Category: Tracy’s Reviews

The Bride Who Got Lucky by Janna MacGregor

On By TracyIn Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

The Bride Who Got Lucky (The Cavensham Heiresses #2)The Bride Who Got Lucky by Janna MacGregor
Tracy’s rating: 2 of 5 stars

Series: The Cavensham Heiresses, #2

Release Date: October 31, 2017

I know I am in the minority here, but I did not care for this book.

Basically the heroine Emma (cousin to Claire from the previous book) is on a mission. Her dearest friend Lena has died and Emma believes Lena’s husband is responsible. Emma is determined to bring the man to justice, single handedly if necessary. Once she has accomplished this, she wants to open a bank that serves only women, thus giving them a way to be independent.

Unable to ignore a death she feels partially responsible for, Emma asks her parents and brothers for help. But when they tell her to let it go, she ends up makes one bad decision after another.

Nick, Earl of Somerton and heir to the Duke of Renton also is on a mission, his one and only desire in life is to make a fortune greater than his estranged father’s and then flaunt it in his father’s face. He doesn’t have time for nonsense or for a wife – but thanks to Emma’s inability to stay out of trouble, he is going to end up with both.

When Nick saves Emma (yet again) from herself, they are caught in an inn together and to save their reputations, marry.

As wedding present Nick gave her the funds needed to start her bank and it seems like Emma has matured and has come to peace with Lena’s death. That is, until she doesn’t get her way then her true colors come out.

I personally found Emma to be one of the most annoying and manipulative heroines I have ever read. And while the story had potential, the execution fell flat. The plot was flimsy and at times down right unbelievable. Nick was the one high point in this book, if not for him, I may have broken my own steadfast ARC rule and not finished the book.

In the previous book, I felt like the author added too many elements and the story ended up being too busy. In this book she managed to stay on point, but the plot line she choose just didn’t work for me – it was not true to the era and was riddled with contradictions. I am not sure if I would be willing to read the next book in the series, but I do know that I would not be conformable recommending this book to my friends.

The Highlander’s Princess Bride by Vanessa Kelly

On By TracyIn Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews4 Comments

The Highlander's Princess Bride (The Improper Princesses, #3)The Highlander’s Princess Bride by Vanessa Kelly

Series: The Improper Princesses, #3

Release Date: October 31, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this installment of The Improper Princesses!

Victoria Knight is and governess and the natural daughter of the Prince Regent and Aden’s half-sister, after landing herself in a bit of trouble at her last post, she turned to Sir Dominick for help.

Sir Dominick suggests that Victoria take a position in Scotland while he and her brother straighten out her problem. But he recommends that Victoria keep her reason for taking a post in Scotland to herself. Upon arriving at the Kendrick’s castle, Victoria is not sure that she is better off in Scotland and that maybe it would be better to return to London and face the consequences her actions.

Nicholas Kendrick, Earl of Arnprior needs help, he has returned home after years of war to complete chaos. His estate needs attention, his grandfather is a menace and his brothers have been running wild. When Sir Dominick recommends Victoria to him, he jumps at the chance to hire her.

After a very rocky start, Victoria settles in to life with the Kendricks and starts to feel at home with the rough and rowdy bunch of highlanders, especially Nick. When Victoria begins to unravel Nick’s secrets, they grow closer and end up being caught in a compromising position. Nick immediately suggests they marry, but Victoria has secrets of her own and tries her best to keep Nick at an arm’s length.

Nick is not the sort of man that will take no for an answer, he wants Victoria, she is light and joy in a life that has known too much grief, betrayal, pain and darkness. He sets out to woo her and in doing so, shares his deepest, darkest secrets. When Victoria finally agrees to marry him and it appears that they will get their HEA, everything goes wrong. Nick learns Victoria’s secret and is deeply hurt and lashes out at her. For her part, Victoria accepts his vitriol and breaks their engagement. But before she can return to London, problems arise and someone from Victoria’s past is determined to see her dead.

This was a great story, it is well written and flows wonderfully. The story is chock full of emotion and humor, as well as steamy loves scenes and tense life or death moments. This story takes off at a gallop and doesn’t slow down until the very last page. It was truly the best book in the series and I highly recommend it. It could be read as a stand alone title, but I recommend reading the books in order for maximum reader enjoyment.

I certainly hope Ms. Kelly is planning a series for the Kendrick brothers, because it would be vastly unfair to introduce me to 6 handsome highlanders and then leaving me hanging!!

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