The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest by Heather McCollum

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Brothers of Wolf Isle, #5

Release Date: September 30, 2024

With all his brothers happily married, Eagan Macquarie is getting sick of everyone looking to him to marry and finally breaking the curse cast on his clan. He has nothing against love or marriage, but he isn’t sure if that is his destiny, he wants to broaden his horizons and travel before he has to think about that. In fact, his bag is packed, and he plans on leaving in the morning following tonight’s Samhain celebration. But when he is asked to row over to Wolf Island to collect Grissell to help with a difficult birth – all his plans go awry when he meets Claudette “Tessa” Tempest Ainsworth, and soon more than just his plans change when her connection to the Macquarie’s great enemy is revealed.

Tessa has been living on Wolf Isle for the last year. Her father found her in Paris barely getting by after the death of her mother and brought her to Wolf Isle with the promise to return for her soon. Tessa believes he will return her to France, and they will live on his family’s estate and she will finally have the security that has been missing in her life. But for now, she waits, and as an accomplished midwife, she is sent in Grissell’s stead to help with a birth on Mull and feels an immediate connection and attraction to Eagan. Soon the two become lovers, and at first neither is willing to change their future plans for the other. But the more time spent together, the deeper their connection grows, and she isn’t sure what she will do when/if her father returns. But when he does, everything she thought she knew is challenged and it becomes clear that heartbreak will be inevitable.

This was a very good end to the Wolf Isle series; it is well-written and ties up all the story lines that have been ongoing throughout the series. It did start a bit slow and took a couple of turns that made me wonder where the author was going and how it was going to all work out – but it does, and it is very satisfying. This book has a bit of everything; intrigue, insta-lust, great characters, witch hunters, old enemies, impossible choices, steamy love scenes, the entire Macquarie family, a centuries old curse, twist and turns, shocking revelations, heartache, and a happily ever after that didn’t seem possible as well as an epilogue. This is the fifth and final book in the series and while it could be read as a standalone title, I would strongly recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience. It also should be mentioned that there are some scenes that might be upsetting to some readers, and I would suggest checking out the content warning before reading this book.

*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 Worst Duke in London by Amalie Howard

Tracy’s Rating: 2/2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Taming of the Dukes, #3

Release Date: September 24, 2024

Lady Evangeline Raine is a bluestocking through and through, she has no patience for those don’t agree with her and she chafes against the patriarchy, leading her to distain both society and marriage and focus her passion on saving animals. But when her younger sister wants to be courted by her beau, their father decides that if Viola wants to be courted then Evangeline must also be courted. Evangeline has no desire to be courted or married, but she is interested in what she might be missing in the boudoir. So, when Gage Croft, Duke of Vale shows interest in her, she offers him proposition, he may court her if he agrees to show her the delights of the marriage bed sans marriage.

Gage Croft, Duke of Vale inherited a rundown, debt-ridden estate thanks to his father and older brother, he tries to turn the estates finances around, but the debt is enormous. So when the holder of the majority of his debts offers to reduce the debt in exchange for a favor, Gage agrees. The favor is for Gage to court Lady Evangeline so Lady Viola will be able to be courted. Simple enough, that is until he meets her and finds himself embroiled in yet another deal. Everything would be fine, if he hadn’t fallen for her and if she hadn’t learned about his previous arrangement. Now he has to convince her that his love is true and worth the risk.

Sigh, this had the potential to be a great story and the author’s writing style is very good, but sadly instead of romance, this book is more like women’s fiction with sex, corsets, and no electricity or indoor plumbing. These days, a bit of anachronism and creative license are to be expected in historical romance, to make characters more relatable to contemporary readers, but this was over the top – it was a contemporary story in period dress. I have read other books by this author and felt the same way but have given her several chances to prove that she can in fact write historical romance – and have been disappointed time and time again. If I wanted to read about feminism and 21st century ideals and morals, I would read a contemporary romance. I am sure there will be plenty of readers who will read and love this book, but it just doesn’t work for me. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title without any issues.
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*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. *