To Covet a Countess by Sapna Bhog

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

To Covet a CountessTo Covet a Countess by Sapna Bhog

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Elusive Lords, #2

Release Date: November 16, 2021

When the situation at their uncle’s home in India becomes unbearable, Sania Aaryan takes her younger sister Isha and flees to England, where she hopes to find sanctuary with her cousin Lara, the new Duchess of Wolverton. But when they arrive looking bedraggled, Lara is not home and her butler refuses to believe that they are related to the duchess and turns them out. With no money and near-freezing temperatures, Sania takes matters into her own hands and tries to break in.

The last thing Nicholas “Hawk” Delmore, the Earl of Hawksley expects to see while returning home is someone trying to break into his best friend Wolf’s house! He immediately intervenes and gets yet another shock when the small intruder turns out to be a woman, who threatens him with a dagger and then faints! Hawk takes Sania and Isha to his house and sends a letter to Wolf. He plans to keep them at his house until Wolf returns and either confirms or denies their relationship to his wife. What he doesn’t plan on doing is becoming infatuated with the lovely Indian woman, but that is exactly what happens.

Wolf and Lara return and are overjoyed to see Sania and Isha, they immediately move them into their house and get ready to launch them into society. Hawk tries to distance himself from Sania, sure that she would be better off with another man. Events from his past have convinced him that he doesn’t deserve a wife and children, so while he desires Sania, he goes out of his way to avoid her. It is a good plan, too bad Sania doesn’t agree. She refuses to give up on the attraction that is growing between them and eventually, she succeeds in making Hawk believe that they could have a future. All seems to be going well until their betrothal ball when the past comes calling and Hawk lets his insecurities destroy their chance for HEA. Can he convince Sania to give him another chance to prove his love or was his betrayal too much to overcome?

This was a good story, it was well-written and nicely paced, but some things just didn’t work for me. Things like: not stating when the book was set, I’m guessing late-Georgian, a lot of modern verbiages, title errors, and the villain’s name/title. What I did like is that the author accurately and subtly addressed the prejudices that Lara and Sania faced in society, she makes Hawk work for his forgiveness, she writes some steamyish love scenes, and she included a charming epilogue. Overall, it was a good read, and while I enjoyed the story, it is not one I would read again. This is the second book in the series, but I had not read the first book and had no trouble understanding the relationships in this book.

*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.*

Loving A Dowager by Rachel Ann Smith

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

Loving a Dowager (The Hadfields, #3)Barbara’s rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Hadfields #3
Publication Date: 11/3/21
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 244

Lord Walter Weathersbee, the third son of a marquess, has been in love with Henrietta, the daughter of a duke, for most of his life. He first met her when he was ten and lost in the woods, and by the time he was in his teen years, he was irrevocably, hopelessly, undeniably in love with her. That she was four years older made no difference to him – but it did to her and to society. So, when it was time for her come-out and a very good man fell in love with her, Walter stepped into the background and wished them well. He even befriended the man and they remained friends in secret. Walter never married because he never met anyone who could compare to Henrietta.

Henrietta’s family disowned her and totally cut her off when she chose to leave and marry a plain mister. She loved George Hadfield and she didn’t let her family’s reaction bother her – at least not too much. She and George were blissfully happy for several years, but he died young because of weak lungs. Henrietta threw herself into raising her two sons to be fine men and never took the time or opportunity to look around her or to rekindle any kind of social life. Now, however, her two sons are married and starting families of their own – one of them is even an earl. What is she to do with herself now?

Walter has long waited in the wings for Henrietta to resume her life. Now, he is ready to pursue a relationship of some sort with her – whatever relationship she’ll allow. Will her sons allow the relationship? Will Henrietta ever be ready for love again?

I like this author’s writing style – and I liked the premise of the story. So, why only 3.5 stars? Well, it is a purely personal thing and it may not bother you at all. However, it left me unfulfilled, unfinished, and unsatisfied. For me, it isn’t a romance without a HEA – and in my view, I didn’t get one. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, so I’m hesitant to tell you why I didn’t feel I got a HEA. However, to me, a HEA includes betrothals, weddings, happiness, sharing a home and family, love forever, etc. not what I got in this story. I just didn’t feel George got the HEA he so richly deserved and that made me sad. I was so looking forward to this book and reading a love match between two older, mature people and maybe even an epilogue four or five years into the future with all of her children and grandchildren along with Walter’s nephew’s family. I guess the bottom line for me is – the writing is good, but the story was unsatisfying.

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

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