Category: Barb’s Reviews

Mr. Malcolm’s List by Suzanne Allain

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Mr. Malcolm's ListMy rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Publication Date: 7/28/20
Number of Pages: 256

This was a fun and entertaining read from a new-to-me author. She brings the whole range of emotions into it – I giggled, I teared up, I sighed – it was a really nice read. I will mention that it is not in the least steamy, so if you like steam, you won’t get it here. Since I just love a good romance – with or without steam – it was good for me. The writing is good, the characters are pretty well-developed, and the plot was mostly tight and excellently paced.

I believe this is a re-release as the author mentions that she enjoyed being able to go watch the filming of the movie made from it. You’ll like the characters – even the baddies aren’t really so bad. Plus, you get two romances for the price of one, so you can’t go wrong there.

Jeremy Malcolm is one buttoned-up dude! He’s rich, handsome, and has his own estate. If he were female, he’d be a diamond-of-the-first-water. He’s decided it is time to marry, but he is very, very, particular, and has a list of qualifications his bride must meet. Can anyone live up to that perfection? When he fails to pursue one female in particular, she decides to have her revenge on him. Imagine him embarrassing her by not at least calling the following day after escorting her to the opera.

Selina Dalton is the daughter of a vicar. She is very sweet, giving, caring, and very beautiful. She’s been working as a lady’s companion to an older friend of her mothers until the lady died. With her future unsure, she decides to write to a friend from school – and then hope for an invitation to visit London. She could return home to her parents, but that isn’t what she wants to do – at least not right now. When the invitation from her friend arrives, Selina has no clue it comes with some very tightly laced strings.

Now, you must be wondering why this isn’t a 5-star rating for me. The character development – especially for Julia and Cassie – just wasn’t there. For Julia, it was like there was a line down the middle of the book – on one side she was one person and on the other side, she was a different person. For Cassie, well, I felt sorry for him as it seemed his only character trait was that of a buffoon. Anyway, I enjoyed the story – even with Jeremy annoying me regularly.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Lady’s Guide To Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder (A Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Countess of Harleigh Mystery #3
Publication Date: 7/28/20
Number of Pages: 304

This new-to-me author was a delightful find. The story was very well written, the historical sights, sounds, language, etc. were period correct, the plot moved along at the perfect pace – and best of all there was romance. My favorite genre is historical mysteries, but I have to have a romance in those – and this one had TWO!

This is the third book in the series, but I have not read the first two books and don’t feel I really missed anything in this story by not having read them. However, since this book was so much fun, I’ll go back and catch those first two!

The characters are delightful – both main and supporting. There is a scene toward the end between Frances and her mother that will have you rolling on the floor laughing. It is absolutely perfect to see that side of Frances’ mother. When you get there, you’ll recognize it because you can’t miss it – think buckets of water, horse dung, and pitchforks.

Frances and George are secretly betrothed. Not because they are hiding anything, but because they don’t want to tread on Frances’s sister Lily’s big moment – her own wedding. George isn’t thrilled with keeping it a secret, but he’ll honor Frances’s wishes. When the need arises to move Lily’s wedding up by several weeks, George is more than happy to offer his brother’s estate, Risings, as the perfect venue. There is a perfect small church and the house will accommodate the close family and friends. Perfect solution.

Strange occurrences begin – accidents surely – but are they? The first couple of ‘accidents’ are viewed as just that, but as more accidents happen – and a death – Frances and George suspect there is a villain loose among them. Who is the intended victim? Is it Leo, Lily’s betrothed, or is it George himself? They both seem to always be at the scene of the accident and could have easily been the victim. Who could want Leo dead or injured? His brother-in-law? His best friend who might hold a romantic interest in Lily? What about George? Could someone from one of his past Home Office cases be coming back to seek revenge?

With suspects and victims galore, George and Frances will have their work cut out for them. They’ll definitely need all of their skills to prevent more injuries or deaths and to catch the villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and surely hope you will also.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.