When You Wish Upon a Duke by Charis Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Awakened by a Kiss, #2

Release Date: August 24, 2021

Jason “North” Beckett, former spy and the new Duke of Northumberland is in desperate need of a woman – but not just any woman, no, he needs Isobel Tinker, the manager of Everland Travel. His cousin Reggie has gotten himself kidnapped by Icelandic pirates and Jason has learned through his contacts in the foreign office that Miss Tinker is not only fluent in Icelandic, but she is very familiar with the country itself after residing there for quite some time years ago.

Isobel Tinker is the daughter of the world-famous actress Georgina Tinker and spent most of her youth touring Europe – with and without her mother. Seven years ago while in Iceland, Isobel’s happy-go-lucky life took a sharp turn into reality and left her alone and broken in heart and soul. With the help of her Aunt and Uncle, she returned to England and vowed to never leave her shores again. So when the Oh-too-handsome duke tries to hire her, she has no problem shutting him down. But when he makes her an offer she can’t refuse, neither of them will be prepared for the adventure that awaits them!

This is the second fairytale-inspired story in the series and it is just as fun and entertaining as the first book. For this story, the author has taken her inspiration from Peter Pan and has styled Isobel as a Regency-era Tinker Bell. While set in the Regency era, the author has taken a lot of creative license with what is considered proper etiquette for the period – something she explains in her author notes and honestly didn’t bother me at all. I loved this story, it is filled with witty banter, a duke that doesn’t want to be a duke, pirates, a bit of heartache, barely-warm love scenes, great secondary characters, a heroine who can save herself, and a hero who is fine with that, some incredible imagery and finally a HEA that is anything but typical. As mentioned there is a fair amount of creative license that might bother some readers, as well as title/formal address errors (that bother me, LOL), but overall this is a fun read and I would happily recommend this title. It is the second book in the series, but the books are easily read as standalone titles.

*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.*

A Duchess a Day by Charis Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Awakened by a Kiss, #1

Release Date: November 10, 2020

Declan Shaw is rotting in Newgate, charged with a crime he did not commit. He was hired by the palace to escort Miss Knightly Snow to her aunt in the south of France, but Miss Snow disappears and Declan is charged with abduction and foul play, with the threat of murder hanging over his head. He has tried without success and at considerable expense to have the charges dropped, but to no avail. But all that changes when he is visited by Titus Girdleston, the uncle to the Duke of Lusk. He tells Declan that The Duke is betrothed to Lady Helena Lark, but the lady is not thrilled at the prospect of marrying the duke – she has evaded the marriage for the last five years, but has at last agreed to come to London. Girdleston wants Declan to guard her and make sure she doesn’t bolt – the reward if he succeeds is great, enough to settle his debts and care for his father and sisters, not to mention having the charges against him dropped. But if he fails, he will get nothing and quite possibly will be returned to jail. With no opinions, Declan accepts – besides, how hard could watching a young woman and delivering her to her wedding possibly be?

Lady Helena Lark has used many strategies over the years to put off marriage to the duke – she knows he doesn’t want her, but their families want the land that her grandmother left her – the land that contains a summerhouse that she calls home, her apple orchard, a forest and tenants – all of which will be lost if she marries the duke. She is determined to end her betrothal and has the perfect plan – she will find a new duchess for the duke – because if he jilts her, her family will finally let her retire to her forest in peace. When she arrives in town, she is prepared for Girdleston’s spies – but even knowing isn’t enough to stop her immediate fascination with Declan. She has never felt even the slightest attraction to a man before – but she is drawn to Declan and hopes to win him to her side.

Helena waits until everyone is asleep and slips out to the stables to talk to Declan – he tries to resist, but he is just as taken with her as she is with him and cajoles him into helping her. And against his better judgement, he tells her he will help her and then to make matters worse – he kisses her. He is angry with himself and fully intends to resist her and to inform Girdleston of her plan – but he can’t and finds himself falling under her spell. But he has secrets and while he will help her, he can’t afford to lose his heart to her, but will he be able to walk away?

I really loved this story, it was a fun tale with a bit of a Snow White twist – Helena and Declan are both wonderful characters and I loved their interactions and dedication to each other – which never wavered, no matter how dismal things appeared. The story is well written, fast paced, filled with witty banter, schemes, secrets, surprising twists and turns, a couple of warm love scenes, great secondary characters and a very satisfying ending complete with a epilogue, The copy I read was an uncorrected proof, so I assume that the typos and title errors will be corrected by publication and did not factor them into my review rating. This is the first book in the new series and I am hooked – I highly recommend this book and am really looking forward to the next installment.

**I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that I requested and was provided by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.*