Category: Historical Rom-Com

The Scot’s Seduction by Megan Frampton

On By TracyIn Contemporary in Period Dress, Historical Rom-Com, Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Scot's Seduction (Heirs & Spares #2)The Scot’s Seduction by Megan Frampton

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Heirs & Spares #2

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Raised by eccentric parents, Lady Drusilla “Dru” Courtenay is not your average aristocrat, as she doesn’t really care what society thinks of her and has no desire to marry. She lives life on her own terms but is careful not to be too brazen about her choices. She might be whispered about, but she doesn’t want to be a pariah, as that would hurt the people she is determined to help. After dismissing her latest lover, she focuses on her true purpose, helping those in need. She desperately wants to buy a large property that could serve multiple purposes; to house people, teach them a craft and have a shop to sell the goods they make. Dru has a modiste fortune of her own, but to fund a project this large is beyond her means. She is discussing that very point with her friend and secretary of sorts, Miss Joey, when they hear a commotion outside and go to investigate. It is then that she meets Murdoch Cragmore, the Earl of Cragmore and his niece and ward, Miss Emily Davenport. Little does Dru know but her life is about to change forever.

Murdoch Cragmore would rather stay in Scotland with his sheep and his account books than suffer the season in London, but Emily is the only child of his beloved late sister, and he knows that she wanted Emily to have season. He is willing to endure the season but is concerned that Emily seems dead set on falling in love at first sight and marrying immediately, something they are arguing about when Lady Drusilla intervenes. It takes some doing, but they manage to get Dru to sponsor Emily in exchange for the deed to a building for her project. But nothing goes as planned and Murdoch soon finds himself falling in love a woman who has made it clear that she is not interested in forever.

This was fast paced, fun read with interesting and likable characters. The story has something for every reader, there is betrayal, found family, kittens, warm love scenes, salacious stuffed animals, great secondary characters, laugh out loud moments, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I will freely admit that I prefer historical romance stories to comply with the strictures of the era in which they are set, and this book doesn’t do that – it is 100% a contemporary in period dress. Despite playing fast and loose with historical accuracy, I did enjoy the story and would happily recommend it.

*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. *

View all my reviews

The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Historical Rom-Com, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes (The Parasol Academy)The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Parasol Academy #1

Release Date: September 30, 2025

The Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses is very prestigious, thanks to a charter from Queen Victoria and magic bestowed to the Academy by Maeve, the Fae Queen. Having been left penniless after the death of her husband, Emmeline Chase was thrilled to learn that she could attend the academy as a “legacy” since her mother was a graduate. Now that she has graduated, she is sent on an interview and the opportunity could not have come at a better time, as she needs to earn enough money to help her father get out of debtor’s prison. But a teleporting mishap on her way to an interview, lands her on the roof of the Duke of St. Lawrence’s London townhouse. Thankfully, he has a pet raven, and Emmeline is able to talk to him and summon the duke to help her down. The duke is clearly in need a of nanny for his wards, but Emmeline can’t stop to help if she wants to get to her interview, she mentions the academy and is soon on her way. Her interview was disappointing, and she is worried, but the next day she learns the duke called and asked for her to interview for a position at his home. It would be the perfect position, if she wasn’t so attracted to the duke, because fraternizing with her employer is a huge no-no for Academy graduates. But aren’t rules made to be broken?

Xavier Mason, the Duke of St. Lawrence is considered odd by most people, but he is a gifted horologist and is currently in a competition to design the King of Clocks which will grace St. Stephen’s Tower in the newly rebuilt Palace of Westminster. He has been trying to perfect his design, but his home has been invaded by his new wards, he three young, orphaned cousins and a series of unfortunate events that disrupt his normally ordered life. He is at his wits end when he meets Emmeline and is immediately intrigued and hires her at the first opportunity. In Emmeline he finds not just an amazing nanny for his wards, but a true friend and supporter. Together they will figure out who is trying to sabotage his design efforts and maybe for the first time in his life, Xavier will finally find something he has never had, love and a family.

I enjoyed this book so much! I loved Emmeline and Xavier and all the secondary characters but Xavier’s pet raven “Horatio Ravenscar, Esquire” was quite possibly the best secondary character ever written! This story has something for everyone, emotion, a strong female heroine, a brilliant virgin hero who is on the spectrum, adorable kids, a sassy raven, some magic, some mayhem, found family, witty banter, warmish love scenes, a little mystery, nasty villains, good friends, and a happy ever after made complete with an epilogue! I really enjoyed this story, but I don’t think I would categorize it as part of the romantasy genre, I would say it was more of an historical romance with a bit of magic. This is the first book in a new series, and I am already impatiently awaiting the next installment!!

*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. *