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 Earl and the Country Girl by Eva Devon

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The Earl and the Country GirlThe Earl and the Country Girl by Eva Devon

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone (?)

Release Date: June 24, 2024

Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley is sure the land agent he hired for his newly acquired estate in Cornwall is robbing him blind, but he needs proof. So hatches a plan to travel to the estate incognito, how hard could it be considering he trains spies for the military. But his disguised is blown within minutes of encountering Alice Wright, a local woman and he strikes a bargain with her. If she will help him fit into to his role as stablemaster, he in turn will help her launch a career in London as a perfume maker, promising to introduce her to London’s premiere perfumer. An agreement is made, and Felix is surprised by how much he enjoys Alice’s company, but they could never be more than friends, as Felix is adamant that he will never fall in love. At least that is his plan.

Alice Wright comes from a family of perfumers, but since the death of her father, her mother has not had time to make perfume, opting rather to be an herbalist and run an apothecary. Alice believes that her mother gave up on her dreams to marry and have a family and has decided that she will never succumb to love and give up on her own dreams, even if her dream seems impossible. Or at least it was before she met Felix. After helping Felix with his problem, he in turn helps her achieve her dream of learning the art of perfumery from London’s renown Madame Clemence Dubois. But dreams are funny things and sometimes they change, leaving Alice to wonder if it is possible to love another and still have dreams for yourself?

I honestly don’t know how I feel about this book, it wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t really drawn into the story. I liked Alice and Felix, but I never really felt their connection, for most of the book they played at being friends with benefits and they never really convinced me that they were more than that. I also felt that Felix held onto his “I can’t fall in love” raft for way too long and didn’t do nearly enough to make up for that. Overall, it was a quick, light read with a fair amount of angst, a villain who is almost forgotten, warm love scenes and a grieving duke (who I hope finds his own HEA), a somewhat rushed ending and a sweet epilogue.

*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. *

A Scoundrel’s Secret by Jane Charles

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A Scoundrel's Secret (Revenge of the Wallflowers, book 16)A Scoundrel’s Secret by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Revenge of the Wallflowers, #16 & The Knight Family, #3

Release Date: June 18, 2024

Once upon a time, Miss Carina Leonelli’s life was good, she was the daughter of an Italian Barone and attended a girl’s school where she met her best friend, Lady Gaia Evans. But then tragedy struck, and a scandal left Carina with no family to support her. Gaia’s mother, the Marchioness of Dargate hired her to be Gaia’s companion, a position she kept even after Gaia married and became the Marchioness of Lydell, it is a position she believes she will keep for years, even though Gaia continues to treat her like an equal and hopes she will find a love of her own. But Carina doesn’t feel worthy of a society marriage and as a servant of sorts, knows that marriage to a fellow servant, like coachman Felix Knight, won’t get her a home of her own. Besides, Felix is a rake and not a man she can take seriously, no matter how handsome and charming he seems. But when Felix is injured and she fears he is dying, she finally admits her feelings for him, not that it will change anything. But with a little help from her friends, HEA may be within reach, until long kept secrets come out and everything changes!

Felix Knight is the second son of Viscount Ormonde and the grandson of the Earl of Chedworth, two and a half years ago, his grandfather made a demand that Felix refused to bow to and resulted in Felix leaving home and cutting himself off from his family. He met and befriended the newly minted Marquess of Lydell who had been born and raised in America, he helped Lydell acclimate into London society and accepted his offer of employment, as his coachman, stable master and even sometimes footman. Felix never lied about his name, but neither did he offer information about his family and with the exception of Lydell’s new brother-in-law, it doesn’t seem like anyone knows who he is, which is perfect for hiding from his grandfather and his outrageous demands. At least it was until he feel in love with Carina and is desperate to convince her that they could marry and that they could be happy all while keeping his secrets. But he should have known that secrets have a way of coming out at the worst possible moment and secrets like his could easily crush new love.

As always, this was a well-written, nicely-paced story filled with wonderful characters. This book is a slow-burning romance, with no-steam love scenes, secrets, hidden identities, surprising revelations, fake courtships, matchmaking friends, a duel, heartache, revenge, reunions and finally a HEA that didn’t seem possible as well as a very sweet epilogue. This book is part of a series, but can easily be read as a standalone (be sure to read the author’s notes!). I am looking forward to the next book about the Knight Family!

*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. *