Category: Novella

Too Wicked To Want by Tammy Andresen

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Too Wicked to Want: Regency Romance (Chronicles of a Bluestocking Book 2)Barbara rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Chronicles of A Bluestocking #3
Publication Date: 11/12/19
Number of Pages: 145
*** 3.5 Stars Rounded Up ***

The series theme is that the ladies are ‘ruined’ bluestockings and they have decided to ‘study’ and research rogues in order to write a paper that will warn other young ladies what to look out for and what situations to avoid, etc. In this book, the lady is ‘ruined’ because she has an inattentive/uncaring father that ruined them financially.

Luke Harding, Marquess of Harding, eschews almost all ton events. His time and efforts are all devoted to the running of his estates and the care of his tenants and holdings. However, he has had to make an exception because he was falsely accused of ‘ruining’ a young lady at a previous event – when he wasn’t even there. So, he is putting in an appearance at the current event in order for the ton to see that he is not in hiding and to assume, therefore, that he is not guilty. Yet, there is a young woman across the room, hiding behind a palm, intently watching his every move. Evidently, there is another young woman out to maneuver him into a forced marriage. Well – that won’t be happening.

Lady Annabelle (Annie) Marks never plans to marry – not that she’d ever get an offer with no dowry. It is her plan to help her friends write their papers on rogues and to study sea creatures. She has been writing and publishing scientific papers under an assumed name and has been saving her money so that she can build a cottage where she and her friends can all live. Her father has promised her that he’ll give her a small strip of land by the sea – and that is where she plans to build the cottage. Of course, her father is flighty and fickle and will likely sell the land to the first person who asks.

Annie has chosen Luke Harding as the rogue she will study for their paper. She’s been standing behind a fern watching him all evening, but he isn’t doing anything particularly ‘roguish’. When he comes over and confronts her and they talk, she begins to wonder if maybe he isn’t really a rogue at all.

Both of our characters have issues stemming from fathers who are definitely not what a father should be. They are drawn together, but each fights the attraction. Luke was the one with more serious issues and it took him longer to realize that he could have a loving home and family despite the upbringing he had.

While this is part of a series, it can totally be read as a standalone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Earl of Oakhurst by Madeline Martin

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Earl of OakhurstBarbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Earl’s Christmas
Publication Date: 11/12/19

This was a delightfully, lovely and romantic read. A marriage of convenience morphs into a wonderful love story between two extraordinary people who both deserve all the best life has to offer. As with any book by this author, the story is well written and compelling and the research is impeccable as always. We also had a small visit with Alistair Johnstone, Earl of Benton, and his lovely heroine Emma Thorne who is now expecting their second child.

James MacKenzie thinks he is an unlucky man. Several years ago, he was in love with Lady Judith Eaton – or at least he thought he was in love – then, when his uncle died and his popinjay of a cousin, Gilbert, inherited the earldom, Lady Judith quickly announced her engagement to him and calmly walked away from James. Since then, James hasn’t been back in England and he certainly doesn’t want to return now. There is no help for it though – as the new Earl of Oakhurst it is his responsibility to move back and take up the reins. He knows nothing of being an earl, but his lovely grandmother will quickly remedy that. According to her, one of his first duties will be to marry – and quickly – and Lady Judith is still available. NO WAY.

Lady Penelope Keats is (was) a diamond of the first water and has had many, many suitors – well, she had them as suitors for a while. As soon as she showed them her intelligence and her keen interest in the healing arts, they ran the other way. She knows she can never marry because no gentleman would allow his wife to work At St. Thomas’ hospital – even as a volunteer. Yet, now, in order to continue volunteering there, she has to be married. Where can she find a husband who will allow her to continue her pursuit of medical knowledge?

When Penelope and James meet, they quickly discover that they can be the answer to each other’s dilemma. They form a pact – they’ll marry with no strings attached. Neither wants love or children, so it will be a perfect alliance. That works – until they share their first kiss – then each wants more, but won’t share that with the other.

It is a lovely read and it was so much fun to watch these two negotiate their way through their families’ expectations, strange goings-on at St. Thomas hospital, and their original marriage agreement. You’ll love the secondary characters – we’ve actually met Penelope’s mother before (she is a matchmaker) – and James’ grandmother is a delightful addition to the story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.