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 Scandalous Vixen by Tracy Sumner

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

The Scandalous Vixen (The Duchess Society, #2)The Scandalous Vixen by Tracy Sumner

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Duchess Society, #2

Release Date: January 06, 2022

Roan Darlington, the Duke of Leighton fell hard for shipping heiress Helena Astley years ago on a Dorset beach, but when he finally talks to her, he botches it badly and will spend the next ten years trying to rectify his mistake, but his reputation for being quick to temper and a profligate rake does nothing to further his cause. But Roan is nothing if not persistent and is finally able to coerce her into joining him and his friends at his country estate for Christmas, by promising that his friend’s wives, who run the “Duchess Society” will tutor Helena’s younger half-sister, Theodosia in ton etiquette alongside his younger sister, Philippa. He proposes a faux engagement, that she can break when she returns to London. He just hopes that spending time with her will finally satisfy his burning desire for her once and for all!

Dubbed Lady Hell by the ton, Helena Astley is a successful businesswoman with a thriving shipping empire and an independence that sets her apart from most unmarried women in London. For years Helena has simultaneously hated and desired Roan, but she has no desire to give up her independence or her fortune for any man, least of all a womanizing rake like him. But when he offers her a chance to help her younger sister, it is all the excuse she needs to finally give into the temptation he has always poised without seeming desperate. Helena is no fool, she knows that despite their “engagement” ruse she could never be anything more than a fling to Roan, but even that knowledge doesn’t stop her from agreeing to join his house party. But when a kiss, ten years in the making, spirals out of control, Helena finds herself married to Roan. But can these two find their way to HEA or will they let their insecurities keep them from surrendering to what is clearly the love of a lifetime?

This was a well-written, nicely-paced story with very likable and relatable characters. This story is filled with witty banter, insecurities, great secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, good friends, and a happily ever after, complete with an epilogue that nicely sets up the next book. Overall, I liked both Roan and Helena and enjoyed their love story, but I am not sure why it took ten years for them to get together since they clearly had many interactions over the years. I also found it a bit hard to believe that Roan was pining for her all those years, considering the sheer number of women he slept with during that time. Those things aside, this was a very enjoyable, quick read that I am happy to recommend to lovers of steamyish historical romance. This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title.

4 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

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

It Had to Be a Duke (The Liar's Club, #1)It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Liar’s Club, #1

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Verity Hartley, the eldest daughter of Baron and Baroness Hartley, is not a liar by nature, but when she literally falls at the feet of Nell Hunnicutt, her snobbish neighbor who is bragging of her recent season in London and of all the offers of marriage she has come home to consider, Verity blurts out a lie to end all lies when she tells Nell that she is betrothed to the Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst. Which is completely ludicrous, considering the Duke blames her family for the death of his father and the financial ruin of their estate, thanks to a scheme he alleges Verity’s father dreamed up to scam his father. But that doesn’t stop her falsehood from taking flight and landing her in an even bigger lie when the duke demands that she pretend to be engaged to him, but jilt him so he can marry the heiress he has been wooing without seeming dishonorable. She agrees because one, she caused this problem, and two, jilting the arrogant, self-righteous, pompous duke will be her pleasure. Besides, it’s not like she would ever fall in love with him or want to marry him in truth, why even the thought of it is beyond ridiculous!

Magnus, the Duke of Longhurst is a man who believes in family, duty, and honor, and for the last seven years, he has worked hard to pull his family out of the financial hole his father dug with his impulsive and reckless investments. He has been offered an investment opportunity that will not only restore his family’s fortunes but will also secure a livelihood for his younger brother, something his mother constantly reminds him of, but to invest, he will need money, and so he has set his sites on heiress Anna Snow, the daughter of Phineas Snow, the Button King, an obscenely rich merchant. But when he meets with Mr. Snow to ask for permission to marry Anna, he is turned down, because it turns out he is already betrothed to Miss Verity Hartley, the daughter of the man who ruined his life! He assures Mr. Snow that this is a misunderstanding and promises that it will all be taken care of without a scandal. But to protect his honor, he has no choice but to go along with Verity’s lie, first by proposing (so he isn’t lying – unlike SOME people) and then by demanding she breaks off the engagement after spending time with him in public to convince people that they really are betrothed. Once she dumps him, he will return to London and marry Miss Snow and forget this ever happened. It is a great plan and there is no reason why it won’t work exactly as planned because there is no way he would ever fall in love with her or want to marry her in truth, why even the thought of it is too preposterous to believe!

I enjoyed this story, I thought it was well-written and nicely paced, with wonderful characters and even a bit of a mystery thrown in to provide an interesting dash of intrigue. I loved the interactions between Magnus and Verity, especially their banter! As much as I dislike the trope, I felt the love triangle was handled well and the emotional growth of both Verity and Magnus was particularly well done, I even found myself tearing up a time or two wondering how they would ever be able to have a happily ever after. The story is filled with duty, honor, family, intrigue, secrets, lies, nasty neighbors, steamyish love scenes, surprising revelations, naked clergymen, a mischievous cat, more than one twist, and the promise of HEA. I do wish there had been an epilogue because it did feel like a few things were left hanging, but nothing major. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful start to a new series that I would happily recommend, and will be looking forward to future installments.

4.5 stars, rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*