Category: Standalone Title

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), New To Me Author, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord RightThe Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: December 10, 2024

When she was only 3 years old, Miss Arabella “Bella” Grant was orphaned and grudgingly taken in by her father’s family. She was raised with her cousin, the timid and bookish Lady Isabelle “Issie” and the two grow to be as close as sisters, but Bella’s Aunt makes sure she never forgets her place. Right before Issie is due to have her debut, her mother dies unexpectedly, leaving Issie a heiress and without a chaperone. The girls stay in the country, finally free of Lady Strickland’s abuse. They are content to live out their lives in the country, but when their mourning period is up, so is their reprieve, when Issie’s Great-Aunt Lucretia, Lady Dutton, insists that Issie come to London for her come out and to find a husband. But once they arrive, Issie is overcome with worry and has a panic attack that renders her bedridden. She convinces Bella to take her place for the few months left in the season, promising no one will find out and then they can return to the country and live in peace.

Bella is not convinced pretending to be Issie is the right thing to do, but she could never say no to her and agrees. She makes the acquaintance of Lord Brooks almost immediately, and learns that he met Issie years ago, so even though she likes him, she is wary that he will figure out her deception and tries her best to avoid him or any man that might be serious about marriage. Simultaneously, Issie has met a handsome young doctor and for the first time in her life is considering a life that contains more than books. Neither girl is being honest with the men that have caught their attention, but there doesn’t seem to be a good time to make things right. When their ruse is revealed, will they both find their HEA or will their lies leave them brokenhearted?

I thought the blurb for this book sounded like it was going to be a light, fun read with lots of laugh out loud moments and a heartwarming romance. Sadly, this book didn’t deliver either of those things to me. I guess if I was a YA reader, I might have found some of the antics amusing, but as a mature HR reader, this story bored me to tears and just had me wishing for it to be done. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, it was just a light, fluffy, YA romance, with no steam or mature situations, so if you prefer your romances like that, you will probably love this book. However, if like me, you prefer your stories with a bit more heat and substance, I would pass on this 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. *

The Duchess Takes All by Michelle McLean

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

The Duchess Takes it AllThe Duchess Takes it All by Michelle McLean

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone with possibility of spinoff novels

Release Date: November 26, 2024

Tamsin Palmer, the widowed Duchess of Clevesley has never really been accepted by society despite her advantageous marriage to a Duke, in the eyes of the ton, she is nothing more than a wealthy Cit whose father bought her a title, and sadly the duke, while considerate to her physically, did nothing to smooth her entrance into the upper echelons of society, preferring to have her stay in the country with their infant son. But now that her mourning is almost complete, she hopes to finally find her place in the ton, raise her son, continue to use her art to make a difference and live happily independent ever after. And then she met him…

Christian August, Count of Rauchberg, is a German noble and cousin to the late duke. He was named by his cousin as executor of the dukedom and co-guardian to his young son. Christian is all about duty and thanks to his mother being of lower birth than his father, knows firsthand how cruel society can be to those they deem as lesser mortals. He believes he will go to England, set the estate to rights, form a plan for the young duke’s future and then return to Germany, marry an acceptable bride and live dutifully ever after. And then he met her…

This book was entertaining, but not quite the story I was expecting. I was hoping for a light, fun read and it started out that way and then for some unknown reason, the author decided to crank up the angst and made the characters miserable before easily solving the problem and giving them a HEA. Overall, it was an OK read, but not one I would re-read. This book doesn’t appear to be the start of a new series but does have several secondary characters that might get stories of their own.

*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. *