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

No Dukes Allowed by Jess Michaels

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

No Dukes Allowed (The Kent's Row Duchesses #1)No Dukes Allowed by Jess Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Kent’s Row Duchesses, #1

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Shortly after the death of her husband, Silas, the Duke of Gooding, Valaria St. Clare, the Duchess of Gooding, takes up residence in Kent’s Row and immediately meets two other young widowed duchesses who also live on the street (apparently it is a dumping grounds for widowed duchesses). She longs to befriend the ladies, but Valaria has secrets that are not hers alone and can’t risk getting too close to anyone. Especially her late husband’s best friend, Callum Osgood, the Duke of Blackvale. Unfortunately for her, Callum feels responsible for her and wants to help her (and kiss her), so she tries to keep him at bay, but she feels a desire for him that she had never felt. She decides that it is better to keep your enemies close and a secret affair ensues, but soon she is falling for him and knows that if he ever learns the truth, he will hate her.

At first Callum Osgood’s, the Duke of Blackvale, main concern is ensuring that Valaria is taken care of, he feels that as Silas’ best friend, he would want him to see to her needs, but later he learns from his good friend Theo, the Duke of Lightmorrow, that Silas was not the man Callum believed him to be, that he was cruel and abusive to others and most likely to Valaria. Callum is appalled and though he has tried to stay away from her, he needs to know the truth about her marriage. But the truth just serves to make him feel guilty, for not seeing what was happening and that guilt only gets worse when he finally admits that he has always desired Valaria. But the desire is not as one-sided as he believed and they soon embark on an affair, and tender feelings will blossom into love, can this burgeoning love survive Valaria’s secret?

This was a good story, if somewhat predictable, I knew her secret before the end of the first chapter, but it isn’t revealed “on page” until nearly the end of the book, which I felt caused the story to drag a bit. I am not sure I completely believe that Callum didn’t know Silas’ propensity for abuse, it seems a bit of a stretch considering they were “best friends” since childhood and spent a considerable amount of time together, I don’t see how a person could hide their true nature, especially when drinking or that Callum never heard whispers about him. That issue aside, I did enjoy this book, it is filled with secrets, great characters, steamy love scenes, emotional healing, true love, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the first book in the series and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

*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.*

Say Yes to the Princess by Charis Michaels

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

Say Yes to the Princess (Hidden Royals, #1)Say Yes to the Princess by Charis Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Hidden Royals, #1

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Killian Crewes, the second son of the late Earl Dunlock, is a bit of an entrepreneur, he acquires rundown properties in the hopes of renovating them and leasing them out. But to do this, he needs funds, so to support his dream of becoming a real estate mogul, he does decreet work for the royal family. He has become known as the “Royal Fixer”, fixing things: gambling debts, recovering runaway lovers, bribing judges, covering up escapades in public fountains, and has disposed of more than one dead body. So it came as no surprise when one of the Royal Dukes, called him to take care of the problem being caused by an exiled French princess; to distract her, enchant her and if necessary seduce her. Killian isn’t privy to the problem she is causing, and doesn’t really care, doing this job will win him first dibs on some warehouses in Limehouse he has been wanting to buy. So he will do whatever is needed to “fix” the problem of Her Serene Highness, Princess Regine Elise Adelaide d’Orleans, or he will, once he figures out who she is.

Princess Elise has lived with the Royal family for the last ten years, ever since she and her siblings escaped France after her father, the brother of the King, was executed. But the siblings were separated and Elise has lived a lonely, isolated existence since then, she has not seen or heard from her brother, Prince Gabriel, and her sister, Princess Danielle in all the time she has been in England. Her mother is in Spain with her family, but rarely communicates with her and ignores her queries about her younger siblings, as does the rest of her limited family. But all that changed when traveling back from Weymouth with the Queen, she saw a young man who she is sure is her brother. The problem is she doesn’t know where they were and no one seems willing to help her, in fact, everyone seems to be discouraging her from finding him! So when the “Royal Fixer” is sent to deal with her, she is happy to let him “distract” her, as it enables her to leave the palace and search for Gabriel. She just didn’t expect to enjoy getting to know him or kissing him or falling in love with him, nor did she expect him to fight their obvious connection so much. Killian is a puzzle and Elise loves a puzzle, but will figuring him out lead to HEA or will it end in heartbreak?

This was not your typical historical romance, it was an interesting story with lots of likable characters and tons of witty banter, but honestly, it didn’t feel as smooth and cohesive as this author’s previous works. Don’t misunderstand, I enjoyed the book, but I feel like I was given a lot of information that didn’t move the story along, information that actually seemed to slow the story down. The story is filled with secrets, intrigue, witty banter, court politics, great secondary characters, a slow-burning, low-steam romance, betrayal, and finally, a surprising ending that leads to their HEA. This is the first book in a new series and I am already looking forward to the next book!

*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.*