Tag: Shana Galen

Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November by Shana Galen

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November (The Rake Review #11)Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November by Shana Galen

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Rake Review, #11

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Years ago, Beatrice Haddington made a decision that cost her the love of life and brought her years of heartache when she rejected Munro Notley’s proposal and married his best friend. She rejected Munro because he was a rake and she was sure he would break her heart by being unfaithful, instead she married Soloman Barnet, who was also a rake, but swore he would change for her. He didn’t and to make matters worse, Munro left England. But now she is a widow, and he is back for their mutual niece’s wedding. When he makes it clear that he still wants to marry her, she immediately declines, still sure he is a rake and will only break her heart. He swears he has changed, and she offers him a way to prove it. If he can resist five temptations to prove he has changed, then she will marry him.

Six years ago, Munro Notley fell in love for the first time in his life and bared his heart and soul to Beatrice the night before her wedding, begging her to runaway with him. She refused and he was unable to see the woman he loved with another man, he left England and if the gossip was to be believed continued his rakish lifestyle on the continent. When his brother orders him home for his niece’s wedding, he can’t refuse. He knows Beatrice is now a widow and dreads seeing her again, causing him to drink more than he is used to. In his inebriated state, he stumbles into the ladies retiring room and comes face to face with the only woman he has ever loved and proceeds to say way too much and even renews his offer of marriage. But Beatrice isn’t having it, and instead offers him an alternative – she will test him and if he can resist the temptations, she will give him a reward for each test he passes and if he passes all five, she will marry him. And so, the games begin!

I loved this second chance romance and was rooting for Munro right from the start. My heart broke for him and while I could understand Beatrice’s reservations, I did think she was a little unfair to Munro and let her fears control her for too long. This is a story is a lovely second chance romance filled with healing, trust, steamyish love scenes, delightful banter, great secondary characters, a wonderful cinnamon roll hero and finally a sweet ending and the beginning of their hard-won HEA. This is part of an author collaboration series but could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

All About Genevieve by Shana Galen

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

All About Genevieve (Misfortunes Favorites #3)Barbara’s rating: 3.4
Series: Misfortunes Favorites #3
Publication Date: 7/18/24
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 316

The Misfortunes Favorites series covers the lives of three boys who were cursed by an evil witch at thirteen. Did they do wrong? Yes, they did. They stole a barrel of whisky from the witch and then broke it by accident. That whisky was the witch’s only income as she was very, very poor. The curse said they would lose all they held dear in their thirtieth year. The witch’s sister did all she could to soften the impact of the curse, but, unlike her sister, she wasn’t a very powerful witch and wasn’t able to do much. Each book in the series covers the story of one of those boys, what he lost, and what he found. This last book covers not only what was lost and what was found, but offers a way to undo the curse totally. What will the men do? What choice will they make?

Emory (Rory) Lumley, is the younger son of a Duke, and probably lost the most from the curse. While the other two lost material things, Rory lost his wife and newborn son – on his thirtieth birthday. So, Rory and I were tracking along pretty well together – because I believe we share several personality traits – and then we get toward the end of the book when the three men have to make a choice that will end the curse. I empathized with Rory, I really did – but – when the words ‘impossible choice’ were uttered, he lost me and my empathy. That is really sad too because he had been my favorite from the first book, and I just couldn’t wait for his book. Even the lovely epilogue didn’t make up for, nor redeem Rory in my eyes.

Genevieve Brooking is a very caring no-nonsense governess who was quickly hired to care for Rory’s daughter Frances after she was abruptly and unceremoniously given back into his care. I loved Genevieve from the moment she first graced the page and at the end, I thought she deserved someone better than Rory. Genevieve had been a governess for fourteen years and always handled the children in her care with compassion, love, concern, care, and a no-nonsense attitude. That combination was just exactly what Frances Lumley needed and she blossomed under Genevieve’s care. That combination was exactly what Rory needed also, and he too blossomed.

This was an excellently written story with vivid descriptions of the peaceful settings around Rory’s home and delightful tales of Frances’s shenanigans. I loved Genevieve and her mother – both were strong, relatable ladies any of us would love to meet. I also loved seeing King, Violet, Henry, and Kate again. What I didn’t like and could not get past, even with the lovely epilogue, was Rory’s ‘impossible’ decision.  I absolutely did not like the way he handled that whole thing and would love to tell you why, but I don’t want to include a spoiler. So, I’m glad to have read this book and finished the series, but I wouldn’t read this one a second time.

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

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