Category: Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era is a period in British history 1714 to 1830. The kings were all named George: George I, George II, George III and George IV. The sub-period of the Regency is defined by the Regency of George IV as Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.
Preceded by: Restoration
Including: Regency era
Followed by: Victorian era

Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long

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Game of Rogues: A Novel (The Palace of Rogues, 9)Game of Rogues: A Novel by Julie Anne Long

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Palace of Rogues, #9

Release Date: June 2, 2026

Miss Guinevere “Ginny” Woodville is the very protective elder sister of Hogarth Woodville, Viscount Woodville and the newly minted Earl of Highgrove, so when he returns from a trip to London and confesses that he has lost everything – including his sisters’ doweries, Ginny is quick to jump in and make things right. Ginny promised her dying mother that she would make sure her siblings all married well, but that will not happen without doweries, so, Ginny travels to London and checks into the Grand Palace on the Thames and then goes to meet with Gabriel Marchand, the owner of Lucifer’s Fall – the “gentlemen’s club” that Hogarth lost his fortune. The man is completely infuriating and absolutely, breathtakingly gorgeous, she leaves their meeting without any resolution, unless she wanted to consider his illicit proposition – which she didn’t – and feeling desperate, but at least she is pretty sure she knows who Hogarth lost the bulk of his fortune to and hopes that that man will be more willing to negotiate. She thinks she has seen the last of Gabriel and is shocked when she learns he is also staying at the Palace – she tries to ignore him, but he always seems to be one step ahead of her, and as much as she wants to hate that – she doesn’t. She falls hard for him, but knows that she could never be with him and keep her promise to her mother, or can she?

Gabriel Marchand is a self-made man, orphaned into the poverty of St. Giles and has clawed his way to the top. As the owner of a very exclusive and successful gentleman’s club, he should have everything he wants, but meeting Ginny has him rethinking what he really wants. He is drawn to Ginny and against his better judgement begins to help her and in turn, she helps him. He knows he loves her and he knows she is not for him, but the heart wants what it wants, and he sets in motion a plan that may enable them to have their HEA. But his Ginny has made promises and honor might not let her follow her heart.

I love this series; I swear every new installment is better than the last – I can’t even remember the last series I read that could say that about. This story was absolutely my favorite to date – and that is saying a lot – because I have LOVED every book. Gabriel is everything you could want in a hero, he is charming, smart, self-made, has known loss and pain, and loves without conditions (he has earned a spot on my very exclusive favorite heroes of all-time list) and Ginny is his perfect match – their banter and jibes were some of the best I have ever read and I can’t wait to re-read this book! The book has wonderful characters, steamyish love scenes, lots of laugh out loud moments, grief, promises, a bit of angst, a little heartbreak, and finally a sigh-worthy ending complete with an epilogue. This is the ninth book in the series, and it could easily be read as a standalone with no problem, but I recommend reading the entire series because it is so good!

*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. *

 

Second Chance Prince by Sara Bennett

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Second Chance Prince (Romancing the Dukes, #3)Second Chance Prince by Sara Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: Romancing the Dukes #3

Release Date: May 19, 2026

Roberta Ashton was raised as Lady Roberta Ashton, daughter of the Duke of Grantham, but learned after his death that her parents’ marriage was not valid and she and her sisters were deemed as illegitimate. Thankfully, her half-brother Gabriel didn’t turn his back on them and insisted that they still had the privileges due to them as daughters of a duke. She met Prince Nikolai of Holtswig years ago when he was introduced as a possible suitor for her sister Olivia, and was instantly smitten, thankfully her sister married someone else, but he returned home soon afterwards. Now during her come out season the prince returns and they meet again at a ball, while they are catching up their conversation is interrupted when someone tries to kill the prince! The next day she is shocked when her brother’s friend Freddie Hart, a government agent approaches her and asks her to pretend to be engaged to the prince so the English government will be able to guard him without insulting his countrymen. She agrees, never believing she would actually marry him, even though she is still smitten with him. But when plans go awry and her life is turned upside down, will she find her HEA?

Prince Nikolai “Niki” of Holtswig has recently inherited his grandfather’s throne, but he is aware that not all of his countrymen are happy with his ideas for his country’s future. But he ever imagined anyone with try to kill him! When an attempt is made and it is suggested that he betroth himself to an English lady, he immediately asks Freddie to approach Roberta Ashton. Though he courted her sister, he had always been drawn to Roberta and thinks she would be the perfect lady to play his faux fiancée. When their charade becomes real, he is thrilled, as he knows he loves her, but not everyone is happy with their marriage and with so many suscepts it is hard to know who he can really trust. Will he be able to figure it out in time or will he lose everything including the woman he loves?

I really didn’t like the first two books in this series and was hoping the third time would be the charm – it wasn’t. I think I am just too picky – I know this is a work of fiction and I am willing to accept a certain amount of creative license, but in this series, it is like the author didn’t even try to make the story realistic to the era. I am not going to rehash all the title and protocol errors – but even if I was willing to overlook those errors, I thought the fake engagement plot was weak and slow moving. Overall, I do like the author’s writing style and enjoyed getting to know Roberta and Nikolai, the love scenes were warm without being graphic, the mystery was very well done and the book ends with a happy ending. So, while not my cuppa, I am sure many readers would find this book enjoyable.

2.5 stars

*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. *