Category: Regency Era (1811-1820)

The Regency in Great Britain was a period when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son ruled as his proxy as Prince Regent. On the death of George III in 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV. The term Regency can refer to various stretches of time; some are longer than the decade of the formal Regency which lasted from 1811–1820.
Preceded by: Georgian era
Followed by: Victorian era
Monarch: George III, George IV, William IV

My Secret Duke by Sara Bennett

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

My Secret Duke (Romancing the Dukes #2)My Secret Duke by Sara Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 2/2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Romancing the Dukes, #2

Release Date: April 1, 2025

After weathering the scandal caused by learning that her father was not legally married to her mother, and that the new Duke of Grantham was a gambling hell owner, Olivia Ashton is determined to curb her wild ways and find a respectable man to man. But when she is caught with Ivo Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Northam, she once more finds herself the subject of gossip. She is attracted to Ivo, but he is not in a position to help her family restore their standing in society or replenish their coffers, so when he proposes, she refuses and returns to the country to ride out the scandal. She needs to forget out Ivo and find another man to marry – too bad her heart is set on the roguish Duke.

Ivo Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Northam is in no position to marry, his estate is in debt and his main source of income is derived from smuggling, so he should be overjoyed that Olivia turned him down. But her biting words and accusations have only made him want her more and to win her, things are going to have to change. But changing is easier said than done, especially when his past comes calling and new secrets and scandals will make winning his heart’s desire.

This is a well written story with likable characters, but sadly this book just didn’t work for me. Olivia is illegitimate thanks to her father’s bigamy – but for some reason the author acts like this is no big deal and even continues to address her as if she has an honorific and that she would be welcomed by the ton. Then she is found in a compromising situation – but isn’t ruined, in fact, she has several titled suitors – including a prince vying for her hand – a penniless, illegitimate daughter of a duke with several scandals in her past – I don’t think so. I just couldn’t get past this – it is absurd and unbelievable. I am sure there are readers who won’t care about these things, but for me they ruin the story for me. I didn’t really care for the first book but wanted to believe that it was just a fluke, as I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, but I think I am done with this 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. *

Who Will Remember by C.S. Harris

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

Who Will Remember (Sebastian St. Cyr, #20)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Series: Sebastian St. Cyr #20
Publication Date: 4/15/25
Period: Regency – 1816 London
Number of Pages: 384

This is another stellar addition to the Sebastian St. Cyr series, and I highly recommend it. While the stories tend to skew toward the darker side, there are always lighter moments to help offset the dark. The main continuing characters are all well developed, multi-dimensional, and people you’d like to meet in person.

From the moment Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr is taken to the macabre murder scene to the moment the case is solved, there are myriad red herrings to convince you of the solution – then to dash your theories with yet another. Way to go author!

A nobleman, a saint by all accounts, is found bashed and hanged most unusually – with a tarot card affixed to him. Can anyone be as saintly as Lord Preston is reputed to be? The only viable suspect is Major Hugh Chandler, Sebastian’s friend. Sadly, Sebastian believes Hugh could be the murderer – but hopes it isn’t so. Further investigation revealed many other suspects, but there was no hard evidence. With the Crown pressuring Bow Street to arrest someone (anyone), Sebastian has little time to solve the murder.

The atmospherics in this story are remarkable as it is set in 1816 – the year of no summer- and at a time where soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars are literally dying on the street from starvation. Those soldiers, many maimed, get no pension and no care from the country they fought for and are left to starve. If you add a gruesome murder – and then more murders – to that scenario, you have a gripping tale that will keep you riveted from the first word to the last.

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

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