Tag: Jane Charles

A Scoundrel’s Secret by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Scoundrel's Secret (Revenge of the Wallflowers, book 16)A Scoundrel’s Secret by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Revenge of the Wallflowers, #16 & The Knight Family, #3

Release Date: June 18, 2024

Once upon a time, Miss Carina Leonelli’s life was good, she was the daughter of an Italian Barone and attended a girl’s school where she met her best friend, Lady Gaia Evans. But then tragedy struck, and a scandal left Carina with no family to support her. Gaia’s mother, the Marchioness of Dargate hired her to be Gaia’s companion, a position she kept even after Gaia married and became the Marchioness of Lydell, it is a position she believes she will keep for years, even though Gaia continues to treat her like an equal and hopes she will find a love of her own. But Carina doesn’t feel worthy of a society marriage and as a servant of sorts, knows that marriage to a fellow servant, like coachman Felix Knight, won’t get her a home of her own. Besides, Felix is a rake and not a man she can take seriously, no matter how handsome and charming he seems. But when Felix is injured and she fears he is dying, she finally admits her feelings for him, not that it will change anything. But with a little help from her friends, HEA may be within reach, until long kept secrets come out and everything changes!

Felix Knight is the second son of Viscount Ormonde and the grandson of the Earl of Chedworth, two and a half years ago, his grandfather made a demand that Felix refused to bow to and resulted in Felix leaving home and cutting himself off from his family. He met and befriended the newly minted Marquess of Lydell who had been born and raised in America, he helped Lydell acclimate into London society and accepted his offer of employment, as his coachman, stable master and even sometimes footman. Felix never lied about his name, but neither did he offer information about his family and with the exception of Lydell’s new brother-in-law, it doesn’t seem like anyone knows who he is, which is perfect for hiding from his grandfather and his outrageous demands. At least it was until he feel in love with Carina and is desperate to convince her that they could marry and that they could be happy all while keeping his secrets. But he should have known that secrets have a way of coming out at the worst possible moment and secrets like his could easily crush new love.

As always, this was a well-written, nicely-paced story filled with wonderful characters. This book is a slow-burning romance, with no-steam love scenes, secrets, hidden identities, surprising revelations, fake courtships, matchmaking friends, a duel, heartache, revenge, reunions and finally a HEA that didn’t seem possible as well as a very sweet epilogue. This book is part of a series, but can easily be read as a standalone (be sure to read the author’s notes!). I am looking forward to the next book about the Knight Family!

*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 Lady’s Physician by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Lady's Physician (Sinclair Brothers Book 1)The Lady’s Physician by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Sinclair Brothers, #1

Release Date: May 28, 2024

Dr. Xavier Sinclair is feeling out of sorts and questioning his life’s work after his attempts to cure his sister’s amnesia failed. And to make matters worse, the suggestions of her friend Lady Olivia Westbrook did cure her, a woman who has no formal training and whose ideas were the complete opposite of everything he believes! He is pondering his choices when he runs into an old friend from medical school, Dr. Orlando Valentine. After speaking to him, Xavier decides that he should begin practicing medicine again, rather than just researching and asks Dr. Valentine if he can shadow him for a while to reacclimate himself to treating patients. But his first house call with Dr. Valentine brings him face to face with the last woman he ever wanted to see again – Lady Olivia. But working with Olivia is eye-opening and when they successfully solve the attempted abduction of a viscountess and a mysterious illness affecting the children of Westbrook House, Xavier begins to think that Olivia would be a perfect wife for him. Too bad she keeps rejecting him! Will he be about to convince her that they are meant to be?

Lady Olivia Westbrook and her twin sister Lady Victoria have opened Westbrook House, a home for orphans and women with no place else to turn. She runs the day to day of the house while her sister runs the business side. It is satisfying work, but at what cost? She knows marriage would most likely mean that she would have to give up her work and that is something she could never do – so she has set herself on a shelf. But when Dr. Sinclair once again crosses her path, her life takes a turn that she never expected, when she begins working with a man who she admired until he dismissed her ideas for treating his sister. But Dr. Sinclair has changed and when an epidemic of whooping cough hits the Westbrook House, he proves that he is the man she once believed him to be and she falls hard. But when he asks her to marry him, she knows that it is out of obligation, and she won’t tie herself to a man that doesn’t love her.

This was such a great start to a new series! I loved Xavier, and for an intelligent man, he was so delightfully clueless! Olivia was also a great character, a little too stubborn and unbending at times, but she has a huge heart and truly means well. They make a great team and work together so well, but they can’t seem to talk about their feelings, which leads to quite a bit of angst. This book has a bit of everything, mystery, attempted abduction, secrets, kisses, a mysterious illness, nasty gossip, rejected proposals, and finally a HEA that didn’t seem possible as well as a very sweet epilogue! I loved this story and can’t wait for the next 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. *