Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Romancing the Rake Anthology by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Book Publicity, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Romancing the RakeRomancing the Rake by Various Authors Including Mihwa Lee

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars   (Based on Mihwa’s Novella)

Series: Anthology

Release Date: July 17, 2025

This Anthology features 25 short novellas from some of your favorite historical romance authors.

They’ve lived in the shadows of scandal, but love has a way of rewriting the past.
In this historical romance, experience the passion, heartbreak, and ultimate redemption of notorious rakes who dare to risk it all for the women who change their lives forever. From glittering ballrooms to moonlit gardens, each story is a tantalizing journey of love, second chances, and the power of forgiveness.

In the world of the Ton, reputations may be ruined, but these daring heroes prove that redemption—and true love—are never out of reach.

Perfect for fans of second chances and bad boys with hearts of gold, this anthology delivers swoon-worthy tales that will keep you reading long into the night.

I was gifted a copy of Trapped with a Rake by Mihwa Lee, this novella is a classic friend to enemies to lovers romance. Beatrice Winters is a brilliant young woman with thoughts and ideas that are not typical of a woman in the Victorian era, she and Lord Ira Harrison where childhood friends who grew apart, but when they see each other again years later, he seems to be interested in her research, but any thought of reconciliation is crushed when he humiliates her in front of his friends. It is seven years before they see each other again and they end up trapped together in a tower. They will have to confront their past before they can have a future. Kissing only, HEA

I am looking forward to the release of this title so I can enjoy the other stories!

*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 Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

On By TracyIn Audiobook, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Spellshop #2

Release Date: July 15, 2025

With her love of languages Terlu Perna decided that working at the Great Library of Alyssium would be the perfect job for her, so she moved far from her family to the capital of Alyssium and began working. But she never realized how lonely the job would be, so she cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant to be her companion. But only sorcerers were allowed to do magic and despite the support of the head librarian, she was found guilty and the judge decided to make an example of her – Terlu was turned into a statue to be displayed in the Great Library to warn others of the penalty of doing magic.

Terlu believed this was the end of her story, but to her surprise, she wakes one day on a nearly deserted island that is home to an enchanted greenhouse and Yarrow, the grumpy gardener who had asked the government for a sorcerer to help him save the greenhouse, which seemed to be losing its magic. Terlu wants to help, but after learning she was a statue for six years and finally being set free, she is terrified of attempting to doing anything that might see her punished again. But how can she let this wonderful place die or refuse to help the man who set her free and has stolen her heart?

This is a very sweet, heartwarming, cozy fantasy story about second chances, healing and love. Terlu and Yarrow are wonderful, loving, supportive characters who both get a second chance at life. The story has magic, dragons, talking plants, spells that don’t go as planned, a sea serpent, a ghost, found family, reunions, a slow-burn kisses only romance, surprising revelations and a very happy ending. The narrator of the audiobook edition did a wonderful job of giving each character a distinct voice and kept an even cadence throughout the story. My only qualm with the reading was that the narrator occasionally changed the pronunciation of Yarrow’s name, hopefully that will be edited before the book is released. Overall, this was a very sweet story and one I would happily recommend. This is the second book in the series, but I didn’t read the first book and had no problem following this story.

*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. *