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

The House of Pleasure by Jess Michaels

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

The House of Pleasure (The Scandal Sheet, #6)My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Scandal Sheet #6
Publication Date: 11/12/19
Number of Pages: 79

This was a lovely, romantic, steamy, short novella with lovely, lovely characters. It is a well-written and satisfying read.

As one does, Miss Hannah Blankenship attended the Donville Masquerade with the express purpose of losing her virginity. No, she’s not a wonton miss, she is just trying to do whatever she can to prevent her father from forcing her to marry the odious Viscount Hiram Gordon who is ten years her father’s senior. He is a letch with blackened teeth and foul breath and she knew she’d never be able to stomach being married to him – letting him touch her. She knew he’d refuse the marriage if she wasn’t chaste – so – she wouldn’t be chaste.

Duncan Cavendish’s brother, the Earl of Wilding, has been more and more dissatisfied with Duncan’s lifestyle of late. He has finally told Duncan that he must either straighten out his life, settle down or he’ll be cut off from his inheritance. So, Duncan has been busily betrothing himself to a young lady with a social-climbing father. He’s never met the woman, but she meets all of his requirements, so he’d bite the bullet and marry her. First, though, he is going to spend a night at the Donville Masquerade for a night of pleasure before committing himself for life.

Although everyone at the Masquerade was masked, there was an immediate, undeniable attraction between Hannah and Duncan as soon as they locked eyes across the room. Duncan headed straight for the beautiful, alluring woman he sees across the room and she’s smiling at him. They dance, they retire to a back room and he eventually makes a very shocking discovery.

When the man her father has betrothed her to arrives the next day, Hannah is shocked to find that it is Duncan. She recognizes him immediately even though they were both masked the previous night. He also recognizes her, but neither of them acknowledges that fact.

It was lovely to see two individuals who were rabidly afraid of love, trust and commitment grow to love each other – although they had both agreed that they would keep their relationship to a physical one – no emotions involved.

It was an entertaining, though short, read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Christmas Husband Hunt by Kate Moore

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

The Christmas Husband Hunt (Husband Hunters, #4)The Christmas Husband Hunt by Kate Moore
Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Husband Hunters #4

Release Date: November 5, 2019

Charles Davenham, Viscount Wynford is one of Goldworthy’s newest recruits in his spy club. He has tasked Charles with unmasking Isabelle Delatour who claims to be the Marchioness de Tonnelier a very distant cousin of Charles mother, but whom they suspect is actually a Russian spy. He is perfecting his disguise with his friend Peregrine “Perry” Pilkington when his young sister Octavia arrives from the country very upset, clutching a copy of The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London and insisting that she needs to find a husband by Christmas. Charles is at a loss until Perry suggests that he ask Lady Harriet “Harry” Swanley for help.

Harry is the sister of the Earl of Danraven, but she left home at 16 when she refused to marry the man her brother choose for her. She moved in with a cousin, Lady Luxbough and has been governess to her children for the last 10 years. When Charles calls upon her, she immediately knows who he is and prays that he doesn’t remember meeting her. She agrees to introduce Octavia to some young people and help her settle into society, but she is sure there is more going on with Charles than just taking care of his sister. Especially when she meets the Marchioness and sees a marked difference in his behavior.

This was a good mystery, but in my opinion, there was zero romance – I don’t know when or why Charles and Harriet fell in love and never felt any connection between them and there was certainly no heat. They don’t even really work together to solve the mystery. I also don’t know why Isabelle was called the “Marchioness” – she is supposed to be French and has a French title, so she should have been the Marquise de Tonnelier – it is a stupid little detail, but it annoyed me to no end. I did enjoy the mystery in the story and if this had been a historical fiction, I would have rated it 4 stars, but as a romance it was a fail for me.

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