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 Earl That Got Away by Diana Quincy

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), Movie / Story Retelling, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Earl That Got Away (Sirens in Silk, #2)The Earl That Got Away by Diana Quincy

Tracy Rating: 3 Maybe 3.5 of 5 Stars

Series: Sirens in Silk #2

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Once upon a time Miss Naila Darwish met Basil Trevelyn in Philadelphia and fell in love. So in love, that when he proposed she was happy to accept, but later she was worried that her family would disapprove and ultimately rejected him. She returned to Brooklyn and tried to convince herself that she had done the right thing, but her heart never forgot. Fast forward eight years, Naila’s sister Raya is getting married to the Duke of Strickland in England and Naila and her relatives have arrived for the wedding. They are at a ball to celebrate the betrothal when Naila is introduced to the duke’s best friend, the Earl of Hawksworth, also happens to be Basil Trevelyn, her long lost love. At first, she thinks she is being given a second chance, but it soon becomes obvious that Basil doesn’t feel the same.

Basil Trevelyn never expected to see Naila again after she broke his heart in Philadelphia. No long after she left him, he learned that a distant cousin and his sons died making him the new Earl of Hawksworth, a title he never expected to inherit. Seeing Naila again makes wonder what happened to her, she is nothing like the vibrant, bold girl he met in America, and tells himself it doesn’t matter, he is over her and she is only interested now because he is an Earl. To prove to himself that he is over Naila, he tells Raya that he is looking for a bride and even agrees to host Naila and her family while Raya and Strickland are away on their honeymoon. Let the angst begin…

This is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion with a unique spin; as Diana Quincy has taken that book and made it her own by incorporating a multicultural aspect to the story. Naila is American, but comes from a traditional Arabic family, her parents immigrated to America from Palestine and have raised their family to hold fast to their beliefs – which is a big part of the reason Naila didn’t marry Basil when they first met. The story is filled with miscommunication, misunderstanding, angst, longing, regret, jealousy, flashbacks, warm love scenes, second chances, more misunderstanding, meddling relatives, and finally a HEA. I accept the fact that the book needed both the time during and after of their meeting in Philadelphia, but I felt like the alternating chapter flashbacks made the first part of the book drag, I would have preferred the story in two parts rather than mixed together. I liked this book, but not nearly as much as the first book, in fact the scenes with Raya and Strickland acting stupid in love were my favorite parts of the book.

*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 Scot’s Seduction by Megan Frampton

On By TracyIn Contemporary in Period Dress, Historical Rom-Com, Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Scot's Seduction (Heirs & Spares #2)The Scot’s Seduction by Megan Frampton

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Heirs & Spares #2

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Raised by eccentric parents, Lady Drusilla “Dru” Courtenay is not your average aristocrat, as she doesn’t really care what society thinks of her and has no desire to marry. She lives life on her own terms but is careful not to be too brazen about her choices. She might be whispered about, but she doesn’t want to be a pariah, as that would hurt the people she is determined to help. After dismissing her latest lover, she focuses on her true purpose, helping those in need. She desperately wants to buy a large property that could serve multiple purposes; to house people, teach them a craft and have a shop to sell the goods they make. Dru has a modiste fortune of her own, but to fund a project this large is beyond her means. She is discussing that very point with her friend and secretary of sorts, Miss Joey, when they hear a commotion outside and go to investigate. It is then that she meets Murdoch Cragmore, the Earl of Cragmore and his niece and ward, Miss Emily Davenport. Little does Dru know but her life is about to change forever.

Murdoch Cragmore would rather stay in Scotland with his sheep and his account books than suffer the season in London, but Emily is the only child of his beloved late sister, and he knows that she wanted Emily to have season. He is willing to endure the season but is concerned that Emily seems dead set on falling in love at first sight and marrying immediately, something they are arguing about when Lady Drusilla intervenes. It takes some doing, but they manage to get Dru to sponsor Emily in exchange for the deed to a building for her project. But nothing goes as planned and Murdoch soon finds himself falling in love a woman who has made it clear that she is not interested in forever.

This was fast paced, fun read with interesting and likable characters. The story has something for every reader, there is betrayal, found family, kittens, warm love scenes, salacious stuffed animals, great secondary characters, laugh out loud moments, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I will freely admit that I prefer historical romance stories to comply with the strictures of the era in which they are set, and this book doesn’t do that – it is 100% a contemporary in period dress. Despite playing fast and loose with historical accuracy, I did enjoy the story and would happily recommend it.

*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. *

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