Category: Standalone Title

The Earl and the Country Girl by Eva Devon

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

The Earl and the Country GirlThe Earl and the Country Girl by Eva Devon

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone (?)

Release Date: June 24, 2024

Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley is sure the land agent he hired for his newly acquired estate in Cornwall is robbing him blind, but he needs proof. So hatches a plan to travel to the estate incognito, how hard could it be considering he trains spies for the military. But his disguised is blown within minutes of encountering Alice Wright, a local woman and he strikes a bargain with her. If she will help him fit into to his role as stablemaster, he in turn will help her launch a career in London as a perfume maker, promising to introduce her to London’s premiere perfumer. An agreement is made, and Felix is surprised by how much he enjoys Alice’s company, but they could never be more than friends, as Felix is adamant that he will never fall in love. At least that is his plan.

Alice Wright comes from a family of perfumers, but since the death of her father, her mother has not had time to make perfume, opting rather to be an herbalist and run an apothecary. Alice believes that her mother gave up on her dreams to marry and have a family and has decided that she will never succumb to love and give up on her own dreams, even if her dream seems impossible. Or at least it was before she met Felix. After helping Felix with his problem, he in turn helps her achieve her dream of learning the art of perfumery from London’s renown Madame Clemence Dubois. But dreams are funny things and sometimes they change, leaving Alice to wonder if it is possible to love another and still have dreams for yourself?

I honestly don’t know how I feel about this book, it wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t really drawn into the story. I liked Alice and Felix, but I never really felt their connection, for most of the book they played at being friends with benefits and they never really convinced me that they were more than that. I also felt that Felix held onto his “I can’t fall in love” raft for way too long and didn’t do nearly enough to make up for that. Overall, it was a quick, light read with a fair amount of angst, a villain who is almost forgotten, warm love scenes and a grieving duke (who I hope finds his own HEA), a somewhat rushed ending and a sweet epilogue.

*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. *

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall by Rebecca Anderson

On By TracyIn Gothic Historical, Historical Mystery, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Orchids of Ashthorne HallThe Orchids of Ashthorne Hall by Rebecca Anderson

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series:  A Proper Romance – Standalone

Release Date: April 2, 2024

Hyacinth Bell has spent the better part of her adult life studying botany and has garnered a reputation as an expert in the care and cultivation of orchids. It is that reputation that lands her the opportunity of a lifetime, to act as temporary caretaker to an unprecedented collection of orchids at Ashthorne Hall, while the family is in India. Excited beyond measure to begin this new adventure, Hyacinth sets out for the wilds of the Cornish moors, but things are not exactly going as expected.

After being warned about ghosts and strange goings-on at the manor, Hyacinth is torn between excitement and fear, especially when she learns that the only staff in the house is Mrs. Carter, the housekeeper, a sullen woman who dashes any hopes Hyacinth had of forming a kinship. Mrs. Carter proceeds to shoot down all of Hyacinth’s plans to explore the house when she makes it clear that other than the kitchen, a couple of drawing rooms and her bedroom, the rest of the house is off-limits, especially the North Wing. Hyacinth is curious and wants to be respectful of her employer’s rules, but a glimpse of what could possibly be the ghost she was warned about, brings out the rebel in Hyacinth. Will she find the ghost, or is there something even more sinister lurking in the forbidden rooms of Ashthorne Hall? And will the secretive, yet charming and handsome caretaker, Lucas Hastings, supply answers or just add to the already mounting pile of questions?

This was a wonderful book, well-written and nicely paced with a distinctly gothic vibe. The book has a bit of everything you could want in a gothic romance, rain-swept moors, a dark, drafty manor, ghosts, mysterious lights, locked doors, unexplained items showing up in the middle of the night, a handsome yet secretive caretaker, a protective yet stern housekeeper, a sweet budding romance, shocking revelations, moments of thrilling suspense and finally a spectacular ending complete with HEA and an epilogue. I loved this book and would happily recommend it, the author clearly did her research and gives readers a heartbreaking story with a very sweet love story woven in. If you love a gothic-like vibe, with wonderful characters, kissing only love scenes and a happy ending – this book is for you!

*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.*