjoyed this well-written, nicely paced story, it was easy to sympathize with Tibby and root for her HEA. Likewise, Michael was also easy to like, and his struggle to find a new purpose in life was entirely relatable. The bond between them was clear from the start, but it seemed to take Michael a long time to figure out and accept his new feelings for Tibby, and I didn’t quite understand why Tibby had such a low opinion of herself. Together these two bring out the best in the other and they share a true friendship, add to that, a great supporting cast of characters, secrets, kisses, and forgiveness and you have a delightful read. I did think the ending was a bit similar to the previous book, but overall the story was completely different and a joy to read, I would however have liked to know the outcome of his botany experiment (just saying…). This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title.

*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.*