Tag: Lana Williams

A Mistaken Identity by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

A Mistaken IdentityA Mistaken Identity by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Mayfair Literary League, #3

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Lady Harriet Persimmons long ago gave up on love, but when she met Joseph Harris, Viscount Garland, she starts to think that love might actually be in her future, she is set to announce her intention to perform a “bold act” as part of the Mayfair Literary League’s For Better or Worse Mission. But before she can, her dear friend Frances announces that she will be the next member to participate. Disappointed, but not defeated, Harriet vows to bind her time and plans to enjoy the house party at Frances’ country home. But her dreams for HEA begin to fade when first Joesph doesn’t recognize her, despite having been introduced two times AND Frances asks for her help in winning the object of her affection – who turns out to be Viscount Garland! And if that wasn’t bad enough, he is also attending the house party and for some reason thinks she is Frances! It isn’t long before that is cleared up and Harriet finds herself falling for him again and feeling guilty about having feelings for the man her friend wants. Not to mention, Harriet has secrets that make her believe that HEA could never be more than a dream, or can it?

Marriage is the last thing on Joesph’s mind, especially since he doesn’t believe in love, he is attending the house party to pitch an investment idea to Frances’ father, but once he starts getting notes from a secret admirer and has a chance to get to know Harriet better, he beings to think maybe love is not what he believed it to be. But even as he begins to fall hard for Harriet, she begins to push him away and he realizes that he can’t imagine life without her. When a common enemy threatens Harriet, Joseph will stop at nothing to crush their foe and hopefully convince her that dreams of HEA can come true!

This was another wonderful installment of the Mayfair Literary League. I will admit to being nervous about a possible love triangle, but thankfully my concerns were unfounded and while there was a bit of tension between Harriet and Frances, it didn’t ruin their friendship or cause lasting resentment (whew!) I did think the issue with the villain was wrapped up a bit too quickly and neatly, but overall, this was a very intriguing story filled with wonderful characters, secrets, mild love scenes (basically just kisses, with one lowkey love scene at the very end) a villain who gets what he deserves, new (and intriguing) Literary League members, a lovely ending complete with an epilogue as they start their HEA. This is the third book in the series, but each book can be read as a standalone title. I am happy to recommend this story 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.*

To Bargain with a Rogue by Lana Williams

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

To Bargain with a Rogue (Wicked Widows' League, #3)To Bargain with a Rogue by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4/4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Widows’ League, #3 (Author Collaboration Series)

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Alicia Radcliff, the widowed Countess of Hawthorne is finally finished with her year of mourning and is ready to reenter society. She has decided that she deserves to enjoy the freedom being a young widow affords her, namely taking a lover to find out what she was missing all years she was married. But she needs to take care, because she has no desire to marry again nor does she want to shame her young son, nor does she want to fall in love. She is sure she will be able to avoid that trap, but that was before her son was in danger and she met him.

Matthew Aston, the new Earl of Slayton, never expected to inherit, in fact, he never planned on returning to England. But with the unexpected death of both his father and his older brother, Matthew had no choice but to return and take care of his younger sister Clarissa and the estate. He had no idea that the estate was in such dire straights or that his father and brother had wracked up such high debts. Even with the money that Matthew made while in the Caribbean, he realizes that he will have to marry an heiress and fast if he has any hope of saving the estate and giving Clarissa a season. He is delighted when he meets Alicia, she is everything he has ever wanted in a wife, she is kind, lovely, and rich. But she makes it clear that she will not marry again, but she isn’t averse to an affair and is willing to help launch Clarissa into society. Their affair is sizzling, but Matthew knows he has to marry to protect his sister and ends things, but soon wonders if he gave up too soon, can he convince Alicia that his heart is hers for the taking or will he have to settle for a loveless marriage?

This was a delightful, well-written short novel with very likable characters. The book has a little of everything, interfering relatives, spying servants, a once-bitten, twice-shy heroine, a hero thrown into an impossible situation, a creepy villain, a bit of angst, steamyish love scenes, a bit of heartache, and finally a very satisfying ending that leads to HEA. I did feel like there were some loose ends that didn’t get addressed, but overall they were minor and didn’t really impact the story. This book is part of a loosely connected author collaboration series and it does feature secondary characters from one of the author’s previous series, but the book can easily be read as a standalone title. I enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend it and am looking forward to more stories in this series!

*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.*