Tag: Shana Galen

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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My Fair Katie by Shana Galen

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

My Fair Katie (Misfortunes Favorites #2)My Fair Katie by Shana Galen

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Misfortune’s Favorites,#2

Release Date: April 12, 2024

Years ago, when he was only 13, Henry Lewis, the Duke of Carlisle and his two closest friends did something stupid, on a bet they stole whiskey from an old crone and while running away broke the cask and were cursed by the old woman. She said on their 30th birthday they will lose all their love, just as she had thanks to them. Now on the eve of his thirtieth, that curse has finally come to fruition. Because now, after months – no, years – of compulsive gambling, he has lost everything. The final straw was on his thirtieth birthday, in a last-ditch effort to win back the family estate he lost to the Marquess of Shrewsbury, he managed to lose the only thing of value he had left, his London townhouse. Now homeless, he leaves London and seeks refuge with his mother, who lives in the Dower House of their country estate – which thankfully was left to her and out of Henry’s reach. His mother suggests he learn why the Marquess seems to have a vendetta against him and recommends speaking to his daughter, Lady Katherine Malfort, who happens to be living at Carlisle Hall – their former country estate.

Lady Katherine “Katie” is being punished by her father for trying to run away to Paris to study painting. Hidden away most of her life due to a port-wine birthmark on her face, Katie believes herself to be hideous and led a lonely life, only finding joy in her painting. But when she went behind her father’s back to go to Paris, she was sent to the crumbling Carlisle estate and forbidden to paint or even draw. In an effort to alleviate the boredom, she befriends Henry’s mom, the Duchess, and gets to know the tenants. Appalled by the conditions of the tenant’s homes, she blames Hugh for neglecting them and when he asks for her help to find out why her father hates him, first she his angry, but surprised that her birthmark doesn’t seem to disgust him, eventually she grudgingly agrees to help, but it will come at a price, he must help the tenants. But being around Henry is dangerous, she knows she is falling for him, but she doesn’t know if he feels the same for her and he seems convinced that all his problems are due to the crone who “cursed him” and not his own gambling. Can there be a HEA for them, or will his demons and her father destroy any chance for happiness?

I really liked this story; it is rare to come across a historical romance that features a hero with an addiction that is not drugs or drink. Henry’s gambling addiction and his journey to recovery was well done and heartbreaking, especially the toll his addiction cost others. I am completely invested in this series and can’t wait for Rory’s story and hopefully the final confrontation with the woman they so grievously wronged, will they be able to lift the curse or is their fate sealed? I can’t wait to find out! This story has a lot going on, but it never felt busy or off point. I loved seeing Katie gain confidence but could still feel how a lifetime of being treated poorly affected her. This is the second book in the series and would recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience. Overall, this was a great book, and I am happy to recommend the series and will be anxiously awaiting the final 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.*