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.*

A 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.*