Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

The Reluctant Duchess by Jane Goodger

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The Reluctant Duchess (The Brides of St. Ives #4)The Reluctant Duchess by Jane Goodger

Tracy’s rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Brides of St. Ives #4

Release Date: July 9, 2019

Oliver Sterling, Duke of Kendal is a recluse, a unique condition has kept him a virtual prisoner in his home, so when he sees a painting of a beautiful woman, he sends his “guardian” Philip Winters to find her and marry her by proxy.

Rebecca Caine is summoned to her father’s study and informed that in order to save her family from financial ruin, she must marry the Duke of Kendal. Having no choice, she agrees, but takes an immediate dislike to Mr. Winters. When she arrives at the castle, she is surprised that the duke is not there to meet her, but later that night, he comes to her in the dark.

This was one of the most bizarre books I have ever read and I am still not sure if the author was trying to give the story a gothic twist or if it was supposed to be a twisted version of beauty and the beast or if it was a farce. I definitely didn’t love this book, but I can’t say that I hated it either, I am not exactly sure how I feel about it, which makes assigning a rating very hard – so, I am going to go middle of the road and give it 2.5 stars. The idea of the story is original, the characters are likeable and there is a very sweet HEA But, the twists and turns get out of hand and are at times completely over the top and there are several unbelievable scenarios as well as an “insta-love” feel to the story that was a bit off-putting. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title with no problems.

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

Falling for a Rake by Eve Pendle

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Falling for a RakeFalling for a Rake by Eve Pendle

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Release Date: June 20, 2019

Series: None/Stand Alone Title

Lady Emily Ravensthrorpe is hunting for a fern for her collection and trying to politely send Lord Markshall on his way, but he isn’t taking the hint. Lord Markshall is a danger to her reputation and her peace of mind – he is handsome and charming, a combination she has a hard time remaining impassive to. When they accidently end up falling into a mine shaft, she worries about her sister’s debut being ruined. Rescue efforts are unsuccessful and they end up staying the night in the pit. They talk and share one amazing kiss. Later he shares his greatest shame – he courted one sister and had an affair with the other, fathered a child and refused to marry her. Emily is appalled, Markshall wants to know her secret, she tells him she was engaged, but he died in a hunting accident. He knows there is more, but doesn’t press.

The next morning they are rescued, but there is a reporter there as well as her parents, so Markshall announces they are engaged. To save her reputation and by extension her sister’s, she plays along. But later she tell him they will have a fake engagement, just until her sister Connie’s come-out. He agrees because he doesn’t feel like he deserves her. But it appears that they have an enemy who is bent on destroying Emily’s reputation and soon a fake engagement isn’t enough to protect her.

Markshall is not all he appears to be, he wants Emily, but believes that his past behavior has made any chance for a happy future impossible, but when the gossip turns nasty and suggestive, Oscar will marry her to save her, but vows to keep her at arm length.

This was an interesting story, but at times I did feel confused, not sure what was real and what was imagined. The story is filled with secrets, lies, surprises, entertain banter and steamish love scenes. Both Oscar and Emily are flawed characters, each have things from the past that haunt them and that have made them the people they are today, love comes slowly and certainly isn’t readily embraced by either of them, but when they finally admit their love and put the past behind them, it is amazing and completely heartfelt.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me.*