Tag: Sophie Jordan

The Countess by Sophie Jordan

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

The Countess (The Scandalous Ladies of London, #1)The Countess by Sophie Jordan

Tracy’s rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: The Scandalous Ladies of London, #1

Release Date: March 28, 2023

WARNING – THIS REVIEW MIGHT BE SPOILERISH

Gertrude “Tru”, the Countess of Chatham has been married to the Earl for almost twenty years and has given him two children, but theirs is not a happy marriage and they basically live separate lives. At the ripe old age of 37, Tru is devoted to her children and her small circle of friends, she is faithful to her unfaithful husband and has earned the moniker of “the Cold Countess”, she believes that her chance for happiness is long past and is determined to make sure her daughter Cordelia “Delia” finds the happiness that eluded her. But apparently, her husband doesn’t have the same consideration for her, he wants a rich son-in-law to bankroll him and has set his sights on widower Jasper Thorne. Tru is not happy about this development and even more so when she realizes that Jasper is the man that propositioned her, the man she can seem to forget!

Jasper Thorne is a widower and father of a young daughter, he is a self-made man who wants a better life for his daughter and thinks that marrying a titled, society woman is the key to her being accepted by the ton. He originally sets his site on the current “diamond of the first water” Lady Delia, but then he realizes that her mother is the woman from the garden and changes course. He will stop at nothing to have Tru, the fact that she is a bit older and married doesn’t even matter, he always gets what he wants and he wants her – full stop. All he has to do is convince her that they are meant to be, easy right?

OK, this is a hard review to write because it is a very good book that is well-written and nicely paced with engaging characters and a wonderful primary couple – BUT – the heroine is married. I read the blurb and wondered how this was going to play out and hoped that she wouldn’t commit adultery and for the most part, she tries to resist – but eventually she gives in and sleeps with Jasper – it ruined the book for me because she became no better than her scummy husband. I know that cheating doesn’t bother many readers, but it bothers me, I don’t deny that her husband was a jerk, but that doesn’t excuse it for me – sigh. Anyway, other than that it was a very good book filled with emotion, second chances, steamyish kisses, great secondary characters, a bit of angst, forbidden love, and finally a HEA with an epilogue that nicely sets up the next book. For me, this book was a miss, but I will definitely read the next book in the series and would say that if adultery doesn’t bother you, you would probably love this 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.*

The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan

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

The Scoundrel Falls Hard (The Duke Hunt #3)The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Duke Hunt, #3

Release Date: August 23, 2022

The last thing Gwen Cully expected when she went to work in her smith that day was to save a conman from being hanged and then end up betrothed to him – but that’s exactly what happened! Gwen was working in her smith when the man she knew to be the scoundrel impersonating the Duke of Penning’s heir entered and begged her to hide him from the angry mob chasing him. She thought he was exaggerating, but when she sees the townsfolk baring down on them, she lets him hide. Unfortunately for him, someone comes into the smith and sees him and he is dragged away. With the townsfolk intent on hanging him!

Kellan Fox knows what he did was wrong and to be honest, he is tired of his nomadic life, but he made a deathbed promise to his mother to watch over his father and has felt duty-bound to keep his word. But this is the last straw, his father scammed the people of the town into believing that he was the long-lost Duke of Penning and that Kellan was his heir, but when his con was exposed, he took off, leaving Kellan to take the fall. And now with a rope around his neck, it seems like he will indeed pay the price for their sins. But to his surprise, the lovely blacksmith tries to stop the mob from killing him. Going as far as to proclaim her love for him. And it works, sort of…because they end up betrothed to prove that they really love each other.

Gwen and Kellan don’t want to marry, but she knows if she doesn’t marry him, she will be ruined and her business will suffer even more than it has since her father and uncle died. So she suggests a compromise, they marry and spend one year together, in an in-name-only platonic marriage – and then he will be free to leave. Kellan agrees, as he owes her his life, and even offers to help her around the house and the blacksmith shop. It seems like an ideal partnership until it becomes clear that the platonic part is going to be harder to adhere to than either of them thought. Is it possible that this relationship built on a lie could be a love match? Can Gwen trust him or is Kellan just playing her for a fool?

This was a fun, fast-paced story with extremely likable characters and a fresh twist on the marriage of convenience trope. This story has witty banter, believable character development, a marriage of convenience, lies, dodgy relatives, a bully, great secondary characters, trust issues, steamy love scenes, and finally a very lovely HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but they are very loosely connected and can easily be read as standalone titles. I enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this title.

*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.*