Category: Standalone Title

A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

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

A Duke Never TellsA Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Lady Margaret “Meg” Pinwell was planning her debut when she learns that her father has betrothed her to the Marquis of Duffy (heir to the Duke of Earnhurst) a man she has never met and that she will be married in six months. But the next day her father gets notice that the duke has died, and they have to enter a year of mourning. During that time Meg hears nothing from her betrothed but learns a lot about him via the gossip sheets and has second thoughts about marrying him. With the help of her aunt Clara, who is only eight years her senior, they form a plan. They will visit the duke’s estate incognito and see what the staff has to say about the new duke and decide if she will in fact marry him or if the rumors of his wildness and rakishness are true, she will cry off. The tell her parents that they are going to London early to shop, but the set off to the duke’s estate, planning on spending a few hours there before continuing on to London. What they find is an understaffed estate that seems to be crumbling to the ground and to their complete shock, they are introduced to the duke – who is supposed to be in London. A duke who is nothing like Meg expected. In order to save her reputation, she and her aunt continue with their ruse, hoping to escape as soon as possible and praying the duke won’t recognize her when they meet again. But that plan is crushed when Meg is injured, and they are forced to stay at the estate for at least two weeks!

For the last six years, the Duke of Earnhurst’s estate has been falling into disrepair as the late duke had told his man of business that his son and heir, James Clay, the Marquis of Duffy was in charge of the estate and that nothing could be done without his approval. An order that his man of business, Elliott Riniken, took very seriously. Elliott has been trying for years to get James to be responsible, but his letters are ignored, and his pleas fall on deaf ears. But now that the new duke is going to marry in six weeks, he has finally come to the estate but still refuses to pick up the reins. That is until they have unexpected guests and James claims to be the butler and says that Elliott is the duke. But when Meg/Mabel gets hurt and everyone has to continue their ruse – things get a little (a lot) crazy!

This was a fun historical rom com with very likable characters and a mistaken identity trope. There is plenty of shenanigans and people falling in love, there is also some emotional healing, but sadly – no steam. Overall, it was a fun, albeit sometimes silly story with multiple happy endings and thankful no third-act breakups. This is a standalone title that I am happy to recommend.

*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. *

The Witch of Wall Street by M.J. Etkind

On By TracyIn Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Witch of Wall StreetThe Witch of Wall Street by M.J. Etkind

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Miriam Blum and Nelson Copperfield have known each other for most of their lives and for most of that time Miriam has disliked the oh-so-perfect Nelson with his helpful magic, which is the direct opposite of her chaos magic! Years after graduating college, Miriam has learned to subdue her magic and is working for a Wall Street investment banking company, with hopes of making partner soon. When a new project comes her way, she feels like it is wrong, but it is also an opportunity to prove herself and finally achieve the success she has worked so hard for. She shoves down her misgivings and accepts the chance to lead the top-secret project. To ease her conscious, she attends a fundraiser for Housing Magic, a non-profit that provides housing for those in need – which happens to be the company that is in direct competition for the property at the heart of her business project. She is shocked to learn that Nelson is the executive director of Housing Magic and even more stunned that she is attracted to him. They spend an ill-advised night together and the next morning when she tries to leave, she learns that her bag containing her broomstick and the files concerning the project is missing, when Nelson tries to help her find it, he discovers that his enchanted taxi medallion is also missing.

Together they will have to find a way to work together to find their missing items. But Miriam can’t risk Nelson learning the truth about her project, something that is harder to do than she anticipated, especially when she begins to acknowledge that her feelings for Nelson are deeper than she wants them to be. Their time together makes her long for things she never thought she really wanted, things that could never be especially when he learns of her business project. But somewhere between feeling left behind by her coven, work mishaps, an enchanted dumpling shop, a jinn who is also a CPA, poisoned leather and a clay monster, she falls in love with the only man she can’t have.

I really enjoyed this magical rom-com, it was a quick and easy read with wonderful characters and a satisfying ending. This story has a lot going on; chaotic magic, enemies to lovers, magical beings, work obligations, ethical complications, secrets, hidden desires, coven problems, a slow burn romance and finally a solution that didn’t seem possible, ending with a happily for now and maybe forever. It took me a little while to warm up to Miriam, but by the middle of the book, I was firmly on her side. I do wish this book had more of a dual POV as Nelson was such a large part of the story and I never really felt like I got to know him. But overall, it was a delightful read and I would happily recommend it!

*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. *