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reading_historical_romance's reviews
439 reviews
The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As if I needed any more proof that Tarah DeWitt is really just out there writing the best contemporary romances one after another and another. We should be seeing her books on billboards. Her last book, Savor It, has been ranked in my Top 5 of 2024 and now it has a new bestie on that list.
Because writing and reading is ALWAYS political, I’m now going to be adding political themes and issues as part of each of my reviews, and I’m honored to start with The Co-Op!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (made me blush at one point 🥵 which is rare for me!)
💙🌎💙 Angry woman/female rage
💙🌎💙 Defying patriarchy
💙🌎💙 Lesbian joy and legacy
💙🌎💙 Anti-capitalism
💙🌎💙 Older adult visibility and caretaking
🛏️ Second chance + marriage of convenience
🚪 Forced proximity and while there is more than one bed, there are no doors 😂
🔥 Deacon is a 6’4” beach volleyball player and the most earnest and hottest of home reno Jonathan Scotts you can imagine. He loves dogs and they love him.
🖤 LaRynn is the fiercest, loyal protector of her humans and a 5’11” bad ass bitch
🌊 Santa Cruz, CA setting is its own character in the novel
🍆 Sex positive. The sex in all of Tarah’s novels is fun, affectionate, passionate, tender, and intimate, and it is no different in this one. It always belongs, flows organically into the narrative, and is true to the characters.
🌊 Grief and forgiveness
🌲Motion sickness is so real, folks. 💀
📚 THE EPILOGUE omg omg omg
Thank you SMP, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read and review an eARC. But I absolutely bought a physical copy for my shelves of fame!
Because writing and reading is ALWAYS political, I’m now going to be adding political themes and issues as part of each of my reviews, and I’m honored to start with The Co-Op!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (made me blush at one point 🥵 which is rare for me!)
💙🌎💙 Angry woman/female rage
💙🌎💙 Defying patriarchy
💙🌎💙 Lesbian joy and legacy
💙🌎💙 Anti-capitalism
💙🌎💙 Older adult visibility and caretaking
🛏️ Second chance + marriage of convenience
🚪 Forced proximity and while there is more than one bed, there are no doors 😂
🔥 Deacon is a 6’4” beach volleyball player and the most earnest and hottest of home reno Jonathan Scotts you can imagine. He loves dogs and they love him.
🖤 LaRynn is the fiercest, loyal protector of her humans and a 5’11” bad ass bitch
🌊 Santa Cruz, CA setting is its own character in the novel
🍆 Sex positive. The sex in all of Tarah’s novels is fun, affectionate, passionate, tender, and intimate, and it is no different in this one. It always belongs, flows organically into the narrative, and is true to the characters.
🌊 Grief and forgiveness
🌲Motion sickness is so real, folks. 💀
📚 THE EPILOGUE omg omg omg
Thank you SMP, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read and review an eARC. But I absolutely bought a physical copy for my shelves of fame!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
The Beast Takes a Bride by Julie Anne Long
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SIX STARS! I don't even think it's possible at this point for Julie Anne Long to write anything other than a stellar swooner that'll have me all in the feels for days.
The Beast Takes a Bride, the latest entry in the author's Palace of Rogues series, is a delight from beginning to end. The tale of an arranged marriage between a legendary British soldier, and a sheltered society debutante offered up to the highest bidder to save her family from financial ruin, is plotted to perfection. Despite some emotionally weighty material, the novel never feels heavy because of its brisk pacing and bright, soaring prose.
The novel is a celebration of all of the seasons that make a love story, told through the eyes of the two main characters, as well as the supporting cast of permanent residents of The Grand Palace on the Thames -- the boarding house of elegant proportions located right in the middle of the rough and ready London docks. The reader experiences that first thrill of infatuation, bitter disappointments, flirtatious meet-cutes, madly hot for one another physical encounters, and the intense vulnerabilities of deepening intimacy. We enjoy the honeymoon phase, the settling-in to real-life phase, and the being comfortable and secure in enduring love phase. But there are also the moments of paralyzing insecurity, fears of an unknown future, errors in judgment, hypocritical actions, harsh words thoughtlessly spoken, and devastating misunderstandings. There is the ultimate finality of the decision to stay or to let go.
There are so many precious things to love in this novel, that no review I could possibly write would do this thoughtful and fun read the justice that it really deserves. Julie Anne Long's ability to communicate the emotions of every high and every low, through profoundly beautiful prose and laugh-out-loud humor, is unmatched. There is an understated level of highly emotional intelligence woven through this book that truly deserves all of the critical recognition it has already and will undoubtedly continue to receive.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Julie Anne Long for the opportunity to read and review this novel before its release. It was my honor and pleasure!
The Beast Takes a Bride, the latest entry in the author's Palace of Rogues series, is a delight from beginning to end. The tale of an arranged marriage between a legendary British soldier, and a sheltered society debutante offered up to the highest bidder to save her family from financial ruin, is plotted to perfection. Despite some emotionally weighty material, the novel never feels heavy because of its brisk pacing and bright, soaring prose.
The novel is a celebration of all of the seasons that make a love story, told through the eyes of the two main characters, as well as the supporting cast of permanent residents of The Grand Palace on the Thames -- the boarding house of elegant proportions located right in the middle of the rough and ready London docks. The reader experiences that first thrill of infatuation, bitter disappointments, flirtatious meet-cutes, madly hot for one another physical encounters, and the intense vulnerabilities of deepening intimacy. We enjoy the honeymoon phase, the settling-in to real-life phase, and the being comfortable and secure in enduring love phase. But there are also the moments of paralyzing insecurity, fears of an unknown future, errors in judgment, hypocritical actions, harsh words thoughtlessly spoken, and devastating misunderstandings. There is the ultimate finality of the decision to stay or to let go.
There are so many precious things to love in this novel, that no review I could possibly write would do this thoughtful and fun read the justice that it really deserves. Julie Anne Long's ability to communicate the emotions of every high and every low, through profoundly beautiful prose and laugh-out-loud humor, is unmatched. There is an understated level of highly emotional intelligence woven through this book that truly deserves all of the critical recognition it has already and will undoubtedly continue to receive.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Julie Anne Long for the opportunity to read and review this novel before its release. It was my honor and pleasure!
Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Jane Austen's irrepressible Emma envisioned as a sleuth, eager to suss out the truth after a murder is discovered in Highbury? Sign me up because I am here for it!
I really enjoyed this fun cozy mystery that imagines Emma's life as newlywed Mrs. Knightley who, along with her loyal but dim friend, Harriet Smith, stumbles upon the dead body of her former nemesis and vicar's wife, Mrs. Elton. I appreciate that the author never tries to pretend to be writing anything other than what this is: a light, easy read that is really just trad-published fan fiction of the classic novel. For Austen and Emma fans, this is a lovely idea for a historical mystery. All of the beloved characters in the original novel make multiple appearances here, predictably doing as much helping as hindering the local magistrate, Mr. Knightley (of course), to solve the crime.
I thought the book was paced well and the mystery was plotted effectively, with the last half of the book being faster and more enjoyable as Emma and Knightley really hit their stride and got down to the business of uncovering the big clues. While the characterizations aren't exactly the way I have them all in my mind (my Emma would never call her Mr. Knightley "George" for example), there is enough of an effort to carry over the personalities from the source material that it worked ok anyway.
My hot take on this one is that the book would have been much better overall if Mrs. Elton wasn't the murder victim. Because Mrs. Elton is the primary source of conflict for most of the characters during a majority of the original novel, I found myself wishing that she was here in this one to stir everybody up and throw obstacles into the plotline. Emma should have had a good foil in this book, and Mrs. Elton would have been such great competion for Emma in the race to expose the real villain. I would have chosen a recognizable, but irrelevant character from Austen's work, like Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Elton's sister or brother-in-law, to be the victim, or an original character like a domestic servant or some distant cousin visiting family in Highbury.
Be that as it may, I would absolutely read another mystery featuring this detective Emma and her handsome Knightley -- perhaps starring Mr. Woodhouse as an unlikely hero.
Thank you Kensington Publishing, NetGalley, and Austenprose for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this fun cozy mystery that imagines Emma's life as newlywed Mrs. Knightley who, along with her loyal but dim friend, Harriet Smith, stumbles upon the dead body of her former nemesis and vicar's wife, Mrs. Elton. I appreciate that the author never tries to pretend to be writing anything other than what this is: a light, easy read that is really just trad-published fan fiction of the classic novel. For Austen and Emma fans, this is a lovely idea for a historical mystery. All of the beloved characters in the original novel make multiple appearances here, predictably doing as much helping as hindering the local magistrate, Mr. Knightley (of course), to solve the crime.
I thought the book was paced well and the mystery was plotted effectively, with the last half of the book being faster and more enjoyable as Emma and Knightley really hit their stride and got down to the business of uncovering the big clues. While the characterizations aren't exactly the way I have them all in my mind (my Emma would never call her Mr. Knightley "George" for example), there is enough of an effort to carry over the personalities from the source material that it worked ok anyway.
My hot take on this one is that the book would have been much better overall if Mrs. Elton wasn't the murder victim. Because Mrs. Elton is the primary source of conflict for most of the characters during a majority of the original novel, I found myself wishing that she was here in this one to stir everybody up and throw obstacles into the plotline. Emma should have had a good foil in this book, and Mrs. Elton would have been such great competion for Emma in the race to expose the real villain. I would have chosen a recognizable, but irrelevant character from Austen's work, like Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Elton's sister or brother-in-law, to be the victim, or an original character like a domestic servant or some distant cousin visiting family in Highbury.
Be that as it may, I would absolutely read another mystery featuring this detective Emma and her handsome Knightley -- perhaps starring Mr. Woodhouse as an unlikely hero.
Thank you Kensington Publishing, NetGalley, and Austenprose for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If I could only use three words to describe Stella and Teddy’s story they would be yearning, tender, and intimate. My heart kept squeezing in my chest, and I was brought to tears multiple times while reading this elegant and gentle book. I absolutely loved it. It treats the reader to that perfect romance novel combination of heartrending angst, prevailing personal justice, and fairytale-like true love.
The Belles of London series is so dear to my heart because it introduced me to the incredibly talented author, Mimi Matthews! Each and every book in this series has been a joy to read, and I have been eagerly awaiting Stella’s story since the day I was introduced to the Four Horsewomen. Stella’s quiet strength, observed first through the masterful handling of her spirited mount, Locket, and her mane of platinum silver hair intrigued me from the beginning. I’m so happy to be able to write this review and say that the wait was worth it, because The Muse of Maiden Lane is everything I wanted it to be.
On the surface, Stella and Teddy are completely different people who shouldn’t have any common ground between them. Stella is a passionate equestrienne. Teddy is confined to a wheelchair. Stella has spent the last two ton Seasons in London. Teddy has spent years living a reclusive life in France. Stella doesn’t dare present herself as anything but the proper lady. Teddy openly flaunts English high society convention. But the reader soon learns that they are fated mates, not only in spite of, but because, they share similar personal challenges.
Both Teddy and Stella’s families are stifling their spirits and dreams, albeit for different reasons. Teddy’s family has controlled his life for years out of fear and concern for his welfare. Stella’s brother has done the same as he has become consumed by pride and self-righteousness. Neither Teddy or Stella fit into the neat and tidy boxes that society deems they should be in. When Teddy and Stella meet, they are drawn to one another as unique allies who understand a deep and innate passion for freedom to be themselves and to live life on their own terms, regardless of difficulties they may face. I love that Teddy and Stella are the underdogs in their own stories, and end up triumphing over their obstacles and hard-won independence by recognizing that they are one another’s perfect partner.
The author's talent for beautiful, delicate prose, self-aware characters, lovely British settings, and vibrant dialogue all contribute to a rich and immersive read brimming with heart and optimism.
Thank you Berkley, Netgalley, and Mimi Matthews for this amazing opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
The Belles of London series is so dear to my heart because it introduced me to the incredibly talented author, Mimi Matthews! Each and every book in this series has been a joy to read, and I have been eagerly awaiting Stella’s story since the day I was introduced to the Four Horsewomen. Stella’s quiet strength, observed first through the masterful handling of her spirited mount, Locket, and her mane of platinum silver hair intrigued me from the beginning. I’m so happy to be able to write this review and say that the wait was worth it, because The Muse of Maiden Lane is everything I wanted it to be.
On the surface, Stella and Teddy are completely different people who shouldn’t have any common ground between them. Stella is a passionate equestrienne. Teddy is confined to a wheelchair. Stella has spent the last two ton Seasons in London. Teddy has spent years living a reclusive life in France. Stella doesn’t dare present herself as anything but the proper lady. Teddy openly flaunts English high society convention. But the reader soon learns that they are fated mates, not only in spite of, but because, they share similar personal challenges.
Both Teddy and Stella’s families are stifling their spirits and dreams, albeit for different reasons. Teddy’s family has controlled his life for years out of fear and concern for his welfare. Stella’s brother has done the same as he has become consumed by pride and self-righteousness. Neither Teddy or Stella fit into the neat and tidy boxes that society deems they should be in. When Teddy and Stella meet, they are drawn to one another as unique allies who understand a deep and innate passion for freedom to be themselves and to live life on their own terms, regardless of difficulties they may face. I love that Teddy and Stella are the underdogs in their own stories, and end up triumphing over their obstacles and hard-won independence by recognizing that they are one another’s perfect partner.
The author's talent for beautiful, delicate prose, self-aware characters, lovely British settings, and vibrant dialogue all contribute to a rich and immersive read brimming with heart and optimism.
Thank you Berkley, Netgalley, and Mimi Matthews for this amazing opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a delightful debut romance about a reality TV champion chef who is teamed up with a ghostwriter to write his cookbook. It utilizes favorite tropes like forced proximity, one bed, and grumpy sunshine with pretty good success. The first half of this book was a 5-star read for me. I immediately fell in love with Kieran, a short, ginger king, executive chef, and definite hero of the story. The FMC, Ellie, is less likable overall, but I think that is because she isn't as successfully developed as a character on page. Unfortunately, the story began to lost momentum at about 50% and I had to wade through the last half to get to what I felt was a rather anti-climatic ending. Taken together, I am rating this one a 3-3.5 stars.
What this book did right:
❤️Kieran is a cinnamon roll chef who isn't emasculated by his feelings and is openly vulnerable.
❤️Did I mention he is a CHEF? Such sexy knife skills.
❤️Neurodiversity representation (dyslexia and ADHD)
❤️Sobriety representation (One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "Every day you've had since you got sober has been an act of optimism.")
❤️Body size diversity (Kieran is only 5'7" "on a good day"); Ellie is described as "endlessly curvy")
❤️Mental health representation (depression, anxiety)
❤️Multi-cultural representation (Jewish, Filipino)
❤️Exploration of grief (Ellie is a 30-year old widow)
❤️THREE! grand gestures that don't feel forced or cheesy
❤️A good cast of minor characters (Ben, Jay, Nicole)
Why this book missed:
🌙Tried to be about too much and about too many people (see above) so some of the best aspects of the story were really abbreviated and felt thrown away by the end
🌙Word count crowded with detail that didn't have anything to do with the plot or explored by the characters (see above) to the point that it felt like the author was checking off a DEI list. (The author often gives just one piece of information about a character, and that piece of information is their minority group.)
🌙Plot was too shallow for the length of the book
🌙Nicole and Jay? What was the point of their subplot?
🌙Despite the time spent with them in the narrative, Kieran didn't get any closure with his family at all
🌙Third act break up that doesn't make as much sense as the author thinks it does
🌙The last chapter didn't feel true to the characters
The shining star of this book is Kieran. He isn't the traditional tall, dark, and handsome romance hero, and is secure in his ability to please women and take care of them. His vulnerabilities don't stop him from going after what he wants. He is just so good, and kind. One of the sweetest aspects of the story is his bond with Ben.
Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives, and I will be reading this author's next book.
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
What this book did right:
❤️Kieran is a cinnamon roll chef who isn't emasculated by his feelings and is openly vulnerable.
❤️Did I mention he is a CHEF? Such sexy knife skills.
❤️Neurodiversity representation (dyslexia and ADHD)
❤️Sobriety representation (One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "Every day you've had since you got sober has been an act of optimism.")
❤️Body size diversity (Kieran is only 5'7" "on a good day"); Ellie is described as "endlessly curvy")
❤️Mental health representation (depression, anxiety)
❤️Multi-cultural representation (Jewish, Filipino)
❤️Exploration of grief (Ellie is a 30-year old widow)
❤️THREE! grand gestures that don't feel forced or cheesy
❤️A good cast of minor characters (Ben, Jay, Nicole)
Why this book missed:
🌙Tried to be about too much and about too many people (see above) so some of the best aspects of the story were really abbreviated and felt thrown away by the end
🌙Word count crowded with detail that didn't have anything to do with the plot or explored by the characters (see above) to the point that it felt like the author was checking off a DEI list. (The author often gives just one piece of information about a character, and that piece of information is their minority group.)
🌙Plot was too shallow for the length of the book
🌙Nicole and Jay? What was the point of their subplot?
🌙Despite the time spent with them in the narrative, Kieran didn't get any closure with his family at all
🌙Third act break up that doesn't make as much sense as the author thinks it does
🌙The last chapter didn't feel true to the characters
The shining star of this book is Kieran. He isn't the traditional tall, dark, and handsome romance hero, and is secure in his ability to please women and take care of them. His vulnerabilities don't stop him from going after what he wants. He is just so good, and kind. One of the sweetest aspects of the story is his bond with Ben.
Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives, and I will be reading this author's next book.
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Shadows of Perl by J. Elle
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The House of Marionne series is absolutely and completely underrated! Confession: I now own two copies of this book because I wanted the signed Goldberg SE, and I must have the US first printing naked hardcover on my shelf!
J Elle has a unique writing style in that she unspools plot threads from various characters' POVs and not necessarily in order. This has a similar effect to the "unreliable narrator" form of storytelling. The reader is forced to be comfortable with a sense of confusion and suspense throughout the narrative, trusting that in the end, everything that the author has thrown into the wind will make sense. For me as a reader, I enjoy being immersed in the world-building, knowing that I am viewing the storyline through a prism and that the payoff is going to bring everything into sharp relief.
There is a huge twist right in Chapter 1 that made me jump up and down. It is fantastic, and gives Yagrin's story completely unexpected stakes. I love the partnership that he formed with Quell, and that they were both on the run from Jordan at the same time. I also loved spending so much time at Hartsboro and Dlaminaugh Estate, and getting to know the other heiresses, Nore and Adola. We also get the chance to see Jordan advance further into the Dragun brotherhood, as well as learn his and Yagrin's backstories. There is a lot happening in this second book and sometimes it can get overwhelming, but like the first book, everything comes together beautifully and with an action-packed climax.
Also like the first book, I will enjoy it even more when I re-read it because I will be able to see the end from the beginning and catch all the clues and foreshadowing that I missed the first run through.
It is just such a fun YA read.
J Elle has a unique writing style in that she unspools plot threads from various characters' POVs and not necessarily in order. This has a similar effect to the "unreliable narrator" form of storytelling. The reader is forced to be comfortable with a sense of confusion and suspense throughout the narrative, trusting that in the end, everything that the author has thrown into the wind will make sense. For me as a reader, I enjoy being immersed in the world-building, knowing that I am viewing the storyline through a prism and that the payoff is going to bring everything into sharp relief.
There is a huge twist right in Chapter 1 that made me jump up and down. It is fantastic, and gives Yagrin's story completely unexpected stakes. I love the partnership that he formed with Quell, and that they were both on the run from Jordan at the same time. I also loved spending so much time at Hartsboro and Dlaminaugh Estate, and getting to know the other heiresses, Nore and Adola. We also get the chance to see Jordan advance further into the Dragun brotherhood, as well as learn his and Yagrin's backstories. There is a lot happening in this second book and sometimes it can get overwhelming, but like the first book, everything comes together beautifully and with an action-packed climax.
Also like the first book, I will enjoy it even more when I re-read it because I will be able to see the end from the beginning and catch all the clues and foreshadowing that I missed the first run through.
It is just such a fun YA read.
The Finest Print by Erin Langston
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SIX STARS
It takes an extraordinary writer to tell an extraordinary story about ordinary people living ordinary lives. Erin Langston is one of those writers. In this Victoria-era historical romance, you won’t visit a ballroom or the modiste, sip lukewarm ratafia or avoid any scheming mamas. Instead, you’ll be utterly captivated by the smell of ink and low-quality pulp paper, enchanted by the art of manual typesetting, and seduced by the curves of a Columbian press in a dusty backroom of an unassuming print shop on London’s Fleet Street.
You’re also going to feel all of those things for Mr. Ethan Fletcher, the wearied, but always drop dead gorgeous, snacc who arrives in England only to fall absolutely prostrate at Miss Belle Sinclair’s fierce little feet. Did I mention he has shoulders for miles and a beard?
Langston’s second full length novel transports readers back into the arms of the families Travers and Sinclair, first introduced in her rightfully lauded 2023 debut, Forever Your Rogue. In The Finest Print, we learn that Gavin and Emilia Sinclair have raised two daughters, and that Gavin now serves as a common law judge at the High Courts. We also learn that Belle has a decidedly “improper” fascination with true crime. Over the past several years, she has been trying and failing to publish her book starring an intrepid female detective that solves fictional crimes inspired by her father’s cases.
Ethan is no stranger to career setbacks himself. He’s a self-made man who rose through the ranks of the printing industry by grit and determination, from unpaid apprentice to special reporter at the Boston Sentinel. But Ethan’s sights are set on publishing his own newspaper, and when he inherits his uncle’s print shop in London, he quits his job and sails to England with the expectation that he has finally found a path forward to realize his dreams. All of Ethan’s hard work seems to be for naught, however, when he arrives in London only to find that his uncle was deeply in debt. Ethan has ten weeks to pay back the outstanding loan, or he will be bankrupted by a business that wasn’t even his to begin with.
Fortunately for us, but especially for them, Ethan and Belle are the people who have exactly what the other needs. Ethan has paper and a printing press, and Belle can write something that a lot of people want to read. Although their dreams appear at first to be incompatible, their paths forward require both of them to be true to themselves and their own aspirations.
I started this book needing to send Gavin Sinclair a GREATEST DAD mug by the end of the prologue. Upon embarking on Chapter 1, I started laughing. Then flirtatious double entendre entered the chat, and I was DONE FOR(TM) by the time I hit Chapter 5. I only stopped to take a break because Ethan is a competent caregiving king and I needed a beverage refill. The ending brought me to tears over two regular people who have yearned for the opportunity make their own way in the world, quietly, and hand-in-hand.
The Finest Print is witty, passionate, and endearing, and Langston accomplishes this effortlessly through her masterful characterization and dialogue, and by elevating a sweet, simple story between two working class people into a love story every reader wishes they could live. She has also skillfully flipped the script when it comes to the structure of the typical romance novel, written in the tradition of subject-verb-object, which features barriers that exert pressure against the relationship of the MCs. In this novel, Ethan and Belle’s relationship is the subject instead of the object. It is their attachment that is the unshakeable force that drives the narrative forward, and that has the power to upend all of the barriers in their modest world.
Bravo to Ms. Langston, for this beautiful, heartfelt novel that will absolutely take readers' breaths away.
It takes an extraordinary writer to tell an extraordinary story about ordinary people living ordinary lives. Erin Langston is one of those writers. In this Victoria-era historical romance, you won’t visit a ballroom or the modiste, sip lukewarm ratafia or avoid any scheming mamas. Instead, you’ll be utterly captivated by the smell of ink and low-quality pulp paper, enchanted by the art of manual typesetting, and seduced by the curves of a Columbian press in a dusty backroom of an unassuming print shop on London’s Fleet Street.
You’re also going to feel all of those things for Mr. Ethan Fletcher, the wearied, but always drop dead gorgeous, snacc who arrives in England only to fall absolutely prostrate at Miss Belle Sinclair’s fierce little feet. Did I mention he has shoulders for miles and a beard?
Langston’s second full length novel transports readers back into the arms of the families Travers and Sinclair, first introduced in her rightfully lauded 2023 debut, Forever Your Rogue. In The Finest Print, we learn that Gavin and Emilia Sinclair have raised two daughters, and that Gavin now serves as a common law judge at the High Courts. We also learn that Belle has a decidedly “improper” fascination with true crime. Over the past several years, she has been trying and failing to publish her book starring an intrepid female detective that solves fictional crimes inspired by her father’s cases.
Ethan is no stranger to career setbacks himself. He’s a self-made man who rose through the ranks of the printing industry by grit and determination, from unpaid apprentice to special reporter at the Boston Sentinel. But Ethan’s sights are set on publishing his own newspaper, and when he inherits his uncle’s print shop in London, he quits his job and sails to England with the expectation that he has finally found a path forward to realize his dreams. All of Ethan’s hard work seems to be for naught, however, when he arrives in London only to find that his uncle was deeply in debt. Ethan has ten weeks to pay back the outstanding loan, or he will be bankrupted by a business that wasn’t even his to begin with.
Fortunately for us, but especially for them, Ethan and Belle are the people who have exactly what the other needs. Ethan has paper and a printing press, and Belle can write something that a lot of people want to read. Although their dreams appear at first to be incompatible, their paths forward require both of them to be true to themselves and their own aspirations.
I started this book needing to send Gavin Sinclair a GREATEST DAD mug by the end of the prologue. Upon embarking on Chapter 1, I started laughing. Then flirtatious double entendre entered the chat, and I was DONE FOR(TM) by the time I hit Chapter 5. I only stopped to take a break because Ethan is a competent caregiving king and I needed a beverage refill. The ending brought me to tears over two regular people who have yearned for the opportunity make their own way in the world, quietly, and hand-in-hand.
The Finest Print is witty, passionate, and endearing, and Langston accomplishes this effortlessly through her masterful characterization and dialogue, and by elevating a sweet, simple story between two working class people into a love story every reader wishes they could live. She has also skillfully flipped the script when it comes to the structure of the typical romance novel, written in the tradition of subject-verb-object, which features barriers that exert pressure against the relationship of the MCs. In this novel, Ethan and Belle’s relationship is the subject instead of the object. It is their attachment that is the unshakeable force that drives the narrative forward, and that has the power to upend all of the barriers in their modest world.
Bravo to Ms. Langston, for this beautiful, heartfelt novel that will absolutely take readers' breaths away.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
The Winged Tiara by J'nell Ciesielski
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The ratio of how much I wanted to love this book to how much I actually ended up not loving it at all? 1:1. There was so much potential with the premise and the characters, but the execution is simply a hot mess. Forget the Valkyrie tiara, someone should have been out looking for the editor, because it's clear they went missing when this manuscript was delivered.
What should have been a 1920s British Mr. and Mrs. Smith (if they were contract thieves) ended up being a story about two people, Esme Fox and Jasper Truitt, that we're supposed to root for because they had sad childhoods, and because Esme took off the morning after their spur of the moment decision to wed after celebrating the armistice in Paris. Unfortunately, I didn't end up rooting for either one of them because (1) their childhoods really weren't that sad at all, (2) Esme is a spoiled, precious brat, and (3) neither Jasper or Esme have any justifiable reason for making their living by stealing from other people.
Esme (the illegitimate daughter of a narcissistic actress) and Jasper (the illegitimate son of a Duke) are mercenaries, plain and simple. Period.
They steal for a living, because it's fun and an adventure, and because it's easier than getting a legitimate job like everybody else. In the end, they only stop thieving because Jasper finds himself filthy rich by inheriting the Dukedom.
Jasper is an ex-solder in the British army, and he is more likeable as a character than Esme. We're essentially asked to believe that Jasper and Esme are fated mates, and they are well-matched when it comes to being clever and ruthless. But I didn't feel the spark of chemistry that should have been there, and I think that may be because of the broader issues of execution.
The pacing of the novel is all over the place. There are cavernous plot holes and elements to the story that make no sense whatsoever. I do not understand the point of introducing the third thief, Lamb, a bizarre caricature of a man who lives in the middle of nowhere France yet is able to put together a spontaneous party with hundreds of guests who don't seem to know him or why they're partying just to play a game of who's the best spy. Esme and Jasper are each other's perfect foil, so there is no need for another character to detract from their attempts to outwit each other in their pursuit of the ultimate prize of their careers.
Honestly, I thought that the entire storyline about the Contessa being out for revenge against the Duke over the tiara was just dumb. I don't even see the point of the serial killer Pirazzo. Jasper already has plenty of motivation to go after Esme: his pride and a desire to compete and win. Her life didn't need to be in danger to have Jasper hot on her heels. I also didn't understand why Esme needed to be arrested. What purpose did that serve to the overall plotline?
I think the author got caught in the weeds, and felt like she needed to make Esme and Jasper's rivalry something complicated when there was no need to do so. This book should have been a fun romp in the style of a 1940s Old Hollywood romantic caper, like The Thin Man or Hitchcock's Notorious. But the story didn't progress organically, and there was too much going on to invest the time needed in Esme and Jasper's romance.
Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction, Netgalley, and Austenprose PR for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
What should have been a 1920s British Mr. and Mrs. Smith (if they were contract thieves) ended up being a story about two people, Esme Fox and Jasper Truitt, that we're supposed to root for because they had sad childhoods, and because Esme took off the morning after their spur of the moment decision to wed after celebrating the armistice in Paris. Unfortunately, I didn't end up rooting for either one of them because (1) their childhoods really weren't that sad at all, (2) Esme is a spoiled, precious brat, and (3) neither Jasper or Esme have any justifiable reason for making their living by stealing from other people.
Esme (the illegitimate daughter of a narcissistic actress) and Jasper (the illegitimate son of a Duke) are mercenaries, plain and simple. Period.
They steal for a living, because it's fun and an adventure, and because it's easier than getting a legitimate job like everybody else. In the end, they only stop thieving because Jasper finds himself filthy rich by inheriting the Dukedom.
Jasper is an ex-solder in the British army, and he is more likeable as a character than Esme. We're essentially asked to believe that Jasper and Esme are fated mates, and they are well-matched when it comes to being clever and ruthless. But I didn't feel the spark of chemistry that should have been there, and I think that may be because of the broader issues of execution.
The pacing of the novel is all over the place. There are cavernous plot holes and elements to the story that make no sense whatsoever. I do not understand the point of introducing the third thief, Lamb, a bizarre caricature of a man who lives in the middle of nowhere France yet is able to put together a spontaneous party with hundreds of guests who don't seem to know him or why they're partying just to play a game of who's the best spy. Esme and Jasper are each other's perfect foil, so there is no need for another character to detract from their attempts to outwit each other in their pursuit of the ultimate prize of their careers.
Honestly, I thought that the entire storyline about the Contessa being out for revenge against the Duke over the tiara was just dumb. I don't even see the point of the serial killer Pirazzo. Jasper already has plenty of motivation to go after Esme: his pride and a desire to compete and win. Her life didn't need to be in danger to have Jasper hot on her heels. I also didn't understand why Esme needed to be arrested. What purpose did that serve to the overall plotline?
I think the author got caught in the weeds, and felt like she needed to make Esme and Jasper's rivalry something complicated when there was no need to do so. This book should have been a fun romp in the style of a 1940s Old Hollywood romantic caper, like The Thin Man or Hitchcock's Notorious. But the story didn't progress organically, and there was too much going on to invest the time needed in Esme and Jasper's romance.
Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction, Netgalley, and Austenprose PR for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Childhood friends turned sexy PhD historians are reunited after a decade-old argument on a university campus in this charming forced proximity, second chance romance with all the coziest fall vibes. I couldn't help but warm to the mutual pining of 31-year old Clara Fernsby and 33-year old Teddy Harrison who slowly progress from star-crossed lovers to the fated mates they've always been meant to be over the course of the book.
The absolutely delightful tall, dark, and handsome Teddy endeared himself to me immediately as a socially awkward young teenager who meets Clare at a sleepaway camp for homeschoolers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The narrative is split between present day and flashbacks that tell the story of how Teddy and Clara first fell in love largely long distance through their shared passion for learning, trivia, playlists burned onto CDs, and a deepening physical attraction that neither had the opportunity to act upon before their academic careers took off in completely opposite directions.
Clara is lovably neurotic, a perfectionist who can't stand the idea of falling short of anyone's expectations, especially her own. She is loyal to a fault, and doesn't realize until it's almost too late that she has never gotten over Teddy, and made sacrifices that never needed to be made to achieve happiness in her life. I did come away from the book thinking that Clara is a bit too immature for Teddy, but I was so happy for him that they were able to work things out it didn't really matter.
This is only the author's second novel, and there are some execution issues. The primary problem for me was the pacing, as the book falters and felt like it slowed almost to a standstill in the second act. The straightforward, single-layer plot doesn't help. The author's real talent here lies in her characterizations, dialogue, setting, and atmosphere. While there isn't anything mind-blowing about this book, it is a solid 3.5-4 contemporary romance that is perfect for a relaxing fall read.
Overall, I enjoyed this one very much, and I will definitely be picking up this author's next book.
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
The absolutely delightful tall, dark, and handsome Teddy endeared himself to me immediately as a socially awkward young teenager who meets Clare at a sleepaway camp for homeschoolers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The narrative is split between present day and flashbacks that tell the story of how Teddy and Clara first fell in love largely long distance through their shared passion for learning, trivia, playlists burned onto CDs, and a deepening physical attraction that neither had the opportunity to act upon before their academic careers took off in completely opposite directions.
Clara is lovably neurotic, a perfectionist who can't stand the idea of falling short of anyone's expectations, especially her own. She is loyal to a fault, and doesn't realize until it's almost too late that she has never gotten over Teddy, and made sacrifices that never needed to be made to achieve happiness in her life. I did come away from the book thinking that Clara is a bit too immature for Teddy, but I was so happy for him that they were able to work things out it didn't really matter.
This is only the author's second novel, and there are some execution issues. The primary problem for me was the pacing, as the book falters and felt like it slowed almost to a standstill in the second act. The straightforward, single-layer plot doesn't help. The author's real talent here lies in her characterizations, dialogue, setting, and atmosphere. While there isn't anything mind-blowing about this book, it is a solid 3.5-4 contemporary romance that is perfect for a relaxing fall read.
Overall, I enjoyed this one very much, and I will definitely be picking up this author's next book.
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer
I adore Alison and Adam, and Alison's friends Chelsea and Mara. All of the minor characters are also so well drawn that I felt like I knew every single one, Russell, the Lewises, Adam's family -- even HR Josh. An enthusiastic 5/5 for all of the author's characterizations and all of the dialogue. The sparkling humor perfectly balances out the heavier aspects of the story regarding loss and grief. I was laughing out loud and then clutching kleenex throughout the entire book.
I love the satisfaction of a slow burn and that delicious undercurrent of sexual tension, and this novel delivers in spades. Adam and Alison enjoy several sensual encounters, but intercourse is off-page so I feel comfortable recommending this one to all of my closed door romance followers.
The only thing that's strange to me is that this book is being released at the beginning of August. This is a holiday romance, and I think one of its most charming aspects is Alison's devotion to Hallmark movies and sappy HEAs. I think this book would have been best marketed during the fall, and I will be promoting this one to my followers for the holiday season.
Bravo to the author, and I cannot wait to read more from you.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this one. What a masterful and bright debut celebrating sweet, small town holiday romance, and the importance of learning how to embrace yourself to find peace and contentment. There is so much creativity in the development of the plot, I'm really impressed because I have read a lot of romances, and this contemporary fated mates storyline is so fresh and unique.
I adore Alison and Adam, and Alison's friends Chelsea and Mara. All of the minor characters are also so well drawn that I felt like I knew every single one, Russell, the Lewises, Adam's family -- even HR Josh. An enthusiastic 5/5 for all of the author's characterizations and all of the dialogue. The sparkling humor perfectly balances out the heavier aspects of the story regarding loss and grief. I was laughing out loud and then clutching kleenex throughout the entire book.
I love the satisfaction of a slow burn and that delicious undercurrent of sexual tension, and this novel delivers in spades. Adam and Alison enjoy several sensual encounters, but intercourse is off-page so I feel comfortable recommending this one to all of my closed door romance followers.
The only thing that's strange to me is that this book is being released at the beginning of August. This is a holiday romance, and I think one of its most charming aspects is Alison's devotion to Hallmark movies and sappy HEAs. I think this book would have been best marketed during the fall, and I will be promoting this one to my followers for the holiday season.
Bravo to the author, and I cannot wait to read more from you.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read and review this novel.