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

Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews

On By TracyIn Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Appointment in Bath (Somerset Stories, #4)Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Somerset Stories, #4

Release Date: June 27, 2023

Miss Margaret “Meg” Burton-Smythe was thinking that things can’t get much worse when she finds herself on the cold, muddy ground after being thrown from her horse for the first time ever, but it does get worse because who should come to her rescue but the gorgeous son of her neighbor, Ivo Beresford, the middle son of the Earl and Countess of Allendale who are her father’s sworn enemies. But Ivo doesn’t seem to care that their families are basically the 19th-century equivalent of the Montagues and Capulets, nor does he seem to mind that she has a stammer, red hair, and freckles. He outrageously suggests that they become friends and meet each day to ride together! Meg has been lonely since her governess, Miss Adams left to marry, and soon finds herself falling under Ivo’s spell and gaining a bit of courage in the process. She begins standing up to her bully of a father and asserting herself with the servants. She is sure that Ivo only thinks of her as a friend, something that she tries to remind herself of. But it isn’t until Ivo invites her to his home for an impromptu night of dancing, that she realizes how foolish she has been to believe that they could ever have a future together.

When Ivo Beresford returned to England after two years on the continent enjoying his grand tour, he has big plans but falling in love with his treacherous neighbor’s daughter was not one of them! But fall he does and he arrogantly thinks that he can get everyone to put aside years of hatred and just accept that Meg is nothing like her father. But when he invites her to a party at his home, without warning his family, his arrogance might just cost him the love of a lifetime. Can he convince her that what he feels is more than friendship and that nothing, including his dream of building a railroad, means more to him than she does?

This is a well-written, sweet, slow-burning romance that warms the heart and runs concurrently with the previous book. If you have not read the entire series, this book will give you more insight into Ivo’s parent’s love story and gives Meg’s father, the villain in that book, a chance to slightly redeem himself. As to Meg and Ivo, they both do a lot of growing up in this story, but Meg is hands down the star of this book. The book is a no-steam, gentle read, with secret meetings, a heroine who finally finds her voice, sweet kisses, a bit of heartache, startling truths, interfering siblings, stone-clapper bridges, and attempts at being cordial, leading to a very sweet ending and the promise of HEA. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title. Even though I prefer books with some steam, I really loved this book and didn’t miss the love scenes. I do wish the book had ended with a wedding, rather than the promise of one, but hopefully, it means that we will get three weddings in the next book. I am happy to recommend this title and can’t wait for James’ story!

*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.*

The Notorious Lord Knightly by Lorraine Heath

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Notorious Lord Knightly (The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction, #2) Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction #2
Publication Date: 6/27/23
Period: Victorian London – 1875 (mostly)
Number of Pages: 384

This author always manages to take a character I was prepared to totally dislike and makes them, not only tolerable but very likable. From what I’d seen in some discussions, I was thoroughly convinced there was no way she could make me even tolerate Lord Knightly. I was, of course, wrong. I came to not only tolerate him but love him and I hope you will as well. I guess it goes to prove that we should never judge someone – especially if we don’t know the whole story. He was a young man forced into a choice that no one should ever have to make. Did he make the right choice? I’m sure you’ll decide for yourself after you read the book, but for me, I think perhaps he did. He just handled it very, very, very badly.

Five years ago the Earl of Knightly met Miss Regina Leyland at her come-out ball. He never intended to be there in the first place, but once he saw her, he was smitten. Regina was the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Bremsford, but she was acknowledged and loved by her father – who also loved her mother. Regina’s father was oblivious to the reality of her life situation and he thought that just because he loved her and accepted her that all of society would as well. This ball was to find her a husband and she knew all of the eligible males who were there were only there because of the large dowry she had. Then, she was introduced to a man who seemed to care nothing about her dowry or her illegitimacy. How could she not fall in love with him? Theirs was an epic love story – until the day of the wedding when he arrived at the church and announced they would not marry.

Regina has had five years to stew about the way Knight had left her life in shambles. She is the one who paid the price for his betrayal. She lived abroad for a while – and when she came back, she was ready for revenge. Only, that revenge backfired, and – once again – Knight comes out the winner and she is in jeopardy.

Knight does his best to come to her rescue – and to keep his distance. Can Knight save Regina and still walk away again? Can Regina learn to even tolerate Knight after what he did to her? I absolutely loved the way Regina held on to her anger – because she had every right to that anger – she wasn’t bitter, but she was very distrustful of Knight. She questioned his every motive – even those that seemed to bring only good to her and bad to him. Can Regina ever get past the anger and hurt? Can she find love again with someone else? You’ll just have to read the book to see.

I can highly recommend this book. In it, you have an epic love story, a gut-wrenching betrayal, a villain, and an epilogue that will make your heart swell to the point of bursting. The writing is excellent, the pacing is near perfect, and the characters are deep and interesting. It is definitely a great read.

The Chessmen are four steadfast friends who have stood by each other since they met at school. One of the things they do is make pots of money as they are very good at investing. We first met them in the second book (The Duchess Hunt) of the Once Upon A Duke series where King finds his HEA. Bishop finds his HEA in the first book of this series – The Counterfeit Scoundrel. So, after this book, the last man standing will be Rook and I can only imagine it will be quite entertaining because in this book Rook tells Knight that love will never have its way with him. HA!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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