Category: Series Crossover

Miss Barton’s Mysterious Husband by Anna Campbell

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Series Crossover, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Miss Barton’s Mysterious Husband (Mayfair Christmas Romance, #1)Miss Barton’s Mysterious Husband by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Mayfair Christmas Romance, #1 & Cinderellas of Mayfair, #0.5

Release Date: December 10, 2024

When Sir Roland Destry sets out from London to visit his friend Sir Hugo and his family for Christmas, he could never have imagined the turn his life was about to take. For the last three years, his life has been dark and joyless, but an epic storm and a washed-out bridge are about to bring him face to face with the only woman he has ever loved, Charmian Barton, his wife. Glaring at him as if he is the reason he hasn’t seen her in three years! Well, now that he has finally found her, and he isn’t leaving until he gets some answers!

Charmain Barton, the daughter of a wealthy self-made man, met Sir Roland Destry at a house party and fell head over heels in love with the charming young man. When he proposed, she happily agreed, and they eloped. But after only two weeks of wedded bliss, an argument separated our lovers and has kept them apart ever since. But now Roland is here at her aunt’s inn, and she wants answers, even if her aunt Janet seems to be trying to get rid of him as soon as possible!

This was a well-written, sweet (and spicy) second-chance romance. I loved Roland and Charmain, they were clearly in love and despite the betrayal that kept them apart for three years, neither gave up hope of one day reconciling. I loved that they actually talked to each other, rather than assuming they knew what happened and when they learned the truth of their long separation, I love that they confessed their love and regretted their youthful fight and the time it cost them. I do think they went easy on the person that kept them apart, but it was Christmas, and they got their happy ending (and an epilogue) so, all’s well that ends well in this delightful story. This is the prologue to a new series, so this is the perfect place to start. I loved this book and am happy to recommend the title to my fellow romance lovers (especially if you love a good second chance romance)!

*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. *

Tempted by a Rake by Jane Charles

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

Tempted by a RakeTempted by a Rake by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Widows League (with ties other series by this author)

Release Date: November 5, 2024

As her family prepares to retire to their country estate for Christmas, Lavinia Stewart, the widowed Marchioness of Teviot is feeling out of sorts and decides to spend Christmas alone at a cottage she visited as a child to try and figure out what is bothering her. Upon the death of her husband, she returned to her family, acting as chaperon to her younger sisters and not only hostess to her brother the Duke of Claybrook, but his closest confidante and advisor. She is not sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but she knows she will never again marry for duty and despite her sister’s suggestion of finding a lover, she isn’t sure that is right for her either. But when she arrives at the cottage and discovers her neighbor is none other than Mr. Demetrius Valentine, her brother’s solicitor and a man that Lavinia greatly admires, too bad he is a rake. But then again, who better to help her discover what she was missing in the marriage bed?

Demetrius Valentine has just unexpectedly inherited a cottage as well as a dog and cat from one of his first clients. Shocked at the gift, he decides to spend Christmas there and think about his next move. He is shocked and delighted to learn that Lady Teviot is also spending the holiday sans family. He has long admired her intelligence and beauty. He would love to be her lover, but while he might not be the rake she believes him to be, he does have secrets that could destroy his family if the truth gets out. Yet how could he live with himself if he started an affair without telling her the truth? And how will he guard his heart for the eventual end of the affair?

This was a sweet friends-to-lovers / class difference romance with very likable characters in a Christmas setting. I enjoyed the story, but it was not as fast-paced as most of Ms. Charles’ books and felt a bit repetitive as each character rehashed the reasons, they could never really be together. Overall, it was a nice read with wonderful characters, secrets, adorable pets, steamyish love scenes and a lovely HEA complete with an epilogue. This novel is connected to more than one series but could easily be read as a standalone title.

*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. *