Category: Contemporary in Period Dress

Revenge, Served Royal by Celeste Connally

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary in Period Dress, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Revenge, Served Royal (Lady Petra Inquires, #3)Barbara’s rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Petra Inquiries #3
Publication Date: 11/11/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 328

This series has mostly fallen into the “meh” category for me. I didn’t hate the books, but I also didn’t love them. Unfortunately, this third installment is my least favorite so far. The pacing felt slow throughout, with very little suspense and far less involvement from the supporting characters I’ve grown to enjoy. Even Duncan is absent for long stretches. The tone still feels much too modern for my taste, though I will say I’ve warmed up a bit to Lady Petra.

The premise—a blend of Murder, She Wrote and The Great British Bake Off—sounded like it would be a lot of fun, but it didn’t quite live up to my hopes.

Lady Petra is summoned to attend a week-long anniversary celebration for Queen Charlotte and King George. Her cook is participating in the royal bake-off, and Petra has been invited to serve as one of the judges. Since the judging is blind, there’s no conflict of interest there. Petra is excited for her cook and also eager to reconnect with her father’s former chef, now retired and writing cookery books—at least until he turns up murdered.

Petra has no intention of investigating until the victim’s valet is accused—and until she discovers the man’s true identity. Solving the crime proves difficult. Although Duncan oversees security for the Queen and Royal Family, he has no authority within the Royal Palace. That falls to someone else, someone very determined to see the valet hang. Petra and Duncan are convinced of the man’s innocence, but proving it won’t be easy.

Overall, this was a smooth but very slow read with little excitement. There is, however, plenty of detail about the bake-off, the dishes, and the judging process. As I mentioned earlier, the book still feels far too modern—so modern that I sometimes wondered why it wasn’t simply written as a contemporary story. Petra and Duncan are openly sharing a bed, and while everyone seems aware of it, nobody cares—even though she’s an unmarried earl’s daughter. Petra has declared she’ll never marry, and Duncan seems content with that. There are also hints at upcoming relationship developments for two supporting characters—one I liked, the other I didn’t. If I do pick up the fourth book, I assume I’ll see where those threads are headed.

I wouldn’t reread this one, but I am mildly curious to see how things unfold for Lottie and Caroline. At this moment, I’m not inclined to read the next book, though that could change once I see the blurb. If you enjoy a slower, steadier pace in your mysteries, this one might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Happy reading!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Scot’s Seduction by Megan Frampton

On By TracyIn Contemporary in Period Dress, Historical Rom-Com, Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Scot's Seduction (Heirs & Spares #2)The Scot’s Seduction by Megan Frampton

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Heirs & Spares #2

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Raised by eccentric parents, Lady Drusilla “Dru” Courtenay is not your average aristocrat, as she doesn’t really care what society thinks of her and has no desire to marry. She lives life on her own terms but is careful not to be too brazen about her choices. She might be whispered about, but she doesn’t want to be a pariah, as that would hurt the people she is determined to help. After dismissing her latest lover, she focuses on her true purpose, helping those in need. She desperately wants to buy a large property that could serve multiple purposes; to house people, teach them a craft and have a shop to sell the goods they make. Dru has a modiste fortune of her own, but to fund a project this large is beyond her means. She is discussing that very point with her friend and secretary of sorts, Miss Joey, when they hear a commotion outside and go to investigate. It is then that she meets Murdoch Cragmore, the Earl of Cragmore and his niece and ward, Miss Emily Davenport. Little does Dru know but her life is about to change forever.

Murdoch Cragmore would rather stay in Scotland with his sheep and his account books than suffer the season in London, but Emily is the only child of his beloved late sister, and he knows that she wanted Emily to have season. He is willing to endure the season but is concerned that Emily seems dead set on falling in love at first sight and marrying immediately, something they are arguing about when Lady Drusilla intervenes. It takes some doing, but they manage to get Dru to sponsor Emily in exchange for the deed to a building for her project. But nothing goes as planned and Murdoch soon finds himself falling in love a woman who has made it clear that she is not interested in forever.

This was fast paced, fun read with interesting and likable characters. The story has something for every reader, there is betrayal, found family, kittens, warm love scenes, salacious stuffed animals, great secondary characters, laugh out loud moments, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I will freely admit that I prefer historical romance stories to comply with the strictures of the era in which they are set, and this book doesn’t do that – it is 100% a contemporary in period dress. Despite playing fast and loose with historical accuracy, I did enjoy the story and would happily recommend 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. *

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