Category: Part of a Series

The Earl’s Unlikely Bride by Ella Matthews

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

The Earl's Unlikely Bride (The Dashworth Brothers #1)The Earl’s Unlikely Bride by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dashworth Brothers, #1

Release Date: July 10, 2025

Lord Frederick “Freddie” Dashworth and along with his two younger brothers are called to the home of their elder brother the Duke of Glanmore, to meet with a solicitor regarding their brother Sebastian who left England years ago for America. They are shocked to learn that Sebastian is dead and that he left behind a 3-year-old daughter, Charlotte. His will states that the brothers must all live together for 2 years and raise Charlotte, an heiress, at the end of the time, the solicitor will award guardianship to one of the brothers. If the brothers refuse to follow his instructions, Charlotte will be sent to live with their aunt – the woman that raised the brothers after their parents died. As the brothers are united in their hatred for their aunt, they agree to the terms – problem is none of them know anything about raising a child. When Freddie runs into his neighbor, Miss Emily Hawkins at the modiste, he is wary about asking for help, as they have been at odds all their lives, but since he caught her in the Duke’s garden, he is not above blackmailing her to help Charlotte. He just never expected to fall so hard for the one person who is completely immune to his charm.

Emily Hawkins is the youngest of three daughters and the only unmarried one, making her the sole focus of her overbearing mother. Emily strives to be the perfect debutante, but she hasn’t “taken” and her mother is relentless in her criticism of Emily. She escapes into the duke’s garden for a respite and is found by Freddie. She has always thought Freddie was lazy and entitled, but after seeing him with his niece and getting to know him better, she realizes how wrong she was about him. But when they are caught in a compromising situation, she worries that marriage to him may cost her more than her happiness.

As usual, Ms. Matthews delivers a well-written story with wonderful characters. I loved Freddie and Emily, they both have their own insecurities to overcome, but when they work together, they are a force to be reckoned with! The book is not quite the story I thought it was going to be, but I am hooked! I can’t wait to find out the mystery surrounding their brother Sebastian’s death and seeing the remaining brothers find the women who will help them heal from the trauma of their upbringing. Highly recommended!

*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. *

A Lark’s Regret by Lynn Messina

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

A Lark's Regret (Verity Lark Mysteries, #5)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Verity Lark Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 7/11/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 408

I always look forward to each new entry into the Verity Lark series, and this one was well worth the wait. As always, it is filled with wit and good humor along with a superior cast of characters and a great mystery.

It seems Twaddle-Thum has a competitor, Mrs. Flimmer-Flam, and she’s out to get Her Outrageousness, The Duchess of Kesgrave. That will never do! Not only has Flimmer-Flam called the duchess a murderer, but she’s also maligned the good name of Twaddle-Thum. So, all hands are on deck to track down Flimmer-Flam’s identity and set the record straight.

Who is behind Flimmer-Flam? Is it just someone with a grudge against the Duchess? Is it more than one person? How many bodies will there be before the mystery is solved?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but I did find it a bit slow in places. I loved seeing Verity’s anxiety in dealing with the Duchess – and how they might actually work through it all. The growth in Verity’s relationship with Hardwicke was a delight to watch as well because of her reaction to actually realizing she has feelings.

If you’re looking for a witty, humorous read with wonderful characters and a great mystery, you should give this book a try.

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

View all my reviews