Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Say Yes to the Princess by Charis Michaels

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

Say Yes to the Princess (Hidden Royals, #1)Say Yes to the Princess by Charis Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Hidden Royals, #1

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Killian Crewes, the second son of the late Earl Dunlock, is a bit of an entrepreneur, he acquires rundown properties in the hopes of renovating them and leasing them out. But to do this, he needs funds, so to support his dream of becoming a real estate mogul, he does decreet work for the royal family. He has become known as the “Royal Fixer”, fixing things: gambling debts, recovering runaway lovers, bribing judges, covering up escapades in public fountains, and has disposed of more than one dead body. So it came as no surprise when one of the Royal Dukes, called him to take care of the problem being caused by an exiled French princess; to distract her, enchant her and if necessary seduce her. Killian isn’t privy to the problem she is causing, and doesn’t really care, doing this job will win him first dibs on some warehouses in Limehouse he has been wanting to buy. So he will do whatever is needed to “fix” the problem of Her Serene Highness, Princess Regine Elise Adelaide d’Orleans, or he will, once he figures out who she is.

Princess Elise has lived with the Royal family for the last ten years, ever since she and her siblings escaped France after her father, the brother of the King, was executed. But the siblings were separated and Elise has lived a lonely, isolated existence since then, she has not seen or heard from her brother, Prince Gabriel, and her sister, Princess Danielle in all the time she has been in England. Her mother is in Spain with her family, but rarely communicates with her and ignores her queries about her younger siblings, as does the rest of her limited family. But all that changed when traveling back from Weymouth with the Queen, she saw a young man who she is sure is her brother. The problem is she doesn’t know where they were and no one seems willing to help her, in fact, everyone seems to be discouraging her from finding him! So when the “Royal Fixer” is sent to deal with her, she is happy to let him “distract” her, as it enables her to leave the palace and search for Gabriel. She just didn’t expect to enjoy getting to know him or kissing him or falling in love with him, nor did she expect him to fight their obvious connection so much. Killian is a puzzle and Elise loves a puzzle, but will figuring him out lead to HEA or will it end in heartbreak?

This was not your typical historical romance, it was an interesting story with lots of likable characters and tons of witty banter, but honestly, it didn’t feel as smooth and cohesive as this author’s previous works. Don’t misunderstand, I enjoyed the book, but I feel like I was given a lot of information that didn’t move the story along, information that actually seemed to slow the story down. The story is filled with secrets, intrigue, witty banter, court politics, great secondary characters, a slow-burning, low-steam romance, betrayal, and finally, a surprising ending that leads to their HEA. This is the first book in a new series and I am already looking forward to the next book!

*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.*

In the Eyes of the Earl by Kristin Vayden

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

In the Eyes of the EarlIn the Eyes of the Earl by Kristin Vayden

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Cambridge Brotherhood, #3

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Collin Morgan, the Earl of Penderdale, needs answers, someone has been committing crimes in his name, which has caused him to be suspended from his work in the War office. This is unacceptable and he is determined to find the criminal who is ruining his life! His search leads him to an old friend at Cambridge and the man’s annoying, bluestocking daughter, Elizabeth. It is clear that Elizabeth doesn’t think too highly of Collin, but when he learns her secret, he uses the knowledge to gain her help in his investigation, and he is unsurprised that they make a good team. But when a decision he makes places her in danger, there is nothing he won’t do to keep her safe.

Elizabeth Essex has lived most of her life at Cambridge, she is educated in a way that most women could never dream of, and she is brilliant in her own right. She believes it is unfair that women cannot attend classes at the college and seeks to right that wrong by secretly teaching women. When Elizabeth collides with Collin while he is in pursuit of someone, she learns why he is at Cambridge and they call a truce. Working together, they will figure out who is impersonating him and reclaim his good name and just maybe fall in love along the way.

This was another intriguing installment of the Cambridge Brotherhood that has a very slow-burning, no-heat romance featuring an enemies-to-lovers trope. The book has a decent mystery and is filled with witty banter, an intelligent heroine, a charming hero, tea smuggling, secrets, leads that like to push each other’s buttons, bees, great secondary characters, and a HEA complete with an epilogue. I do wish there had been some steam in this story, not that the book suffered from the lack, but I still think it would have enhanced the book. This is the third book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone title, I would recommend reading the series in order.

*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.*