Category: Check Content Warning/Triggers

Always Carry a Silver Cross by Andrea Robertson

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary, New To Me Author, Non-Traditional Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Always Carry a Silver CrossAlways Carry a Silver Cross by Andrea Robertson

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: None Listed

Release Date: October 21, 2025

After the death of her best friend Emma Bancroft, Selene Jones’ live changed forever, not only has she lost her best friend, but she has become guardian to Emma’s sixteen-year-old daughter Allison. Feeling out of her league and hoping that she is making the right decisions, she leaves her life in LA and relocates to Emma’s house in the small town of Avondale to raise Allie. Already feeling out of sorts, nothing could have prepared her for the shock she is about to receive when she arrives at Emma’s house and meets Allie’s boyfriend Josh, who happens to be a werewolf. The shocks keep coming when she meets her neighbors and learns that Avondale is a paranormal haven, ruled by Fenris Hall, a werewolf and a man she knows of (but never met) from her job as a professional fundraiser.

She is still reeling from learning that Avondale is filled with Werewolves, Vampires, Magi and Fey beings, and she isn’t prepared for her first meeting with Fenris to discuss the relationship between Allie and Josh. She is stunned at her immediate attraction to him and even more surprised when it becomes clear that he returns that attraction. She returns home wondering how a relationship between the pack leader of Avondale and a human could work and is confronted with a ghost from the past – Allie’s father, Daniel Brix who disappeared without a trace ten years ago. Things will only get more heated and complicated from here…

This book is not what I was expecting, the blurb calls it “a paranormal rom-com full of spirited seduction, sinister secrets, and the sublimely supernatural” I am going to have to disagree with part of that description, because this was definitely not a “Rom-com” – it was intense and it was filled with seduction, secrets and the supernatural – but it was not a romantic comedy and it had scenes that were downright horrific – not in a scary sense, but in a violating sense and I hope the publisher adds a content warning to the blurb to protect more sensitive readers. Overall, I liked the book, I thought it was well written and flowed well, and even though I wasn’t super happy with the ending, I would definitely read the next book. If you are a fan of insta-lust, soulmates, touch-her-and-die heroes and heroines who can take care of themselves – you will probably like this book. I am happy to recommend it but would caution there are some scenes that might be disturbing to some readers, and I would highly recommend checking for trigger/content warnings before reading 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. *

The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor by Ella Matthews

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

The Governess' Unlikely Suitor (The Dashworth Brothers #2)The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dashworth Brothers #2

Release Date: October 10, 2025

Lord Edward Dashworth’s life changed forever upon the death of his elder brother Sebastian. Sebastian left for America years earlier and Edward and his three other brothers hadn’t heard from him since. After his death, his young daughter Charlotte arrived at the home of Edward’s eldest brother, Tobias, the Duke of Glanmore with instructions from Sebastian’s lawyer that the remain brothers must all live together and raise Charlotte for two years. If the brothers did not agree, Charlotte would be sent to live with the aunt who had raised the brothers – a fate they wouldn’t wish on their greatest enemy. Once Edward and his brothers move into the ducal residence and begin to bond with their niece, questions arise about Sebastian’s death. Edward finds an investigator he believes can find the answers they seek, but he refuses to take the job. But Edward isn’t going to give up without a fight and he and his brother Freddie, visit Simon Hornel, the man agrees to talk to him, but says he can’t take the job and leave his sister. When the brothers promise to care for his sister, he finally agrees to take the job. Edward is elated, until he meets Kate Hornel and knows his life is about to become even harder, as Kate is exactly the sort of woman that he is attracted to and completely forbidden to him.

Katherine “Kate” Hornel has had a rough year, she was forced to flee her last governess post in the middle of the night after being mentally and sexually abused by her employer. After she left, the employer made it impossible for her to find another post and even went as far as ruining her brother’s investigation business by smearing his good name. When the Dashworth brothers offer her brother a case, she will do whatever necessary, even move in with strangers. She never expected to fall for Edward, a man who she could never hope to marry, but doesn’t seem to stop his family from trying to push them together.

This installment of the Dashworth Brothers series is a well-written, slow-burn romance with a forbidden attraction trope, and touches on the impact of the off-page emotional and mental abuse suffered by the characters. I really enjoyed this story and loved not only the budding relationship between Edward and Kate, but the ongoing relationship between the brothers and Charlotte. I was also delighted with the further progression of the storyline centering around their late brother Sebastian, which left me totally invested in this series and impatiently awaiting the next installment! Overall, this was a lovely story of healing, hope and love, it was a bit slow moving and drawn out in places, but it was still a very touching read. This is the second book in the series, and the author does provide enough backstory that the book can be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

*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. *