Category: Part of a Series

To Heist and To Hold by Christina Britton

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

To Heist and to Hold (Wimpole Street Widows Society, 1)To Heist and to Hold by Christina Britton

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wimpole Street Widows Society, #1

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Shortly after the death of her husband, Heloise Marlow was invited to move in with Sylvia Lutton, the widowed Viscountess Vastkern and several other ladies at her home and join the Wimpole Street Widows Society. Each widowed lady has a unique talent, and they all work together to help other women. For her part, Heloise is a blacksmith, forging swords and a fencing master, and she uses her talents to teach the other women self-defense. When her sister-in-law comes to visit her and asks for help in recovering her employer’s missing jewels that were used as collateral at Dionysus, a well-respected gaming hell and have since gone missing with the gaming hell claiming no record of the jewels, she plans to take care of the problem alone. But when the viscountess learns of her mission, she insists that the society helps her, and they form an elaborate plan to infiltrate the club and find the missing jewels. Convinced something shady is going on at the club and not knowing who can be trusted, Heloise plans to seduce one of the owners, which will hopefully give her access to the more private parts of the club. Seems simple enough, but that was before she met Ethan Sinclaire and realizes she has no idea how to seduce a man. But once they begin an affair, Heloise will question herself and start wondering if she will have to betray the man, she has come to love in order to keep a deathbed promise to her late husband.

Ethan Sinclaire is one of the owners of the wildly successful Dionysus club, a gaming hell he opened with his brothers and two other friends he grew up with on the streets. After a stunning betrayal and death of his middle brother Gavin, Ethan has closed himself off from everyone and has concentrated on maintaining a stellar reputation of the club. But lately there have been whispers of members saying they have been cheated, and after the fiasco with Gavin, Ethan is determined to learn the truth. When Heloise comes to the club, he immediately doesn’t trust her, but despite that, he is drawn to her and when they embark on an affair, he finds himself feeling again for the first time in years. But when the truth comes out will they be able to find a way to move past the secrets and lies or will the betrayal be too much to overcome?

This was a good start to a new series featuring strong, capable women, who get a second chance at finding their HEA. In this story, Heloise and Ethan are both likeable and relatable characters with an immediate chemistry. The book is filled with secrets, plans, laugh out loud seduction attempts, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, a bit of a mystery, betrayal, healing, forgiveness and finally a well-deserved HEA. I really enjoyed this book, but I do wish I had a better understanding about the origins of the Society, and I really want to know who won the boxing match!! Overall, this was a good book, and I would happily recommend it to my fellow HR readers and will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

*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. *

Murder at Somerset House by Andrea Penrose

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Murder at Somerset House (Wrexford & Sloane, #9)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Wrexford and Sloane #9
Publication Date: 9/30/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 368

Bravo! A Sterling Addition to the Series

This was a stellar addition to the series—full of plots within plots, wheels within wheels, and plans within plans (to borrow from Frank Herbert’s Dune). Wrexford, Charlotte, the Weasels, and the rest of the contingent must unravel a complex web of intrigue before the British government is destabilized—just as Napoleon escapes from Elba.

The mystery is layered and nuanced, with plenty of red herrings and suspects to keep you guessing. This installment feels a bit different from the others in the series—but in a good way. With exciting family developments and changes, I’m eager to see where the next book takes us.

All of the past investigations have taken a toll on Wrexford, Charlotte, and their found family. So when the Royal Society asks Wrex to investigate a murder that occurred during one of their meetings, he initially declines. But he’s compelled to reconsider when Durs Egg, a friend, personally asks for help—his brother-in-law has been falsely arrested. What begins as a murder investigation quickly reveals the fingerprints of French operatives. With mounting danger, more bodies, and a growing sense of urgency, they realize this is far more than just a simple crime.

One of the things I love most about this author’s work is the depth of research she brings to the story. She keeps the historical setting accurate while still crafting a gripping mystery—and her Author’s Notes add fascinating context and detail. I always look forward to reading them.

If you enjoy complex, layered, historically rich mysteries, you simply cannot go wrong with this book—or this series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The only downside? Waiting another year for the next installment!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews