A Simple Favor by Lana Williams

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

A Simple Favor (The Mayfair Literary League Book 4)A Simple Favor by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Mayfair Literary League, #4

Release Date: September 14, 2023

Lady Eliza Chadwick, one of the newest members of the Mayfair Literary League, has just returned to London after being away for years. She hopes to forge some true friendships with her co-members because despite being the sister of a marquess and having attended a finishing school, Eliza has always been alone and struggles with feelings of being unlovable and even unworthy of attention. When she learns of the club’s “For Better or Worse” agenda, she knows exactly who she would implement it on, her brother’s best friend, Philip, a man she has long admired and who always treated her kindly and made her feel seen. She hopes by asking him for a favor, he will see her as a woman and not just his friend’s little sister.

Philip Carstairs, the Duke of Trentworth, is still mourning the loss of his father and elder brother. He never thought he would be the duke and longs to make his late father and brother proud. He has come to London to find a wife and plans to offer for one of Lord Oxley’s daughters, as his father had wanted to join the two families. Uncomfortable with marrying the woman promised to his brother, he decides to propose to one of the younger sisters, but that was before he set eyes on her – Lady Eliza Chadwick. No longer the pudgy little girl he remembered, she is now a lovely young woman and when she asks for a favor, he can’t say no. He agrees to show her marked attention at events, so she will garner attention from other suitors. It seems harmless until he realizes that he wants her for himself and finds himself torn between honor and happiness.

This was another well-written, perfectly executed novel in the entertaining “Mayfair Literary League” series. I really liked Eliza and Philip and felt their struggles to feel worthy. My heart nearly broke for Eliza when the truth about the “For Better or Worse” agenda came out, but she proved that she was worthy, despite being dealt a double rejection. This story is filled with emotion, secrets, favors, kisses, heartache, insecurity, good friends, a bit of drama, some tears, surprising revelations, a heaping serving of angst, and finally a HEA complete with a spicy epilogue. This book is the fourth book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone title. I am happy to recommend this book and am looking forward to the next installment.

*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.*

Petteril’s Thief by Mary Lancaster

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Petteril's Thief (Lord Petteril Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries
Publication Date: 9/5/23
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 161

This first book in Mary Lancaster’s new historical mystery series is an outstanding addition to the genre. It was so very good that I read it in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down.

The character of Lord Petteril is wonderfully complex, nuanced, and built layer upon intriguing layer. I believe he is one of the most interesting and likable characters I’ve read in a very long time. Ape, the thief, is also an excellent choice as a main supporting character. Ape has survived by his intelligence and wits his entire life in St. Giles. He’s not a thief by choice, he works for the “Lord”, and if he wants to survive, he does as he’s told. When Ape is given the choice to change his life, he jumps at it and never looks back. (Can you picture an urchin who actually wants to take a bath?)

Absolutely nobody wants Oxford don, Piers Withan to be Viscount Petteril: Certainly not his estranged family and certainly not Piers himself. However, the point is moot because there is no choice for any of them. During the months it has taken Piers to wrap up his affairs and assume the title, his family has taken full advantage of draining the coffers of the title as much as they can get away with. Piers has an affliction and his family – even his father – took the opportunity to bully him and ridicule him. They assume that will continue now that he is back. Hmmm, I wonder how that will work out for them.

On his first night in the Petteril townhouse, he encounters a young thief who has just emptied the safe of the few contents in it – and he lets the thief go – and he lets the thief keep the contents. That encounter changes Piers’s life in untold ways. When it turns out that a very valuable family heirloom ruby necklace is missing, Piers is sure the little thief didn’t take it. He’s also equally sure that a family member or a member of the staff did.

His family is expecting the old Piers – the one they could bully and intimidate. What they got was something quite different and it was an absolute delight to watch Piers show those nuanced, stronger, layers to his family as one by one he eliminates them as suspects in the necklace theft but holds them accountable for other pilfering. Then, there is only one suspect left and Piers handles that with dignity and aplomb.

While all of the necklace and family drama is going on, Piers is leaving his darkness behind, dealing with his affliction the best way he can, saving his young cousin from a terrible fate, and doing his best to guide Ape in dealing with his big secret. You’ll quickly come to admire Piers and wish you could meet him in real life. He’d be an extraordinary friend to have.

As you can tell, I loved this book and highly recommend it. The mystery is interesting and there are plenty of red herrings to keep you wondering. Lots of opportunity, lots of motives, so who can it be? You will just have to read this excellent first book in the series to find out.

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