Category: Movie / Story Retelling

Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard

On By TracyIn Movie / Story Retelling, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)2 Comments

Never Met a Duke Like You (Taming of the Dukes, #2)Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard

Tracy’s rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: Taming of the Dukes, #2

Release Date: November 14, 2023

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is pretty, popular and secretly nursing a broken heart. Once upon a time, she fell in love with her best friend and neighbor, Aspen Drake but a falling out when they were children and his shabby treatment of her during her debut, followed by his departure from England, effectively quashed any hope she might have still held for a happily ever after with him. But instead of turning her back on romance, she has embraced her love of love and plays matchmaker for her friends. She is happy with her lot in life, content to be a spinster, and dedicate herself to charitable works and match-making. But when Aspen returns and asks her help in finding a match for his ward, how can she say no, even if he is still an arrogant ass.

Aspen Drake, the Duke of Greydon has reluctantly returned to England after spending years in America leading archaeological digs. He knows he has neglected his duties for too long, but the loss of his father and his mother’s betrayal cut him deeply and kept him away. But upon learning the duchess planned to have him declared dead, he was finally forced to return and now he is on a mission, to find the proof of his mother’s evilness and to change the Lunacy Acts that made it too easy for her to carry out her dastardly plan. He has a plan, he has goals and he won’t be distracted, but when he finds himself trapped in an attic with her he realizes several things, she is even more beautiful than she had been the last time he saw her, she is even more annoying and he is in trouble.

Sigh, I had high hopes for this book, since Emma is my favorite Jane Austen book and I love a good retelling. Sadly, this book fell short for me. Personally, I felt that there was too much modern verbiage, too many contemporary ideals, and miscommunications to make this an enjoyable historical read. And don’t even get me started on the fact that the villainess wasn’t punished anywhere close to enough. But those things aside, I will give the author credit for taking on difficult issues and I found that part of the book to be well-researched and handled appropriately. I also enjoyed the snarky banter between Vesper and Aspen, the steamyish love scenes as well as the author’s notes. Overall, it wasn’t the story I hoped for and not a book I would read again, but I didn’t hate it and I’m sure it would appeal to many HR readers. And while this story didn’t really work for me, I would definitely read the next book. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily 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. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Christmas in Cumbria Anthology by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Movie / Story Retelling, Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Christmas in Cumbria: A Regency Romance CollectionChristmas in Cumbria: A Regency Romance Collection by Various Authors

Tracy’s rating (based on the two reviewed novellas): 5 of 5 stars

Series: Anthology with ties to each author’s ongoing series

Release Date: November 6, 2023

Let the Spirit of Christmas sweep you away! Christmas in Cumbria features THIRTEEN STORIES of love and romance from your favorite authors…

Let these glorious stories full of Christmas magic and true love—with more than a hint of steam— sweep you away to a time gone by. Indulge yourself free of guilt with this collection from USA Today and Amazon bestselling authors.

In my opinion, this collection is worth buying, not only is the price amazing, but even if you only read one or two of the selections included in the anthology you will be delighted and know that it was money well spent. I was lucky enough to receive ARCs from two of my favorite authors and would buy the book just for either one of their stories!

The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue by Jane Charles, 4.5 stars – During her first season, Miss Sheena MacGregor met and fell in love with Camdyn Oaks, Earl of Irvine and heir to the Marquess Walsingham. She believed that he loved her too, but on the night he begs her to elope with him, her brothers and uncle arrive from Scotland as well as Camdyn’s father, and the ugly truth of how they met is revealed and just like that Sheena’s heart is broken. She immediately returns to Scotland determined to forget she ever laid eyes on Camdyn. But fate has other plans and a year and a half later, Sheena and her brother Ewan find themselves in need of shelter for the night and must to her dismay, end up at Oakley Park, the home of the Marquess Walsingham.

Camdyn Oaks, now Marquess Walsingham, is still in love with Sheena, though he tries to move on, he soon realizes that she is the only woman for him and sets out to win her back. Her family stands by her refusal to see him or even speak of him, but her uncle finally listens to Camdyn’s side and agrees to help him by letting him know when they go to Edinburgh and what events they will attend, but he will not force Sheena to talk to him. Happy for the chance to see her again, Camdyn returns to his estate to wait for word, but a few days before Christmas, Sheena and her brother arrive on his doorstep seeking shelter. Overjoyed by the unexpected opportunity to reconcile with Sheena, Camdyn welcomes them with open arms. But it is clear that Sheena wants nothing to do with him and plans to leave the next morning. But when help for his cause comes from an unlikely source, Camdyn will not waste a second of the limited time he has, because he knows that Sheena is his only chance for happily ever again and he won’t let her slip away a second time without a fight.

The was a very sweet second chance for romance between feuding families. Sheena was hurt deeply and unwilling to give Camdyn a chance to explain himself and refused to believe his claims of love, I understood her bitterness, but I felt that she held on to that bitterness a bit longer than necessary. Other than that small quibble, I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this novella. This story is included in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology and is part of the Scot to the Heart series with a connection to the Trents.

A Governess Should Never…Kiss at Christmastide, Emily Windsor, 5 stars -Once upon a time, Miss Charlotte Webster fell in love with her childhood friend Marcus Scarcliffe, the Duke of Shawdale, and when they danced together at the Christmas ball, she believed that he might return her feelings. But shortly thereafter, Marcus left for London and when he returned he was a changed man, gone was the kind, happy boy, and along with him any hope of a happily ever after. Things went downhill from there, with the death of her father and the realization that she was penniless, but still had to care for her ailing uncle and her childhood home. Working as a governess, she barely keeps her head above water and when she learns that Marcus is in need of a governess for his ward, she jumps at the chance to be close to her home and if she is honest, to him. But when she learns that he doesn’t plan to be home for Christmas, she issues a challenge to him, if he still wants to go on his business trip after attending three Christmastide events with her, she will work for free until he finds a finishing school for Dinah, but if she wins he will employ her until Dinah’s debut and pay to fix her roof. It is a bet she plans to win!

Unbeknownst to Charlotte there is a very good reason for the drastic change in Marcus, but even he can’t deny the feelings that seeing Charlotte again stirs in him. So against his better judgment, he accepts her challenge, fully intending to win. But somewhere between dancing at a Christmas ball, a winter wedding, long walks in the countryside, a very unpleasant dinner party, and some sage advice from a stranger, Marcus realizes that life is short and that love is more important than making money. But will Charlotte still have him when she learns the truth or will his past cost him the love of his life?

OMG, I loved this story and although it is a novella, it is a full story, never feeling rushed or skimpy. Written as a loose retelling of Dicken’s Christmas Carol, this story is a lovely second-chance, friends-to-lover romance. I loved Charlotte and Marcus, their chemistry is undeniable and their interactions are delightfully witty and charming. The secondary characters, especially Dinah are wonderful and I loved the cameo of William Wordsworth! This story is included in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology and is loosely tied to The Governess Chronicles series.

I would highly recommend the anthology just for these two stories alone, but knowing that there are 11 more stories by well-known authors: Tammy Andresen, Sadie Bosque, Chasity Bowlin, Collette Cameron, Adele Clee, Christine Donovan, Amanda Mariel, Nadine Millard, Emily Royal, Tabetha Waite and Elizabeth Ellen Carter in the book makes me say that is a must-buy!

*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.*