Category: Check Content Warning/Triggers

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. *

Guardian Demon by Aurora Ascher

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Romantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Guardian Demon by Aurora Ascher

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Hell Bent #4

Release Date: September 30, 2025

After being demoted to a guardian angel, Sunshine has been waiting centuries for redemption. So, when she is summoned by her angelic mentor and given a mission to locate and return as stolen grimoire, a task that once completed will see her reinstated to her former rank, she jumps at the chance. But when she learns that she will have to go to hell to retrieve the grimoire, Sunshine decides she will need help and knows the perfect demon for the job! She knows that Raum will never help her voluntarily, so a bit of blackmail will be needed. She should feel bad about that, but she thinks Raum is just a means to an end. She never expected to like him or be attracted to him or heaven forbid (literally) to fall in love with him and question everything she ever believed.

Centuries ago, the demon Raum, an Earl of Hell, did something so vile, that heaven wiped his memory for the previous three centuries and leaving him feeling empty and numb. Now he and his “brothers” have left hell and live as fugitives in Canada, hunted by both heaven and hell. Raum has no memory of his lost time but knows he is not the same demon he used to be, and now he only true vice is stealing, not for personal gain, but for the small thrill it gives him. One by one his brothers have found love and Raum is feeling more numb than ever, so when he sees Sunshine for the first time, he is stunned to feel something for her, but before he can figure out the feeling, she is gone. Days later she turns up at a nightclub and they dance, which leads to the promise of more, yet ends up with Raum being held prisoner by Sunshine until he agrees to help her steal the grimoire from the Necromancer in hell. Raum agrees to help her to save his family but can’t shake the feeling that there is something between them. But how could that be as he is a demon and she is an angel?

I am freaking OBSESSED with this series! I freely admit that I had my doubts about this book, but I think it might end up being my favorite of the series. I loved Sunshine and Raum, they are both amazing characters and the chemistry between them is scorching hot. This book has lies, secrets, betrayal, torture, smoking hot love scenes, a bit of Dom/Sub action, an anti-hero who will burn worlds for her, laugh out loud brother moments, rescue dogs, shocking revelations, and a mind-blowing ending that still has me stunned! OMG – I just loved this book so much and can’t wait to read the next installment! If you like morally gray characters, steamy love scenes, lots of action and snarky banter – you need to read this book. This is the fourth book in the series, and while it could be read as a standalone title, 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. *