Category: Standalone Title

Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

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

Every Duke Has His DayEvery Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: September 19, 2023

It was definitely not love at first sight when Elizabeth “Bitsy” Dockering, the youngest daughter of Viscount Mardensea, and Michael Bromley, the Duke of Woriton met. As the undisputed “diamond” of the season, Elizabeth is much sought after and admired, she has several men vying for her hand and is enjoying her reign. While on a walk in the park with her friends and her dog, a poorly behaved black poodle named Galahad, one of her suitors, and her dog tangle which leads to Galahad getting loose and running after another black poodle. The dogs end up in the Serpentine, along with the other dog’s owner. Elizabeth is shocked to learn that the man is none other than the reclusive and possibly mad Duke of Woriton. After exchanging words, the two take their dogs and part ways, thinking they will never see each other again.

Michael Bromley, the Duke of Woriton is brilliant, and he would rather be home working on his experiments than mingling with his peers, but when his beloved aunt leaves her black poodle, Lancelot with him while she is visiting a friend, he ventures out to the park, never expecting to have his life turned upside down by two poodles and a lovely woman! It isn’t until he returns home that he realizes they switched dogs, and for some unexplainable reason, he decides that he must let Elizabeth know immediately. This results in an unexpected waltz and the start of an adventure that will forever change him, when Lancelot and then Galahad are dognapped.

I loved this book, it was such a fun read filled with wonderful characters and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The story uses a Grumpy meets Sunshine trope, and it is a no-steam, slow-burn romance with lots of emotion, chemistry experiments, lots of dogs, a nasty villain, and a not-so-bad “bad guy”, a sweet secondary romance, laughs, tears, wonderful secondary characters, kisses and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. Overall, I do wish that the ending had been a bit longer and maybe that they didn’t need a third party to ensure their HEA, but those things aside, I loved this book and have given it a place on my very small keeper shelf. This is a standalone title, so if you are looking for a fun, sweet read, 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.*

The Warrior’s Reluctant Wife by Lissa Morgan

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Warrior's Reluctant Wife (The Warriors of Wales, #1)The Warrior’s Reluctant Wife by Lissa Morgan

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Warriors of Wales, #1

Release Date: August 22, 2023

When recently widowed Rhianon is ordered to marry Peredur ab Eilyr, she has no choice but to comply, however, she refuses to be a biddable bride, especially to another warrior. She will marry him, but after enduring a brutal childhood and an equally brutal, yet thankfully short marriage, she doesn’t trust men, especially not one like Peredur, a warrior lord with a fierce reputation and who is whispered to have no heart. No, she can’t trust him, despite his kindness to her or her uncle’s admonishment not to believe the things said about him. She is sure that he will eventually show his true colors and it will be a cold day in hell before she yields to him. However, it becomes clear that she is wrong about Peredur, can she overcome her fears and open her heart to him? And more importantly, will he let her?

Known as Peredur Galon Gudd – Peredur of the Hidden Heart, for good reason, just not the one most assume. Peredur was taken in by Eilyr as a young boy and raised as a beloved son, he strives to make his adoptive father proud, and even though he never wanted to marry, he agreed to wed Rhianon when Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd, Prince of Deneubrath and their overlord ordered the marriage between the warring families. He married her to save her from his brutal younger brother, but he plans to keep theirs a marriage in name only. They travel to Castell Abereinion to man the fortress, but when they arrive it is clear that trouble is brewing, starting with the fact that no one is there to greet them. Peredur must find out what is afoot a task made all the harder when his unwanted wife tempts him as no woman ever has!

This was a great start to a new series! The book is well-written, nicely paced, and filled with intrigue. Rhianon and Peredur are both wounded souls who have been ill-used by those who should have loved them, it has made them both wary of trusting others, but they both have good hearts and slowly they begin to open their hearts to the other – but that doesn’t mean that their demons won’t still rear their heads and cause a bit of heartache. Throw in a bit of intrigue, treason, murder, suppressed desire, sassy servants, and evil relatives and you have an excellent story! I loved this book and can’t wait for the next installment!!

*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.*