Category: Medieval (1066-1540)

Stranded with Her Forbidden Knight by Melissa Oliver

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Stranded with Her Forbidden KnightStranded with Her Forbidden Knight by Melissa Oliver

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: June 25, 2024

Years ago, Lady Elowen Bawden and Lord Simon Trebarr shared a moment that ended in tragedy and changed their lives forever, a moment that should have killed any attraction, but didn’t…

Now five years later, Elowen Bawden is widowed and has returned to her father’s house, only to learn that her father is planning to marry her off again. And Simon has inherited his family’s estates after the unexpected death of his brother. They see each other again for the first time in five years when Simon approaches Elowen’s father in hopes of forging peace between the families, and it is clear that the attraction they shared is as strong as ever and just as impossible. But fate has plans for these two and their journey to HEA is going to be a wild ride, but one that proves true love conquers all!

This book was exactly what I have come to expect from Melissa Oliver, great writing, and a wonderful story filled with relatable characters. Elowen and Simon are an amazing couple, they each have had their own demons to battle and despite the joint tragedies they share, they aren’t bent on revenge, and they don’t blame the other for circumstances beyond their control – how refreshing! But that doesn’t mean that their story is without heartache, loss and guilt, they are plagued with these things just like most romantic couples, they just handle it better! This story has death, self-esteem issues, duty, honor, familial obligations, unwanted betrothals, steamyish love scenes, loss, heartbreak, friendships, and finally a very hard-won HEA. I really loved this story and would happily recommend it to historical romance lovers, especially medieval fans!

*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 Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd

On By TracyIn Historical Rom-Com, Medieval (1066-1540), Non-Traditional Romance, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews3 Comments

A Daughter of Fair Verona (Daughter of Montague, #1)A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd

Tracy’s rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Daughter of Montague, #1

Release Date: June 25, 2024

“Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (badly). Only here’s the That’s not how it ended at all.

Romeo and Juliet are alive and well and the parents of seven kids. I’m the oldest, with the emphasis on ‘old’—a certified spinster at twenty, and happy to stay that way. It’s not easy to keep your taste for romance with parents like mine. Picture it—constant monologues, passionate declarations, fighting, making up, making out . . . it’s exhausting.”

I read this blurb, and I was sold – Romeo and Juliet didn’t die, and they actually lived happily ever after? Yes, please! I could not wait to dive into this book, but with several books to read and review for the end of June, I saved this book for last, thinking it would be the best of the bunch. After all, I have read (and loved) every historical romance Christina Dodd has written and was beyond thrilled when I saw that after years of only writing contemporaries, she was venturing back into Historical Romance, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book.

Sadly, this book was a huge miss for me for a lot of reasons. First, it is written in First Person Narrative – UGH! I hate FPN, HATE, HATE, HATE it. Second, the prose was decidedly modern and seemed as if the book was a YA romance, not to mention there is nothing more than a bit of kissing and little caressing – all very PG. And my final reason, the ending is a bit of cliffhanger, I understand this is going to be a series, but geez, a little closure would have been nice.

All in all, it was not a terrible book, just not the book I thought it was going to be based on past experience with this author’s writing. I don’t think I will read the next book, since this style is not my cuppa. But I am sure there are plenty of readers who would love this book and for that reason, if the reasons I mentioned don’t bother you, then I would recommend you give this book a go!

*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. *