Category: Novella

One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley

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One Night to Remember (Wicked Dukes Club #5)One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Dukes Club, #5

Release Date: June 11, 2019

Lady Felicity Sutton grew up poor, she along with her brother (now the Duke of Colehaven) worked in a smithy as children and were often hungry and homeless. She got lucky, her brother inherited a wealthy dukedom and she no longer has to work or worry. But it isn’t enough, she never wants to know poverty again and wants to do something to aid the impoverished children of London. To do that, she must marry and marry well. She had certain requirements for her would be husband and is willing to make personal sacrifices to ensure she marries a man who can provide financial stability and fund her dream of a foundation to help the poorest of children.

Felicity has decided this is the season she will marry and stop tinkering with her brother’s carriages. She has found the perfect suitor, Lord Raymore, the marquess is older, but has a substantial fortune and already fights tirelessly in the House of Lords to help the poor, especially children. He is exactly the right man, so she will show him that she is the perfect woman to be his marchioness. But when she learns her brother is entering his racing carriage in a race, she can’t resist suggesting modifications. Cole agrees and tells her he will not be racing himself, he has hired Giles Langford, a well-know coach smith and racer, known as the Curricle King to race in his stead.

Giles is surprised and impressed by Felicity. She is lovely and talented, but this race is important, winning will help his business and afford him the opportunity to apprentice more of the poverty stricken children in his neighborhood. As they work together, they learn more about each other and the attraction grows, leading to kisses and deeper feelings. Giles knows he is far below Felicity’s station, but can’t stop himself for dreaming of the impossible – a lifetime with her.

Felicity is falling hard for Giles, but she can’t give up on her dream and Giles has neither the money or the political power to help her realize that dream. She is torn and has to decide if her dream is worth the cost of losing the love of a lifetime.

This was well written, fast paced, sweet story, with wonderful leads, warm love scenes and delightful secondary characters. Both Felicity and Giles are likeable and the chemistry between them is undeniable. I enjoyed their journey to HEA and would be happy to recommend the book, but I admit, I did find the ending a bit unbelievable/implausible.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher.*

The Summer of Wine and Scandal by Shana Galen

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Summer of Wine and Scandal: A NovellaThe Summer of Wine and Scandal: A Novella by Shana Galen

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: originally published in the Anthology “A Gentleman for All Seasons”

Release Date: June 29, 2016

Peregrine Lochley, the youngest son of Viscount Lochley meets Miss Caroline “Caro” Martin when she helps him free his carriage from the mud. Lochley feels awful for letting her do the work and impulsively invites her and her family to dinner. She asks if his hosts will mind and he assures her it will not be a problem, she is not so sure…

Caro has secrets, there is much speculation about the village about what happened to her 4 years ago after the town’s fair, most people think she was sent away to give birth to a child, but the truth of her time away is much more heartbreaking. She is ruined and her family is avoided and have not been invited to any events since she returned. She knows that once Lochley learns of her scandal, the invitation to dinner will be recalled. But to her complete shock, it isn’t! They go to dinner and she learns that Lochley is known for his ability to pick wine, in fact, he will be judging the wine tasting at the upcoming fair. An event that her family’s vineyard will be entered in. When talk turns wine, Lochley goes to his room to retrieve a bottle and is shocked to find Caro wandering the halls, turns out the host’s sister is a bit of a matchmaker and set them up, but Caro believes the worst of Lochley and thinks he is trying to seduce her and gives him an earful.

Days later their paths meet again and this time she helps him find his way back to his friend’s estate, when they arrive, he kisses her and to her surprise, she likes it – too much. But this begins a friendship of sorts and he meets her again and again. Lochley is falling for her, but when a chance meeting in Tunbridge Wells has him learning the truth of her scandal, he is taken aback and is not sure he can accept the truth. It will take some wise words from his friend Gage and some soul searching, before he comes to a decision, but is it too late? Did his initial reaction hurt Caro too deeply for her to believe his feelings are sincere?

I thought this was a well written, fast paced novella about overcoming the past and learning to forgive yourself. It is filled with a lot of emotion, forgiveness, heartache, acceptance and sweet kisses. I liked Lochley and Caro, but I am not a big fan of the story’s ending, if felt incomplete and a bit unfinished. Overall this was a good story and completely different than your typical Regency but be warned, there are some trigger issues (attempted rape, survivor shame) that might upset some readers.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eBook that was provided to me.*