Category: New To Me Author

Counting on Love by Carol Coventry

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

Counting on Love (The Taverstons of Iversley #1)Counting on Love by Carol Coventry

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Taverstons of Iversley, #1

Release Date: September 14, 2024

Lady Georgiana Stewart, the daughter of the Duke of Hovington, is preparing for her second season and knows that her parents are expecting her to find a husband this year after refusing 16 proposals in her first season. This year there is a rumor that Jasper Taverston, the heir to the Earl of Iversley is looking for a bride and has set his sights on Georgiana. Too bad she doesn’t feel anything for him beyond friendship. When Jasper is called home to attend to his ailing father, Georgiana and her cousin Alice Fogbotham are invited to his family’s country estate, presumably so Jasper can continue his courting. At first, Georgiana resigns herself to accepting Jasper, but when she meets his younger brother Reginald, she knows that she can’t marry Jasper. And when she helps him sort out a problem and he praises her intellect, she falls hopelessly in love with the wrong brother.

Reginald Taverston is the youngest (and most brilliant) son of the Earl of Iversley, when his mistress dumps him, he is happy for an excuse to retire to the country, but not happy at the reason. His father suffered a stroke a year ago and has now taken a turn for the worse. His family expects him to pursue a career in the church, but that is not where is heart is, he would rather continue his Greek translations at Cambridge and wonders how he can break this news to his family. In the meantime, he agrees to help Jasper get the estate’s accounts in order before the steward arrives and to help entertain his houseguests – neither is going well. First, he can’t seem to balance the accounts and when Georgiana offers to help, he falls head over heels in love with the one woman he can’t have.

This was a new to me author, whose writing style I enjoyed. In my personal opinion, the book moved a bit slow at points, the love scenes are barely lukewarm and there were a lot of characters to keep track of, but overall, it was an interesting story with likable characters and the author did a nice job of setting readers up for the next book in what appears to be at least a four-book series. While not perfect, it was a very entertaining read and a book I would happily recommend, and I am looking forward to reading 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. *

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), New To Me Author, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord RightThe Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: December 10, 2024

When she was only 3 years old, Miss Arabella “Bella” Grant was orphaned and grudgingly taken in by her father’s family. She was raised with her cousin, the timid and bookish Lady Isabelle “Issie” and the two grow to be as close as sisters, but Bella’s Aunt makes sure she never forgets her place. Right before Issie is due to have her debut, her mother dies unexpectedly, leaving Issie a heiress and without a chaperone. The girls stay in the country, finally free of Lady Strickland’s abuse. They are content to live out their lives in the country, but when their mourning period is up, so is their reprieve, when Issie’s Great-Aunt Lucretia, Lady Dutton, insists that Issie come to London for her come out and to find a husband. But once they arrive, Issie is overcome with worry and has a panic attack that renders her bedridden. She convinces Bella to take her place for the few months left in the season, promising no one will find out and then they can return to the country and live in peace.

Bella is not convinced pretending to be Issie is the right thing to do, but she could never say no to her and agrees. She makes the acquaintance of Lord Brooks almost immediately, and learns that he met Issie years ago, so even though she likes him, she is wary that he will figure out her deception and tries her best to avoid him or any man that might be serious about marriage. Simultaneously, Issie has met a handsome young doctor and for the first time in her life is considering a life that contains more than books. Neither girl is being honest with the men that have caught their attention, but there doesn’t seem to be a good time to make things right. When their ruse is revealed, will they both find their HEA or will their lies leave them brokenhearted?

I thought the blurb for this book sounded like it was going to be a light, fun read with lots of laugh out loud moments and a heartwarming romance. Sadly, this book didn’t deliver either of those things to me. I guess if I was a YA reader, I might have found some of the antics amusing, but as a mature HR reader, this story bored me to tears and just had me wishing for it to be done. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, it was just a light, fluffy, YA romance, with no steam or mature situations, so if you prefer your romances like that, you will probably love this book. However, if like me, you prefer your stories with a bit more heat and substance, I would pass on this title.

*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. *