Read: 7/13/25 Setting: Regency England Trope: MOC I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this book!
This was a wonderful MOC story. I was a little shocked howRead: 7/13/25 Setting: Regency England Trope: MOC I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this book!
This was a wonderful MOC story. I was a little shocked how quickly these two fit together. Joshua was gruff but loveable. He definitely needed Cassandra to smooth out his ruff edges. Both were practical with a wicked sense of humor. There were no crazy misunderstandings, last-minute kidnapping, or OTT emotional scenes (TG!). They had real couple problems but solved them reasonably...more
Read: 5/19/25 Setting: Brussels and England Regency Era Trope: OW, amnesia, clean
Talk about OW drama! I was ready to pull this b***ch's hair out! AliciaRead: 5/19/25 Setting: Brussels and England Regency Era Trope: OW, amnesia, clean
Talk about OW drama! I was ready to pull this b***ch's hair out! Alicia needed to grow a pair
This story jumps right into the drama. First, Barbara breaks up with her longtime boyfriend, Lucien. Then, 2 years later, Lucien finds love with Alicia and marries her before Waterloo. Next, Alicia discovers Lucien is still alive with amnesia and is engaged again to Barbara. All this happens pretty quickly. The rest of the book is Alicia praying Lucien gets his memory back. They spend the rest of the book at his abbey up north. Lucien can't remember the last two years, only that he loved Barbara. We, the reader, spent the whole book wondering how anyone could love Barbara.
This was a quick, easy read. There's no strong character development or a great romance. Most of the book is Alicia living her life and waiting for Lucien to wake up. I wish we could have gotten more romance between them before he got amnesia. I also think the author could have gone OTT with the OW drama. It would have been more interesting.
Conclusion: I liked this book. It didn't need to be anything else but a simple, effortless story. I need to try more books by this author.
**spoiler alert** Read: 5/20/25 Setting: Regency England Trope: forbidden lovers
Pretty good story! ***********spoiler alert ⚠️*******,, Plot: Nell is for**spoiler alert** Read: 5/20/25 Setting: Regency England Trope: forbidden lovers
Pretty good story! ***********spoiler alert ⚠️*******,, Plot: Nell is forced to marry an old man to pay her father's large debts. Her husband married her for her looks. He picks out her clothes and expects her to be graceful. He spends years turning Einor ( not Nell anymore ) into the perfect trophy wife. He visits her room once a week. He wants everybody to know he is a stud even though nothing ever happens.
Elinor feels like she's living in a hothouse. Luckily, she is not alone. Charlie, her stepgrandson, understands what life with his grandfather is like. They become bossom pals except Charlie wants more. When his grandfather discovers this infatuation, he finally agrees to buy a commission. Heartbreakingly, Charlie doesn't survive his first battle.
Lucien is England's most handsome and most Brazen lord. He defied society by divorcing his wife. Between his scandalous behavior, he also serves in the army. He first meets Elinor when her father tried to sell her to him and again in London. Later, Elinor fears for Charlie, so she asks Lucien (Charlie's hero) to look after him. Unfortunately, he fails to protect that sweet kid.
On the way to see Charlie's grandfather, Lucien falls from his horse. He has an injury from a battle, and there is a piece of matter that the doctors missed. Elinor nurses a very ill Lucien back to health. They develop a friendship over time. Kingsley sees this closeness and in his delirium an idea is sprung. He wants an heir to replace the one he lost. Kingsley tells Lucien this idea, which he adamantly turns down. Lucien and Elinor slowly began a romantic relationship and eventually sexual. Elinor is shocked when her husband lies about paying Lucien to impregnate her.
So, can Lucien convince Elinor that his feelings are true? Is she safe with her husband's mental decline? What if the baby is a girl?
This book was definitely not want I expected. The whole baby plot doesn't happen until 60% into the book. This is why I wrote such a long review. The synopsis made it seem like the baby thing was a big plot point, and it's not. There's no arranged baby making. The baby later comes from their love affair. The crazy (thanks died grandson) old man is the only one who thinks this is an agreement.
Now that is cleared up...
What did I think of the book? I'm not sure. I think I'd rate this somewhere between okay and good. The story was different and very well written. I would have liked more romance, though
I'll probably never read this book again, but I'm glad I tried it....more
Read: 3/8/25 Setting: Hawaii, Tahiti, Macao, and San Francisco 1803- 1809
This is definitely an old-fashioned Bodice-ripper. Where the h is treated horrRead: 3/8/25 Setting: Hawaii, Tahiti, Macao, and San Francisco 1803- 1809
This is definitely an old-fashioned Bodice-ripper. Where the h is treated horribly throughout the whole book, especially by the H. Still, I didn't want to stop reading this soap opera.
Disliked: 1. Is it a romance? Maybe in the beginning, when he doesn't know her real identity. Once she tricks him into marriage, the romance goes downhill fast. 2. Adam! He is hard to like. He takes his anger out on Catherine throughout the book. I was ready to kill him when he left her in a brothel. He disguised himself and violated her. It's hard to forgive that ...more
Read: 2/16/25 2.5 stars round up to 3 It would have been 4 until the last 40% of the book was ruined
I have a lot to say but need to process my disappoiRead: 2/16/25 2.5 stars round up to 3 It would have been 4 until the last 40% of the book was ruined
I have a lot to say but need to process my disappointment. RtC...more
Read: 3/10/25 - late review Setting: 1761Englan and Virginia 4.5 stars
I waited too late to review this book. This was such a unique, complex story. It'Read: 3/10/25 - late review Setting: 1761Englan and Virginia 4.5 stars
I waited too late to review this book. This was such a unique, complex story. It's not easy to describe, and I'm too lazy to try. Luckily, my friend, Anna, wrote a fantastic review that better explains the plot. I recommend reading that review.
Just quick notes: liked: The author was smart telling the story through the h's POV. It would have been harder to root for this couple if I knew the love words the H was saying to his Indian wife.
disliked: I hate how the h martyrs herself at the end. All so the villain won't tell the H about his late mom's true character. It was stupid and unnecessary and ruined a great story up until this point.
Conclusion: This was not an easy read at times, but it was so worth it!...more
Read: 1/2/25 3.5 stars Setting: Scotland & Wilderness in Detriot, USA I think I'm a glutton for punishment.
The story picks up right where the 1st book eRead: 1/2/25 3.5 stars Setting: Scotland & Wilderness in Detriot, USA I think I'm a glutton for punishment.
The story picks up right where the 1st book ended. It's 1762, and Alex and Cameron just wed, are traveling back home from their winter cabin. They are surprised to find their home occupied by a British general. Alex was served a notice from the army, but he's been gone for the winter. So he is under investigation for desertion, an excuse for the evil man to try and steal Alex's home like he did the neighbors.
Unfortunately, the book turned Alex into an unlikeable character after this event. I thought he was reasonable. He has to bow and scrape to this disgusting, pedophile officer in order to save his ancestral home, his people, and his life. The evil man was actually trying to sell girls to a white slave ship and impress the Scottish men. Alex tries to explain things to his wife, but she wants to ride her horse in storms. Cameron knows what's happening and is too self-absorbed to be helpful but criticized Alex for not doing enough. I really hate her during these pages!
Half of the book is about this dragged out situation. It got old! The author needed to edit and move on. The 2nd half is sooo much better!!!
2nd half: Alex's way to save his wife, estate, and himself is by relisting. His wife has to pretend to be a boy again because she is wanted for witchcraft. Unlikely plot twist, but sure, okay. She's going because her twin is in the America Wilderness. Yes, God made two! Her brother is a friend to the Potawatomi chief during the French and Indian War. Cameron is separated from her husband but eventually finds her brother. Her marriage is pretty much over by then. The woods, she was definitely in her element, and it was all for the better. So the 2nd half, she's with her brother and friends, and Alex is a scot for the British army at Fort Detroit. Will these two realize how much they love each other, or will they go their own ways? It might surprise you! No, it probably won't
Problems: 1. The 1st half of the book. It's just long and boring. I started to hate the MC all over again. 2. I wish the MC were more likable. 3. It's not realistic, but I would have wished Alex would have figured a way out of his problem. He just ate shite! It was hard to read. It's not until the Scottish judge showed up and helped him that i felt he did anything to change his situation. I gave the author credit for showing some of the injustice done to the Scottish.
Liked: 1. The 2nd half was unique and interesting. 2. The great secondary characters saved the book! From the Scottish peasants to her brother's protectors, all were interesting. I truly loved that very old zany general who refused to quit the army at 70. The animals were a great addition, too. Sadly, they were all more interesting than the MC. 3. I really like this author's writing style, and I can't explain why.
Conclusion: This would have been a 2 star book, but the unique 2nd half deserves 2 stars.
I won't be reading the 3rd book. I think I've had enough of these characters. The next book is about their daughters and 2 selfish, beautiful Camerons are too much for me to contemplate....more
The story takes place in 1761, Scotland. Sir Alexander arrives at his late father's friend's house to chaos. TRead: 1/1/25 1st book of the year! Hmm...
The story takes place in 1761, Scotland. Sir Alexander arrives at his late father's friend's house to chaos. The old Jacobite is dying and wants Alex to become the guardian of his wild "grandson," Cameron. Alex is shocked when Cameron turns out to be a beautiful 15 year old girl. She is definitely not the crazy deadman's real granddaughter. Who is she? Before he died, the old man described her as "the heart of Scotland." Yea, it wasn't hard to figure out who her real father's identity was. Cameron has been brought up on Jacobite ideals but not much else. She's been isolated her whole life. Most believe her to be a witch because of her beauty and her strange connection to animals.
These two have a tug of war to leave the crumbling estate. Cameron tries to flee and runs into danger. Surprise! She loses her beloved pet and almost her life. Along the way, Alex's attraction to Cameron grows strong. When they reach civilization, they stay at an inn. Cameron tries to seduce him, and they are caught. So Alex pronounced that Cameron was his wife. Apparently, this is all that is needed in Scotland to be married. I thought by 1760s, you would need at least a blacksmith, an anvil, and a signed paper, but I don't know Scottish law that well, so I maybe
So Alex is mad at being forced to marry and leaves his wife at his estate. He returns to Edinburg society. Here, the H does the typical hr tantrum. Still, he can't forget his wild wife, but how can he accept her into his life. Will these two make it back together or be driven apart?
Alex: I liked him most of the time. Poor Alex is straddling two worlds, the old and the new. He lost everything after Culloden Moor. His proud father turned into a blubbering mess after his wife and daughters died on the ship to America. Alex has been in charge since he was 12 years old. He joined the British army and earned some of his estates back. He had to sacrifice his pride to accomplish everything, and this wild girl could destroy it all.
Cameron: she was hard for me to like sometimes. The author does a great job of describing her. Cameron is unearthly and different. She doesn't have much experience with people. This could have been humorous and charming, but unfortunately, the author doesn't go down that route. I found her plain selfish. I understand where the author was going, but it didn't change that I wanted to put her over my knee through most of the book.
Problems: 1. The h's age is the BIGGEST problem for me! 15 years old was too young for me! Why that young? Alex is attracted to her, but the descriptions are kind of gross. He can't stop comparing her to a child sometimes. Yuck! This made it hard for me to enjoy the romance. 2. Needed editing! The story isn't bad for most of the book. It's the last 150 pages that are not needed. They are finally together (I love you moments) and are stuck in a cabin for the winter. So 150 pages of love making and the h not believing she's good enough or he doesn't really love her. ***eye roll***. Not necessary!
Conclusion: So why did I continue with this book? I don't really know, but I like the author's writing style. I wonder what she could do with a likable h and story. AM left the book with some intriguing mysteries, so I will continue with the next book.
Sidenote: he kind of cheats on Cameron. After that marriage announcement, he leaves her at his home and continues with his mistress and other women in Edinburg. This is before they have an actual marriage....more
Read: 11/20/24 4.5 stars This was an unexpected gem! I really loved this medieval tale. I really need to write a long review but haven't had the time. BRead: 11/20/24 4.5 stars This was an unexpected gem! I really loved this medieval tale. I really need to write a long review but haven't had the time. But this book was a real highlight for me...more
Maybe it's my mood, but I couldn't get into this book. It's a short novella, yet it still feels too long. I kept Last read: 8/20/24 DNF left on page 86
Maybe it's my mood, but I couldn't get into this book. It's a short novella, yet it still feels too long. I kept hoping I'd go back and finish it, but after 2 months, I'm still not interested. I usually love SS books...more
Read: 8/12/23 3.5 stars This wasn't as good as EC's other books. I was a little disappointed Read: 8/12/23 3.5 stars This wasn't as good as EC's other books. I was a little disappointed ...more
Read: 3/24/20 Okay read! I hate one POV. In the beginning, I felt sorry for the h. It takes awhile for the h to shows his colors and the story improves.Read: 3/24/20 Okay read! I hate one POV. In the beginning, I felt sorry for the h. It takes awhile for the h to shows his colors and the story improves. THE H has lived her since she was a 14. A little weird and then there is the aggravating fact that the couple still hasn't consummated the marriage. All this love and only one kiss at the end of the book. I will read the sequel and hope it improves...more
Reread: 10/21/23 I know I wrote a longer review somewhere. Oh well ...
The MC are strangers forced into a MOC. Margarita is mourning after her whole faReread: 10/21/23 I know I wrote a longer review somewhere. Oh well ...
The MC are strangers forced into a MOC. Margarita is mourning after her whole family was brutal slain in Venezuela. Her father supported Bolivar. -- fascinating history! So, she just wants to escape reality.
Nicholas is obsessed with his land but his grandfather has kept any money that could improve the land away from him. The old man dies on his way to visit Winslow land with Margarita ( another family member dies on her). In the will, she inherents the money so the two have to marry. Nicholas is too busy to notice how drawn his wife is from the rest of the world.
He slowly notices after her nightmares become frequently and when she becomes pregnant. The two become extremely close. This is the friends before lovers trope.
It's not till after the baby is born that Margarita lets him know she is interested sexual in him. He has left her alone since she became pregnant. He didn't want to force anything on her. Warning: he was not a monk during this time. He had a mistress. But there was no OW drama.
The question is, can these two damaged people finally admit to love?
I really enjoy their friendship, but I like how mature Margarita is. There's no overdone misunderstandings, which is always refreshing. It's a really enjoyable read!
This is a pretty clean romance
Read: 10/29/22 My review is on Margaret And The Earl...more