Category: Novella

Lady Abigail’s Perfect Match by Sophie Barnes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)2 Comments

Lady Abigail's Perfect Match (The Townsbridges, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Townsbridges #2
Publication Date: 10/29/19
Number of Pages: 99

This was the loveliest of reads. The writing is excellent, the story is heartwarming, the characters are totally likable and relatable, and the HEA is well deserved. Shorter books often make you feel as if the story was rushed and you feel a bit unfinished – but that is definitely not the case here. I think we got to know the characters well, the villain got his just desserts (though I hate who it was), and the romance developed just as it should.

Lady Abigail suffers from debilitating shyness. While it is always bad, it is absolutely impossible to manage when she is in the company of Lord James Townsbridge. Her throat tightens, her words flee, and she is physically nauseous.

James, unlike most of his friends, has a positive outlook on marriage. His parents have a long and happy marriage and now his older brother does as well. James is handsome, good-natured, sociable and everyone likes him.

James and Abigail’s first meeting is very inauspicious – neither likes the other. He is coming off a huge hangover after celebrating a friend’s nuptials and has the world’s worst headache. He doesn’t want to be at the ball – and when he is introduced to a woman who plainly doesn’t want to be there – he doesn’t like her at all. But then, she doesn’t like the rude, self-important James either.

These two have a long way to go when, later that evening, they are compromised and have to marry. When Abigail tells him that he is the reason she feels sick, he is taken aback and really regrets that he’s going to have to tie himself to her for life. Yes – they have a lot to work through. Thank goodness she soon gets to explain what she REALLY meant to say. I love how James helped Abigail one he understood her problem. He was so patient and loving.

This is definitely a good read and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

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

The Earl’s Christmas Pearl by Megan Frampton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Earl's Christmas Pearl (Duke's Daughters, #4.5)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Duke’s Daughters #4.5
Publication Date: 10/29/19
Number of Pages: 144

This is a really quick, lovely, fun Victorian Christmas story. It is well written and the characters are relatable and very sweet. You can’t go wrong with this book if you want a romantic Christmas read.

Lady Pearl Howlett is the ‘NOT’ sister. Nobody particularly notices her other than she is NOT the intelligent sister, and she is NOT the scandalous sister, etc. Even her mother doesn’t really notice her – that is how she came to be left alone in London during Christmas. Her mother just left her at the townhouse – not even noticing that she wasn’t in the carriage.

Pearl almost ran out after her mother’s carriage, but then decided not to do so. She thought it would be wonderful to be on her own and have her own adventure. After she considered all the things she could do – like skating through the hallway — she realized that she had no food in the house, no servants, and she didn’t know how to do anything for herself. She couldn’t light a fire, and she couldn’t cook even if she did have food. So, what is a girl to do? Our intrepid Pearl found a way to make it happen.

Owen Dwyfor, Earl of Llanover has come to London over Christmas for two reasons – one is that he has a leg injury and the doctor is in London and the other is that he just craves some time alone. His sisters and his mother make constant demands on him and he’d love to have some time for himself. He’s staying at his Godmother’s home, but she has visited other family for Christmas. He doesn’t have any servants either, but he does have some food – and he can build a fire – and even cook eggs for himself.

Owen and Pearl are staying in homes right next to each other and they meet out on the street where they are staying. Their adventure is fun to watch because they are really two kindred spirits designed to complete each other. I love that Pearl thinks of Owen as “his grumpy earlness”

It is definitely a light-hearted fun read and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

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