Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance, historical mystery, fantasy, romantasy and paranormal mystery

Duke Gone Rogue by Christy Carlyle

On By TracyIn Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Duke Gone Rogue (Love on Holiday, #1)Duke Gone Rogue by Christy Carlyle

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Love on Holiday, #1

Release Date: December 28, 2021

Madeline Ravenwood and William Hart, the Duke of Ashmore met quite by chance in Lady Trenmere’s conservatory, when she witnessed his fiancée jilting him. The woman was angry at Will and threw her betrothal ring at him while telling him how heartless he is. Madeline tried to escape unseen, but Will stopped her. In just a few moments, Madeline came to the realization that the jilted man was not only the most handsome man she had ever met, and he is definitely not heartless. Too bad she is returning to Cornwall in the morning and would most likely never see him again.

Months later, Will’s sisters convince him to take a holiday to Carnwyth, one of the properties his father purchased and was known for wild parties. Will has spent every moment since his father’s death trying to uncover his father’s misdeeds and set them to right, it has given him a reputation as heartless and glum, not to mention has caused more than one noble to worry about what sins Will uncover and reveal about them. It was that digging that caused his fiancée to dump him. At first, he resists, not wanting to miss his youngest sister’s engagement ball, but when his sister Cora reveals that several of his former fiancée’s family and friends will be that it would be best if he was not around, he grudgingly agrees to leave. He arrives in Haven Cove and learns almost immediately that his sister didn’t tell him everything he need to know, such as Princess Beatrice was scheduled to visit the town and the arrival of a duke would not go unnoticed!

Madeline has been running her family’s nursery business ever since her father died, and she has all but given up on romance. She keeps herself busy with projects and committees, but her heart isn’t really in it, which makes her feel guilty like she is betraying her father. She has often thought of the man she met in London, so when she realizes that the Duke is that man, it sets her heart aflutter and the Princess’s visit gives her the perfect excuse to see him – his house has been neglected and is an eyesore, she needs him to tidy it up before the Princess arrives. But to her surprise, Will is not really willing to fix up the house, that is unless Maddie is willing to help.

This was a well-written, nicely-paced story with wonderful characters. The book doesn’t really have any angst and nothing is keeping our lovers apart, save themselves and their desire to see the other happy. For me, it was a delightfully light, uncomplicated read filled with great characters, instant attraction, kitten infestations, carousel rides, flowers, royal visits, well-meaning siblings, bunting, steamyish love scenes, and finally a very sweet ending complete with a HEA and an epilogue. This is the first book in a new series which I am happy to recommend and will impatiently await the next installment!.

*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 Redemption of Philip Thane by Lisa Berne

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

The Redemption of Philip Thane (The Penhallow Dynasty, #6)The Redemption of Philip Thane by Lisa Berne

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Penhallow Dynasty, #6

Release Date: December 28, 2021

Philip Thane is known far and wide as a rake extraordinaire, he is handsome, charming, and with very few exceptions, he is practically irresistible to the female population, a fact he knows and routinely exploits, in short Philip is a jerk. But not every woman finds him irresistible, for instance, his aunt Henrietta Penhallow, when he comes calling for the family matriarch to bail him out of his financial woes, she agrees on one condition that Philip represents the family in a small country town and deliver a speech at in Plough Day. Philip grudgingly agrees and sets out, but life as he knows it will change forever upon meeting Margaret Allen.

Unlike other women, Margaret doesn’t immediately fall at Philip’s feet, so he sets out to impress her with his lackluster speech and fails, but no worries, Margaret is not the only fish in the sea and he turns his attention elsewhere, but when he wakes up the next day and realizes he is reliving Plough Day, he wonders if he can tempt the lovely Margaret into his bed.

When I read the blurb for this book, I was excited, I love the movie Groundhog Day and couldn’t wait to dive into the Regency interpretation. But sadly, unlike most times where the book is better than the movie, that did not hold true for this tale. I found the book to be repetitive, which I did expect it to be to a certain degree, but seriously, it was way more repetitive than I thought it would be. And if that wasn’t bad enough the book has ZERO steam, it is not even mildly warm – now I have read plenty of books with only kissing that have been so good that I didn’t even miss the razzle-dazzle, but that is not the case for this story, this book needed it, desperately. Overall this book was a miss for me, I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t read it again. This is the sixth book in the series, but you can easily read it as a standalone title with no problems.

*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.*