The Rigid Duke by Darcy Burke ARC Review!

 

Title: The Rigid Duke (Matchmaking Chronicles #1)
Author: Darcy Burke
Publish Date: March 8th, 2022
Publisher: Zealous Quill Press
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

As a refinement tutor, Mrs. Juno Langton helps young ladies develop the skills and confidence to secure an advantageous marriage. Her cheerful disposition never wavers no matter how challenging her assignment. When a house party provides an opportunity to match her difficult charge with a duke, Juno will go to any lengths to satisfy her employer and ensure the young lady’s future. Too bad the duke is an unsmiling, rigid grouch, albeit an irritatingly handsome one.

The Duke of Warrington dislikes social gatherings and despises the Marriage Mart which makes it nigh impossible to find a wife. He plans to secure his future duchess at a house party, but she’s being managed by a thoroughly meddlesome—and provocative—Mrs. Langton, who is determined to find his better nature. He’ll do anything to avoid her sunny charm and room-brightening smiles, but she’s breaking through his shell and the only way he can think to keep her quiet is to kiss her. He must marry the young lady, not desire the companion.

But now he’s rethinking his wife choices.

Penelope's Review

This is a fun, quick read with great characters and a fun little plot! At only 156 pages, you can fly through this in one sitting. The book takes place over a week long house party where the Duke of Warrington is expected to suit with Lady Marina in order to avoid the London season. 

Dare is a handsome, yet grumpy man who rarely smiles and despises parties. He prefers to be outdoors on his feet or on his horse, alone. Juno is the complete opposite. She is upbeat and cheerful, always smiling, and loves people and parties! I guess it's true when they opposites attract haha! I absolutely loved how Juno was able to drag Dare out of his shell. She really did bring out the best in him, and I liked seeing the happier side of him. 

Lady Marina was shy and quiet, but I sensed a bit of mettle about her near the end - I'd actually be very curious to see what becomes of her. I loved that she'd rather have her nose in a book than talk to people - I can relate lol! 

Despite the fact that this book was short, I didn't feel like any aspect was rushed. I liked the pace at which things progressed and was a fan of the writing style. The book had just the right amount of spice, danger due to forbidden love, and connection. Overall, an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

Say You'll Be My Lady by Kate Pembrooke Book Review!

 

Title: Say You'll Be My Lady (The Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair #2)
Author: Kate Pembrooke
Publish Date: February 22nd, 2022
Publisher: Forever
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy for review!

Opposites attract in this irresistible Regency romance, where a proper gentleman who lives by the ton's rules and a lady who lives to break them try to resist one another—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton series.

Lady Serena Wynter doesn’t mind flirting with a bit of scandal—she’s determined to ignore society’s strictures and live life on her own fiercely independent terms. These days, she chooses to pour her passions into charitable causes with the vibrant group of ladies in her Wednesday Afternoon Social Club. But there is one man who stirs Serena’s deepest emotions, one who’s irresistibly handsome, infuriatingly circumspect, and too honorable for his own good...

Charles Townshend, former boxer and consummate gentleman, worries Serena’s reckless nature will earn her the ton’s scorn…or put her in serious danger. Though Charles isn’t immune to the attraction between them, a shocking family secret prevents him from ever acting on his desires. But it seems Lady Serena doesn’t intend to let his penchant for propriety stand in the way of a mutually satisfying dalliance.

Penelope's Review

This is a friends-to-lovers regency romance book that follows Lady Serena Wynter and her friend Charles Townshend. The book can be read as a standalone, I haven't read the first in this series and I was able to understand everything that was going on. I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read the first one which is always great!

Lady Serena is an absolute firebolt. She's bold and daring, willing to do whatever is necessary to help those less fortunate than her, and she goes after what she wants with abandon. I appreciate a strong female lead and this book gives just that! Charles is a very protective man, with a high sense of propriety. He always wants to do right by Serena, protecting her from anything that could hurt her including herself. As separate characters, I did like them both, but together, I felt like there was something missing. I almost liked them better as friends than as a romantic couple. 

I felt like much of this book was "telling" rather than "showing" which is great sometimes, but not for a whole book. The plot had some really interesting parts but I feel like they weren't put together in the greatest way - I ended up enjoying the read overall though! Oh and I loved Jem - such a sweet character! I could see the outcome for him from a mile away and I loved it! Any scene with him in it was entertaining!

I do plan to continue reading this series - I have a feeling the next book focuses on a "reformed rake" trope which I LOVE so I'll definitely check it out!

Rating: 3/5 Devils!

The Wonder of Love by Meara Platt Book Review

 

Title: The Wonder of Love
Author: Meara Platt
Publish Date: August 19th, 2021
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy for review!

She was in danger. He meant to protect her. But could he protect his heart?

More Regency fun as The Book of Love brings together two reluctant hearts.

Willow Farthingale never meant to punch Taunton’s magistrate, Shayne Brayden, in the nose. And she certainly did not set the fire that destroyed the coaching inn’s carriage house the very morning she was to leave for London and her society debut. But she might have seen who did, and now the handsome magistrate is not letting her out of his protection until the culprits are safely rounded up. Well, if he’s going to hold her in town under his watchful eye, then she may as well use the time productively and test out those love recipes in The Book of Love on him.

Shayne Brayden knew the fiery-haired Willow was trouble the moment he set eyes on her, but if she had seen the villains who set the carriage house fire, then it was possible they’d also seen her. He did not care how irritating she was, or how desperately he wanted to kiss her, he was going to do his duty and protect her.

But how was he to protect his heart, especially when she was toting that book on love around, and its ‘recipes’ seemed to be working on him?

Penelope's Review

This book seemed to start rather abruptly. There wasn't much of an introduction, just sort of an immediate presentation of the two main characters as the love interests. The book of love was, obviously, central to the theme of the book. But I have to say it was talked about SO much that it almost seemed to.. retract from the story a bit? Like I felt it took attention off the budding romance between Shayne and Willow when it was supposed to be helping it along. 

Now all that being said, this was definitely a fun, quick read. There was some drama but not between the two main characters in the sense of betrayals, cheating, etc. The drama came from some villains from the previous book stirring the pot again. I liked Shayne's character, he seemed to undergo quite a bit of growth which was nice to see. Willow seemed a lot younger than her character was meant to be but as the book went on she did seem to mature. I liked the two as main characters overall.

I will definitely read more in this series, but I just don't think this was my favorite one overall. That being said, I encourage you to give it a try and form your own opinion!

Rating: 3/5 Devils!

The Duke Who Loved Me by Jane Ashford Book Review

 

Title: The Duke Who Loved Me
Author: Jane Ashford    
Publish Date: August 24th, 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review! 

The Duke of Tereford is accustomed to getting his own way, but she's going to teach him a thing or two about love...

James Cantrell, the new Duke of Tereford, has inherited a dukedom in disarray and is overwhelmed by his unaccustomed responsibilities. Then he gets an idea. Cecelia Vainsmede served as liaison between James and her father, and she knows a great deal about business matters, his own in particular. She's also quite pretty. Ever the pragmatist, he suggests a marriage of convenience.

Cecelia has always been good at working with James, but she doesn't understand how he can be so obtuse. He clearly doesn't realize that he's the duke she's always wished for, or that his offer is an insult. But when a German prince arrives in London and immediately sets out to woo Cecelia, James will have to come to terms with what he really feels for her. Is running away worth the cost of losing her, or will the duke dare to win her once and for all?

Bestselling author Jane Ashford takes you to a dazzling Regency England you won't want to leave!

Penelope's Review

This book actually started out really great, but I found that I didn't love how the romance progressed or how the book ended. Everything felt very unfinished and unresolved, which is unfortunate because I felt like there was a lot of potential here! 

The main female lead is Cecilia and I thought she was a great character. She was relatable, which is always important and also very responsible and organized from having to run her father's estate. James, our male lead, was a decent character... but not my favourite. He got on my nerves a bit at some points, but I found his pragmatic attitude humorous at other points. The two together had ups and downs. In the beginning, I wasn't sure I liked the idea of the two of them together. In fact, I didn't know that was the direction the book was going to take at first. But then the idea grew on me. Especially when the German prince entered the book and it seemed like there was going to be a bit of a war for Cecelia's affections. But the interactions between the three ended up being a bit lackluster, in my opinion.

And then the book just... ended. It was really odd. The reconciliation happened so abruptly that I thought for sure I had missed something. Unfortunately when an ending is disappointing, it tends to overshadow the good parts of a book. I tried not to let that happen, and will admit that there was quite a bit I enjoyed. But overall, this wasn't my favourite regency romance. 

Rating: 3/5 Devils