Category: Novella

How to Save a Spy by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Series Crossover, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

How to Save a Spy (Duke of Lies)How to Save a Spy by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Duke of Lies #5 / The Devils of Dalson #2

Release Date: March 9, 2026

Rhys McNaught was recruited by the Home Office directly from school and was tasked with spying on the ton to find French spies. But after years of spying for King and country, Rhys wanted out and longed to return to his home on Antigua. Unfortunately, the spy game didn’t pay well and he was in debt, therefore delaying his return home, but fate had other plans for Rhys in the form of Leander Ashby, the Duke of Lionston. The duke offers Rhys a way out of his debt and a chance to get home, eventually, if he will work for The Lion Watch, a private group that collects information. Rhys has no choice but to agree and goes to the Caribbean island of Martinique to gather information about the French activity. He hopes the assignment will be quick and he will be able to complete his mission and finally get home! But things take turn when he returns to his hut to find it overrun with young ladies and learns the sea captain he uses to pass information is dead and the ship is lost. He immediately butts heads with the eldest, Miss Tempest Driscoll, who kicks him out of his house and even worse, she hides his rum! So why does he find her so attractive and irresistible?

Tempest Driscoll is the eldest daughter of a British diplomat based in Dominica. After the death of her stepmother, Tempest had to take over everything. She has been acting as secretary, hostess, governess and steward for her father, so when the opportunity for a quick getaway arose – she jumped at the chance. She and her sisters traveled to her uncle’s home for Christmas and were on their way home when their ship was attacked by the French. They barely escaped and sadly the ship and the crew were lost. They made it to the island and found Rhys’ hut. Tempest insists that she and her sisters need to stay in the hut and banishes Rhys to the jungle, after assuming he was nothing more than a drunk. But soon she realizes her mistake, and they form a friendship with the promise of more. But when the French capture Rhys can she save the man she has come to love?

This was a fast paced, well-written long novella with wonderful characters and lots of adventure that I am delighted to recommend. I absolutely adored Rhys; he is the quintessential heart-of-gold hero, but Tempest took a bit longer for me to warm up to, however, she won me over in the end. This is a quick, low/no steam read with lots of adventure, great secondary characters, witty banter with a happy ending that includes an epilogue. This novella has ties to more than one series but can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*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 Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti

On By TracyIn Anthology, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary in Period Dress, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

The Halifax Hellions (Halifax Hellions, #1-2)The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Halifax Hellions 1 & 2

Release Date: February 17, 2026

In this novella duology, The Earl of Warren’s sisters have taken London by storm or rather they have caused a storm of gossip. Lady Margeret “Margo” and her twin sister Lady Matilda “Tillie/Mattie” have been causing scandals for years and earning themselves the moniker “The Halifax Hellions”. But there is a method to their madness and while they have been outrageous and seemingly have no regard for society at large, they are fiercely loyal to each other and despite gossip to the contrary, they truly do have hearts of gold. They have always stood together, so when Matilda runs off, of course Margo is going after her. Let the adventures begin!

In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation – 4 stars: When Matilda leaves Margo a note stating that she is eloping, Margo decides to go after her, but she isn’t foolish enough to go alone. But with their brother away in Wales, Margo must turn to her brother’s best friend, Henry Mortimer for assistance. Henry has been in love with Margo for years, but he knows she is way out of his league as she is a heiress and he is a mere solicitor. After initially refusing to chase after Matilda with Margo, he changes his mind and they set off. For the first time ever, Henry has Margo’s undivided attention and maybe, just maybe, they will find more than Margo’s missing sister.

In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint – 3 stars: When Christian de Bord, the Marquess of Ashford confronts Matilda about losing his sister’s art tutor thanks to an erotic pamphlet that she illustrated that features him. Christian has been the subject of gossip for years, thanks to the death of his wife and his proclivities during his university days, but this time the gossip affected his sister and that he can’t abide. Mattie offers to tutor his sister herself and isn’t taking no for an answer. She has the best of intentions but can’t deny she is attracted to Christian and shares his “supposedly” former proclivities, and wouldn’t be opposed to exploring that attraction, too bad Christian doesn’t agree. But Mattie is not a quitter and knows she can help Christian’s sister and Christian move beyond their tragic past and find happiness.

I enjoyed both of these novellas, but I wish all three sibling’s stories had been included in this book. Overall, I think Margo’s could have been a bit longer and I wish Mattie’s had actually had scenes featuring Christian’s “proclivities” rather than skimming over the subject and that it had been a little faster paced, but I did appreciate the addition of an epilogue. This is definitely a “contemporary in period dress” type of historical, as it is clear that the protocols and etiquette of the era were not adhered to, but it was still a fun story, and I would be happy to recommend this book to my fellow HR readers. *Note – both of these novellas were previously released but have been updated to include an epilogue*

*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. *