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

Lady Elizabeth’s Winter Stranger by Anna Campbell

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Series Crossover, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Lady Elizabeth’s Winter Stranger (A Mayfair Christmas Romance, #2)Lady Elizabeth’s Winter Stranger by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s Rating:  4.5 of 5 stars

Series:  A Mayfair Christmas Romance, #2

Release Date:  September 30, 2025

After returning to London early to meet her family for Christmas, Lady Elizabeth Tierney is surprised to find a letter from her father waiting for her. The letter informs her that her brother is bringing his friend Stanton Morley-Bridges, Viscount Fairchild, who happens to be looking for a wife, to dinner and her father believes he would be a good match for her. Her father makes it clear that after four seasons and the rejection of numerous suitors, he has had enough and expects her to marry Stanton and if she refuses, he will ship her off to Scotland to be a companion to her Great-Aunt Agatha and her plethora of pugs. Elizabeth is enraged and needs time to process this turn of events and find a way to change her father’s mind before her family arrives. She decides to take a walk in the park, hoping no one will see her as it is Christmas morning.

She makes it to the park but begins to rethink her decision to go out alone, when she sees a man watching her and he offers to escort her home. She immediately refuses his assistance, but he is persistent. He introduces himself as Tom and makes her feel comfortable, so she agrees to walk with him. They spend a lovely morning together and she is sad to leave him and return to her family. They make plans to meet again the next morning, and she returns home right before her family arrives. She is now more determined than ever to defy her father and rebuff any courtship attempts Stanton Morley-Bridges might make and find her own HEA.

This was a sweet and spicy Christmas novella featuring several wonderful characters, including Lady Elizabeth, who has been in many of Ms. Campbell’s regency novels, yet never found her HEA, until now. I loved this story, it flowed so nicely and never felt rushed or unbelievable, despite being a novella. The story is a light, fun read with a bit of spice and a twist that will keep you flipping pages to find out how everything works out! This novella is a standalone title in the A Mayfair Christmas Romance series that is also loosely tied to the Scandal in Mayfair series.

*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. *