Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

The Accidental Countess by Jess Michaels

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

The Accidental Countess (About An Earl #3)The Accidental Countess by Jess Michaels

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: About An Earl, #3

Release Date: February 4, 2025

Clarissa Lockhart was raised to be a perfect lady, but after 3 three seasons she is still unwed, and her parents are growing impatient. They arrange a house party hoping to find a husband for her who will elevate them socially and support them financially. Clarissa is resigned, she knows it is her duty to honor her parents and to marry well, love is not something she expects or even desires, as strong emotions are not ladylike. In an effort to please her parents, Clarissa has always acted as expected and is a slave to proper etiquette, so when her rakish cousin George, Viscount Lockhart arrives at the house party with an uninvited guest in tow, she is annoyed, but much too polite to say anything to George’s friend and fellow rake, Roderick Stratford, the Earl of Kirkwood. She goes out of her way to avoid him, but he is not content to have her ignore him, which leads to them being caught in a compromising situation by her parents and they are forced to wed. Clarissa begins to fall for her husband but still holds tightly to her perfect comportment and still bends to her parents’ wishes. Can she let go of her rigid control and believe that she is worthy of love, or will she hold tight to old habits and forfeit the love of a lifetime?

Roderick Stratford, the Earl of Kirkwood, is a rake, but unlike other rakes, he actually believes in true love and is sure that one day he will find the love of his life. He thinks that when he meets the right woman it will be like a bolt of lightning, and he will know immediately that she is “the one”. So far, he hasn’t made that connection and when he is caught with Clarrisa, he believes that he has lost his chance at true love but plans to make the best of this forced union. The more time they spend together, the more he wants to make her happy and tries to help her relax a bit and see her own worth. He likes her and can’t deny his attraction to Clarissa or their compatibility in bed, but will that be enough or will he too learn to change the thinking of a lifetime and find love?

This was a delightful read with very likable characters and fresh plotlines. I liked Clarissa and Roderick, they each have ideals that they have nurtured all their lives and will each have to come to the realization those ideals may not be as absolute as they believed and that given a chance, love will find a way. Overall, this was a good read, with wonderful characters, cameos from previous characters, steamyish love scenes, a truly sigh worthy hero and a sweet heroine, great secondary characters, a forced marriage and finally a happy ending complete with an epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title without any problems. If you are looking for a steamyish historical romance with a storyline that is anything but run of the mill – look no further, you’ve found it!

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

The Wayward Duke by Katrina Kendrick

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Wayward Duke (Private Arrangements)The Wayward Duke by Katrina Kendrick

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Private Arrangements, #4

Release Date: October 10, 2024

Eight years ago, tragedy and grief tore the newlyweds, Julian and Caroline, the Duke and Duchess of Hastings apart and has kept them apart for all these years. Caroline was almost crushed by the loss she suffered and that led to the rift with Julian, but eventually she found her way alone, she has good friends and a successful career as a painter, but she never stopped loving Julian or wondering “what if”. So, when Julian shows up at her residence and informs her that he will be residing with her until he leaves for Italy in a month. She is both annoyed and thrilled at the prospect. She agrees but has conditions; they must present a united front to society, and they will have to share a room. He agrees and slowly they begin to heal the rift that has kept them apart, they even work together on a mission for the Home Office. It is clear that their love never died, but they have hurt each other, and it will take time for them to completely heal. Time they may not have if a madman bent on destroying the Duke of Hastings is successful.

Julian never stopped loving Caroline, but when she sent him away all those years ago, he left and vowed not to return until she asked him to. It is a vow he has kept for eight long years, but when circumstances arise that leave him temporarily homeless, he decides to take his chances with his duchess. As they begin to heal their marriage, he is contacted by an agent of the Home Office with a request for his skill at cryptography and he enlists Caroline to help him decode the message. They figure out that a terrorist is planning attacks on the aristocracy, and Julian even has a suspect in mind, and with Caroline’s help, he is sure they will find him. Their relationship seems to be back on track, but when the terrorist attacks escalate and they are caught in the aftermath, it is clear that their enemy is out for blood and Julian will stop have to stop him before he ends any chance for a true HEA with Caroline.

I have been waiting for Caroline and Julian’s story for a very long time, and I am happy to say that it was well worth the wait! This story is a classic second-chance romance with a bit of angst, loss, grief, intrigue, action, wonderful characters, forgiveness, healing, very steamy love scenes, a true soulmate type love and finally a lovely HEA including an epilogue. I think this was the best installment of the series and definitely a book I would read again. As much as I loved this story, I was disappointed that Caroline never actually said “I love you” to Julian – instead she gives him a Hans Solo “I know” response to his declaration. I would absolutely recommend this is a lovely story of healing, forgiveness and a second chance at love to all romance readers, especially those who enjoy a bit of intrigue and lots of steam in their romances. This is the fourth book in the series, and could be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

NOTE:  This story contains elements that might be upsetting for some readers, I would suggest checking the Content & Trigger Warnings before starting this book

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