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

The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount by Vivienne Lorret

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount (The Liars' Club, #2)The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount by Vivienne Lorret

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Liar’s Club, #2

Release Date: September 24, 24

For years Honoria Hartley has used her betrothal to Manford Fairfax, Viscount Vandemere to keep suitors at bay. Engaged to a missing Viscount has given her a freedom that most young women can’t even imagine, a freedom that she has no intention of giving up. Which means she needs a way to support herself, lucky for her, she is an exceptional card player and clever with disguises, thanks to her theater-loving family. But while visiting Paris, it would seem she has hustled the wrong man and gave away a bit too much information about herself, but as time passed, she thought that her narrow escape from him was ancient history, that is until he showed up at her parents’ home claiming to be her long-lost fiancé! Soon begins a game between sharps, each with their own agenda and a fierce desire to win. Too bad the rules changed mid-game and soon the love she never wanted became the only thing that matters.

Oscar Flint has lived the life of a grifter, he barely remembers his father, but swore to his mother on her deathbed that he would find him. He along with Ignatius Cardew, a friend of his mother, have been searching for him ever since. But a chance meeting in Paris with Honoria disguised as “Signor Cesario” will change his life forever. She cheated him out the winnings he needed to settle a debt incurred to Miguel Ladron, a dangerous man by Ignatius, that loss turned the attention of said dangerous man from Ignatius to Oscar. Which caused him the need to disappear, lucky for him, he found someone who told him the story of the long-lost viscount and his association with a certain swindler. Now all he has to do is convince everyone that he is the lost Viscount and lay low until Ladron gives up his pursuit of Oscar and then he can resume the search for his father, assuming he lives though this ruse. But he never anticipated that the attraction he felt for Honoria in Paris would last, or that he would long to be the man to finally win her heart. With nothing to offer what chance does he have? Good thing he is a gambling man…

Another well-written, lighthearted addition to the Liar’s Club series, this installment features the lovely middle sister Honoria and Oscar, the handsome gambler she bested in Paris. These two are clearly meant to be, it is obvious, from their first encounter, yet they have no intention of admitting that to anyone – especially themselves! This book has lies, secrets, deception, blackmail, a truly nasty villain, wonderful secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, a bit of angst, a lot of laughs, and some surprising twists and turns that will lead them to their HEA. I do wish there had been an epilogue, or at least an ending that cleaned up the loose ends. Overall, I enjoyed this story and would happily recommend it to my fellow historical romance fans. This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title.

*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. *

Every Wallflower Has Her Thorns by Bronwen Evans

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Every Wallflower Has Her Thorns (Revenge of the Wallflowers)Every Wallflower Has Her Thorns by Bronwen Evans

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Revenge of the Wallflowers, #26

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Lady Alice Montague, sister of George Montague, the Earl of Hampton has a secret, she is in love with her brother’s best friend Calum Arden, Marquess of Skye and heir to the Duke of Galloway. Too bad he only thinks of her as a sister and even worse, feels guilty about her wallflower status, because he thinks it is because of the riding accident she had ten years ago while following George and Calum. The accident resulted in a broken leg that was set poorly and left her with a limp and labeled as a “cripple”. But that is not the reason Alice hasn’t married; she hasn’t married because no man has ever captured her heart like Calum and the thought of marrying anyone else is untenable. But when Calum gets it into his head to help her find a husband, things take a turn that she never could have imagined, and they end up engaged. It should have been her dream come true, but instead it is a nightmare, and she would rather be ruined than marry a man who she loves but who will never love her.

Calum Arden, Marquess of Skye is not ready to marry, and he definitely isn’t looking for love, he’s been there, done that, and regrets it. No, when he marries, it will be a sensible arrangement with a lady of good birth, with no messy emotions to muck things up. Besides he has plans to travel the continent and sowing some wild oats, before returning to Scotland and learning his future responsibilities to the dukedom and doing his duty in finding a wife and siring an heir. He plans to leave in a few months and is enjoying the London season, but when he notices that Alice is playing wallflower, it upsets him, and he thinks it is because of her limp. He decides to help her by paying her some attention, so the men of the ton will see what they have been missing. But things do not go as planned and he finds himself betrothed to her. Can he marry her and leave her for a year to travel or will he give up his travel dreams and end up resenting her? Neither thought is appealing, but soon that is not his biggest worry, since she seems set on ending their betrothal!

This was a nice addition to the Revenge of the Wallflowers author collaboration series, Alice and Calum are both likable characters and there is clearly a strong attraction between them. The story is a friends-to-lovers / brother’s best friend romance with quite a bit going on for a novella. The book has secrets, betrayal, unrequited love, a forced betrothal, scheming harpies, chess, horses, a heroine ready to be a martyr, a once-bitten-twice-shy hero, steamyish love scenes and finally a hard-won HEA complete with an epilogue. Overall, it is a quick read with cute, yet steamyish love story (perfect for those who enjoyed the Bridgerton season 3 carriage scene), that I would happily recommend to my fellow Regency romance readers. This is the 26th book in the series, but as with the other books, each is a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *