Category: Tracy’s Reviews

The Duke Is But A Dream by Anna Bennett

On By TracyIn Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

The Duke Is But a Dream (Debutante Diaries, #2)The Duke Is But a Dream by Anna Bennett
Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Debutante Diaries #2

Release Date: July 30, 2019

Lily Hartley’s life is turned upside down by what she thought was an opportunity for adventure. Lily along with her sister, Fiona and their friend, Sophie are responsible for the popular column “The Debutante’s Revenge” in the London Hearsay paper – Lily has just settled into her sister’s house for a visit when Fiona’s new husband wants to whisk her away for a romantic trip, Lily insists that Fiona go and then remembers that her parents are also away – she decides to use the time and freedom to do things she would normally never have a chance to do – so dressed as a boy, she delivers her column and sets out to have an adventure. But instead of adventure, she ends up in a tavern brawl and is knocked out cold!!

Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge is at the tavern after a fight with his sister Delilah trying to calm down when he sees the young lad being accosted by thugs, he didn’t come to the tavern for a fight, but maybe it is just what he needs – it isn’t until he realizes the “lad” accidentally gets knocked out that he realizes “he” is a “she” – he takes her back to his home and calls for a doctor – but when she wakes, she has no memory of who she is or why she was dressed as a boy and in the tavern.

Lily becomes Caroline and begins to help Nash and Delilah find some common ground, she also learns of Nash’s greatest pain, the reason he is so protective of Delilah and why he never plans on falling in love. But as they grow closer, Lily wonders if Nash’s heart is available and gives hers without pause, but when Lily’s advice in the column tears the family apart and Nash once again erects walls around his heart, is all lost or will love find a way?

I thought this was a cute story, however, it was a little predictable, formulaic and I thought Lily’s behavior bordered on TSTL on more than one occasion – especially for someone who was so concerned about her “reputation”. But overall it was an entertaining read with great characters, warm love scenes and a HEA. It is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected e-ARC that was provided to me by NetGalley, Edelweiss and the publisher.*

Highland Captive by Alyson McLayne

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Highland Captive (The Sons of Gregor MacLeod, #4)Highland Captive by Alyson McLayne

Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Sons of Gregor MacLeod

Release Date: July 30, 2019

For two and half long years Gavin MacKinnon, Laird of MacKinnon has searched for his young son Ewan. Ewan disappeared when Gavin’s wife Cristel took the boy to a market day gathering, she returned ill with the plague and died without giving Gavin any information about what happened to Ewan. Most believe the boy perished, but Gavin refuses to consider the possibility and will never stop searching for his boy. A lead about Ewan has brought Gavin back to the same gathering that he disappeared from.

Deidre MacIntyre nee MacColl is at the gathering at her husband Lewis’ request when she sees Gavin and knows that he is the father of her son Ewan, seeing him terrifies her and when he confronts her about her interest in him, fear sends her running back to her home and her son, wondering what Lewis has done.

Gavin is sure Deidre is the woman the witness saw with Ewan. So he along with his foster brother Kerr follow her to her home and find Ewan, but even then, Deidre denies that Ewan is Gavin’s son and much to Gavin’s dismay, Ewan doesn’t know who he is and refuses to leave his “Mama”. Left with no choice, Gavin takes Deidre and Ewan back to his keep. He plans to send Deidre back just as soon as Ewan becomes comfortable with him again. He knows that taking Deidre is likely to cause a clan war and he welcomes the fight. But what he doesn’t plan on is falling in love with her or the trouble brewing within his own clan!

This was a good story, but compared with the previous books, I didn’t feel like it was as well thought out and plotted. At the end of this book, I had more questions than answers and was truly baffled about a few things. I also had a hard time liking Deidre at the beginning, I sympathized with her pain – but Ewan was not her son and she knew Gavin was his father, but she lied and tried to keep Ewan from Gavin, even knowing the pain he has suffered for years without his son, that just seemed beyond cruel to me. But Gavin wasn’t much easier to like, he was just so angry and determined to get rid of Deidre that it was a bit hard to side with him. The writing in general was good, but the first two-thirds of the book seemed to drag and then the last third flew by in a flash, with multiple villains, shocking secrets, a long awaited love scene, more questions than answers and an epilogue that left me feeling a little disappointed. This is the fourth book in the series and I would recommend reading the books in order rather than trying to figure out the ongoing mystery of who is trying to destroy the Sons of Gregor MacLeod by starting with this book first.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*